Black fox

I gripped the hilt of my sword tightly, my pulse racing as the shadows in the forest seemed to close in.

The eerie growl still echoed in my ears, and I was prepared for the worst some kind of dark creature lurking in the trees, waiting for its moment to pounce. My eyes scanned the undergrowth, every nerve in my body on high alert.

I had faced terrifying monsters before, but this felt different. Something about this atmosphere, about the weight of the silence around me, set me on edge.

Then, out of the dense bushes, something small and black darted into view. I tensed, ready for whatever new threat was approaching. But instead of a monstrous beast, a tiny black fox bounded toward me.

Its fur shimmered like the night sky, its eyes glowing an unsettling shade of red. It looked almost like a shadow brought to life, and yet… it was adorable.

I blinked in surprise, lowering my sword slightly. "What…?"