-The Story so Far-
And so it was that H'aanit set forth with a young and experienced hunter to look for her master Z'aanta, the only family she ever knew.
Guided by her master's dire wolf companion Hagen, the group now arrives in Stonegard, the last known location of Z'aanta and his target, the demonic and baneful Redeye.
"According to Hagen's letter, Z'aanta was somewhere around here." Mayumi said.
"That Redeye must be quite the beast if he's been after it for this long." David said.
"Forsooth, it must be. For master to have been gone for moons long as he hast been, Redeye cerantly must be a formidable beast indeed." H'aanit said. "What dost thou think of this, Ishihara?"
"If it really were to outmaneuver him at every turn, then we can't afford to take any chances with it. We'll need to be under constant guard while in its domain." David said. "Don't worry about a thing, H'aanit. One way or another, we'll find him."
"Hmm?" Hagen grunted as he ran off ahead.
"Hagen? Why hast gotten in him?" H'aanit pondered as they gave chase before H'aanit stopped before a woman.
"Hagen? Where have ya been?" she said. "Ye left so sudden, and I've had no tidings of ye since. Where is your master, Hagen? Where is Z'aanta?" she asked Hagen.
H'aanit then stepped up. "Thou must be Natalia as mentioned in master's letter. I need to speaken thee." H'aanit said. "I am Z'aanta's prentice from the Darkwood."
"Then ye must be H'aanit. I know about you. Come in." she said leading them to her home.
"So...how is it you know Z'aanta?" Ming asked.
"Well...my husband died not long ago. Z'aanta was a friend of his. He was a soldier in service to the realm. They met when huntin monsters and loved to share stories and ale. Z'aanta helped me after my husband died. He came to this town not long ago to hunt some beast in the forest but he hasn't come back since." she said.
"Then it sounds like he might still be there somewhere. I just hope nothing bad has happened." Shuichi said.
"Indeed, young Saihara. We must venture forth to yon forest. Mayhap we will find Master and Redeye there." H'aanit said.
"That should be the case." David said.
"I would be careful goin' into those forests around here. The Lord of the Forest don't take too kindly to trespassers." Natalia said.
"Figured it wouldn't be that easy, but it's nothing new for us at this point." Sachiko said.
"Indeed. Now come, my friends. Let us venturen into the Spectrewood." H'aanit said.
The small group soon ventured deep into the woods before coming to a torn up part of the forest.
"What happened here? Looks like some kind of battle." Kaede said.
"This arrow…" H'aanit said looking at one of them. "No doubt. This was one of master's."
"Then he's got to be further in. We're getting close." David said.
"Very close, indeed." H'aanit said as they ventured deeper into the Spectrewood. It was then a low growling roar was heard as a demonic deer like creature appeared. "Ah. Mayhaps we have found the Lord of the Forest."
"And Natalia was right, he is not too happy about us being here." Yoko said.
"Guess there's no talking with it, then." Himeno said as the Lord of the Forest roared. "Here it comes!"
The Lord of the Forest then called forth a pair of tree creatures to aid it as they attacked the group.
"They're all weak to fire! Himeno, you need to use your pyrokinesis!" Vera said.
"I'm on it!" Himeno said as she launched fireballs at the creatures.
"In a forest? Vera, you must be nuts!" Zelos said.
"I know it's risky, but it looks as though a certain attack from the Lord of the Forest randomizes its weaknesses, but its weakness to fire is the same." Vera said.
"Well it's better than being attacked repeatedly by plants." Himiko said.
"Himiko, I need help here!" Himeno said as she continued to use her pyrokinesis as the Lord of the Forest and his minions keep coming.
"I'm on it. Arcfire!" Himiko called.
"I'll join in too! Kitsune Flame!" Kurochi said.
"Fortunately I've been learning Black Magic. Fire!" Kirumi said firing fire at it.
The flames buffeted the Lord of the forest as his minions burned to ashes. As this was happening, Linde made her move and swept the legs of the demonic guardian, bringing him down as H'aanit readied her bow.
"Prayeth forgive me, but thou attacked us first." H'aanit said. "Now go." she said firing the arrow right at its head as the beast fell apart into pieces.
"Whew… That should take care of that." David said.
"I wished we didn't have to fight, but we didn't have a choice." Leonora said.
"It is sad to take the life of a beast such as this. However, this may be where master was. We must find the whereabouts of him." H'aanit said combing the ground.
"Uh...I think I found him...and others." Sheena said looking at a large field of stone statues.
"Oh my god… He… He petrified all of them?" Ramona asked.
"And not all of these are soldiers." Kaito said. "Some of them...they look like...thought so. These guys are from the Beast Pirates."
"Beast Pirates?" David asked, remembering Luffy's proclamation.
"These are Kaido's men!" Marco said. "And all of them got turned to stone."
"Not all of them. I found a survivor." Neu said finding a familiar man in the bushes.
"Wait...that's...Basil Hawkins!" Kokichi said.
"So...seems my prediction came true. Help did come." Hawkins said holding a tarot card of the fool.
"Who would this man be so bold to challenge the likes of Redeye?" H'aanit asked.
"He's one of the Worst Generation. And apparently one of Kaido's subordinates." Ryoma said.
"It's true. We were here hunting rare beasts to bring to Kaido. But...we met this woman who told us of a rare beast with the power of petrification. We came to capture it...but it overwhelmed us. I escaped by hiding under the bushes. The men I brought...not so much. They were either killed or turned to stone." Hawkins said.
"If a countermeasure is made for Redeye's petrification, we might have a chance." Miu said.
"So… If we can destroy Redeye...all of its petrified victims will be freed?" Ming asked.
"I diviated on that." Hawkins said holding the Star tarot. "There is still hope for those petrified." he said slowly getting up. "For me...I still need to go after that thing."
"Whoa whoa whoa, you can't go after that thing by yourself! Besides, you're pretty banged up." Kaito said.
"You sure we should bring him with us? He said it himself that he intends to hunt Redeye himself." Tenko said.
"That's true, but we don't have the means to defeat it either." Francisca said.
"Besides...I've decided to forego this capture order. I no longer seek to capture Redeye...I intend to kill it. Because after seeing that thing...it is no beast...its an abomination." Hawkins said.
H'aanit looked to Linde and Hagen, who both nodded, and so H'aanit made up her mind as well. "It hath been decided. You will join us in the hunt for the foul beast known as Redeye… so that we may perhaps avenge my master… or save him should there be that chance." she said.
"I support H'aanit's decision. Defeating Redeye means more to her now than it's ever been, now that he master's life hangs in the balance." David said.
"If that is the case...there may be a way. As one who shows interest in magicks...I have heard of a seer who lives in Stillsnow. She could possibly know a way to avoid the petrification." Hawkins said.
"Then that's where we're going. Let's head out." Sectonia said.
"Just to be clear...this alliance will only last until Redeye is dead." Hawkins said.
"That's fine with us. By the same token, we'll do our best not to slow you down." David said.
Hawkins noodded, and the group set out.
And thus, with Basil "Magician" Hawkins in their company, H'aanit and the brave adventurers leave stonegard behind them. Their new mission: to save Z'aanta from his petrified fate.
Per Hawkins's knowledge, the group heads to Stillsnow to seek out a seer who could possibly know the way to reverse the petrification.
Though it may be but a small glimmer, there is still hope nonetheless. The Frostlands and Stillsnow await….
