Denaria was a young woman who had wanted nothing more than to become a hunter. She spent her whole life dreaming of the day and it finally came but at a cost. A random attack by a Gore Malaga, while on an expedition, killed her parents and the other party of their expedition. She was left alone to fend for herself, so she began her travels, fighting off monsters- small to begin with before moving to larger and larger game- until she was asked to join a caravan headed to Val Habar. She journeyed with the Caraveener, a gruff old man who had really taking a liking to her when she saved his ship and his hat from am elder dragon. They set up camp in Val Habar and Denaria quickly grew as a hunter in no time, taking jobs here and there. Eventually, they were ready to move on and headed towards Harth, a mining village they found upon arrival flat was being plagued by a Tetsucabra's vicious attacks any time they tried to reclaim their mines. Slaying the Tetsucabra with ease, Denaria became a new favorite of the village and helped them with other tasks and monsters. As her deeds grew, word quickly spread and even the Ace Hunters heard of her. Curious aside from their own hunting plans, they travelled to Harth to meet this famed hunter in person, but nothing could have prepared any of them, Denaria included, for what was to come next.

-O-

The Caraveener stood with the Ace Lancer as they waited for Denaria to return.

"So, old man, is this hunter of yours really as much as we've heard?" He asked, his golden armor gleaming in the bio-luminescent light coming from the stream.

The Caraveener nodded and chuckled. "Aye, she's a fine lass. She's been with the caravan for nearly five months."

"Well, she definitely has us all intrigued. Especially the Ace Commander."

They looked down as a Palico came running up to them. The Caraveener looked up and and smiled, seeing Denaria walk into the village.

Denaria looked around the village and saw the Caraveener and her Palico, Namika, standing with a stranger. She went over when the Caraveener called her over.

"Ah, there she is! How was the hunt?"

Denaria shrugged. "Can't say Gypceros are my favourite monster. It did beat me up pretty bad, though. Damn thing liked to play dead and caught me off guard. You have no idea how good it is to be back, Sid."

Sid chuckled. "Well, I'm glad you made it back safely."

Denaria nodded, then looked at the man standing next to the Caraveener. "Hello, are you a friend of Sid's?"

The Ace Lancer nodded. "Yes. I am Piers, Ace Lancer."

Denaria bowed her head. "Good to meet you. My name is Denaria."

Piers smiled. "Sid here was telling me that you live up to the rumors about you. If you'd like, you may join us on our next hunt. We leave in the morning. If you're interested, just ask our commander about it." He pointed to a young man coming down the hill, clad in blue armor.

Denaria looked up at him as he joined them.

"Ah, speak of the devil." Sid chuckled. "This is the Ace Commander, lass." He looked at the Ace Commander. "This is the hunter I was telling you about."

The Ace Commander looked at Denaria. Before him stood a young woman with shoulder length silvery white hair, a filigree tattoo of dark blue, teal eyes and a dark reddish purple gloss on her lips, a small scar running across the bridge of her nose. She wore silver dangle earrings and a matching necklace. Her current armor set covered most of her head and her ears. "You're the hunter?" he scoffed, looking her up and down. "You?" He had a look of disbelief and superiority.

Denaria was already not liking this man. She glanced at Sid.

"Arthur, this is Denaria. The hunter who has been with us for months? The reason you came to Harth?" Sid said, giving him a warning look.

Arthur looked from Denaria to Sid. "Really?" He looked back at Denaria. "...the hunter is you?"

Denaria rolled her eyes. "Yes, I'm the caravan's resident hunter. Is that a problem, Ace Commander?"

Arthur looked at her, suddenly embarrassed. "What?" He glanced over at Sid and Piers who both shook their heads. "...oh, no, no problem at all." He shook his hands out in front of him. "You're just not on the same level as my expectations."

Denaria crossed her arms and glared at him. "Oh, and why is that?"

"Well, you're just so young and lack experience." Arthur stated.

"Really, now?" Denaria retorted. "And how old are you?"

"Twenty three as of last month."

Denaria snorted and cocked her hips, one hand resting on her hip while the other rested on the hilt of her blade. "And how long have you been a hunter?"

"Seven years."

Denaria walked right up to him, ignoring how handsome he was with his silver hair and blue eyes. "Which means that you're only three years older than I am and have only had an extra year of hunting than I have. So before you go and start judging people on their age, appearance, or experience perhaps you should get your facts straight!" She stepped back and started to turn away, but Piers stopped her.

"Denaria, wait."

Denaria turned and glared at him. "No, Piers, I am sorry. Clearly your Commander here thinks me too much a child to be able to hunt. I will be good girl then and stay out of your way. I might reconsider if your Commander can learn to loosen a few fastens on that armor of his and stop being a hard-headed as a rhenoplos."

Piers looked after Denaria as she stormed off, headed towards her wagon. "Arthur, why'd you have to go and do that?"

Arthur looked at him.

Piers groaned and rubbed his temples. "She's right you know. Must you be so hard-headed?"

Namika looked at the Ace Commander. "Sir, Mistress Ria has worked hard since she and I met. She has far exceeded my expectations. Give her a chance before you misjudge her." The Palico shook his head and ran after his mistress, who quickly came out dressed in a full Zamtrios blademaster armor set and her Insect Glaive at her back.

"Lass, you only just got back from defeating a Gypceros! Don't push yourself!" Sid called, sighing when his warning went unheard. He looked at Arthur. "You happy now? You've really gone and pissed her off."

Arthur stood there, dumbfounded as Piers and Sid went out their own business, clearly worried for this hunter. "What have I got myself into this time?"