It had been a couple days since I killed the Crow in the Westersands and I was sitting in my one bedroom apartment. I didn't have much in the place, a fireplace, a bed, couple chairs and a table, not much else. The walls were an emerald green since I had finished painting the house the day before that. There's a knock at my door, stirring me from my revere and making me answer. It was my mother, happy to see me as always.

"How's my boy?" "Pretty good! Please, come in!" I held the door for her as I invited her in.

"Nice place! Good to see you're doing well for yourself!" She said, looking at around the apartment.

"Thanks. Father sent me a letter about a family gathering and was wonder how you were."

"Same, with him asking how you were." I smirked lightly.

"So what's up?" I asked.

"Not much, just wanted to see if my son was doing okay."

"Well he's doing pretty good." I said with a hint of sarcasm.

"Where'd you get those scars?" Mother asked, placing a caring finger on my face.

"A hunt a few days ago. Don't worry, nothing bad."

"You better be careful out there, not exactly keen on funerals for my offspring."

"Yes mom, I know..." I sunk my head in slight shame for making her worry. "Well, I just came to check in on you. You be careful out there on those hunts."

"I know, I know! Geez..."

"I only worry because I care."

"I know. Love you." "Love you too." I gave my mother a hug and she left shortly after. I closed the door and sat back down in my chair, continuing to stare at the wall. I sighed. I'm so bored...There's literally nothing to do... As I sat in that chair, staring at the wall, I heard what sounded like paper on carpet. I crane my head towards the door and there was an envelope resting on the floor. I walked over and tore it open, ignoring the wax seal and what it stood for.

We need to meet in person. Sandsea, two hours. Do not be late.

-N

"Who the bloody hell is 'N'?" I asked myself aloud. I opened the door to check if the messenger was still there, but no such luck. I grabbed my weapon, which was resting in its sheath next to the door, and clipped it over my shoulder. I closed the door behind me and locked it, putting the key back into my pocket. I walked down the stairs into the main lobby and exited via the front door. The sun was just coming over the horizon, so the air was crisp and cool. I lived in the East End of Rabanstre, just an hours walk away from all main hub of shops, with the Sandsea being the furthest away. I paid Migelo's Sundries a visit and bought a few Hi-Potions and some Antidotes as I was running low on potions in general and didn't have any Antidotes at all. By the time I exited the store, the sun was scorching down on me and everyone, which I'd imagine was rather uncomfortable to them. Not me though, I rarely found it any problem, but it was irritating to be sure. But enough about that. I entered Amal's Weapons, the weapon store, obviously. That Bangaa was sitting behind the counter of his own store for once, which was odd as he mostly forged weapons.

"Amal, what is up?" I asked, walking up to the counter. "My clerk quit on me and I'm running low on weapons because I can't forge them working the counter, that is what is up!" Amal said, rather irritated and angry. "If you can manage another day, I could come down tomorrow and take the register?" "Would you? Thanks man!" He said, in a slightly better mood then before. "No problem. Try not to close down while I'm gone." "Ho ho." Amal laughed sarcastically, before shaking his head and muttering something. I took my leave and continued towards the Sandsea.

I arrived the at the local watering hole, briefly scanning the room for any suspicious persons. I looked over at the Mark boards, seeing a guy and a woman looking at the Hunting bills placed upon it. I checked the upper balcony, empty as ever, checked the rest of the main floor, seeing only two others and they were drunk outta their skull whenever I was there. Realizing I was going to be waiting a while, I walked over to the Mark board and checked if any interesting bills, none of which seemed interesting to me. I sighed and took a seat at the main bar. "What can I get ya?" "A glass of water." I said. "Glass of water." The bartender rolled his eyes. "Y'know, if you don't buy anything else than just water, we'll hafta throw you out for good." "Whatever. How about I pay for something and you give me water." "That's better. 200 gil." I wasn't exactly keen friends with Tomaj, we never got along since...since...That is also another story for another time. Sorry about this. I put the money on the counter and Tomaj handed me my glass of water, before taking the currency. I sipped at my water as I waited for whoever was going to show up, to show up. The place got busy within an hour and I was still waiting, the place being packed with at least 40 people. I dozed off for a few minutes, but woke when someone sat down beside me. "You mind if I sit here?" I looked at the speaker, a young woman in her late teens, about my age at the time, waiting for a response. "I don't mind." I said simply before ordering another glass of water. The young woman sat and ordered a whiskey, I rolled my eyes internally at the fact people even got drunk that early in the morning. "You waiting for someone?" The other teen asked. "What business is it of yours?" "Fine, be a prick." "Whatever." I drank more of my water as I sighed in annoyance. I got out of my seat and took another look at the Mark board. One of the bills stood out amongst the majority, a picture of a deranged, fish look-a-like creature with all black scales and red teeth.

Hot Fish

Petitioner: Leo

Description: My brother and I went to the Estersands to collect Ichithon scales by killing Ichithons, but we angered the big fish, literally. The beast slew my brother and severely injured me. Please, do what I could not and slay this foul being!

Location: East Gate.

I took the bill, folded it up, put it in my pocket and I was on my way to the East Gate. I paid a quick visit to Yugri's Magick shop and bought a Thunder spell, seeing as most marine enemies are weak to such. I made another quick stop at my apartment and packed some supplies; a gallon of water, two leftover behemoth steaks from last night and a pair of binoculars for spotting the beast. The reason I didn't take them with me when I hunted the Crow is because the frequent sandstorms would've rendered them useless.

As the eastern gates parted, I looked for anyone that would seem angry or upset and when a younger man, about 14-ish, was sobbing quietly next to the Life Crystal. I admittedly felt bad for the kid, losing a brother right in front him and only being able to run... I walked over to the crying boy, pulling the bill out of my pocket to review the name.

"You Leo?"

"Y-yeah..." Leo rubbed his eyes and sniffed before looking up at me. "I'm here about the bill."

"R-really!?" The boy said, already seeming better than before. "I didn't think anyone would take it..."

"Hey, where is this Ichithon?" I asked.

"It's called a..." Leo was almost crying again as he tried to tell me the creatures name.

"Hey. Take it easy, deep breaths." I said, trying to calm the poor boy. "R-right..." Leo gulped as he took breaths and visibly calmed. "Burnt Scale."

"What?" I questioned.

"It's name. Burnt Scale." Leo said clearly.

"Okay. Where is it?"

"South side of the Nebra River, near the palm trees. If it's still there, kill it. If not, draw it out by killing Ichithons. Please, avenge my brother."

"I will. That is my promise."

"Thanks." I turned to the desert and started my trek.

A few hours passed, the blistering sun was starting to get to me as my canteen was reduced to half. As I walked down through the sand and down the path leading to the southern outpost of the Nebra River, I pulled up my binoculars. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, a few regular Ichithons and a few Wolves, nothing significant. I let the binoculars rest around my neck as I drew my blade and approached the shoreline, slaying Ichithons with no problem. After about a half hour of killing the floating fishes, I took a break under one of the palm trees, drinking my water and relieving my self after some time.

"Dooo do do dooo..." I began to hum a random tune, walking the shoreline of the river and watching the water carefully with my binoculars. Another Ichithon burst out of the water and lunged at me, so I dropped my binoculars, drew my blade and slashed once. The fish-like creature spilt in two, dropping into the water and gushing blood. The red fluid oozed further into open water and I smiled at the dead creature. The clouds, or so I thought, began to cover the sun, allowing me a moment of shade as I inhaled and exhaled with my eyes closed. When I opened them, my heart stopped in pure horror. A giant, black scaled, red toothed monstrosity stared down at me in rage, the eyes of the beast saying 'You are going to die today.' I wasn't having it. I jumped back as the shack-sized enemy snapped at me with its giant red teeth that seemed to be giving off smoke. I raised my weapon as I threw down my binoculars and my bag, readying myself for the Mark. It growled, lunged and I hit it with a downward slash, making back off and re-think its approach.

"Come on. Don't have all day." I said, taunting the creature as I kept my blade level with the Mark's face, ready for anything that came at me. Except I wasn't. The Burnt Scale's body began to convulse and SPLAT! I was covered in the beast mucus. "FUCKING GROSS!" I yelled in anger, retreating back as the beast's bodily fluids slowed me significantly. My right leg was knocked out from under me and what felt like a ton, crashed into my back, sufficating me against the sand. The Mark's body continue to drive mine into the ground as I whatever breath I inhaled was forced out. My hand still clutched to my Kotetsu, I began to swing blindly, almost no momentum what so ever as each blind strike bounced off the beast hide. My vision began to darken as I coughed up blood from the sheer weight of the Burnt Scale. Is this how it ends...? I asked myself. I was about ready to give up, no hope in sight. Finally, FINALLY the beast lifted off of me...Then sunk its red hot teeth into my left shoulder, making me scream with breath I didn't even think I had. I was so unbelievably angry, I dropped my weapon, put both my index and middle finger together and proceeded to stab my fingers into the beasts left eye, blood spraying down my arm as I wrenched my fingers deeper into its eye, making it release its deadly hold on me. I tore my fingers from its eye, making it retreat in agony. I grabbed my weapon and got back to my feet.

"I'm really beginning to not like you! THUNDER!" I called upon the electrical spell as blood dripped from my fingers, a bolt of lightning launching from my fingers and hitting the Mark dead-on, knocking it into the water. I quickly dug out a Hi-Potion and poured half of it on my wound before drinking the rest. My shoulder began to go numb and I was able to hold my weapon with both hands. The real battle was about to begin.

Sorry for the crappy cliffhanger. Please Review!