So, this is a rewrite of my first fic 'Fire and Ice'. I've been looking at that old story for quite some time and came to the conclusion that it was shit. I was an inexperienced writer back then, but it still doesn't excuse the grammar, messy plot and uneven characters.
This fic will hopefully address those problems.
The story will be relatively the same, but with the exclusion of some unneeded elements and the addition of edits to make the narrative more plausible. I've especially taken into account the criticism I've received from Thomas A. Hawk regarding the 'things that don't make sense or are not supposed to happen'. I will be trying to stay in tune with the vision I had for these characters as well as improve the romance aspect of it since I felt like it was rushed.
With that being said, I hope you readers enjoy this first chapter!
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Chapter 1
Most, if not all the stares were immediately directed upon the imposing figure of a hunter who had just entered the Val Habar Guild Hall. Whispers and murmurs began to erupt amongst the crowds of hunters alike.
He was in an impressive specimen of a hunter, standing over 6 feet tall, muscular but fairly lean and wore what looked like G-rank Rathalos equipment. On his back was his weapon of choice, a massive Greatsword nearly taller than the man himself. The man had an intimidating aura around him which was further emphasized by his name and title.
His name is Siegfried – the Fire King, infamous for his temper, cynical attitude, and rude disposition. Disliked by many, respected by some. Yet most hunters would begrudgingly admit that he is in fact, one of the best hunters the Guild has to offer. Many hunters envy his skill with the Greatsword, a powerful weapon only the strongest can wield properly and some had initially wished for him to train them. But it was futile, for he refuses to ever associate himself with other people. As a result, much of his past everything about him remains a mystery – a mystery that nobody ever dares to inquire.
With his usual indifference, he ignored the stares of fear, hatred and admiration directed towards him as he sat down on the solitary tables in the corner. He noticed a huntress already sat down opposite to him, but he paid no heed to her. He signaled for a Felyne waiter to approach the table.
"Y-Yes meowster?" the Felyne asked nervously, obviously intimidated by his presence.
"Bring me ale."
"R-Right on it."
He sighed and leaned his head on the table. His eyes briefly landed on the huntress sitting to his opposite. She was currently reading a book. Her notes perhaps? Discreetly, he observed her features.
He found her to be quite beautiful, with her long silver hair flowing down her back, tied in a ponytail. She wore what looked like G-rank Barioth gear, which emphasized her features quite well. But what he found most striking about her, were her eyes. Blue and beautiful, yet they looked almost…soulless. Propped against her side of the table, was blue, frost colored Long sword. Siegfried wondered if she was a solo hunter like him but immediately dismissed the thought moments later. When his drink arrived, the huntress closed her book, picked up her weapon and walked away silently, not even bothering to look at him.
After he had finished his drink, Siegfried stood up and walked towards the quest board. He sighed in irritation when other hunters backed away from the board, giving him a wide berth. Cowards…
Placing a hand under his chin, he carefully began making his choice, scrutinizing the quest list very closely. As of right now, he needed funds, so a quest with a hefty amount of reward Zenny would do the trick. His eyes glazed over each quest until they landed on a certain quest that caught his eye.
It was a slaying quest, with the targets being a Silver and Gold Rath couple. The reward was…56000 Zenny! Bingo! His hand reached for the quest…only for them to land on another, softer hand. He froze in place, and it seemed the owner of the hand did too. Slowly, he turned his head to face the owner of said hands. His eyes widened and they jerked away.
"What are you doing?" the huntress asked him coldly.
Ughh, here we go… "I believe this quest belongs to me. So, if you will, please let go."
"Are you blind, or are your eyes that bad? Clearly, as you can see, I placed my hand on it first, therefore it belongs to me."
This woman! "Hey, do you know who I am?" he said, growing increasingly irritated.
She scoffed, "Is there a reason why I should care?"
Their verbal spat immediately caused heads to turn towards their direction. Even the Guildmaster, who had been too busy ogling the receptionists or taking a nap, had his eyes on the duo, a small smile appearing on his bearded mouth.
Glaring at her, Siegfried walked up to the huntress, using his height and body to intimidate her. But she wasn't fazed. Standing in front of him, she stood slightly below his forehead. She was a relatively tall huntress, allowing her to glare right back at him with ease.
He cracked his knuckles, "I've been in countless bar fights, and I happen to know a thing or two about breaking someone's bones. And I've handled my fair share of bitchy women, so I won't hesitate to teach one like you a lesson…"
"Oh, am I supposed to be scared? If you're so "skilled" then prove it to me. Unless…you're too much of coward. All bark and no bite. Shame."
That was it. "You've got a lot of nerve acting that way to me," he growled, butting his forehead against hers.
"And you've got a lot of nerve talking back to me you cretin," she retorted, gritting her teeth and pushing back with her own head.
Slowly, their hands reached for the carving knives on their belts. Before the situation could escalate even further-
"Hold it!"
The Guildmaster's loud voice catches the crowd's attention. The two hunters stopped and turned their heads towards the small Wyverian man. They watched as he stood up on his small legs and hopped down the table where he sat. He walked up towards the quest board, jumped and took the quest before returning back to the reception desk, all while the crowd watched with confusion.
"I have an idea that will solve this predicament." He scribbled something onto the sheet and handed one of the receptionists the quest and whispered something in her ear. She merely nodded and proceeded to stamp the sheet.
"There, we've stamped the quest, officially declaring it as official. Therefore, you both are eligible for doing the quest."
"Absolutely not," they both said in unison.
"I refuse to hunt with this bitch."
"I refuse to hunt with this Conga."
"Oh, well that's unfortunate. I guess I'll just- "His tiny fingers slowly began to rip the sheet…
"WAIT!" The two hunters shouted in unison once more.
The Guildmaster smirked, "Oh?"
"Give me the quest!"
"No, me!"
The Wyverian hopped away from arm's reach, dangling the sheet in his hands. "You have three options. Either you both take this quest, or I give it to one of you and the other has to look for another quest. But I know your massive pride won't ever accept option two, right?"
The two hunters glared at the Wyverian man, but he continued. "The last option would be that I tear this sheet, therefore both of you cannot take the quest. But it would be a shame, won't it? Having to sacrifice this…56000 worth of Zenny quest. Not only that, but this quest is geared towards only the best of the hunters here, and it's clear that you two are those hunters." A low grumble came from some of the hunters in the crowd, who were admittedly envious of the duo's skill.
"So, what do you say?"
Siegfried bit his lip as he contemplated on his decision. He was making a huge gamble here. If he accepts, then he was going to have to hunt with her, which he would rather die than do. But there was also that chance that she might refuse, therefore allowing him to take the quest alone. But relying on chance is obviously not the most reliable method. If he refuses, then she might have said otherwise, therefore she takes the quest. And if they both refuse, then the quest disappears! That was more than 50000 Zenny, gone…He didn't have much of a choice.
Screw it!
"I accept."
Silence.
The two looked at each other. They thought to themselves, I cannot believe he/she said yes…
Extending his hand as if it were the hardest thing to do in the world, Siegfried laughed nervously, "S-Siegfried. I-I look forward to working with y-you…"
The woman huffed and tentatively shook his hand, "E-Eris. Right back at y-you…"
"Now that wasn't so hard was it?" the Guildmaster said with a smug smile, to which he received the finger from the both of them respectively. He laughed.
"See? Even your movements are in sync!"
Did you readers enjoy it? If you did, let me know in the review section. Your criticism and praise, both good and bad are highly appreciated.
Thanks for reading and see you next chapter!