Hello every one thank you for your patients, here is Tale of a Hunter chapter 4. I would have put it out sooner, but I had a rough couple of months since my last update. But now I'm better I will try and get a new chapter out once a month hopefully. I will try my best too keep it updated often as I can. Well that's enough rambling, Enjoy :)
Tales of a hunter ch4
"Thanks for saving me again." Mac thanked slowly taking off his helmet.
"No problem, but please tell me why you were trying to buy something off those scammers? Do you have any clue how cities work?" I asked him in a strong tone of voice closing the front door.
"I have a general idea, but not the greatest idea." Mac replied smoothly, while he took off his chest plate reviling a thin t-shirt under his armor and many scabbed over wounds.
"What?" I said surprised. "How do you not know how cities work? You learn that right away when you live in the city"
"I wasn't here in Loc Lac for long; I just got off the sand ship like five days ago." Mac stated softly.
"Oh, so where did you come from before you came to Loc Lac?" I inquired softly.
"From the town I was born and raised in, out near the Flooded Forest country." Mac answered happily. "It's a beautiful town; you should go there some time."
"I'll think about it maybe one day. So why did you transfer your hunting post to here?" I said quickly to switch the topic.
"Well… I wasn't actually… a hunter there." Mac mumbled softly. "I kind of became a hunter shortly after I got off the sand boat."
"Why did you leave? It sounds like you love your home town." I asked curiously, sitting down on the couch beside him.
"It's a beautiful, but I don't like being there… too many painful memories." Mac mumbled slowly.
"Oh, I'm sorry for bringing it up." I apologized softly, reaching down to pet Nihxen.
"It's ok, I don't mind. Truth being I actually ran away from home. I was getting bullied relentlessly to no end. So finally one day I snapped and just left." Mac said softly crossing his arms, and tucking his head in trying to hide his emotion.
"Oh… I'm sorry to hear that Mac." I whispered gently, putting my arm around him to try and comfort him. I started to rub his back trying to comfort him more.
We sat in silence, and in the silence all I could think about, is how sorry I felt for Mac. He must have been bullied horribly in the past. I know how it feels to be bullied; I was bullied when I was still in school. Till one day I just snapped and punched his lights out, but that's typical me. Mac isn't like that, for the little while I knew him he seems to be kind and caring. He wouldn't do that, I bet he just took it in and told no one about it or did anything about it. Then once he had enough he just up and left the village without word. Joined a crew of a sand ship till he got to Loc Lac, then he signed up to be a Hunter once he arrived in Loc Lac.
"Hey Senlie, would it be ok if I stayed the night here?" Mac asked quietly. "I don't want to stay in the streets again tonight… especially after what happened at the market today."
"You don't have a house? Not even a Hunter's rental home?" I asked shocked, that he was sleeping in the streets for five days.
"No I don't… But I'll be able to move in to one in two days." Mac replied disappointed.
"Well, instead of just tonight, why don't you stay till you can move in to your place?" I stated happily. Mac quickly looked up at me; his face was shocked, but bright with happiness.
"Really?!" Mac yelled shocked.
"Yes really, got to help a fellow hunter in need." I replied happily looking at him in the eyes.
"Oh thank you!" Mac Yelled as he jumped at me wraps his arms around me, giving me a tight hug.
"Your… welcome… Mac… air… breathe." I choked out, feeling the tight grasp that Mac has around me.
"Oh sorry…" Mac quickly apologized letting go of me. Quickly I gasped for air. "Sorry about that I was just so happy you are letting me stay."
"It's ok, I understand." I said catching my breath. Looking back up at Mac, I see black red marks along his forehead.
"Oh my, you didn't clean, treat, or clean your wounds. Here I'll go get the med kit." I said quickly, getting off the couch and sprinting into the bathroom to get the med kit.
"No I'll be o-"
"I'm home! Oh my god! I'm sorry!" Karlen's voice screamed. I peered out of the bathroom, too see what happened. Mac was on the ground, bleeding from his head. I look up a little to see a nice clear red mark on the front door. Karlen quickly ran to me and took the med kit out of my hands, throwing her school bag in my arms. "I'm so sorry about that here let me treat it."
"Guess I'll get a rag to clean the front door." I mumbled to myself walking to Karlen's room and set her school bag on her bed. I went back into the bathroom after to get one of my cleaning rags. "Nih, can you come here and bring me a small bucket of water please."
I walked out of the bathroom with a rag, nearly stepping on Nihxen running into the bathroom doing the favor I asked him to do. Ignoring him I continued to the door and started to clean up the blood off the door. Nihxen quickly showed up with the bucket of water, I dunked the rag in the water and continued to wash the door. Nihxen set the bucket of water down beside Karlen, so she can use it to clean Mac's wounds.
"I'll get the bath ready for you Mac." I said closing the clean front door, and turned to the Bathroom once more.
"Much appreciated." Mac grumbled in pain due to Karlen disinfecting his many wounds.
"Stop squirming please… umm-" Karlen started.
"Mac, Mac Inile, Nice to meet you." Mac interrupted Karlen to introduce his self.
"Karlen Uden, now stop moving Mac! You are making this more difficult than it has to be." Karlen ordered; while she put more disinfect gel on the cloth.
"I didn't ask you to do this for me though." Mac whined twitching in pain.
"Poor guy, he never seen that coming at him… neither did I actually." I laughed to myself turning into the bathroom. Walking up to the tub I kneel down beside it and put the plug in it. I turned on the water to start filling the tub. With the tub filling I walk over to the counter to get him a couple towels. I set the towels by the tub and turn off the water. The water is fairly warm, about the right temperature for evenings in the desert. "Guess I'll just ask him if this will be ok."
I walked out of the bathroom to find Mac. Karlen was packing up the med kit, and Mac was putting his t-shirt back on. Mac had many wounds on him, but I don't blame him for not treating them in his situation. Not like all the wounds are bad, the majority are just little cuts, nothing horrible. I'm sure he has more wounds, but it is better if he cleans them.
"Hey Mac, the tub is ready for you, if you like." I called out to him.
"Oh ok, thank you very much. You wouldn't believe how much I need to bathe." Mac replied thankfully. "It's been over-"
"Stop!" I said firm and quickly. "I really don't need to know or even want to know that."
"Oh ok, well thank you." Mac thanked once again. He walked into the bathroom and closed the door.
"I guess I'll get supper going." Karlen said snapping the med kit close and brushed off her school uniform.
"You are going to change out of that right? I don't want to replace another uniform unless I have too." I said sharply.
"Ok, I'll change then get supper going." Karlen groaned, starting to walk to her room.
"You well know how much that uniform costs. We currently don't have enough to replace it again with me ordering a new armor set." I said harshly. "Please understand me, are profit margin isn't barely clearing with taxes and food. So we have to get are money worth's out of everything."
"I know…" Karlen sighed, walking into her room, and closing the door. Shortly she came out in a blue t-shirt and a blue white criss cross pattern knee length skirt. "So, you have any ideas for supper?"
"I'm fine with whatever the chef makes." I said walking to the couch and sprawling onto it. Nihxen quickly jumped up and cuddled up to me. "You little suck up."
"Oh, I nearly forgot we got mail today; I'll get it out of my school bag." Karlen stated loudly turning around back into her room. She came out with two envelopes, and handed them to me.
"Great, taxes and the Guild's propaganda to convince me to go to high rank." I groaned looking at the two envelopes. Groaning more I opened the brown envelope to see how much we owe in taxes this month. "Well there goes tomorrow's quest pay."
"Well, that's a lot better than a couple years ago where we couldn't do taxes." Karlen called out from the kitchen.
"And even more propaganda from the Guild." I grumbled looking at the letter from the Guild. Not wanting it I let the letter hit the ground. "Nih, can you dispose of that letter for me please?"
Nihxen jumped off my back and stood at the letter. He put his claw at the front of the letter; he slowly brought it down the letter, searing the paper in to straight lines of paper. He scooped the paper strands up and ran them into a basket we use only for paper. Running back to me he jumped up and got back into his warm spot beside me on the couch.
"How long until super is ready Karlen?" I called out to Karlen.
"Seeing as I'm only just cutting the meat, I'll say about an hour." Karlen replied loudly.
I groaned at the news and looked at Nihxen. He is curled in a ball tight to my chest, nice and warm from the approaching cold night air. The fur ball is purring away happily, just like a kitten beside his mother. Nihxen always cuddles up to me like this, even when he was a kitten. At first I found it weird, but that when I was still in the hospital two years ago. Even if I didn't like it I didn't have the energy, or the heart to push the happy kitten off me. If anyone tried picking him off of me, he growled, and scratched them. So by the time we came home from the hospital he was accustomed that I was his bed. I tried many times to get him to sleep in his own bed, but he never would stay there. I always woke up with him snuggled right in to my chest, so I gave up and let him have his way. It actually proved useful to let him sleep snuggled up to me. Whenever I had a nightmare of the event two years ago he would be there to wake me up and comfort me.
"You're lucky I'm a softy to you." I whispered to myself putting my hand on the fur ball's head to pet him. Smiling to hear Nihxen purr, my eye lids slowly began to close. Enjoying the peace, I fell asleep.
In my sleep I dreamed I was walking along in Loc Lac. The streets were full and busy like they usually are, on a typical day. The desert heat was immense, but nothing I couldn't handle. The heat wasn't bothering me, I Just kept walking, not sure where I came from or where I'm going. I just kept walking down a never ending street. Looking down at my feet I can see the sand blowing by. The sand came at a light breeze, and hit my boots then rather it stopped dead or it blew around my boots. Seeing the sand starting to pile up I lift my foot letting the sand pile blow away.
"Senlie..." I heard Karlen voice call out in unease.
I turn around to look at where the voice came from, there was a giant pillar of sand tall as the sky and reached the whole span of the desert. I looked around the city was gone, nothing but desert beyond the eye can see. The wind grew incredibly strong, blowing the sand harshly. The pillars of sand were among me, the wind grew stronger, blowing even more sand at me. The pillar of sand engulfed me. Inside the wind was strong, blowing solid sand at me. The sand pillars blew by, and the winds eased.
I wiped the sand from my eyes and looked around. The desert was gone; I was now standing in knee high water, rain falling from the cloudy sky, water rushing off cliff walls, sounds of toads chirping. My surroundings were green with life trees growing giant lily pads ever where. I couldn't put my fingers on it, but I felt I knew where I was. I began walking in this place that I know I have been before.
Walking in this marshy forest I came across an ancient ruin. It stood tall, mostly square, many layers, the layers were built big at the base and smaller to the top, there was remains of a stair case going up the structure in the middle, and the whole ruin was green in decay. With the ruin catching my eye I walked to it. I walked to the base of the ruin and looked at its powerful size. I looked at it in awe, and amazement. I sat my hand down on the majestic structure; the stone was wet and cold. I swiped my hand along it feeling the smooth cold stone, as I swept it the green decay came along with my hand revealing some sort of ancient text. I touch the wet cold text, wondering what they say.
Something growled sharply at me from behind, quickly I turn around. There stood a shadowy monster, it walked on all fours, had a blue scaly skin, yellow gold ridges and white fur, but something was off. The monster had several swords and arrows sticking out of its flesh, some in places where it would fatal. The monster wasn't bleeding, and it looked like it still wanted to tussle. It jumped at me before I could act, it pinned me to the muddy ground. It didn't kill me it just held me there, it lowered its head, and I couldn't feel it drawing any breath. I looked at the monster's eyes, it could see burning flames.
Before I knew what happened I was standing in a village, the village was burning; there were no people in site. It is pitch black out; the only light is coming from burning houses. I looked around horrified at the site, but still not sure what's happening. Before I knew it the houses collapsed, the flames went dead, everything was black. I couldn't see a thing everything is dark, the atmosphere grew thick and heavy. I stared berthing heavily and rapid. I looked around nothing to be seen but darkness, my breath grew heavier and more rapid.
"No… No… No…" I breathed heavily, feeling the heavy atmosphere around me. Nothing but darkness, letting my fear make its self-feel at home. I threw my hand to my head, holding my face I could feel sweat dripping down my face. "No… no… no more… please… no…"
The atmosphere grew heavier; I could feel the atmosphere's weight crushing down on me. It was heavy enough to break bones with ease. My breath grew heavy and short, the weight slowly pushing heavier than my lungs can push air.
"No… No… Some…body… save… me… please…" I gasped trying to get my breath. "John… Daural… save… me… help… please…"
"Senlie wake up!" Somebody screamed at me.
"No!" I screamed shooting off the couch damp with sweat, breathing heavily. I looked around I was at home, Karlen was right in my face with a worried look on her face. She had a tight grasp on my shoulders. I glanced down Nihxen he was right on my lap with big wide eyes. "I'm… at home… good it was all a dream."
"Not just a dream, The Dream." Karlen barked loudly at me in concern. "You still haven't gotten over it; I think we need to sign you up for therapy."
"How could I get over it? I was nearly killed, four others died, how could I forget something that traumatic?" I stated sharply. "If I could forget it I would… but I can't forget something that traumatic. Hell even the Doctors said I have the one worst case of Achluophobia that he has seen in his entire career."
"But you…" Karlen faded out not having anything to say. "Supper is ready, go clean yourself up, and put on dry clothes. We have company tonight, and this isn't a good image for you."
"Yeah… that's probably for the better good." I said brushing Karlen's hands off me and pushed myself to my feet. My legs trembled as I walked to my room. Nihxen kept to my ankles to make sure that I was doing ok. I got to my room; I opened the door to be greeted by darkness. I froze up solid seeing the darkness. I unfroze shortly when Nihxen light a candle in my room. The light of the candle cut through the darkness, making feel at ease. I look to my window to see that the moon's light coming through my curtains. "Well its night already, I must have been asleep for an hour at most."
I walked to my closet and opened it; I pulled out a white t-shirt and black knee length shorts. I changed into the dry clothes and threw my damp ones into a basket in the corner full of dirty clothes. I leave my room to go to supper. I got out to the kitchen to see the table set Karlen and Mac were already dishing up. I sat down in silence, dished a plate up for me and Nihxen. I handed Nihxen his plate, full of fish to thank him for his help during my anxiety attack. Turning back to my plate I started to eat in silence. Not just me the other two were eating in silence as well, and I know this silence is all caused by my panic attack. I'm also sure Mac was there for the full scene, and he must have many questions he wants to ask about it. I guess he is smarter then he looks if he isn't bringing it up even though so many questions must be running through his head right now. Either way I'm glad he isn't bringing it up, I'm not sure if I can talk about it right now. Before I knew it the silent supper was over, Karlen was getting up and starting to take plate with her.
"Karlen, leave the cleanup to me, you go do your homework." I said getting up taking an arm full of plates to the sink. "Mac its ok you don't have to help, just make yourself feel at home."
"Oh ok." Mac said softly leaving the table.
Karlen placed her arm full of dishes in the sink along with mine and went to her room with no word. I turned to the table to see many plates still there. I turned on the water to the sink and filled it full. I reached in the cupboard taking out a cloth and a small bottle of soap. I put some soap in the water and mixed it in. I turned around to see how many dishes remained; the whole table was still full of dirty plates and bowls.
"This is going to take a while." I sighed heavily, turning around and began washing.
After what felt like a week's worth of washing plates, bowls, and pots. I finally finished washing and cleaning up the kitchen. I hung up the cloth I used to dry, and looked into the small living room, nobody was in there. I got curious on where Mac was and stared to walk down the hall. I could hear talking coming from Karlen's room, I could hear both Mac's and Karlen's voice. I stopped just outside Karlen's door, and put my back against the wall. I stood there listing to the two talk.
"…so in order to get the six to the other side I have to minus six from both sides?" I heard Karlen ask confused.
"Yes precisely, so you wright a minus six there and there. Cross these two out because their two values cancel out, and you are left with a minus six on the other side of the equal sign." Mac said happily.
"He's helping her with her homework." I whispered in surprise. "Now I don't have to do it."
"What about this?" I heard Karlen asking a question.
"Well think of the steps I told you about." Mac replied trying to get Karlen to do the work.
"Umm… Isolate the Variable?" Karlen said unease as if she was guessing.
"Yep." Mac answered joyfully.
"Ok so I would divide this, then subtract this, now do the math… the answer is 'X' equals nine?" Karlen said aloud as she did the question.
"Correct!" Mac barked happily.
"Sounds like he knows what he is doing. Well I guess I don't have to hide here any longer." I whispered to myself, walking into Karlen's room to see her sitting at her desk, with Mac looking over her shoulder pointing at a text book. "What are you two doing?"
"The final question of my homework." Karlen answered looking down at her notebook, writing furiously trying to get it done.
"Well how much longer till that is done?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Done!" Karlen yelled happily slamming her note book closed. She started to pack up her note book and textbook back into her school bag. She scooted out of her chair and turned around to face me. "So, now what we going to do?"
"Why don't we play a card game?" I suggested.
"Yay we never did that in forever!" Karlen said excited.
"That sounds fun." Mac added in smiling.
"Count me in, Nya." Nihxen said jumping off Karlen's bed.
"Alright let's go play cards." I said leaving Karlen's room; I was followed by the others.
For the rest of the evening we played many card games. Laughing, joking, talking, enjoying the fun times till the late hours of the night. Where we decided to call it quits and go to sleep. Karlen made the couch into a bed for Mac. I saw Mac was in good hands so I bid them good night and retired to my room. I changed into more comfortable clothes and collapsed on my bed. Nihxen came into the room shortly after closing the door. He jumped on top to the bed and cuddled nice and close to me. I looked at my night stand to make sure there is a candle light with a spare one beside it. Seeing two spare candles there I put the burning candle into a lantern and set it on my night stand. I roll over and close my eyes. Shortly after I got comfortable I feel asleep to a dreamless sleep.
Bright light greeted my eyes when I opened my eyes in the morning. I pushed myself, making Nihxen fall off my chest, and on to my lap waking him up. Nihxen growled slowly, not wanting to wake up yet. Ignoring the Fur Ball's complaining, I glance to my widow to see bright light coming through the window. Seeing the bright light, I knew it was the sun. I glanced down at Nihxen who was curled in a ball on my lap, not wanting to get up. I poked his ear, making him twitch heavily.
"Good morning Fur Ball." I said happily poking Nihxen more until he jumped off my lap.
"Nya, morning." Nihxen meowed stretching on the floor.
"Today is a big day, so let's get going. It could also be the end of this goose chase for materials for my armor set." I mumbled getting up to stretch. "Ok let's get this day on the way shall we?"
I walked to my closet and changed into clean under armor clothes. The clothes are really thin, making it easy, and comfortable to wear armor. Especially with my current armor, which are sitting in the bathroom still from yesterday. I walked to the bathroom to get my equipment; I put on my Armor on walk out the living room. Mac is still fast asleep on the couch, cuddled in a ball under a blanket.
"Hey, Mac, wake up its time to get moving." I call out nudging him making him groan and sit up.
"It's that time already?" Mac yawned, rubbing his eyes.
"Yes so let's get moving." I said walking towards the door to see Nihxen is already equipped and ready to go. "We will have breakfast at the Guild hall."
"Ok sounds like a plan." Mac agreed, putting his armor on, I stood and waited for him. "Ok let's go."
"Alright, let's go." I called out opening the door and proceeding towards the guild hall, hoping this Rathalos will have the plate I need.
Was there foreshadowing happening in this chapter? Guess you will have to wait and see :P. Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter; if you liked it please hit that favorite and follow button. Leave a comment or Review, doing that lets me know there are people enjoying this and that means so much to me. The fact I know people are reading and enjoying my content.
In the next Chapter, Senlie, Mac, and Nihxen, face off aginst the the King of the Skys, Rathalos.