I Will Not Quit
10-22-2024, 04:53 PM
Aresenn squinted into the blinding heat of the afternoon, his orange eyes narrowing to slits against the glare reflecting off Waterfall Peak's barren slate cliffs. The cicada song drilled into his skull, a relentless dirge amid the otherwise oppressive silence. The dry grass crackled under their feet, each step producing a small puff of dust that quickly dissipated in the stagnant air. But of course, as the terrain began its steep ascent towards the mountains, the grass gave way to sharp rocks and loose gravel. "“Watch your step,” He murmured to his daughter as he led the way, carefully picking his way over the ever-changing landscape.
The path became narrow and tricky, but Aresenn moved with a precision born of years of practice, his large frame surprisingly agile against the rugged terrain. His eyes were constantly scanning, anticipating the challenges that lay ahead. With a swift movement, he leaped over a jagged boulder, landing solidly on the sun-baked ground below. He looked back to make sure Araxina was following. She was smaller but just as nimble. She could do it- he had faith in her.
"Aresenn Praetor"
The path became narrow and tricky, but Aresenn moved with a precision born of years of practice, his large frame surprisingly agile against the rugged terrain. His eyes were constantly scanning, anticipating the challenges that lay ahead. With a swift movement, he leaped over a jagged boulder, landing solidly on the sun-baked ground below. He looked back to make sure Araxina was following. She was smaller but just as nimble. She could do it- he had faith in her.
10-22-2024, 07:02 PM
Aresenn watched as Araxina took the leap, his heart pounding in his chest. His muscles were tense, ready to react if she misjudged her landing. His eyes narrowed as she stumbled, a growl catching in his throat. But of course, she didn’t disappoint- recovering with an agility that echoed his own, rolling and springing back onto her feet with a triumphant snort.
His stern face relaxed into a smirk as he nodded at her. "Good," he praised, his chest swelling slightly at the sight of his daughter's prowess. A half-sided smirk crossed his features before he composed himself once more. He turned and continued on, his gait steady despite the uneven terrain. "But don't let overconfidence be your downfall," he called over his shoulder. "This path is not forgiving."
As they wound their way further up the peak, their path became narrower and more treacherous. The landscape was a churn of grays and blues. With the sun glaring down on them, the stone beneath their paws turned hot, yet the air around them was crisp and thin. Aresenn's ears flicked back and forth, attentive to every sound - the rustle of a displaced pebble, the far-off squawk of a bird of prey, the constant rumbling of the waterfall that gave the peak its name. Despite its beauty, there was a constant undercurrent of danger lurking in the landscape around them.
Above them, the sun was relentless, its rays bouncing off the slate-gray cliffs. The roar of the waterfall was distant, a constant reminder of their ultimate goal: the unattainable peak. Aresenn squinted against the glare, his gaze attentive to any alterations in the landscape around them. The scent of the surrounding foliage filled his nostrils, heavy with a musk that spoke of a long, sweltering summer's day. The Waterfall Peak loomed menacingly ahead, its towering cliffs washed out in the bright sunlight. Aresenn took a moment to point it out to Xina, "See," he said, his voice low as he gestured towards the peak with his muzzle. "That’s where we're headed.”
"Aresenn Praetor"
His stern face relaxed into a smirk as he nodded at her. "Good," he praised, his chest swelling slightly at the sight of his daughter's prowess. A half-sided smirk crossed his features before he composed himself once more. He turned and continued on, his gait steady despite the uneven terrain. "But don't let overconfidence be your downfall," he called over his shoulder. "This path is not forgiving."
As they wound their way further up the peak, their path became narrower and more treacherous. The landscape was a churn of grays and blues. With the sun glaring down on them, the stone beneath their paws turned hot, yet the air around them was crisp and thin. Aresenn's ears flicked back and forth, attentive to every sound - the rustle of a displaced pebble, the far-off squawk of a bird of prey, the constant rumbling of the waterfall that gave the peak its name. Despite its beauty, there was a constant undercurrent of danger lurking in the landscape around them.
Above them, the sun was relentless, its rays bouncing off the slate-gray cliffs. The roar of the waterfall was distant, a constant reminder of their ultimate goal: the unattainable peak. Aresenn squinted against the glare, his gaze attentive to any alterations in the landscape around them. The scent of the surrounding foliage filled his nostrils, heavy with a musk that spoke of a long, sweltering summer's day. The Waterfall Peak loomed menacingly ahead, its towering cliffs washed out in the bright sunlight. Aresenn took a moment to point it out to Xina, "See," he said, his voice low as he gestured towards the peak with his muzzle. "That’s where we're headed.”
10-23-2024, 07:33 AM
Aresenn noted his daughter's slip on the treacherous terrain, a small huff escaping him - more out of concern than annoyance. He watched as she dusted herself off, her fiery pelt standing out against the stark cliffs. A wry smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Always keep your eyes on the path, not just your destination," he advised in his gruff tone, though there was a trace of warmth beneath the stern words. The scorching sun overhead caused their russet coats to gleam as if set aflame, its heat seeping through to his muscular core. He stole a glance at the valleys below, the brittle trees seeming almost ghostly under the oppressive summer sun. The threat of a stray spark igniting a fiery inferno was never far from his thoughts, but it was measured against the draw of journey's end - the imposing peak with its tumbling cascade.
As they pushed forward, Aresenn's nose twitched, catching the faint scent of mountain goats in the vicinity. His eyes darted around, scanning for the location of the creatures. This was a good sign; there would be water nearby. And following the faint trails of the goats would lead them both to fresh grazing and away from any local predators on the prowl. He signaled Araxina with a flick of his tail, a silent command to follow him.
"Watch your step," he grumbled as they navigated through a narrow path litter with jagged rocks and precarious drops. His deep voice echoed across the silent expanse, mingling with the far-off sound of crashing water. "Keep low and even." But of course, he could give her all the instructions in the world … but little good it would do if she did not internalize them.
Aresenn's heart stuttered as Araxina skidded towards the edge of the cliff. His muscles coiled, ready to pounce and halt her dangerous slide. He released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding when she finally came to a stop, just shy of the precipice. His eyes were smoldering. In his life, he had faced down countless trials and threats, but watching his daughter toe the line between the reckless abandon of youth and the bitter sting of reality was the most terrifying ordeal of them all.
He offered a paw to help her regain her footing but he remained silent for a few moments, fur bristling in irritation. “Yes it was.” He finally replied, his voice strained with suppressed worry. "You must learn control, Araxina," he stated, sternly. “You have so much natural talent- talent I wish I had when I was your age. But it’s only a matter of time before it lands you in real danger, if you’re not careful.” His eyes pierced hers, his warning evident. His words might have been sharp. But behind his fiery gaze and the growl in his voice, there was a deep well of concern, fear even. He hoped she saw it and understood its depth. This wasn't about dominance or obedience, it was about survival.
"Aresenn Praetor"
As they pushed forward, Aresenn's nose twitched, catching the faint scent of mountain goats in the vicinity. His eyes darted around, scanning for the location of the creatures. This was a good sign; there would be water nearby. And following the faint trails of the goats would lead them both to fresh grazing and away from any local predators on the prowl. He signaled Araxina with a flick of his tail, a silent command to follow him.
"Watch your step," he grumbled as they navigated through a narrow path litter with jagged rocks and precarious drops. His deep voice echoed across the silent expanse, mingling with the far-off sound of crashing water. "Keep low and even." But of course, he could give her all the instructions in the world … but little good it would do if she did not internalize them.
Aresenn's heart stuttered as Araxina skidded towards the edge of the cliff. His muscles coiled, ready to pounce and halt her dangerous slide. He released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding when she finally came to a stop, just shy of the precipice. His eyes were smoldering. In his life, he had faced down countless trials and threats, but watching his daughter toe the line between the reckless abandon of youth and the bitter sting of reality was the most terrifying ordeal of them all.
He offered a paw to help her regain her footing but he remained silent for a few moments, fur bristling in irritation. “Yes it was.” He finally replied, his voice strained with suppressed worry. "You must learn control, Araxina," he stated, sternly. “You have so much natural talent- talent I wish I had when I was your age. But it’s only a matter of time before it lands you in real danger, if you’re not careful.” His eyes pierced hers, his warning evident. His words might have been sharp. But behind his fiery gaze and the growl in his voice, there was a deep well of concern, fear even. He hoped she saw it and understood its depth. This wasn't about dominance or obedience, it was about survival.
11-02-2024, 09:28 PM
Aresenn watched Araxina with a mix of pride and trepidation as she began to navigate the path with newfound care, her steps measured and cautious. Her words, spoken with uncharacteristic solemnity, echoed in his mind. Yes, Daddy. Was that the first time she didn’t fight him on something? Perhaps, just perhaps, some of his lessons were finally sinking in.
As they followed the narrow goat trails, the terrain began to shift subtly. Tufts of hardy grass and tenacious shrubs sprouted from the cracks in the stone, their roots clinging to the thin soil. The air grew cooler as they approached the waterfall, its mist carrying on the breeze and dampening their fur. Aresenn paused, lifting his muzzle to scent the air. The briny tang of the distant ocean mingled with the fresh, earthy smell of the waterfall's spray.
"We're getting close," Aresenn murmured, his voice almost lost in the growing roar of the falls. The sound was deafening now, the cascading water churning up a fine mist that coated their fur and made the rocky path slick and treacherous. He glanced back at Araxina, ensuring she was still following closely. As they rounded a bend, the full majesty of the waterfall came into view. It was a behemoth, easily a hundred meters tall, the water plummeting from the cliff face in a thunderous torrent. The spray rose in great billowing clouds, creating an ever-shifting rainbow in the afternoon light. Aresenn paused, his orange eyes wide as he took in the sight. Despite the countless times he had made this journey, the raw power of the falls never failed to steal his breath away.
He glanced back at Araxina, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he watched for her reaction. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he murmured, his deep voice barely audible over the roar of the falls.
"Aresenn Praetor"
As they followed the narrow goat trails, the terrain began to shift subtly. Tufts of hardy grass and tenacious shrubs sprouted from the cracks in the stone, their roots clinging to the thin soil. The air grew cooler as they approached the waterfall, its mist carrying on the breeze and dampening their fur. Aresenn paused, lifting his muzzle to scent the air. The briny tang of the distant ocean mingled with the fresh, earthy smell of the waterfall's spray.
"We're getting close," Aresenn murmured, his voice almost lost in the growing roar of the falls. The sound was deafening now, the cascading water churning up a fine mist that coated their fur and made the rocky path slick and treacherous. He glanced back at Araxina, ensuring she was still following closely. As they rounded a bend, the full majesty of the waterfall came into view. It was a behemoth, easily a hundred meters tall, the water plummeting from the cliff face in a thunderous torrent. The spray rose in great billowing clouds, creating an ever-shifting rainbow in the afternoon light. Aresenn paused, his orange eyes wide as he took in the sight. Despite the countless times he had made this journey, the raw power of the falls never failed to steal his breath away.
He glanced back at Araxina, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he watched for her reaction. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he murmured, his deep voice barely audible over the roar of the falls.