🗻 The Wasped World
Chapter 1. Mount Hardy
Yunia is a vast and magical land where the borders between kingdoms are open, and the people live in harmony with each other. The only enemy they share is an ancient evil that lurks behind the veil of reality and manifests itself in various forms, from malevolent spirits to deadly abominations.
These immaterial beings have the ability to manipulate their surroundings to manifest themselves. They can create forms made of rocks, branches, logs, whatever they can find – all with the sole purpose of causing harm and trouble.
But there is a way to fight back against these malevolent forces. The people of Yunia have long discovered that through intense physical exercise and endurance, they can harness the power of their own bodies to wield magic.
By twisting and contorting their bodies into extreme positions, they are able to channel energy from the Yuniverse itself, using it to disintegrate even the most powerful phantoms before they cause much harm. This technique requires intense physical discipline and training, but it can greatly enhance the user's capabilities in battles against the common foe.
It is a constant battle to keep peace in the world, but the people of Yunia refuse to be cowed by these shadowy creatures. Wielding their bodies like weapons, they will always continue to hone their craft and defend their world from the forces of darkness. For they know that if they can master contortion, there is no limit to what they can achieve.
🗻 🗻 🗻
However, not all forms of contortion have the same effects. The act known as waist-cinching or wasping is a unique practice that has taken on almost mythical proportions in this world. Those who master this art are able to compress their waists to an incredibly small size, creating an appearance similar to that of a wasp.
But the true power of waist-cinching lies in its protective properties. By squeezing the body into such a tight space, cinchers are able to ward off dark magic and the elements, making them ideal for guardians who must brave dangerous terrain or battle formidable foes.
But wearing a cincher is nowhere as easy as putting on an armor. Some cinchers have extreme requirements of the wearer, meaning only the most skilled and dedicated warriors can hope to don legendary super-tight cinchers.
Different cinchers have different protective effects, for example some cinchers give cold resistance, so the guardians around Mt. Hardy, known for its dangers, can easily patrol the area in scanty clothes, flexing their curvy muscles without taking a single sneeze, thanks to the extreme cinchers on their waists.
The colder it gets, the harder they pull on the laces. But in the end, no winter coat will ever feel as warm as a good old cincher. Legends speak of wardens who survived avalanches while clad in nothing but thongs and ridiculously tight broadbelts.
For some, it is a mere fantasy, but for others, it is a calling that they cannot ignore. And so the pursuit continues, fueled by hope and driven by passion, as the legend of the wasped wardens lives on.
🗻 🗻 🗻
In the land below Mt. Hardy, there exists a strict hierarchy of belt sizes. The smallest belts are reserved for the royal family, who wear them with pride to show their status and power, as well as to gain maximum protection.
The next tier of belts is reserved for the most skilled warriors in the kingdom, and they weave intricate patterns into the leather straps to represent their achievements in the battles against the Mount's evils.
And then there are the cinchers: tightly laced bands of leather that can be worn by any citizen willing to endure the process of securing them around their waists.
But beyond their practical purpose, cinchers hold a deeper significance in the northern culture. They represent discipline and control, as well as the ability to withstand adversity. Warriors strongly believe that the tightness of the laces keeps their minds focused and their bodies strong.
🗻 🗻 🗻
Some say that there are even more powerful forms of cinchers. Hidden deep within the caverns beneath Mt. Hardy lies the secret society of the "Silent Ones". Legend has it that they are the only ones who know the true art of belt-making, and can craft belts so small that only the most powerful members of society are able to wear them.
Those who wear them are said to gain incredible powers beyond any mortal's comprehension. But such stories are often dismissed as fanciful tales told by old storytellers around the fireplace, for no one has ever seen these mythical cinchers in person.
Nonetheless, cinchers are a source of pride and power, and those who wear them are considered among the most respected citizens in the kingdom. And as you wander through the snowy streets, you can't help but feel the intensity and the discipline that radiates from every waistline, knowing that each belt is more than just a simple accessory – it's a symbol of strength, determination, and courage in a world where those qualities are in great demand.