To all those who kept me going through the dark times when all I wanted to do was give it up.
Here comes the second chapter, and no interrupting update chapter like I constantly had in A Chance from God. Thanks to those very few who favourite and follow my story, hopefully this one gets big, or at least well recognized.
Monster Hunter: World is owned by Capcom and all other relevant companies, I only own my characters.
Gaia's POV
My aching head was the first thing I noted as blissful unconsciousness slipped from my grasp. The ache was worse than the time Aiden got me, and himself, drunk and convinced me to see who had a harder head, by headbutting each other, he won if I remember correctly.
The next thing I realized was that I wasn't in a bed, the ground being hard and bumpy, and normally, the sound of nature isn't all around me assaulting my aching head directly.
Shooting my eyes open proved to be a big mistake as the shining sun blinded me, making my head pound worse. Slamming my eyes closed once again with a loud groan, I waited for the marching band in my skull to pass before I tried again. Eventually, I was able to open my eyes. Lush green forest met my sight.
Suddenly, like flashflies being startled, my memory came rushing back to me. Standing up, somehow ignoring the ache of both my head and my many bruises, I turned to see which direction I had come from. Spinning around, a view of the open sea greeted me.
Slowly, I looked down, growing paler the more I did as I realized how lucky I was. From where I stood, it was only a few short steps, about four feet from the edge of a cliff! If i had fallen a few feet further, probably forward, I would have gone over the edge and fell to my death! Morbidly, my mind wondered if I would have died by drowning, or died on impact with the water or maybe some rocks.
Filing away the memory and dark question in the 'nope' section of my mind, I spun around and retreated from the cliff edge.
Passing my landing spot, I entered the vast green expanse ahead of me, only one question going through my head, "Where the hell am I?"
Logically, I knew I was clearly on the New World, and I couldn't be too far from the rest of the Commission, since the Fleet boats weren't too far from making landfall when I was separated.
Considering I had nothing else to go on, my only real option was to begin travelling and pray I found some indicator of civilization and didn't go in the completely wrong direction.
A mere ten minutes of walking later and my prayers were answered! Having walked into a small clearing, I was surprised to find a camp. It was abandoned, sadly, but the state of the remains clearly indicated that it was only done so recently, probably the last month or two based on the camp's condition. It wasn't great, but it was a step in the right direction.
Approaching the collapsed tent, I began rummaging through the leather canvas. A lot of my gear had been lost in my impromptu flight, leaving me with only my carving knife, my journal, and a few small survival tools that I was able to store in the miniature pockets on the inside of my leather vest.
"Oh fuck yes!" I suddenly yelled. While I had found some useful equipment in the wreckage, including a deployable cooking spit, and a still usable capture net for my slinger, the big jackpot I had found was far more important. I had found an abandoned Hunter's Journal. Most of the pages were destroyed, likely by water damage and bugs, but skimming through it, most of the wrecked pages seemed blank, and the few that had barely legible writing were about endemic life. My joy came not from the notes however, but from what lay hidden inside of a protective sleeve in the front cover. Two maps were stored inside, one of the local area which I now knew was called the Ancient Forest, and a world map of the New World. Both had suffered some water damage, though it seemed the local map had taken the brunt of the damage. All that was left was bits of the area around the camp itself which was the map's origin point.
A proper look at the world map told me that civilization lay to the East of the forest, though the name had been wrecked by the water damage, a shame. I'm so glad whoever used to own this journal was smart enough to draw a compass on the world map, though the sheer detail put into it was unnecessary. It looked like a sketch of the overly decorated compasses sold to kids at outrageous prices!
Looking at the sun, it was clear for all to see that the burning ball was still on the rise, and since the sun rises from the East, I knew which direction to head. It would have been far easier to use a compass, and would help keep me going in the right direction now that I think about it. Problem is, I usually clip my compass on to my belt for easy access, so it was clearly one of the first things I lost in my fall. My scoutflies were also lost in the fall, that or they flew away not that I blame them, so I couldn't have them lead me home either. So it was back to old school hiking and traversing based on the sun. Time to put those survival skills to use.
A plan in place, I set off at a light jog. While the world map had a compass drawn on, it was only a rough sketch and lacked any way of measuring distance so I had no indication of how far I truly was from the Commission base. It would be better in the long run to pace myself in case I had to travel further than expected.
My musings were interrupted as the forest cleared and I found myself on a beautiful cliffside expanse. Flat and open, with a large but shallow pond taking up the center. Two streams connected to the pond, one running into it from the forest, the other running out and over the cliff into the ocean. Trees surrounded the entire clearing, minus the cliff side which offered an amazing view of the water.
The clearing was home to a pack of herbivorous creatures, I believe the wrecked Hunter Journal might have had something in it calling these things Aptonoth. They were large, quadrupedal creatures with brown skin fading to tan around the underbelly and legs. They had hunched backs with a ridge running along the spine leading to a tail tipped with bony spikes on the sides. The Aptonoth also had a large distinctive crest on their heads, probably used to attract mates or something…
Slowly approaching one, to which it didn't care in the slightest. Feeling slightly brave, I placed my hand on the Aptonoth's head, causing it to look at me curiously, before going back to eating. It seems I wasn't the only curious one as something began pushing itself underneath my other hand. Looking down, I found a far smaller Aptonoth, a baby clearly, to be the perpetrator. A small smile on my face, I began rubbing the small guy's growing crest. Apparently that was the right move as the Aptonoth baby quickly grew content, pushing back against my hand with closed eyes and a content groan. Giggling slightly, I continued my 'research of the local life' to my own enjoyment.
However, there was one small problem. While these two were already home, I clearly was not. So with some hesitancy I pulled away, earning a displeased grown from the kid. I was both happy and disappointed to see that the baby Aptonoth didn't follow me as a trekked to the opposite end of the clearing. My plans were completely derailed when I found a massive tree root blocking the entire exit of the clearing!?
Following the root with my eyes, I saw one end go over the edge of the cliff. Tracing the roots in the other direction, I was dumbfounded by the source. Standing at what was most likely the forest's center, grew an absolutely massive tree! The thing was truly massive, easily hundreds of feet tall, reaching high enough into the air that it looked like it was touching the clouds with its leaves. There was nothing more I could do than gape in complete awe at the sight. Though I shook myself free of the shock after a few minutes when I realized I was wasting daylight. Wrapping up my confusion with one sentence, I yelled, "How the hell does a tree grow that damn big?!"
Walking back to the clearing, staying a little ways away from the Aptonoth less I get distracted again. Seeing as I didn't walk to backtrack the way I came, I chose the only other reasonable option I had, I followed the stream that led into the forest, despite it heading North and not East. Knowing Aiden though, he would have seriously contemplated diving off the cliff face and trying to swim to where the Commission was. He really was crazy like that, always excited to get started on the next adventure.
"Oh screw you world." I muttered as once again massive roots blocked my path. I didn't see this before as the stream had turned not long after entering the forest only to sneak out from under the damn roots.. I had probably walked a mere thirty feet before being blocked.
I was ready to head back to the main clearing again and start planning when something caught my eye. Through a cluster of vines lay another clearing. Seeing as this sounded like a better option instead of going back to square one, I set to clearing a path through the deceptively heavy vines.
It had taken some effort, but I eventually was able to make a big enough hole through the vines to slip through. I now found myself in a much smaller, and heavily overgrown clearing. Before I could look around, a sound above me caught my attention.
Looking up, I was surprised to see a pack of yellow lizard-like creatures prowling in the canopy. They hadn't seen my yet, but based on their clearly defensive posture, they were at least aware I was here, and I would be found if I stayed still.
Quickly ducking down into a large bush beside me, I observed the creatures. They were mainly yellow, though their underbellies and the back of their legs were a bluish green. They were clearly pack creatures, and definitely predatory due to their large claws and mouth full of sharp teeth. It was also clear they were more than a little agile, with their slender bodies, ability to stand up on their back legs for a better view despite being quadrupedal, and the fact they seemed to live in the forest canopy. Now I just wish I could put a name to these things like I did with the Aptonoth.
This clearing was definitely this pack's territory, and based on how they were acting, they were ready to defend it. Clearly, they heard the noise I made shuffling the vines around when I was trying to get in here. Though the pack was definitely confused about nothing appearing, and were rapidly calming. Resolving myself to having to wait for a bit, I got comfortable in the bush.
Luckily, it only took a few minutes for the pack to deem it safe, and soon enough the last one disappeared up higher into the canopy. As it was now safe, I slowly left the bush, making sure to not make much noise. I had noticed a slope that went up, hopefully over the roots, and roughly in the direction I was originally heading in. I was ecstatic to see that the slope did reach over the roots, and put me directly back on my path.
Looking East from the top of the slope, something caught my eye, something that confused me greatly, and excited me even more. Letting a hint of joy creep into my voice, I asked to no one in particular, "Is that… a fleet ship… on a mountain top?"
Ignoring the fact I thought I heard snickers in the trees above me, I rubbed my eyes, thinking that maybe I had hit my head harder than I thought, and was seeing things because of it. My eyes were not deceiving me though.
Nestled at the top of a small mountain lay a Research Commission Fleet ship. It definitely wasn't one from the Fifth Fleet, seeing as on the ship's main sail was the symbol of the First Fleet, a shining Sapphire Star. The ship was clearly inhabited, as even from such a distance, there was no way a ship that old would look to be in that good a condition.
Letting a shit-eating grin grown on my face, I let out a whoop of happiness, once again electing to ignore what sounded like a snort from above me, as I jumped off the small cliff, landing in a rolling crouch at the bottom. Sprinting forwards, I continued heading eastwards, skirting the edge of a large patch of very tall grass, having no interest in seeing if something lay hidden inside.
It had taken some time and harsh hiking through the forest, but eventually I found myself noticeably closer to my objective. I could now make out what looked like a rope lift connecting the ship to something below, with small dots that were hopefully hunters riding on it.
Taking a quick note of my surroundings, it was clear I was coming to the edge of the forest as the landscape was slowly transforming to that of a rocky coast. To my North lay an entrance that led back into the forest, definitely not the way I wanted to go, especially since I swear I could feel two pairs of eyes watching me from within, and I swear I just saw three tiny glints from the darkness. To my South lay a large slope leading down to the edge of the water. Another pack of creatures, not those yellow things from earlier though, milled about. Probably didn't want to get close to these ones either, considering two of the three bigger ones making up the pack were butting heads violently, not sure why. Instead, my chosen option lay in front of me to the East. A large path cut through the stone that made up the rocky cliff face.
Walking past a lone tree covered in thick vines, I had just started to near the entrance to the path when something slammed into my side. I was thrown away, dazed and with the wind knocked from my lungs.
I laid still for a second to let the dizziness dissipate while I refilled my lungs. Slowly standing up with a small groan, I looked to where I once stood. I was unpleasantly surprised and more than a little pissed to see I was no longer alone. Under my breath I whispered, "Oh fuck me sideways…"
Staring back at me, making me feel like a piece of prime meat, was what looked like a much larger, beefier version of those canopy prowling pack creatures from earlier in the day. It had the same colours, mainly yellow with a green underbelly. It also had a large mouth full of sharp teeth, and sharp looking claws on its feet. But where the smaller ones were slender and agile looking, this monster was bulky and slow in appearance. Also noticeable was the shaggy mane going from the top of its head down to about mid-back, and the fact it seemed to drag itself slightly, leaving rather obvious drag marks in the dirt.
Suddenly, the monster let out a large roar, throwing saliva everywhere. Then before I could even react, it began charging directly at me far faster than it appeared it could.
Just as an eep escaped me and I prepared to dive off to the side to avoid being crushed and/or eaten alive, something jumped on the beast's back! The monster stopped charging me in favour of trying to throw off what looked like a man wielding a large cleaver blade made of solid bone?
The overgrown lizard then suddenly darted down the cliff path I had been intending to take, smashing into the walls along the way, trying to crush the man! Startled, I charged after the two, chest heaving. Embarrassingly, I could feel my bindings starting to come loose, causing them to strain against the leather vest and shirt that held them…
Then out of nowhere, the path opened up into one last clearing. Surrounded by walls, except to the North and South, it looked almost like a miniature version of the training arena used for the Research Commission tests. Though to the North lay another path back into the forest, across a small pond, while to the South lay another cliff leading to the ocean. Across from where we entered, a wooden gate stood open, the path continuing past it.
Still riding the monster, the man shifted his weight, causing the beast to tilt off course and smash into one of the clearing walls, the man having jumped off seconds beforehand. The man now stood past the gate, motioning for me to join him.
Grinning, I begin running forwards, fullying intending to blast past the yellow salamander, ready to stick my tongue out as I pass. Before I could make it halfway to the gate, however, the forest gave one final surprise as from the trees burst yet another monster.
This monster was primarily pink and black, and was bipedal with tiny arms that looked about as useful as a collapsible bridge compared to its size, which could only be described as 'fuck you'. Seeing as I now had to deal with two monsters, one of which blocked my path, I froze. Instead of my logical mind kicking in, my sarcastic one kicked in, as I thought to myself, "Fuck you forest, and fuck you too Pinkie…"
Seeing as I had inadvertently named one of the monsters, I gave the other the name of Sunshine. It seems Pinkie is a mind reader, and had heard me as they reached down and using their massive mouth, picked up Sunshine. Next thing I knew, the pink asshole was using Sunshine like a bludgeon, smashing the yellow-scaled bastard around, starting with where I stood!
Dodging forward with a scared yell, I now found myself between the legs of Pinkie. Looking up, accidentally confirming that Pinkie was a male, gross, I found that the mutant strawberry was more interested in making a mustard yellow tenderloin than trying to find where I disappeared too.
Taking a chance to escape, I began running forward only to quickly be blocked by Sunshine. In the half second the yellow lizard was pressed into the ground, our eyes locked and all that I saw flying in that reptilian orb was primal fear, sending a twinge of pity for Sunshine through me.
As Sunshine rose once again, a clear path was presented to me. Not giving myself the chance to hesitate, I began sprinting for my life. Right before I could pass the gate, the man let out a booming yell of, "JUMP!"
Obliging, I dove forwards with a silent yell. Off to the side, I saw the man slash a rope, and behind me I heard the gate smash closed, as a second crash followed afterwards. Probably Pinkie continuing his crushing of Sunshine.
Shooting up to my feet, I spun around just to see Pinkie toss Sunshine over the cliff edge. Seeing as the fight was over, Pinkie rose up to his full height, letting out a deafening roar. I was sad to hear the massive splash below, but at least I could confirm that Sunshine got at least a hit in, as I noted four deep slashes oozing blood on the side of Pinkie's face.
Before I could take more in, I was forcefully spun around, coming face to face with my saviour, who was clearly worried for me. He easily stood taller than me, like most Hunters do. He wore custom black leather armour, with thickened leather pads over his shoulders, metal plates covering his knees, elbows, and left side for some reason. He also had a multitude of small pouches scattered across the armour. Most noticeable was the large v-shape cut out of the front of the armour, showing off a muscular chest and just barely showing the top of a six-pack. Around his neck was a necklace, really just what looked like a crystal feather on some string or something. His face was devoid of any fat, and had several faded scars. And his black hair was mostly shaved off, all that remained was a furry tuft above his forehead, with a strip leading back to a 'warrior's wolf tail' style ponytail. It was also clear he wasn't the greatest socially when he asked, "You okay kid, you aren't hurt at all?"
If there was one thing I have come to hate, it's being called a kid by those around my age or younger, just because I'm short and tried to hide my developed figure. If it was someone far older than me, then I didn't mind as they had the right being as old and wise as they were. But if anyone around my age or younger calls me a kid, they get a tongue lashing, and if they repeat themselves, they get punched. Not even Aiden has taken one of my pissed off punches and stayed awake.
This guy couldn't be older than me by more than a year or two, so it's why I felt fully justified in yelling at him, "I ain't a kid asshole! Matter-a-fact, I'm twenty four, probably right around your age!"
Clearly startled by my outburst, the man jumped back waving his arms and stuttering out apologies. Turning away with a huff, it was obvious I was right in saying I was around his age, and he had definitely thought I was some teen. Eventually, the guy was able to compose himself, coughing into his fist before finally letting out a clear apology. Sighing, I just accepted his apology. He probably didn't know so I kinda feel guilty about yelling at him now. The man crossed his arms, signifying to me it's business time, so I turned back to face him properly.
"You wouldn't happen to be Gaia Treathers, A-list Hunter of the Fifth Fleet, would you?" he asked bluntly. I simply nodded, letting him know I was.
Letting out a clear sigh of relief, the man began to explain how Aiden and Elise had been worried for me. They were sure I survived being separated and had asked for a team to be sent out to find me. Seeing as no one was available, he had offered to go in place of a team. His plan was to search for me for most of today, and expand his search tomorrow. If he didn't find me, I would have been labelled temporarily missing in action, and only once several teams were available would a bigger search be initiated. I guess the chaotic arrival of the Fifth Fleet stirred things up.
Seeing as the sun was setting, we began moving. It suddenly occurred to me that I was extremely lucky to run into this guy, as without him, I'd probably be Sunshine's lunch, rest easy you giant scaly asshole. Blushing, I realized that instead of thanking the man, I had yelled at him for an honest mistake. Turning to thank the man I realized I don't even know his name, further embarrassing myself and making me feel guiltier.
"Hey, uh, I just realized I never got your name, despite you knowing mine… Nor did I see you back at the Fifth Fleet meetings before we left the Old World..." I quietly said. The man looked back at me with a smile.
"Oh, my name's Mercer, nice to meet you!" he happily said. The man went on to explain how he was the leader of the Commissions' Field Team and how he was never a part of any fleet, having been born and grew up in the New World. His parents had left to return home, but he stayed with his grandfather as part of the Research Commission.
Quickly thanking Mercer for saving me, and apologizing for my outburst, we lapsed into minor small talk. We talked and walked for about an hour before we finally arrived at the Research Commission base.
My eyes grew wide at the amazing sight before me. Past the massive ribcage of a long dead monster, the bones decorated with several faded ribbons, lay an entire small village. People of all sorts, Humans and Wyverians, from Hunters to Researchers to Handlers, were all over the place. Some doing jobs, others milling about talking. It was all so much to take in!
Behind me, Mercer, who was probably grinning, said three simple words that brought a giant smile to my face. "Welcome to Astera!"
Thus ends the second chapter! This felt far longer than the first, probably is since I couldn't stop writing or typing, the joy of coffee!
Big thanks to those that favorited this with only one chapter!
Shoutout to "Kaien1123" for being the first reviewer, I'm glad to see that my story did so well in your eyes, and I'm glad my style of 1st person POV writing caught your interest, I don't usually write in 1st person so it's a big change up for me!
Thanks for reading everyone, and keep on hunting!