* 1st Appearance of The "HOWLER"

The blood-curdling call of the Howler puts everyone in the local tavern on edge. Immediately they close the building up tight as Jason Blood plays the disbelieving tourist to inquire about the monster the villagers all seem so afraid of. Against the wishes of the locals, Jason takes his leave, hoping to get back to America as soon as possible after his nasty encounter with the Iron Duke and Ugly Meg. Ignoring the protests of the villagers, he rides out to meet with Merlin, but is being stalked by an ancient evil. The Howler ambushes the lone rider on the road out of town and Jason wastes no time summoning the Demon.

The Howler tosses the horse away effortlessly while Etrigan leaps onto the creature. Underestimating the beast's strength, Etrigan is launched off of his adversary who then attempts to swing at the Demon with a tree trunk. Etrigan quickly realises he is facing a monster not of sorcery, but some unrelenting, primal beast-spirit. He sets the Howler's log on fire, continuing his demon-flame assault when he sees the creature's fear. The Howler retreats into the forest engulfed in flame. Merlin soon shows himself, mildly chiding Etrigan for using such excessive force on a creature that is merely a host for the "Primal Entity". Etrigan reminds his master that they have served their purpose here. Merlin agrees, returning once more to his realm of existence. Etrigan recovers the horse and rides off, while from the shadows, the Howler watches his prey which it will relentlessly pursue until it takes over its newly selected host.

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