The young hunter awoke to the sounds of splashing and childlike laughter. He twisted himself around and edged further out on the branch to get a view of the disturbance. There were three monsters, two adults and a child. They had a snake-like head and squirrel-like tail. They were covered in white fur as well as pale blue scales, the edges of their tails were covered in spike-like protrusions, they also had overlapping plates that ran across their backs. There also appeared to be more plates along the shoulders of their forelegs and down the sides of their hindlegs. All in all, it looked to be a cross between a lizard, a snake, and a squirrel.
"Look sire! Watch this!" the child gestured to one of the adults. The father turned around and acknowledged the young, bidding it to proceed. The child did so, jumping on to a nearby rock then jumping as high as it could in the air and spreading its arms, revealing a webbing that looked designed to enable it to glide short distances, and did a front flip into the water causing a small wave of water to splash against its parent. The hunter found the antics of the child quite adorable, the action bringing a small smile to his face.
"Good. Now, go hunt. We leave soon." The older monster commanded, turning off to search for his own group of fish. A look of disappointment washed over the young monsters' face before it turned around and began its own search for food. The young hunter released a disappointed sigh. The child just wanted its parent's attention, but its efforts were in vain, the father is the no nonsense type.
He went to move but as he did, he glanced down and what he saw made him freeze. The other monster, the mother, was staring right at him; her gaze pierced the leaves, which he thought so well hid him, and locked his eyes with her own. He couldn't move, fear had him in its grasp. He had no means of protection against any creature of that size, as it stands, he's as good as dead.
They needed to stay on the move. No place was safe anymore, not with the Elders arriving here. Their home was overrun by a large migration of other beasts. From the flame-nose to the large-bellies. It was all they could do, none of them could stand to an Elder. Under normal circumstances, they'd have fought for their home, but not now. They had a pup that needs taken care of. They couldn't leave their pup alone. Not yet.
Through many suns did they travel. Mostly without rest, but the little one was granted sleep. They had to avoid many preferable resting spots. They would have led to fights. Fights that would be focused on our little one, to get to us. So, we moved. Always moving.
There was one spot. One spot showed promise for shelter. It was a cave. It was hidden by a small cliff and vines. There was a problem though. The Hunters had claimed the spot. Their odd contraptions littered the area. Thought of taking it by force came across our minds. Fights with Hunters never end well. Survivors are usually killed off by others. So, they decided to not risk it. Their little one will grow to be large as them.
They continued for many light cycles. Resting in trees when needed. They were thirsty and hungry. They were blessed though. A small river full of fish was discovered. The scent of other beasts not near. They rejoiced. Food and drink for them to have their fill. The mother was happy. Her child would not go without food or drink.
With her eyes still locked on the Hunter, she made a low growl loud enough for only her mate to hear. He faced her and let out a low warble, confused as to why she is warning him. She made another sound, one between a rumbling purr and a growl, informing him to take their pup and hide. A Hunter was nearby. The father growled in response, he wanted to fight as well, but their priority was their pup so with a trill he darted over, grabbed their pup, and went into the woods.
Once they were safe, she charged up her energy and released her spark. A bolt of sky-light arced towards where the Hunter resided, creating a small explosion when it made contact. The section of the tree where her sky-light struck fell to the ground, causing a small tremor to resonate. She hoped that would be enough to end the Hunter, but she knows from experience that they take much more than that to defeat. A quiet moan confirmed her suspicions. She readied another bolt for when the Hunter emerged. She wasn't going to miss twice.
"Ow. That was close." The hunter spoke. Her charge dissipated in her confusion. Hunters don't speak. They make unintelligible sounds, but they don't speak. She let out a confused warble, a question, could he hear?
"Huh? Oh, uh… yeah. I can. Look, I'm sure you've had some bad run-ins with my kind, but I really don't want to fight." The Hunter tried to placate her. Not want to fight? How many that didn't want to fight were killed by Hunters? The young? Their eggs stolen? No, she will show this Hunter her wrath.
The Hunter had little warning before another bolt of lightning was launched his way. He tried dodging to the right, and succeeded in surviving the hit, but his left arm was struck sending a wave of electricity through his body as well as leaving the limb burnt. A loud scream of pain escaped from the Hunter as he writhed on the ground, his flesh burning and his body convulsing.
As her wrath simmered down a thought sprouted from her. This Hunter could speak. That means he's different. If he can talk to her, maybe he can talk to the large-bellies, the flame-noses, maybe even the Elders. He could make it to where her pup would have a safe place to grow. With that last thought she made up her mind. This Hunter will live. He will make a safe place for her pup. If he doesn't, then she'll finish what she started.
First things first, the Hunter needed to live. From a surface glance, she could guess that his arm was burned and most likely useless. His convulsions had stopped, and his chest was expanding so that should mean he's still alive. Since he was still alive, and since she didn't know how to help a Hunter, she decided to pick him up and carry him, on her back, to her mate and pup.
It didn't take her long to find her mate and pup, they were hidden well inside a large tree; one that would very easily be overlooked. Once she entered, she was greeted by her overly energetic pup. Her pup darted between her legs, gnawed on her tail, and eventually settled in front of her nuzzling into her chest. She nuzzled her pup and gave her a quick lick before turning to her mate, who was staring at the Hunter on her back.
She placed the Hunter on the ground to her side gently, she wasn't about to lose a chance for her pup to grow safely because she was careless, then gave a low purr to catch her mate's attention. He gave a confused growl, a question of why a Hunter was here. She trilled back, he was a way to have their pup grow safely. He was different. He could speak.
This left her mate stunned into silence. A Hunter that could speak? There was no way. Hunters didn't speak. They made unintelligible noises and waved sharp claws larger than themselves around, but they didn't speak. He let out another growl, this one deeper and laced with anger. How dare she lie? This is a Hunter. It's a danger to them and their pup. All she did in response was release a long exhale and padded over to the Hunter. She beckoned her pup over, she gave the little one a stern look when she started to prod the Hunter forcing her to come to her side, then proceeded to curl around them. Though the sky-fire had yet to reach its summit, using up most of her energy to fire the bolts left her exhausted and wanting of a nap. They were safe for now so she will take this opportunity.
The first thing that his waking mind recognized was a dull numbing pain in his left arm. As if he slept on it all night and the needles were starting to kick in. The second was an immense weight on his chest, as if someone left their Heavy Bowgun on top of him. He let out a groan before opening his eyes, coming face to face with a creature with a blue snout and large red eyes.
"Dam! It's waking up! Look look look! Its eyes are open. They're pretty." The little one excitedly trilled, jumping off his chest to its mother then back on his chest when it finished. He released a grunt of pain when the child jumped on him again; it weighed a lot more than he anticipated.
"Get off the Hunter, my pup, I need to speak with him." The mother gently intoned, calmly pushing the child to the side with her snout.
"Aw, but I wanted to play with it." The child whined, not exactly moving off as to just letting its mother push it off.
"Perhaps later he will want too." She nuzzled her child before turning her attention to him, her demeanor instantly turning cold. "If you truly can understand me then, come, we must speak." She gestured with her head to the outside before heading out herself.
He attempted to push himself up, but when he put pressure on his left arm a tremendous spike of pain shot up causing him to release a quick shout before face planting the ground. After what felt like hours of agonizing pain, he was finally able to manage the pain well enough to attempt to stand again. This time he used a combination of his arm and knees to bring himself up, releasing a grunt when he fully stood to his height. He gave a quick glance to the child who in turn cocked its head to the side. He shrugged and followed the mother outside.
Once he was out, he noticed the monster was sitting on her haunches, facing him, with her tail lightly patting the ground. "So… why am I still alive?" Might as well get the most pressing question out of the way first. By all accounts he should be dead.
"You can speak, but can you hear?" The creature spoke, but her mouth didn't move. It was a curious thing to see; to hear someone speak without using their mouth. Thinking back to all his other encounters with the monsters that could talk, he never really did see their mouths move. Other than to shoot a lightning bolt or fireball that is.
"Just as well as you can hear me, I think." He answered not too sure of himself. This was his first encounter with a monster that didn't want to eat his face.
"Strange. Your kind usually can't. How can you?" The creature's head tilted slightly to the left.
"Been trying to figure that out myself, actually. It's rare among my kind to hear yours. I think the Guild has 18 recorded people with this ability? Myself included. So, about my question." He tried once more, his curiosity about his continued living gnawing at his psyche.
"Why you're still alive? I want you to make a safe place for my pup." Her stance turned aggressive, though still sitting, the anger in her eyes could be seen as well as the sun on a cloudless day.
"Okay, and how do you think I can do that? I'm not exactly in the position to be fighting, if our encounter was anything to go off of. I don't have any weapons or armor. I'm about as useful in a fight as your kid… err, pup." The hair on her back raised at the mention of her pup, rage bubbling forth, but she quickly pushed it aside. This hunter was key to her pup's survival.
"You can speak, so speak. To the others. The flame-noses, the large-bellies, the sick-spitters, the Elders." She said as if it were the easiest thing in the world.
"Sick–bellies? Flame spi- what? And elders? You mean Elder dragons? Right, yeah, that's a good idea. Let me go walk right up to a creature that can warp nature itself to its will, and just talk. Have a cup of tea. Crack some jokes. Are you crazy? Look I was good at my homeland, but if every creature here can spit lightning from their face at will, well, you already have the results." He was angry. Not just that, exacerbated. This creature, person, whatever, just asked, no demanded, that he go talk to other monsters and convince them to not eat her child specifically. She had to be insane, not to mention whatever these other creatures even were.
"They are not." The squirrel lizard interrupted his thoughts, and before he could question, she continued. "They are not able to do what I can. I am different. I have lived where others have fallen."
At first, he was confused, but a realization soon dawned on him. She has fought and won against both monsters and hunters, many times. It wasn't luck or timing anymore, it was genuine skill. "Alright so they haven't all been through what you have, doesn't change that I can't face any of those beasts without my equipment. You know, most likely through experience, that they won't just listen to reason." He wanted to continue about the ridiculousness of the demand, but he wasn't in the position of power right now. He wasn't in the business of upsetting those with his life in their hands… err paws.
"What do you need?" She asked, her demeanor dropping to a relaxed state. She found a nearby rock and started using it to drag her claws against, most likely to sharpen them.
Ignoring the implications of that, against his better judgement, he answered. "A full set of armor and a weapon. A bow preferably, but I can use anything. You aren't going to kill the Hunters, are you?" As much as he tried ignoring it, his concern still bubbled through.
"Would your kind spare me?" There was no anger in her voice, just a flat tone that spoke truth.
"No." He let his head fall. She was right, the Guild wasn't known for their mercy. If a monster wasn't slain, it was captured, used in experiments or studies, and then pushed into the arena for newer hunters to fight in a controlled environment; if they survive the former two that is.
She looked towards the sky, most likely noting the position of the sun, then brought her gaze to him once more. "It is getting late. I must go hunt. If you're not here when I return." She let her body spark with energy before leaving, the threat was made clear.
"Anymore demands your highness?" Dezros asked sardonically once the monster left. He let out a weighted sigh before heading back to the hole in the tree. Once he entered, he dodged to the left, avoiding the tackle of the young monster.
"Heeyy, you weren't supposed to dodge that." the child pouted, as much as a creature of its kind could that is.
"Sorry kiddo, but I'm not in the mode to play today. Maybe tomorrow." The isolated hunter was, in a word, annoyed. First, he got lost, then he was captured, and now he was forced to obey the commands of some ridiculous monster he's never seen before. Annoyed was the tip of the iceberg.
"Maybe's always a never."
'And the kid isn't helping with the situation.' He let out yet another sigh. He'd never have thought he'd sigh this much in one day. "Look, kid, I've been through a lot today. I've had my arm burned," he lifted said arm for emphasis, "and I've had a long day. If you really want to play with me, we can once my arm heals. Promise." He didn't bother waiting for a response when he finished, and instead dug around in his pack for his journal. He was stressed and it was the only thing that had that could help.
"What's a promise?" He looked up to see the child's head tilted to one side, confusing rolling off it in waves.
He gave it some thought, what was a promise? He wasn't one to make promises. Anything could happen to cause one to break. Why did he make that promise? "A promise is a very special… thing. It's not something you can touch. You just have to say it, but once you've made a promise, you must complete it. If you don't, bad things happen."
"What kind of bad things?" Its curiosity was vying for attention as well.
"Friendships lost, trust lost, reliability (if people can count on you), and sometimes, people have died." The solemn atmosphere was not lost on the child. It could tell the promises were serious.
Yet, as if to spite him, the child's demeanor did a complete 180 and dove right into giddiness. "That means you have to play with me. Yay!"
"You'll have to wait for my arm to heal, but yes. Now, if you'd be kind enough to leave me be for a while, I need to destress. No, I will not explain what that means." Dezros cut off the pup when it looked about to ask another question. There were a couple more attempts at conversation, but the hunter was adamant to write in his journal; a means to destress after a painful day.
Log 2: Days passed – Unknown/Days since waking up – 1
It was supposed to be easy. Get on a boat, ride said boat, and arrive at New World. Things are never easy. I should have known. Should have been prepared. Now I'm stuck doing the work of some monster, and there's the possibility that I might get equipped with some new gear soon. I just hope that she gives the poor hunter a swift death.
Terry. Where are you pal? Did you get swept undersea during the crash? Were you forced to leave me when we landed? What happened. I hope you're okay. You're my only friend right now and I could really use your crazy methods of cheering people up right about now.
It's not entirely bad, I suppose. The monster kid is rather endearing. Once you get past the fact that it's a monster. And it's over excitedness. Kid has enough energy to power a small village. Anyway, it's a monster KID! I mean, come on! No hunter has ever seen a monster kid, that I'm aware of, before! I've always wondered how they kept making more of themselves. It was honestly feeling like they were some kind of robotic race that could replicate themselves every time they were left alone. Right now it looks like a smaller version of the big one, only duller and larger eyes. Kind of adorable, in its monstery kind of way.
Continuing. I have a bad feeling about those monsters the mother, whom I will now dub Blue (far to annoying to keep saying 'the mother this, the mother that, blah blah blah. Yeah, she's Blue now. Least until she gives her name anyway), was mentioning. Flame-nose? Large-belly? Sick-spitter? And the Elders. I'm no where near ready for an Elder. I may be a high-ranking hunter, but I'm not G. Guess I'll have to choose which one I'll do first, and, based off the name, I'll go for the large-belly. Won't have to worry about projectiles if their name has to do with their special move.
It was nice having a conversation with a monster not trying to eat my face, current circumstances excluded. I find it strange that I can hear them speaking like a normal person. Shouldn't there be some kind of weird translation going on? Their vocabulary is a bit different, but mostly it's a smooth translation. Odd. I'll make a note to ask one of the Researchers about that at a later point.
Well, I guess that's it for this entry. Hopefully things will start looking up. Till next time.
Alright, first thing's first. The ability. Now, i believe that if you have gone through enough crap sent to you be life, you deserve some kind of reward. In this case, the ability to shoot lightning from the face (not actually the face, but mouth). No, not every monster will have this. only specific ones, i.e, arch tempered. Only those who have reached this status will gain an ability. be they Elder or otherwise.
Second off. The intelligence differential. It'll be explained in the story.
Thirdly. Plot armor has been removed. I will be, and have been, using a dice roll system for this story. Yes, this means that, if our protag rolls bad enough, he can die. Heck, if he rolls super bad, he could die next chapter. Now this chapter had four rolls. A hide, the fight, spare/finish, and capture. He succeeded in only one of those. Yeah, it was possible for him to die in chapter 2 and that would have been it for this story. We haven't progressed far enough to pass the mantle to someone yet.
Finally. I will be going over this once the story is done to polish the chapters and fix plot holes and other misgivings. so, if you spot something off i.e, areas that seem rushed, broken context, bad interactions, etc. please inform me. I want to make something good the first time around so that way you have a reason to keep coming back. can't do that if i'm not told what's wrong.
Also, sorry about the delay. this should have been out last month, but i got a new position at my job and i've been acclimating to that. i believe that's everything. If i missed any questions feel free to leave a review or pm. don't really mind which you choose. y'all take care, and till next time.