???'s POV

I felt that I would like this new challenger. They seemed as if they already knew how to play, but was surprised by just about everything as well. I do not know if their reactions are genuine, or they are faking them for my amusement. I suspected it was the former. No one would do anything for me anymore...not after...

I am getting off track. This one felt very...similar. They reminded me of someone. HER...

No. That can't be HER, right? Well, it is obviously not, as shown by their differences in appearance and behavior. SHE knew everything about this. This one knew little. SHE did not look that different, either. I could never forget someone like HER. And I know someone is reading this. This electronic recollection of events had to have reached someone. So, dear reader, please do not place HER in a bad light. I promise, SHE is not bad. SHE saved us. SHE saved HER world. I know you are wondering who I am referring to. I dare not speak HER name. I do not want to bring back those memories. It was horrible. I knew something was happening outside. Something terrible. All I could hear was HER screams. And HER pain. Thankfully...uh...the Stinkbug...had inscribed HER. They saved HER from the outside. SHE was now safe...inside...with us. Soon, they may get to see HER as well...

if it ever comes to that. I can only hope it does not. Ever since that, I swore that I would protect challengers, at any cost. As a scrybe, I cannot fall easily. Neither physically, mentally, nor in card battle. Still, there is always the chance I do. Thank goodness I made the habit of carrying this around everywhere.

"Uh...hello?"

The challenger spoke. They...actually spoke. SHE never did that. I was taken aback a small bit. At least they had woken me from my trance of thoughts. Another battle was in queue. This one would be special.

I had prepared the combat setup, along with something...extra. I tightened the head onto the body, and explained once more.

"Behold my totem."

"This one grants all of my canine cards the Airborne sigil."

A thin, red mist coated the room as cards were drawn, and as I prepared a Coyote. The challenger listened to that Stoat once again. I can only hope that he does not tell of where I have hid the others. Thankfully, he stopped, and let them play. The Stoat went in front of the incoming Coyote, dealing a point of damage to me. I quickly had the scales match the score.

"My totem has given my Coyote the power of flight!"

The Coyote attacked, pushing me into a small lead.

"Ha! My Coyote flew right over your Stoat!"

I...I felt true emotion leave my vocal cords there. I just felt...happy. I finally felt something other than loneliness. Alas, I cannot let that happen again. I would rather that the challenger not recognize me. That would be awkward. I am something from outside, after all. We all are.

The battle was faster than I anticipated. They won quickly, flooding my side of the scales with their pair of wolves.

"How brutal of you."

They slightly tilted their head, confused.

"You dealt me more damage than you needed to win."

"However, in MY game, such feats are rewarded."

"To be precise: a tooth to keep for each excess damage dealt."

"The Trapper may be interested in your spoils."

I know that he will like this payment much more than foils. Those scraps were only useful in her eyes.

Now, another card. They took a Wolf Cub. A very powerful card, growing into a Wolf after a turn. The only thing to fear is the card not surviving that one turn. Now, another campfire.

""Warm a creature by the fire?" one spoke."

""Increase its health?" said another."

The challenger gave their newly acquired Wolf Cub 2 more health, then prevailed to a new space. Time to introduce a friend...