Chapter 9: Phantom Kirins and the Journey Ahead….
Hurricurse was dreaming, but this time, it was not taking place on ARK Island with Liniar. Instead, it was in a white, infinite expanse, with nothing but him standing in it.
Or at least, so he thought. He felt a cold breeze behind him and turned to see a Kirin, a horse like Elder Dragon. But something about it was... familiar. He did not know why, but a familiar presence was inside that Kirin.
The kirin spoke in a voice that sounded like a girl's.
Hurricurse, we meet at last!
Hurricurse was taken off guard by this.
"How do you know me?" He asked.
The Kirin made giggle, like a playful girl.
I just wanted to see you, at least this once. My name is Kama. Hurricurse, do you remember Liniar? She loved Kirins like me, and she definitely loved you like a brother.
Hurricurse was now getting even more interested. But Kama then started to fade away. Hurricurse became desperate!
"WAIT!" He yelled. "TELL ME MORE!"
But by the time he said this, Kama's form was gone. But then her voice called out to Hurricurse.
You will remember more when you dream more! Now... awake!
Hurricurse woke up after that. He did not know what to make of the dream he had. Was it really just a dream? Or was he being told something very valuable?
Regardless, he got ready for the journey ahead, since it was already daylight out, so no sense of going back to sleep now.
He met up with Kisisa, Taka, Arion and Shira, who were already at Central City's gates, although not for very long. They were going to head to Chica Village, another settlement in the Revalius Region. They knew that, to get there, they would have to go through Murkwood Marsh, a dark, humid swamp area, then go through Drenched Jungle, a rainforest area with overflowing rivers and near constant rainy weather, and once that is over, they could go through Pride Savannah, a savannah region with long grasses, the occasional, though scarcely populated trees, and many large insect mounds. They would then have to find Chica Village in the sub region of Revalius, known as "The Outlands", a desert region with the occasional oasis, and large rocky mountains, as well as it being home to a lion like race of people, known as the Leonians.
But as fast as it would be if they had shapeshifted into flying forms to get there, Taka and Hurricurse agreed not to, since it would probably draw too much attention at this point. So they would go on foot. They did bring everything they would need for the journey, rations, first aid kits, drinks, tents, and all the other essentials.
They decided to start the journey now, and headed to Murkwood Marsh, which there was indeed a road near Central City that lead through the area. Central City was, after all, the central point and capital of the Revalius region, popular with traders all over Revalius. It had roads that lead to all the other settlements reachable on foot in the region, for traveling caravans and other travelers.
A couple days later...
The group had reached Murkwod Marsh, which was, as expected, a swamp region, with mud, swamp water, humid air, and strange plant life. It was dark when the group was there, even though they got here in the day, since the trees here blocked most of the sunlight, letting very few of it shining down, making it barely visible here.
But of course, there were monsters here. The Group would occasionally see Mosswine, feeding on mushrooms abundant here, along with Bullfango, which they gave a wide berth, as well as a few small herds of Slagtoth, munching on the plant life near the water. As for carnivorous creatures, the group did have to defend themselves occasionally from Wroggis and Ioprey packs, which made their home here, as well as the occasional, and honestly quite annoying, Vespoid swarm.
But once they were past a point in the Murkwood Marsh, they heard barking and screeching noises, as well as clicking noises. The Noises themselves were too varied to be simple bird calls or wolves. It was a language! A Monster species language! Something was here!
The group drew their weapons, and formed a circle, ready to fight whatever was stalking them at this moment. The nearby shrubs started to shake and a strange Raptorial bird Wyvern, with greyish blue scales, large, thick jaws, a bluish colored, velociprey like crest, cat like eyes on top of the head, and a relatively large size (being roughly the size of an Arzuros to be exact) jumped out! Then more of it's kind came out from everywhere!
Taka had never seen Raptorial Bird wyverns like these! He wondered if they were a species unique to Revalius. But Arion knew what they were!
"A Feroni pack!" She yelled. "Careful, the Alpha may not be far behind!"
Everyone else took note of this, and as if on cue, a larger, deeper barking sound came from the large rock nearby, everyone looked to see the Alpha of the pack himself! The Great Feroni! It was easily twice the size of it's minions, sporting a larger, Purple crest that reminded Taka of a Velocidrome's crest, only with a hole in the middle of the sides, probably to make the head crest a bit lighter in weight.
The Great Feroni jumped down, and landed near Hurricurse! It made a threatening bark growling sound at him, and seemed to be studying him, like it was interested in him for some reason.
Great Feroni and their minions were known as the "Savage Raptors", for being the most savage, and quite possibly the most dangerous of all Raptorial Bird Wyverns in Revalius, and quite possibly the world! True, they did not sport paralyzing venom, toxins that sapped one's health, or sleep inducing agents, but they did have size, intelligence, adaptability, and great teamwork skills! With these qualities and their pack's sheer numbers alone, they could take down even a Rathalos or Rathian, according to some reports! Other reports even said that some packs were not even afraid to attack a Deviljho wandering in their hunting grounds! In fact, the only things that seem to scare them are Elder Dragons.
But strangely, when one of the Feronis tried to attack, probably out of hunger, the Great Feroni stopped it, screeching at it, as if scolding it, reminding it who is "The boss" in the pack, and then continued to analyze the group, especially Hurricurse.
Taka said something after a while.
"I don't think I sense hostility." He said.
Shira argued. "Like heck you don't! I see a pack of hungry eyes staring at us! Seems hostile to me!"
Taka countered. "Had they been hostile, I would think they would all be attacking right now! They seem to be just interested in Hurricurse, in case you did not notice."
Arion, Shira and Kisisa looked to see that the Great Feroni was indeed, still analyzing Hurricurse! But why? Why would it not just attack now?
Taka continued. "I think they just want to be sure no one does something rash, that's all."
The Great Feroni then stepped towards Hurricurse. It spoke to him.
So you are the one Ignitus told us about, are you?! You are Hurricurse after all, yes?
Hurricurse was shocked.
"I am Hurricurse, but, how do you know Ignitus?"
The Great Feroni answered.
Ignitus went around Revalius, and we were some of the monsters that heard of you, Hurricurse! How you risked your very life defending him, and your other friends at the Monster cemetery from a duo of Indomilos! You were either brave, foolish, or a bit of both.
Hurricurse did not deny that facing two Indomilos at once was a foolish, and almost suicidal, thing to do. The Great Feroni spoke more, though in a grim tone.
You and your friends should get out of here as soon as possible. There is a strange looking Deviljho here in this Marsh, who calls himself Akuma. When I say "Strange looking" I mean he does not look like your average Deviljho, even from around here. He says he is a "Starving Deviljho", a Deviljho created, not born, to devour all he can out power. I don't know how much truth there is to his words, but I would advise you avoid him. We must leave, look for food. Good luck, you will need it!
And with that, the Great Feroni made an order to his pack, and the whole pack left. Hurricurse did not know what the raptor meant by a "Starving Deviljho", but it did not sound friendly at all. The group decided to move on, and pick up pace, before something else shows up.
-,-,
Now who or what is that Phantom Kirin, Kama? And what in the heck is a Starving Deviljho doing in Revalius? Find out next time on Monster Hunter Hurricurse 1: Journey! (probably a failed attempt at a Dragonball Z joke, but I tried…)
Anyways, stay tuned for an unpleasant guest!