Author's notes:
Hello, Just a little update before the chapter/s.
This chapter is posted in bulk with a number of other chapters, so don't be surprised if you get notifications of a few chapters being posted at the same time as this one.
Like I said, I'll be gone for a bit from posting chapters and writing for this last week of June. So might as well post these chapters for you guys before I return and to write more.
That's all! Enjoy the story!
*Edit 07/2019
Fix some typos...maybe edited some text a bit and change Yohra to YoRHa.
I feel so Embarassed that I didn't notice I missspelled it.
Okay! Enjoy all these slightly revised chapters.
He said that he would be quick, just pick one thing that looks interesting then they can leave. He went straight to the pile once Pod gave him the go signal.
That was an hour ago.
Right now, 9S is still looking through junk or trash that the felynes have stacked up into piles. Pod 153 and Whistill were done talking and were now helping the other felynes set up camp. Though, He was taking too long and it irritated Pod to the point that she told him that they should just go back and report to Zinnia, if there is nothing he finds that is of interest to him. But he insisted that there are still piles he hasn't checked yet and he doesn't want to regret the opportunity if he missed something. Pod was about to argue but Whistill pointed out that 9S was helping them by checking if some of the items they have are still useful or not and it helps to know what they can keep or throw. So, she begrudging relents 9S in continuing his search in the piles.
She does notices the other felynes are sorting the junk that her Meowster was throwing behind him, absently sorting their trash. She decides to continue helping Whistill for the time being.
9S was currently on his sixth-or was it his seventh?- pile and was shuffling through some dirtied and muddied items. Mostly damaged trinkets and used bomb casings that seemed to wash up in the river. Despite the mud and grime on them, he would still wipe some of them off to see what item it is. He then spots something shiny in the pile and reaches for it and attempts to pull it out.
He tugged but couldn't pull his arm out entirely, he felt it entangled by a strap. Not knowing were it connects to, 9S pulls harder intending pull the object his hand was holding and whatever the strap was connected to. With a stronger pull, 9S was able to pull the item out and whatever thing the strap was attach to. He sees that it seems to be a bag before he stumbles backward landing on his butt from his momentum. He inspects first the object in his hand and opens it to see that it was another bomb casing. Disappointed he tosses it behind him with the others, which the felynes take away to be reused or sold.
He then shifts his focus to the bag, the other item he pulled out. He takes the bag into his hands and inspects it. It looked like it was a belt bag that could be worn on the waist or on one shoulder, with the strap going down diagonally across the body. The bag seemed to once been caked in mud, as 9S continues to rub some of the dirt off and he feels that the bag looks to be made from monster scales. The texture was smooth, despite the dirt and grim on it.
He opens it and begins to dump all of the items out, with a few broken bottles for potions and ruined whetstones dropping on the ground, until a large thump is heard making 9S look at the object that made the sound.
It was a rectangular shaped object and 9S picked it up to inspect it as well. He took noticed of the faded design on one side of the object and could see the figure of a four headed creature. The heads were paired into two and each were facing one side away from each other, with a circular shape between them. The circle seems to sink deeper on the object than the rest of the design. 9S continues to feel the edges of the object and touches a bump and looks to see some sort of lock. He takes another look at the whole object and figures that it could be some sort of box that contains something. He guesses that it could be a book casing.
Before he can further investigate his find and maybe try to open it, Pod and Whistill call him.
"Meowster, you seemed to found something. Can I say that we can go home? It is already pass noon and we still need to report to Chief Zinnia." Said Pod 153, who had a relieved expression on her face knowing that they can finally go home.
"Yeah Pod I did, sorry I took so long. I guess we should head back to the village." 9S replied, addressing the two.
"I see Nya, that you found that bag. One of my felynes found it in one of the riverbeds when we were traveling. Got the sling caught on his leg and made him trip." Said Whistill noticing the discarded bag on 9S feet, which he scoops up realizing he forgot about it.
"Really? I found it because the strap got tangled on my arm. The bag looks to be well made, but it seems a bit worn out to be used though. But I did find something interesting inside." 9S gestured to the object on his hand.
"Oh Nya! It seems to look like a book casing. Maybe even for a hunter's manual. They keep it in those things, so they don't get damaged in hunts." Whistill explains as 9S lowers the object so he can see it.
"Cool, but I'm not sure if it's a hunter's manual since its locked. But whatever it is, I'll find out once I get back home and try to open it." He said as he keeps the object in his own bag.
"You're not taking the bag Meowster?" Asked Pod 153 as she sees 9S give the bag to Whistill.
"I can try to fix it if you want. It does seem to be well made that it kept that thing intact inside it." Whistill also asked 9S making him ponder.
"Well if you can… but I'm okay with the bag I have right now. You can keep it for yourself Whistill and Pod did say I could only have one I could take." Joked 9S on the last part, making his pod roll her eyes.
"Okay Meowster lets go, I must remind you we still need to report back…"
"Yes pod, you already said that… We'll see you tomorrow Whistill. Me and Pod will try to be here early, so we can start heading to the north area and your old settlement." Said 9S to Whistill as both he and Pod prepare to leave.
"No problem Nyain-es. I'll fix the bag and keep it just in case you change your mind." The felyne leader walked with them to edge of their camp before they waved goodbye to each other.
"Tell your chief I said hi and we'll start sending support once we find a new settlement, Nya." Whistill called out to them as they slowly went farther away.
"Sure thing Whistill!" 9S gave a thumbs up to the felyne, before he and Pod are out of his sight and head back to the village.
Arriving at the village, 9S and Pod 153 passed through many villagers and construction workers tending to the ruined establishments around them. They see the occasional hunter helping them by delivering materials and doing some heavy lifting. They noticed that others were clearing out rubble and were being directed by Zinnia herself. This made finding her easy for the two and went straight to her to report.
They had to do it briefly, since she was in the middle of supervising the huntsmen in the streets and they could see that others would report to her as well. Pod gave a short summary of what the felynes were doing, mainly them finding a settlement and the two of them giving their assistance. Starting tomorrow with them heading to the northern area of the forest. Hearing about it, Zinnia was a bit weary of them going to the northern area but figures since most of the monsters have relocated themselves to the south, then its safe for them venture through.
She gives them her permission, but she would need to inform the guild first that they would be assisting the felynes for the coming days and that they would be receiving their aid as well in rebuilding the village. She was happy hearing the latter and is pleased with the two for informing her of Whistill's decision. With their report done, she bids them adieu and tells them they are free for the day. And if they want, they can go around the village until sunset. They'll meet up back at home once she, 2B and A2 are done with their tasks today.
With a waved goodbye, 9S and Pod 153 depart from the chief as she continues to lead and give orders to other hunters, in restoring the village. With some free time on their hands, 9S decides to head to a certain trader and his son and asks if Pod would accompany him. She declines his offer in favor of preparing supper for them when they get all back but does ask him to buy any new food or ingredient they are offering.
Agreeing to the task, 9S accepts and parts way with Pod 153 for the day. They turn to different directions with Pod heading east to their hilltop home and 9S heads near to the center of the village where all the traders and merchants should be at this time.
It was a relatively short walk for 9S to reach the market like place and spots Pops and 32S manning their still intact stall. If anything, their stall is the only thing that is properly standing since they weren't here when the stampede happened, and their stall merely connects to their caravan like home. Wherever they go, their home goes with them too and it helps since they wouldn't have to rent in an inn whenever they travel.
32S then spots 9S and waves.
"Hey Nines!"
"Hey 32S!"
The two boys approach each other and fist bump.
"Lucky you got here. I was able to find some books we've bought from Gildegaran but I'm sure you have them already, but there is this one book you might find interesting…" 32S said with eyes glinting with amusement. This peaked 9S curiosity and raised his eyebrow.
"…Really?" He responds.
"Yeah, its inside our house. I can show it to you once my shift ends…" 32S explained before Pops interrupts.
"Its okay son! The days almost over you can end early. You can show 9S the other things we have if he wants to buy some of them. Who knows how long they'll last with our stay here?" Pops told the two, which made 32S happy and 9S excited on what else they've brought. The boys rush inside the house as they uttered they're thanks to the trader.
"Thanks dad! / Thanks Pops!"
Pops could only smile and be happy that his son is spending time with his friend before he returns to attending to more customers.
32S' house was fairly spaced as 9S could tell. They were in the main area and 9S could see two rooms across the entrance, one 9S believes is 32S's and the other is their washroom. Items were kept, packed in storage boxes and some were stacked on top of one another in the main area using most of the space, leaving a certain spot, which 9S could guess where Pops sleeps.
His makeshift hammock was still present with a desk and a drawer right beside it. There was a small area where 9S believes is where they eat, a small table and few foldable chairs lie on the side. The entire caravan home wasn't too cramp and as he thought before, fairly spacious with room enough to move around.
32S was actually searching through storage boxes, as 9S was looking around his home examining objects. 9S spots a few letters, some sealed and others opened, on one of the storage boxes. Before he could grab one and read it out of curiosity, 32S notices and quickly gets them away from him.
"Dude, its rude to read other people's letters…" He said a bit defensive to 9S.
"What? Their yours? You writing to someone… is it a girl?" Asked 9S as 32S suddenly bristles from his questioning.
"W-What no! —" 32S suddenly red faced, turns away from 9S.
"Aww it is! Does Pops know?" Said 9S with a mischievous expression on his face.
"No, and it's not a girl… Okay maybe it is! But don't tell dad." 32S replied back to a grinning 9S.
"Don't look at me like that. It's not what you think." 32S said huffily.
"What? That you have a secret girlfriend…" 9S told in a sing-song voice.
"She's not a girlfriend! She's just a letter friend. We just write to each other and tell the stories of our travels." 32S explains to 9S, who was giving him a knowing look.
Though before 9S could start to tease him, 32S spots the book he was looking for at the storage box where 9S found his letter.
"Hey there it is! I knew that I placed it somewhere." He went to pick up the book with 9S looking to where it was, the previous topic forgotten.
"When I found it, I separated it from the rest so it wouldn't be sold off. I wanted to show it to you first." 32S said as he shows the book to 9S.
It was a fairly small book, which 9S could say it was a pocketbook to read. He also sees that the cover was designed with a figure riding what seems to be a winged wyvern. The title was read as 'The legend of Redan'.
"Me and dad went out last night and heard the full story of you riding a Tigrex from the other traders and hunters in one of the pubs. You can say our jaws fell to the floor from the crazy stunt you pulled, and we spent the rest of the night hearing different versions of how you did it. Then when we came back, I remember that I read one of the books we bought that sounded familiar to what you did." 32S explained as 9S continues to read some of the pages.
"You mean... be a jackass riding a monster in a stampede?" 9S joked as 32S shakes his head.
"No, I mean a hunter that teams up with a monster and save a village." 32S replies.
"What?" 9S said in tone asking if he is serious.
"Well in the book, the story is about a legend of a hunter befriending a monster and they face together an evil and dark presence. They end up saving the world in the process from an eternal darkness or something. Though that's what I can summarize. I didn't read in too much of it, since it sounded a bit unbelievable at the time I was reading it." Told 32S to 9S as he hands the book to him.
"Yeah, sounds a bit too farfetched for me. I mean a hunter and monster befriending each other…" 9S said as he inspects the book.
Curious, 9S skims through the pages seeing that it looks like a novel with some pictures illustrating some scenes.
"Hey 32S, who wrote the book or rather who drew the illustrations for it." He asked looking back at 32S, surprise at the question.
"Well it didn't say who drew the illustrations, but the book's author is under a pen name LimE." 32S answers.
"Wait… Lime?" 9S' face scrunched up from the author's unique pen name.
"Yup, LimE. I'm not sure why his name is like that either." 32S said, understanding 9S's confusion.
"Okay… but when you read the book, did the author explain how he made it up?" 9S asked another question to 32S.
"Well the author didn't say he made it up, but he explained that he got the story from word of mouth. It was his hunter friend I think… who travels around, maybe he got the legend somewhere. Why do you want to know?" 32S asked him, now curious to his friends questioning.
"No reason. Just curious on how someone came across the story of a hunter and monster befriending each other. I mean it is unheard off..." 9S said as 32S nods in agreement. He closes the book, looking at the cover one more time.
"How much is it?" The question caught 32S off guard.
"Wait you're buying it?" 32S asked surprised.
"Well the legend seems unbelievable, but you were right that I found it interesting. Besides, might as well have something to read for my free time, now that I'm banned from the research center."
"WAIT! You're banned!" 32S said in shock.
"Yes… sadly. But I'm kinda curious as well to the story and maybe me and this Redan person can exchange notes on how to ride monsters." 9S joked the last part to 32S, who chuckles.
"Yeah, maybe you can do a rewrite with Redan using bombs to steer herds as well. Or you can get a monster to help you willingly and not put the effort to blind it and lead it around with explosions." 32S jests.
"That's not a bad idea!" 9S and 32S laugh at his response.
"C'mon, we can go ask dad for the price and settle with him. By the way do you need anything else?" 32S asked as they made their way to exit his house.
"Do you guys have any new food or ingredients to offer?" 9S asked as 32S closes the door.
"We have some Gildegaran donuts. Is that okay?"
"Sweet! They're always sold out on the first day when anybody has them."
"Then let's go to dad, I know he displayed some of them."
The boys call out to Pops, who was about to close shop, and 32S explains that 9S will buy a book and some donuts. They later settled 9S's purchases, with him carrying another book in his bag and a box of donuts to bring home. 9S bids the father and son farewell as he heads back and the two waves at him goodbye as well.
He notices that the sun is already setting and makes haste to return home.
It was the evening when 9S came back and he was the last to arrive with everybody else present and ready to eat supper. He explained that he got caught up, catching up with 32S and told them of his purchases. The donuts were a treat they all appreciated, even A2 who surprisingly hugs him for buying the Donuts. 2B would later explain to him that the first day of cleaning up was back breaking for the both of them and A2 spent the entire time complaining about it before they arrived home.
Eating Gildegaran donuts after the hard labor they've done is good reward for the day. 9S was just happy that he wasn't there to listen to her complaints.
Before they began to eat dinner and tell each other of their day, Zinnia spoke to him that she wants to talk to him, just the two of them later. 9S was intrigue to what she wants to talk about and hopes that its not trouble he may or may have inadvertently done. He continues to ponder on it while they ate.
Soon they finished eating and the Pods offered to wash the dishes for the night. A2 claims dibs on the first shower and heads to their bathing area. 2B decides to retire to her room to rest a bit, while 9S does the same to read the book he bought and try to unlock the other item he has. Zinnia tells him that she'll come to his room later to talk, after she finishes a bit of work that she brought from the guild. With that in mind, 9S tells her that he'll be waiting as he enters his room and closes the door.
Once inside, he begins to unpack his bag and places the two items he got today on his desk. He takes a look at the two, the pocketbook and the locked bookcase that's probably holding something interesting inside. He decides to read the pocketbook first than try to open the bookcase. He already has access to one book and might as well try to get something out of it.
He puts the bookcase aside and begins to read the pocketbook.
As he reads one page after another, he slowly grows interest to the legend. And as few minutes go by, 9S doesn't notice that he was fully engrossed on the book, which he intends to finish from start to end and not missing any details from the story. As he reads it, he can picture the entire story being played on his head.
Once upon a time, there was village deep in the mountains. In that village lived a young hunter who was like every other hunter. He would hunt monsters for his livelihood and defend the village from threats. That's how his daily life went for most of his life and the young hunter thought that he would live the rest of it as well like that. The village he lived and defended would be his final resting place and the peace he protected would last even after his death. Yes, the young hunter could say his life was all figured out and was happy.
That was until one day… a cold wind suddenly came to the village. The wind came out of nowhere and brought dark clouds that blocked out the sun and enveloped the village in darkness. The villagers were afraid, and the hunters were weary of this unknown phenomenon. It was pitch black and no one can see anything. No one could feel anything either but the bitter cold the wind brought. But everybody could still hear and listen to the eerie whistling the wind made...
…until they heard something else.
The growls and roars were unmistakable and before they could do anything, it was too late…
The village was besieged by monsters. Monsters that were driven mad by the darkness that enveloped them, like the darkness that enveloped the village. The young hunter fought valiantly in order to defend his village, but how could he fight an enemy he could not see. He continued to struggled as he hears the cries of the villagers and his fellow hunters...
…until he could not.
At that moment he knew. The village was lost, and he could only hope to survive this living nightmare he was experiencing. He ran and fought his way against the unseen horde of monsters. Their glowing eyes became more visible as his own eyes became accustomed to the darkness. They were the only things he could see, and he knows not of how long he was fighting, his fatigue was draining him.
All hope was lost, when suddenly he saw a small light at the corner of his eyes. He does not know if he was hallucinating or not, but he makes his way desperately to the faint glow in the darkness. If it is his only sliver of hope, then he would take it. The young hunter desperately makes his way to the light and as he goes closer and closer to it, the monsters chasing him ceased and kept their distance from it. It was as if they fear the light being emitted.
The young hunter was close to it, so close that he could grasp it into his hands. As he brings his hand to touch it, he collapses from exhaustion, with the bright shine from the light became the last thing he saw.
When he awoke, he saw the aftermath of the darkness. His village destroyed and the surrounding area ruined, not even the plant life survived. It was as if the darkness destroyed everything on its path and with it …his home. The hunter felt great grief to what he has lost but before he could act on it, he sensed that he was not alone. Then he hears something breathe behind him. He turns slowly and then backs away from the sight before him.
It was a monster, rather a flying wyvern he hasn't seen before. It had the standard shape of one, with a tail, a pair of legs and winged forearms, but overall, he couldn't recognize it. The beast itself was just laying on its side with its head on the ground and he noticed that it was staring at him. He puts his hand on his weapon to draw it if the wyvern would react aggressively, but instead it gives him a snort before it faces away from him.
The hunter was confused by its behavior and takes a closer look at the monster. He sees its body littered with injuries, which he guess came from the monsters driven mad from the darkness. Seeing that it was in no condition to fight the hunter rest his hands away from his weapon and takes a few distance away from the monster to rest a bit and may as well gather his thoughts on what just happened to him.
He stares back at the ruined landscape and remembers what happened. The wind, the darkness, and his village in peril. He couldn't believe how he survived until he remembers the light that saved him. He begins to search for it, looking around his surroundings, sure that he remembers going to it. He sees a small flash of light and then something shiny… right beside the monster, on the same spot he was before.
He slowly makes his way back and keeps a close watch on the monster. The wyvern itself was just ignoring him, with only a few grunts of pain heard from it. He sees the source of the light and realizes that it was a blue glowing stone or gem. He picks it up and eyes it, wondering how a small gem saved his life. He hears another grunt and looks at the monster staring at the gem as well, he could see the light reflecting from its eyes and its intelligence within. The monster stares back at him, seeing a look not like of a primitive beast, before it turns away and stares back the direction it was facing.
Curious at what the beast was staring at the whole time, the young hunter faces the direction as well and widens his eyes at the sight.
It was an open plain… Littered with dead monster bodies.
Among them, were flying wyverns like the one beside him. From the positions of the bodies, he could guess they were trying to reach this place and be saved by the light of the small gem as well. But judging from the wounds littered on them, they didn't make it… except the one beside him.
He doesn't know why but looking back at the wyvern he could see the sadness in its eyes and feeling the lost it felt. He slowly places his hand on the wyvern, the monster surprise at his action and he himself too, not knowing why he did it. But the empathy he was feeling toward it, made him stroke the monster to comfort it. The monster didn't stop him and even leaned to his touch, closing its eyes for the first time since the young hunter woken up.
The small whimpers and growls he heard, made the young hunter to continue to comfort it. He understood the pain it felt and realizes that the two of them where the only survivors of their home and are victims of the darkness that destroyed it.
They sat there, resting with the ruin landscape around them. At that moment for the young hunter and monster, they had an understanding. They weren't enemies right now nor they felt their differences to one another. Just two beings hurting and mourning for their lost, lucky to be saved by a small gem's light. Staring back at it again, the hunter notices that the light was shining even brighter. The wyvern beside him saw it as well and both could feel a sense of hope from it.
The hunter traces a finger on the small blue gem and he sees the monster make a move to touch it as well. He lowers his hand holding the stone to make it easier for it.
As its snout touches the stone, a bright light envelops—
"Nines?" Zinnia knocked on his door, interrupting him from reading the pocketbook. He remembers that Zinnia was supposed to talk to him.
"Yes, coming!" He said as he closes the book and hides both the pocketbook and the locked item under his bed. He then opens the door to let Zinnia in.
"I thought you were asleep, 2B didn't hear anything when she stopped by and figure you were sleeping. What were you doing?" She asked as she made her way into his room.
"Just reading the book I bought. It was really interesting…" He responded, glancing at the book under his bed.
"Okay, but don't stay up too late. Pod told me you were planning to go early tomorrow. So, I'll keep this brief." She told him as she begins to bring something out of her pocket.
She gestures 9S to open one of his palms and places a small item. He takes a look on what it is and sees a charm on his hand. It looks like a small wrist bracelet and he gives a look of surprise to Zinnia and wonders why she is giving him one. Seeing the look on his face, Zinnia explains.
"Its from the two hunters you worked with during the invasion. They told me to give it to you for your help in saving the village. And they said that they wish you luck on your future endeavors."
"Wow, thanks. I was wondering what happened to them. Are they okay?" 9S asked remembering the Basarios armored hunter and the Garuga armored hunter, who's helm he burrowed.
"They're okay and they're actually heading to Gildegaran to help endorse your prototypes to the guild. But I bet you knew that since I guess 2B told you?" Told Zinnia, seeing 9S smiling sheepishly.
"Yeah she did. But it's nice to know that their doing fine and are heading to Gildegaran to promote my creation. It's neat too that they gave me a charm. By the way, what do I get from this charm?" 9S asked now curious at the gift he got from the hunters.
"Well from what they told me; you don't lose as much stamina with that charm. Which is pretty good when you're jumping and…"
"Running away? I get it. So, you're giving this to me so it can help me with my work for Whistill and the other felynes?"
"Yup. I figure since you would be in the wilderness to help them, you might need a little protection or an edge besides a weapon or something." Zinnia said while shrugging her shoulders.
"Thanks Zinnia, I appreciate it." 9S said as he gives her a hug, which she returns.
"Well that's all I wanted to do with you and maybe talk to you more about your day, but you really need to get your sleep for tomorrow. so you can help those felynes move and find a new home." She said as she lets go from the hug.
"Yeah, your right. I think I know some caves perfect for them." 9S replied as he sees Zinnia exiting his room.
"I'm sure you do. Now remember don't stay up too late just because your book seems interesting… But knowing you, at least pack right now of what you'll bring tomorrow. SO, if you do get up late, you won't worry of preparing your stuff." She said, warning him and giving him advice.
"Okay…" 9S responds knowing that he might actually stay up late due to his curiosity between the two items he has.
"Well, good night Nines."
"Good night Zinnia."
They bid each other good night, and Zinnia closes the door to 9S room and leaves to her own. 9S heads her advice and begins to pack some essentials for tomorrow. He figure he can pack some items in his pouch for their task tomorrow that can aid them, like smoke bombs and healing items, in case they need to escape or if someone gets hurt. Maybe a few dash juices and armor skins to consume in case of emergency. He also figures to bring some rations or food and decides to ask pod to pack some tomorrow. He even prepares what he'll wear and places his carving knife on top of it so he wouldn't forget. It only took a few minutes to pack before he brings out the pocketbook and the locked bookcase out from their hiding spot.
He stares at the engraving of the locked bookcase and remembers the last part he has read from the pocketbook. He turns to the last page he stopped and stared at the illustration of the blue gem and how familiar it is to the engraving. Feeling something in his gut, he skims and skips a few pages to find any the other illustrations and pauses when he sees a particular one, making his eyes wide with recognition.
He is beginning to suspect that there is something both items have that could be more than a mere coincidence between the two. He first looks at the locked bookcase with its unique marking or rather engraving of the four headed figure. Then he looks at the pocketbook's page he was staring at.
It has a near identical image of the engraving on the bookcase. He stares at the picture, then the engraving and sees the similarities between them and select differences. The image on the pocketbook was the same from the bookcase, with the four headed figure and the circular object in between, but there was a small tree shaped symbol above the heads that had two branches splitting apart from the trunk, with an upside-down triangle between them. Each branch also had two branches pointing to the top.
Another thing 9S notices is that within the circular object between the heads, there appears to be a spiked spine serpent slightly curling into itself. The image or rather 9S would consider the entire design is encircled within an oblong shape, looking like an egg standing up. Finally, 9S could see the color of the image with the circular object and the serpent within colored blue and the rest colored in a mixture of silver and light grey. 9S could guess that the bookcase cover would have had similar colors, but it may have faded away by time.
Looking at the two again side by side, 9S can't help but feel a connection between the two. It could be just a slight connection that could be easily brush off by him as a coincidence. But his curious side can't help but see the image the two shares as a clue that connects them on a deeper level.
He then thinks that the pocketbook may hold the key into unlocking his mysterious locked item and once opened, he can learn the secrets within. The fact that the story is about a legend he hasn't heard of, about a hunter who befriends a monster, supposedly tames it and rides it further in the story, peaks his curiosity.
Based from what 32S said and implied about the what happens int he book and what it could mean to the item he got from Whistill-
-He may have discovered something that would enable someone to tame monsters.
Or so 9S thinks, since there could be an off chance that it is a sham. But nevertheless, it still sparks his curiosity and thinks either way that he may have uncover something nonetheless. He is a bit undecided to how he should begin his investigation of his mystery item and the pocketbook's suppose connection
He traces his hand on the circular engraving on the bookcase and guesses that it represents the blue gem from the story. He feels his finger sinking when he presses on it and out of curiosity pushes the circular piece more. A small popping sound is heard before he noticed that the bookcase unlocked, with a part of the lock unclasping to the side.
It seems the circle was a button to trigger the unlocking mechanism and he pulls out the book from its casing.
He is amazed at what he was looking at. The book was in good condition and with the cover's color slightly faded but had the same illustration from the pocketbook on its cover, of the four headed figure and its other designs. A bit excited from learning of what this book holds, 9S carefully opens it as if he doesn't want his carelessness to damage it.
It was going to be a long night for 9S, as he would spend the next few hours reading the book, even forgetting to finish the story of his pocketbook. The more pages he read, the more answers he got, and more questions grew into his mind. It was wise for him to listen to Zinnia's advice to pack beforehand for surely, he would forget to do it in the morning as he finds himself on another page that would blow his mind. He stares at it, before he slowly removes his choker not removing his sight from the page and placing his choker right beside one of the illustrations the book was showing.
He compares the two, his choker and the image, and could see the similarities.
A bright sapphire gem was in the center with two serpents like dragons from either side facing it and their tails acting as the lock. He couldn't deny it that they were the same … and what possibilities this means to his past.
Author's notes:
Hello, just a note.
If you are wondering what the engraving/image is on the bookcase and in the pocketbook. It's the Rider's kinship stone. You can search it online if you're wondering how it really looks like, if my description of it is inaccurate.
And also, if you noticed that I altered and made up some stuff for Redan's story from the original Monster Hunter Stories game. It's just the beginning of maybe how Redan met a different monstie and to foreshadow the black blight. 9S would summarize the entire story in the next chapter.
Also, I know that 9S connecting the dots may seem a bit rush, but he's a smart boy to figure it out. But the tiny revelation doesn't mean 9S' pasts is that he came from a rider village. He still has a lot of questions to answer and all will be revealed later in the story.
That's all, enjoy the rest of the chapters!