Monster Hunter: The Dragon Corps

Chapter 14

The ground continued to shake as the Ashen Lao drew closer and closer. It wasn't moving quickly but its large frame caused a small tremor as it lifted its great leg and dropped it. It was large, even by Lao standards. It easily filled the wide valley path forged by nature and man. The large pathways were dug out by guild hunters countless years ago to aid in the defence of the fortress. The wooden towers that dotted the valley where a new development, made quickly for archers and gunners so they could get a higher position, but they were easily destroyed. Garet remembered an unfortunate hunter named Al who got skewered by a Gaoren claw while standing on one.

The hunters stationed by the boulders on the cliff froze as the great elder dragon approached. They weren't sure if they should fight or flee, some fled, some decided to fight. Garet watched and shook his head. Some looked back and returned, redeeming themselves while others ran and never looked back. In the space of a few seconds seventeen hunters fled, reducing the already dwindling garrison even more. The men and women behind him stood with their heads held high, they managed to control their fear, for now at least.

The only sound next to the Lao was the clinking of armour, which was only intensified by the narrow tunnels throughout the fortress. Garet knew they only had one chance, and that was to hit hard and fast. They needed to do as much damage as possible so the dragonator could finish the job. There were only a small number of melee fighters present, the bulk of the force were gunners and bowmen, followed by the boulder guys.

Leading his group of three hunters including himself, Garet set out after the Lao. At his right was Keira, her red hair didn't suit the grey and dark colour of the valley, but it was welcome. She carried herself as a normal hunter would, ready to spring into action at any moment. The second was the young hunter named Blank who wore the different pieces of armour. He was scared and wasn't ashamed to show it. His shoulders were heavy, nearly as if he was struggling against some unknown weight. His armour was dirty now from the grime and dirt that fell from the Cliffside. The third member wore a full suit of Gravios mail, his stone-like suit easily matching the stone of the valley. Garet found himself having to look twice just to pick him out. He was known by a few hunters as 'Rick the basher' due to the spiked hammer he carried with him always and the wild style in which he used it. He relied mainly on full-power swings, relying on his power to carry him through. Garet hoped he would change his view for this fight because no one would outmatch a Lao for strength, it was like a plant swearing off sunlight, it just wasn't gonna happen.

The Lao looked angry, it sounded angry and its tail swished behind it angrily. It eyed the hunters warily, almost as if it expected a fight. Scars and breakages were visible along its massive body, it had defiantly seen more than a few battles in its time. But what really hit Garet was the fact that the majority of the wounds were larger than any sword could cause, it must have been attacked by another monster just as large or powerful and Garet could only think of one, a Fatalis.

A cold shiver ran up his back as he stopped in the middle of the valley, his Eager Clever drawn. He heard weapons leave their holsters and he knew they would be willing to die for the cause, or at least he hoped they would "Be careful Keira" he reminded. She replied by placing her hand on his arm, whispering "I will" gently. Smoke spewed from the monsters mouth, it was defiantly angry! It suddenly increased its speed and the mass of strength, ashen coloured scales and muscle charged towards them, easily covering the distance which separated monster from hunter.

The time had come to test steel against fang… Taking a deep breathe Garet turned to his team-mates "Get ready!" he shouted, trying to make his voice fill the valley and succeeding "We will not falter" he said, dropping his voice to nearly a whisper, but everyone behind him heard clearly "For the guild!"

"For the guild!" added Blank, swallowing his fear to draw his Lao lance. Garet had heard from Blaze that the kids father was a hero in his village who wielded nothing but weapons made from Lao materials. He hoped he knew how to use it as well as his father could, that would be welcome.

Garet ran forward, his sword trailing through the ground, its sharpness cutting any stone imbedded in the earth below, releasing a small discharge of electricity as he went. Keira looked at the sight in awe, the lightning made him appear more than just a hunter, he resembled a charging Kirin. The Lao lowered its head and Garet struck its chin with a swift, powerful stroke, more lightning showering the beast! Almost as fast as it lowered its head its raised it again with a mighty roar echoing throughout the valley "That's it, c'mon Lao. Lets go!" As Garet darted forward toward its hind legs it rose high into the sky, standing on its mighty hind legs. Almost as though he were expecting it Garet smiled within himself, keeping his face as expressionless as a stone as his sword grazed the thick scales protecting the Lao's right-hind leg. It was so thick you could hardly call it scales, it was harder than any wyvern scale and carapace he'd ever cut through before, but he cut through all the others before and he'd do the same now.

Keira, Blank and Rick dropped to their knees and clutched their ears desperately as the Lao roared once again. Only Garet kept moving, driven by some unknown force he had no control over. His arms moved of their own free will as he repeatedly struck the thick scales guarding its legs, he just kept striking, drawing more and more blood as he did so. Eventually the massive monster dropped and sent a huge shockwave through the ground, knocking every hunter present on their backs.

Rick wasn't as lucky as the others however and was sent flying with a single swipe of the dragons claws! He struck one of the wooden towers roughly sixty feet down the path. Even at that distance Garet could hear his bones crack over the splintering and cracking of wood, even the Lao's roar paled in comparison to the sound of human bone cracking and breaking.

Blank looked over his shoulder, his face was pale as the hide of a Khezu, his eyes were filled with tears. They weren't ones of pity or remorse, but ones of fear and relieve, relieve it wasn't him who got crushed like a twig. His tightly shut jaw slackened for a second and his voice wavered as though he'd just seen his entire family killed before his eyes "W-W-W were gonna die!!" he screamed at the top of his lungs, hands shaking as he held his weapon tightly, his knuckles turning white "It'll kill us all" he said in a whisper as he fell to his knees, dropping his weapon at his side. He punched the ground continually before he was brought back to reality by a harsh slap from Keira! His tear filled eyes met her anger filled ones, but there was something kind in them "Blank move or you will die" she said in a tone that said 'don't disobey me boy'.

He felt a strong hand lift him to his feet and another close his hand around his weapon. Blank stared as Blaze towered above him, his powerful Dragon Slayer in his hand, his Fatalis armour, although coloured black as night seemed to shine menacingly with the beats strength "Are you a man? Then stand on your own feet and prove it. Save yourself some pride at least boy!" He made his voice harsh, but his face was expressionless, save for a single line of worry on his brow. But it quickly vanished into a smile as he looked at Garet.

After the shockwave he was sent flying into the valley wall. A small pool of blood was visible where he lay and it soon became obvious why, his right shoulder wound had opened once more, accompanied with a wound on the left side of his face. Without thinking he remembered one of the lessons Blaze taught him when he was younger "Seek the flame within". As he rose all pain seemed to leave his face. He concentrated all his pain, anger and hatred into a single flame in his mind and allowed it to flare, small at first but then larger and larger until it became a roaring blaze!

The Lao turned its large neck so it looked him straight in the eye. Its large maw opened wide and from its throat came a steady stream of flame, strong enough to put that of three or four Gravios to shame. Garet jumped to the side, a flicker of pain crossing his face before it vanished, becoming one with the flame in his mind "That's it. Feed the flame". The steady stream of flame was hot as the lave that ran through the volcano, and enough to burn the skin from your bones and reduce the bones to ash afterwards.

Blaze nodded his head, allowing his aged face to give way to a proud smile, as though he were a father congratulating a son on their first hunt. Turning back to the youngster standing shaking beside him his face turned grave once more. Blank's face was pale, as though he'd looked into a mirror and saw deaths rooting face staring back. It was a sight Blaze remembered all to well, every hunter went through it at some time, but none as young as Blank was. By normal protocol the kid shouldn't even have been there, but he was and there was little he could do to comfort the child except tell him to sack up and fight like a man he wasn't old enough to be.

The Lao turned in the only part of the valley which would allow it and swung its massive tail towards Garet. He avoided it, and cut clean through the tip, spraying the ground of the valley path with new blood. The dragon raised its large head and released yet anther mighty roar! Only two hunters withstood it, Garet and Blaze and now both were on the move. He was one with his sword and moved like he truly was.

As the tip of the tail fell limp on the floor Garet moved over it striking the monsters hind legs once more, this time bouncing off completely! Cursing he stopped and moved away towards the front. He knew he wouldn't survive another shockwave, especially if he was sent flying into the wall again. He darted through a small tunnel, Blaze and Keira following behind him quickly. Blank however didn't move. It was as though he had become a tree and was rooted to the earth. Every time he tried to move he found he couldn't, even when the Lao dropped softly to the ground and moved toward him, teeth as sharp as any sword bared widely, almost as if the monster was smiling at him.

But the smile didn't last as it jerked its maw forward and severed him from the waist up! Blood spurted from his lower half before falling to the ground with a thump. Despite the armour Blank wore the Lao easily chewed through it and swallowed regardless. Before moving on it took the time to swallow the rest of him.

More anger filled the flame in Garet's mind as he saw that only Blaze and Keira followed him "Where's the kid!?" he demanded, although the anger wasn't present in his voice "He wasn't far behind us, was he?"

Keira turned to go after him but Blaze stopped her abruptly, shaking his head slowly. She looked at Garet, seeking help but he turned his head away and sighed, dropping his shoulders as he did so "…Keira" he said but she cut in before he could finish "Don't even try to apologize! He was your team-mate…and you don't even care!"

He dropped his Eager Clever as she pushed her way past him, tears filling her eyes. Garet stood still, shaking with disbelief "Am I to blame? Blaze I-"

"Don't continue down that path son, it only leads to madness and there's enough of that in this world as it is. Come on we can catch it further up the path. It should be passing by the gunners by now" Garet turned to face the veteran hunter and nodded, a false smile on his face, fists clenched tightly "She'll do something stupid, I can feel it".

The gunners fired continually. The continual cycle of fire, reloading and fire again became the only sound apart from the roar of the Lao or the sound of a mighty claw touching earth. Leon was another hunter who found himself called upon to fight. He had no problem with that, for him hunts were fun and the larger the quarry the funner it became, at least for him.

Most considered him mad, sometimes he believed it himself. His hair was long, touching his lower back easily. He wore a smile upon his dirty face, yellow eyes all but camouflaged beside the dirt, but still revealing a small glint. He was tall, roughly six foot high with a small scimitar shaped sword hanging from his waist on a black chain.

He released arrow after arrow, the Nargacuga bracers he wore meant he avoided any injury to his wrist or forearm. He grinned happily as he slung three arrows at once and pulled the string straight back to his chin. It was probably the tightest string the crafter in Kokota Village had ever strung. Even the strongest man would have struggled to pull that bow back. His weapon and armour were made from the blight of the Great Forest, The Nargacuga, the embodiment of darkness.

The bow seemed to hiss with the monsters strength and roar as he released the three arrows, the fletching tickling his face as it passed by before sticking straight into the thick scales of the Lao. It didn't take any notice and if it had it had been only for a slip second, if even. He looked at the Lao fiercely before turning to the bowmen behind him "Concentrate the fire on its face!" he bellowed "Take out its eyes".

Before he even finished speaking the volley began, countless arrows filled the sky despite the fact only ten people stood behind him. They were standing on one of the bridges spanning the length of the valley, each member stood apart so the other could move when the Lao attacked. It didn't take long for the Rembora to join the battle, but they were near the actual gate of the fortress. Strapping the bow to his back he drew the scimitar, a long curved piece of steel, a dragon design embroidering the crossgaurd.

As the Lao drew closer he took several steps back until he was standing at the edge of the ridge. After three deep breathes he sprang forward, leaping through the air, scimitar rose high into the sky before he brought it down, straight into the monsters eye! Leon was jerked into the sky, his grip tightening on his scimitar, a broad grin on his face. He could hear the mutterings of the others on the ridge "…he is mad…" was one while another was "…crazy bastard…".

The comments however just drove him more. Placing his foot on the Lao's face he pulled his sword free and ran his blade straight down its chest. It was a pity it wasn't a bigger weapon or we would have killed it. The dirt on his face mixed with the Lao's blood as he quickly slid down the massive creature, his yellow eyes carried more of a golden glint than ever, he was enjoying himself and that scared his allies more than the Lao ever could.

He jumped from the Lao as he neared the bottom and vaulted through the air, landing very softly despite the height of the drop. As he glanced over his shoulder he noticed his bowmen were firing once again. Before he could go any further a broad shouldered man with no hair, save for a single ponytail on the top of his skull caught his wrist with an iron grip "Get back Leon" he said, his voice was harsh and strong and Leon suddenly knew he wasn't going to disobey. Reluctantly he rose, a dissatisfied look upon his face, which soon turned to pride when he saw the wounds he'd caused the Lao "Think I could do that again captain? Most people-" he was cut off abruptly by a fist in the gut! He buckled over and fell limp on the man's arms a single word on his tongue as he did so and that was "Damn…you…"

Garet noticed the near-bald man bring in a young man with long hair who wore Nargacuga mail, bow and a steel scimitar drenched in blood "Please tell that ain't his blood" said Garet looking at the man who was covered in more blood than not. There had been more than enough brash and hasty youths who were driven by some desire for glory, or fear itself to try their hand against the Lao, only to end up battered or dead.

He'd seen some horror in his time as a hunter but the worst displays were when they defended the fortress or Castle Schrade from a Fatalis. The young man suddenly awoke and shook Garet's outstretched hand and smiled "You have a different aura from others" he said in a creepy manner which caused more than a few upraised eyebrows.

"Say what?" replied Garet, not knowing to take the comment as a complement or an insult "What's that about…my 'aura'?"

"You've seen death and by the feel of it more than once" replied Leon in a drear manner, as though he'd got the wind knocked from him "I can feel people's auras. Don't ask me how, I just can".

"Yeah well your startin' to creep me out a little kid, so later". As Garet walked away he shook his head "Damn kid. He's ravin' mad!"

But Leon's madness didn't even register among the guild. The Lao had broken through the first two areas and now only one more trail of valley and hunters separated it and the fortress gate, and in turn their homes beyond. That was something they weren't gonna give up without a fight.

Thoughts of his family filled his weary mind. His mother with her gentle smile which now passed to Ellie was a welcome thought indeed. His mother was small and weak but she had a fierceness rivalled only by that of a Tigrex, her yellow eyes pierced and glistened with a spark not of this world and when she gave you an order you followed it, otherwise you got a slipper up across the jaw.

His thoughts however were interrupted by a small merchant, sweating with fatigue. His robes were a mess, one arm was uncovered in his haste "Sir Garet! Sir Garet!" he shouted continually. "I'm here. What's wrong?"

"It's Keira!" he said, loud enough for the entire fortress to hear "She's went out alone to face the Lao, and sir, its angry".

For the first time since coming to the fortress he felt true fear. As he darted towards the nearest exit he nearly knocked the merchant on his ass! He didn't care who he barged past as he ran, not even Blaze could stop him, the old veteran steeping quickly to avoid the youngster "That stupid bitch!" he said in a voice that wasn't breathless from exhaustion or exertion, but one of fear and worry "Please be alright!"

He knocked more than few people on their backsides, even openly punching one who didn't move! He was driven by the sole desire to protect, and no one was gonna get in his way. His eyes widened as he glimpsed light at the end of the corridor…

Keira's Frost Ripper shook in her hands, fear gripped her as the massive Lao stared at her from that one fiery jewel of an eye. It looked as deep as any pit with a deep flame in its middle, smoke from the creatures maw obscuring it slightly.

Every hunter present had ran, nearly thirty men and women ran. Keira had no patience for cowards "Even Garet isn't here!" she thought bitterly, her fear turning to anger at the thought "Why am I thinking about him anyway? He just abandoned his comrades, what's to say he wont do the same to me? I'm better off without him"

She jumped to the left, steeping quickly to avoid the large lumbering foot of the dragon, a small shockwave rising as it did so. She grimaced before turning the scythe end of her weapon towards the dragon and plunging the point straight into its left front claw, blood dripping slowly to the ground.

The colour of blood was a welcome change from the continual grey and black of the valley walls and Ashen Lao. Moving more like a crafty fox she moved towards the beasts face and struck, barely missing its chin. Due to the force she put behind the swing she found herself toppling over, the Lao lunging its powerful teeth straight towards her! Fear gripped her and held her in place. Every second felt like a lifetime passing, even the grey blur who threw himself at her moved slowly.

A hundred questions were running through her mind "Am I alive? Why aren't I dead? Who saved me?" Before her vision could readjust a man's voice broke her concentration, his words cutting her to the bone "Are you trying to get yourself killed you wool headed idiot!?"

A look of surprise crossed her face, which soon turned to a smile "What are you doing here?" she said, trying to hide the overwhelming amount of joy she was feeling at the moment.

"Why did I come to save your ass? Let me think about that" replied the man as he looked over his shoulder, a goofy smile reflecting off the edge of his Eager Clever draped over his right shoulder, blood still stained his dirt covered Kushala Daora mail "Because I never leave my comrades…or my friends, got that?".

"You big goof" replied Keira, punching him gently on the arm. Garet stood tall above her, his goofy smile soon turned to one of complete rage "We will retreat for now and hit it with the dragonator. It's the only hope left to us now". He didn't believe his own words for a second, in truth he only wanted a reason to get Keira out of there, but he wasn't about to tell her that.

As she rose to her feet she fell back down again, touching her ankle "I twisted my ankle!" she said in a worried voice which only angered Garet all the more. Turning away from the dragon lunging at them once again, he lifted her, a flicker of pain crossing his face before it became one with the flame in his mind "I hope I'm the one that kills that burly bastard!" He avoided the creatures mouth and darted toward the nearest opening in the wall, freedom!

People dashed around the centre of the village, not caring who they bumped into to or why, they only cared about getting away from the horror in the middle of the town. Merchants who were normally manning their stalls and carts ran just as quickly as the townspeople. Zell looked at them with confusion in his eyes. Everyone ignored his need for answers, even when he asked them.

Deacon and Ellie weren't present. They were busy playing games with the felynes and left Zell to his own devices, which was fine by him, a man could only play so much poker before it got more than a little annoying. As he reached the centre of the town some people were still present, all huddled together in a wide circle. As he pushed his way through the final person his eyes fell upon old veteran Retto lying face first in the snow, a large gash down his back. It was defiantly caused by a weapon wrought by human hands, no monster could cut that cleanly, but how did he come to be here? Zell had questions, to many questions "What happened him?" he asked to everyone present.

They all shied away from his as though he were diseased and they were scared he'd pass it on "What happened!?" he repeated in desperation, his patience was beginning to thin. Retto lay dead on a small slope, his blood flowing into the snow, dying it a lighter colour of red. The old man was always so full of life, it was only three months ago Zell fought alongside him to repel a Tigrex from the mountains.

As he thought about the murders, because this could be called nothing else and the disappearances something finally clicked. He was sure if he could see his own face he'd be pale as a Khezu hide. "Kusaka" he murmured. He didn't say it loud but people began to whisper, only adding to his hate of his old master. Turning quickly he gazed into the mountains looming large in the distance "I know your up there" he whispered, this time minding the others around.

As he marched through the people another thought crossed his mind "He's killin' off the ones who abandoned him! Ah I'm a stupid bore with no sense! Why didn't I see it sooner? Nitro. The woman. And now Retto. There are only two others who were there, me and Garet. So that's his little game, revenge eh? I thought you were above all that Kusaka" thoughts of how Zell were gonna kill him slipped into his mind "No. I'll face him alone…"

"That was reckless my master". The little black felyne stood at his masters shin, a small wooden toothpick in his paw, which he used to poke his teeth vigorously.

Kusaka simply laughed as he whipped the blood from his Fatalis Scythe "If Zell can't put two and two together now there is no hope for him. I need to face him now, I'm running out of time, Raven".

"I know master, I know. Leave everything to me and rest. Leave everything to your faithful servant" For I'll soon make my own move…my master"

A faked smile crossed Kusaka's face "Pray you succeed Raven, or else". The two shadowy figures vanished into the depths of the snowy mountains, nearly ready to leave Pokke behind for good…

I'm sorry about the delay, I'm up to my back teeth in ICT work (again) so thanks for bearing with me.

I'll have the next chapter posted soon; any help or comments given are greatly appreciated, thanks for reading!