[Druid Trial] Tiger and Frost

[lemonke 6014]

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The geisha prepared herself for the journey ahead. To complete her trial and ascend into druidhood, she had to face the harsh, unyielding cold of nature. Though no stranger to such environments or battles, a faint trace of fear flickered across her soft features. Her eyes betrayed her unease at the thought of the beasts she might encounter and whether she could even survive. She felt weak, her body far from that of a warrior’s. Yet, despite her anxieties, she knew she must confront the dread that gripped her heart. With resolve weighing heavily on her, she retrieved a blade and her blighsteel hairpins to secure her hair. She let out a soft sigh before stepping forward toward the path of the tundra.

"Bless me, Chiyoko-sama," she whispered, offering a quiet prayer as she began her journey.

The trek through the cold lands was not as grueling as expected, as it allowed her to witness the serene beauty of nature along the way. Furthermore, from time to time she paused at nearby taverns to sing and dance for the patrons, spreading warmth through her performances or providing healing to those in need.

As a geisha and a devoted follower of Chiyoko, Ehiba held a holy duty: to bring smiles to the faces of others and ensure purity thrives within the hearts of the descendants. After her acts of kindness, her path finally brought her to the tundra’s entrance. The bitter cold struck her pale skin like a ghost’s icy touch, making her feel like a shivering, lifeless vessel of bones, cursed with eternal frost. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and stepped forward.

 

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First, she sought a cave for shelter and gathered stones. These stones would serve as the beginning of a makeshift weapon. With it, she ventured into the frigid, snow-laden forest nearby, carving trees to create tools for defense, gathering wood, hunting animals, and performing other essential tasks. It was the bare minimum for survival. Thankfully, her training back in Norland had prepared her for such trials, but even with her skills, the effort was grueling. Alas, through the passing days, the icy grip of the tundra seemed to claw at her flesh and gnaw at her sanity. Yet, she reminded herself of her heritage: she was an Oyashiman. She would endure, no matter the cost. This steadfast determination pushed her forward, day after day.

Bruises and wounds began to mark her body like battle scars, earned through countless hours of toil. Despite the hardship, there was a strange beauty in her struggle. She moved through the snow with almost ethereal grace, like a dancer caught in the embrace of a silent, unsung melody, and for a while, nothing of importance happened other than her own reflection. To understand how powerful and grandiose the territory of Chiyoko-sama is. How Mother Nature was terribly evil yet beautiful. She felt insignificant. This factor would be further empowered as she met her nemesis on this journey. . .

 

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Before she stood a massive pale tiger, its bloodshot eyes locked on her with a predatory glare. The beast did not attack immediately but began to circle her, its movements slow and deliberate. The Geisha’s breathing was heavy, her heart pounding with fear, yet she held her ground. Blade in hand, her trembling eyes tracked the tiger’s every motion, refusing to let it out of her sight. After several tense moments, the tiger halted, its body coiled as if preparing to strike. Then, without warning, it charged. The massive feline leaped forward, slashing with razor-sharp claws. Ehiba cried out, instinctively raising her metal arm to parry the blow. The impact was devastating—the force dented the arm and sent her stumbling backward.

The tiger was relentless, lunging at her again. This time, she retaliated. Her slender blade swung in a sharp horizontal arc, aiming for the beast’s head. The strike landed, carving a bloody gash across the tiger’s skull. But the wound was shallow, more a scar than a deadly. The tiger growled low and menacing, the battle far from over.

A growl rang from the sharp maw of the tiger.

They stared at each other– a rivalry bond between man and nature. Two sides of life, so different yet fighting for a common cause. Survival.

The tiger lunged again, this time darting to the side. Its claws went past the Geisha’s arm, slashing her eye and generally across her face instead. A piercing scream tore from her lips as she fell to the ground, the beast landing atop her. Its fangs snapped mere inches from her throat, ready to end her. In a desperate motion, she drew her blight-steel harping—a weapon as much as an instrument, forged to pierce. Thereafter, she frantically thrust that blade, she drove it into the tiger’s side. Instantly, the curse coursed through the beast’s veins. Its strength faltered, and with a mournful snarl, it withdrew, staggering and retreating through the snow.

Ehiba was left behind, bloodied and broken. Fortunately, she had survived the encounter and driven the tiger away. Alas, the victory was a hollow one. Her body lay battered and close to the brink of death, the cold and pain pressing across her body. Nevertheless, she crawled and rose with effort on her feet to continue her trial.

 

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The Geisha returned to the vale after several grueling days, barely holding herself together. Exhausted and battered, her once-pristine outfit was now smeared with blood and tattered from her ordeal. She stumbled forward, her steps unsteady, until finally collapsing at Arle’s door. However, alive, she had pushed herself far beyond her limits, lingering in the tundra longer than her trial required. The evidence of her struggle was unmistakable—her eye no longer functioned, and a jagged, claw-shaped scar embellished her face. A memento-like scar of what is to come.

@craneia