Hunter Stats (Reminder)
Alex Kasai (HR4)
Weapon: Eagle Cleaver Long Sword (Thunder Element)
Armor: Garuga Blade Master
Skills: Telepathy, Kasai Potential, Sharpness Plus, Earplug, Reckless Abandon, Poison Resist.
Ai Shiki (HR4)
Weapon: Monoblos Spear Lance (Fire Element)
Armor: Gravios Blade Master
Skills: Sleep Resist, Defense Up, Fire Resist, Guard Increase
Qilin Kaminari (HR4) (Guest Hunter)
Weapon: Viper Bite Sword and Shield (Paralysis Attribute)
Armor: 4/5 Ioprey Blade Master and Chaos Cap Helmet
Skills: Vitality Up, Poison Negate, Abnormal Status Up, Fatigue Reduction, Thunder Damage Increase
Anna Frost (HR3)
Weapon: Snow Poison Dual Blades (Ice Element, Poison Attribute)
Armor: Kut-ku Blade Master
Skills: Vitality Up, Strength Up, Fire Resist.
Kotaru Shiki (HR3)
Weapon: Bone Katana Dragon
Armor: Monoblos Blade Master
Skills: Vitality Up, Strength Up, Heroic Comeback, Cursed Protection
June 19th, 2098. The Ancient Tower, Area 10.
Alex was just able to drag Ai and Anna away from the thick of the battle Kotaru and Qilin were waging against Luna, the surprise Lunastra. "Be careful, you two… I haven't felt this powerless since that time I took that Heat Ray attack to my back…"
Qilin dodged as Luna attempted to pounce on him. Kotaru came from the back and took a slash at her tail. Luna winced in pain before trying to retaliate with her tail. Kotaru did a sweeping back jump, countering Luna's tail slam even as he avoided it. At this, Luna turned to him and blew out a white hot haze. She moved her head from side to side, trying to cover a wide area. Luckily, Kotaru was able to run away from the attack.
That was when Qilin came from the side. "Take this! Paralyzing Slash!" He slashed Luna's right hind leg, a bright spark of yellow electricity occuring on hit.
"Huh!? What!?" Luna found herself in spasms, with arcs of yellow static jumping out of her body. "You… cretin!"
"Kotaru, now's our chance!" Qilin exclaimed.
"Great job!" Kotaru readied his Katana, which was glowing red. He had stored up a lot of power, what with all the monsters he had attacked on the way up the tower. "This is gonna hurt! I'm going to return the pain you dealt to me and my comrades tenfold!" Kotaru charged. Qilin was getting in what damage he could, when suddenly he was forced to get away from the Fire Dragon. A visible orange aura of heat had started emanating from Luna's body.
"I.. am royalty! I shall not… be bound!" Luna regained control of herself. "ROAR!" She leapt at the approaching Kotaru. "Die!"
"Yeaaahhh… NO!" Kotaru nimbly rolled out of the way, into a more advantageous position. "Take this! Heroic Spirit Sword Attack!" Kotaru's Bone Katana Dragon glowed white as he unleashed a storm of lightning-fast slashes, ending with a downward power slash.
"AAAAHHHH!" Luna jumped away from Kotaru, but with great difficulty. She had taken quite a bit of damage to her right side, wing and limbs. "How… dare you… do this… to me! I… won't forget this…! I'll get you… next time…!" Luna prepared to take flight, but in vain! Her right wing was too damaged. "OW! What…!? My wing… GRR!" Luna set her blazing sights on Kotaru, who was now very tired from his injuries. "You're dead!"
"One more time, Paralyzing Slash!" Qilin unleashed a devastating attack on the enraged Fire Dragon once again leaving her paralyzed. The Skill Abnormal Status Up increases the likelihood of inflicting poison, paralysis and sleep.
"No! Not again!"
Qilin went over to help Kotaru. "It's time to get out of here. I've had enough fun for now."
Anna and Ai awoke. Alex had given them Potions to recover their health. "Ugh, what's happening?" Anna sounded groggy.
"I'm glad you're awake, you two. We're leaving the tower. C'mon."
"Whoa! The Lunastra!" exclaimed Ai.
Luna recovered from the paralysis quicker this time. Qilin and Kotaru tried their best to pick up the pace. The Quintet went down to Area 9.
"Get back here, you knaves!" went Luna's angry demands. Only Alex heard that, though, as there was no longer any need for him to maintain the mind link.
"Everybody okay?" Alex asked.
"I could use some rest," answered Kotaru. "Heroic Comeback plus Spirit Sword takes a lot out of ya…"
"What kind of Skill is this?"
"It boosts your attack strength considerably after you take a lot of damage. It's the ultimate in risk versus reward," Kotaru answered.
"I just can't believe Anna and I were knocked out cleanly, even with our armors granting us Fire Resist," commented Ai.
"The power of Elder Dragons is no joke…" Anna added.
Alex turned to Qilin and Kotaru. "You two made a great team. And Qilin, you really came through for us. You're great."
Qilin actually looked embarrassed. "Hey, don't gush me with praise like this now. It's not cool."
The four others laughed. And after ten minutes of rest, the group made their way back to camp.
Basecamp.
"You lot! You're late!" exclaimed the Pilot of the Guild Blimp as the Quintet walked into camp. "What took you so long!?"
"We were attacked by… a Lunastra, of all things…" Alex answered. "It was pretty close, but we're all alive, here and accounted for. Let us return."
"Okie, dokie. Get in. This place always gives me the creeps."
Everyone got into the blimp, and within two hours were back over the mainland. The first stop was to N'ganga to drop off Qilin. Alex was able to keep his promise, but not entirely by his own power. Giro thanked him anyway.
After that, Alex surprised Anna by asking her to come with him to Kokoto with Ai and Kotaru. They would all need some rest anyway, and this was the perfect opportunity for Anna to visit Kokoto. She reluctantly agreed. They could send a letter to September and Patricia as soon as they arrived.
Kokoto Landing Pad. 7:23 PM.
It was well into the night at this point. Alex, Anna, Ai and Kotaru waved as the Blimp went off towards headquarters.
"Wow! Look at all the pretty trees!" was the first thing Anna said as the now quartet turned to the path leading to the village proper. The moonlight was very bright. The Sakura trees were still blooming. As a matter of fact, unlike on Earth they bloomed all year long only with short pauses no longer than a week or two max.
"Let's get going. Anna, I want to introduce you to my instructor. I've already met yours."
"What is Chief Koto like?"
"You'll have to see for yourself."
The walk into the village did not take long. The quartet went to the Guild Outpost, where they split up for now. The Shiki siblings went home, and Alex led Anna to Koto's house.
"Wow, Alex. I have to admit I didn't think you would be back so soon," said Koto at the door. "And you've brought home a lady! How very interesting!"
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Chief Koto," said Anna. "I'm Anna Frost, a hunter of Pokke and Alex's coworker."
"She's the sister my parents could never give me," Alex added.
Koto laughed at that, while Anna had a look of mixed feelings. "Well, come right in. I'd imagine you are very tired. You can explain everything to me tomorrow after you get some sleep."
"Thank you, Master."
June 20th. 7:40 AM.
Alex and Anna had awakened feeling well rested, and were having breakfast with Koto. Alex was also telling Koto about his adventure in the far east.
"... but luckily, Kotaru and Qilin were able to come through for the team, so that we could finally escape. Talk about a close encounter. Lunastra was so powerful…"
"I am just thankful you all walked away breathing. To think that the 'Curse of Five' would have spawned in a Lunastra. And yet, this was not the worst case scenario."
"Oh, dear me, even I know that!" Alex exclaimed. "I wouldn't want to fight a Yamatsukami or a Fatalis variant any time soon."
"I'm glad you are aware of your own abilities. My teachings and training to you were not in vain." Koto had a slight joking tone, evident by the small laugh Anna let out at the expense of Alex. "Anyway, how would you like to help Kokoto out with something much easier?"
"You have a request, Master? What is it?"
"I'm sure you remember those pesky Lynians, the Shakalaka." Alex nodded with a gag face. Anna turned to him in surprise.
"Not those things again. Don't tell me they are trying to take over the Forest and Hills again?"
"Not just trying, but practically succeeding. I've occasionally asked Ai and Kotaru to weed them out, but it looks like they have brought quite an invasion force this time. They were probably able to set up a basecamp in the area."
"Oh, that's unprecedented. I never thought they could be so organized." Alex thought for a moment. "When I remember that time they actually got into the village.." Both Alex and Koto shuddered, only leaving Anna in the dark. "... it makes my blood boil." Alex turned to Anna and began to elaborate to her, "They tried to kidnap villagers, especially children, the blood thirsty masked freaks."
"Oh, that's terrible," Anna replied. "Then we definitely need to investigate and clear them out."
"Alright, Master. We'll take this job. Hey, maybe if I use my telepathy, I might be able to pinpoint a large concentration of them, leading us to their encampment!"
"That's a brilliant idea! Why didn't I think of that! I must be getting old!" Koto mused.
Hunter Stats
Alex Kasai (HR4)
Weapon: Eagle Cleaver Long Sword (Thunder Element)
Armor: Garuga Blade Master, with Mind's Eye Decoration
Skills: Telepathy, Kasai Potential, Sharpness Plus, Earplug, Reckless Abandon, Poison Resist, Detect.
Ai Shiki (HR4)
Weapon: Hydra Bite Sword and Shield (Poison Attribute)
Armor: Gravios Blade Master
Skills: Sleep Resist, Defense Up, Fire Resist, Guard Increase.
Anna Frost (HR3)
Weapon: Snow Poison Dual Blades (Ice Element, Poison Attribute)
Armor: Kut-ku Blade Master
Skills: Vitality Up, Strength Up, Fire Resist.
Kotaru Shiki (HR3)
Weapon: Bone Katana Dragon
Armor: Monoblos Blade Master
Skills: Vitality Up, Strength Up, Heroic Comeback, Cursed Protection
Arcolis Forest and Hills, Area 1. 11:00 AM.
"Okay, Alex, give it a whirl," said Kotaru.
"Alright, here goes." Alex closed his eyes and focused. Aided by the Detect Skill, he could just pick up numerous tiny Chikara signals within a range of 500 meters. If he had Auto Tracker, his range would span the entire legal hunting area. "Maybe this spot isn't close enough. But if I had to take a guess, they are holed up somewhere in the forest. Lots of places to hide. Let us be careful, or we might walk into an ambush. Everyone, please follow me."
"Okay, Alex. Lead the way," said Ai.
The quartet went into single file as Alex led the way into the forest. First up was Area 8. Asual, there were some annoying but manageable Bullfangos. Once the rowdy boars were dealt with, Alex tried again. A bunch of signatures pointed him to Area 7, according to the map.
"This is way too close, and also one of the first places we checked," said Kotaru.
"Then this is probably a trap," remarked Ai. "So, how should we proceed?"
"I volunteer to test the waters," suggested Alex. "With my Khezu Cloak, I should be able to make a clean getaway. Best case, it's just a few of them. Worst case… they swamp me and capture me…"
"Let me go with you, 'brother'," said Anna. "Before you refuse, we hunters are trouble magnets, remember?"
"Ack! You got me there… Alright." Alex turned to the Shiki siblings, who nodded. "Alright. Let us allow ourselves into their machination."
Alex and Anna went into Area 7. This was a small area surrounded by a circle of thickened vegetation and trees. It was also quite calm and serene, with sunlight bathing an old tree with mushrooms growing on it.
"Wow, this place is so peaceful," commented Anna.
"Keep your guard up," Alex admonished. "But yes, it is."
The two waited for a few minutes before something finally happened. Three very short creatures with pumpkin masks on their heads and armed with a small sword appeared out of the ground.
"Whoa!" Anna unsheathed her blades, and Alex took out Grace.
"Hehehe! Think fast!" said a child-like voice. The center Shakala threw out an object at Alex.
As he and Anna rolled out of the way, an explosion occurred. When the two got up, they soon realized that they had messed up. The number of Shakalakas had exploded, with the majority of them blocking the escape route and separating the two hunters. This was indeed a trap.
"Don't get cocky, you masked freaks! You won't take over this place!"
"We already have!" exclaimed several voices at once, giving Alex a slight headache. But, this slight disadvantage was all they needed to bring Alex down as they all attacked at once.
"I… impossible!" exclaimed Alex before passing out.
"Alex!" Anna exclaimed as she did a spin attack, slashing and knocking away her own battalion of assailants. She fought bravely as the Shakalakas kept up their ruthless, relentless assault. She even used Dual Blades Power Up, however that was a mistake as this battle had no end in sight and thus she only succeeded in wearing out her stamina faster. "No… Darn it! I… won't… let… AAHHH!" Anna was toppled over from three simultaneous attacks to the back of her head. She fell face-first into the ground. "Nooo…"
"Yay! We won!" said one Shakalaka as others cheered.
"Let's take her to the base," said the biggest one.
The Shakalakas began tying Anna up in ropes, and then began carrying her away.
A few minutes later, Ai and Kotaru entered.
"Hey, you two! What took you guys…" Kotaru was saying but stopped.
"Alex!" Ai ran to his side, and supported his head. "Wake up, Alex! Wake up!"
Alex groaned, and opened his eyes. "Ai? You're…"
Kotaru came to the other side. "You look wasted, man. What happened, and where's Anna?"
Alex gasped. "Anna! She's… not here!?" Alex sat up and looked around. Only him, Kotaru and Ai were in this area. The many small signatures were gone. "They… must have taken her. We were attacked by a huge force of Shakalakas… I was the first to be defeated. They… used my own Telepathy to disorient me…"
"They sound really well orchestrated this time," Ai replied.
"This is bad. Who knows what they will do with her," Kotaru said glumly. "We need to find their base, like right now."
Alex got to his feet. After a drink of Potion, he was hundred percent. "They made a mistake not killing me when they had the chance. I'll use Telepathy to hone in on Anna's presence. Even without Autotracker, humans are much easier for me to sense over longer distances." Alex closed his eyes and focused. "Here goes."
Half a minute passed, and then, "Alex! Ai! Kotaru! Somebody, please! Help me! Save meee!"
"I've got her! We need to hurry. She's crying out desperately! Follow me… Wait, I have a better idea." Alex took one of Ai and Kotaru's hands. "Thunder Element: Friendship Thunder Cloak!" All three hunters were suddenly enveloped in blue electricity.
"Whoa!" exclaimed the Shiki siblings.
"Just hang on to me, because this will be a little rough! Lightning Dash!" Alex took off in a sprint. Ai and Kotaru were forced to involuntarily sprint along with him!
"WHOOOOAAAA!"
First going back to area 8, Alex went to Area 10, zipping and zig-zagging around Bullfangos, Melynx and Kelbi. He quickly dashed through the narrow path of Area 11.