Deep Dive [The Philosophy of Obscuration]

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 6:25 pm

Guild :

Blue Pegasus

Jewels :

1,327,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

74,000

Reputation :

2,100

Class :

Adventurer

Aura :

Justice

Strength :

45

Speed :

3

Constitution :

11

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,030

Weapon :

Soul Bringer

Head :

Spring Circlet

Body :

Baldrick’s Comfy Robe

Ring :

Wolvenhowl Ring

Companion :

Jasper

WORDS: 150 | TAG: ???

The moon was riding high overhead, its silvery light making the black waters of the lake shine. Ulyssia crouched on the water's edge, readjusting the leather straps of her gear. Jasper waited beside her, his normally white fur a hush in the dimming light around them. He huffed impatiently, his tail flicking back and forth in a gesture that seemed to say, Let's get on with it.

"Hey, friend, Relax," Ulyssia muttered, yanking the last strap into place. "We have one shot at this, and we've never hunted in the water before. I need you to be focused, okay?" Jasper snorted. His bright blue eyes were fixed on the lake. A woman, Zarna--the teacher--stood on a nearby rock, arms crossed over her chest, watching them.

“Remember,” Zarna called out, her voice booming throughout the cool night air, “the Breather device lasts exactly thirty minutes. If you’re not back by then, you’ll be holding your breath. Or worse.”

credit to nat of adoxography.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 6:56 pm

Guild :

Blue Pegasus

Jewels :

1,327,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

74,000

Reputation :

2,100

Class :

Adventurer

Aura :

Justice

Strength :

45

Speed :

3

Constitution :

11

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,030

Weapon :

Soul Bringer

Head :

Spring Circlet

Body :

Baldrick’s Comfy Robe

Ring :

Wolvenhowl Ring

Companion :

Jasper

WORDS: 150 | TAG: ???

"Understood, Ms. Zarna," Ulyssia said, her voice keener than usual. She wasn't in the mood for any dramatics tonight. This was the first time she'd be under water for more than two minutes, and she was extremely nervous. With a flick of her wrist, she activated the breather device. It was a smooth, pearl-like stone that immediately dissolved into her skin. A tingling sensation spread through her chest, and she felt her lungs expand as if testing a new range.

Jasper's version of the charm worked similarly, though he'd grumbled about swallowing it earlier. Now he stood at the edge of the water his paws barely touching the waves.

"Ready?" Ulyssia asked, looking up at him.

Jasper responded by jumping into the water without any hesitation, his body breaking through the surface like a knife. Ulyssia let out a sigh and followed suit, the icy waters of the lake closing over her as she dived beneath. The underwater world was far darker than she had thought, with the moonlight hardly granting them light below the first few feet. Bioluminescent plants swayed in the currents, their natural radiance providing just enough light to navigate.

credit to nat of adoxography.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 7:10 pm

Guild :

Blue Pegasus

Jewels :

1,327,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

74,000

Reputation :

2,100

Class :

Adventurer

Aura :

Justice

Strength :

45

Speed :

3

Constitution :

11

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,030

Weapon :

Soul Bringer

Head :

Spring Circlet

Body :

Baldrick’s Comfy Robe

Ring :

Wolvenhowl Ring

Companion :

Jasper

WORDS: 164 | TAG: ???

Ulyssia moved cautiously, getting used to the resistance of the water against her limbs. Ahead, Jasper was swimming with smooth movements, swimming through the murky depths as if he had done this before. 100 years seemed to be enough to put a gap between them as far skill went. How frustrating. The Dharga Werewolf envied him his natural grace. Her own strokes were functional but clunky, and every kick sent a flurry of silt spiraling into the water. Still, she kept pace, relying on Jasper's instincts to guide them.

They went deeper, the water getting colder and the light lesser, until they were surrounded by near-total darkness. Ulyssia pulled a small orb from her belt, shaking it up till it glowed with soft blue light. Jasper looked back at her, his eyes reflecting the light in approval.

The creature was somewhere below, nestled in a cavern at the lake's bottom. Zarna had warned them about this one: a massive, eel-like beast with rows of sharp teeth and a temperament as nasty as its bite. It was nocturnal and would be sleeping, but that didn't mean it wouldn't wake up swinging.

credit to nat of adoxography.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 7:16 pm

Guild :

Blue Pegasus

Jewels :

1,327,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

74,000

Reputation :

2,100

Class :

Adventurer

Aura :

Justice

Strength :

45

Speed :

3

Constitution :

11

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,030

Weapon :

Soul Bringer

Head :

Spring Circlet

Body :

Baldrick’s Comfy Robe

Ring :

Wolvenhowl Ring

Companion :

Jasper

[quote="Ulyssia"]

WORDS: 175 | TAG: ???

As they approached the cavern, the water grew still, its currents dying out as the deep became silent. This is what she hated about the water, that at some point it became an entirely different world. It was almost as bad as flying. Despite the breather device inside of her, it felt like at any moment the water would rush into her lungs and drown her. Trying to keep her head on straight, she focused ahead. Jasper stopped abruptly, and underwater his nose began twitching. Ulyssia followed his gaze and there it was: a massive shadow coiled within the cave; the slow, rhythmic movements told her it was sleeping.

The creature was enormous: its body was easily the length of two of Ulyssia's spears placed end to end. Its scales glimmered barely in the light of her orb, and its gills flared gently as it breathed. Its head was massive, with a jaw full of teeth that looked more like daggers than anything meant for chewing.

Spirit guide us... Ulyssia thought. For we are about to poke the sleeping beast.

Jasper growled, or so it seemed, before inching closer. He gestured with a subtle flick of his tail, signaling her to circle around. Ulyssia nodded, tightening her hold on the spear as she moved into position.

credit to nat of adoxography.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 7:35 pm

Guild :

Blue Pegasus

Jewels :

1,327,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

74,000

Reputation :

2,100

Class :

Adventurer

Aura :

Justice

Strength :

45

Speed :

3

Constitution :

11

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,030

Weapon :

Soul Bringer

Head :

Spring Circlet

Body :

Baldrick’s Comfy Robe

Ring :

Wolvenhowl Ring

Companion :

Jasper

WORDS: 180 | TAG: ???

Her heart thudded in her chest, each beat amplified by the water pressing against her.

Jasper made the first move by dashing forward and snapping at its tail. The beast jolted awake in that very moment, thrashing with a ferocity that sent waves rippling through the water. Its glowing yellow eyes snapped open and locked onto Jasper with the intent to kill.

Here we go, Ulyssia thought, surging forward with her spear aimed for the creature's side. She struck true, the weapon sinking into the beast's thick skin. But instead of slowing it down, the attack seemed only to enrage the creature further. It lashed out violently, slamming Ulyssia backward and sending her spinning into a cavern wall.

Jasper lunged again, this time at its gills. His teeth sank deep into the soft flesh, and the beast let out a silent roar as it twisted, trying to shake him off. Ulyssia had already regained her composure and propelled herself forward again, landing another blow with her spear. Blood clouded the water, the smell of metal filling her senses despite the Breather device.

credit to nat of adoxography.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 7:49 pm

Guild :

Blue Pegasus

Jewels :

1,327,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

74,000

Reputation :

2,100

Class :

Adventurer

Aura :

Justice

Strength :

45

Speed :

3

Constitution :

11

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,030

Weapon :

Soul Bringer

Head :

Spring Circlet

Body :

Baldrick’s Comfy Robe

Ring :

Wolvenhowl Ring

Companion :

Jasper

WORDS: 159 | TAG: ???

The creature did not go quietly. It lashed out with its tail, catching Jasper and sending him tumbling. Ulyssia gritted her teeth and dived in, striking at the base of its skull. The spear struck home, and the beast shuddered, its movements growing sluggish.

But it still wasn't done.

With one final burst of energy, it lunged at Ulyssia, jaws snapping shut mere inches from her face. She twisted out of the way, her lungs burning with exertion, and drove the spear deeper. Jasper recovered quickly and lunged for the throat, clamping his powerful jaws around the tender flesh.

Together, they brought it down. The creature's giant body went limp; its golden eyes lost their luster as its life faded. The water stilled, its only movement a faint trail of blood drifting upward.

Ulyssia let out a long breath as she steadied herself, chest heaving. Jasper let go; his fur was blood-matted, but his eyes were alight with victory.

credit to nat of adoxography.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 7:54 pm

Guild :

Blue Pegasus

Jewels :

1,327,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

74,000

Reputation :

2,100

Class :

Adventurer

Aura :

Justice

Strength :

45

Speed :

3

Constitution :

11

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,030

Weapon :

Soul Bringer

Head :

Spring Circlet

Body :

Baldrick’s Comfy Robe

Ring :

Wolvenhowl Ring

Companion :

Jasper

WORDS: 200 | TAG: ???

Good job, Ulyssia motioned with a nod and sent him a tired grin. She then pointed to the beast, to make it clear that they should take his tooth and get going.

She used her Soul Bringer spear and began to dig one of the beast's huge teeth loose. It was sharp and jagged, longer than her forearm and heavier than it looked. Jasper wagged his tail obviously pleased, as they began their climb upwards.

Back on the shore, Zarna was waiting; her expression, stern at first, softened as she saw the tooth.

"Not bad," she said, working the tooth around and examining it. "You're still too loud, though. That silt trail you kicked up could've gotten you killed against something smarter." Ulyssia nodded, too exhausted to argue, not that she felt the need to anyway. Jasper dropped onto the ground, his tail wagging lazily as he basked in their victory. Zarna handed back the tooth. "You've got potential. Work on your movements-make them quieter, smoother. And trust your partner more," she added with a nod toward Jasper.

"Remember, you depend on him, as much as he depends on you" Ulyssia smiled wryly and scratched Jasper behind the ears. "Yeah, you're right. Today, he was the star of the show." Jasper yelped in agreement, his tail thumping the ground. As the moon dipped low, Ulyssia settled down beside him, already planning their next challenge.

[ END ]

credit to nat of adoxography.

Deep Dive [The Philosophy of Obscuration]

Yesterday at 6:25 pm

Yesterday at 6:56 pm

Yesterday at 7:10 pm

Yesterday at 7:16 pm

Yesterday at 7:35 pm

Yesterday at 7:49 pm

Yesterday at 7:54 pm

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