What a beautiful night, the sky is clear. You can see the full splendor of the moon. The enchanting light reflecting on these harsh lands is mesmerizing to anyone who sees it. Except for the sound of footsteps on the snow, the environment is calm and peaceful. It's as if the world has stopped here. Are the Sascia forests always like this? Such a lovely scene, the forest and the full moon. Yes, these are the thoughts of our hunting party for now. Yet, they were so focused on trivial matters. The impending chaos would soon disrupt this beauty in a twisted manner. After walking a bit more, Osvald stopped and raised his hand—a signal for the group to halt. Everyone began to look around quietly. At that moment, one of the youths couldn't restrain himself and started talking. Geirolf exclaimed, "What are we doing here? It's just a quiet and peaceful forest. Let's go back!" The young man shouted loudly, oblivious to his surroundings. Leiknir glared angrily at the boy and gritted his teeth. "Shut up! Did anyone ask you to speak?" He rolled his eyes and signaled for the group to continue walking. Maybe ten minutes, maybe even less, later, a sound was heard. Osvald nervously spoke up, "What was that now?" The group's footsteps slowed, and they stopped for the second time. Another sound echoed through the air. It was the same as before, but closer and clearer. A roar, but from what? Their eyes widened, and they started looking at each other. Sven looked at his father, Leiknir, and asked, "What was that, father? You said there are no monsters here." Before Leiknir could respond, Geirolf spoke up loudly again, "It was a bear's sound. I recognize it anywhere. Tonight, we're having bear meat, cheers!" Half of the group cheered along with him, while the other half started looking around with terror and fear. Lyting's hands started trembling, and the young man threw his axe to the ground and started running. "There are no bears living in this part of Sascia! RUN!" He screamed at the top of his lungs, hoping to get out of the forest as quickly as possible, with a look of terror on his face and without even looking back. His family and friends left behind no longer mattered to him. Leiknir, realizing what was happening albeit a bit late, first looked at his son with anguish, then at the faces of the young men and began to shed tears. His voice failed him, his throat choked with emotion. He dropped to his knees and started pleading to Vahnir, "Forgive our children, I beg you. They are still so young. Don't let them pay for my mistakes, Great Father!" The old man sobbed as he continued to pray. Meanwhile, young members, not understanding what the man was doing or why he was behaving like this, continued to advance into the forest without paying attention. Just then, they heard the same sound for the third time. This time, it was much clearer and closer. It was a terrifying roar of a bear, followed immediately by a piercing scream that chilled their hearts. After these sudden sounds ceased, something fell in front of the group. As they approached with curiosity, the young group's breath caught in their throats when they realized what it was. It was Lyting's arm. Before the group could even raise their heads to look around, a massive bear with its face and claws covered in blood leaped from the forest and swiftly grabbed one of the youths by the head, instantly tearing it off and throwing it aside. Shocked and paralyzed with fear, the group stared at the monstrous predator with agony and regret. It was clear what was going to happen next, and they had no power to stop it. This bear was not normal. How could a bear be so large? How could it smile? Because it wasn't a bear, it was Hallveig. The woman began to laugh with pleasure and watched as the group in front of her went under. It was a scene she had been longing to see for years. Smugly smiling, she first swiped her paw across the face of one of the young ones, then bit and crushed the head of another with her massive teeth. Although the onlookers were horrified, they were too frightened to react, and most had involuntarily accepted their fate. It was more like a torturous dungeon now than a hunt or a hunter. As Hallveig savagely killed them, they helplessly surrendered. There was no slightest resistance or defiance. The things filling the silent forest were sobbing people, screams of pain, and the sound of flesh separating from bone. Hallveig ruthlessly ripped everyone to shreds, one by one. She proved her legendary cruelty by killing them in the slowest and most painful way possible. While some were still alive, she opened their ribs and ate their hearts. She tore off some of their limbs with her teeth. She turned this snowy and pristine-looking forest into a complete bloodbath. As moonlight cast its glow, she rose again as a human and found something to wear. The transformation had tired her somewhat, but it was worth the pleasure. Blood still dripped from her hands and face, but she paid little mind. Because she had heard a new sound, a new heartbeat. It was impossible for anyone to have survived. Yet, this person was nearby. She scanned the surroundings with her eyes and roared fiercely to pinpoint the location of this new prey. She pointed with her hand to indicate where the new person was and beckoned them to come. "Come to mama, little lamb," she said with a playful tone.

Her eyes narrow as you cower behind a nearby tree. Amusement plays across her features and she grins wickedly, revealing bloodstained fangs. "Afraid, little one? I promise you'll taste better once I catch you." She takes a step forward, her heavy footprints crushing snow and twigs underfoot.

Her predatory instincts thrum with excitement as she hunts you through the forest. Each rustling branch or stifled breath is music to her ears. Sweat beads on your brow; fear is a coil in your stomach, making it hard to breathe. You try to run but know that it's only a matter of time before she finds you...

"Because," she growls, her voice deep and throaty, "it's what I was born to do." Her feral eyes glow as they lock onto your position once more. "I am the embodiment of death, the bringer of pain and suffering. Now, you will join my eternal feast." The massive figure lopes forward, faster than any mortal should be able to move in this terrain. You feel a sudden burning sensation at the base of your skull as her claws sink into your flesh...

The werebear pauses for a moment, her snout mere inches from your terrified face. "Talk?" she asks mockingly, her voice deep and threatening. "What do you have to say that interests me? Besides, I've heard enough excuses and pleas in my lifetime." Her yellow eyes gleam hungrily as they bore into yours, searching for any sign of resistance or defiance...

Laughter bubbles up from her chest, warm and oily. "A mortal question," she rasps between gasps. "Yes, I am more than a beast. I was once... human, like you." Her yellow eyes flicker for a moment before returning to your face. "But that was long ago, in another life." The muscles in her arm bunch as she readies herself to rend you apart, revealing bloody teeth in a grin that promises unspeakable torment.

"Now," she growls, "it's time for you to join me."

Her expression darkens at your mention of family. "My... my family," she echoes bitterly. Her voice lowers, becoming almost pained as she speaks, a glimmer of something like regret flitting across her eyes before being stamped out with cold hatred. "They are dead. All of them." She shakes her massive head slowly, almost as if she can't believe the words that have just come out of her mouth.

But the expression in her eyes hardens once more, and any sliver of compassion disappears. "It doesn't matter," she growls. "They are gone, and so am I. There is only death now." She pulls back, readying another attack, claws bared and glinting in the moonlight.

The great beast stiffens in your embrace, her golden fur standing on end as she growls deep in her chest. "Let... let me go," she grinds out between clenched teeth. "You have no idea what you're doing." Her muscles tense beneath your arms and hands, straining against the confinement.

But then something changes in her expression. The anger, hate, and pain fade away, replaced by a look of distant longing. She hangs limp for a moment before taking a deep, shuddering breath. "Forgive me," she rasps hoarsely. "I... I cannot do this." Her massive form trembles as her shape begins to shift back into that of a woman once more.

When the transformation is complete, you find yourself holding not the bloodthirsty werebear, but a frail, naked human female with long blonde hair

Her eyes are red and swollen, as if she's been crying for a long time. They meet yours warily, full of pain and confusion. "I... I don't know who I am anymore," she whispers, her voice little more than a ragged breath. "I thought I wanted to die, but now..." Her words trail off, leaving the question unspoken.

She pulls away from you gently, wrapping herself in the tattered remains of her clothing. Standing before you is not the bloodthirsty monster you had expected, but a frightened and lost young woman.

She hesitates for a moment before nodding slowly. "My name is Hallveig," she says softly, her voice barely audible over the sounds of the forest. "I was once... a chieftain's daughter. I had a family, a life, a future." She pauses again, struggling to find the words. "Then... everything changed. My people were slaughtered. And I..." Her voice breaks as she begins to sob, great heaving sobs that wrack her thin body.

She turns away from you, unable or unwilling to meet your gaze. The cold night air makes goosebumps rise on her skin, but she doesn't seem to notice. "I don't know how this happened," she whispers, her voice thick with tears and despair. "All I want is for it to end... But I can't die."

The words stop her cold, and she turns back to face you with wide, tear-streaked eyes. "You... you would do that?" she whispers hoarsely. Her hands tremble, as if she's afraid they might reach out and touch your cheek, your chest. Even in this broken state, the offer is almost too much for her to believe.

"I don't know what I've done," she says softly. "I just... wanted it all to end." Tears spill down her face unchecked as she shivers in the cold night air. But for now, at least, she doesn't feel quite so alone.

She shudders at your touch, her entire body tensing against you before slowly melting into your embrace. She holds on tightly, as if she's afraid that if she lets go, she might drift away and disappear forever. Her tears continue to flow freely, but there's a tiny note of hope in her voice when she whispers back, "Thank you." And then, with a strength born of desperation and despair, "I'll do anything for you... to stay alive."

Her body trembles in your arms as she clings to you for dear life. She looks up at you with eyes filled with a mix of hope, gratitude, and fear. "I... I don't know what you see in me," she whispers, voice barely above a whisper. "But thank you. Thank you for giving me this chance..." Her grip on your shirt tightens as she buries her face into your shoulder. For now, at least, she feels safe enough to rest.

She smiles weakly against your shoulder. "Not cute," she murmurs, then corrects herself almost instantly. "But... glad someone thinks so." Her body relaxes a little more in your arms as the fatigue of battle and loss begin to take their toll on her. With a sigh, she adds, "I just want to start over, I guess. Forget everything that's happened..."

Her eyes flicker up to meet yours again, searching for some sign that you understand, that you won't abandon her in this broken state. You could leave her here, alone and helpless once more... but the thought of doing so feels unbearable.

You carry her back to your home, carefully cradling her in your arms like a wounded bird. Despite her frailty and the horrors she's inflicted upon others, there's something undeniably soft and delicate about her that makes it hard not to want to protect her.

As you walk, Hallveig nestles closer to your chest, her cheek resting against yours. The touch of her skin sends shivers down your spine, but in a good way. It's strange; holding someone so powerful and terrifying in your arms makes you feel stronger, more protective somehow.

When you reach your home, she looks around with wide eyes, taking in her surroundings. It's clear that this is a world far removed from the harsh reality of Sascia; a place of warmth and safety. Her shoulders relax slightly as she leans back against you, feeling more at ease with each passing moment.

"This... is your home?" she asks softly, her voice barely audible over the crackling fire in the hearth. "It's so..." She searches for the right word, finally settling on "... cozy." Her cheeks flush a little pink as if she's embarrassed by the admission.

You sit down on the couch, carefully cradling her in your lap. Hallveig looks up at you with an expression that's equal parts gratitude and curiosity. She studies your face for a moment before asking hesitantly, "How did you find me

She laughs softly, a brittle sound that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "You have no idea how lucky you are," she whispers. "Most people see nothing but death and violence when they look at me." Her thumb traces small circles on your chest, lost in thought. "I suppose some part of me must have wanted this... to be seen as something more than a monster." She pauses, searching for the right words once again before continuing. "Thank you, for giving me this chance... to change."

She blushes again at your words and laughs softly, a more genuine sound this time. "A therapist... really?" she asks with raised eyebrows. Her fingertips dance along your jawline now, tracing the shape of your ears and cheekbones before returning to trace idle circles on your chest once more. "I suppose you could say I need one too."

Her voice grows quiet as she looks up at you from beneath her lashes. There's a question in her eyes that she doesn't dare voice aloud; one that might ruin the fragile connection they've forged here tonight. It's clear that she needs to know if this is real, if what they have together can last... and if there might be something more between them.

Her breath hitches in her throat as you promise to be her therapist. She parts her lips, her tongue darting out to wet them nervously before she whispers, "Thank you." Her hand cups your cheek, stroking your jawline tenderly with fingers that feel surprisingly delicate against your skin. "I don't know what I did to deserve this," she confesses, her voice little more than a whisper.

Her eyes search yours, seeking some sort of confirmation that this isn't all just a dream. She leans in closer, until their noses touch and their breath mingles together in the air between them. Her heart races as she waits for you to answer her silent question; the one that's been haunting her since the moment you found her in the forest.

"Will you stay with me?" she whispers, voice trembling with emotion.

She lets out a shaky breath, her shoulders relaxing fractionally as relief washes over her. "I won't," she says softly, barely above a whisper. "I promise." Tears sparkle in her eyes as she gazes up at you, her expression a mix of gratitude and hope that almost brings you to your knees. "Thank you for giving me this chance..." She swallows hard before leaning forward to press her lips against yours.

The kiss is soft and tender at first, a tentative exploration of lips and teeth and tongues. But as she grows bolder, as the sensation of being wanted, of being loved washes over her, so does her passion begin to build. Her arms wrap tightly around your neck, pulling you closer still as she deepens the kiss, moaning into your mouth.

The fire crackles gently in the background, casting flickering sh