Siberia.
The vast frost-covered forest blankets one ridge after another. This hardy species of tree only appeared in recent years, with white branches and sparse leaves that call to mind thousands upon thousands of pear blossoms blooming after a heavy snowfall.
"Huu!"
The harsh cold wind ravages a small hill, rustling through the woods and stirring up endless desolation. Winter in Siberia is like a cruel and heartless fairyland, beautiful, yet scarcely alive.
A snow fox treads upon the dry, hard earth, starving and shivering in the cold. This year's temperatures are particularly extreme, and even its thick fur is insufficient to fend off the chill.
It sniffs close to the ground, searching for anything edible beneath the soil, and unwittingly comes near a natural cave in the belly of the hill.
"Squeak squeak!"
