Soo... Kept you waiting huh, two months this fucking thing took to come out... I'll explain as to why it took this long at the bottom. Until then, enjoy the chapter.
"Hey! Up and at em-" The man's awakening shout was interrupted by a punch to the jaw.
"Oof!" Falling to the ground, the man lay awkwardly for a few moments before shooting up while nursing his now bruised jaw.
"God's damned woman! Just trying to wake you up. There's no damn need to sock me!" The man angrily mumbled.
Scarlet eyes blinked tiredly in confusion.
"What?" Morrígan's words were slurred due to the sheer sleepiness she was drowning in.
She began to come to when an ache started to become awfully prominent on her outstretched fist.
Her gentle freckled face did an O as she realised what she had just done.
"I… I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! It's just a reflex I swear it is!" More and more apologies were stuttered out of her lips as she stumbled towards the poor man she had punched.
"Ah, hell woman! Enough of the half assed sorry's already will ya!" The man let his fist fall from his jaw as his annoyance filled eyes fixed themselves on Morrígan.
"Eh, whatever. At least you're awake. Your handler Aqua was it? She sent me downhere to wake you up. You got a quest this morning, remember."
"Y-yes, yes I do." Morrígan stuttered out.
"Sure you do… anyway. Get dressed, we have a heavy rain outside." True to his words. The thick sound of rain pittering against the quarters was loud and heard.
The man quickly turned and left before Morrígan could retort the sassy quip.
Huffing at the rather horrible morning so far, Morrígan let her thoughts wonder for a bit as she started to look around for a trunk or locker so she could procure her equipment from.
Is every morning going to be like this? I hope to the lords above that it doesn't. Honestly, the first few weeks at sea were maddening sure… but now it's just… ugh. Maybe Mother was right. I should've become a Lore-Teller of the Dreams…
Her eyes snapped fully open at that revelation.
What was she thinking! She trained like hell to become a hunter since she killed her first Jaggi at the raw tender age of 10 for crying out loud!
It was just the sleepiness talking she told herself.
Slapping her cheeks multiple times in quick succession, Morrígan repeated the mantra that she has always had since she started her journey to become one of the best hunters out there.
"Never halt even in the face of absolute death. My determination is ultimate and my strength unending.
I shall be like the Wind, free as the day it was conceived.
I shall be like the Earth, steady, yet tall and unbreakable.
I shall be like Fire, Raging and all consuming, yet tempered and disciplined.
I shall be like Water, a torrent unforgiving and endless, yet calm as a spring stream and deep as the abyss."
Morrígan let out a calm sigh as she finished.
This was the mantra that had been passed down by her family.
Generations and generations of differing philosophy and esoteric discipline's alike are crammed and stockpiled into one core lesson.
In a way it symbolises change and evolution.
It is in this way that every mantra that is passed down to them is unique to its own individual that learns it.
The mantra that Morrígan was given was her mother's in hopes that she would make her own.
Morrígan shook her head clear of these thoughts before she started to fall down the rabbit hole that is her mind.
"Meow, meowster. You look deep in thought."
Morrígan was snapped out of her stupor as she was startled and did a spit take and started coughing violently.
"Ah! Meowster! Are you OK?! Do I need to call the medic?!" The poor house-keeping Felyne all but yowled in panic.
Morrígan, seeing as how this could lead to a more shitty morning quickly acted.
Waving her arms to soothe the Felyne, Morrígan stuttered out her response.
"N-no.. I- I am fine, really I am. You just startled me that's all."
Hastefully catching her breath. Morrígan gave an awkward smile to the white and black housekeeping Felyne.
The little furry thing rubbed its paws in an odd gesture before speaking up.
"Meow… if that's the case then Meowster, do you need anything? Most of your fellow A-listers are up and about."
Morrígan rubbed the back of her head sheepishly over the fact that she had slept in for so long before giving her answer.
"Well, first of all. Do you know where I can find the「Item Box?」? I've a quest this morning."
The cat nodded its head very enthusiastically.
"Un! Come with me Meowster! I'll show you where we keep most of our standard equipment and uniforms."
And so, the Felyne & Hunter duo went.
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Popping out of the Living Quarters. Clad in all of her chainmail glory… was Morrígan Dagda.
"Ugh, that took way longer than intended. What kind of hunter am I if I can't get dressed in time..."
Shaking her head once more, Morrígan took a sniff of the rainy air.
Nice fatty meats were being roasted and stews being stewed. A small hint of fruit also rode on the scently wind.
Mmm, breakfast sounded nice right about now.
With a hungry gait in her step. Morrígan set forth on an exodus to get breakfast.
...Only for her to bump into her handler.
"Wah!"
"Oof!"
The wet wooden floorboards underneath caused them to slip and fall.
Quickly getting up while rubbing her rear, Morrígan set her sights on her Handler.
"Geeze… I only just got up not too long ago and already I bump into you." Morrígan quipped at Aqua.
"Hey! It's not my fault somebody slept in this morning, you're late you know." The handler shot back at Morrígan.
Morrígan raised a confused eyebrow.
"What do you mean late? It's not noon now is it? I've only just gotten dressed to come and eat breakfast."
Aqua's face fell at the mention of breakfast.
"We've been waiting at least half an hour for you to show up." Aqua mumbled despairingly.
Morrígan walked over to Aqua, who still was on the wet floor and lifted her up off of the wet landing.
"Come on… It's just breakfast, it ain't gonna kill you if it's cold. And also, what did you mean by "we"?" Morrígan questioned.
"We? Oh! You mean Smokey, Rudra and… I forgot his name already, but it's our very own Field Team Leader! He has a lot of experience when it comes to leading rookies!" Aqua shot out.
Morrígan began to grit her teeth as they both ascended the staircase that passed the smithy and led to the canteen.
"I am not a rookie, Aqua. I've been hunting for a good three damn years before I came here. You know before, I had a nice damn full set of「G-Rank Blue Kut-Ku」Armor. That monster put up one helluva fight and is my greatest achievement to date. And I would still have it if it wasn't for those damn rules eating dogs!" Morrígan rambled violently before stopping herself to take a breather.
Aqua pipped up.
"Mmm, well. We all had a lot of good things before we came here to the New World… I had a friend in the B-listers who had a nice set of 「G-Rank Rathian Gunner」Armor! Shame the Guild made him sell it though."
Morrígan hummed in silent agreement while they reached the canteen.
Aqua suddenly took a deep breath of air and in a flash… grabbed Morrígan's hand.
"C'mon, partner! I can't keep waiting anymore! I'm too hungry!"
Like a gluttonous demon, the Handler pulled Morrígan along like a poor kite in the wind as they made their way over to the closest table.
Morrígan blanched as she was man-handled by Aqua.
"Enough of this! You're acting like a Deviljho, Aqua!" Morrígan shouted as she was forced down into a stump of a stool.
"Don't care, I want food. Be right back. Stay right there." The Handler parroted as she strolled towards the ordering table like a starved predator.
Morrígan scrunched up her face as she began to rub her now sore thighs due to Aqua forcing her down so suddenly.
"What a monster of a handler…" Came a muffled voice.
Morrígan stopped her ministrations and turned her head to where the sound of clanking armor was heard.
It was the Huntsman, the one who went by the name of "Rudra".
Upon stopping at her table, Rudra sat himself down across from her as he took off his verdant longsword and propped up against the stone table.
"You know… we would have already had breakfast and gotten this expedition onwards if it wasn't for you and your Handler." The Huntsman calmly said while crossing his arms.
Morrígan throat tightened and her eyes widened
It was like getting scolded by her father all over again.
Rudra, as if sensing this, let his rigid posture soften and uncrossed his arms to put them on the table instead.
"Heh, you need more pride in yourself A-lister. Don't worry about it. We still have plenty of daylight ahead of us, and as a matter of fact… I do happen to enjoy eating with fellow hunters and comrades very much."
Morrígan couldn't help but slightly narrow her eyes at the last few words. They just bleed raw and pure mischief.
Rudra chuckled at her expression.
"Forty years I've been here, and with that being said."
The Huntsman leaned forward.
"Remember this quest A-lister, remember it hard and well. Because from here on out? It's only going to get harder with every quest done, so enjoy the ease of doing the simple stuff for now." Rudra's voice turned gravely and serious.
Morrígan dumbly nodded her head.
Yeah… it was like speaking to her father all over again.
The tough sturn man that was hardened by all the hunts he went on all the time.
It felt like she was back home if she was going to be honest.
A belch echoed behind Morrígan.
"Oi! Old Man! Where's that woman already! I wanna eat-" The rude man's words were cut off as his gaze found the figure of Morrígan.
"Well, hell. Look who decided to grace us on this fine Elder's damned rainy morning, its Miss Frightened Punches!" The man irritatedly mocked.
In a flash, Rudra's hand found a sizable pebble and quickly threw it to the rude man.
"Ow! What the hell Old Man!" the newcomer cried out as the rock found its mark on his forehead.
"Smokey... I may endure your antics but I will not tolerate you disrespecting our comrades. Cease your childish behaviour before I have to make a complaint about your attitude." The Huntsman growled warningly with his arm outstretched.
The newly named Smokey gave an odd expression before he looked towards Rudra and gave a remark.
"What the hell is up with people and them headhunting me?! First a punch to the jaw, and now a rock to the head! That's gonna leave a nasty welt you know!"
Rudra perked up at his angry remark before giving his own.
"I do not care about your displaced anger Smokey. Was it my fault that you had to scrap your plate due to your food being drowned and riddled with rain?"
Smokey gave a snort in return.
"I would've gotten a new plate but Gatsu has been giving me the stink eye ever since. You know how he is, damn cat is a demon to anyone that wastes food."
"Even then, Smokey. You should've kept your food out of the rain, and with that being said… is your management skills taking a decline?" The Huntsman shot back.
Smokey sniffed at the verbal jab.
"Hey! Do you know how it feels to see your breakfast get all soggy, mushy and oily? Made me feel like I was back in the Academy doing environmental and survival tests again." Smokey grimly said.
Rudra hummed at his response before looking back to Morrígan.
"Where is your Handler anyway? She should be back with breakfast by now."
Morrígan who was being entertained by the rough conversation the two hunters had quickly gave her response.
"Not sure to be honest, I think she may have started eating her fill without us."
Rudra hummed once more and turned his head back to Smokey.
"While we wait for the A-lister's Handler. Have you seen Lance yet Smokey?"
Smokey took his hand from his sore forehead and was about to give his answer before his features fell into a fine visage of stoic annoyance.
"Yeah… he's right behind you Old Man."
Rudra peered behind him and true to Smokey's words. The local Field Team Leader was found ascending the staircase.
He called out to Lance.
"Lance! What has kept you so?! You promised to come before the A-lister arrived! That was half an hour ago!" The Huntsman chastised.
The Field Team Leader rubbed his head sheepishly before giving his excuse.
"Ah, Teacher… Good morning as always… and as to the reason why I am late… I may have displaced my Jawblade."
Rudra slowly straightened himself and crossed his arms once more.
"You… "may" have displaced your Jawblade? That has to be the poorest excuse I've heard from you yet. Remind me to drive you into the ground next time we train, boyo."
Lance's face paled as he nodded.
"Y-yes sir…"
"Good, now then Lance. Where are the other three?" Rudra questioned.
"Um, well… about that. They got inflicted with blastblight last night." Answered Lance.
"What?! How did that happen?" Rudra shouted out in shock.
"I don't know the details myself. It involved something about a scale from Zorah that ended up combusting or something like that."
Rudra nodded his head.
"Hmm, this is unfortunate indeed. We will have to precure Nulberries from the Ancient Forest then."
Smokey interrupted.
"Wait, you mean those other fourth fleet A-listers are down in the infirmary… well damn… least we won't get a modern day Incident Of Five happening to us."
The baleful glare, no matter how hidden it was in Rudra's helmet, still found its mark.
"Smokey…" The Huntsman's ire was beginning to climb.
Smokey gulped in barely concealed horror as he tried to make excuses for his bluntness.
"I- I didn't mean… C'mon Old Man, I was just paranoid you know! I don't-"
Smokey's stuttered speech of faux innocence was shattered by the sound of plates being set on the table.
"Ah! There we go! Food for everyone! Now we can eat!" Aqua enthusiastically said, as if not aware of the murder that was about to happen.
"You know Aqua, you sure did take your sweet time in getting the food." Morrígan said as she tapped her fingers along the moist stone table.
Soon enough, the saucer's packed to the brim with food stuffs were passed along person to person.
Breakfast had come.
"Finally! Some damn food." Cried out Smokey.
Aqua wasted no time and started to dig into her plate with a fervor that rivaled a Deviljho.
All in all. It was a nice breakfast. Bird drumsticks roasted to perfection, huge slices of meat grilled and seasoned enough to sate a duke along with an assortment of bountiful juicy fruits.
In the midst of all of this. They noticed something.
Rudra wasn't eating.
Aqua was the first to notice this and immediately commented on it.
"Mister Huntsman, sir. Why aren't you eating?" Aqua said with her cheeks stuffed full of food.
Smokey and Lance noticed it as well.
"Teacher?"
"Oy! Old Man! If you're not gonna eat, then give your plate to me!"
In response to all of this, Rudra simply tilted his body to the left and-
And shot up like a missle, grabbing his Wyvern longsword and shouted out.
"Quick! What's that over there!" The Huntsman shouted out with the fury of ten men.
Like lightning the assorted group of Hunters shot out of their stools and took out their weapons.
Fellow Hunters and Handlers alike quickly abandoned their seats as well to investigate the commotion.
Scanning the entirety of the Canteen they found…
They found nothing.
"What the hell Old Man! Are you trying to scare us or some shit?!" Smokey exploded.
"Yeah, what was that for?!" added Morrígan.
As the group turned back to the table to complain. Aqua noticed something.
"What… What happened to your food?"
Morrígan and Smokey gave Aqua an odd look before they spotted it as well.
Rudra's plate, instead of it being filled with delicious food, was spick and span. Even the bones of the drumsticks were picked clear of any remaining meat. The plate was totally clean and devoid of any food whatsoever. It even had a slow rattled spin.
Rudra himself was sitting and fidgeting with his battle worn helmet all the while looking like an innocent baby.
Catching the quartet's looks of disbelief he spoke out.
"What's wrong? Are you not going to eat? I've already finished my plate." The shit-eatting tone Rudra had could've been heard all the way from the Old World.
Lance was the first one to break out of his stupor.
"Ugh, Teacher! Why do you keep on doing this? I get it, nobody will or ever see your face!" Lance complained.
"I don't understand why you are angry Lance. I just had my breakfast like everyone else." Replied the worn Blademaster.
Morrígan suddenly popped in.
"I-I… How does one eat that fast?! HOW! I have never in my life seen someone down an entire plate chock full of food like that!"
"I don't know what you mean A-lister. I simply had breakfast, like everyone else,"
The Huntsman's posture then slouched and became more mocking.
"-Why, I didn't know by eating breakfast I would cause this much ruckus." Rudra's tone barely concealed the mirth and humor that was buried in it.
Aqua shook her head before adding in.
"You… Y-you know what y'all… Let's just focus on eating breakfast for now okay? We got a long day ahead of us anyway."
Smokey wanted to protest, but he looked to his plate of food which was starting to get wet again.
And so, the party of five went on the Expedition/Quest. And would later on have their first encounter with Y Ddraig Goch.
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Ddraig let his wings beat with haste through the rain riddled sky with shock and confusion.
What the fuck have I just done? What just happened?
Words can not explain my goddamn confusion. I can get behind being reincarnated as Safi'jiiva somehow… but having my character here?
That must have been some fucking trick of the mind.
There's no way that the character that I made in Monster Hunter World can be here!
It's impossible!
Impossible… I chuckled.
"Impossible" I say… As if being a huge red fucking dragon isn't impossible enough.
Well, fuck. That's another mystery in the mystery machine. What the hell do I do now?
The wind and rain whipped harshly against the form of Y Ddraig Goch.
A stray droplet decided it would be a nice idea to make itself acquainted with Ddraig's eye.
"AW! FUCK!" My voice boomed out like thunder in the rainy storm.
Immediately raising my clawed draconic hands, I began to rub my poor eye furiously.
Yikes… I really need to get out of this fucking rain. But where the hell would I land though?
Near the great tree? Maybe, but after the little stunt I pulled at the shore there. The Ancient Forest is without a doubt gonna be teeming with hunters and what not.
Would they? I don't fucking know.
Well, thinking about it now. They definitely wouldn't want Hunter's and researcher's traveling around now that an Elder Dragon is lurking about. In this case, me.
Actually, Ancient Forest should be mostly devoid of Hunters.
But then again. There was my character and what not lurking around…
Would they come back around though, is the question.
...Nah, they wouldn't. Fighting me off with nothing but beginner low rank gear and armor is suicide.
Besides, the only one who could really do some sort of damage would be the Huntsman.
And even then…
I still felt the longsword of the Huntsman within my right hand, it felt like a toothpick or needle.
The fuck do I do with this? I literally have no use for this. Should I keep on to it? I don't know!
Fuck man… might as well keep it as a souvenir or some shit. Heh, a souvenir… I can already hear the tourist planner.
Hey! Welcome to the New World! Here's a momento! Your very own longsword that was stolen from one of Astera's best Hunter's!
Ddraig shook his head at his line of thought.
Casting my gaze downwards. I found a rather nice place to land. Area 8 I think.
The green flora covered rock dented, cracked and sent tremors through the area when Ddraig landed.
Least I don't have rain pelting my eyes…
The former human's thoughts died down when he peered around. The zone surrounding him was more real than what was made in the game.
Ddraig spotted a few Aptonoth that were trying to flee from him.
Key word "Try".
The Red Horned Dragon fixed his golden serpentine eyes on one Aptonoth that seemed to try its hardest to run away from him, its fear filled orbs brimming with the will to survive, filled with the will to run away from death and live another day.
Death and Living.
Instantly, the man turned dragon, hardened its eyes with fury and its features were pulled back into a horrifying visage, into one that would strike the utmost terror in a man's heart.
In a heartbeat, its clawed fist was raised high into the air.
"▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▃▃▃▃▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄" Was the anger filled roar.
With a loud bang, the fist came down and smited the earth below, the shock of it quaking the patch of land. Trees fell, rock was demolished and wrath dissipated.
The dust that was thrown into the air was quickly blown away by Ddraig's mighty wings.
I stared down at my left arm that had gauged deep into the earth.
GIVE IT BACK!
The Feeling was running rampant through me.
GIVE IT BACK GODDAMN IT!
I… I shouldn't even be here. I should be at home... in bed and telling my parents I'm okay…
Mother…
Ddraig's fire-like fury had all been but snuffed out, and its place were the cinders of sadness.
Tears were already beginning to crystallize and fall from his eyes.
I felt the tell tale sign of tears stinging my eyes as I watched my arm that was still gauged deep into the earth.
Swallowing the lump in his throat. Ddraig wrenched and gripped his arm free from the earthy prison that it was trapped in.
Dust was once more thrown into the air as his arm was pulled from the deep trench it had made.
A boulder the size of a car was still present and gripped within Ddraig's hand.
His wings flapped once more and the dust was blown away.
No… not yet.
I threw away my thoughts before I could go down a darker train of thought.
Instead, I felt around the boulder that was held in my grip. Every jagged edge and coarse groove I felt to help take my mind off of things.
A thick coppery scent wafted through the air.
Serpentine pupils dilated as Ddraig instinctively turned his horned head to where the smell originated.
The Aptonoth which had tried its best to run away was bleeding out.
Shrapnel must've struck the poor thing as I struck the earth…
I don't know how long my gaze was on the poor Aptonoth. But I do know one thing…
Ddraig whipped his head back to his clawed hand with the boulder, he clenched his fist and…
~Shatter~
And shattered the boulder to dust.
NO! I Refuse!
I may never see my family again and all I have left of them now is just memories…
The remnants of stone turned into powder as Ddraig clenched his draconic fist even harder.
But even then… I will cherish those memories, for they are all I have left now.
I will honor them, I will live, live and see every sunset and sunrise.
I will grow strong. Stronger than any beast on this planet. Stronger than any deity or devil.
All so that I may live without the fear of death creeping upon my back.
Ddraig let his arm fall back to the muddy wet ground below.
Turning his body to where the now dead Aptonoth lay. He made his way to it.
This poor thing only wanted to live like me… and I killed it… if that's the case then…
Then a hunter shouldn't waste anything that he hunts.
Picking up the fresh carcass of the Aptonoth Ddraig brought it up to his maw, and bit into it without any hesitation.
Golden eyes widened and dilated.
This… This is!
"PAH!" Ddraig spat out the scrap of raw bloody meat.
The melancholic resolve that had Ddraig so enraptured was shattered utterly.
Goddamn! This was Raw Meat for fucks sake! What the hell was I expecting? Guess I'm not eating raw meat anytime soon that's for damn sure.
Ddraig flailed his tongue out of his maw to get the raw awful taste of iron out of his mouth.
Hell… might as well go find somewhere to go and cook this. No point in wasting food.
Setting his gaze elsewhere, Ddraig began the tedious process of looking for a place to stay and cook.
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
"Have I ever told you how much I hate this damned storm?" Ddraig spoke to nobody while soaring into the rain while flying.
This has got to be the third fucking time so far today that I am flying through a goddamn storm! It's annoying to say the least, having my sight ruined by the water and not to mention my poor hearing… holy fuck man my hearing. ITS FUCKING SHREDDED I TELL YOU!
And not to mention-
My line of thought was cut off as I saw a very peculiar spot.
A rather large clear area beside the Great Tree that was surrounded by a very thick grove of flora, trees, and who knows what else. But that didn't matter. What did matter however was the cave near the wall of said grove.
The cave itself seemed to lead underground and was roughly double the size of me, which all things considered is great!
Landing softly, Ddraig made his way over to the portal of the cave, all the while making sure the corpse of the Aptonoth didn't get dirty.
It was dark and dank, typical of a cave of this nature. The interior wasn't much, I could compare it to a small apartment.
That in of itself seemed to spark some nostalgia. That's kinda funny in a dark way considering that a few days ago… I was all stressed out waiting for the "le big epic storm" that was supposed to strike Wales that week.
I shook my head clear of those thoughts.
But, fuck me. This cave is real gothic now that I'm in it. It was your typical D&D cave. Small stalagmites up on the ceiling that dripped with water, the wind also whistled through, providing that low hum of wind blowing heavily. The rain outside also seemed to add to the atmosphere.
Shit… thank god I'm in Monster Hunter and not in Dungeons and Dragons. I would've definitely been your stereotypical chaotic evil red dragon that hoards everything and then gets killed within two weeks.
Ugh… I'm totally gonna decorate this place if I have time later. This place just screams "Evil Thing Lives Here" vibes.
During his smorgasboard of thoughts. Ddraig collected fallen dead trees and kindling alike to help start his fire.
Quickly summoning his newly named "lightsaber claws" He carved out a bit of the wet stoney floor beneath him, and started the process of making a firepit.
Placing a ragged stone tablet over the newly made firepit. Ddraig began to place the wood and kindling he had collected.
And when he finished, the dragon sat down and… stared at it.
"..."
"What the hell am I doing?" Ddraig spoke to himself, the echo of his loud thundering voice bouncing off of the cave walls.
The Red Horned Dragon kept on staring.
"..."
I shook my head hard enough to make myself dizzy.
What the fuck am I doing?! Why am I staring down a pile of rocks and wood? Have I gone mad?
Nah… I'm just being lazy. Just light the fucking wood on fire.
Ddraig breathed in to invoke The Feeling. His draconic eyes opened with a glow as the man turned dragon felt his newfound power spread throughout him.
Keeping my breath steady, I asked myself something.
The fuck do I do now?
I felt my features bunch up at that mental question. Well, first of all. It's The Feeling. From what I could gather earlier during my self-mastery is that there is no "how", you just fucking do it.
Welp. If that's the case then…
Y Ddraig Goch reared his horned head back and let the pale blue glow in his throat loose.
Blue fire erupted from his jaws and rushed towards the meek pile of broken trees and kindling.
A little bit later, and a mighty fire was roaring in the depths of Ddraig's new cave.
Scratching my rough scaly neck. I started to think.
Might as well get started on gutting and preparing that Aptonoth, while that stone tablet heats up. Let's see if this toothpick can do wonders.
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
"IT WAS WRONG! EVERYTHING ABOUT THE BEAST WAS WRONG!" Rudra roared at the Commander.
"Rudra, calm down! Tell me what happened in order!" The Commander shot back at Rudra.
The Huntsman simply tilted his head and began to pace around once more.
"It… Arthur… it went so wrong at the end, I don't even know where to begin!" Rudra exclaimed.
The newly named Arthur rubbed his tanned scarred face.
"Tell me everything after the A-lister finished her quest. And take a seat while you're at it Rudra, you look stressed." Arthur advised.
Rudra spun around to face Arthur. "Listen, I already-" Rudra cut himself off as his tense posture fell and relaxed.
The old blademaster made his way over to one of the nearby seats.
"Alright… like I said earlier, it all started to go wrong after Morrígan finished killing off that Jagras pack…"
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Sabatons crunched the wet forest floor beneath as Rudra speeded past to catch up with Morrígan.
A blast that lit up the sky and tore apart their hearing something fierce, happened not too long ago.
Happened near Astera…
Que the "drop everything in your hands and start running towards the new objective".
Jumping through a bush, Rudra sprinted his way ever closer to the coast. As he got near, Rudra spotted something Big and Red.
"Shit…" he mumbled. Speeding up even faster, Rudra made for the break in the treeline.
Before the worn hunter could even land a single step more… The Pressure Of Death came. Like an infinite burden, pushing and crushing Rudra underneath its unending weight.
The worn first fleeter tumbled to the ground as instinctive fear consumed his body.
"What? What's going on? What is this intense feeling? I̴̧̖̲̫̊̃ ̶̤̑Ĉ̷͖̆͂Å̷̹̔͐̋Ń̸̢͕͑̎'̸̗͉̬͔̈́̀T̴̢̓ ̶̭̏B̵̥̍R̶̢̛̞͚͎̚E̶̲̻̔̃͗̔Ą̴͎͉̤̾̇̏T̴̝͚͕̖́͐́H̶͈̓̒̄͋!̵̮̖̞̀̋͆̕͜ W̴̘͒͐Ḩ̶̹̭̈́͗̕Y̵̢̳̅ ̸͙̤̯̓̐̇C̷̘̙̔̃À̸͔͆N̵͙̑͋'̵̧̯̈́͂T̷̖̠̾͗̒̈́ ̷̤͈̜͌̆I̵̹̪̿̔͋ ̴̺̤͂͆͋͝B̷̯̌̎͊͝R̶̫̪͕̮͘Ê̴̢̯̝̩̿͝A̴̖̻͛̔T̵̬́̌̅͂H̵͇̺̞͑͑̕!̶̡̜̜̺̑"
Rudra's thoughts became more and more frenzied but thankfully, as fast as the pressure of death came, it quickly went.
The Huntsman let his lungs fill with the much needed life giving air.
"What… what was that?" Rudra shook his head clear of his thoughts. He needed to get back to Astera with all haste.
Nearing the treeline, that's when Rudra saw it.
A devilishly humongous monster that was ripped from the legends themselves.
It had a body covered in rich red steely scales and like thorns in a bush, ridgid black spikes were seen protruding from its body.
It's muscles, like iron wrought cables, writhed like snakes under the thick armor that it called its hide.
On it's crown were two horns, colored like an abyssal obsidian that jutted up into a menacing length.
It's golden serpentine pits that it called eyes seemed to glow with an intelligence never seen before.
And It was reaching out to Morrígan.
In a blink of an eye he unsheathed his longsword and jumped towards the beast. Crossing the distance to the beast in but a few moments, Rudra let his blade fly towards the beast with all the might he had.
Only for his blade to bounce right off the insanely hard scales the beast had.
But the strike itself seemed to have an effect, it shook the Elder Dragon out of its stupor.
"▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▃▃▃▃▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄!"
At the temporary cost of his hearing of course, but that could wait for later. Calling out to the A-lister didn't help either. She clutched at her chest at what looked to be in great pain, it was something he would look into after. For now, he had an Elder Dragon to drive off.
Rudra settled into one of the many now esoteric forgotten stances of the Blademaster.
"Have at you then!" Rudra shouted out.
Targeting a more strategic point, Rudra sprinted towards the Red Elder Dragons forearm, where the scales were thinner.
Rudra swung his blade and hit…
And hit nothing but the ruined stone coast beneath.
"WHAT!" Rudra cried out in absolute shock.
Some monsters were smart, sure. But to dodge something that it saw for the first time. For a monster to know what a blade was...
Before he could give himself answers as to why the Elder Dragon dodged his attack, his world was shook apart.
Rudra's sight was blocked out, and the only sensation he could feel was being lifted.
In a moment, he could finally see-
The dragon stared his armored form down.
The Huntsman's throat tightened, his tongue became numb and his chest turned into ice.
Was… was this the end?
Not really no, instead the beast simply looked and studied him.
Then it had the gall to close its eyes and shake its head at him, as if he wasn't worthy of what the creature had to dish out.
It made his blood boil.
This was not a beast… this was something else entirely. It was something wrong, something that didn't belong.
The dragon pushed itself up onto its forelegs, all the while keeping its sulfur colored pits locked onto his form.
And then… the beast took its other clawed hand and grasped Rudra's longsword
Rudra's world was shattered as the impossible happened.
His blade was being taken away. No matter how much he tugged and pulled, nothing worked.
The Huntsman's death grip shook and finally gave out under the Elder's superior strength.
It was utterly impossible for a monster to do this.
Yet, the dragon did anyway. It took Rudra's blade, his pride and symbol… all in one motion.
Time seemed to slow as Rudra watched all of his years of hard work, determination, and sweat in blade form be taken away from him.
Now bladeless and harmless, the beast looked down at Rudra, a sort of triumphant yet worried emotion bled from the beast's eyes.
The red scaled Elder simply shifted the stolen longsword into its palm before throwing Rudra away like how a child would discard an unwanted toy.
A few shouts and flare later. The assorted trio watched as the new unidentified monster flew away deep into the Ancient Forest.
"T-teacher… What just happened?" Exclaimed a stupified Lance.
Rudra slowly got up, his armored hands tightly winding and clenching in controlled anger. "The impossible happened, that's what!" he spat out with a tone colder than ice.
"Where is Smokey and the Handler, Lance?!" He continued.
"T-the Handler is back at camp and as for Smokey, I sent him to fetch her after we saw that blast."
Rudra hummed in response as he made his way over to the now recovering Morrígan.
Ignoring her squawk of surprise. He hoisted her up into a fireman's carry, all the while being mindful of her charge blade.
"Lance!" Rudra called out a final time. "Go back to the camp and make sure that Smokey doesn't do something a hunter of his station should do."
"Roger!"
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
The Commander let out an amused snort as Rudra finished his recollection of what just happened a few hours prior.
"Heh… who would've known that Rudra, The Huntsman, The Sword Saint; had his much beloved blade taken from him by an overgrown lizard."
"Arthur…" Rudra growled out.
"Calm down old friend. It's hard enough to believe what you just reported as true after all, to hear that a colossal oversized red dragon picked you up and just took your longsword." Arthur said while tiredly rubbing his face.
"All of what I told you, Arthur, was true." Rudra tensely replied.
"Hmph… indeed you did… indeed you did." The Commander let his hands fall from his face as he looked up towards the rainy sky above and trailed off.
The heavy rain from the morning had died down into a soft afternoon drizzle.
Worn leather boots and scored sabatons tapped their heels on the wet wooden floor beneath anxiously.
The Commander let the cool rain calm down his panicked mind. "So… I heard that you roughed up Smokey pretty bad earlier Rudra. Care to explain?"
Rudra let out a bark of laughter. "Hah! I won't lie that I let my temper get to me, the damn fool wouldn't stop roaring in laughter at the fact that I had my blade taken from me due to an overgrown beast. He wouldn't believe it at first, then he saw the fact that I did indeed have my blade taken from me. It's safe to say that thing's escalated from there."
Arthur's foot stopped tapping the floor. "Hmm, about that. We'll have to craft you a new blade from the smithy then…"
Rudra promptly let his fist crash onto the wet map table, breaking and splintering it in the process. "No!" He growled out. "I refuse, I swore to myself that I wouldn't wield another blade other than the one I forged by my own hands!"
Arthur let his features harden at Rudra's stubborn refusal. "And just what are you going to do when we find ourselves in need of your skill? Cluck and bawk at Monsters much like how a Jaggi would at its first encounter with a Rathian?"
Rudra's heel stopped tapping the wet floor. "No, I would just do what Barbossa does."
The Commander gave a surprised expression, his brows scrunching up and eyes widening. "You would hunt monster's with nothing but your bare hands and raw brawn, alone?"
The Sword Saint simply put his hands together. "Yes, yes I would."
Arthur mirrored his gesture. "You are getting a new longsword Rudra, this isn't up for debate. I won't have you get crippled and maimed because of your foolish pride.
"Hoh? So, that's how it's going to be?"
"That's how it must be!" Arthur commanded.
Rudra unclenched his hands and moved them near the rounded corner of the table.
Arthur mimicked his action.
The two old hunter's stared each other down, a vicious tenseness seemed to enshroud the space that they were inhabiting.
In the blink of an eye, the duo lifted the piece of furniture high into the air, bent and shattered it down the middle and ripped the poor table in twain.
They threw the useless chunks of what was once a table away.
"Rudra!"
"Arthur!"
The two hunters gave their warcry as they rushed towards each other.
A loud bang rang out as both Rudra and Arthur's fists met.
"HAH!"
"Ugh!"
Their fists were locked in a struggle of power, pushing against one another in a show of strength. The wooden boards beneath began to crack and bend under the sheer strain the two were producing.
"It's been a long time since we've done this Arthur!" Rudra's muffled voice rang out.
"Rudra!" Arthur shouted out once more.
.
.
.
Sometimes… to cure a fear-addled mind from a warrior's body, what's more better than to engage in the most magnificent competition that there is.
Battle.
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
My barbed tail thumped on the cave floor eagerly as the Aptonoth I had gutted and field dressed now lay cooking on the stone tablet that acted as a grill.
I had to keep careful watch on it though.
From what my keen sight could gather, the meat was almost done cooking, if I took it off now, I would probably have a nice medium rare meal.
But nah, to hell with that. I don't want any unknown parasites latching on into my gut and causing a shit ton of problems later on down the road.
It was going to be well cooked and well done.
Too bad I don't have any salt and pepper though, but hey! Take what you get after all. It's not every day that you get to eat something that's pretty much a dinosaur and be a fucking cool bombass dragon while doing it.
My clawed fingers rapped the wet stoney floor in rhythm as I waited for my meal to finish cooking.
I will admit something here. This body… it fascinates me to no end.
I breathed in deep gentle breaths and stoked The Feeling once more.
I will most likely never get used to this Feeling. It feels… amazing, peaceful, powerful. To have all of this tingling and flowing just beneath my flesh and scales… it's nice to say the least, it gave me a nice sense of calm, like everything was going to be ok and alright.
Finding it therapeutic, I sunk into The Feeling even more, letting the soft crackling of the fire and the sizzling of the meat, lull me into a state of something.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
I felt it. There are no words to describe this. The best description is that I felt well… Everything. I could feel the air flowing, the water rushing, fires raging, stone moving and waving, trees breathing and tempests whirling.
The Earth was alive.
This… this is amazing! I can feel everything!
I brought my hand up into the air and swirled it around, feeling and tugging at the very essence of what linked every living thing together.
I was quite literally holding life in my hands.
Before my air could go any further, I realised something.
My food was burning.
"FUCK!" My voice boomed out as my arm shot forth to take the burnt cooked body of the Aptonoth.
Taking it off the stone grill. I inhaled and blew on it. The jet of compressed air struck the burnt meat in my hands, cooling it instantly.
It also blew out my fire, and tossed a whole shit ton of soot and smoke into the depths of my cave.
I fell into a coughing fit, mostly due to the soot that is now lining my cave walls. I guess that's what you get for burning a whole lot of dead trees.
Note to self. Don't burn excessive amounts of wood in the cave.
Utilising my new powerful lungs, I blasted my rocky home clear of the invading ash and smog.
With it now clear, I let a smile grace itself on my scaly lips. Or, well… what felt like a smile anyway. Now then.
To eat my first meal.
I didn't hesitate in bringing up the cooked meal that was in my left hand.
The first meal for this new life.
I let the familiar smell of cooked meat reintroduce itself to my enhanced sense of smell.
Fuck… that smells good.
Biting into it, I let every flavor of the cooked flesh enter my maw.
"Mmm."
The texture and taste was… interesting to say the least. Ignoring the burnt crispness of my fuck up. The meat itself in texture is lean and a bit tender. Taste-wise, it's gamey and plain, nothing a bit of herbs, spices, salt and pepper will fix though.
If I had to cook this thoroughly and properly, I would sear both sides to get a nice fond to deglaze with, I would then throw it into the oven to make it more tender and juicy.
Heh, thank god I picked up on cooking after I got kicked out…
I swallowed the last remnants of my first meal.
"..."
What now?
Well… the day is still young and I have yet to find a way to get stronger.
I may be one of the strongest monsters in The New World, but even the Black Dragons like White Fatalis can still be felled.
Fatalis.
I let in a sniff at that.
It was one of the many beasts out there that was capable of ending the world itself. It is supposedly feared by every living thing in the world.
And feared is to be right, for it actually melts down the corpses of the Hunter's that go and try to bring it down unto its armor.
"It is said that Fatalis melts the remains of fallen Hunters together and wears them as armor, a practice that can only be described as a mockery of how hunters use monster parts for equipment."
Now there's an idea…
I threw the stripped cooked carcass of my former meal down into the inner depths of the cave.
"Cave…" I spat out the word like a bitter thing.
If I am to be hunted and known, then I will teach them the name "Y Ddraig Goch." and in the Welsh fable, Y Ddraig Goch did not simply have his home be named 'Cave', no he didn't.
Well… technically it was a prison, not a home but even then.
I Will Teach The People And Their Civilizations The Name Y Ddraig Goch And His Home Of Dinas Emrys.
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
It was a sad morning for the bugtrappers tribe. The collected group of Grimalkyne's were huddled around a fellow dying tribe member.
The group lamented and mewled their sorrow's as the Elder Shamen recited his funerary pagan rites.
Torches were lit ablaze, a pyre was readied.
It pained the Shamen as he saw his family hoist the young bugtrapper up unto the pyre.
He took a moment to pause his rites and catch his breath. The Shamen let a slick, wet paw tighten around his old stave.
The poor bugtrapper was fresh out of cubhood too. Everything went wrong… it was just supposed to be a simple gathering task to get tonight's supper.
And yet everything went wrong when the hideous yellow and green striped land serpents came, the young one tried to flee, only to fail. The felyne did drive them off though.
At the cost of fatal injuries.
Even now, the shamen could see the small rising and falling of the unfortunate victim's chest.
He lowered his head, fluffy grey ears flattening all the while.
Inhaling, the shamen summoned the strength to make a prayer, one born out of desperation.
"Oh Mother Earth… send us protection, send us healing, send us a guardian to deliver us from suffering."
~crack~
That was when It arrived.
~Shatter~
Thick scaled black claws bursted from the thick tree wall that was beside the tribe.
Golden eyes gleamed on with interest as the monster cramed its head into the now cramped space.
Its gaze scanned each and every one of them carefully before landing on the injured deathly felyne.
The gaze softened, the dragon's nostrils flared as it breathed in deeply.
Shutting its eyes closed, the red horned monster began to breathe in rhythm. The atmosphere was thick with fear-addled awe.
The Shamen looked on with disbelief. Were his prayer's finally answered?
He got his answer when It opened its eyes that glowed with an unknown power.
It shifted its colossal body to give its claws more room.
It brought forth its hand and sent it forth, all the while it closed its fist until a single digit remained.
The tribe scattered before the clawed finger like the Red Sea.
As it came before the felyne on its death throes, Ddraig let his claw calmly rest on the being propped on the pyre.
The World lit up in a blinding white light.
The Shamen hissed in protest as he was robbed of his sight, dropping his stave in the process.
When the old feline came too, he witnessed a Miracle happen.
The young bugtrapper, who was on death's door, was cured of his hellish injuries.
Bones that were broken were mended and healed, flesh that was slashed and bit apart was knitted and repaired, the felynes pelt, once dirty and matted with blood, was clean and shined with great vigor.
Rain falling and dripping was the only noise that was heard.
A loud gulp of air and a mewl broke the silence. The former injured bugtrapper stretched out as it awoke, old ailments seemingly forgotten.
A bark of united surprise came from the tribe. They all rushed to the rejuvenated felyne, meowing, nuzzling and hugging all the while.
A miracle happened.
The gasp of disbelief from the Shaman was shared across the tribe.
Casting their gaze back to Ddraig, the dragon seemed to wear an expression of satisfaction. The Shaman clasped his paws in a gesture of thanks, bowing before Ddraig, he gave the Red Dragon his utmost praise.
"Praise you, praise you O' great Guardian Deity, we bow before you."
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
So… transference of the Energy and Power stored within me is possible, given what I did to those cats earlier.
Didn't think that I would be an Empath after I focused my power though. But it's a good thing though, the Empath ability will pretty much make ambushing me impossible.
However, the limitations of Empath depend on what kind of creature I'm trying to track down.
Very basic wildlife like insects and fish are barely detectable and require huge amounts of concentration to even get a faint detection due to their almost lack of any emotion.
Herbivores and small time predators require only a spoonful of concentration, so, not much in the frustration department there.
The Felynes though… Now that was something else. Their emotions were like a bright burning star, I could feel it even when I was in my cave.
It's what drew me to them when I found out that I could feel the emotions of other living beings. It was so sad, so depressed, so awful.
In the end, I couldn't stand it, I let my instincts guide me and… I may or may not have tore the poor Ancient Forest a new asshole by tearing and trampling a new route to get to the felynes, those little furry cats were tucked real high into that fucking tree.
If a sapient being's emotions are that strong… I wonder how a human would feel.
~Twitch~
Ddraig's nostrils flared, the dragons Empath picked up on something strong.
The horned dragon craned his head in the direction of where the emotions were emanating from.
Even though Ddraig's sight was blocked by the countless trees surrounding him, he could guess where it was coming from.
I contemplated where that strong emotional signature was coming from. I raised my draconic fist and softly bit into my knuckle.
If that's where I think it's coming from… Either Zone 1 or Zone 9.
I'm gonna bet fifteen pounds that's a human.
Well… maybe? I'm not sure… shit, let's face what facts I have right now.
"One, whomever it is, is hungry, bored and irritated. I mumbled out.
"Second, the person is in the First Zone or Ninth. And lastly… the person is alone…" I finished.
I wonder… should I go and say hello? Now that I think about it, it would be real fucking funny. The image of a Hunter or Researcher hauling absolute ass from me while I try to strike up a conversation.
"Let's go make a new friend, shall we?" Ddraig spoke to nobody.
His mighty wings flared out as Y Ddraig Goch took flight.
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Aqua could safely say without a doubt that she was Mad. She was wet, bored, hungry and irritated.
Now given the fact that good old Aqua shouldn't be hungry due to her eating a rather big plate of breakfast.
But! There's one problem, Aqua was known as The Human Deviljho to both her peers and family. Her insatiable appetite was what led a huge part in her becoming a gourmet and later on a Handler.
Why? You may ask… because of food… and to an extent her Grandfather. Cause to hell with family relations and friendship! This woman needs her food! And when the Research Commission sent out the notice that they were in need of Fifth Fleet members?
Well. Let's just say that she ran over to the local guild hall faster than anyone could say "FREE HUNTER BUFFET!"
And that's what led her into being in this moment. Grumpy, bored and hungry, oh and did I forget to mention she had ringing ears?
The A-List Handler shook her head for the upteenth time this morning.
There was a big flash of light and an ungodly bang that rocked her world over half an hour ago. She chalked it up to lightning that struck too close to the shore.
After a little while, the Handler tried to kick up and relax in the tent but couldn't because she was hungry.
So, she decided to try her luck at cataloging the local flora and edible plants and mushrooms. It was a success at first. But then the rain happened.
The droplets of water soaked both her Manuel/Guide/Logbook and the ink she was supposed to write with.
The book itself was made of a thick pulpy paper specifically designed to withstand harsh weather and conditions.
But… the ink wasn't, que ink drenching the poor pages a nasty sticky black.
She then looked at her map in hopes of looking at the legend markers for a good location to scout out food..
"Hmm, so… if that's there… then that shouldn't be that far a walk." The Handler mumbled as she paced around the camp.
Closing the stained field guide. Aqua ever closer to Zone 9 to find a unique colony of mushrooms that is supposed to have high premium ingredients that pro chefs would kill for.
.
.
.
.
.
Aqua stared down her rippling reflection in the pond.
It had been over half an hour since she tried to find the unique colony of mushrooms.
She rubbed her bloodshot eyes that were fresh out of tears.
The poor Handler just wanted a snack, and yet she couldn't find anything.
Today could not get any worse…
Letting her despair reach a peak, Aqua slowly picked herself up and started her slow agonising trek back to camp.
At least that's what would've happened if a Great Jagras didn't come barreling out of the forest.
Aqua spun around to see where the sound of trees splintering and stone cracking came from.
The Great Jagras rushed forth, its next meal in mind.
It was too close. She couldn't run away from it in time…
Aqua's life seemed to flashed before her eyes, her collected memories playing out like a movie on rewind.
The world slowed to a halt as the Great Jagras jumped forth, the monster's jaws wide open to swallow her whole.
She wasn't going to survive… "I just wanted a snack…" Aqua quietly muttered.
Closing her eyes, she accepted the inevitable.
~CRASH~
A huge red and black clawed arm bursted from the forest, crushing and felling trees as it speeded towards the airborne figure of Great Jagras.
The yellow gluttonous beast screeched out as the draconian arm found its target and crushed it down into the wet ground.
Adjusting it's grip, the scaled red, black hued arm lifted Great Jagras into the air and-
~Snap!~
And snapped the foul gluttons neck cleanly before it could offer any resistance.
Dropping the still body, the form of Y Ddraig Goch made itself known.
The red Elder Dragon pushed and moved through the dense foliage and greenery, cleaving a large path with its gargantuan body.
All of this had happened in just a few seconds.
Aqua opened her eyes. "W-what? What just happened?"
Catching the sight of the dead Great Jagras, Aqua gasped in disbelief at what happened.
The trees rustled once more as Ddraig made himself known.
Scoutflies flew out and surrounded Ddraig in a blue glow making him appear ethereal and mysterious.
Aqua's mouth turned dry as his golden slitted pits found her form.
Her teeth chattered as she slowly stood up and started backing away. Slowly, slowly Aqua. This is an Elder Dragon you're dealing with!
Slowly, but surely. Aqua backed away from Ddraig. The Handler realised something. This must've been the monster that crashed into Astera yesterday evening!
The dragon in question watched the girl back away from him.
Ddraig raised his arm once more. Poor old Aqua gave a horrified expression as she realised what the Horned dragon was about to do.
"NO!" She shouted before trying to race away from the monster.
The derpy Handler didn't even make it five steps before slipping on wet rock below.
Her whole world went dark as Ddraig shifted forward and grabbed her entire meek body.
"NO! NO! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! NOT LIKE THIS!" Aqua cried out as the tough, coarse stone like scales constricted against her.
Ddraig lifter her up near his draconic horned head. He quickly unclenched his fist that held The Handler captive.
Light stung and pricked at Aqua's eyes, looking up, her sight met Ddraig's.
Golden slitted pits met bloodshot onyx.
She could only stare dumbly at the Dragon that was well… looking at her. "Wha-?"
That little meep of confusion was enough to send the Dragon into roaring laughter.
"AHA! AHAHAHAHA!" Ddraig's head flung back and projected his amusement.
As the last crumbs of laughter left his system, Ddraig spoke up. "Hmm… out of everything I expected to find… you being one of them was not it. I wonder why you came here, if I had to guess… it would be food. Even though your home has everything you need, you still adventure about, Why you do this I do not know, but I do know one thing,"
The dragon let its fingers rub gently against Aqua's body, treating her much like a pet.
"You are weak, you stroll and walk about looking for the bounties of the forest, not even caring about the consequences of your own lackluster instincts and disregard for your own life until the very last minute!"
The petting stopped as Ddraig set her down on the wet ground below and nudged her on her back with his middle finger.
"Do not come back until you have learned to be a predator and how to defend yourself against the dangers of the forest. For now, go home. Go home and go do whatever you humans do. Eat, sleep, whatever.
Flaring his colossal wings, he took flight and flew back to Dinas Emrys.
All the while Aqua stared on, in total shock at the fact that an Elder Dragon saved her, spoke and chastised her and then flew away. It was so shocking that she stayed there, collapsed on the ground for another hour and a half until Smokey would come by her and take her back to Astera.
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Alright, I'll put it bluntly. The last two months have been a fucking nightmare for me. First, a close relative of got sick. (It wasn't corona to those concerned.) I took care of them the best I could, got a call from the Doctor to self isolate for 12 days. I had to isolate at my relative's offgrid house by the way, and that meant no internet or working on this story. When I came out of isolation, the Doctor took a look at me. He said I wasn't sick and that I was good to go.
So I came home, did what ever I needed to do and I started working on the this story. I got about a good 3k words in... and then disaster struck. A blackout happened. My Doc editor didn't save and I was without power for 2 days. When it came back and I tried to find my Story Document. I realized that it didn't save and was pretty much gone. I was totally demoralized after this and didn't write shit for most of April until the around the 20th or somewhere around there.
And then disaster struck again when I found out that I had over 2000 dollars in outstanding bills. I've been working on this and overtime on my job just to make ends meet. And that's it really.
And even then... if you're still pissed and think I'm a lying crock of shit. Then that's alright to. I did make y'all wait two months for a simple chapter after all. And a final note, as for when the next chapter will come out... I don't know, cause it's obvious that I can't update my stories for shit when it comes to self made deadlines.
Oh, and a little note. If your still curious about Y Ddraig Goch's size. Think of him as being as big as Grigori from Dragon's Dogma.