Hey there Hunters and Welcome back!
I know I'm cutting it close but hey, better late than never right?
Anyway I the end bosses such as Zorah Magdaros and such having the same treatment like the other monsters and I'm not so certain to it. But regardless the story is still early and we're almost to the Wildspire Waste. And in case you're wondering yes I am Doing Iceborne monsters, just not at this point in time, I want to get the low ranks outta the way first.
So with that outta the way, Enjoy!
A clear pattern
The five of us had returned to Astera ready to report the findings of today's outing, when we approached the commander his eyes were turned to me as he then saw a Demi-human much like AJ. To be honest that's not all of what happened while we were out.
"Eric I see you have gotten yourself an extra person with you". He said to me.
"Yea, about that commander that's not all we have to report". I replied. "We may have a lead to Zora Magdaros, a huge molten slab was found in Pukei-Pukei territory". I said getting his full attention.
"Well, I'd send some researchers out right now, but not with a pissed off Pukei-Pukei hanging around". He said while thinking with his hand on his chin.
"That territory is pretty deep in the forest. We'll better be equipped to take it on". Mark added in. The Commander then looked at AJ before looking back at me.
"Tell me, how did your Anjanath friend do out there?" He asked me.
"Well to be honest sir, AJ did pretty well fighting with me and Nathan, she still got to hunt and she'll definatly become a great partner while I'm out in the field". I answered stating my honest opinion and even Nathan nodded in response backing me up. I glanced to AJ and she looked away and saw her face was darker shade of pink as she looked everywhere but at me.
"Well, that's good news. From what you've told me and your efforts in clearing the forest, we can divide and conquer to get this done". The commander stated. "Nathan, Mark and Sarah will help set up the cam for the researchers so they can go out and examine the trail left by Zorah Magdaros". He said and then looked towards me. "Eric, AJ your job will be that Pukei-Pukei, hunt it down by any means you seem fit".
"Yes sir, but before we do we have some other matters to discuss". I said motioning towards the Jagras girl on my back. He nodded in response.
"Very well, like last time Eric". He said as I already knew what that meant. "Alright people you got your assignments, dismissed". He said as everyone began to leave but he gestured for me and AJ to follow him into the Hunter's quarters. As we walked in I laid the Jagras down on the bed and we all sat down.
"Eric I'll be honest with you, and I mean no offense to AJ, but we need to think long term of this. Having too many Demi-human monsters here is going to be a problem.
"Eh, none taken". AJ said with little care with her arms crossed.
"I understand your point sir but where are we going to house them all? I doubt Astera is big enough to do that". I asked him as he nodded in understanding.
"An option I have is the gathering hub, I'm sure you've seen the ship that is up high in the rocks?" He asked me.
"Kinda hard to miss that if I'm being honest". I answered.
"Well, what I'm saying is we can make some modifications to it to house your companions". He stated shocking me.
"Whoa wait a minute commander, won't that I dunno…set a bad vibe from the other hunters and Demi-humans?" I asked him.
"The Gathering hub is mainly used for large scale investigations, however due to none really happening at the current time, besides from what I've seen I doubt AJ and your Jagras friend here are going to be the last of their kind coming in Astera". He said which he had a point. "Aside from that the rest of the hunters are all out off on assignments and are usually respond to the call of an SOS flair. There will be no issue in terms of gathering Hunters for future large scale investigations, Astera's Trade yard and Canteen are big enough to split the numbers evenly so there's no cluster of Hunters in the one area". The commander explained.
"Well ok then. But speaking of Demi-humans, that Pukei-Pukei we encountered earlier I think it was female". I said to him as I showed him my necklace. "This necklace here seems to only glow when female monsters are present, it happened with the Great Jagras here and AJ as well. It even glowed when the Pukei-Pukei was around. It too much of a coincidence for it to be chance sir". I explained.
"Hmm, May I?" He asked wanting to inspect it more. I took it off and hesitantly gave it to him. He looked at it closely inspecting it thoroughly before looking at us. "I've only seen a gem like this only once or twice, and it was only obtained by a Rathian. However the chances of actually obtaining one of these is one in every thousand". He explained as he handed it back to me. "I know someone who may have more information on your little crystal, however he doesn't tend to stay in Astera for very long. Doesn't like being tied down in one spot".
"Ok then, but what do we do now? Do we wait for the Jagras to wake up and explain everything to her?" I asked the Commander.
"This is somewhat out of my hands if we're being completely honest. If you managed to get AJ onto your side I'm sure you'll do fine". He said to me.
"You make it sound so easy". AJ muttered but we both heard it making us turn to her.
"You have something to say?" The commander asked her.
"I'm not sure if you are aware, but I had several encounters with her kind before I met Eric". She stated gesturing over to the Jagras girl.
"Is there going to be issues when she wakes up?" I asked her.
"Oh I have not even bothered her with the amount of times she's come through my territory. But I can't say the same to me when she wakes up". AJ clarified. I get the feeling that they'll be at each other's throats when the Jagras girl wakes up…both figuratively and literally.
"Well, the last thing I need is you two killing each other here. So at least give her a chance before you start jumping to conclusions ok?" I asked her but she looked away. "AJ". I said getting her attention. "You don't need to like it, but can you at least deal with it?" I asked her. She sighed before looking me in the eye.
"I've trusted you this far. Fine…I guess". She answered.
'Well it's a start'. I thought to myself. "It's all I ask".
"Well, let you two sort this out when she wakes up, in the mean time I have to get back to it". The commander said to us as he walked out leaving the two of us alone with the sleeping Jagras.
"There's something else I've been meaning to ask you AJ". I said getting her attention. "You do realise that you and the Jagras won't be the only ones that have changed, right?"
"Since what I witnessed today with hungry yellow here. Yea, kinda figured that out". She answered bluntly.
"Well, chances are that more monsters are going to go through the same process as you two. And that there's possibly going to be more and more disputes between predators if you catch my drift". I explained and it dawned on her.
"You're worried we'll kill each other right?" She asked and I nodded. "Well there's an easy solution that I know that can help with that problem". She said to me.
"Tell me". I said, I'm pretty much open to anything at this point in time.
"Form a pack". She said. "A pack has to work together in order to survive, and with that everyone will need to pitch in order to be in the said pack. However the pack needs an Alpha to guide them, if there's no Alpha there will be infighting and well…things can escalate from bad to worse". She explained. "And in my eyes, you fit the Alpha role perfectly, considering you have the ability to change monsters into…well, this". She said gesturing to all herself and the Jagras girl.
If I'm being completely honest, it's a system that we both understand. Human and Monster alike, some monsters have a Pack system in their daily lives and the Great Jagras is a prime example of this. The bigger one is the Alpha and the smaller ones follow the orders of the big one. However this situation here is going to be comprised of different monster species and are supposedly supposed to work together in hunts and various other things. If I can have both AJ, who is an Anjanath who practically is the high in the food chain when it comes to ground based monsters in the Ancient Forest, and the Jagras who is lower, work together…I might be able to do the same with other monsters I may encounter.
"Can I trust you two to not fight each other if this is going to work?" I asked AJ.
"Like I said before I haven't bothered her when she roamed my territory due to the amount of times her kind has trespassed". She replied.
"What did you do exactly?" I asked out of curiosity.
"I would merely throw her round and toss her to the side. She sometimes picks a fight with me even though she can't win". AJ answered again.
"Perhaps it's the shift in the environment due to Zora Magdaros's presence here in the new world". I theorised. "The local wildlife has been acting off from what I heard from Mark and the others". I looked at the Jagras and checked the wounds she had on her, she'll be out for a bit due to her taking hits from a Switch Axe, Long sword and a Great Sword. Jagras have been known to eat their prey whole which is Aptonoth, that's where the glutinous comes from in the title.
Now all we had to do was wait until she wakes up, because there's no telling what will happen when she wakes up.
The two of us waited for a while for the Jagras to wake up, however Nathan, Mark and Sarah had already headed off on their assignment. Guess we did more damage that I thought, her wounds are healing up nicely so it shouldn't be too much longer now. I wanted to head over to the smithy and have some gear crafted for our new arrival but I wasn't going to leave AJ with her alone, no way was I going to take that chance.
Leaving AJ with her was a bad idea in itself, who know what she could do when I'm not around. I mean she does follow my order…to an extent but there's always a chance she'll go against it and that's when we'll have a problem. I glanced over at AJ who was sharpening her weapon like I taught her to properly maintain your weapon's effectiveness and sharpness. I think I had her at sharpness to be completely honest. I then heard someone groaning and looked to my right and saw the Jagras was starting to wake up which had also gotten AJ's attention.
The Jagras then opened her eyes and immediately shot up and began to panic.
"Easy, easy. No one's gonna harm you". I said as I came to her side and she then her breathing then began to settle…until she looked at AJ.
"Relax, ya glutton I'm under orders to not do anything. Including harming you". AJ stated bluntly putting her whetstone away.
"What happened? Who are you? And Where am I?" The Jagras asked one question after another.
"As to what happened the same thing happened to her". I answered gesturing to AJ. "As to who we are, I'm Eric, A hunter and that there is Anjanella or AJ for short. She's and Anjanath…or still somewhat is, it's a little complicated at the moment". I answered. "As to where you are, you in our home of Astera, the Commission's HQ. I don't expect you to know straight away".
"Ok…why am I here?" She asked.
"I'm the one responsible for turning you into what you are now. But rest assured you're safer in here than out there, trust me". I said in assurance. "As to why, well that's still to be determined this situation is still new to us. But we may have an agreement that would benefit us and any potential others that we may come across like you and AJ". The Jagras looked down I thought before looking at AJ and me.
"What did you have in mind?" She asked.
Now this chapter is a bit short due to me struggling to get inspiration into it but regardless I managed to make the deadline. Now the next Monster will of course be the Pukei-Pukei. Now I'm wondering what is the ranks for a pack? I Know Alpha is the leader of said pack and the Beta is the second? I think? but I don't know what the other ones are let me know in the review section.
Anyway be sure to leave your thoughts in there as well, a bit of feedback can go a long way. So until then, see ya next time!
Cronus Prime Out!