Chapter 1
Being a Monster Hunter is a special privilege given to a special few in the world. They are the first and last defense against monsters that threaten the very existence of the people in this world. They wield various weapons and use various armors to try and make their jobs as safe as possible. But even with all of the equipment it is the deadliest job in the world.
Now in the village of Jore two of the greatest hunters in the guild Jory and Isabelle, met and fell in love. Their friends warned them against it, but they went with it anyway. It was a loving relationship, which produced one child, John Thatcher, Jr.
Seventeen years later, on a cold winter's night, John was in the middle of sharpening the iron long sword his father had given him, when he heard a knock on the door. His parents were out on a hunt, so he answered the door. The village chief stood on the porch, a grave look on his face.
"Chief what are you doing here?" John asked, hoping for the best but planning for the worst. "Did something happen?"
"I have been sent by the medicine woman." The chief moved out of the way as John ran over to the medicine hut near the other side of town. He stepped inside the small hut which was filled with people, both hunters and villagers. John spotted his father's best friend, Frank.
"What is going on Frank?" John walked up to Frank who looked down. John stepped back tears in his eyes and sadness in his voice. "Don't tell me they are dead."
John walked behind the curtain, which was where the people were treated. Two bodies lay on cots; One his father while the other was his mother, both having clear and brutal injuries on their bodies. John walked to his father first. He had a massive gash on his throat. John kissed him on the forehead and said goodbye.
He moved over to his mother, tears swelling up. She looked peaceful. John noticed she had a massive gash running from her chest to the bottom of her stomach. He leaned over his mother and sobbed.
He finally kissed his mother goodbye. He turned to the medicine woman. "Take good care of them."
"I will." The medicine woman took two white cloths and laid them over the bodies. John left the medicine hut and went home. He sat in the living room, for hours without doing anything. He finally fell into a dreamless sleep.
A knock on the door awoke him. He went over to the door and opened it. Frank stood in his doorway. "I have your fathers will. It requests that I read it to you here."
John just nodded and went over to the couch, not saying a word or making a sound. Frank followed and stood in front of the fireplace. "It reads, Dear son, if you are hearing this I have died in battle along with your mother. I want you to know that we have always loved and adored you. Do not be sad that we are dead, for we have gone to paradise. If, Frank is alive, he will be watching over you when he can. I leave everything in both my and your mother's possession to you. Before I finish this you must know that I arranged a marriage for you to Frank's daughter."
John looked up. "He arranged a marriage in his will?"
"We had it planned just in case one of us died before we could announce it." Frank said. "She is being brought up here from Moga village. I hope you get along with her because I am moving her in here."
"This is a lot to take in." John said standing up and going over to the window. "I still have to plan my parent's funeral. And now I have to live with a girl I have never met."
"I understand but both I and your father felt it is best if she lives with you. She won't be here for at least another month." Frank said. "Your father wished for them to be cremated and their ashes spread over Lake Hodu."
"Have them cremated then." John closed his eyes. "I can still see them Frank. They are smiling like they did right before they left for a hunt. I can't believe I won't ever see them again."
"Sometimes life takes things away." Frank stared into the fire. "We have to remember the good times we had with them."
"Thank you Frank." John stood up and moved over to the door. "I need to be alone for a while."
Frank nodded and moved over to the door and stopped. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pouch. He tossed it to John, who caught it. "Your Father said to give this to you if he died. I don't know what is in it."
Frank nodded to John and left the house. John stared at the pouch before tossing it onto the table in the living room. He walked into the kitchen and made himself some tea. It was a special brew that his mother used to love.
He walked back into the living room and sat on the couch cup in hand. He opened the pouch and reached dumped the contents on the table. A letter addressed to him and a black key fell out. Picking up the letter, it read 'Dear Son, I have left you something important. I have left a clue in a hidden room, behind the far left wall in my study. Use the key to open the wall and finish what I started.'
John stared at the key on the table, completely confused on what his father meant. After a few seconds he picked up the key on the table, and moved to his father's study. He opened the door and stepped into the study. One table sat in the middle of the room, with nothing on it. Nothing clung to walls. This room hadn't been used in a very long time.
John moved over to the far left wall and looked for a key hole. He found in one of the corners. It wasn't that well hidden, but it didn't need to be. John shoved the key into the hole and turned it. Part of the wall slid open revealing a secluded room. John stepped inside.
It resembled the study, but seemed to be even less visited. A journal was on the desk, with a picture of the Fatalis on the right wall. John looked around but he could only find the journal. He sat down at the desk and opened the journal.
Day 1 of the Fatalis expedition.
I have found another who shares my interest in the Fatalis. His name is Merlin. We have talked about actually going out to find the beast. Merlin wants to study it and I want the glory so I agreed.
Day 2
Merlin and I have left Pokke Village to search for the Fatalis. He stole an old map from the elder, which shows where the Fatalis might be located. I am glad he is with me, for I could not do this without him. I have the highest hopes we will actually find the beast and slay it.
John skipped the next few days for all they accounted was walking.
Day 12
We found a weird amulet in a cave that we stayed in to get shelter from the storm. Merlin insists that he wear the amulet. I don't want to argue with him, but I noticed he is acting stranger and stranger.
John flipped through the journal stopping at day 15.
Day 15
We have finally found the lair of the beast. It lies deep in the Moravian mountains. Merlin hasn't said a word for a few days now, and it is worrying me. He only seems interested in the amulet now.
Day 17
I have confronted Merlin about the amulet. He only said I wanted it and went back to holding it. I have to find a way to get it away from him. It is doing something to his mind.
Day 19
Merlin is missing and I have spent the last day searching for him. He has the amulet in his possession. If I don't make it out of these mountains and someone finds this journal, the amulet resembles a horned man with red eyes. Find it and destroy it. This is the last time I think I will right in the journal.
Sincerely Jory.
John closed the journal and looked at the Fatalis picture. "Why were you so important to my father?"
Because I am intertwined in his lineage. John stood up suddenly and looked around. Nobody was there and the picture hadn't moved. "Must be my imagination, I am going to have some tea."
John picked up the journal and left the room. He closed his father's study, doing one last check around the room. He sighed and left the area.
