When Lucian woke, the sky was dark. His siblings were still sleeping next to him, their comfortable warmth flowing into his body.
So it wasn't a dream, he thought. I was half expecting to wake up next to Melvin, lying on the floor of his room. Looking around, his father was not here, and his mother was sitting in the middle of the nest, resting.
Who would have expected, my dragon mother being more human than my human mother.
Family… It's a thing I thought I couldn't have. I don't care if they're dragons or beavers, family is family. I now have something to cherish, and to protect. Even though it's not a game anymore, I sure know a fair bit about hunting. A large part of my knowledge can't be applied to this world, but the basics are the same. Information and skill. That's it. If you know all there is to know about a monster and are equally skilled, you could kill a Rathalos naked with a kitchen knife.
I know, I did it. Though it was in the game. I doubt it would be as easy here, but I don't want to meet a hunter capable of such a feat.
I was too troubled earlier, obviously there are good points being a Rathalos. The biggest one being the growth speed. A newborn human can only cry, while I can already walk. Once I grow bigger, I'll be able to fly and shoot fireballs, how cool. Also, because it was a game, humans could fight on par with monsters, but it was unrealistic, how can one block the charge of a monster the size of a cargo ship? This means the status of humans here can't possibly be the same.
There is also this telepathy ability my mother used earlier. I don't know the limits of it, but what she showed me is enough to understand how powerful it is. How could she show me a third person view? There must be more to it. Can other species use it, and to which extent? I need more information, my knowledge is unreliable.
Yes, I need a teacher; perhaps I can try 'asking' my mother.
If Raths were stupid scripted Ais in the game, they aren't in this world. How could they use telepathy if they were mindless beasts? But I'm not even a day old, it'd be weird if I were too mature, plus I can't talk anyway. I'll act as the 'perfect child' for now, eventually they should teach us how to use our abilities.
-Somewhere in a town-
A figure in leather armor was running in the street. Passerbys quickly made way.
The figure was similar to a human, but had long ears and birdlike legs.
He wasn't tall or bulky, but he was fast. Soon he reached his destination, a big building with a sign saying "Hunter's Guild".
He quickly passed the two large open doors, and inside were many people in a large hall.
There were a few tables scattered around, a line of counters in the back, some large panels with scrolls on them and stairs leading up or down.
He did not pay attention to any of it, rushing to one of the clerks.
The young woman behind the counter called out to the man out of breath.
"Hello sir, what can I d-"
"Emergency-" Leaning forward he braced his hands on the counter, trying to catch his breath. "Need give guildmaster..."
"Please calm down sir, you can't j- *gasp*"Seeing the scroll, she couldn't help but gasp in shock. The seal was a ring, with '1F' engraved, covered in dry blood.
"Give report…"He managed to say before collapsing from exhaustion.
"Mother of dragons, it's Ricbert!"Another clerk, a middle aged man, shouted.
He jumped over his counter, pushing aside the few people he was talking to, and rushed to the unconscious man.
"Ricbert… What happened to you?"
"Jorah, look!"Sophia extended her arm, holding the scroll with the bloodied ring to Jorah.
Seeing the scroll, Jorah couldn't help but gasp just like Sophia did earlier.
"Sophia, go give this report to the Guildmaster immediately! I'll take care of him." He said, giving her a sharp look.
She firmy nodded, turned and ran through the back, taking a flight of stairs and eventually reaching a door which she banged a few times.
"Who knocks?"An old and rough voice answered.
"It's Sophia sir."She said in a somewhat shaky voice.
"Sophia eh ? Come on in."
She entered the Guildmaster's office, a small but brightly lit room, with a desk and chairs in the center, a large window behind it, and an old man with grey hair and pointy ears sitting behind the desk, going through some papers.
"So, what gives eh, Sophia?"He sais, not taking his eyes off the papers.
"A scout named Ricbert came rushing at my counter, he barely managed to give me his report before falling to the ground. He said it was an emergency report, and I think you will understand when you the seal."
"Hmm…"He rummaged through his beard. "Ricbert, emergency report… Tis can't bode well... gimme tat' report."He raised his head and extended a claw-like hand.
She gave him the scroll, and seeing the blood soaked seal, his brows furrowed.
"1F… Deenesh's ring…"Removing the seal, he picked a pair of glasses and opened the scroll.
His eyes widened when he started reading.
Scout team 1F emergency report.
Unknown Rathalos entered area 1F. No previous reports of this Rathalos. Came from the sea.
Observation confirmed G class expansion of Rathian 1F's breeding with Rathian 1F. Confirmed birth of 1 Rathalos and 2 Rathians. Rathalos attacked messenger carriage. Killed both cart horses, scout Jasmin and scout team captain Deenesh put out of combat. Scout Ricbert carrying report. Scout Jasmin and Scout team leader Deenesh standing by at base camp 6.
Please send rescue team.
"Jumpin' Jaggi! A G class Ratlos comin' from th' sea! Tis' very bad!"Slamming both hands on the desk facing the report, he barked orders to Sophia.
"Sophia get me a rescue team, n' high rank scout team and a G rank hunters team, group em' together as team 2F and name th' hunters team's captain leader. Tell em' th' target is a G class Rathlos and n' high class Rathian, two wounded scouts to rescue. Immediately come get me when they're ready. N' I wanna have a lil' chat with Ricbert, tell me when he can speak."
"Y-Yes sir!"She replied, overwhelmed by the information, and left the room in a hurry.
Once she left, he turned and looked through the window, and fell deeply in thought.
The reason he was so tense was very simple; the only place that Rathalos could come from was known to him, and it was a huge bother.
Dear me, every time I try n' relax, some headache comes stormin' me way.