CHAPTER 12 SNOWFALL
The convoy moved steadily, covering good ground as the days passed. With every mile, the cats seemed to grow more confident, bolstered not only by our progress but by the newfound strength granted by the magical rings we had discovered in the Magic Bags.
The rings were clearly meant for mass distribution, likely for an army, given their uniform design and functionality. Simple silver bands enchanted to enhance the wearer’s physical abilities. It didn’t take long to see the effects. Each cat wearing a ring could now leap farther, strike harder, and endure longer than ever before.
Of course, we had to be cautious with their distribution. I insisted that each cat only wear a single ring, at least until they proved they could handle the strain. Even with their enhanced strength, the magic sapped their stamina if they pushed too hard. It was a delicate balance, and I couldn’t afford to lose anyone to exhaustion or worse.
Lucky was one of the exceptions. She proudly wore two rings: a silver one to boost her stats and a gold one that granted her invisibility. Watching her vanish and reappear at will was a sight that never failed to awe the others.
As for me, I claimed a black ring with a ruby set into it. It looked far more ornate than the others, and while I wasn’t entirely sure of its specific enchantment, I could feel my fire magic burn hotter and brighter whenever I wore it.
The rings weren’t just tools—they were transformative. The cats were changing, both physically and mentally. Encounters with wolves, wild goblins, and other ambushers along the way became opportunities for training. Each skirmish honed their reflexes, tested their courage, and pushed their limits.
At first, they had been hesitant, relying on their speed and cunning to avoid direct confrontations. But now, armed with the power of the rings, they began to stand their ground. The once timid cats were growing into a combative force, and it was thrilling to see.
Conversations around the campfire or during our rest stops were filled with boasts and discussions about their newfound abilities.
“I took down that goblin with a single swipe!” Scruffy bragged, flexing his claws dramatically.
“Yeah, after I distracted it,” Chunky retorted, his tail flicking with mock annoyance.
Daisy who was ever the perfectionist, remained focused on strategy. “Strength is one thing, but precision is what wins battles. All of you should practice your aim and timing.”
Despite her stern demeanor, even Daisy couldn’t hide her pride in their progress.
As we traveled, the lands around us began to change. The dense forests gave way to rolling hills, and the chill in the air grew sharper with each passing night. But the cats didn’t seem to mind. If anything, their spirits were higher than ever, bolstered by the knowledge that they were growing stronger every day.
I watched them with a mix of pride and trepidation.
They were no longer just a ragtag group of thieves—they were becoming something more. What that “more” would ultimately mean, I wasn’t sure. But one thing was certain: we were no longer prey in this world.
The first flurry of snowflakes drifted from the sky, soft and delicate, as if winter itself were testing the waters before fully arriving. Demo’s ears twitched as he stared upward, his whiskers trembling with unease.
“Uuuh… it’s snowing, guys. Winter’s here…” he muttered, his voice tinged with worry.
The other cats paused, their eyes following the snowflakes as they settled onto their fur and the ground around them. Trepidation rippled through the group like a gust of icy wind. Winter meant more than just cold—it meant danger, scarcity, and survival against the odds.
Despite the unease brewing among my people, I kept my focus on the goal. The snow wasn’t an obstacle—it was an opportunity.
“We push forward,” I said firmly, my tone leaving no room for argument.
The cats exchanged hesitant glances, but they obeyed. The convoy picked up its pace, the wagons creaking as the horses snorted and trudged through the increasingly frosty terrain.
Before the snow began, we had been careful to cover our tracks, always mindful of the possibility that trackers from Felor might still be on our trail. The effort had slowed us down, forcing us to take detours and double back to throw off any pursuers. But now, with the snow blanketing the ground, nature itself would hide our passage.
“Finally, something working in our favor,” Lucky said, flicking her tail as she walked alongside the lead wagon.
Scruffy, always the cautious one, chimed in, “Yeah, but snow’s a double-edged sword. It hides us, sure, but it also makes it harder to spot danger ahead.”
He wasn’t wrong. The falling snow muffled sounds, and the white landscape could easily hide ambushes. But we didn’t have the luxury of slowing down.
“We’ll stay vigilant,” I replied. “But we’re not stopping. This snow gives us the chance to gain ground, and we’re taking it.”
The cats nodded, their initial hesitation giving way to determination.
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The horses, to their credit, pressed on without complaint, their breath visible in the cold air as they pulled the wagons through the snow. Butler stayed close to them, offering words of encouragement in his peculiar horse-tongue, and whatever he said seemed to work.
We pushed forward with renewed urgency, the wagons creaking and the cats occasionally slipping on the icy patches. The snowfall grew heavier, the flakes thickening and swirling around us, but the convoy pressed on.
And then… tragedy struck…
The moment we heard the guttural roar echoing through the snowy landscape, I knew we were in trouble. The frost troll crashed into view, a towering, fur-covered monster with ice crystals glinting on its tough hide. Its glowing blue eyes scanned our convoy, and it let out a snarl that sent a shiver down my spine.
“Scatter! Don’t let it hit you!” I shouted, my voice cutting through the chaos.
The cats didn’t hesitate. They darted in all directions, their small, nimble bodies disappearing into the snow. I zigzagged to avoid the troll’s massive swings, hurling firebolts to disrupt its frost abilities. Each strike of my flames left a scorch mark on its hide, but its incredible healing factor quickly erased the damage.
The frost troll roared again, summoning a chilling wave of frost magic. Ice spikes shot from the ground, narrowly missing Demo as he rolled to safety. The perimeter of cats tightened, but they knew better than to engage directly. Their job was to distract and support, not to get crushed underfoot.
The horses had bolted at the first sign of danger—smart animals. It left us with no choice. This was a one-on-one fight, and I was the only one with the firepower to take this thing down.
I clenched my fists, well paws, I mean figuratively clenched them, feeling the power of my fire ring surge through me. Any more rings, and I’d collapse from exhaustion. This fight was mine and mine alone.
I spared a glance at my Kaiser system, hoping for a miracle.
[Current KP: 1093]
[Followers: 52]
Weeks of stocking up KP brought me to this moment. The troll charged again, and I barely dodged its icy fist, my paws skidding on the slick ground.
“Buy me some time!” I yelled to the others.
The cats obeyed, throwing whatever they could find—rocks, branches, even snowballs—to keep the troll’s attention divided. It wasn’t much, but it gave me a precious few seconds to consult the Kaiser Shop.
(Accessing Kaiser Shop…)
The system blinked to life, and a list of items scrolled before my eyes:
1. Inferno Orb– Summons a powerful firestorm for 30 seconds. (700 KP)
2. Healing Salve– Restores minor wounds and boosts stamina. (200 KP)
3. Trollbane Potion– Temporarily nullifies a troll’s healing factor. (600 KP)
4. Fireproof Cloak– Reduces fire magic recoil by 50%. (500 KP)
5. Phoenix Feather– Revives a fallen ally once. (800 KP)
6. Elemental Shackles– Temporarily binds a magical creature. (900 KP)
7. Magic Arrows– A bundle of enchanted arrows. (300 KP)
8. Flamefang Dagger– Inflicts fire damage with every strike. (400 KP)
9. Frostward Amulet– Reduces frost magic damage. (300 KP)
10. Portable Forge– Creates weapons or tools on the spot. (1000 KP)
My eyes darted across the list as the troll roared again, charging through the barrage of distractions. I had no time to waste.
“Trollbane Potion!” I mentally commanded, and the system confirmed the purchase.
[-600 KP] [Remaining KP: 493]
A vial materialized in my paw, glowing with a strange orange hue. Without hesitation, I tossed it with all of my cat might at the troll’s feet. The vial shattered, releasing a fiery mist that clung to the beast’s body.
The troll staggered, roaring in confusion as its burns stopped regenerating. This was my chance.
“Lucky, Scruffy, Demo—keep it distracted!” I shouted.
The three darted around the troll, their silver rings amplifying their speed and agility. Meanwhile, I gathered every ounce of strength I had and focused it into my fire magic.
A massive firebolt, larger than any I’d ever conjured before, formed in my paws. My ruby ring glowed fiercely, amplifying the spell to its limits.
“Eat this!” I roared, hurling the firebolt directly at the troll’s chest.
The explosion lit up the snowy night, flames consuming the troll as it let out one final, earth-shaking roar. When the fire dissipated, the beast crumpled to the ground, its body smoldering.
Silence fell over the battlefield, broken only by the sound of heavy breathing.
“We did it,” Scruffy said, his voice a mix of awe and exhaustion.
I sank to my hind legs, the toll of the fight catching up to me. But we had won. Against all odds, we had survived.
In all my quadruped life, that was the most excitement I’d ever experienced. Even more so than the heist back in Felor. Sure, both were life-and-death situations, but this time, I had actively fought and slaughtered a monster in front of us. The adrenaline rush, the sense of triumph—it was intoxicating.
The frost troll’s massive, charred body lay crumpled on the snow-covered ground, steam rising from its smoldering wounds. The cats gathered around me, their faces a mix of awe and exhaustion.
“Anyone here knows what parts of a troll are useful?” I asked, breaking the silence.
Lucky tilted her head. “Can we even butcher it? Look at that thing—it’s huge!”
Chunky stepped forward, eyeing the troll thoughtfully. “How about we stuff it in a Magic Bag and deal with it later when we can figure it out?”
Daisy gave an approving nod. “Smart. No point in wasting time here.”
Demo yawned loudly. “So… back to traveling?”
Scruffy stretched, his tail flicking. “Yep. But I swear, the next city we get to better have lakes or rivers. I’m craving fish.”
Butler perked up at the mention of fish. “Wait, didn’t we rob a ton of fish back in Felor? Surely we still have some left.”
Chunky sighed and shook his head. “Our fish supply was the first to go. Everyone wanted a taste. So… no.”
Daisy chimed in. “FYI, our grain supply remains untouched, by the way. Guess nobody’s desperate enough to start munching on raw oats yet.”
The group exchanged tired laughs, the tension from the fight melting away.
I motioned to Butler. “Get the troll in the Magic Bag, then. No sense in leaving it here to rot. Maybe we can trade it or use it later.”
Butler saluted with a paw, and with the help of Demo and Chunky, they awkwardly maneuvered the troll’s massive body into one of the oversized Magic Bags. It took some effort—grunting, pushing, and a lot of slipping on the icy ground—but eventually, the troll disappeared into the enchanted storage.
“Done,” Butler said, dusting his paws.
“Good. Let’s move,” I said, glancing at the horizon. The snow was still falling lightly, covering our tracks. It was a small blessing, but we couldn’t afford to linger. The horses were waiting, and we needed to put as much distance between us and Felor as possible.
As we got back on the wagons, the cats settled into their usual banter. Despite the cold and the exhaustion, morale seemed higher than ever. Victory had a way of doing that.
I climbed onto the lead wagon, the black ring on my paw still glowing faintly. The warmth from my fire magic kept the chill at bay, but I couldn’t shake the nagging thought at the back of my mind: how much further could we push ourselves before winter truly hit its peak?
For now, though, we were alive. And that was enough.