The company of three hunters and one rather rumpled looking felyne crested the hill over looking Dondruma. The Town was, as always, an impressive sight. A wall at least 50 feet tall surrounded the town, and it bristled with ballistae, canons and the fearsome Dragonator. Two six-foot wide spikes that could be snapped forward at the push of a button, it was the town's pride and joy. A massive flat field surrounded Dondruma for a good two miles, dotted with watch towers. And occupying the portion directly in front of Dondruma was a massive encampment of hunters.
"Damn", whistled Xaren. "Quite the army built up here."
"Oh yeah, the first few days were hell for Fang," chuckled Raithin.
"Oh yeah, where is Fang anyway?" inquired Xaren.
Raithin opened his mouth to speak, but a Giadrome's screech ripped through the air. Raithin smiled wrily. "Coming."
A Giadrome, large even by its own kind's standards, landed in front of the group. Strangely, it appeared to be wearing steel plated armor.
Quirin quickly readied her great sword, but Satan lightly tapped her shoulder. Looking at the hunter with a smirk, Satan shook his head "no".
They watched as Xaren walked forward calmly and extended his right fist confidently. The Giadrome screeched, and stepped forward- to return the offered fist bump.
"Can't believe you taught him that," said Raithin, rolling his eyes.
Xaren turned and said, "Quirin, meet Fang, Raithin's partner Giadrome."
Quirin was still in shock Raithin had tamed a monster. No one seemed willing to answer her questions (mostly to annoy her) but when she asked why Fang hadn't accompanied Raithin to Pokke, his eyes turned dark and he answered "Fang has a lot of memories there. He is quite intelligent you know, and his memory is clear. Pokke isn't exactly... a happy place for him."
When she pestered Xaren, he only said, "Ever wonder where Fang's pack went?"
Quirin found it hard to believe a Giadrome could be any kind of intelligent, but he seemed to understand Xaren, because said hunter was currently talking to Fang, and Fang was responding. Not with words, but he, Xaren and Raithin seemed to have developed a bodily sign language.
Xaren was happy to see Fang and Raithin again, and all the hunters seemed jubilant and excited for the coming battle, but Xaren could only feel his apprehension grow. The young man was scared. This first battle was a deciding factor, he knew it was. Victory at Dondruma meant hope in the war, but a loss... There was at least a thousand hunters here, and they were THE BEST. Defeat here spelled doom for all of Minegarde, and maybe Tanzia across the sea.
Xaren was shook out of his thoughts by Raithin. He was introducing Xaren to some middle aged guy, a trader with a long sword on his back, and a REALLY buff and tall man with an impressive mustache but no head hair.
Raithin gestured to the trader. "This is the Captain of the Argosy, Captain Sen." Sen had greying black hair and almond shaped eyes. He nodded.
The other Tanzian was leader of a small village called Moga, apparently his son was back home, watching the Village.
The final man was clearly of Minegarde though.
"This is Guildmaster Rupert "Rath-heart" Penson," said Raithin.
Xaren was clearly surprised. "G-Guildmaster?"
He chuckled. "Aye boy. I wouldn't miss this for the world."
"Of course," said Xaren. "Um... why Rath-Heart though?"
Rupert smiled and said, "Lets just say my first Rathalos hunt ended with its heart as my mantlepiece."
"Nice." snorted Xaren. "Clearly a man of complexity."
Penson laughed. "Oh, I like you boy! None of this yessir business and ass-kissing getting in the way. Don't lose that rebelious streak boy. We need people like you, straight to the point and unafraid to voice their thoughts."
Xaren nodded.
"Now, as for placement..."
from there it went to tactics. Xaren, possessing his rather unique weapon was to be stationed at the front line next to the "Rath-Heart" Penson. Quirin waould also be there, while Raithin would be among those to flank the approaching horde of monsters. Gunners and bowmen would be on the wall.
Felynes would parachute down.
With plans complete, Xaren wandered, talking to random people till he found Quirin.
She was practicing her greatsword attacks against a Tanzian switch-axe user.
Xaren couldn't help but marvel at Quirin. She cut quite the figure, black-blue hair, olive-toned skin and dark blue eyes. Nice body too.
Xaren closed his eyes, mentally backhanding himelf. This wasn't the time for those thoughts. Plus, what would she see in him? His hair was an odd shade, the color of tarnished brass, he had dark green eyes and a light tan. He was lithe and sinewy, fast and intelligent. But Quirin didnt give a damn for those qualities... did she?
Sure, Xaren reasoned with himself. We've gotten a lot closer, but she can't see me that way. After all, he thought grimly. I DID try to kill her. Still...
Xaren knew he should tell her how he felt. Knowing the answer, even a negative one, was preferable to this endless speculative crap.
"Hey Xair," she called.
Xaren looked up. Xair? he thought. Yeah... I like that.
"Hey," he replied. Now was the time. "Quirin, um, listen. I kind of needed to tell you something. I'm-" a horn sounded. They were here.
"Shit," he muttered.
Quirin's heart sank. She had a hope that maybe Xaren would say something along the lines of "Wanna go on a date?" or "I like you". Hell, a brisk "I'm interested, we haven't got much time, let's go" would've worked.
Well, okay thought Quirin. maybe NOT that last one.
Xaren looked legitimately unhappy, and Quirin wasn't sure what to say. But, she did know her feelings had to be put out on the open.
She grabbed his armor, and pulled him close, kissing him.
The kiss was desperate, one shared as though it was the last to ever be shared, and Xaren happily kissed back.
They broke apart gasping and blushing.
"After-?" suggested Xaren.
"Yes!" gasped out Quirin, smiling.
They embraced quickly, and raced to their respective positions, determined to live through the day.
When Xaren got to his position, Rupert awaited him.
"Ready?" asked the Guildmaster.
Xaren glared ahead as the first minsters apoeared through the midmorning mist.
"Hell yeah."
"Then do the honors."
Xaren smirked, then with all his might the hunter roared "CHAAAAARGE!" and they rushed into the fray, blades eager for blood.
AU: Hahahaha! You thought you were gonna get a battle! Well, not till next chapter! XD
And thats not all! New POV! Big battle! And Quirin kissed Xaren. Who called it? lol. Anyways, thank loyal reviewers:
Chelty-chan
black scorpion
Axious Runespeaker
and the new new guy, Tritrigas!
Oh, Tritrigus, OF COURSE its far fetched! Its a fanfiction man! Far fetched is like required, especially for a fanfic about a game where you
1)kill big monsters
2)with big-** weapons
3)and suffer should be fatal injuries with ease.
sorry, it sounds condescending, but I had to say something, your comment made me chuckle. Also, you HAVE to read black giadrome's "A Giasrome named Fang". Hes a reviewer, so finding him is easy. It explains Fang and all that. Alright, later guys.
Xero, signing out with a bang.
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WHAT THE HELL?!
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BANG!
