WILD LIFE: CHAPTER 13 ~PARADISE LOST~
When Hope made her way back to the forge she sat down on the anvil and pulled out "The Warden Ways" while shifting around a bit to get comfortable. Once Hope was satisfied she turned to the skills section and for the second time began to go over the books contents. One passage seemed to glow this time so she paid careful attention to it. "Wardens are able to use their affinity with nature to call on the power of their allies to aid them in various situations. This power can only be mastered by a warden who has a great level of affinity for both nature and their familiars."
*ding*
A new Active Skill has been generated: Beast Aspect
Beast AspectThe ability to grant a portion of the power a familiar holds unto the targeted character or characters. This skill will generate new aspects as the warden's bond with a new species grows.
-Costs 50 mp per target
-Duration time = 30 minutes.
-Moose aspect ~ Strength + 8% ~ Stagger rate + 40%
'...ooooo nice, now where did Harry wonder off to?' Hope thought as she put the book away and briskly exited the forge.
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As Hope approached the courtyard she easily spotted her two familiars, they were both absently staring at the gates.
*light-bulb*
"Harry, Blindside, getting bored?" she asked
"Just a little... I would enjoy going out again." Blindside answered
"... the both of you are free to do as you please as long as you answer when I call for your aid. You're friends not servants." she explained
*ding*
Familiarity with Harry has increased.
"That's a relief." Harry said
"How about the three of us go bison hunting?" Hope asked
*ding*
Familiarity with Harry has increased. You have become very intimate.
"I haven't quite been able to hunt the larger ones alone yet... if you don't mind I'd love to go hunting." Harry said
"I wouldn't mind joining in." Blindside said
"Then it's settled let's go... oh wait let's eat a snack first." Hope said as she pulled out some fresh veggies for blindside and some raw jormungand meat for Harry. As Blindside munched contently on the vegetables, Harry carefully tasted then dug into the delicious serpent flesh.
*ding*
-You have fed a familiar special food.
Familiarity with Harry has greatly increased.
"All done?" she asked
"Thank you" they said in unison
"Alright let's get to it then." Hope said as she mounted Blindside and the three of them left through the western gate.
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It didn't take long for the trio to find relatively large bison. In combat Blindside would engage from the side as Hope loosed her first arrow drawing the bison's attention. Harry would come in from the rear and use his signature... favored attack style. After the first few bison...
*ding*
-A familiar has generated a unique skill.
A new Passive Skill has been generated: Blindside
BlindsideThis skill increases your familiar's parameters when attacking conditions are met.
-Flanking attacks on unaware enemies gain bonus effects.
-Stagger rate +90%
-Attack damage +40%
Hope absolutely beamed with delight while she congratulated the jovial moose and told him to calm it down before he scared off all the bison.
As the trio worked to become a more cohesive team they came upon an unexpected sight. There was a massive bison at least four times the size of any other bison they had ever seen. Sensing the danger they decided that it would be best not to engage the mighty bison in combat and turned to leave. As they were walking in the other direction the ground started rumbling... Hope turned to see that the might beast had spotted them and was charging.
"Blindside, Harry don't get hit by that bison! I'll draw it's attention you focus on surprise attacks!" she ordered while loosing multiple three-fold flurries.
*schhwaff* *schhwaff* *schhwaff*
The bison snarled maliciously while it charged towards Hope being pierced by arrows. As the bison drew near Blindside flanked it and Hope dodged in the direction Blindside attacked from barely moving out of the way. When she looked back towards the bison she noticed Harry was attached to its hind quarters, he had dug in and was tearing viciously at the bison. Hope continued to attack as Blindside ignored her orders and met the mighty beast head on. The bison was reluctant to meet the moose head on because of the difference in the size of their horns and antlers. After casting rejuvenation on Blindside, Hope continued to plant more arrows into the beast's flank.
Just then the bison decided that it had enough of Harry's disrespect and flung the wolf towards the right of Hope. As Harry rolled violently across terrain the bison turned to charge the recovering wolf. Blindside would be unable to intercept the attack as he was behind the bison now so Hope moved. While activating all of her offensive buffs and her movement boost she wielded her new machete then activated cleave. As the blade began to glow she charged towards the bison and swung it from right to left across the bison's weaker hind leg.
*SLASH*
The bison lost balance and collapsed forward sliding past Harry. The wolf had now recovered and leapt onto the bison as it slid across the plains. Harry, with all of his might dug into the massive bison's neck with his teeth while jerking back and forth violently. After a few more moments Blindside charged into the fallen beast's flank one last time
*POW*
-Plains Lord Brutus has been slain!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
The mighty bison faded to grey.
*ding*
-Three-fold Flurry has been augmented after reaching intermediate.
Five-fold FlurryFires a tight cluster of five arrows upon the release of your next arrow.
-Costs 60 mp
The title "Plains Lord" is now available.
Plains LordYou have slain Brutus the massive bison that ruled the plains. Nothing stands as your equal on the vast and perilous plains of Aidern.
Strength + 30
Agility + 30
Movement speed across Aidern Kingdom plains + 5%
Fame + 100
*ding*
Familiarity with Harry has been greatly increased. An unbreakable bond has been forged.
Nature affinity has been permanently increased by 40
A change is occurring within Harry, will you allow it to happen?YesNo
Hope gazed at Harry as he was looking back to her very confused. "Do you wish to become stronger Harry? You might regrow your fur." she claimed
"Yes!" Harry said
"Yes, I'll allow it." she said
What? Harry is evolving!
Harry calmly waited as his body started to glow. Hope watched happily as the wolf grew to nearly three times his original size becoming easily mount worthy. Harry's reddish fur fell to the ground and as the wolf impatiently waited for his fur to come back... it didn't happen.
-As a result of the special food you have given this familiar his evolutionary path has been altered.
'oops' she thought
The wolf's ears drooped down as jormungand scales began to cover his entire body making him look like an armored wolf. Surprisingly Harry seemed to be happy with the change as he began to jump around while sliding back and forth past Blindside with shocking speed and ease. Once again, the most distinguishing change was that he now had the same eyes as Hope, aquamarine eyes with an amber crown discoloration.
Congratulations Harry has evolved!
*ding*
Beast Aspect has been augmented!
Beast AspectThe ability to grant a portion of the power a familiar holds unto the targeted character or characters. This skill will generate new aspects as the warden's bond with new species of familiars grows.
-Costs 50 mp per target
-Duration time = 30 minutes.
-Moose aspect ~ Strength + 12% ~ Stagger rate + 40%
-Wolf aspect ~ Agility + 12% ~ Movement speed + 10%
-A familiar has generated a unique skill.
A new Passive Skill has been generated: Venomous
VenomousThis skill increases your familiar's parameters when attacking conditions are met.
-Attacking with fangs.
-Venom causes pain and numbness.
-Enemy movement speed - 15%
-Fang attack damage +20%
Hope was very, very pleased to have gained a movement speed buff.
"Harry... I'm sorry about the fur..." she said
"What?" the wolf looked at her with his half reptilian head cocked sideways.
"I said you might get your fur back."
"I love my new fur!" Harry shouted
"... but that's not fu... as long as you're happy Harry." she said deciding not to push the issue.
"I am very pleased, I feel free... unexposed." the wolf shivered
"Well that's good, let's head back to the fort I need to rest now... unless the two of you would like to continue hunting for now?" she inquired
Blindside looked to the excited wolf and remembered his own time as a newly evolved moose. "I think we would enjoy that, do you need help returning?" Blindside asked
"No I'll be fine... I'd like to try out my new movement speed. Be safe friends." Hope said as she turned and activated sprint with wolf aspect while dashing eastward.
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When Hope came flying past the west gate of the fortress at +60% movement speed the guards nearly thought she was a monster. After slowing down and deactivating her sprint Hope entered the smithy and logged out.
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Back in the real world Nadia exited the capsule, did her usual stretches and made her way down to the kitchen. As usual her missed dinner plate of food was still waiting to be reheated. Sitting down to begin her feast Sam and Jessica walked in and made themselves drinks before sitting down across and to the side of her.
"Long day?" Sam asked
"Yeah.. a lot happened today."
"That sounds ominous." Jessica said
"Not really. Do you remember the party that I told you I followed yesterday?"
"Yeah, what about them?"
"Well the girls showed back up today at the fort." she explained
That got Sam and Jessie's full attention. "What happened?"
"The guy decided to start over after I was a bit harsh with him..."
"You left that part out, Nadia." Jessie interrupted
"I know but he sort of deserved it... even if he was a nice guy. I didn't lie or anything."
"Well as long as it wasn't unjustified." Sam said
"Anyways, the knight wanted to be my friend so that we can stay in contact. So I made my first friend."
"You agreed? Just like that?" Sam asked sceptically as Jessie's face smiled brightly.
"You haven't met her... she's trustworthy. I don't know how else to put it. When I look at her I feel like I'm seeing all of her." Nadia tried to explain.
"Well let's hope that your intuition is still as good as it used to be." Jessie chimed in
"I'm looking forward to traveling together with her." Nadia said smiling honestly at the two of them.
After speaking with the both of them for a while longer then saying their goodbyes Nadia retired to her room for the night. As usual Nadia spent a few moments gazing at pictures of Julia before falling asleep.
"Things are looking up." Sam claimed
"..." Jessie was silent
"What is it?" he asked
"Well I'm a bit worried about her new friend but... something else is wrong." she explained
"What do you mean something else?"
"She looks uneasy, she's hiding something."
Sam took a moment to remember the conversation they had. "You're right, any idea what?"
"... no, but it's eating away at her." Jessie said sadly
"What should we do?"
"All we can do, try to make sure that she doesn't run for the hills again."
"Right."
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When Hope logged back in she was greeted by Amanda and Lily who had been playing with Harry's new 'fur' while they waited.
"Good morning" Lily said
"Morning, do you like him?" Hope asked
"Yes! I love snakes... he's like a big snake dog!" she exclaimed
"How about riding him around during the battle, Harry can keep you safe and quickly move around the battlefield as the situation changes." Hope offered
"That would be so much fun! Thank you Hope!" she turned to Harry "Thanks Harry!"
After Lily excitedly left the room, Amanda spoke up "The knights arrived before we logged in, the battle starts when you say it's time."
Hope was as always rather impressed with the Restian knighthood. "Let's go check on their condition before we give Darius the signal."
"Good idea" Amanda agreed
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As Hope approached the knights she called out to Cynthia. "How is everyone?"
Cynthia looked back at Hope a bit sullen. "We're in good condition, such a short forced march won't even put a dent in our knight's stamina."
*ding*
Familiarity within Fort Odin has increased.
Leadership has been permanently increased by 5
Morale up!
"Did they bring what I asked for?" Hope asked
"Yes they arrived with twice the amount of fire bottles that you asked for." she answered
"Good start passing them to the archers that will be at the walls during battle."
"How many should we give each?"
"Only one, any more than that and we risk getting the knights themselves caught up in the fire attack. That would be very bad." Hope said
"It will be done."
*ding*
Familiarity within Fort Odin has increased.
Leadership has been permanently increased by 5
Morale up!
"I see they brought your horse Cynthia."
"Yeah... she feels a bit lacking after riding blindside though."
"How would you like to ride Blindside into battle? I think it would be good for morale and bad for the lizardmen." she offered
"Of course... that's brilliant."
*ding*
Leadership has been permanently increased by 5
Morale up!
"I'm glad you like it Cynthia, were off to tell Darius that it's time. Be safe." Hope said as Cynthia blushed a little and turned back to her knights.
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As they walked into the command center Darius was finishing final preparations with his men, going over the battle strategy one last time.
"How does it look Darius?"
"Hope, say the word and we're ready to go. This battle is as good as won." the commander claimed
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves here, all it takes is one well timed surprise to ruin a good plan." Hope said admonishing the commander.
*ding*
You have removed a dangerous element from the coming battle.
Leadership has been permanently increased by 5
"You're right Hope, forgive my foolishness."
"We all get a little giddy when things are looking so good Darius, don't beat yourself up about it."
"One last thing Hope"
"Yes?"
"What will you be doing during the battle again?"
"I'll be atop the walls watching for any 'surprises' like another jormungand or some other boss class monster. If one appears I'll move in to draw it off, I'm confident that between Amanda and myself we should be able to survive long enough for a formation of guardsmen or the knights to render aid."
*ding*
Familiarity within Fort Odin has been greatly increased.
Leadership has been permanently increased by 5
Morale up!
"Sounds wise to me." Darius said looking at Amanda
"I can take quite a beating commander." she claimed
"No doubt Lady Amanda, are we ready for battle Hope?"
She looked back to both of them and after a few moments "Let's begin."
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As Hope and Amanda walked towards the eastern wall they talked about what was about to begin.
"This sounds like we won't be doing very much." Amanda complained
"It can't be helped." Hope said
"Why not? We could use the experience if anything."
"We're not needed to win this battle as it is now, I'd rather watch from afar and ensure that we don't lose because the battle takes an unexpected turn. We need to save our strength and watch on silently in case the worst happens."
"A boss class monster?"
"Yeah... although I doubt that will happen we can't ignore the possibility of one showing up."
"I see" Amanda said having been satisfied by Hope's words.
After they climbed the stairs and took up position Amanda spoke up again "Looks like it's starting... if anything we're in for a good show."
"Yeah..." Hope said absently pushing any worries she had to the back of her mind.
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The battle was starting and as planned the guardsmen had lured the lizardmen in close by pretending to flee. Thanks to the cooperation of Harry and Lily so far not a single man had fallen. As the gates swung open and the knights began to charge the line of guardsmen split open to make way. All of a sudden dozens of molotovs were being lobbed at the lizardmen's front lines. With every fiery explosion the lizards faltered and began to panic.
With more than half of their front lines in disarray the knights made first contact. Cynthia was at the front riding the mighty moose while swinging her massive battleaxe back and forth with ease. Just as the goblins had, these lizardmen fell before her might. Every lizard that caught sight of the pair fled from them. After the knights had done their job and broken the enemy formation every guardsman abandoned the northern line and moved to encircle the enemies southern forces. As the guardsmen abandoned the north all twenty knights moved to force the northern lizardmen into a fearful retreat before they could regain their senses. The plan so far had gone off perfectly and without a hitch.
Amanda could only watch with silent respect for Hope as the battle that had been a standstill until now had become completely one sided. She turned to look at Hope and in that moment received the biggest shock of her life. On Hope's face she saw the most painful and sorrowful expression she had ever seen. Tears flowed unending from the woman's eyes as she knelt down and clutched her head between her hands. Amanda was so shocked that she couldn't say anything as Hope got up, turned and silently descended the stairs before returning to her smithy.
Amanda turned to look back at the battle that had been all but won then turned to look towards the smithy. She took a few moments to gather her courage and quell the pain she was feeling for Hope. Amanda moved towards the blacksmith's area while steeling herself and desperately trying to find a way that she could help Hope. 'What could've cause a reaction like that?' she thought to herself.
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