"Willow's got quite the fucked list." Marcus muttered to himself, resting on a hill as his faithful Seregios stood next to him, keen eyes picking out things in the area. The Ancestral Slopes were a neat place for Hunters; often the start of many for their journeys to become famous Hunters.

It was also the start of his own great journey as well, and ironically enough, he was hunting something great as well; the Hunter slipping the book out from his pocket and inspecting it. Due to this finally being the real deal, Marcus had prepared appropriately in the final days before the deciding Hunts; clad in his Hermitaur armor and with the aptly named Marking Glaive on his back. His Bowgun was slung on Varrick's saddle, as well as a few other needed equipment, including a camping kit, in case he had to stay somewhere for an extended time.

Due to his companion, sticking around at the Base Camp wasn't an option, so that left him without the complementary items to begin his Hunt with. The Feylines weren't good for keeping their furred mouths shut and that'd result in his secret being exposed.

He wouldn't even need Willow to ruin his fucking plans then.

"We're hunting a Great Jaggi, Varrick. Willow's apparently wanting its head as proof. Morbid as hell, but these aren't that dangerous unless caught unprepared." The Flying Wyvern merely warbled in response, lowering closer to the ground to allow Marcus to board and clip himself in, affixing a few belts to the Glaive and taking up the Bowgun instead, checking its ammo count. "Like we practiced; go for the head and try to force it to drop quickly…I don't want to prolong this any more than we need to." A sharp whistle later and he felt everything lurch; Varrick was in the air and flying quickly to find the prey needed.

It didn't take long; the sudden dip in Varrick's altitude and landing on a rocky cliff told Marcus his Seregios caught the alpha Jaggi's scent.

"Go get 'im." Marcus didn't even need to encourage Varrick; he already shot off and the Hunter kept his hands firmly on the saddle and the firearm before he felt the Seregios slam down; vision clearing and showing him the sight of the Great Jaggi.

The beast, along with the Jaggi and Jaggia, was present in an ever-expanding field. A few deceased Kelbi rested on the ground, telling Marcus they had been Hunting themselves and clearly, they had attained quite the bounty and were enjoying their meal before it got too dark, signifying that they'd have to return to the den to avoid the more dangerous nocturnal predators.

Such a shame.

Loading in the Mark shots, Marcus lined up the scope of the Shell Shooter to his helmet's lens, and he squeezed the trigger, feeling the gun shake as the shot launched and splattered against the Great Jaggi's head, wrenching a snarl of confusion from the magenta tipped substance tipping its head.

Varrick didn't even need a command; an Airblade Shard had already been launched from a sudden tail swing, and the lacerating shard of scale stabbed into the Great Jaggi's shoulder. A pained cry left the beast, and instead of staying to fight, the alpha turned and started to flee from combat…seems the strike cut in deeper than anticipated.

The fight wouldn't take long.

Airblade Shards hurtled towards the Great Jaggi, Varrick spreading his wings and taking off, following it as Marcus watched the sharpened scales cut and puncture further into the Great Jaggi's hide, causing it to lose entire access to its left leg, yet it kept trying, kept going.

It was sad to watch, especially when the Seregios finally landed next to the wounded, crippled Great Jaggi. Marcus tried to steel himself and tune out the resonating guilt before he brought the Glaive up, bringing it down with a sickening crunch, ending the alpha's life.

"It's…it's done…tha…that was fast." It was gruesome, yes, but it was what he needed despite it all; a field test. It was quick, yet still provided him the needed information on how Varrick behaved in the field with him now; quick and fluidly. He sniffed the Great Jaggi out nearly in an instant and acted accordingly. But, he wasn't done yet. His Carving Knife was slid from its sheathe and plunged into the neck of the deceased Great Jaggi. The piercing stench of copper assaulted Marcus' nose and forcing him to wretch momentarily; it was overpowering of a smell, one that made him want to just…just upchuck his little breakfast. But, he kept going, and ignored the additional blood that poured from the bloody stump of the Great Jaggi's head; Marcus holding said frilled head in hand and, respectfully, closing its eyes.

"I'm sorry, but this was the only way to a better future. Your death will be a means of progress, and will allow me to finally put this behind us all, once and for all. But first, she has to be appeased." He pulled a few cloths from his bag and plugged up the bleeding head, setting it into the bag and patting it. With the opportunity presented, Marcus carved a bit more from the deceased Bird Wyvern before waving his hand, letting Varrick dig in without any form of hesitation. The Seregios earned the meal, as Marcus pulled his own book from his breastplate, reading over some of his notes before plucking his pen out, and resuming his writing.

The first Hunt together has been done, and I've learned so much and also at the same time, where we have issue. When Varrick's in the zone, as I'm calling it, there rests the likelihood of him ignoring commands and orders to hunt his prey as he usually would; as in without me around.

A Great Jaggi, expectedly, wouldn't be able to hold a candle against a Seregios due to the latter having not only aerial superiority but also a massive amount of attack power with just the Airblade Shards alone; had Varrick used those serrated talons or his tail, this fight could have gone a whole other direction. However, I think he hesitated because of his size and age; he's still an adolescent, and barely approaching adulthood and a Great Jaggi due to this is almost around the same size as him, if not larger. I…guess he was just being cautious. Gives me a hint on how Varrick works.

Marcus was roused from his writing when Varrick nudged his shoulder, the Hunter glancing over and…feeling something bloody, yet very solid drop into his hand. Wiping the crimson ichor away, his eyes widened at the sight of the Bird Wyvern Gem; this one being a violet color due to where it came from.

"…you know I need this?" The Seregios just stared at him, remaining silent, but Marcus couldn't help but to caress the Flying Wyvern's head. With a Bird Wyvern Gem, he could perhaps use it to design new weapons, or even outright sell it and use the Zenny to expand his home.

That, or ultimately keep it; there's no reason not to.

"Thanks bud…now let's get ready; we're hunting a Zamtrios next." Straight from easy to hard; it made sense to Marcus considering who they were doing this for. Remounting the beast, it only took a light pat to get Varrick skyward…some resentment clinging to Marcus for the brutality of this hunt, but he had no other option.

If he didn't play Willow's game, then the entire bright future would be blurred and torn, and left to let a cycle of endless violence continue.

To Be Continued…