Author's Note: Eh, you probably know already, but italics and underline without quotes is Shinki/Kuroi/Shira speaking inside Hishoji/Ayumi's mind. With quotes is them speaking out loud. This chapter is serious business as well. Probably.

And as usual, the warning. This is a direct copy-and-paste (with some parts revised), so if you spot any inconsistencies, please forgive my errors.


"Oh look, you're sleeping. I wonder how you can still that when this is going to happen?" Shinki hissed into Hishoji's ears.

"What the heck?" Hishoji looked around with a bewildered expression on his face. He was trapped in a guillotine that had been set alight. The flames licked at his face, and Hishoji could feel his skin getting burned off with every passing second.

"This is what you get when you get on my bad side. Hahaha! Fun, fun, FUN!"

The guillotine blade dropped without warning, beheading Hishoji with a sickening sound as it made contact with his neck.


Hishoji's eyes flew open instantly. He breathed heavily as he looked around and took in the unfamiliar surroundings. The white beds and walls, coupled with the continuous beeping of the life support machine slowly calmed him down and reminded him of where he was.

He turned his attention to the two patients lying on their beds in the room. Ayumi was fast asleep with her head on the bed their mother was lying in. Even in her sleep her face was full of sorrow, and Hishoji suspected that she had cried herself to sleep.

Hishoji shifted uncomfortably in his chair as his eyes flicked from Ayumi to their parents. Even the doctors were baffled with their parents' comatose state, for they couldn't find anything physically wrong with them.

And to make the entire matter even more confusing, the police couldn't provide them with any information about what had caused the entire accident, for they were just as confused with the whole thing. From what little he learned, their parents were on their way home after their trip, and something had happened to them that caused their car to get crushed flat.

It doesn't even make any sense. If the car was crushed flat, how did they manage to get out alive without being crushed too? He got up and stood near the window, observing the empty field outside. The moon's rays slowly shined down upon him.

Why the shit are you thinking so much? Hurry up and start getting angry or something! Oh wait, you can't! You can't feel anything or you'll risk meeting me again, right? Ahahaha!

And as if the trauma from his parent's conditions weren't enough, Shinki's annoying voice was constantly in his head, taunting him. Shinki wasn't wrong though, for Hishoji had spent the past few hours with a blank state of mind, even while the doctors were explaining the situation to him and Ayumi. Volt had tried to comfort the both of them, but Hishoji merely shrugged him off, and Ayumi had just nodded despondently.

So how was that nightmare just now? You know that I can make you have a different death every night in your dreams right? Hehe, this is so fun I can't even stop myself!

Shut up.

Shinki was starting to sound extremely irritating, and it was beginning to get on Hishoji's nerves. He took a deep breathe to calm himself. He hasn't drunk much water the entire day, and now his throat was positively parched. He turned and headed for the door. As he approached it, Volt opened it from the other side.

"Hey, there you are. You sure you okay?" Volt asked, the concern in his voice obvious. After all, hunters often lose people they know and love to monsters on a daily basis, so Volt could understand what Hishoji was going through. Of course, the difference here was that getting caught by a monster would give you near zero chance of survival, and Hishoji's parents had something Yukumo Village did not : technology.

"What do you want?" Hishoji was in no mood to answer Volt's question.

"Come on, I'm worried about you," Volt frowned underneath his helmet. "If you need someone to talk to, I'm always here."

"Whatever." Hishoji tried to push his way through Volt.

"You really shouldn't keep your feelings all clammed up inside. It's not good for your mental health."

"Trust me, I don't want this either. This is the closest I can get to feeling anything negative."

Haha, ain't that the truth.

I said shut up.

Volt stepped aside, allowing Hishoji to exit the ward. The latter turned to face him as he passed the hunter.

"I really don't think you should be near Ayumi now. Me and her, we both could do with some alone time."

"Right."

Hishoji nodded, and went down the corridor to the venting machine.

Despite Hishoji's advice however, Volt decided to enter the ward to look at the condition of the two patients inside.

He went beside them, and blinked. Both of them looked perfectly fine, and there wasn't as much as a single scratch on them.

"I thought it might have been a monster," He mumbled. "So much for that theory."


Hishoji looked at the choices of drinks in front of him. None of them looked particularly appealing in his current mindset, but it wasn't like he cared. His finger stopped halfway through pressing the button as a warm breeze blew slowly around the corridor.

Hishoji turned his head to look at where the breeze had come from. There were no windows down the corridor, but the breeze was causing his hair to stand on their ends. He had this awkward feeling that he had felt this sensation before.

No, you have not felt this before. You're getting this memory from me. Sister dear hit me with lightning too many times for me to forget it, Shinki sounded quite serious for once. Although this voltage is too low for it to be her. I think it's coming from that way.

Hishoji found his body moving of its own accord down the corridor.

What the hell, I didn't feel any emotions, how did you manage to-

There is a strong amount of rage in the air, and it's just enough for me to take over. Shinki replied quickly.

Hishoji turned the corner, approaching the exit at a dramatic speed. The receptionist gave a puzzled look at him as he went past, but otherwise did not attempt to stop him.


"Whoa, static? Here?" Volt looked down at his Jinouga armor in confusion as it began to glow softly. He had slain too many Jinougas to create this armor, and the memory of the static they created when they charged themselves up was imprinted in his mind. The glow began to get brighter, and the Jinouga fur started to stand up. "This much static?"

Ayumi found herself waking up after the glow hit her.

"What are you doing?" She rubbed her eyes, and looked at Volt's glowing armor with surprise. The glow was creating an odd tingling sensation on her skin.

"Something's out there." Volt replied, heading to the window. As he expected, there was a silhouette of something moving about on the empty field outside, although the moonlight wasn't bright enough to reveal what was. "And judging from its size, it's not human."


Hishoji found himself turning left, heading for the open field behind the hospital. The spikes of Eternal Wrath begun to appear, and Shinki seemed to be taking more of his body over by the second.

This suspense is killing me! Who is it that is emitting such rage? Shinki's voice inside Hishoji's mind was beginning to get louder. On the other hand, Hishoji found his vision beginning to fade as Shinki hijacked his body.

When they finally arrived at the field, Hishoji tried to take one last look at what was powerful enough to give Shinki the power to take over his body. The black shadow standing some twenty meters away sniggered, and then Shinki took complete control.

"So you've finally arrived. I was getting tired of waiting." The figure moved forward, revealing a muscular torso, equally muscular arms and two grayish horns, accompanied by two red eyes and a body full of black fur. The creature's face resembled a bull of sorts, and several fangs jutted out of its mouth.

"You look awfully familiar. What was the name for your species again...ah shit, I can't remember. Remind me again?"

"So it's true, then? The Awakened Fatalis Trio really had gone ahead and gotten themselves a bunch of weak humans to be their vessels. But then, what else could I have expected from monsters who had gotten themselves slain by said humans?"

"Your name, motherfucker, what is it?" Shinki clenched both of his fists.

"It's truly sad to see what used to be legends amongst monsters reduced to this state. As much as I hate to say it, I'm sure Alatreon's army is doing much better. At least I can be sure they don't rely on humans." The monster clenched its right fist as well.

"Fine then, ignore my question. Let the fists do the talking, eh?" Shinki leaped forward and threw his left arm forward, as the monster in front did the same with its right.

As both fists made contact with each other, the impact sent a small shock wave rippling along the floor, causing the grass to shake violently. Neither party was willing to give way to the other, resulting in a stalemate.

"You're...on par with my strength?" Shinki sounded surprised. Not many monsters could resist an attack from him, and even lesser could unleash their own attack to cancel out his. His memory slowly placed the monster's name. "Why are you here, Rajang?"

"Is it not obvious enough? I came to inform you of my alignment change. At the very least I came here to say it in front of your face."

"You would dare to commit treason on us?"

"Don't make it sound so bad, it's not like I'm joining Alatreon or something. Remaining neutral in this war seems the only logical solution. Besides, I only made this decision after confirming that the rumors were true."

"Rumors?"

"A Vespoid saw someone that had the same aura as the legendary Black Fatalis killing Jaggis this afternoon. It informed its queen, who in turn told everyone. The news soon spread like wildfire, and by now almost every monster from Pokke is in an uproar."

"Kuroi, you idiot. Hide your aura properly next time," Shinki muttered softly. He had watched the entire battle during the Jaggi attack through Kuroi's eyes while he was torturing Hishoji, and he had not spotted anything suspicious. Looking back, he had noticed a flutter of wings in a nearby tree back in the alley, but had assumed that it was merely a bird of some sort.

I had assumed the same, brother. Kuroi replied to him in Shinki's mind. Now might be a good chance to get some information. Ask him about the Elder Dragons.

Shinki clicked his tongue. He didn't like to do the job of gathering information, but this was a golden opportunity after all. "When you said every monster, does that include the Elder Dragons?"

"That would be for you to find out," The Rajang hopped backwards and turned his back to Shinki. "I'll take my leave now."

"Yeah, like hell that's happening after everything you said, you little shit!" Shinki didn't care anymore. He would get all the information he needed after he beat the living daylights out of the Rajang.

Shinki thrust his right fist towards the Rajang, embedding the spikes from Eternal Wrath into the Rajang's skin. "It's a pity one of us ain't leaving this field alive."

"You think?" The Rajang sneered and twitched a little as a shining golden aura enveloped its body, sending Shinki flying back. Before Shinki could recover, the Rajang jumped and pummeled him with a quick one-two punch, smashing him into the floor. It then picked up Shinki by his head with its hand.

"You're the crimson one, correct? Perhaps it has been far too long since you last used your powers, but this is beyond pathetic. Aren't you supposed to be the legendary embodiment of rage? What are you doing losing to someone like me?"The Rajang snickered.

Shinki let out a snarl and punched the fist holding him, causing the Rajang to drop him. He let out another punch aimed at the face of the Rajang, who swiftly dodged it by hopping back before countering with a headbutt.

As Shinki got the wind knocked out of him, the Rajang jumped behind him, brought both of its fists together, and sent them down straight into Shinki's face. The impact made a distinct 'boom' sound, and dust flew all around the two brawlers.

"I guess with that it's over." The Rajang moved towards the darkness once more. "That wasn't even close to a challenge."

The dust cleared itself and revealed Shinki still standing, although his legs were wobbly.

"This..." Shinki struggled to get his words out. "This fight is nowhere near over."

The Rajang gave an impressed stare at Shinki.

"Still standing? I guess you can't say you're the embodiment of rage if you died that easily, huh?" He moved back to Shinki, and lowered his face to be level with him. "You still got the spirit, at least. But you'll need more than that if you hope to defeat me."

He lifted up Shinki by the head again, and this time the latter didn't resist.

"I guess for being this persistent, I'll tell you something in return. I saw what happened to your vessels' parents. The monster who attacked them resembled a mountain in its size. Go figure," He flung Shinki towards the window from which Ayumi and Volt were watching in awe, stunned by the sight of the almighty Crimson Fatalis losing without even putting up much of a fight. "I'll be waiting for the day when you get your powers back."

Having said that, the Rajang tensed up its legs, then jumped up into the darkness of the moon. The golden aura gradually faded away into nothingness, leaving behind Shinki with his ego seriously bruised.


That bastard. I'll kill him. Should have gone full power from the start. Fucking shit. Shinki had been swearing nonstop since the battle was over. Hishoji checked the hospital clock. Visiting hours were nearly over, and already the nurses were beginning to ask them to go home. That asshole is going to pay. I fucking swear it.

Although the attack of the Rajang earlier would have mortally wounded any normal human, as Shinki was in control during the attack, Hishoji now suffered nothing more than a few bruises. Although he didn't say it, Hishoji was silently grateful for the armor mode of the Crimson Fatalis to be working during the battle. Otherwise, there might have been one more person lying in the ward now.

Shinki suffered the most as a result of the battle, for the Rajang had hit him where it hurt the most. For someone like me to lose to the likes of him...

Listen the hell up you little shit. I got a little deal for you. Shinki sounded solemn now.

Go on. Hishoji perked up, interested.

I'm probably gonna regret this, Shinki sighed, Let me hunt the bastard down the next time we encounter him. In return, I'll...try...to minimize all the torturing and shit I've been doing to you.

Hishoji couldn't believe what he was hearing. He could finally feel emotions properly again? Perhaps there was a God after all.

That Rajang made sense after all. I might be the legendary spirit of rage, but enclosed within a human body my power is restricted severely. You really need to do something about it. As for that Rajang, the next time we clash again, I'll make sure victory is claimed by me. After all, in a way, I did hold back...

Deal. I'd be a fool not to accept, hm?


"So I guess we're headed back home now?" Volt inquired as the three of them left the hospital.

"Yeah. Hey, why you didn't help Shinki earlier?"

"Tch, are you kidding me? You could literally sense the power gap between us. Only someone as arrogant as Shinki would try to take him on."

I heard that. Shinki growled.

"Heh, nice to know. You know what else is nicer? I believe I got a lead on who did this to our parents."

Ayumi's eyes lit up.

"What? Who?"

"There's only one monster who resembles a mountain in Monster Hunter," Hishoji narrowed his eyes in anger. "Lao Shan Lung."


Alatreon. The name that struck fear into the hearts of every monster, save for a certain trio of Fatalis. For while hunters used it as a general name for every one of the rare blazing black dragons, when monsters use it they refer only to the Awakened one.

He was well known for being a complete sadist and possessing not a single drop of mercy inside his large body. This was proven by the multiple dead Alatreon corpses around him that he had slain without a moment's hesitation. In his mind, only he was fit to be labelled as the single Legendary Elder Dragon. After all, how could he be the ruler if there were others who could potentially take his place?

And so it was with a heavy heart that the Awakened Lao Shan Lung approached him inside his lair, configured to look precisely as it did back when Alatreon was still at the Yukumo Region.

There were three others that walked alongside him, two bird wyverns known as the Yian Kut Ku and Yian Garuga. The third was a slender figure that appeared to be a human, and was dressed in a black robe that hid the face. The Lao Shan knew only too well that where he had failed they had succeeded.

"You understand, then? Tell everyone to keep a low profile. Tell them I allow only the Awakened to be roaming around, and even then they should hide their presence, lest any one of the three finds them." Alatreon was talking to a giant Vespoid that had a miniature crown on its head, which was a symbol of its position amongst the insects.

"And if any of the Awakened happened to be caught in an unfortunate situation with the three Fatalis and their vessels? The Vespoid Queen buzzed loudly, her wings reflecting the colors of the rainbow.

"If there is no choice, then kill them. But tell them this, should they pick that option, and fail to finish off the humans...life is going to be hell for them."

The Vespoid Queen nodded her tiny head to indicate that she understood, then flew upwards and took her leave. Alatreon turned his cold black eyes to the Lao Shan. He had heard about the Rocky Mountain Dragon's failure, for news traveled fast with the Vespoids and their queen on his side. He tapped the floor once with his claw.

"You blundering fool!"A geyser exploded near the enormous Mountain Elder Dragon, who trembled in fear.

"Aieeeee! I'm sorry! Please don't kill me, my lord! The area was too dark, I swear, I couldn't see anything!" The voice that came out of the gigantic Elder Dragon's mouth was squeaky, not what one would expect from one of that size.

"Maybe I should remove both of your eyes so you can't see anything forever. But considering that the plan didn't fail completely, you have five seconds to scram."Alatreon answered coldly.

"Yes sir! I won't fail you again! I swear!"The Awakened Lao Shan slowly backed off and vanished.

"Useless excuse for an Elder Dragon." Alatreon shook his head. The plan should have been flawless. Seek out the Fatalis vessels' parents with information gathered from the Vespoids, confirm their targets with the Awakened Kut Ku's powers, and then have the Awakened Lao Shan crush them in one attack. And yet the Elder Dragon had failed in doing such a simple task.

"But my lord, why are you getting so agitated? We did succeed after all." The robed figure's voice sounded distinctly female.

"Yeah man, purple bird here totally settled the two." The Kut Ku crowed.

The Yian Garuga gave a glare at the Kut Ku. "Don't call me that, you bloody chicken. Besides, humans are weak. One good roar into their minds is all it takes to break them."

They weren't wrong, for while the main plan had failed the backup one still worked. The two humans might not have been killed by the Lao Shan since they jumped out of the car a split second before the foot crushed it, but Alatreon had foreseen such an unfortunate outcome.

That was why he had decided to send the robed figure along with the two bird wyverns to assist the Lao Shan Lung, in order to ensure that the two humans would 'die' one way or another. And it was a good thing he did too, for without her(?) to command the two bird wyverns the entire plan probably wouldn't have worked at all.

"At least I know I can trust you to get the job done," Alatreon nodded at the robed figure. "All evidence of the attack is covered up, I assume?"

"Of course. After all, humans only believe what they see, no?"

"Well then I needn't have worried so much. It's not like they could bring the fight to me, not with just the three of them." Alatreon smiled. The odds were hugely against the Fatalis trio after all, what with both the monsters from Pokke and Yukumo seeking them out. "Be warned, cousins, your days are numbered."