After Rylan finished killing the bear with his bare hands. I clapped excitedly as I jumped up and down on the balls of my feet.
I heard him before I saw him. I jumped, doing a spin in the air. As I turned and looked under me. Where I had just been, a very special boar passed under me and crashed into the arena.
His squeal as he fell into the arena was deafening. Causing my ears to flatten by instinct.
My joy was endless, I watched as my two favorite living men in life squared up and started to fight.
The fight lasted a total of ten seconds. The amount of time for Jiggle to ram into Rylan.
Rylan had tried to grab him and hold him in place. A foolish mistake, Jiggle wasn''t able to be stopped during his charge.
I giggled as Rylan went flying into a nearby wall leaving a crater.
He reminded me of Tera in that instant. Except he was naked as he climbed out of the hole and rushed the boar in anger.
I couldn''t help myself, my excitement overwhelmed me. “Jiggle!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. My heart was racing a million miles an hour. I hadn’t seen him since… I shook those thoughts away, focusing on the moment and how happy I was that Jiggle was here.
Jiggle faced me and huffed, causing the nearby dirt to fly into the air. Even so, it couldn’t cover his enormous bulk. He stomped his right hoof a few times and lowered his head, I grinned.
His speed was fast compared to Saki by a wide margin, but compared to me or Sensei, he might as well have been moving in slow motion. His charge kicked up dirt behind him as he made a beeline for me.
I jumped back into the air, using his back and a launchpad to shoot myself over to Rylan. I quickly checked Rylan for any severe injuries. He was breathing, if severely bruised. The bear had barely hurt Rylan, Jiggle had devastated the man in one hit.
I smiled at Rylan, he looked up, coughed up blood and smiled back. He wore a gleam in his eye, one I recognized when sensei would pick fights. One I most likely wore when I fought. The joy of fighting a fun opponent.
I turned back as Jiggle hadn’t stopped, he had been going too fast and couldn’t stop quickly. He charged towards a tent. He killed a few goblins who were unfortunate enough to be in his path, but most managed to dodge if only barely.
The chief’s tent flap opened and I saw Saki for a split second before Jiggle hit her full force. She was thrown backwards into the tent and amusement flooded me for a second.. Rylan was able to stand up to Jiggle barely, Saki never would have stood a chance.
Saki would be hurt, but not dead though, as such I fell over laughing as Jiggle sent Saki flying. He really was just the most adorable little boar. I am so happy he is alive and well!
I had feared the worst with sensei and his… I shook my head again and stood up straight. I jumped out of the arena and dashed into the chief''s tent after Jiggle. I waved hi to Grok who looked dismayed at me. I simply giggled and gave him a thumbs up, he put his hand on his face palm facing for some reason.
I ignored Grok''s silly antic’s and said “Nya! Please take care of Tama’s clothes Grok!”. I wanted to wrestle Jiggle myself, no way was I going to let Saki have all the fun.
I took off my gi quickly, leaving my underwear on because I knew Saki would frown if I took everything off. I threw my gi at Grok before rushing out of the back of the tent. I saw Saki had put up a wall of stone. Silly Saki, Jiggle breaks through stone easily! It''s why sensei needed to enchant the chicken coop to prevent the crazy pig from forcing his way in!
As expected, Jiggle went through the stone like it was made of paper and made for Saki, but it was my turn!
I ran to his side and rammed into him right before he reached Saki, throwing him off his feet and the two of us rolled around. “Bad Jiggle! Don’t attack Tama’s friends!” I said as I giggled madly.
Jiggle managed to shift himself to land on his feet and still slid back a few feet. He went to charge me again, but this time I sprayed his face with water and irritated him before jumping onto his back. I didn’t have trees for him to ram nearby, only weak goblin tents and tables. So instead I made my water chain and wrapped it around his tusks.
Using the chains, I was able to guide Jiggle where I wanted. The realization struck me and I suddenly had an amazing idea…
I quickly leaned forward and pulled on the chains “Okay Jiggle! You get to be Tama’s battle mount! charge!”
Instead, he tried and failed to throw me off repeatedly. “Come now Jiggle! You can do better than that!” I started with an amused smile. I sprayed more water in his face until he finally stopped..
I looked up and noticed Saki. She was holding a long stick, her left hand on her lower back. She was walking back to Grok’s tent. I called out to her “Tama is going to play with Jiggle more!”
She looked over at me and simply nodded, looking unamused before responding “That’s fine Tama, just please keep that thing away from me. She pointed at Jiggle with irritation, Jiggle’s response was to huff and stomp his right hoof. I sprayed more water in his face before he could charge again.
After Saki went back into the tent, the goblins began patching the hole. I started trying to guide Jiggle’s charges. At first he didn’t want to go in the direction I wanted him to, but I made up a system of sorts. I would kick him in the side and lean forward, this would make him go forward.
If he didn’t I sprayed him in the face with water. Eventually he figured out if he moved when I did that he wouldn’t get sprayed. I always knew Jiggle was super smart! It only took him a few hours! His brothers and sisters would have taken days to figure that out.
As the sun went away and night covered the area, Jiggle had learned to follow my directions. Rylan had come by and picked a fight with the boar, but was once again quickly blasted into and out of a nearby tent within seconds. I actually rode Jiggle while he did it this time. I felt when Jiggle made an impact, I felt as Jiggle charged, it was slower then I was used to when moving fast on my own, and not by much.
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Rylan seemed to be having the time of his life, he challenged Jiggle lot’s of times and lost every time. He was never discouraged though and it only made me more excited. Rylan was truly amazing, Even though he was outmatched he never gave up, he seemed to enjoy himself despite the pain. Something I could easily understand.
As the sun began to set, I wondered idly where Tera was. Rylan had finally given in to his exhaustion and passed out after nearly eight straight hours of fighting Jiggle and had simply collapsed. Jiggle had tried to charge him but I sprayed water in his face until he gave up.
I looked over at some nearby goblins and pointed at them “Nya! Please take Rylan to the medical tent and heal him!” I said with a smile. One of the goblins fainted, the rest ignored him and nodded. Rushing over and working together to barely lift the unconscious Rylan, and drag him to a medical tent. I debated following them but wanted to find Saki or Tera.
So instead, I, still on my mighty mount! Began searching for Saki or Tera. I found them both in the chief''s tent with Grok. The three of them were talking about the lich, however as I walked in, having to duck as Jiggle under me made me a little too tall for the tent flap.
“Look, every time one of your goblins die, the lich gains another ally.” Tera said, she sounded flustered. “Your numbers are literally meaningless, The royal army has been gathering forces just north of Trissaile and will be moving towards the lich shortly, their spell casters have ways of stopping the undead and preventing undeath.”
“We both know if what Grok says is true, the Royal army will not make it in time Tera! We can’t leave an entire town of people to die!” Saki spat back, she was clearly very angry about the conversation, and in a losing battle based on the way Grok looked uncertain about the fight since the first time I had seen him.
“And you think we will make it in time, Saki? Be reasonable! It’s three days'' travel away compared to the royal army''s five, that''s hardly a difference. Drestor has Talia and she can hold off a lich for five days, Saki!” Tera’s response was emphatic as she laid out her point.
“But we can help her!” Saki said slamming the table, causing the table to shatter and fall onto the ground, the battle map being caught by Grok who simply took a step back and watched the two girls fighting.
He looked back and forth, very uncertain about what to do. He seemed to agree with Tera’s points, but I could clearly see he wanted to believe Saki’s words about them making a difference.
I didn’t understand people that well, but Grok was a goblin, I understood goblins, and Grok was clearly torn between his desire to kill the lich and the pragmatic and sobering view Tera was preaching.
“As if you care about anyone but you or Tama, Saki!” Tera said in anger “I was wrong when I said you didn’t care about Tama, it’s been made clear as day you care for her more than anyone. The key point there is anyone. You clearly don’t and until meeting Tama, never had, cared about anyone is your damn life Saki. Let''s be honest, you''re doing this for revenge. You think you''re the only one who has lost friends to that.. thing?! But throwing these goblins and our own lives away on a foolish assault that we both know will fail is suicide and will only make that damn thing stronger!”
Silence filled the hall, I slowly and quietly slid off Jiggles side. The boar grunted quietly, but even he took the mood in the room and stayed mostly quiet. I made eye contact with him and spoke silently, <i>go eat Jiggle.</i>
Jiggle turned, and left out the tent. I turned as well, but faced the trio. It seemed the battle plan wasn’t going well.
“Nya! Saki, Tera! fighting each other will not kill the lich!” I said with a loud and clear voice. I stood tall and pointed towards them. “ We have the greatest living ninja and the smarterest person that ninja knows. Tama knows we are more than capable of killing some smelly old lich!”
Their reactions differed greatly. Saki blushed and smiled at me, Grok’s eyes lit up and he grinned, nodding happily. Tera actively deflated and looked into my eyes with sadness. “Please Tama, I understand you are amazing and perfect and…” She stopped herself for a moment before continuing. “But you can’t protect everyone, The goblin wave that took us out showed that. You might be able to fight their armies, but even you can’t do it alone my mighty empress.”
She seemed to give up avoiding the word empress and just said it. I winced but said nothing about it. “Tama doesn’t need to protect everyone, We were caught off guard by the goblins, even then they gave up when it came to Tama’s might!”
Grok actually nodded vigorously at that and jumped up and down “Yea! wit Tama we iz gonna win! te smarterest fox lady said so!”
Tera looked uncertainly around the room for a moment, then sighed and shook her head. She stepped forward and looked at me for a long moment before she spoke. “Fine, I can’t stop you, my empress, ruler of my kingdom, queen of my existence. It’s clear you wish to see Saki’s suicidal plan to the very end. But please, great one, allow me to protect you and be your shield. I cannot sit idly by and let you run to your death.”
I stood, completely stiff at her phrasing, she had stopped doing that when I had gotten back, but now she was back with it. I wondered why. Saki seemed to know but…
“I am glad you agree, Tera, though I expected nothing less when Tama took our side. So will you help us plan now instead of shooting holes in our plans?” Saki said with irritation in her voice.
Tera didn’t respond, she continued looking into my eyes. I knew what she wanted, I didn’t want to give it. But after everything… I looked deep into Tera’s eyes and asked softly “Is it really what Tera wants? Tama will only do this if it''s what Tera wants, and only if Tera promises to help.”
Tera didn’t even stutter in her response. “Yes, my empress, I wish more than anything for such an honor.” She looked at me determined.
“You can’t seriously expect Tama to do that Tera! You know she hates being that way! She doesn’t even understand…” Saki began but I spoke over her with sadness in my voice. My tone, imperious with tears in my eyes.
“Teranthia Tulip, “ I said, my voice quivering slightly as I remembered what Saki had called her after she thought I left. “Princess Tama hereby decrees you as her royal protector, Your life is Tama’s.”
My words were simple, but the point was made clear. The room reacted differently once again. Grok looked puzzled, Saki’s eyes had widened and her mouth was hanging open.
But Tera, her response was the most drastic. Tears filled her eyes and she bent until her head touched the floor. “I accept this greatest honor my Empress, I shall never let you fall!”
After that, silence filled the room for a very uncomfortable amount of time. It was Saki who spoke next. “You knew the whole time!” She said, her voice incredulous as she continued. “And.. and you didn’t say anything!” She looked at me in disbelief.
Though I thought there would be betrayal in Saki’s eyes. I didn’t see it, I only saw confusion and shock. Like she had always suspected but didn’t question.
I didn’t know what to say, so I just nodded then thought better of it. “Nya, and no… Tama doesn’t understand everything. But Tama knows her words did weird things to people. Tama is not dumb! Tama knows she is a princess of Arrisaile too, but she doesn’t want to be.”
“Trissaile, my empress,” Tera said quietly behind me. “Nya! That place!” I continued, ignoring her and continuing on. “Tama is, and always has been Tama, She is not special, she doesn''t want to be special. Tama wants Tera to feel better, so Tama gave Tera what she wanted. But Tama doesn’t like it!”
Saki smiled at me as tears filled her eyes. She said nothing, instead she ran over to me and hugged me. I was surprised for a moment, but slowly I smiled and closed my eyes before wrapping my arms around Saki, my best friend and royal advisor. Our tails wrapped around each other and I felt her fox fur on my back rubbing gently.
Reminding me I was still in my underwear and covered in dried mud. Which was now getting on Saki, who seemed to actually notice for the first time. She stiffened, but instead of letting go, held on tighter.
“Soz, we gunna fight de smelly guy?” I heard Grok say quietly, still standing around twenty feet from all of us. “or is de scary ladies gunna fight again?”