Chapter Four
"The End of the Trip; The Start of a Journey."
Part One: The Sky Lone Wolf's Prelude.
"Just hurry up or we're gonna be late for the flight!" "-oh, for God's sake-who was it which luggage's so much that we ends up renting one more Cart for just her belongings!" "-uuu~u!" "-quit chattering and move that foot of yours!" "-gahahaha! It's really nice to jog away in the mornings like this!" "-shut up, alcoholic geezer!" "WAAAAIIIT FOOOOR UUUUSS!" Shouted the group altogether, for the Flier has almost taken off the port.
It's barely dawned at the port town of Moga when the three Hunters, plus one intoxicated Wyverian appeared at the Flyer's Port, but their faces (minus the Wyverian) looks like they're extremely exhausted.
After half a day travelling by Express Cart pulled by three tamed Velocidrome across the plains area of Schrade, the four of them finally reached the port city of Moga. That was quite a rough trip, making even the Hunters with heightened vacation spirit lay exhausted. Dusk, being the one who held the tickets for the rest of the group ran off to the boarding booth, exchanging those tickets for boarding passes, while Radu, Vieze and Gandart unloaded their belongings from the Cart (pulled by Gandart in order to move more quickly, because the Velocidromes cannot enter the port area) then stuffed it at the cargo bay. After receiving the receipt, they hurriedly entered the cabin, only to be greeted by glares from other passengers.
"…is it just me…or something smelly here?" Asked Dusk, right after entering their compartment. Vieze, being the most polite, still bowing outside, asking forgiveness; yet the others seemed not feeling any guilt, and just walked to their assigned seats. "-I believe that comes from the engine room." Said Radu, pointing to a large rotor beside the window. "Here we are. Compartment 4-12-I'll take the one near the window!" Said Vieze, after finishing apologizing to the nearby compartment's passengers. "-no, I will!" "-ME!" "-I!"
"-WOULD YOU TWO QUIT BEING SO CHILDISH AND JUST SIT!" Roared Vieze, making those two boys (and the most of the passenger of surrounding compartment) instantly freezes in midst of their quarrel. "-yes'm." Both of them replied with sour faces. "-good. I'll take the one next to the window, then." "-but-" Both of the boys opened their mouths in unison, protesting- "AM I CLEAR?" Asked Vieze again, her tone is intimidating enough to be mistaken as a raged Blangonga. "Yes Ma'am! Loud and clear!" Shouted Dusk and Radu in fear-induced unison.
"All's aboard! Prepare to take off!" "Ship's ropes had been released!" "Main engine is starting! Pressure levels is on expected levels!" "Anchor has been reeled in!" "Wind-speed and direction has been checked!"
There are various shouts travelling inside of the communication system, which is consisting from metal pipes which is supposed to be made from Machalite-Carbalite mixture, one usually used to made musical instruments. But, being trained Hunters, especially when mentioning Radu, who is in his normal clothes because wearing a shirt made from Khezu Hide would probably freaks anyone who sat beside him, hearing faint sounds like that is their daily routine. "Are we going to fly right now?" Asked Radu, already shaking because his anticipation against his maiden voyage… "Not really. They must first collect enough flotation power to bring us to the air. Then the engine will start, and propels us instead of drifting with the wind." Muttered Dusk, slightly annoyed because of Vieze's antiques.
"What?" Asked him again, catching Vie's eyeing him like he's some kind of a rare-colored subspecies of the person named 'Dusk'. "-nothing. You sure knows how this thing works." Complimented Vieze. "-well, duh? I'm a Crafter, besides being a Material Hunter." Answered Dusk in slightly annoyed tone.
Vieze pouted. The density of Dusk's thick skull wouldn't allow even that simple of a compliment registered as one.
"And what's with you, Radu? You've been shaking like a Felyne that get dipped in a pot full of Ice Crystals." Asked Dusk again, who is already bored with this trip.
Who would not? After waiting half a day for Vieze to finish packing, and a quarter of a day more for waiting an extra cart for all the excess baggage, Dusk must awaken that petite lady because she overslept. Only to be slapped and kicked mercilessly. Without any 'thank' or 'sorry'. Simply put, he is fed up with her.
"I wish we could take Felicia instead of you in this trip…" Whispered Dusk to himself, making Radu nods in agreement. "-sorry, did I hear something?" Asked Vieze to him. "Noo~one." "-come on, say it-" "I already said 'none', haven't I? Speaking of which, why didn't you bring Lia? Comrades do get a free pass on the Flyer, did they?" Asked Dusk again- "-oh, Lia? I left her back at house-my room needed some cleaning after all the preparation I've made. Tee-hee." "-oh, don't 'tee-hee' me! Don't you know Felynes also needed a break sometimes-you slave driver!" Exclaimed Radu, who knows very well that Leyria, a female Felyne fighter employed by Vieze, given her serious and tidy nature, would stay behind and clear out all the mess Vieze caused before taking a vacation break. "-uuuuu…" "-and speaking of which, when you have your own maids and butlers to take care of your mansion, why did you must ask Lia to tidy up specially your room?" Asked Dusk again.
Vieze could not tell the reason, especially to Dusk: that her room would looked like have been invaded by a flock of Velociprey after her so-called 'preparation', and she would be so embarrassed if one of her maids or butlers saw it-and reported it to her parents. "-aarhh, bequiet bequiet bequiet bequiet bequiet bequiet BE QUIET!" Protested Vieze, extremely embarrassed.
Rumble.
"Oh. Finally." Said Dusk, slightly excited with the sensation of ascending quickly.
"Attention to all passengers." Said one of the crew of the ship, which stepped in the compartment right after the slight rumbling. "We'd like to inform you that now the Balloon Flyer has already taken off. Please be seated until we reached the desired altitude, and wear your safety belts according to the guide. Anyone wanted to ask any question?" Asked her politely. "Me, me. How long will this trip take?" Asked Vieze out of anticipation. "Well, given the weather's nice like this, and the wind current's nice…I'd say, we'll arrive next morning." Said the stewardess with extra smile.
Dusk and Radu quickly puts on their 'WHAAT?' expression. Upon seeing that, the stewardess quickly adds to her statement before- "-oh, but please be relaxed. We've gotten everything ready. From meals until lavatories, all of your needs already been in our coverage, with no extra fee." "Next question…how high are we going to rise still?" Asked Radu, which is now shivering in almost comical way. And you're the one which wanted to be seated beside the window the most… thought Dusk and Vieze in sync.
"Well, in order to travel higher than your average wyvern but slightly below the Elder Dragon's altitude, we'll probably needs to rose about-" "-stop. Please." Asked Radu again. And you're the one asking the question…once again, thought Dusk and Vieze in sync, staring down Radu in annoyed manner. "-have you had any anti-travel sickness medicine on you, misss…" "Veriye. Rye will do; and yes, here you go." Said the stewardess, handing out a small, folded piece of paper. Inside of that folds lies small, bright-red colored pills…from the color alone Dusk could guess what ingredients the pills made, yet without questioning the dose, Radu just took that four pills and swallowed it whole.
"That's…a bad idea, actually." Said Rye, just after Radu swallowed the pills. Without any warnings, the brown-skinned man just fell comatose, with his eyes still creepily half-open, making Vieze lets out a little shriek. "Told you so. This medicine is made from the same Tranquilized Hunters used to drug monsters to their capture. And one fold dose's equivalent to half a vial of those." "-meaning, he'll probably asleep until next morning?" Asked Dusk again. "At least until the day after tomorrow…mister…" "-oh, right. Forget the introductions-call me Dusk." "-and my name's Vieze Randrite. Pleased to make your acquaintance, miss Rye."
Hearing the name 'Randrite', Rye's expression quickly changed. "-THE Randrites! What are your relations with the Guild's Overseer?" Asked her enthustically. "-oh. She's my mother."
"Wait, WHAT!" "-ssshh!" Asked both Vieze and Dusk, pulling that stewardess inside their compartment and shuts the door behind her, after throwing her to the open seat next to Radu. It is actually the seat reserved for Gandart the Wyverian, but because of his size he'll probably took that compartment for himself. Now he is loitering around at the deck, annoying any passerby with his alcoholic breath.
"(I REALLY don't want to make any fuss about this, so would you please be so kind not to shout that much?)" Asked Vieze politely, whispering to Rye. "(Sure, I understand. Besides, this is kinda fun-you see, the most interesting thing about being a stewardess is to be able to meet various kinds of peoples on their trip.)"
And thus, Rye's stories continued. How did she began to like Balloons, how she once slipped herself into the Observation Balloon when she was a little gal, and about peoples she had met while doing this job. Her story is not, by even a bit, boring, as Rye's face is always full of expressions.
VRRNNNN…
"And there's the rotor going. It seems that we've reached the desired altitude." Said Rye, peeking through the window. "-look." She said, pointing to something outside.
Almost shrieking enthusticaly, Vieze can point a flock of birds flying far below them. Now flying above the Moga Sea, one well-known for its clarity and beauty, the balloon moves quicker than Dusk estimated. Seeing how Radu's expression changed because of the noise coming from the rotor, Dusk pulled up a blanket made from Tanned Khezu Hide and covered the sleeping prince with it. "It's probably better if I returned to my post now. Oh, you can go out to the deck if you wanted to do some sightseeing. There's a binoculars installed at the deck for observation: please feel free to use it. Later then!" Said Rye, exiting the compartment while waving her hand.
"Now that's how a stewardess should be." Said Vieze, praising Rye. "Nggg. I highly doubt that." Replied Dusk, pointing to his ear: a signal employed by Hunters which means 'listen more closely'.
"? What's the point…?" Nevertheless, Vieze did what Dusk asked-
"Rye! Again with your antics! I've told you countless times that other than informing the passengers about the rule of the flights, you are strictly forbidden to engage in small talks!"
A male voice can be heard shouting outside, and the only reply they can hear coming out from Rye is a panic 'sorry! My mistake!'.
"-told you so." Sighed Dusk. "-want to help her?" Asked him again. "-don't be telling me what I wanted to do. Now let's." Grabbing Dusk's hesitant hand, Vieze pulled him outside the compartment.
Yet, there's no one on the walkway. "Now, where did Rye have gone to?" "-it would be better if you found that out first before dragging me out…" Sighed Dusk, worried what the young man sleeping inside the compartment will do if he awakened when they're away. But again, the medicine'll knock him out for at least another 12 hours or so…
With Radu, the master of tracing out cold because of the medicine, finding someone in this large ship's probably would take long enough time. But it's better than doing nothing until tomorrow, thought Dusk.
…
"But really…" muttered Dusk after an hour searching for Rye. "-I didn't realize that this balloon is this big from the outside."
They are now walking at the dining compartment of the balloon, which comes full equipped with a drink bar and live music; from the size Dusk can estimate that it can hold roughly 80 people seated, or 100 people standing. Still, only few peoples present at this compartment, because it is still a long time until noon . "-that, or we just didn't spend enough time seeing it from the outside." "-and whose fault is that?"
"Uuuuu…" Groaned Vieze, still feeling pretty guilty about what happened to them because of her extra luggage. "…tell you what. I'll treat you for a drink: what do you want to drink?" Offered Dusk out of the blue. "What? Did you bump your head somewhere when we're searching earlier?" Asked Vieze, a bit worried- "NO. I'm just buying you drink as excuse so I could ask the bartender where Rye-or other stewardess could be." "-and if the bartender asked you for what did you want to ask her location?" Asked Vieze again, not sure that the employee would give such info for a complete stranger, be it a costumer or not. "-then I'll tell him that I've fell in love with her in the first sight. C'mon, what will you have?"
"…cold milk will do."
"Gotcha. Wait for a while." Muttered Dusk, pulling a nearby chair for Vieze to wait, as he walked towards the bar.
"…Honestly! What reason is that! 'Fell in love in the first sight'-yuck! And you think that there's still someone out there who will believe that!" Growled Vieze to herself, after Dusk has reached a distance where her sound would be muffled by the rotor sound. Being knowing Dusk for so long, she understands full well that despite extreme lacking in what other people called 'common sense' and 'delicacy', Dusk is not a tactless person. Behind every move that he took, there would be a flawless reasoning; yet that reason he used just now is just lame. "But seriously. We've been walking for a while now, but there's no sign of a single steward or stewardess. What could happen with all those people?" Asked Vie again, sweeping the room from one end to another. Suddenly, something get caught by her eye-
"-here's your Popo Milk Parfait-" "-don't need it. Have you gotten the information, where usually the employees of this ship gathered?" "-well, yes. Normally they're scattered widespread across this ship, but today seemed to be an exception: the bartender didn't see any single one of them after we've started flying." Said Dusk, now enjoying the parfait. "Just then, I saw someone wearing the same outfit as Rye running around in the deck. His expression seemed something grave is happening." Said Vieze in a serious tone.
Clink. Dusk immediately finished his parfait, despite getting a bad brain-freeze. "Chase him?" "-you bet."
And the two Hunters immediately chases after the steward.
Main Deck.
"Just as I thought. There's something not right here." Muttered Vieze, hiding behind a wall with Dusk. They are now eavesdropping the conversation between the one wearing the Captain uniform, and the one wearing Guild coat. "Ssh."
"…we're doomed. Who had thought 'that', of all monsters, would pass through this route today, of all days! Especially when we're in the middle of transporting 'that item'." Said the man with the Guild coat. "-b-but, we're going to be fine, right? This Flyer operates above the altitude that beast can reach, right?" Asked the man with the Captain uniform. "If it is the case, I wouldn't call you here. That beast isn't just your ordinary Lone Wolf; from the beginning of the Flyer's service, it has been attacking every Flyers that passed this route without giving any attention to the altitude! There are even reports where that vile fiend shoots down a Flyer!"
Vieze gasped, but Dusk quickly puts his hand to cover her mouth, then giving the small lady a eye signal. "…what would we do now?" Asked the Captain, already trembling and sweating profusely. "Prepare the lifebuoy immediately; there's no telling when that beast will attack us-*gasp*!"
"Good day, misters. Would you two be so nice and tell us-" "-what are you planning to do?" Asked Dusk and Vieze in continuation, both has sneaked behind the two gentleman, making they jumped in surprise. "-Who are you! Did you don't know passengers are not supposed to leave their seats until-" "-don't try to be a smart-ass, Guildsman. It is written in the pamphlet right here that we're free to do just anything in this Flyer, except doing anything that could endanger the flight-" "-which is, from what we heard just before, are the very thing you two are doing. Tell me, what is that 'thing' that you carried in this ship right now? And what beast are you mentioning about?" Asked the two again.
At the end of a long silence, the Guildsman finally talked. "What we're transporting in this Flyer…is the egg taken from a Garuga nest. In other word-" "-a Garuga egg!" Shouted Dusk in both anger and surprise.
Yian Garuga. A strange monster with the title of Lone Wolf, being in the Class of Bird Wyvern but has the abilities of True Flying Wyverns. While many has speculated that Garugas are Subspecies of the Kut-Ku, they are rumors that Garugas are offsprings of cross-breeding between Kut-Ku and a Flying Wyvern, given their attack patterns that are almost identical, and the physical build that differs much than a Kut-Ku. And there's one last piece of the mystery possessed by this beast: No one has seen Garuga's egg, and lived to tell the tale.
"What are you doing! Bringing such an dangerous object with this craft-do you want all of the people boarding this Flyer killed!" Shrieked Vieze with an intimidating pose. "-IT'S for the sake of the research!" Shouted the Guildsman. "-and what 'research' would be so important, to abandon these many lives? Tell me!" Replied Dusk, his eyes now brimming with anger.
"-I'll take the conversation from here," Said a man's voice, appearing from nowhere. "-! You're that researcher from the NPO!" Said Dusk while pointing to the man he's reckonized instantly after the commotion he's caused a year earlier.
The very person standing before him is the very one which coined the idea of monster rearing, not only breeding- for research.
"That is correct. My name is Zelkoff-a researcher from the National Paleontological Organization." The man with the white cape replied in cold tone. "Sire! You can't be disclosing the information about the specimen to unauthorized personnel, much more civilian!" Reminded the Guild officer with a worried expression, but not heeded by the man, as both of his eyes were fixated on something on Dusk's right hand for a short while, before he made a short comment- "Nevermind those two. They are Hunters-as good as they could be." He said to the captain and the officer "-but sire!"
He raised his left hand in bossy manner, making the officer stopped saying anything more.
"So you're the one who stole the egg from its respectful place?" The young hunter stared the researcher, as seeking some kind of opening or a weak spot in his constitution. Other than a frail-looking body hidden well behind a white robe and a pair of glasses, Dusk couldn't find anything unusual about this man; but somehow, something inside him told him that this man, standing before him is somewhat dangerous. "-I would not put objection in what you stated, young Hunter. Yes, I, myself ordered a band of Hunters to steal that very egg from a Garuga nest, after observing its behavior for at least one month." He stated, but something in Dusk's mind told him that he's not telling the full story- "What about them? Did they come abroad this Flyer as well?" Piqued him again.
"For I would be extremely delightful for them if they could even board this Flyer, I must offer my deepest condolences to inform both of you that they are all killed in mission by the Garuga pair." Said Zelk without any trace of remorse flicking in his stern face. More than sad from the loss of the Hunters he employed, what showed on his face is disgust of how incompetent they are. "Most of them died because of the poison the beast employed, but more importantly, they have secured the egg without any single scratch. That, is also a grand achievement, given the egg is now at our hands-" "-I know that no one ever saw a juvenile Garuga before, nor a hatchling, but that is not a reason good enough to send a band of Hunters into a massacre!" Exclaimed Vieze in a rage. "Now, now, young lady Hunter. Your anger has twisted that lovely face of yours. Let all of us face this problem with a cool head, shall we?" Asked Zelk, again with his expressionless face.
"As the situation concerned me, I personally would like some assistance from any hands available-especially proficient Hunters like the two of you." "-and who said we would help you?" Said Dusk coldly. "-Dusk!" tugged Vieze from the side, pulling him away from the three- "-there's must be at least more than 200 people boarding the Flyer!" "-and then what?" Countered Dusk coldly "-it's their fault in the first place for stealing the Garuga's egg. Serves them right-" "-but you can't just abandon those helpless people!" Said Vieze in a worried fashion- "Think about it-" She started "Gandart, Radu, Rye-yes, we has just met her here, today-all of them are aboard this Flyer!"
Dusk heaved a great sigh. "Then what? All we have to do is just throw off the egg from the cargo, and the Garuga won't target this craft, right?" Asked Vieze, her eyes glinting with what seemed like a sliver of hope.
"-not that simple, my young hunter." Interrupted Zelk in a harsh tone. Dusk would not be surprised if he actually shouted 'Moron' at her, because all Hunters know that Garugas possessed an extremely developed sense of smell, so good that even a drop of blood from a mile away is enough to draw that beast. "As you probably have known that Garugas possesses a highly developed, sensitive smelling organ, escape by tossing the egg would be impossible; because at this very same time, the stench that overflows from the egg would have sapped into every wood and planks composing this Flyer." "! That stench from earlier…so the source is the egg." Muttered Dusk, remembering the foul smell earlier when they boarded the Flyer. "That being said, even a bucketful of Deodorizing Agent would not suffice to thoroughly eliminate the smell from the planks of this balloon. So we have no other choice than repel that beast, have we?"
"You sick hypocrite." Whispered Dusk to himself. Zelk was right: there is no other choice available to them: even if Dusk would probably able to made a stronger Deodorant from the ones he has brought to remove the stench seeping into the planks, he would need materials to brew it successfully-something that the surrounding opens sky didn't provide him. The only option left is…
"How many Hunters abroad this Flyer?" Asked Vieze, after reaching the same conclusion as Dusk. "The Captain has made a quick investigation from the passanger's list about that. It seems other than you two, there's only two more Hunters abroad this Flyer; that is, if there's no one hiding their identity." Answered the Guildsman. "-and, one of them are a young man with tanned skin, while the other one is a burly Wyverian?" Asked Dusk again- "-why, yes…but why did you know about that?" piqued the Guildsman.
Dusk and Vieze sighed.
"They're our acquaintances. Meaning, beside us and the old man, they're no one capable to repel the beast?" Asked Dusk to the petite lady beside him. "-since Radu's knocked out because of that sleeping medicine, most likely. Is there any kind of long-range weaponry installed in this Flyer?" rushed Vieze, eyeing the deck with great concentration-other than a single binocular on that open area, there's nothing that resembles defense mechanism or anything of that sort. "-in the first place, the Flyer is intended not as a fighter vassal, but as surveillance craft; the only defense we had is Flash and Sonic Bombs, nothing more!" Said the panicked Captain.
"I must ask of you: is there any chance that we could survive through this ordeal?" Asked Zelk again to both of the Hunter. Maybe it is just Dusk's suspicion, but even if he is now sounding like pleading for his live, his expression hasn't changed at the least.
"…I can't make it into a promise." Said Dusk, turning his back to the white-coated man. "-but I could try as far as I could, so this mess doesn't produce any victim." He said, when walking away from the dumbfounded trio. "-What's with that guy! Seriously, be clearer if you wanted to save us or not!" shouted the Guildsman to the two as they walked farther.
"…shhh…" "…err, doctor Zelkoff?" Asked the Guildsman, who are concerned with the strange condition the researcher are in-
"-ahahahahaha! There has been some long time since they are someone who is able to taunt my interest this much!" Said Zelk, mixed with uncontrollable laughter. "That young man for sure…is not your everyday Hunter."
Back to the Compartment.
"That was rude of you to actually walk off from a NPO researcher…" Said Vieze, now looking badly depressed as she leapt unto the empty seat. "Oh really? He didn't seem that much troubled with my 'rude' behavior. At all." Grumbled Dusk, already rummaging through his backpack. "-my bad feelings, starting since your tardiness and our trip on the Express Cart has become true."
"Hey, look at the positive side at least-" "-and since when there is still a 'positive side' in this state!" Roared Dusk.
Radu flinched.
"Sorry. My bad habit." Apologized Dusk. All of the tension rising has made its way into his mind, making it more unstable. "…don't be. I've known you long enough to tell that you're now is extremely unpleased with that man's attitude earlier." Said Vieze again, huffing a sigh.
"…is there any way that we can repel that Garuga, given our condition?" Asked Vieze in a weak, despirited voice, after watching Dusk rummaging and pulling out some tools from his backpack for a while. "While protecting a fragile balloon which holds us and other 200 passengers afloat in the altitude high enough just under the Elder Dragon's territory? Without a long-range weaponry other than bows or crossbows? I'd like to say next to none-" Said Dusk, begin mixing something in a phial.
Vieze's eyes began to water, as she buried her small head into her lap- "-and it's my first birthday trip, too…" she sobbed.
"-but hey." Dusk said, patting the girl's head gently. "-it is not 'zero' yet."
As he said that, the sleeping Radu woke up with a loud scream. His lips are red and is somewhat enlarged more than usual. "-w-whaff iff thaff fhoff (what is that for)!" Asked Radu, his face is like in agony as he gulped down a phial Dusk handed him. "Sorry, but it's the only way to wake you." Asked Dusk for forgiveness, as he's already trying his best not to laugh at his friend's state. "Now listen: I and Vieze will go to the cargo area and unload our belonging. Radu, you go to the back deck and tell Gandart '-if your shoulder's wound starts aching again, meet us at the back deck.' He would've known what that mean." Instructs Dusk to the half-awake Hunter. "-rrriighhhtt…." "-or did you wanted more of my specially-brew Awakening Hot Drink?" Said Dusk in threatening voice- "-nonono! I'll go right now!" Replied Radu, quickly leaping from his seat and running to inform Gandart even if he didn't really know what's happening right now.
"Then, shall we go now?" Asked Dusk, holding out his hand to Vieze.
Storage Area.
"-IT STINKS!"
Upon their arrival at the storage space, the two Hunters are welcomed by a draft of foul-smelling air. "Seriously! This is even worse than rotting Tigrex's intestines!" "-and have you already smelled that?" asked Dusk to the yelling lady beside him. "-that's certainly a manner of speech, you brute!" nudged Vie to Dusk using her elbow. Both of them already holding handkerchiefs, soaked with few drops of fragrant flower oil Dusk readied earlier from his backpack as precaution.
Inside the cargo bay, which is eerily dark when the sun's shining brightly outside, lays a mountain of assorted spices, goods, and of course, passenger's belonging. "I wonder what's the reaction of the other passengers if they had known that their belongings are lumped down with something that SMELLS so bad." Said Vieze in childish-like tone "-and did you forget that YOUR belongings, too are stored here?"
Vieze froze in horror. Dusk just lets out a small sigh, before throwing away some bomb-undoubtly, Deodorizing Agents.
Luckily he has prepared some in case of Radu…well, let's not remember about that again. And, as expected, in an instant the stench surrounding them vanished, replaced by floral fragrance.
"! There it is. Our belongings." Said Dusk, pointing to the farthest mountain of baggage from their position: he could make in even in this pitch-black darkness because someone applied some fluorescence agent outside of her trunk. "I didn't think that experimental paint would be so useful by now…" Said Vieze in disbelief: originally, that paint is meant for tracking nocturnal monsters or ones that lived in tunnel complexes, such as Khezus…but Vieze has found a new usage for it: for detecting her belonging in his pitch-black room.
As Dusk unloads his belonging, he quickly strapped his spare weapon, the Strategic Blade made from the excess Rathalos and Kushala material he obtained, hides the White Wing Dagger behind his shirt, and tossed something to Vieze, who catches it perfectly. "-what's this?" She asked while examining that object: despite being wrapped in thick cloth, the distinctive curves and shape has already give away what the object really is- "Is this a longsword?" "-made it from my King Thundersword material, since it is broken beyond repair. I named it [Violet Line], and now it's yours." Muttered Dusk, still rummaging through his armor and items. Grabbing some Bomb Material, Small Barrel Bombs as well as bags of Gunpowder, Dusk quickly gathered all of the necessities, and packed them inside a small bag. "-wait, you're not putting your armor?" Asked Vieze after checking the violet-colored blade which is covered with bluish crackle, hence its name.
"-well, DUH! The target of the Garuga's attack isn't us the Hunters, it is this very Flyer we're standing on! What is the point of wearing armor when we'll go crashing straight to the ground below if just one attack hits?" argumented Dusk. Of course, he's right…but… "-turn yourself away." Sadi Vieze in a slightly embarrassed tone. "? What for-" "-I SAID TURN AWAY!"
After realizing what Vieze intended to do, Dusk quickly turned away his head from Vieze's direction. –has she no more shame! Dusk thought, as shuffling and clinking sound can be heard from her direction.
"Done. You can turn now." Said Vieze at long last, although once again it may be just Dusk. "-seriously. What's the point of that…wait, is it 'that' dress?" Asked Dusk, just to make sure what he saw in that pitch-black room is not just his hallucination. "Well, you saw it just right. It's my Kirin Dress. Felli has told me that the morning before our depature, you and Radu discussed something about Thunder Wolf something…so I brought this for anticipation. It certainly suits the Violet Line-" Said Vieze without any guilt, turning around and making the ends of the dress, which looks similar to eastern cheongsam or whatever they named it, fluttering around.
Dusk facepalmed himself.
"Change. It. Now." Commanded Dusk in anger-filled voice. "Eeeh? But I liked this piece very much!" "-I don't. Change it. Now. At least with something that has both poison and fire resistance." Asked Dusk, now almost pleading.
Vieze pouted. "-turn away!"
Dusk cannot even forgot the chaos that happened the very day he crafted the armor-at that night, after a long day of hunt, Vieze just popped out from nowhere at the entrance of his room and handed out a Kirin Hide, along with a single Horn and Thunder Tail. "Make me something from these materials!", she said, and thus the Dress was made. Don't ask how did Dusk knows Vieze's exact measurement, or how did the inspiration about makingan eastern-styled armor come across Dusk's mind at that day. It just happened.
And the very next day when Vieze actually tried that armor, it ripped into two perfect pieces, leaving Vie with nothing defensive but undergarments. Lucky that she has not yet departed to the Quest she has been taking, but Dusk has to be treated for at least three days after that because of multiple injuries. The reason? "I found some kind of string jutting out, so I tried to pull it…"
Not a very good reason to trash anyone until they're out cold for three days straight.
"…done. Happy?" Said Vieze in unhappy tone: now she has equipped her Pink Rathian Mail. "That's better. Now we've got to hurry back to the-"
Suddenly, a hoarse shriek, followed by high-pitched shrill can be heard across the dark room. As loud as it could be, even with all the noise made by the rotors, and the gear sounds that came from the engine room next door, it is still clear enough to make sure what beast it came from.
"Shoot! It has reached us! Vieze-help me with this!" Dusk quickly unloaded a cartridge from Radu's belonging, and tossed aside the Normal Shots aside, muttering to himself "-Garuga's shell would not be affected by something like this-", as he frantically searches for anything that could be used to counter that beast. "-Dusk! Hurry up! It's catching up to us! I can already hear its wingbeats!" Said Vieze, already panicked. "-go upstairs first, and give this to Radu! Ask him to stall time as much as possible!" Said Dusk, throwing Radu's customized Rapidcaster and some loaded cartridge to Vieze's small arms- "-heavy!" "-don't complain unless you had a death wish! Now go upstairs! Quuick!" Shouted Dusk, as Vieze, while looking extremely weighted down because of the Rapidcaster she's been holding right now, frantically runs through the corridor of the Flyer.
Dusk then spreads all the materials he's been carrying while focusing his mind in just one sight: how to defeat a Garuga using these things. Garuga's weak point is its wings and tail. As he thought, his hands moved, eliminating all useless materials aside. Not resistant to Flashes, but Sonics trigger its Rage. His hands moved again and sets the Sonic Bombs aside. If we could do enough damage to his beak or throat, it wouldn't be able to use the Fireball attack. There is no point attacking its legs while we're flying like this, thought Dusk while combining some Bullet, namely Pierce Rounds, Crag Shot and Cluster Shot. "Dammit! If I knew this would happen, I would bring more materials!" There is not enough time!
KRAKKK!
"-Sh*T!"
Some kind of attack must be done by the Garuga to the Flyer, as now a fresh hole has been opened at the walls of the Cargo Bay. From the hole, sunlight peered within-as well as a purple, giant beak.
The Garuga peeked within the cargo bay. Even with the Deodorizing Agent in effect, it still could smell where its egg are kept perfectly. "Eat this!" Roared Dusk, throwing some knives with a vial attached to the direction of the giant beak-
CLANG!
As the sharp knives made contact with the huge, purple colored beak, it is deflected without delay-but the vial safely reaches its destination, and shattered in progress-
SHRIEEEE!
A high-pitched noise tears across the room, making Dusk has to press his hands upon his ears: because he's in an enclosed space and not wearing any helmet, the Roar produces an intensified effect, making him dizzy. "-now how did you like that!" Shouted Dusk in victory, as the Garuga pulled away from the hole.
What he puts into the vial is Khezu's Saliva, known for its strong acidic quality. It'll even dig its way through Daimyo materials. "-DUUSK! ARE YOOU OKKAAAAYY!" Vieze's voice could be heard from the opening on the hull. "-I'M OKAY! WHAT ABOUT UPSTAIRS!" replied Dusk. "BETTER COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF! AND BRING ANYTHING THAT COULD BE USED AS BULLETS! EVEN STONES COUNTS!" Asked Radu's voice. Stones? Are his mind's still half-asleep because of the medicine? Said Dusk, questioning his friend's state of sanity…but Gandart, the Heaven's Smith is upstairs, so maybe Radu's petition maybe holds some signifigance. Grabbing anything that could be used as bullets, including a modified portable shock trap with extra duration and a modified pitfall trap with extra net, Dusk hurriedly ran upstairs. He did say 'anything', did he?
BACK DECK
"? What the hell…Gramps! What have you done to the deck!" Asked Dusk in wild confusion. It is understandable, though-because in the deck is now installed what looked like a string-less ballista, which is embedded to the deck with large number of metal pipes, where steam could be seen leaking from here and there. "Surprised, eh! I've long thought what 'improvement' this Flyer needed, before start building this baby here!" As proud as he is, Gandart smacked the contraption with his brutal strength, but that weapon still in one piece. "This baby uses the power of steam to push objects through the shooter barrel! Simply put, it is a steam-powered cannon!"
"…and if I may ask, father-where did you get the parts needed to build this…weapon?" Asked Dusk, because some of the parts composing the weapon seemed familiar to him. "-from the communication line." Answered Gandart with a smile in his face. "-and the steam powering it?" Continued Dusk with his question- "-from the machine room, of course! They surely wouldn't mind if I borrowed some power to test this babe-"
SHRIEEEE!
"! It has returned! Dusk!" Cried Radu, shivering from the sensation of vibration throughout his body, as he didn't put any sound-resistant armor of any kind other than the Khezu Hide blanket he's been wearing (he looked just like a Whelp). "-I can hear it just well! Load these into your bowgun!" Said Dusk while tossing some cartridge and a pouch full of assorted bullets. "-Vieze! Try to counter the incoming fireballs with the longsword! Don't mind about it breaking!" "-Roger!" "-and dad-"
Dusk opened his bag, making materials of all kinds scattered across the deck- "-do you thing." He said while readying his Strategic Blade. "Hell yea." Replied Gandart, loading some whetstones inside the open barrel.
SHRIIIEEEE!
As the shriek can be heard for the third time, a small shadow appeared far behind the Flyer. Slow but steady, the shadow became bigger as time passes, revealing a purple wyvern with a corroded giant beak. "-is it already in your range, Radu!" "-not yet! My Rapidcaster could not reach that far!" "-it could." Said a familiar, cold voice.
"-Zelkoff! What are you doing here! Hasn't the Captain issued a lockdown order! Why are you still roaming like this!" Asked Vieze in a fury-yet the man stands unfazed. "I am here strictly bound by my duty to be a witness: how will a group of four Hunters will be able to repel-or defeat-the treat named Yian Garuga." "And what help can you offer! If you can't even battle, you're not needed here!"
BLAM!
A single shell has been fired. And from the far distance, a scream of pain could be heard.
"You…what is that thing?" Asked Radu, pointing to a small flintlock-model gun that is shot before. "This? This is just your ordinary Guild-issue Flintlock Gun. Nothing special about it." "-then how did it can reach the Garuga! The distance is over few hundred feets! Even the longbarrel would not suffice to add that much distance!" "-it is not about the distance, Radu. It's the velocity." Said Dusk at least, understanding the phenomenon. "-velocity?"
"As the bullet leaves the barrel, it is propelled by the explosion of the gunpowder inside the ignition chamber. Correct?" Asked Zelk, releasing shot after shots to the Garuga, which shrieked over and over again, while walking towards the guard-rail. "After the initial velocity has decreased, the bullet will falls to the ground, and when it is expired, be it because of the friction with air, dust or another matter, the projectile will stop. BUT!"
Zelkoff continued to fire his light bowgun until there's no round remaining in the chamber, and tossed it aside. "We're now standing at a vehicle that moves in constant speed. Meaning, every single things that is physically detached from the Flyer will be affected with the same speed the as the vehicle. If you fired your round backwards, the initial velocity of your round is the power of gunpowder explosion PLUS the speed of the Garuga. It is more than enough to close the distance between the barrel and the beast's head. Do you understand?" Said Zelkoff, ending his presentation about 'how far a bullet will travel if shot from a moving vehicle.' "Splendid as always, huh Zelkoff?" Said Gandart in spiteful tone. "And you still didn't care much about your health, Master Gandart."
…
"Wait, what? 'Master' Gandart? Pops, do you know this man!" Asked Dusk in disbelief. "Well yeah. He's my first appreantice. As well as the one who killed Gravia." Muttered Gandart in spiteful tone.
"Oh, still remembering about that Black Gravios, did you? Although it has happened more than twenty years ago, for a Wyverian like you it must be like yesterday-" "Did you guys still have a time for a chat! It's coming back!" Yelled Vieze at the rest of the team. "Open FIRE!" Commanded Dusk, making Radu that has been aiming since the explanation pulls the trigger, launching a barrage of shot after shots to the Garuga's direction.
SWWIINNG!
A sharp noise produced when a Piercing Round cuts through the air can be heard several times, but it is followed by an annoying roaring sound- "I MISSED! Only grazed its ears!" "-all of you, get back!" Shouted Gandart, as he readied his fist before a small, button-like contraption-
"Aerial Buster! SHOOT!" Gandart then slammed his clenched fist upon the button, making the cannon exploded, flinging all kind of things, including pieces of Coals and Whetstones away into the Garuga's direction. While most of the object missed, few pieces hit the Garuga hard on its massive beak and wings, producing noticeable scars and tatter. "YEAH!" The three hunters performed a high-five seeing that, only to realize something's not right.
"…do you feel that we're…slowing down?" Asked Radu, the most sensitive between the three. "-speaking of which…" "-yes! We're slowing down-as well as descending! Pops, what have happened!" Asked Dusk in panic. "-err…it seemed that because the blast earlier, the volume of steam powering the rotors and the balloon has dropped by quite a bit…" "-MEANING?" Pressed Dusk, who knows full well where this conversation is going.
"We're sitting ducks."
"ARE YOU MAAADDD!" Shouted the three in unison. "-This is not the time! The Garuga's back!" Vieze pointed to a shadow, closing the gap with the Flyer even quicker than before. "RADU! USE THESE!" Dusk tossed a cartridge full loaded with Cluster Shots. "But the range-" "-JUST SHOOT!" Screamed Vieze, readying her longsword.
DHUM!
As the bullet leaves the barrel, it scattered into smaller pieces, which will explode upon contact: all Hunters knows the characteristics of a Cluster Shot…but a Garuga did not. As result, the Wyvern falls down upon contact with the explosive pieces…but not yet defeated. Small flickering embers can be seen emanating from the beast's beak as it shrieked once again, flying higher than the craft: it is now in Rage. "-CRAP! Vieze, get ready! He's going for a ram attack on your side!" Shouted Radu as the Garuga dives- "-Ready! Come on, purple birdy!" Taunted Vieze, but there's no chance a Garuga would understand that.
As the Garuga dives, its speed rises more and more; yet something didn't feel right for Dusk…
"A feint! That's a feint! Radu, Crag it!" Yelled Dusk in panic, as his prediction comes true: the beast rolled mid-air and shifted the focus of its attack to the rightside rotor: but Dusk's realization came a bit too late.
CRASH!
A small rip has been opened at the balloon's right side because contact with the Garuga's wingtip, and the rotor has been completely detached from the Flyer's body. As air escapes from the balloon, so did the Flyer loses its altitude. "SHIT! IT TRICKED US!" Cursed Radu, still aiming for that beast-but since the speed of the craft slowed, the beast can move more freely encircling the Flyer. "Gramps! Can this craft still float!" Asked Dusk, pointing to the ripped balloon above. "If they could channel all the steam into the balloon, it would be enough to temporarily keep this thing afloat! But we're going to need someone to climb up and sew that hole!" Said Gandart, before hurriedly rushes for the engine room. "-I'll do it!"
A certain familiar sound resounded from the hallway inside. "RYE!" Shouted Dusk and Vieze in surprise. "Wait, what! It's too dangerous! What if the Garuga attacked you when you're sewing the balloon!" "It's still better die trying than die doing nothing!" Said Rye, running back into the Flyer, informing the machinist to channel all the remaining steam into the balloon and quickly returned, holding what looked like a sewing kit with a giant needle and a thick thread. "You're CRAZY!" Shouted Radu, but while smiling wide enough to be seen by the others. "-WELL YES I AM!" Replied Rye, ripping his ankle-length stewardess skirt and throwing her high-heeled shoes away, then started climbing the roof of the Flyer.
"EVERYONE! PROTECT RYE AT ALL COSTS! USE THE FLASHES FOR DIVERSION!" Shouted Dusk, rolling some Flashes he readied before to his Hunter friends. The Garuga's still nowhere in sight, and Rye has climbed halfway to the balloon. "RADU! ANY LEADS!" Asked Vieze. "-NO! THE SOUND OF WIND'S DISTRUPTING ME!" "-STAY ALERT! IT CAN ATTACK FROM ANY DIRECTIONS!"
SHRIIEEE!
"-FROM BELOW RIGHT!" All three Hunters quickly spring into action: Dusk and Vieze lobbed their Flashes to the incoming Garuga's head, while Radu aimed for the beast's eye and launching a Pierce Shot.
PAM!
A loud, popping sound is produced when the two flashes exploded, bathing the surrounding area with bright light. As the Hunters quickly covered their eyes with their hands, the Garuga is blinded and flapped its wing wildly- "RYE, LOOK OUT!"
CRASH!
"AAIIIIIEEEE!" Screamed Rye, who loses her footing because of the impact: the Garuga's wing slammed into the deck and made her feet slipped from the ladder leading to the balloon-yet, somehow she's still able to hold on to a rope, and not letting go the 'sewing kit' in her free hand. Sensing something solid, the wyvern grabbed to it by sheer instinct, punching more holes into the hull and making the Flyer plummets more quickly than ever. "GET YOUR DIRTY TALONS OFF THIS SHIP!" Roared Vieze, slashing the Garuga's face with her brand-new Violet Line-
SLASH!
The beak, as well the Wyvern's head easily sliced in two by that attack, ending its life almost instantly. "-BRILLIANT!" Shouted Dusk and Radu loudly-
Creak.
"-ah."
As the deck beneath her feet gave away, Vieze falls from the Flyer in a slow-motion like fashion.
"-VIEZEEEEE!"
"-DUSK!"
Without thinking for any second more, Dusk leapt from the Flyer, trying to reach Vieze who got thrown off from the broken deck. "-GOT YOU!" Shouted him, catching the petite hunter by the edge of her longsword by his right hand, while his left's holding his Strategic Blade, which blade's digging into the remaining deck as anchor. "-DUMMY! RELEASE YOUR HAND! YOU'LL HURT YOURSELF!" Shrieked Vieze from the other end of the sword. "I'M JUST FINE! SEE! IT DIDN'T BLEED AT ALL!" Shouted Dusk; Silve's scale, hidden beneath the Kelbi-hide gloves he has been wearing until now has protected his hands from the razor-sharp edge of Violet Line-still, the electricity running through the blade started to paralyze his senses. "RADU! PULL US UP! QUICK! I CAN'T HOLD THIS FOR LONG!" "-ARE YOU SAYING I'M FAT!" "-THIS IS NO TIME FOR JOKES! RADUUU!" Pleaded Dusk for help "-I got you!" Said Radu, pulling the pair by the Blade.
Creak.
"-uh-oh."
There's a slight miscalculation on Dusk's side. Because of the sharpness of his blade, Dusk's Strategic Blade ended up cutting the deck instead of keeping him attached. "DUUSK!" Radu leaped to the edge of the deck, trying to catch them, but too late.
The two, along with the Garuga body, falling freely from the Flyer.
FREEFALL
"NOW WHAT!" Screamed Vieze, already crying, while it is better for her to actually faint. At least she'll get a painless death-
Yet, Dusk expressed is not scared or frightened by the least…
He's grinning.
"Dusk? Has your mind gone-" "Took off your tasset." "-WHAT!" "Took it off NOW!" "-are you saying because we're going to die soon, you WANTED to DO IT HERE! PERVERT! LEECHER!"
Brandishing his hidden White Wing, Dusk swings his Strategical Blade to the direction of the Garuga, which is falling beside them. Using it as a hook-as well as counter-balancer, Dusk performs complex movement in which he swings the large Greatsword and in turn draws himself nearer to the corpse, before started carving its wing. "Have you ever heard the tale about Icaros the Winged?" Asked Dusk calmly, after pulling Vieze on top of the corpse using her longsword's scabbard. "! Don't tell me you wanted to create that so-called Glider of his here!" "-There's nothing else to do, is there! Now take off your tasset! NOW!"
Icaros the Winged. A Legendary Hunter that by his tale, succeeded crafting a Glider that is capable of making normal people could glide through long distance, making transportation between mountainous area more easily achieved. He died while riding one of his Glider because another wyvern attacked, mistaking him for a rival.
"Are you sure you can craft that Glider BEFORE we crashed!" Asked Vieze, looking down-
The desert below them draws nearer with every second they took falling.
"Hold this for me! Be careful not to stray to far!" Asked Dusk, handing over the Garuga's left wing for Vieze. Because of the wind pressure generated by the fall, holding up the wing is much harder that it usually would, especially mentioning Vieze's petite build; yet Dusk didn't even turned his head to see how Vieze's holding up, and begin to carve the right wing then skinned the Garuga with incredible speed. "Now hand over the wing and Violet Line to me!" Commanded Dusk. "-h-here!"
Using the longsword to join the two pieces of the wing as it were meat pieces on a barbeque skewer, and putting Vieze's tasset together with the Garuga Pelt to join the webbing of both wings, Dusk finished the make-shift Glider in less than a minute. "Hold on to me! NOW!" Asked Dusk as he slapped the hilt of the longsword, making electrical charges which released in a frenzy stimulates the wing's muscles, making it erect-and in turn, spreads the wing. "IYAHOOOOOO!" Screamed Dusk in pure joy when the Glider flies away from the Garuga's corpse, as well as slowing down the speed of their fall.
Now they're gliding through the open skies, while vast desert made from golden sands spreads wide before them. "You're the best Crafter there is, Dusk!" Said Vieze in cheerful voice, her eyes' teary because of the joy of being alive after falling from the Flyer, which now flies low enough to be crashing down any seconds. "I could see something there…is it a town?" Asked Vieze, after she's calmed down enough. "Most likely, it is Loc Lac. Maybe we could land there?" Asked Dusk, still smiling because of his success.
…
The Glider picked up more speed as their altitude descent, due to the simple law of aerodynamics.
"Wait. Dusk…do you know how to land this thing?"
Dusk's face went pale in an instant.
"Speaking of which…no."
…
"Are YOU NUTS! How are we going to survive if you didn't even know how to land this thing! There's not much difference between free-falling from the Flyer with this!" Roared Vieze. "-hold on, I'll think of something…"
Rip.
"-eh?"
CCRRRRKK.
"You've gotta be kidding MEEEE!" Shouted Dusk and Vieze when the makeshift joiner, AKA Vieze's Pink Rathian Tasset, ripped right in two even pieces, making them, once again, free-falling to the desert underneath.
End of Chapter 4.
Character Profile:
Name: Veriye
Age: 21 years old.
Occupation: Balloon Flyer's Stewardess.
Biography:
A friendly Stewardess met by the trio when they're riding the Flyer on their way to Yakumo Village. A very friendly person, with the gift to befriend anyone she met on her way. Has been deeply fascinated by Flyers ever since she was a little girl, and even sneaked inside the Guild's Elder Dragon Observation Balloon once. Has knitting hobby, despite her tomboyish attitude.
Name: Zelkoff
Age: unknown.
Occupation: NPO Researcher.
Mysterious man claiming to be NPO researcher; has been awarded with the title 'Walking Library' because of his vast knowledge. Gandart's first appreantice, which killed Gravia twenty years ago. Not very talkative, and his behavior cannot be fathomed by normal means. In his line of view, all other humans beside him are just trash. Probably because he knows something that other people don't…
Well, hello there.
Here's your fourth chapter. This chap. Is solely dedicated to my friend…wait, don't go killing him yet: he's still perfectly healthy and fit, which is, unlike me (sob).
And I must admit again, the idea of having an airship as a battleground is unlikely. And SCARY. After all, one attack is all the monster needs to bring down the vehicle, Hunters and passengers alike…but hey! That certainly brings up the tension, right? Admit it already~ (nudge).
Oh, and in this chapter, I went and used Radu as test-rabbit. You know, for the medicines and such…worth mentioning that I'll probably explore both materials and weapon properties that went uncovered in the main game with my own style; so don't be surprised when in the later point you'll stumble across some 'foreign' material or weapons: in fact, there's a lot of them already, if you noticed, that is.
And in this chapter, there's Zelkoff. Abiding to the law where 'character with name would contribute in one way or another in a story', he certainly fulfills that…in a sense. This one's certainly an odd one: giving lecture on physics when being chased by a Garuga.
Ohh. About Garugas.
Forgive me for having attention deficit…ohh, shiny! Not. As fans given it alias 'Illegitimate child between Ian and KFC', this has also been one of the NPO's concern and research. Why did this creature have traits from those wyverns? Is it evolution? Is it mutation? Is it (you already know) crossbreeding? The whole latter half of the chapter solely dedicated for making this creature more fiendish than it appears in the game.
Well, not really. My younger brother laughed when he heard about the Garuga, thinking that this purple-colored chicken is just a poisoned Kut-ku or something…he got killed in 5 flat minutes. The point is, not underestimating a monster, how puny or idiotic-looking it is.
That's that. The next chapter would be about desert survival…and some mouthful of sand. Better prepare some water nearby in case of thirst, because our protagonist would not have that privilege.
See ya!
~16 April 2011~