Eve darted through the thick underbrush, heart pounding, chasing a tiny, elusive rabbit. The creature weaved between ferns, its fur nearly invisible in the jungle's shifting shadows. She felt the thrill of victory close, imagining presenting the rabbit to her master, Kaito, as a new companion. Focused solely on the chase, she didn't notice Kaito slipping away, drawn by the wilderness calling to him.
Kaito wandered deeper into the jungle, curiosity guiding his every step. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and blooming flora, while the chorus of the wild surrounded him. He pushed through the foliage and stumbled upon something unexpected—a towering, demonic bear. Its black fur shimmered in the dappled sunlight, intricate, glowing patterns twisting across its body.
"Wow, look at those markings!" Kaito whispered in awe. He stepped closer, the danger lost on him as he became absorbed by the bear's terrifying beauty.
Kneeling down, his fingers brushed the fur. "How can something so deadly be so mesmerizing?" He leaned in, oblivious to the danger creeping behind him.
A sudden chill raced up his spine. Sensing a presence, he turned just in time to see the bear's massive tail whip toward him, slicing through the air.
"What the—?!" Kaito gasped. The world seemed to slow down, the tail moving sluggishly as if caught in a dream. 'Is it really trying to hurt me?' his thoughts swirled in disbelief.
For a split second, Kaito wondered, 'Maybe it just wants to play?'
But before his thoughts could go further, Eve burst through the undergrowth, her sharp voice breaking his trance.
"Master, move!"
In a blur, her dark blue daggers gleamed as they slashed at the bear. Kaito barely registered the speed of her strikes, each blow a perfect blur of lethal precision. The bear let out a final, agonizing growl before collapsing under her relentless assault.
Eve turned to face him, her eyes glowing fiercely. "Anyone who dares threaten my master will end up like this," she hissed, glaring at the fallen beast. "Sliced apart and begging for mercy that will never come."
Kaito's heart raced as he stared at her, half in awe, half in terror. "I-I was just... admiring its fur! I swear!"
Seeing her sharp gaze and the dangerous glow in her eyes, he forced a nervous smile. 'I think I'd rather ride that bear than deal with this maid right now...'
Eve, sensing his swirling emotions, stepped closer. Her eyes softened slightly as she knelt beside him, wrapping her arms around him protectively. "What if something had happened to you, Master?" she murmured, her voice a mix of worry and affection.
Kaito smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "You really think I'd get hurt by that?"
Her response was immediate. "I absolutely do!" she snapped, though her smile softened the edge.
Without thinking, Kaito reached up and patted her head, his fingers brushing between her fox ears. A contented smile spread across her face as her tail swayed happily, much like a joyful puppy.
And with that kaito's Jungle or Zoo trip continued….
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Somewhere, not too far away, As the three figures moved through the trees, the only sound was the faint rustle of leaves in the night breeze. Despite their speed, their presence was nearly imperceptible, every motion calculated to avoid detection.
One of them, the tallest of the group, signaled with a subtle flick of the wrist. Immediately, they halted, crouching low on the branches, their ruby eyes scanning the surroundings with an intense focus. The leader slowly raised a hand to their ear, activating a small device embedded within the mask.
"Area's clear,stay sharp. Signs of recent movement near the river. Proceed quietly."
With that, they dropped down from the branches, landing softly on the forest floor. The underbrush yielded beneath their feet, as if the forest itself was aiding their stealth. They spread out in a triangular formation, each member instinctively aware of their role. One kept watch above, eyes scanning for any movement in the treetops, while another scrutinized the ground for traps or signs of passage.
The leader advanced deeper into the woods, every sense heightened, breath steady and controlled. The trail was faint—broken twigs, subtle disturbances in the dirt—but sufficient for their trained eyes. Their target was cautious, but not cautious enough.
Suddenly, a crack echoed in the distance, freezing them in their tracks. They crouched low, hands instinctively gripping their weapons. The sound was unmistakable—a branch snapping under pressure. Their eyes met, communicating silently. Without hesitation, they moved again, this time slower, merging into the shadows cast by the towering trees. Each step was deliberate, bodies close to the ground, hidden in the underbrush.
As they approached the source of the sound, the leader raised a fist, signaling for a halt. They crouched behind a thick trunk, peeking around carefully. In the distance, a faint flicker of light—possibly a campfire—glowed through the trees, casting long, wavering shadows.
The leader gestured to the others. One figure slipped to the left, while the other circled to the right. The leader remained in position, eyes fixed on the flickering light, determination etched on their face. Their prey was near. Too near.
"…Run."
Suddenly, a mocking voice cut through the night.
"Someone sure has guts, huh? Hahahah... Come on, you grass-grazing elves!"
The leader of the trio suddenly paused, his tone shifting to a more controlled voice.
"Retreat!"
Without hesitation, as soon as his underlings heard him, they vanished from their positions in an instant, disappearing into the shadows as if they had never been there at all.
[Phantom Orb]
A low hum echoed through the area, emanating from the lips of a figure floating high above. His long purple coat billowed softly, the intricate golden patterns along its edges catching the moonlight as it framed him from behind. The night was calm, but the figure's presence felt like a storm waiting to break and in that very moment a golden mana orb formed in front of the person's outstretched hand, shimmering briefly before the trio vanished completely.
"Damn it!"
Thud.
The leader, his long silver hair catching the moonlight, cursed under his breath. The moment he saw the golden orb forming, instinct kicked in. He leapt into the air with such force that the ground beneath him cracked, spreading like a spider's web. Mid-air, before he even had time to think, he vanished, dissolving into the shadows as if he were never there.
Boom… boom… boom… boom… boom.
Golden orbs erupted one after another, raining down from the figure hovering above. Each one crackled as it shot through the air, his hand effortlessly summoning more. His purple coat flared out behind him, the golden designs shimmering faintly under the moon.
'These sneaky bastards. It's problematic to follow them alone in the forest at night... and then there's that veteran order… Well, how long are you going to run, grassy bastards?'
"Fang Legion, follow those grassy elves running along the rivers. The rest of you, prepare for a head-on assault!"
His voice boomed across the area, alarming all the soldiers gathered around the hundreds of campfires just below him.
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(A/N: Hey, wonderful readers! I hope you're enjoying the journey so far. Your feedback means the world to me, so please drop a comment to share your thoughts, theories, or what you'd like to see next!
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