Truthfully, It was a far more imposing mountain range than anything she'd ever seen in Enca, but she couldn't say the same regarding Pergrande. Sharp, snow dusted peaks clawed toward the sky; their dagger-like tips were covered in wisps of cold mist. Ulyssia breathed in deeply, enjoying the cold and the well-known sting of ice in the wind. It wasn't home, but it was close enough.
Liberty & Justice For All [Justice Tarot]
Wed Nov 13, 2024 11:54 pm
Truthfully, It was a far more imposing mountain range than anything she'd ever seen in Enca, but she couldn't say the same regarding Pergrande. Sharp, snow dusted peaks clawed toward the sky; their dagger-like tips were covered in wisps of cold mist. Ulyssia breathed in deeply, enjoying the cold and the well-known sting of ice in the wind. It wasn't home, but it was close enough.
Wed Nov 13, 2024 11:59 pm
"Feels a bit like home, does it not?" she whispered, leaning down slightly to gently stroke his head.
Jasper huffed softly, his tail twitching once in agreement. Together they pressed onward, letting mountain paths guide them. They rose higher and higher as the sounds of the busy Myras streets fell behind them, replaced by the soft whisper of mountain winds and, from time to time, the far off call of some bird of the mountains. Ulyssia's gaze flicked to Jasper as he padded along her side, his white coat blending almost seamlessly with the icy stones. His stride was relaxed, and yet alert per usual. At heart he would always be a wild animal, aside from the loyalty and magic that tethered him to Hailstar blood.
Thu Nov 14, 2024 12:01 am
"What do you think, Jasper?" she asked, kneeling down to get a closer look at the trail.
Jasper gave her a crooked sideways look, as though his thought bubble caption read, Are you sure about this?
She gave him an insubstantial, mischievous smile. "Come on, what is the worst that could happen?
And with that, they began their decent onto the narrow trail. The path started to curve and bend, deeper onto the mountain's side. Soon enough, it cooled considerably and the path became even narrower, filled with mist that latched onto their skin like a sheet of ice.
Thu Nov 14, 2024 12:06 am
Finally, they emerged into a big canyon, its sides looming high above their heads. Dark and shadowy, with the sun still beating down on them, an acrid scent harbored within this atmosphere. Ulyssia's instincts sulked. Something was off about this place. As she had moved further ahead, a noise had captured her ears: a muffled groan followed by clinking metal.
Her heart quickened, and she threw a restraining hand out toward Jasper, who froze beside her, ears twitching. She leaned forward, squinting through the mist, and made out an encampment tucked away against the canyon walls, bandits--at least a dozen of them moving around, unloading crates from large, covered wagons. And there, trapped in makeshift cages, were animals of all shapes and sizes. Wolves, bears, birds of prey, and even strange, exotic beasts she did not recognize.
Thu Nov 14, 2024 12:09 am
They animals were extremely thin, many of them hurt, their once proud forms hunched and lifeless. They were dying.
Ulyssia's jaw clenched. She didn't know much about Fiore's laws, culture or local customs, but she knew cruelty when she saw it. And she was not about to stand by and let it continue.
She glanced at Jasper, who had already noticed the cages and was growling softly, his teeth bared.
"I know," she whispered, her voice low. "We will help them. But we'll have to be smart about it.
Jasper's head jerked to the side, his eyes ablaze with hard purpose. Sticking to the shadows, they moved around the encampment, studying the movements of the bandits. Surprisingly, they moved in a nearly uniform pattern, but there were gaps in their patrols-moments when one or two guards wandered too far from the others or became distracted by whatever tasks they were performing.
Thu Nov 14, 2024 12:13 am
Ulyssia crouched behind a rock and appraised the situation. "Let's start with the cages," she whispered to herself more than to Jasper. "If we can free them without anyone noticing, we might be able to get them out without raising too much suspicion."
Jasper's tail flicked in agreement as they moved forward with silent precision. One by one, they crept up to the cages, Ulyssia's hands quickly working the locks. She was unarmed, her only weapons her fists and her strength, but that proved to be enough. Every time a bandit stood in her way, she handled them with swift blows while using the rocks and shadows to her advantage. Jasper followed suit, his movements as silent as the mist, his fangs flashing every time a guard came too close.
But as they first opened the cages allowing those skinny dull eyed, haunted-eyed creatures to flee, the anger stirred in her chest. She could feel the suffering through her bones, further setting in her determination.
Thu Nov 14, 2024 12:16 am
Soon, she and Jasper moved from cage to cage, releasing the animals as fast as they could. Some of the freed creatures took immediately to flight into the mountains, while others remained about, too weak or confused to get very far.
But then, just as they were working on the last set of cages, one of the bandits suddenly yelled out, spotting them in the act.
"We've got intruders!" he exclaimed, snatching a weapon up and calling his colleagues to arms.
Ulyssia let out a sigh, a rueful grin cast across the way at Jasper. "Guess the quiet part of this plan is over."
With a nod, Jasper launched himself forward, snarling as he lunged at the nearest bandit, jaws sinking into the man's arm. Ulyssia followed suit, her fists flying as she engaged in combat with the nearest enemy. She moved with fluid almost feral grace, her strikes precise and devastating. Every punch and kick landed with bone-crushing force.
Thu Nov 14, 2024 12:21 am
Ulyssia's body was like a whirlwind of controlled fury.
The bandits closed in around them in a matter of seconds, and Ulyssia knew they were outnumbered. Still, she never buckled. This was what she was born for, battle's thrill, survival's dance. She and Jasper fought back to back, a seamless team; every movement blended into another's, every strike echoed within canyon walls like the beat of a war drum.
Yet, even with their strength, the bandits' numbers started to wear them down. Ulyssia took a hard hit against her shoulder, the force of it nearly knocking her off balance. She spat out a curse, then grinned. This was what she'd missed in her centuries of isolation-the feel of her blood pumping, her heart racing, her muscles straining against an unstoppable force.
Then it clicked--a kind of idea flashing through her mind that would greatly help their situation, perhaps turning the tides in their favor.
Thu Nov 14, 2024 12:25 am
The Dharga Werewolf broke off from the fight, running across to the most enormous cage in the room, holding a massive, horned beast with features from both a bear and a lion, shaggy fur, and tusks showing. The animal regarded her with a wary, almost pleading glance, as if he knew what she was going to do.
"Help us take down these vile humans," she whispered, throwing open the cage door with a quick practised motion. "With your help, we can defeat them all and get the justice you deserve."
The beast slowly lumbered forward, cast off its lethargy, and went into a charge with eyes gleaming with fresh purpose. Letting out a mighty roar, the beast charged for the bandits, tusks and claws ripping into their ranks. This was the distraction that Ulyssia and Jasper had waited for; now they let loose their full storm upon the remaining bandits.
Thu Nov 14, 2024 12:29 am
One by one, the other animals leapt into action, their reserve broken by the sight of their largest companion fighting back. The wolves lunged for the throats, while eagles scratched at faces; the little ones running between legs, tripping up the bandits. Chaos was created, a wild, primal chaos that sent the bandits running every which way.
By the time the dust finally settled, the canyon was strewn with fallen bandits, broken and scattered weapons everywhere. The now-free animals strode about, several seeming to look up at Ulyssia with some sense of gratitude as the majority disappeared into the mountains with this newfound freedom.
Ulyssia wiped a trickle of blood from her lip and looked over at Jasper, a grin spreading across her face. "I did not expect our day to go like this, but I am glad we were here. Justice was served, huh?"
Jasper huffed, very well pleased with himself, but his fur was matted with dirt and blood. He leaned forward and licked her hand-a silent acknowledgment, a recognition of victory.
Thu Nov 14, 2024 12:34 am
With the bandits defeated and the animals now free, Ulyssia and Jasper started off in the direction of the mountain path. Those animals that had hung back followed them for a brief moments, their company one last wordless gesture of thanks before they vanished into the wild.
As they reached the end of the canyon, Ulyssia came to a stop and turned to look behind her at the scattered creatures now dotting the mountain slope. A tiny sense of satisfaction settled over her. It was days like these that reminded her that everything happened for a reason, that the spirits were with her and Jasper.
"Come on, Jasper," she said, scratching the wolf's ears. "I think we have done enough sightseeing for one day. How about we get something to eat at our new guild? Maybe it is time to meet some of our guild mates..."
Jasper looked up at her sidewise, with a wolfish grin - his tongue hanging out of his jaws as if well pleased with himself. Together they continued on up the path, their figures soon swallowed in the mist leaving canyon and defeated bandits behind them.
Justice Tarot Obtained
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