Author's notes:
Hello! new chapter, yay!
Just a brief note but...
I would like to say thank you again for those who have read and are enjoying this story and also thank those who have fav and followed it as well.
It makes me happy seeing that you guys are following NieR: MHST.
With that said, here is the chapter enjoy!
"You know, despite the signs of plucked herbs and mined ores, the Monster den looks amazing." Said 6O as she, 2B and A2 walk along the path they've taken. They were currently following a stream inside the den and 6O can't help but admire the unique scenery the cave had to offer.
Their path was illuminated by both lights from the holes in the ceiling and the remaining flash bugs that still lived in the cave. With the darkness of the cave, the lights made it look like it was a starry night in the den. The small twinkles that came as well added a bit of beauty, which 6O can't help but admire.
"Agreed." Said 2B, who also finds the scenery beautiful.
There weren't any monsters nor any small animals in the den, making their walk relatively peaceful. 2B and A2 were still on their guard but with no current threats in the area, they could afford to be less tense and relax a bit. It also made it easier for 6O to investigate and record her observations of the cave. 2B and A2 could take break while she does her job of inspecting and checking every nook and cranny of the den and maybe satisfy her own curiosity too.
She took notes of some of the endemic plant life growing and the way they wrap themselves around the paths of the den. She also took note if some of the areas they been to were naturally formed or ones carved out by the previous resident of the den. She could definitely confirm that whatever it was, it was really big, since one of the areas they took a break in had a large pond connected to the stream.
She could tell the pond was made as a personal drinking spot by the monster and noted it down in her notes but didn't tell 2B or A2, who were currently bathing their foots in it at that time. It would be a fun thing to point out later and see if they would be disgusted or react weirdly.
She chuckles at the thought.
6O also took notes of the insects, like the flash bugs, and the spots where 9S and his band of felynes have been. Where they gathered materials, to at least determine what they found and know what materials were growing in the cave. As a bonus for her, most of the places that 9S and the felynes had been through have flowers growing in them, which she enjoyed and cooed with excitement. She plucked a few to make them as flower presses in the future and to add more to her collection. She is thankful that 9S and the felynes where diligent in gathering materials, while not ruining any of the landscape.
6O also recorded the number of times they found areas like them, since monster dens with lots of areas that have patches of growing life is a good sign that the place is rich with nutrients. Meaning that it was a prime location for a monster to make its nest and a future location for the guild to keep tabs on.
'Maybe even the entire area outside the den as well' 6O thought.
She then remembers something as she and the twins continue to follow the stream.
"Didn't 9S report that there was a nest in here?" The bubbly girl asked.
"He did. Anemone also said that they brought back an egg, remember." 2B answered.
"Why are you asking? You think we're headed to the nest?" A2 said as she was walking a bit further than the two.
"I think so… I mean we've seen signs of 9S and his group gathering materials left and right. And I bet at the end of this path it would be the nest. I'm a bit excited!" Cheered 6O as she catches up with A2 with 2B following behind.
"Why? You want to see some monster eggs? You know that they're probably eaten by then, right? If the felynes found this den, then other monsters would have found this place too." A2 tells 6O, who deflates a bit.
"Well, I can't say I wasn't expecting that, but I did hope I could still see a real one." 6O replied to A2.
"Why not just look at one inside the research center? Most monster materials are taken there, if not to the smithy." 2B suggested only to see 6O give slight disgusted expression.
"And chance to see dismembered and dissected monster parts, no thank you. Bleugh." 6O makes short gaging noise before she speaks to the twins again.
"But seeing monster eggs isn't the only thing I'm excited for. 2B you told me that the nest looked amazing based from what 9S said and I'm hoping to see it with my own eyes and see if what he said is true." 6O had a starry-eyed expression while telling the two. A2 snorts before giving a reply.
"Well don't get your hopes up. 9S can exaggerate at times." A2 said as she stretches her arms over her head, while feeling a joint pop. 2B nods her head in agreement before looking ahead and sees light shining strongly.
"I think it's safe to say, this is not one of those times." 2B said.
Before A2 could retort, she and 6O see the shine as well and the three head towards it.
2B had a hand to cover her eyes form the light, which was blinding A2 and 6O a bit as well. As they adjusted to the light, their eyes immediately widen at the sight of the nest before them.
Open space with small waterfalls coming out of the walls, patches of green grass littered around the place and flowers that decorate it. They could see at the center, a large structure made from rocks and piled soil with dry leaves arranged on the top. Ceiling less, light falls from above and illuminates the structure. At this time, the nest glows and shines like a decorated tower and despite some of the materials gathered the day before; the nest still looks amazing in its entirety, looking as beautiful as 9S describe it to 2B.
6O gasps at the sight and A2 was impress by the view as well. The girls slowly walk further inside, wanting to see as much of this wonder and not ruin in it in their haste. That is until they caught a sudden movement at the top of the nest.
Rustling could be heard, as they could see a creature digging through the nest. Broken eggshells and dried twigs fall and land near their feet as they could see the creature had a raptorial figure. Tensing, 2B and A2 land their hands on the hilts of their long swords while 6O, knowing of what would happen next, stays behind the two as the monster finally takes note of their presence.
Blue scaled, red head crest and sharp claws, it was a Velociprey and it glared at the unwanted presence of the humans in the nest. It barks a call while standing upright on top of the nest.
"Euuurrooopp"
The call was answered with a canopy of other roars in reply with several Velociprey jumping out from behind the nest, making their presence known. Two stood on the top with the one that called, and four positioned themselves at the bottom of the nest with a pair on each side. They give a series of threatening calls making 2B and A2 draw their swords. This prompts the ones on top of the nest to jump straight at the two.
In an instant, the twins went into action.
In sync, 2B and A2 slash all three Velociprey that pounced on them. Both of their blades moved in an arc, bisecting the raptors midair, with 6O jumping back in shock and to not get stained by the blood gushing out from the bodies as they land in heaps on the ground.
The remaining four immediately retaliate, with one pair aiming to get to 6O but blocked by 2B who swiftly delivers precision strikes at the pair. One, gets cut at the neck letting its blood choke it before spilling onto the floor with its body following after. The other was decapitated, with its head flying off and its body still standing headless until 2B kicked it to the ground.
The other pair facing A2 got a surprise, by the hunter charging at them with her sword set in a stabbing motion. This made the Velociprey pause on their rush momentarily, which cost one of them to be stab and sent flying by the thrust of A2's sword before the other was cut in the middle by an overhead slash A2 chained, killing it instantly. The stabbed Velociprey, though wounded, jump back to its feet and charge right back at A2 only to be swiftly sliced into two as she swung her blade upwards. The halves fell onto A2's feet as she sheaths her blade expertly before turning to 2B.
"Well… that was a nice warm up." A2 said she begins to stretch her arms again, while 2B questions her.
"A warmup? Hardly…" Her sister's dry comment made A2 chuckle a bit while 6O could only stare at the two and try to process at the brutality that just happened and that the beautiful nest area is now littered with dead corpses and blood.
"Uh… when I went out today, I did expect to see what its like in the field for hunters and researchers alike. Though, mostly I thought I would be seeing item gathering, tracking, seeing the flowers and all. Hopefully, just a small chance of monster slaying… I didn't expect to see everything in my first day, honestly." Said 6O, making the two turn to her.
"Oh… Sorry 6O, are you alright? You're not hurt are you, or are you feeling bit… squeamish from what you have seen." 2B rush to 6O's side to see if she was okay and a bit worried of her friend, who just witnessed monsters being slayed first hand.
"Shit, I hope we didn't traumatize you… I mean you did expect that we might have to kill some monsters but… a-are you alright?" A2 asked hesitantly, also a bit cautious of how 6O would react. Maybe she's shock or she'd be hyperventilating, the latter she expected.
"Y-yeah, just might need a minute or two. I mean my friends are monster hunters and you guys protected me and WOW! You guys are good, like really good. I kinda feel sorry for the monsters but not much since they tried to kill me, but it happened so fast. Phew, I think I might want to sit down a bit… Somewhere bloodless and monster corpse free preferably." 6O said as she begins to control her breathing while 2B leads her away to the other side of the nest.
"It's okay 6O you'll get use to it… eventually." A2 told her.
"No, it's all right. I'm fine! Honest." 6O said to A2, while she makes her way to the back as she lets go of 2B.
"You girls can carve up some scales or whatever, there still stuff here for me to look and record for the guild. I can do it right here while sitting on this rock!" She yelled at the two, from behind the nest to avoid the gruesome sight the twins where in. 2B was still worried but she knows 6O can handle composing herself.
"She's handling it better than expected." 2B commented making A2 raise her eyebrows.
"Really?"
"Yes, which is good. Since knowing are job descriptions, future endeavors may be bloodier…"
"And gruesome." A2 finished for her sister, who nods in agreement before bringing her carving knife out.
"Well might as well get any good materials from these mooks." A2 said as she follows her sister in carving the Velociprey pack. On the off hand, A2 noticed that one of the Velociprey had a badly mauled face and wonders if one of the other pack members did it, to it. Curious for a second, A2 just shrugs it off before carving the poor bastard.
As the sisters carve and maybe wipe the blood off of themselves, 6O was able to calm herself and keeps in mind that situations like these would happen in the future and should get use to it, as A2 said.
She would be out in the field at times with 2B and A2, maybe with 9S potentially and seeing monster killed or slain would basically be part of her experience as a handler. She maybe squeamish right now but she'll get over. Besides it is a fact in life that monsters kill for food and protection and whilst hunters do the same as well, in a different manner entirely.
With her thoughts compose, 6O begins to write down notes of what just happened in the nest to report in the future to the guild, while also investigating the side of the nest she was in. Relatively it was the same, with signs of the nesting area rich with nutrients. Water flows from the openings on the walls that fills the place, with a moat particularly surrounding the area. Most of the plant life that 6O sees were growing near it, but she spots something from afar. At a spot where the water falls and meets the ground. She could pick it out from her view that it was some sort of flower.
...A very weird flower.
"Um… 2B, A2. Can you guys check this out! I found something! Its really weird!" 6O calls to them, which they heard.
A2 looks at 2B, not sure if they should go to where 6O is. She thinks it's probably not important but 2B thinks otherwise and wordlessly heads to 6O. A2 follows begrudgingly, since both of them are done carving the Velocipreys and there's nothing else to do anyway. As the twins come near to 6O, they could see that she had an unsure expression on her face with the bubbly girl muttering that something isn't right.
"What is it 6O?" Asked 2B, making 6O turn to her and A2.
"Its this flower… something is not right about it… something is off." She answered moving a bit from her spot to give the twins a look of the flower. Curious the white-haired siblings come closer to see the flower and both found 6O's words true.
The flower does look off with something very wrong to it and at first glance too.
Since it was pitch black with purple hues and emitting a dark haze around itself. The sisters could even feel a disturbing presence from it.
A feeling of darkness, decay …death.
Yet the flower didn't show signs of wilting or decaying despite its evil presence.
"Have you seen any like it before?" 6O quietly said as she crouches down to inspect the flower closer, while 2B and A2 move close to it as well.
"No… I haven't. Not even when I go out to the forest with 9S. This a first for me." 2B replied while feeling a growing sense of dread from the flower.
"Same for me and this is the first time a flower is giving me some bad vibes…" A2 said, feeling disgusted as well from the flower's presence. Somehow, she suddenly felt the sudden urge to be away from the plant despite it looking relatively harmless, but very dark and vile at the same time.
"We need to bring this back to the guild for the others to investigate and research." 6O said as she began to look for something to keep the flower in, any container she can find in her bag.
"Wait 6O. We shouldn't touch the flower or anything we don't know about; it could be dangerous." 2B warned as she gently pulled 6O from her crouching position making her stand up and move away from the flower. 6O could only look at 2B with confusion.
"But 2B, we need to show this flower back to the guild. I know both of you felt it as well, the dread and uneasiness this plant is doing. I don't think that flower was like that in the first place. Look, I brought gloves. I can safely pluck it and not risk getting contaminated from my bare skin touching it." 6O said to 2B, who was still unconvinced but before she could retort they heard someone yell at them.
"2B! A2! 6O!"
The three turn to the direction of the voice and find Anemone running around the nest to meet them. She pauses and gives a sigh of relief before seeing the flower near them, with panic immediately setting on her face.
"GET AWAY FROM THAT!" She shouted firmly with the three following suit, putting more distance away from the flower.
Anemone then moved in between them and the flower and posed defensively at it. The three could only look in confusion at their captain's behavior and wonder if she is threatened by the flower.
"Did any of you touch it?" She asked while not turning her gaze away from the dark haze plant.
"No, none of us have." Replied 2B.
"How long was that there?" Anemone asked them another question.
"I-It was there when I found it… Is it really dangerous? Have you seen something like it before?" 6O said worriedly and thank the gods that 2B stopped her from plucking it. If the captain knows about what's happening to this plant and deems it dangerous, then she may have dodge a bowgun bullet.
Seeing that the flower was not doing anything else but the dark haze around it still ever present, Anemone relaxes a bit before turning her full attention to the three and answers 6O.
"I have… but not on plants. But on monsters." She said with a hint of dread in her voice shocking the three.
"Monsters? What do you mean?" A2 asked, growing a bit impatient from the situation they're in with no explanation.
"That dark haze over there."—Anemone points at the flower— "I've heard stories from senior hunters that their bad omens. Their signs of a growing danger and a simple sign like that flower could mean the village would be in a dire situation... and dreadful signs like black haze on a monster corpse means something worst." This made the three pause a bit before Anemone continued.
"I don't know if it's true, but my seniors did say it that this black haze was present …wherever the Black Calamity appeared and in the villages that it has destroyed." Anemone's answer sounded ominous, as if she was trying to scare them but the serious expression on her face and the way it slowly turned to fear made them think otherwise.
"The B-Black Calamity? …But the guild hasn't heard it from in two years? Y-you think it's coming here?" 6O questioned with dread pooling her in stomach. The fear that the powerful monster that ravage their world through the recent years would come and destroy YoRHa. Even 2B and A2 felt the same with 6O, with dread feelings rising inside themselves. The three young women where silent waiting for Anemone's reply, whose eyebrows were furrowed with deep thought before replying.
"I'm not sure, I know White told me before…"—Anemone trails off a bit, not sure if she should tell the bit of information the commander told her in the past. The others see her conflicted expression, but before they could ask, Anemone gives more chilling news— "But I fear our village may be facing a bigger threat based from what I've seen."
"What do you mean?" 2B said to the captain, who pauses a bit before she begins to tell her account of what she saw at the end of her path.
"At my path, I was following the stream we found earlier and as I continue to follow it, I slowly started to feel something the deeper I went inside. Then I started to see broken shells from monsters and bits of pieces from them as well with a trail leading further in. The feeling worsened and I decided to rush over to wherever the trail was leading me …and what I found horrified me. A pond littered with the bodies of Hermitaurs, all covered in a black haze. They all looked like they killed each other but I wasn't sure, since I immediately decide to find you three, fearing you all got into trouble. When I arrived here and saw the corpses, I assumed the worst until I found you guys behind the nest. The rest, you know…" Anemone gestured around themselves, her story reaching the present but what she said disturb the girls greatly, each having their own expression of dread or horror from what they heard.
"That's …morbid." A2 said clearly disturb.
"What do we now captain. What are your orders?" 2B recovered first and asked the captain of what their next course of action be.
"We need to report to the guild immediately and—"
"CAPTAIN! ANYONE!"
A sudden yell cut Anemone from giving her orders and all four them heard the yell coming from the entrance and head towards it. As they move around the nest mound to go to the other side, they see it was one of the hunters part of their party, who was calling at them.
He was running before stopping in front of them, panting a bit shortly to catch his breath before immediately speaking.
"Captain! No time for explanations you need to come to our location. Its urgent and I believe you would want to see this." The hunter said making the uneasiness rise in all four women inside the nest area, feeling the hunter's own sense of urgency for them to follow. With a determined expression, Anemone nods and immediately sprints with the hunter to exit the monster den with 2B, A2 and 6O following behind shortly.
Whatever the other group found, may not be to their liking as well.
"Okay… it has been, what? Four spots of herbs and three mushroom piles, but still no suitable place for Whistill's tribe to stay in."
"Well did you really think it would be that easy Meowster? Looking for a place?"
"No… but it would be easier if you could help look as well. You're just sitting there reading my manual. Heck, you're just riding Rogue who is doing most the of work." 9S said to Pod 153, who was currently reading the Rider's manual on top of Rogue, not bothered by the small Deviljho walking in the same pace with 9S. Pod wasn't even taking her eyes of the book and is able to ride on top of Rogue with ease.
9S can't help but be impress and thinks that the level of ease Pod 153 has, is a good example of what he should aim for and achieve in monstie riding in the future.
Then again, Pod may have a lot of practice from her staying on his shoulders from all the times she spends with him in the forest. 9S thought to himself before hearing her reply.
"Meowster, I think it is beneficial for the both of us that someone would continue to read the manual and relay it to the other. With you and Rogue tasked in finding the settlement per Whistill's request, I decided to be the one to read the manual and tell you all of the details we may have missed."
"Pod, we finished the Deviljho chapter a while ago and that was before we left with Whistill with a bunch of felynes for this gathering session and settlement search. We already learned everything what the manual said about Rogue and I bet you're just reading it for the fun of it. Which is unfair for me Pod, since we both know the rest of the chapters are interesting." 9S complained to his felyne companion who proceeds to turn another page ignoring him slightly.
"True, and they're really interesting. It's rare for me to be engrossed in a book before and I have been giving you tidbits time to time, am I wrong?" She turned with a raised eyebrow at him. Only to see 9S give her a glare of irritation.
"You know how I feel if you read everything and tell me only the sparse details." 9S tells her who just shrugs.
"For the record, Meowster. You were the one who wanted to read the rest of the chapters before leaving. But that would have taken a lot of time since you would be going through at least 100 kinds of monsties, leaving no time for you to work and help Whistill find a home. I figure you would want to bring the book with you while you search but that would just impede your task if you spent most of your time reading the book than facilitating Rogue. Hence, me alleviating the potential problem by reading the book and satiating your curiosity a bit, so you can do the task properly." Pod interjected and claimed being right with her assumption seeing that 9S turn his ahead away from her, while grumbling in annoyance knowing that she wasn't wrong.
"Stop being childish Meowster. You can read the book later after we're done for the day or if you and Rogue are able to find a new place for the felynes. But I warn you the latter doesn't seem likely possible to achieve today, so… don't try to rush and recklessly look for a place just so you can read the book early." Pod 153 chastised 9S, who rolls his eyes.
"Okay Pod. I get it, you don't have to worry… I'm serious about finding Whistill a place and more so since I need to look for one for Rogue as well." 9S stated as he moves further ahead from Pod and Rogue, his demeanor much more serious.
Rogue glances up to Pod who was on his back craning his neck to see her, asking if 9S is alright. Pod just smiles then just pats him and gestures to follow 9S, assuring the Deviljho that 9S is okay. She figures 9S may be a bit frustrated that they haven't found anything for the past few hours, despite the materials and gathering spots they've found with Rogue's nose.
Which is where Whistill and his other felynes where currently at, gathering and bringing the goods back to the camp. Whistill is at the latest herb spot that they've found filled with sleep herbs, a mildly uncommon plant found their area, making it good find in the felyne chief's opinion.
"Want me to continue telling you some 'cool' tidbits? I'll make them longer if you like?" Asked Pod, once Rogue caught up to 9S.
"Sure, why not." 9S answered still wanting to know of some of the info from the manual, which Pod welcomes since it may help relax 9S a bit and at least make their search a bit more tolerable for them all. Since like 9S said, they've been doing it for a while now, three hours to be exact.
The chapter of the manual Pod is in, was still about the different monsties a Rider could form a bond with and how to care for each one specifically. All the subchapters and the pages for each monster was interesting that even Rogue liked to listen, the hatchling somehow able to understand their words a bit more clearly, either due 9S's bond with him or he got accustomed to it because they've been speaking to him in their language since he hatched.
Throughout their gathering session, Pod would relay information like how to catch thunder bugs for Zinogres and skinning Khezu and Gypceros for their Nerscylla monsties. What food you should feed for monsters to grow strong or ores to eat for Basarios and Gravios to help form their armor. Pod would give more informations to 9S and Rogue, about the different needs of a monstie and advice given to young Riders to help take care of them.
It was nice that 9S got to learn more about caring for different monsties and seem to be hook on to it, especially after learning about taking care of a Deviljho. Which was very important to know for himself, Pod 153 and Whistill.
Pod remembers after Whistill arrived at their tent to inform them of their task today, they decided to read the chapter on the Deviljho together with him, just in case he would know what to do if she or 9S is not with Rogue and to help plan for the future of what they all would need in Rogue's coming growth spurt in a few days.
Glancing down at the Deviljho briefly, Pod recalls what the manual said about Rogue and what special instructions it said to raise him properly.
The first thing they read was the basics of a Deviljho, which is not too different to the info one would find from the monsterpedia but explained a few different details. The Deviljho monstie would not have the same endless hunger of a Deviljho that its species was famous for. The bond formed from the Kinship helps alleviate its hunger a bit, but it would still retain a big appetite born from its natural high body temperature and metabolism to produce power to fuel their strength and muscles.
A side note also theorize, it may also be because it produces the rare dragon element naturally. With the production of the draconic energy as another reason to why wild Deviljhos are forever starving. And the overproduction of it or massive intake of amounts from cannibalizing other Deviljhos, turn them to their savage variants. It's possible for the monstie to enter a savage state due to the former but it would be much more tempered and controlled, requiring the bond of the Rider to aid it as well.
The manual also warns them to take note that once a Deviljho monstie has achieved dragon energy production, expect in an overall increase of appetite from it. This worried them a bit, until they turned to the special care and notes to remember for the Deviljho. This led to finding something to help stave or reduce a Deviljho's legendary appetite.
9S was the first to spot that there is a tonic/concoction that they can make for Rogue to ingest and help balance his high metabolism. The manual explains that Deviljho's burn through energy constantly and involuntary when active, even when they are not doing anything physically stressful. The tonic helps alleviate this by stimulating the Jho's body to burn less energy and slowly as if they were inactive or sleeping. 9S speculates the tonic may be based on how the body naturally lowers its metabolism while it is at rest, since the body wouldn't be spending much energy while sleeping.
The manual notes that this method would help the Rider's Deviljho, by letting it have a normal appetite like of a regular monster. Its appetite would still be big, but it wouldn't need to eat every day or constantly look for food. It's also beneficial for the brute wyvern by having both its mind and body free from the constant starvation a wild Deviljho would have. Learning of this, 9S was happy and a bit hopeful that they have found a way to handle and manage Rogue's appetite, but Pod was quick to point out some important reminders for this method.
First was the materials to make the tonic, which are not hard to find if you know where to look for them, but the need to have a constant and steady supply of them. Because it is important for the second note, which is about the monstie being required to intake said tonic in intervals and a regular schedule to be made as to when the monstie should take its next dose.
The manual said that this requirement made the method a bit tedious and not for ones who are not diligent riders. It also made the Deviljho a bit dependent to the tonic, for it to have a regular appetite and if not, would just lead it to having to eat a big meal everyday. Most Riders would choose the latter option since it's easier but for 9S, who knows he can't possible risk Rogue going out everyday hunting in the forest, has no choice but to be diligent with this method to keep his Monstie safe. A vote of confidence from Pod encourages him, with her telling him that he can be pretty diligent when he wants to be.
The last note regarding the method, tells them that Rogue could only begin using the tonic once he has grown to the miniature stage of an adult and the intake would increase as Rogue gets bigger. This was to be expected and the three of them decided to plan ahead of what to do in the future once they cross that bridge.
The rest of the page for the Deviljho was about some meager things to do.
Like giving it something to chew or gnaw for its growing and constantly replacing teeth. Areas where to scratch it to calm it down and all the other essentials things common for all monsties like bathing, cleaning after itself and treating it with respect and not abuse.
After reading the chapter, they decide to start their gathering session while 9S told Pod to remind him that one of things he would do when he goes back to YoRHa is to have someone test the tonic just in case and help determine how long the effects would last. She agrees and informs him as well to use this session as an opportunity to find the materials they need to make one.
Which he had already accomplish by now, thought Pod, as she sees her Meowster pick a bitterbug from a tree and kept in his pouch.
Pod 153 then realized that she was so engrossed with her thoughts that she didn't notice that they where near the edge of a cliff. Rogue was currently gnawing a branch he found. She gives a sigh for being a bit absent minded at the moment and calls out to 9S.
"Meowster, I'm done reading for the day. Can you keep the Manual?" She closes the book and hops off Rogue and walks to 9S.
"Sure. Good thing you're done too, I may actually need your advice on something." He told her as he gets the book and secures it in its case before keeping it in his bag. Pod tilts her head, wondering what her Meowster would need advice on. 9S sees it and speaks before she would ask him of it.
"I'm thinking if we should have Rogue track instead a body of water or a place where the river flows through. Maybe whatever place we'll find it may be suitable for the felynes to live in and they would have a source of water for all of the farm ideas Whistill's been gunho about in the past. Maybe along the cliffs too so they can find a cave or carve one out. What do you think?" 9S's question made Pod think a bit before giving him a nod.
"I think its an okay plan and Whistill did have a desire to grow his own plants than spend the time gathering them. Even if we can't find a good spot for them to settle, there's still materials we can gather that could only grow near the river… Sure, why not."
"So where do we start? Do we just follow the cliff and which side, left or right?" Pod asks 9S.
"We do follow the river and I think to the left side. We'll still be heading west and maybe a bit south, based on where this cliff is. And I don't want to head north since 2B is with a hunting party there." 9S said as he begins to look at the view from the cliff and begins to plan where to head next.
"True, we wouldn't want Rogue to stumble on them accidentally…" Pod aggrees with 9S and looks past the cliff with him to see where they should head.
Rogue goes to their side and stares at the two wondering what they are doing, before turning to the horizon as well but this time because he smells something in the air. A small breeze passes by them, making Rogue sniff again with the scent enticing him.
Whatever he smelled, it smelled good and barks at the two that he wants them to follow him and look for the scent.
"It seems Rogue has picked something up." Said 9S, amused at the Deviljho now running around him, growling at him to move.
"Might as well look for it, might be something good if he is all riled up about it." Pod said, which started the three to start walking along the cliff, before Rogue went to the front to lead the way.
For 9S, something tells him that something good is gonna happen.
"The **** is this…" Muttered A2 at the scene before her.
Her sentiments were shared with the rest of the group, with 2B and 6O stunned with silence and Anemone having a grim look on her face.
"That's what we thought too when we arrived." The hunter who led them said.
Anemone's group arrived to where the other members of their party were and surprisingly enough, their current location wasn't even remotely close to their intended one. It was still some distance from the monster den, but the jog to it didn't bother the group since the feeling wouldn't be close to the one they have right now, from staring at what's before them.
A large tree, tall, strong… And covered in black haze with every part of it colored black with faint purple glows emanating from it.
It looks just like the flower and the Hermitaurs found in the monster den, but marginally more imposing and dread inducing to the party. Just a few paces in front of them, the researcher and the remaining hunters were also stunned by the shear magnitude of dread projected and even felt a cold feeling the tree was giving off. The ground itself, around the tree with its roots sticking to it, also have faint signs of being affected to whatever this black haze is.
Remembering her own words of how simple signs of the black haze means disaster, Anemone couldn't think what a large sign would mean to the village. She fears of the worst and can't help and be frustrated of not knowing or guessing what it could mean …but maybe someone else could.
"2B! A2! Head to the village this instant. Bring the Commander and the Chief, tell them that this is an emergency. Bring a cart with you if you can going back here. The faster you bring them the better." Anemone ordered firmly, making the twins nod in understanding, shaking themselves from their stupor and immediately running back to the village as fast as they can.
"Hunters! I want the rest of you to set a perimeter and see if there is any more of this… haze, at the surroundings. Drive off any monster you see. I don't want to know what would happen if a monster would be infected by whatever this is. Is that CLEAR!?" Anemone turned to the hunters who all a gave a salute.
"Yes, captain!" They shouted in unison, before moving to their task.
Anemone then gestures 6O to follow her and approuched the researcher, who was a bit frantic and scared at what she was seeing.
"I-I don't know what this is captain… w-we were only following the river and heading to our destination of where the disturbance was. But I feel… that this may be the cause." The researcher said to Anemone nervously, who nods in reply.
"Its okay. Find out as much as you can right now, as long as you don't touch it." Anemone told the researcher before turning to 6O.
"6O, I want you to assist the researcher and help whatever you can. Maybe both of you can figure something out." She said before turning away and drawing her bowgun.
"I'll watch and keep you two safe. I'm going to see as well if anything else around here is suspicious." Hearing this and seeing the captain walk off a bit to guard them, 6O and the researcher nod their heads to each before moving to investigate the tree.
Hopefully they'll find something before the commander and the chief arrive.
Author's notes:
Well, I have introduced the black blight. It won't be called the black blight for while since I intend that none of the characters know its real name until the end of the first arc.
I also added some non-canon info for the Deviljho monstie. I hope you guys won't be too bothered by it. But some of the info, I did base on canon or lore like the dragon element thing.
Okay See you guys in the next chapter! In a week, next friday.
Note.
There may be an item from Nier that you guys might like, and that I would incorporate in this story's world.