Chapter 227: [Day 239] – “Introductions” (1/2)
∼ Day 239 ∼
I stood before everyone, happy but weary faces staring back at me. They had all fought valiantly for the place they now called home. Wounds and worn equipment a testament to their bravery and passion. Still, even with their initially terrible odd, almost all of those who were of significance remained here to stand before me, only a few missing. Either recuperating from injury or among dead.
”Gather the council,” I spoke out. ”I have matters to discuss and I want reports of everything that has happened by tonight.”
A chorus of assent echoed my command.
”I thank you for defending our home, and tonight's convene will have you all honored for your deeds.”
With that, everyone started going back to whatever matters had occupied them before my return. But before a certain bear-lady did her usual disappearing act, I called out for her.
”Ursa, wait.”
She turned around, seeming slightly hesitant to meet my gaze. As I took in the Amazonian beauty, I was surprised to find her not injured or bloodied in the slightest. Rather, she looked extremely drained, as if she'd tip over if I simply gave her a light push. It didn't look like she had fought at all, rather she looked like she hadn't had even a single night's rest since I left more than a month ago.
Noticing the curious look in my eyes, Mia spoke up.
”Ursa held back the enemy with Luna almost on their own.” She squeezed my arm as if to emphasize her words. ”If not for them, our forces would've been long crushed.”
Surprised, I understood why she looked to be beyond drained of mana and whatever spiritual energy it was that those shamans of her clan seemed to use.
”Tree spirit strong. She drain all of Ursa's power,” Ursa explained weakly in that odd manner of speech.
”So all of those massive roots and plants were you and Luna's doing?”
She just nodded at that, eyes droopy.
She looked kind of cute, all tired and sleepy as she was, completely disarmed from her usually intimidating air. If I hadn't known better, her bear-half would've told me that she'd be going into hibernation as she was. Though she probably just needed some food and a good night's rest.
”I just wanted to say that it was about time we sat down and took a proper talk. I happened to come across something, or rather someone, within the Trials, and I learned some things. Some things about where you came from.”
Sleepy eyes going suddenly wide with surprise, Ursa seemed at a loss for words. I didn't blame her though as I knew just how distant she was about anything even remotely relating to her past or even herself as an individual.
While everyone was entitled to their privacy, I knew her timidness was not born of a need for personal space but rather distrust seeded in her from an unhealthy life lived utterly alone. To break the shell she had built around herself, I had to be the one to make the first crack.
”It is alright Ursa, I will not force you to do anything. I just want to talk later. Go back and rest on it, I will be ready whenever you are.” I explained, trying to sound as non-confrontational as possible as I didn't want to scare her away.
Though that was kind of ironic saying about a 7 feet tall muscle-bound bear woman who could take on an army of orcs all on her lonesome.
Still, nonetheless, Ursa just nodded shyly with her gaze averted like some young and timid school girl.
Being left to our devices, I was about to introduce the overly giddy wyvern standing at my back to Mia when suddenly the furry forms of some feline figures pounced on me and her.
The M'goro Shades, those sabertooth-like black panthers I subjugated way back when, had certainly grown.
-Codex!-
[Codex - M'gua Shade]
Name: ”???”
Race: M'gua Shade ”Alpha”
Sex: Male
Rank: C-
Level: 8/75
Health: 1994/1994
Stamina: 872/872
Mana: 0/0
[Attributes]
STR - 129
VIT - 128
AGI - 232
DEX - 137
INT - 28
CHR - 16
WILL - 26
MAG - 8
[Trait, Titles, and Skills].
Skills - 14
Traits - 5
Titles - 0