Hellhound

Hellhounds are a species of Underworld Canines that first appeared in the book The Autistic Hero 2:Worlds Clashing. Although once called Fiends in the shape of powerful dogs, These Hellhounds are in fact an entire species called Canus Infernus which were originally animals commonly known as Dire Wolves which somehow found their way into the nine hells. Hellhounds usually are chaotic evil but only because of their masters, If left alone they live a Chaotic Neutral life. Hellhounds are seen when The Happy Time Fun Squad is hunting down Hades in the Dis Layer and he has around 20 defend the gates to his throne. They are defeated easily by the heroes and one even dispatches another accidentally after Alfheim jumped over it.

## Biology

Hellhounds adapted to the nine hells similar to how the Nightmare adapted, They became Bio-Volcanic and thus they were deemed "Extinct" Because they disappeared but in reality they evolved so much they were unrecognizable. They have the skin texture of molten lava that has hardened or charcoal and you can see their molten lava veins and cracks in their skin can show fresh magma. They are always baring fangs as they no longer have lips which have burned off from the evolution and their teeth have become glowing orange indicating they and their claws became metallic which implies their bones have also become metallic likely to sustain its structure under such hot temperatures. Hellhounds always have ears pointing up and have glowing white eyes which are able to help it find its prey. Hellhounds primarily feed on Nightmares, small demons, humans, and a few other small organisms. The Hellhounds usually reach adult heights of 1.6 meters tall at the shoulders and a length of a polar bear.

## Abilities

Heated Body: Much like most creatures in this hostile landscape, Hellhounds produce an immense amount of heat which is usually dispelled through their claws and teeth as well as tail and ears, This heat is also used as an attack as it will use it to melt the skin of human prey and then bite down.

Fiery Fangs of Steel: The Teeth of the Hellhound are made of some kind of metal which are at the brink of melting but just barely which makes it to where they release steam and smoke but don't lose shape. These teeth are glowing and are one of the first things you see when a hellhound is approaching. These Teeth are very strong and a single bite on the human body will instantly cause third degree burns as well as cooking the human body just right so when it has to eat it will dissolve any parasites or diseases on the human.

Claws of Molten: much like its teeth, The Hellhounds use their claws as Melee weapons which upon raking their human targets or any mortal food it will cause a third degree burn and also cook the human body but not as much as its bite. These claws only ever break when strong blunt force is applied.

Pack Tactics: Hellhounds never forgot their team mechanisms, Hellhounds hunt in large groups and they always understand one another's position which allows them to strike with almost frightening timing, some instances have been even observed catching a bullet mid flight before it hit a wounded member of its pack.

Fire Breath: hellhounds can breathe fire from a Magma Chamber located between their lungs and above their diaphram, This organ holds a fire element which is distributing heat to many places in its body like the heart does except it is also used for fire breath. as expected, a Hellhound will draw its head back and then take a deep breath in which pressurizes this chamber and when it exhales it opens like a jar of water and the flames come spewing out for a distance of 7.7 meters. This can fatally burn the human body and leave exposed muscle and charred bones but shockingly the human target may still be alive unless this attack is aimed right at the face.

## Trivia

Hellhounds explain why the Dire Wolf went extinct and that at one point in history there was some opening to hell that really messed up the wildlife.