Elara sat by Flamebeard's side, her mind still reeling from the incredible sight she had witnessed many hours ago in the forest clearing. The image of the Griffin swooping down from above, hidden by the dense canopy, and snatching the young Wisp Cattle in its powerful claws, played over and over in her mind. She marveled at the speed and precision of the creature, especially considering its size. As she pondered the events, a troubling thought crossed her mind. The Griffin's ability to pinpoint the exact location of the cattle from above was unnerving. If it had targeted her instead, she realized she would have been utterly helpless, unable to react in time to defend herself. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, and she glanced at Flamebeard, seeking some comfort in his presence.
However, Flamebeard had been uncharacteristically quiet today, not having said a word to her since last night. Deciding to break the silence, she turned to him and began to recount her experience with the creature she believed to be a Griffin, not having had the time to use her inspect skill on the creature.
Without looking at her, Flamebeard responded, his voice low and serious. "A Griffin, you say? That's way out of your weight class, little one. Those creatures are not to be trifled with. They should be over level 100, as they level quite fast."
Elara nodded, absorbing the information. Flamebeard continued, "You'd best be on the lookout and stay away from those Wisp Cattle. It seems they're the Griffins’ preferred meal."
Sensing Flamebeard's somber mood, she decided to try to cheer him up. With a curious tone, she asked, "Say, Flamebeard, have you ever eaten a Wisp Cattle before? I bet you have some great recipes up your sleeve. How would you prepare one?" A glint appeared in her eye as she added, "Maybe I should try to hunt one down and bring it back here for you to roast up. What do you say?"
She watched as Flamebeard's tail twitched, a subtle movement that caught her attention. She waited for his response, hoping her suggestion would lift his spirits. After a moment, Flamebeard spoke, his voice low and measured.
"If you want to, you can. But be careful out there, little one. Those creatures are not to be underestimated."
Her heart swelled with determination. She would definitely do this for Flamebeard. If hunting a Wisp Cattle and bringing it back could cheer him up, then it was worth a day's effort. Her mind raced as she began to plan the logistics of her hunt.
She recalled the Wisp Cattle grazing in the forest clearing, their movements slow and leisurely. They seemed to be ground-dwelling creatures, unable to climb or launch ranged attacks. This gave her an idea. She could attack from above, using the trees as cover and a vantage point. A surprise attack would give her the best chance of success.
As for transporting the Wisp Cattle back to Flamebeard's lair, her thoughts turned to her Voidwalk skill. She had noticed that when she used the ability, it transported not only herself but also everything she was wearing or holding. If she could hold on to the fallen Wisp Cattle, perhaps her Voidwalk would bring it along with her.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement as the plan took shape in her mind. She would need to prepare carefully, but with her skills and quick thinking, she was confident she could pull it off. She was determined to succeed, not only for herself but for her friend Flamebeard. He would enjoy a delicious meal that will hopefully lift his spirit.
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She woke with a start, the first light of dawn filtering through the entrance of Flamebeard's lair. She stretched, her muscles still sore from the previous day's adventures. With a determined nod, she gathered her belongings and set out to find Boogie.
The Juvenile Fire Elemental was curled up in a corner, its flames flickering gently. She approached and gently nudged Boogie awake. "Come on, little one. We have a mission today." Boogie stirred, its flames growing brighter as it sensed her excitement. Together, they made their way out of the lair and into the forest.
The trek to the clearing took about three hours. She used the time to scan her surroundings for any signs of danger. She kept a watchful eye on the canopy above, remembering Griffin's sudden appearance the day before. As they neared the clearing, she slowed her pace and motioned for Boogie to do the same. She crouched low, using the underbrush as cover, and peered into the clearing. To her disappointment, there was no Wisp Cattle in sight. The clearing was empty, save for the gently swaying grass and a few scattered wildflowers. She turned to Boogie, her brow furrowed. "Do you have any idea where they might have gone?" she asked, hoping the elemental's heightened senses could pick up on something she had missed.
Boogie shook its body from side to side, its flames flickering in a way that she had taught them to recognize as a negative response. She sighed, but refused to let the setback dampen her spirits. She stood up and dusted off her knees, a determined glint in her eye.
"Alright then, we'll just keep going as we did before," she said, her voice filled with resolve. "But remember to keep an eye out for any ambushes. We don't want to be on the receiving end of yesterday's encounter."
Boogie flames burn brighter in agreement. Together, they set off deeper into the forest, her senses on high alert for any signs of the elusive Wisp Cattle or potential threats lurking in the shadows. As they walked, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She scanned the treeline, her hand gripping the hilt of her dagger, ready to defend herself and Boogie at a moment's notice. The forest seemed to grow quieter with each passing minute, the usual chatter of birds and rustling of leaves fading into an eerie silence. Her heart raced as she strained her ears, trying to pick up on any unusual sounds.
She crept through the underbrush, her senses on high alert as she followed the faint sounds of stomping hooves. The feeling of being watched had not dissipated, and she couldn't shake the unease that settled in the pit of her stomach. She glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting to see the Griffin's piercing eyes staring back at her from the shadows. Despite her growing paranoia, she kept her composure, focusing on the task at hand. She moved with purpose, her footsteps light and measured, careful not to make any sudden movements that might alert the herd to her presence.
After an hour of cautious travel, the sounds of the herd grew louder, and she knew she was getting close. She slowed her pace, crouching low to the ground as she approached the edge of a small clearing. There, in the center of the clearing, was the herd of Wisp Cattle grazing peacefully on the lush grass. Her heart raced as she surveyed the scene, her eyes scanning the surrounding trees for a suitable branch to Voidwalk to. Before making her move, she turned to Boogie, who had been following close behind. She knelt down, trying to meet the Juvenile Fire Elemental's gaze with a serious expression.
"Boogie, I need you to stay back and out of the way," she whispered, her voice firm but gentle. "If the cattle see you, they might gang up on you, and I don't want you getting hurt." Boogie's flames flickered in understanding, and it nodded its assent. She gave the elemental a quick pat on the head before turning her attention back to the herd.
With a deep breath, she focused her energy and activated her Voidwalk skill. In an instant, she found herself perched on a sturdy branch, still in a crouched position to maintain her stealth. She carefully set down her dagger, freeing both hands for the task ahead. She observed the cattle moving beneath her, their movements slow and predictable. Her eyes settled on a smaller-looking cattle near the back of the herd. She knew that going for the oldest and most experienced member would be a foolish move, as it likely had the highest level and would be the most difficult to take down.
With her target in sight, she steadied herself on the branch, her muscles tensed and ready to spring into action. She waited for the perfect moment, her breath held in anticipation, as the young Wisp Cattle moved closer to her position. She focused her energy into her palms. Two swirling orbs of purple void energy formed, one in each hand, pulsing with dark power. She locked her eyes on the young Wisp Cattle, its movements now clear and predictable. With a swift motion, she thrust her hands forward, releasing the void bolts simultaneously.
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The two bolts streaked through the air quietly, leaving trails of shadowy energy in their wake. They struck the young cattle with precision, causing the creature to let out a piercing cry. The sound echoed through the clearing, instantly alerting the rest of the herd to the presence of danger.
Chaos erupted as the Wisp Cattle moved, their once peaceful grazing forgotten. They huddled together, forming a protective circle around the injured young cattle, shielding it from further harm. The larger beasts took up positions on the outer edges of the formation, their eyes scanning the treeline for any sign of the attacker. She watched in dismay as the herd moved, quickly gaining speed as they fled the clearing. She had hoped that the injured cattle would fall behind, slowed by the debuff and pain from her void bolts, but to her surprise, it showed no signs of hindered movement. The young cattle kept pace with the rest of the herd, protected and supported by its kin.
Realizing that her initial strategy had failed, she let out a frustrated sigh. She had not expected the herd's quick response and protective instincts. As the Wisp Cattle disappeared into the forest, she knew she would have to rethink her approach. Perched on the branch, she pulled up her status screen, her eyes scanning the information before her. She noticed the 15 unallocated stat points and, after a moment of consideration, decided to invest them all into her intelligence stat. With a few quick taps, she confirmed the allocation.
She knew that boosting her intelligence would not only enhance the power of her void bolts but also increase the experience points she gained. This was the first time she had attempted to fight without Boogie's assistance, and she realized that she would need to rely more heavily on her own abilities.
She took a moment to close her eyes and focused on her breathing, allowing her mind to clear and her energy to replenish. As she meditated, she could feel her mana and stamina slowly returning. After a few minutes, she opened her eyes, feeling refreshed and ready to continue the hunt. She called out to Boogie, who had been waiting patiently below, "Come on. Follow me on the ground below."
Boogie's flames flickered with excitement as it followed her. She decided to stay on the branches, using the height advantage to keep track of the Wisp Cattle herd's movements.
For the next hour, she and Boogie pursued the herd, engaging in a series of encounters that tested her skills and endurance. She would spot the herd from her vantage point, take aim, and fire a volley of void bolts at the young cattle. Each time, the herd would scatter, running deeper into the forest to escape the unseen attacker. She followed, leaping from tree to tree, her movements growing more confident with each passing minute. However, the chase was not without its challenges. On more than one occasion, she teetered on the edge of a branch, her heart racing as she struggled to maintain her balance.
Despite the near misses, she refused to give up. She pushed herself harder, determined to bring down the young Wisp Cattle and present it to Flamebeard as a gift. After the fourth encounter, her persistence finally paid off. The young cattle, weakened by the repeated attacks and exhausted from the constant running, stumbled and fell to the ground. The rest of the herd, sensing the imminent danger, scattered, leaving their fallen comrade behind.
She dropped from the branches, landing softly on the forest floor. She approached the fallen cattle cautiously, her grip tightening on the hilt of her dagger.
As Elara approached the fallen Wisp Cattle, a notification appeared before her eyes, causing her heart to skip a beat in excitement.
You have defeated Wisp Cattle [Level 32].
You have earned 5566 Exp.
You have leveled up to Level 12.
You have 20 unspent Stat points
A wide grin spread across her face as she read the message, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. She had done it! Not only had she successfully taken down the Wisp Cattle, but she had also gained a significant amount of experience and even leveled up in the process.
Her mind raced with the possibilities that her new level and unspent stat points presented. But for now, she focused on the task at hand. She called out to Boogie, who had been waiting patiently nearby. "Boogie, come here! I need you to keep watch while I meditate."
The Juvenile Fire Elemental bounded over to her, its flames flickering with excitement. It took up a position near the fallen Wisp Cattle, scanning the sky and surrounding forest for any signs of danger. With Boogie on guard, she settled down next to the Wisp Cattle and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, allowing herself to slip into a meditative state. As she focused on her breathing, she could feel her mana slowly regenerating, the energy flowing back into her body.
She knew she would need to be at full strength for the journey back to Flamebeard's lair. The thought of presenting the mighty dragon with the Wisp Cattle filled her with a sense of pride and accomplishment. After a few minutes of meditation, she opened her eyes, feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the next challenge. She stood up and stretched, her muscles still sore from the hunt.
She turned to Boogie, a smile on her face. "Alright, let's figure out how to get this Wisp Cattle back to Flamebeard. I can't wait to see the look on his face when we present him with this gift!"
She first tried to lift and drag the Wisp Cattle by the horns. She grunted as she strained against the weight, but the creature was too heavy. No matter how hard she pulled, it refused to budge. She could not make it move an inch, and she couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed. Frustrated, she followed her plan to use her voidwalk ability to teleport with the carcass. Normally, Voidwalk was instantaneous, but she had a feeling that carrying the heavy Wisp Cattle might require a different approach.
She held on to one horn and closed her eyes, focusing her energy on the Voidwalk ability. She could feel it build up more and more around her, a sensation that was both familiar and strange. It was as if the Voidwalk was gathering strength, preparing for the task at hand. Finally, she felt the familiar sense of the teleport. But this time, it was different. Instead of an instantaneous shift, she felt herself being pulled through a tunnel, the weight of the Wisp Cattle pressing down on her.
As the tunnel faded, she opened her eyes and stood in front of Flamebeard's lair. Elara let go of the horn in shock, and the Wisp Cattle's head fell to the ground with a thud. She stumbled forward, her legs wobbling from the effort. She stared at the Wisp Cattle carcass, her heart pounding in her chest as the realization of what had just happened sank in. She had not meant to teleport so far, and the fact that she had managed to do so came as a complete surprise.
Suddenly, a wave of panic washed over her as she remembered Boogie, her faithful companion whom she had left alone in the forest. Her mind raced with worry, unsure of what to do next. Should she retrace their path through the forest, even as the darkness descended, or trust that Boogie will find the way?
Torn between her options, she found herself unable to make a decision. Instead, she focused her attention on the carcass before her. With a deep breath, she summoned her strength and Voidwalked directly in front of Flamebeard.
The ancient dragon lazily opened one eye, regarding Elara with a calm gaze. A twinge of disappointment tugged at her heart, having hoped to catch the mighty beast by surprise. She voiced her thoughts, only to be met with Flamebeard's nonchalant response.
"I could feel the mana buildup," he explained, his deep voice rumbling through the lair. "It's a telltale sign of an impending teleportation." Intrigued by this revelation, she fought the urge to press further, instead turning her attention to the matter at hand. She presented the Wisp Cattle carcass to Flamebeard, a sense of pride welling up within her.
However, the pride was short-lived as she recounted the events that had led to her accidentally leaving Boogie behind in the forest. She expressed her concern, admitting that she did not believe she could teleport back to the exact location, as she was unfamiliar with the surroundings.
Flamebeard listened intently, his ancient eyes glinting with understanding. "Do not worry, young one," he reassured her. "Boogie is an Elemental, a creature well-adapted to survive on its own. Trust in its instincts, for it will know the way back to you."
Elara felt a wave of relief wash over her at his words, the tension in her shoulders easing ever so slightly. She nodded, grateful for the dragon's wisdom and reassurance. Flamebeard took a moment to examine the Wisp Cattle carcass, his red eyes studying the lifeless form. He then turned his gaze back to her, his expression unreadable. "Going after the prey of a griffin is dangerous, as I have told you before," he said.
She felt a twinge of sadness at being scolded, her excitement dampened by his words. She said nothing, only pouting slightly as she looked down at her feet. Flamebeard regarded her for a long moment, his eyes seeming to pierce through her very soul. Then, with a slight movement, he raised one of his front arms and dragged the carcass closer to him.
Her spirits lifted at the sight, a grin spreading across her face as she realized that her gift had been accepted. She began to recount the tale of how she had apprehended the Wisp Cattle, her words tumbling out in an excited rush. Flamebeard listened with his usual calm patience, his focus never wavering from her as she spoke. The intensity of his attention made her feel a bit flustered, unused to being the one in the spotlight.
As a child, she had always needed a bit of time to formulate her sentences, to put her thoughts into words. But her parents had never seemed to have the patience for her, always quick to dismiss her or change the subject before she had a chance to fully express herself. But with Flamebeard, it was different. Despite the tantalizing presence of the Wisp Cattle carcass right in front of him, the ancient dragon chose to listen to her rambling and disjointed storytelling. It was a small thing, but it meant the world to her.
As she continued to talk, she could feel a small part of her healing, the old wounds left by her parents' dismissiveness slowly beginning to mend. In Flamebeard's presence, she felt seen, heard, and valued in a way that she had never experienced before. She had nothing she could give Flamebeard but her presence. And that seems enough.