Hide and Seek [The Philosophy of Obscuration]

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 1:57 am

Jewels :

1,897,500

Rank :

D

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

27,000

Reputation :

700

Class :

Adventurer

Strength :

11

Speed :

1

Constitution :

1

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

26

Mana :

505

Head :

Body :

Ring :

Companion :

Hide And Seek

Ulyssia and Jasper began training at an hour when the sun had been low, long shadows surfed through the trees of the College of Obscuration. Perfect, she thought: shadow and light, twisted paths, hidden dangers, this was her kind of arena.

With her Wolvenhowl ring activated, Ulyssia shifted into a snow white wolf. All her senses heightened as she picked up the earthy musk, the distant birds, and the presence of Jasper somewhere nearby. He was out there, waiting for her mistake, but she wouldn't make it easy.

They didn't care for formalities--one glance was enough. In the blink of an eye, Jasper had vanished among the trees, one with the shadows. It was then that she knew it was going to be a long day. Jasper was a master in the art of hunting, having done so his entire life and then for a century after. Ulyssia, on the other hand, wasn't as great as she used to be.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 1:59 am

Jewels :

1,897,500

Rank :

D

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

27,000

Reputation :

700

Class :

Adventurer

Strength :

11

Speed :

1

Constitution :

1

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

26

Mana :

505

Head :

Body :

Ring :

Companion :

Hide And Seek

Still, the game was simple enough: hide, seek, and avoid. Ulyssia ran lightly, listening for any sounds that might give away Jasper's position. She moved silently, using every bit of forest cover. Today, she had decided to push her limits and track while evading Jasper.

Minutes turned into hours as Ulyssia crouched behind the bushes, listening to Jasper's heavy footsteps. After finally finding him, it was her turn to hide. She held her breath, her heart beating. Just when she was sure he had spotted her, he passed by. The triumph that shot through her didn't keep her in that spot, though. When he was gone, she slipped into the thick woods, crouching down so that her coat melted with the little bit of snow.

Jasper wasn't holding back. She finally managed to get position and settle in, and then she heard him, too close. Panic surged through her, and she took off running between trees, jumping over roots with Jasper giving chase. His relentless presence drove her to run until her lungs burned.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 2:00 am

Jewels :

1,897,500

Rank :

D

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

27,000

Reputation :

700

Class :

Adventurer

Strength :

11

Speed :

1

Constitution :

1

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

26

Mana :

505

Head :

Body :

Ring :

Companion :

Hide And Seek

The sun had finally fallen; the forest glowed orange as day trickled into dusk. They had fought all day, neither yielding. Ulyssia was panting rapidly; her body ached, but some fierce satisfaction burned within her. Survival. That was what this was. Every step, every choice counted. She spotted Jasper crouched above, nearly invisible. Ulyssia froze behind a tree; some instinct told her to stay still. She waited as his eyes scanned the ground below. Seconds passed. When he moved, she dodged away from his sight.

Night fell, and the forest transformed. Daylight became close to midnight, where every tree was a hiding spot and every branch an ambush. Slower they moved, and more cautious they had been. The Hailstar sensed Jasper's fatigue, knowing he felt hers, too. They were being driven now by raw instinct, by adrenaline past exhaustion.

When she caught his scent, it was her turn to strike. She stalked him noiseless on padded paws, winding until he was in her sights.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 2:02 am

Jewels :

1,897,500

Rank :

D

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

27,000

Reputation :

700

Class :

Adventurer

Strength :

11

Speed :

1

Constitution :

1

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

26

Mana :

505

Head :

Body :

Ring :

Companion :

Hide And Seek

She crept closer, then suddenly, with a playful snarl, she launched herself on him, landing behind him. Jasper spun around, eyes open wide, then growling before bolting. The tables had turned, and Ulyssia was relishing the misfortune.

Before she could do anything, Jasper twisted and vanished into the dark. She pursued him, lungs burning and limbs aching but forcing herself to keep moving. They flitted through the dark, honing each other until finally, silently. The only sounds in the forest were their heavy breathing. They pushed each other to the limit, neither winning but both exhausted.

Ulyssia shifted back to her normal form, leant against the trunk of a tree, and panted, giving Jasper a worn smile. He sat down on the ground, shaking his head but nuzzling into her. They didn't need words; both knew they'd become stronger, harder to catch and hide from. That was the point. And so, as she walked through the dark forest, over Ulyssia peacefulness descended. She had been learning and adapting.

500+/500

Hide and Seek [The Philosophy of Obscuration]

Yesterday at 1:57 am

Hide And Seek

Yesterday at 1:59 am

Hide And Seek

Yesterday at 2:00 am

Hide And Seek

Yesterday at 2:02 am

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