Bit of a funny story with this chapter; originally, Remembrance had only been nine parts long. I hadn't gotten around to finishing it since I was in the middle of The Hunter's Oath while writing it. Still, I didn't think it was very fulfilling to just post those and be done, so I wrote this one as a continuation. There's still a bit more I'd like to write about before this reaches its conclusion, so I'm gonna be working on this along with the Master Corp. Of course, most of my effort's going into MC, so these chapters might be a bit shorter as a result. But hey, maybe there can be some tie ins between the prequel and the sequel! You never know! Alright, enjoy!

Between the lines-

A few weeks later…

"You two sure you don't want to come along? It's an easy quest. There'll be plenty of chances to get some rare stuff," Hugh said, sitting at a bench in the tavern with the others.

"Nah, I'm getting kinda sick of running around the desert all the time, Hugh," York replied. "Plus, the Flooded Forest should have a ton of other rare things for us to find; I hear there are some rare species of bugs there that artisans use on armor."

"Well, whatever, have fun catching bugs." The great sword user pushed himself to his feet, followed by Zephyr. "Zeph and I will tell you how well this Barroth hunt went when we get back!"

"Yeah, just don't get yourself creamed," Rose said with a short laugh. "We won't be there to bail you out this time!"

"Hey, I would've been fine even if you had missed! I've taken worse than a fireball from a Qurupeco!"

"Tell that to your armor. The smith said it'd be days before he'd come close to repairing the metal," York commented. "You sure you want to take on a Barroth with just a suit of leather armor?"

"If he gets flattened, I'll be able to get him out of there, no worries," Zephyr said. "At least I know when to dodge properly."

"Ah, don't you get started too! Come on, let's get going before these two actually convince you to go on a bug hunt with 'em," Hugh said, walking away and grumbling to himself. "Frickin' bugs! When'll those ever be important?" Zephyr followed soon after, shaking his head with an amused expression.

"He'll never learn," York sighed, getting to his feet. "Whaddya say we head out? Sooner we leave, sooner we get there."

"Sure, right behind you!" Rose replied, joining him. The pair walked up the steps beside the quest counter and made their way to the ship bound for the Flooded Forest, waving at Hugh and Zephyr as their friends boarded a sandship heading for the Sandy Plains. "Think they'll be okay?"

"If we come back worse than they do, I'd be pretty amazed."

It didn't take long for the two to find themselves standing at the base camp in the forest, standing beneath a large rocky overhang to keep dry. "Geez, when they said it was a flooded, I didn't think they were being so… literal," York commented, gazing at the veritable river beside the camp.

"At least it's cooler than the desert, right?" Rose pointed out. "I know how much you hate the heat, after all, so a bit of rain couldn't hurt."

"I guess you're right. So, you remember what the quest objective is, right?"

"Of course I do! I read the description and everything!"

"You want to go over it once more, just to be sure?"

"York, since when did you get so careful about everything?"

"Since the last assignment where you came back with about fifteen broken shells. We were looking for coral stones, remember?"

"…Well, sure, but I know what we're after this time, trust me." The archer seemed confident in her knowledge, so York decided to let it go. The pair left the camp, heading into a shallow river that branched off into a few other areas. There was almost nothing to shield them from the constant downpour, leaving the two soaking wet in a matter of seconds.

"I think it'd be smart if we split up to do this," York said. "The request was for twenty, and it'd be a waste of time to just follow each other around. How about you search the area off to the right, and I'll search around the one to the left."

"Oh, alright, I guess that's fine. Still, what if a Rathian shows up or something? This leather suit makes gathering easier, but in combat…"

"Why would one? The report said the environment was stable, so there shouldn't be any surprises. Still, if you need anything, just signal me; you have flares, right?"

"…Uhm…"

York sighed in amusement before handing her a few of the devices used to signal other hunters. "Just point it up and push the button. I'll see the light and come running, alright?"

"Okay, good luck, York!" The dual sword user watched her as she walked through the foliage into the next area before going on his way as well. It was a strange feeling; for once, he realized he was alone. For the past few years York had spent most of his time in the company of others, so it was a sort of welcome relief to be alone to his thoughts. York finished a short climb up the hill to find himself in a wide clearing with two small streams running off the side of a cliff into the river below. He peered over the edge, noting the distance between the murky water below and himself.

That would kill a normal person… Still… Height always seems to be an issue for things like this. Wonder if there's an easier way to slow a person's descent… Better stay clear for now. He walked away from the edge towards a small patch of trees; there were numerous insects fluttering about or crawling on the ground, making it a perfect spot to gather from. He quickly grabbed a bug catching net from his pouch before opening it up and beginning to work. Before long, York had several rare insects held in small jars he placed in his pouch, and he was heading down a small cave that was rich with ore. Some veins underneath a small pond were colored an unusual red.

"That must be pelagicite ore. I should get some before making my way back… Not sure when I'll get another chance." The hunter mined a few nodes outside of the water before diving into the light blue liquid and continuing to gather the rare ore. It was more difficult to use the pickaxe beneath the water than above, but York was pleased to see the sizable chunks of fossilized bone break away with each swing. After getting as much as he could, York swam back to the surface and to pulled himself onto shore, shaking his clothes to wring the water out.

"Didn't realize it'd be that cold…" he mumbled, stepping out of the cave into another clearing. "Better find Rose and see how she's doing… I could definitely use a towel soon." York continued back down the hill he had climbed previously, heading into another clearing. This one was half land, half water; the dual blade wielder could see where the shallow stream flowed into a deep river leading farther into the flooded section of the forest. York spied the entrance to the area Rose had walked into previously, and began making his way over to the path inside.

Before he got far though, several creatures suddenly burst from the waves and landed before him! York instinctively drew his two swords and readied himself; three alligator like beasts turned to face him, growling and hissing at him threateningly. "Ludroths, huh… Nothing big."

One of the leviathans leapt towards the hunter, intending to tackle him to the ground; reacting quickly, York crouched low and stabbed the Ludroth as it passed over him, thrusting his iron sword through its heart and killing it instantly! York spun and slammed its carcass into the ground behind him, turning to face its brethren as they ran towards him. The second ludroth attempted to bite at his leg; York stopped its jaw with his shorter sword, grimacing a bit as it clamped down on the weapon and tried to wrench it from his grasp. With a small effort, he pulled his other sword free from the ground and the body of the ludroth, beating the second over the head with the hilt and freeing his second sword. With a quick pair of slashes, the ludroth's throat was cut, and it bled out before him, the crimson liquid flowing into the stream and being pushed along with the current.

Wait… there was a third one! The hunter just barely ducked as a glob of watery goo flung past him, splashing in the water a few feet from him. York turned quickly, but didn't have time to react as the ludroth flung itself at him and knocked him to the ground! His swords left his grasp when he struck the floor, flinching as the back of his head struck a particularly hard root. He quickly shook himself out of the daze, though; the ludroth was still atop him, and was about to bite at his throat!

York reacted fast, punching the side of the beast's head before it reached him. It growled in irritation before trying to attack him again! This time, York caught the ludroth's jaw with both hands, struggling to keep them away from his exposed throat. With a powerful heave, York threw the creature off of him, rolled back and drew his axe. As the creature recovered, York rushed at it, swinging the blade below its head and striking its jugular. The bottom of the tomahawk had caught on its jawbone; with a shout and a deal of effort, York threw the leviathan over his back and into a rock wall before him, killing it from the spine shattering impact!

"Don't screw with me." The hunter went and retrieved his blades from where they had fallen earlier; it wasn't a challenge, considering the handles were made from bright Jaggi hides, but one of the blades had landed in the stream, requiring York to reach his hand into the cool water to retrieve it. He was a bit sore from the tackle, so he popped the cork off a potion and drank the contents of the bottle, letting the concoction alleviate the pain from his injuries. He then went to the bodies of the ludroths he had slain, carving a few quality materials off of the carcasses. He made note of the small sponge he pulled off of the third ludroth.

"Huh… this seems pretty absorbent… Could soften the impact from a blow if it were a bit more aged…"

A short cry from the next area immediately drew his attention away from the material though! "That was Rose…!" York immediately sprinted towards the area, ignoring everything else between him and the path into the area his partner was in. He only increased his speed when he saw the bright yellow flare shoot into the air, and heard a loud roar from over the trees! The hunter burst through the foliage into the area, taking only a second to take in the sight before him.

Rose was lying on the ground staring fearfully at a large black monster as it slowly walked over to the unarmed huntress; her bow was lying in pieces on the ground between her and it. Knowing if he didn't do something, she wouldn't survive, York immediately leapt into action! With a feat of strength even he didn't know he was capable of, York full body checked the creature before him, actually shoving it out of the way! It yelped in surprise before turning to face him; York made sure to point out that mistake by slicing out its left eye. The beast stumbled back in surprise, blood flowing from its once glowing eye socket.

"Rose! Are you okay!?" York said, placing himself between her and the black monster. "Try and get somewhere safe; I'll drive it off!" Without waiting to hear a reply, he immediately charged at the monster again, shouting as ferociously as he could. If I can injure it enough, maybe I can get it to flee from its wounds… York rolled beneath the creature's wing as it slashed at him with razor sharp claws, coming to a stop and slashing its side as he rose to his feet. Before he could strike again, though, York had to fling himself over the monster's tail as it flew towards him, narrowly evading the spikes that tipped the appendage. Again, the hunter retaliated, trying to cut the tendons in the creature's leg; he flinched in surprise as his blade bounced harmlessly off its thick bone!

Didn't have time to sharpen them… York rolled away again as the beast's jaws clamped shut in the space he had occupied only a second before, grabbing a smoke bomb from his pouch and throwing it to the ground in the process. A white fog formed around the area, blocking the creature's sight and allowing the hunter a few seconds of respite. He quickly fished a whetstone out of his pouch and sharpened the two blades as fast as he could. Before he could get them as sharp as possible though, the fog cleared and exposed the panther-like monster again.

Goddamn rain… that should've worked for longer… With no other choice, York again charged at the monster as it roared, flinching a bit from the sound. It quickly leapt into the air, flipping over and bringing its tail down on him! The dual blade user instinctively dodged to the side, recovering quickly and closing the distance between himself and the beast. With a strong push of his legs, he propelled himself forwards, driving both blades into the creature's side; they didn't cut deep, but York swung them both in either direction to cut a longer wound. Still, this did little more to irritate it; after pulling its tail free from the ground, the panther-beast bat him back with a quick strike from its wing. It didn't harm York much, but it was enough to force the hunter to stumble back to keep his balance.

Damn, this thing is fast… If Rose isn't hidden already, it might go after her while I'm recovering! Where is she? York spared a moment to look over where the archer had been lying before; Rose had only managed to drag herself a few feet away from the spot she had been! Now York could tell why she didn't run; her ankle was twisted at a bad angle, preventing her from more than a slow crawl.

York quickly returned his attention back to the monster he had been fighting; it had been able to put a good distance between them in the split second York had spent checking on Rose. It seemed to have been whipping its tail above itself; he barely had any time to understand why before noticing several spikes in the air, just inches from his head! As fast as he possibly could, York dodged the projectiles, relieved as he saw a large group fly past where he had stood not a second before.

This relief was suddenly shattered as a burning pain tore through his right shoulder! The hunter found himself thrown back into a wall behind him, grunting as the impact dazed him. He spared a glance at his injured shoulder; a large black spike had pierced through the metal plating, going through his shoulder and exiting out the back, with the end of the spike piercing the stone behind him; he had been pinned to the wall! York barely had time to look up as the monster charged him again! He tried to raise his free arm in defense, but knew there was no way he could block the charge.

"Dammit…!"

York felt a horrendous pain as his torso was torn own by the creature's claws! It was greater than anything he had ever received before; from the upper left of his chest all the way to his right hip, his armor and flesh were rend apart, spilling his blood on the forest floor. York could only cough in agony, spitting up even more blood from the grievous wound on his chest. The hunter struggled to stay conscious, forcing himself to look up at the creature. It had turned it's red-eyed glare from him to Rose, who sat cowering behind a tree and staring at the scene before her, horrified.

Can't… let it… get to her…

York's mind was a dull haze as he forced his arm up, grabbing at the spike embedded in his shoulder. He felt nothing as he tore the spike free from his arm, not caring about opening another wound. Only one thing mattered to him at the moment, through all the pain, through his blurring vision.

The beast couldn't get to Rose.

With all the effort he could muster, York drove the spike into the base of the monster's skull, piercing its brainstem and mortally wounding it! The creature couldn't even respond as it suddenly spasmed from the wound, slouching down to the slowly as its life began to flee its unmoving body. York hardly noticed, though; he had fallen back, blacking out before he even hit the ground.

York came to as he felt something poking at a strange spot on his neck. He felt extremely light headed, and his entire body was wracked with pain. Still, the touch on his neck seemed to be the most important thing at the moment.

"York, say something! Anything! Please… You can't be… No…"

He slowly blinked his eyes open, seeing Rose kneeling beside him and crying. He weakly forced his hand up and grabbed her wrist, pulling her from her state and into complete shock.

"I ain't dead yet, Rose…" he said weakly, forcing himself to smile.

"York! Oh, thank god you're alright! I thought you… I need to treat your wounds, hold on!"

The dual blade user chuckled a bit, remembering her awkwardly poking at his neck. "You… weren't trying to check my pulse… were you?"

"Of course I was! You were bleeding like crazy! I didn't feel anything, and I thought-"

"You just checked the wrong spot, lady… It's lower down the neck…" he said, weakly motioning at the correct spot. Despite all her worry, Rose still laughed at the comment, which brought another smile to his face. Good to see someone's still optimistic…

Rose quickly dressed York's wounds with the bandages she had then, stopping the flow of blood as best she could and helping him to his feet. She had to support him the whole way; if Rose hadn't been holding him up, the dual blade user probably would've fallen face first into the shallow water they were walking through.

"You don't have to hold me… You're ankle's still hurt, isn't it…?"

"No, I put a splint on it after I patched you up. I'm fine; you really shouldn't be worrying about me right now, York…"

She helped him through the next area and into the base camp, lying him on the bed inside the tent and grabbing several medical supplies out of an item box. "Hold still… This might hurt… a lot."

York grimaced in pain as he felt the wound on his chest burn for a few moments, but felt relief as it cooled down and became a soothing relief. Rose worked quickly, wrapping his entire torso expertly as she healed the wound. After a few minutes, she was done.

"How did you…?" York asked, amazed. "Where did you learn to treat wounds like that?"

"My mother was a nurse; I learned a lot from her, actually. I used herbs to disinfect the wound; I put the bandages over them so it would close faster too… I'm just so glad you're okay, York…"

"Heh, well, I don't plan on letting some random monster kill me this soon into my career…" he replied, beginning to push himself up. A short burst of pain and a light push from Rose immediately forced him onto his back again.

"Don't move! Until the wound closes, you're just going to hurt yourself more if you try anything!" she said, worriedly.

York let out a short, irritated sigh, but did as she said; there was no use in causing further harm to himself. "Well, I guess I'm stuck here then… Do you have everything we need to finish the quest?"

"The quest!? How can you be thinking about the quest at a time like this!?"

"...So I'll have money to pay the hospital bills…?"

"…I guess you have a point… But, uh… York? What… what was the objective again…? I kinda forgot…"

York chuckled again, very much amused by her statement. "I told you to read the sheet again… It's twenty Royal Rhinos… I have about a dozen already, just go out and catch a few more and we'll be done."

"Alright, I know what those are! I'll be back as soon as I can! Don't move, okay?"

"Wasn't planning on it."

York watched her dash out of the tent and disappear from sight, grabbing a few nets as she went. The hunter again tried to move himself a bit, but another sharp pain stopped him from making any more repeat attempts. Dammit… I'm not used to being this injured…

A few minutes passed slowly, and all York could do to occupy himself was gaze about the tent restlessly, wanting to get up but knowing he couldn't. One thing that caught his attention was the black spike resting on the table beside him. His shoulder wound twinged a bit at the sight of the object, but York couldn't look away as he gazed at the spike.

That thing's really sharp… It's too short for a sword though… Maybe I could use it for a dagger or something…

A few splashes outside the tent drew his attention away from the spike then. "Rose? That you?"

The only response to his question was a small head poking into the tent; York froze as he realized that somehow, a small carnivore had made its way into the camp, and now it was eyeing him hungrily. York tried to force himself to grab at the spike beside him, gasping as several waves of pains shot throughout his body. He eventually clutched the spike in his left hand, flinching as the sharp edge cut his fingers. The creature began to walk into the tent slowly, still eyeing him warily. If it attacks me, I don't know if I'll be able to kill it in one strike…

"No!"

York blinked once in surprise as he saw the carnivore suddenly pulled outside of the tent by its tail! He heard several sounds of what seemed to be a scuffle; a few short, pained yelps were mixed with angry screams and curses, until eventually there was a prominent snapping of a bone, and everything outside went quiet. The flap to the tent again burst open, and this time Rose walked in, extremely concerned but relieved to see him ok.

"Thank god… I just saw its tail, so I thought…"

"Uh… Rose? Did you just…"

The huntress gave him a confused look before pulling out a few jars holding a couple bugs within them. "I got all the Royal Rhinos, yeah."

"No, I mean… you didn't have a weapon on you…"

Her face reddened a bit, but she smiled warmly at him. "That wroggi won't bother anyone anymore, trust me."

"…You beat it to death?"

"And then some."

I was telling a few stories to some friends a few days ago, and realized while writing this that sometimes, when you recall past events, you leave out some bits to make it shorter or you just remember things differently. If you went back to my early chapters in The Hunter's Oath to check dialogue and events, I did keep it fairly accurate; this is what actually happened, and that was how they recalled the events. Kinda funny when you think about it, eh? Alright, until next time, don't forget to review and follow!