A decision was made. Something strange was going on with the mysterious animal, assuming that's what she was in the first place. As such, Balder and Thor reported to the All-Father, detailing their findings and all they had learned. Unfortunately, as the wolf in question had gone missing since their last encounter, the most they could do was observe. Until she revealed herself again, the three would continue on as normal. When she appeared, they could follow her.

Loki remained on the outskirts, searching for their missing quarry. He had made a few attempts at trying to find her, including his howling call. Unfortunately, they had gone unanswered every time and his forest strolls had offered him no information on her whereabouts. The fire god didn't have a single clue where she could have run off to and had even less of an idea of how to bring her back. Worst of all, the wolf's absence had brought the god of fire to an alarming realization.

He was lonely.

While Loki wasn't typically one to seek out socialization these days, even he couldn't deny that he had been starting to appreciate Runa's presence. Over their time together, she had become a constant. Someone in his life available, for the most part, at any time of day or night. When Balder and Thor remained unavailable, she provided companionship, even though she was more of a familiar than a friend. It was kind of nice to have someone to talk to, even though she couldn't always answer back. Now, in her absence, he was finding that he missed her company. With or without total communication…

It was better than being alone.

Sighing, the fire god hopped from his doorstep into the snow. After yet another failed attempt at summoning her, he decided that a stroll through the forest was preferable to moping around his cottage. He didn't feel like pranking any gods in the city today, so perhaps a trip through the woods would do him some good. He would find a woodland creature to mess with or play around with other wildlife. Boars were a particular favorite, as they were extremely uncoordinated and easy to rile up. Perhaps if he caused a large enough stir, it would lure his companion out of hiding.

It was a quiet, uneventful walk. The trees were empty of birds and the brush free of inhabitants. All was still on this day, leaving Loki with little more to do than admire the landscape. As that consisted primarily of endless expanses of snow and ice, there wasn't much to appreciate. His travels took him to a familiar clearing; deserted as it often was, save for the occasional herds. Stepping into the open field, Loki looked around, paying careful attention to any mounds of snow. Unsurprisingly, she wasn't in the area. With a bored sigh, he instead stood still, taking in the tranquility surrounding him. It was surreal. It was too calm. Listening to the sounds of the trees, it became apparent to him that the forest wolf wasn't the only one missing. All of the wildlife had disappeared. There were no birds in the trees. No squirrels on the branches. No rabbits burrowing through the brush. All was silent… and it was deafening.

Something wasn't right. Forests weren't quiet in Asgard. There was always something in motion, a rodent in the thicket, a predator on the hunt. Such peace was dangerous in their realm. Where there was calm, there was storm, and Loki knew that better than anyone. Flames licked his fingertips as he looked slowly around the field. Yes. It was far too still… Then it wasn't.

A loud roar echoed through air, far too large to be a boar. Bushes trembled under the weight of an unseen threat, thundering through the trees. The embers in Loki's hand erupted into blaze. He didn't know what was coming towards him, but it was going to take more than a small fire ball. The flames extended, taking the form of a blade as he summoned his sword, Laevatein. It was uncommon for the fire god to wield his weapon, but he wasn't taking any chances. And what a good decision that turned out to be.

Bursting through the trees was a bear, massive in size with paws like dinner platters and hook-like claws. Certainly not what he had hoped to encounter today. Bears in Asgard were menacing. Their size and strength alone made them prized game for hunting parties. Thor himself had brought down his fair share over the centuries. But Loki was far less skilled in the areas of brute strength. What was it doing in this part of the woods anyway?

In moments, he got his answer.

Following behind it was a large group of creatures the fire god was becoming increasingly familiar with. Wolves. Why did it have to be wolves? They erupted through the trees, leaping at their prey with reckless abandon. A pair latched onto its arm, trying to drag it to the ground. Another pair attacked its legs. Whines echoed across the clearing as the beast retaliated, batting away one of its assaulters with a gigantic paw. It seemed the god of fire had wandered his way into the middle of a turf war. Such battles were relatively common in Asgard; predators battling for territory and prey. They normally occurred much farther into the forest. It seemed that this battle had turned into a chase, drawing them inward.

While Loki had little interest in such conflict, ignoring them would only come to bite him later. Literally. He would have to take care of this little problem. What a nuisance. The animals took their brawl into the center of the clearing, bringing the fight to him as he brandished his weapon. With a swing of his sword, he slayed a stray wolf that had drifted a little too close for comfort. And with the death throes of their brethren, the wolves seemed to suddenly realize Loki was there.

The battle turned into a free-for-fall, a pack of wolves against a massive bear with Loki caught in the center of it. It was nothing he couldn't handle, but he certainly wasn't happy about it. Loki's nimble body maneuvered around the charging canines, swinging his blade, and felling them as they passed. These were the types of wolves he was accustomed to. Vicious, aggressive… colorless.

No. That wasn't right.

Leaping through the trees was a new contender, a fellow wolf, coat as white as snow. It didn't spare him a glance, instead charging for the nearest adversary. A well-placed bite to the leg halted its charge, sending it stumbling away. She spun, evading an incoming strike, and body-checking another. He blinked, a bit surprised by the sight. The wolf snarled, driving back Loki's adversaries as she skidded to a stop at his side. She had returned to him… and further proven what an unusual creature she was. It was odd enough that she had come to his defense. But against her own kind? Now that was interesting.

Nonetheless, he appreciated it all the same.

Within moments, the area had become a battlefield with bodies flying in every direction, some limping in defeat, others unmoving. The two fought side by side, pushing back the aggressors and slaying them as necessary. The pair quickly formed a temporary truce with the bear, driving away the pack and sending them running back into the trees. Yuna preferred it this way. To force a retreat meant far less bloodshed.

She barked after them as the remaining members limped away, sensing a losing battle. But the fight wasn't over yet. Behind them remained their final threat. Previously distracted by the wolves, the bear's attention had been focused entirely on the encroaching pack. Now, they had fled, leaving it with only two remaining adversaries. Without even a moment of pause, the bear roared its challenge and charged, rushing towards its most vulnerable target.

After sending away the last of his assaulters, Loki's back was turned. He didn't see the incoming threat. But Yuna did.

"Eh?" Loki blinked, the sound of shattering glass erupting from behind him. Spinning on his heel, he saw a startling sight. The bear's claw had been halted, instead hammering against what looked like… a shield? Shards rained at his feet as the wall dissipated, having served its purpose. A sheet of ice had guarded him.

But where did it come from?

A moment of confusion washed over him, his eyes flicking for just a moment at the animal now standing at his side. The pause ended quickly, both god and wolf scattering to either side to evade the bear's following tackle. Loki twirled, driving his blade along its side as it passed, rending the flesh and earning an angered snarl. To its other side, Yuna did much the same, her blade of ice dragging across its body.

The bear snarled and turned; its paws lifted for an angry swipe. Loki was ready for it. He thrust forward, driving Laevatein deep into the animal's chest. Wrenching backward, he stepped away from the collapsing form. Its body fell with a colossal thud, snow spraying from the area of impact. His blade vanished, disappearing into a burst of embers. As he looked over the slain beast, he noticed something unusual. While his strike had undoubtedly played a massive role in bringing its end, it hadn't been the only factor.

Protruding from the creature's back were three spears; javelins of ice embedded deep within its skin. Loki blinked, startled by the strange turn of events. Then he turned, eyeing Runa with utter disbelief. Standing across from him, she looked up at him, casual as she had ever been. And in her mouth was a frozen blade… but only for a moment. In a few seconds, it vanished into snow.

Runa was just chock full of surprises, it would seem. Ice was not in the repertoire of the average wolf, let alone wielding it to such a capacity. Even more unusual, it seemed that she possessed a weapon similar to his own; one she could clearly utilize in canine form. She controlled the frozen world around them, bending it to her will. Far beyond anything he had ever seen from one such as her. It was indisputable confirmation. This wolf was not a wolf. He wasn't exactly sure what she was, but it certainly wasn't a forest animal.

Yuna blinked, gazing up at him. The furs on her back bristled as she came to the terrifying realization. By displaying her power, she had unintentionally revealed herself. How he was going to react to the discovery was mystery to her. After garnering suspicion for some time, this was probably going to raise alarm. She tilted her head, her mind already running through countless scenarios, all ending with her exile from this wonderous realm… or worse. Immediately, she began to formulate escape plans and methods of protecting herself.

She didn't need them.

His golden gaze began to shift as he regarded her, a smirk pulling at his lips. He was eyeing her not with caution, but with curiosity. Yuna wasn't something to be rejected, but something to be learned. She had piqued Loki's interest to new heights, and he wanted to know everything. "Well, well, well, aren't we full of surprises?"

Yuna shrugged, choosing not to make any more of the situation than necessary. If he saw no reason to make a scene about it, then she wouldn't either. His nonchalance boded well for her, allowing her to remain as she was for as long as fate would allow. How would he react, she wondered, were he to learn the truth of her identity? Gazing into his amused eyes, she pondered the idea, considering the possibilities. Perhaps she would show him. One day.

For now, she would remain in hiding, smirking up at him as he smiled back.

With the excitement over, the pair focused on their kill, contemplating what to do with the large game. Loki could drag it back to the city, but there was little point in doing so. He wasn't interested in bragging rights and even if he were, no one would show interest anyway. The god of fire rarely got credit for anything, least of all successful hunts or accomplishments. Carving it seemed a better option, although bear meat was often rather tough. Its pelt could certainly make for an interesting decoration.

"Well, this is a hell of a catch." Loki muttered casually, earning a nod in response. "We should probably move it. You know, before anything else shows up."

Yuna didn't respond. Instead, she made her way towards of the legs. Gripping it carefully, with Loki at her side, she began to drag backward. The two pulled the fallen beast from the clearing and into the trees, making their way back to Loki's cottage. As the two vanished within the foliage, they remained blissfully unaware that they were being watched. High above, in the branches of the trees, a pair of ravens followed their every move.

With a beat of their mighty wings, Huginn and Muninn took to the skies to tell the All-Father what they had found.