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Description
Dawn was beginning to break upon the kingdom as Shigemi made her way past the numerous soldiers preparing their mounts for the long journey ahead and towards the middle of the army grounds. Wooden sandals clacked upon brown dirt growing lighter under the rising sunlight, the sounds of warriors muttering and issuing commands to other kappa as the giant turtles stood in a placid manner.

She stood in front of it, a golden carriage fashioned into the shape of a shell upon the top. Intricate markings dotted the shell, the insides covered with luxurious rugs and cushions. A giant round orb held the body at the bottom, carved with flowing designs. The design was of the Urakawa clan, utilising a technology that could hold the carriage upright upon any terrain, in theory at least. It was pulled by a mounted kappa upon a blue turtle, reinforced with gold armour on its back and head. It was created as a gift for the rulers of Taiga and one that would suit a large empress like herself. A wooden ramp led up to the carriage's open door, ready to welcome the bountiful form of the empress.

"You appear ready to go, my empress." A kindly voice resonated beside her, she turned around to see the familiar wrinkled face of her closest advisor. His golden staff gleamed as he bowed his head.

"Akihiro, it is good to see your face here." Shigemi smiled. She glanced over to the towering turtle in the distance, an ancient beast adorned in armour so old moss thrived upon it. Upon its back rested an ominous cannon, designed by the Urakawa clan many centuries ago. Dulled orange sails on the tip of the cannon whipped around in the cool breeze as the turtle stood as calmly as his smaller brethren. She gave a curious glance at Akihiro, who in turn glanced back.

"Was it necessary for them to bring an Earth Breaker along? Is it not a revered relic of our army?" She questioned. The advisor looked up at the towering ancient turtle.

"In any other time they wouldn't, but this is not any other time. It is still quite capable of piercing the hide of a giant beast." He reassured her with a warm smile. Shigemi smiled back at the old kappa.

"You speak true, I just hope it aims true should the need arise." The empress turned around and stepped upon the ramp, making her way up to the open door. She slowly squeezed herself through, reappearing as she grasped the door with one hand.

"Kami watch over you, my empress, may they bless you with a safe travel." The advisor shouted, tapping his staff upon the hard dirt ground. Shigemi gave a nod as she raised her other hand up into the air.

"Thank you, Akihiro! Knowing the lands we will be going through we may need all the blessings we can get." She smiled before shutting the door completely. Her enormous rear settled upon the soft fabrics as horns resounded from outside, heralding the start of her journey. Warriors shouted commands at their mounts, followed by the sounds of rope cracking against shells. The low rumbling of footsteps slamming against the hard ground followed as the royal escort commenced. The advisor looked at the carriage even as the mounted turtles raced past him and surrounded the golden shell, guarded by warriors prepared to lay their life for their empress.

He hoped that this would not be the last time he would see her, but at a time like this, hope was the only thing he could give her.

---

Tachiai continues as Shigemi prepares to travel through the Land of Beasts, having a small talk with her advisor before they take off.

Hope you enjoy! Pretty happy with how this piece turned out.

Description
Dawn was beginning to break upon the kingdom as Shigemi made her way past the numerous soldiers preparing their mounts for the long journey ahead and towards the middle of the army grounds. Wooden sandals clacked upon brown dirt growing lighter under the rising sunlight, the sounds of warriors muttering and issuing commands to other kappa as the giant turtles stood in a placid manner.

She stood in front of it, a golden carriage fashioned into the shape of a shell upon the top. Intricate markings dotted the shell, the insides covered with luxurious rugs and cushions. A giant round orb held the body at the bottom, carved with flowing designs. The design was of the Urakawa clan, utilising a technology that could hold the carriage upright upon any terrain, in theory at least. It was pulled by a mounted kappa upon a blue turtle, reinforced with gold armour on its back and head. It was created as a gift for the rulers of Taiga and one that would suit a large empress like herself. A wooden ramp led up to the carriage's open door, ready to welcome the bountiful form of the empress.

"You appear ready to go, my empress." A kindly voice resonated beside her, she turned around to see the familiar wrinkled face of her closest advisor. His golden staff gleamed as he bowed his head.

"Akihiro, it is good to see your face here." Shigemi smiled. She glanced over to the towering turtle in the distance, an ancient beast adorned in armour so old moss thrived upon it. Upon its back rested an ominous cannon, designed by the Urakawa clan many centuries ago. Dulled orange sails on the tip of the cannon whipped around in the cool breeze as the turtle stood as calmly as his smaller brethren. She gave a curious glance at Akihiro, who in turn glanced back.

"Was it necessary for them to bring an Earth Breaker along? Is it not a revered relic of our army?" She questioned. The advisor looked up at the towering ancient turtle.

"In any other time they wouldn't, but this is not any other time. It is still quite capable of piercing the hide of a giant beast." He reassured her with a warm smile. Shigemi smiled back at the old kappa.

"You speak true, I just hope it aims true should the need arise." The empress turned around and stepped upon the ramp, making her way up to the open door. She slowly squeezed herself through, reappearing as she grasped the door with one hand.

"Kami watch over you, my empress, may they bless you with a safe travel." The advisor shouted, tapping his staff upon the hard dirt ground. Shigemi gave a nod as she raised her other hand up into the air.

"Thank you, Akihiro! Knowing the lands we will be going through we may need all the blessings we can get." She smiled before shutting the door completely. Her enormous rear settled upon the soft fabrics as horns resounded from outside, heralding the start of her journey. Warriors shouted commands at their mounts, followed by the sounds of rope cracking against shells. The low rumbling of footsteps slamming against the hard ground followed as the royal escort commenced. The advisor looked at the carriage even as the mounted turtles raced past him and surrounded the golden shell, guarded by warriors prepared to lay their life for their empress.

He hoped that this would not be the last time he would see her, but at a time like this, hope was the only thing he could give her.

---

Tachiai continues as Shigemi prepares to travel through the Land of Beasts, having a small talk with her advisor before they take off.

Hope you enjoy! Pretty happy with how this piece turned out.