-The Story so Far-
On the search for H'aanit's Master Z'aanta and the Demonic creature Redeye, the Brave Adventurers with their Huntress companion arrive in Stonegard. There, they find that Redeye has already dealt with Z'aanta, as he was turned to stone.
Redeye has the power of petrification, and he had used it to petrify many a hunter and mercenary alike, including those of Kaido's pirate fleet. Before setting after a cure, they find a wounded Basil Hawkins, who accompanies them to slay Redeye and cure the victims of his attacks, for now…
The party heads off to Stillsnow where a seer is said to know of a way to prevent the beast's petrification.
"I still can't believe Redeye can turn people to stone. You sure you're not egging us on here, Basil?" Peridot asked.
"What reason would he have? We have all seen it for ourselves." Fulgore said.
"Besides, I've seen that thing's power for myself. The only reason I escaped petrification was by bouncing the condition onto another person." Hawkins said.
"You can do that? How?" Himiko asked.
"This." Hawkins said as small straw dolls emerged from his body. "With the power of the Straw Straw Fruit, I can redirect any damage aimed at me onto any person these dolls represent."
"So, basically, you had someone else take the fall." Nagi said.
"Basically...of course with the crew being killed or turned to stone, my power was losing ground fast. My fate was to escape that mess and gain help. As my cards foretold." Hawkins said holding the Hierophant.
"So you're a fortune teller. Cool." Marco said.
"Besides, none of them were from my own crew. They were loaned to me from Kaido. Still...I will avenge them." Hawkins said.
It wasn't long before they arrived in Stillsnow where Linde growled as she rolled around in the snow.
"Linde seems pretty happy here." Tenko said.
"Linde is a snow leopard. She of course is happy to be in snow." H'aanit said.
"Some of us can relate to that." Francisca said.
"Yep. Snowy environments always seem so peaceful." David said.
"But thou all knowest we are not here for play. We must find the cure to Redeye's petrification with haste." H'aanit said.
"Of course. There isn't a moment to waste." David said.
"I think that's the seer's house over there. The one with the crowd in front of it." Petra said pointing to a house behind the main town houses where a crowd of people were gathered outside trying to get past the guard.
"Wonder what's all the commotion?" Zelos asked.
"It's a Seer, Zelos. Of course people would wanna see their future." Colette said.
"And it looks like there's quite a line." Jesse said.
"But no one's getting past that guy." Takeshi said seeing an intimidating man who wasn't speaking at the door.
"Maybe you cannot...Linde!" H'aanit said as Linde pounced onto the man guarding the door.
"Whoa! No fear!" Zelos said.
"What is going on here?" a voice asked as an elderly woman emerged. "Oh...so Z'aanta's prentice has come to my door. I see. Well, you and your guests may as well come in." she said.
"So if you know Z'aanta...then you also have to know that…" Rantaro started.
"That you are searching for a way to prevent being petrified by the monsters gaze. Yes." the seer, Suzanna said.
"Is there a cure?" Jude asked.
"There is a way to protect yourselves. A special herb that lies deep within the forest. It has unique properties that cures petrification." Suzanna said.
"What a relief!" Colette aid.
"However… the herb you seek is protected by a beast the likes that has never been seen or beaten… the Dragon." Suzanna said.
At the mention of the word Dragon, David was shocked.
"(What?! A Dragon? Could it be...him?)" David thought.'
"I sense great conflict in you. Worry not, it is not the Seraph you cherish." Suzanna said.
"Whoa! How'd she figure out about Eizen so fast?!" Shuichi asked.
"I am a seer. My predictions are normally true." Suzanna said.
"Still...a dragon could prove troublesome." Hawkins said.
"Even if it isn't Eizen, we should keep our guard up." Kaito said.
"Well wouldn't be the first time we fought a dragon." Zelos said.
"Pray tell, who doth you speak of that is named Eizen?" H'aanit asked.
"He was a comrade of ours...but malice from the people turned him into a dragon." Mayumi said.
"Before we parted ways, we made a promise. Should he be taken over by malevolence...he wants me to kill him." David said.
"I see. Dost thou honor thine word to him? WIll you return to his lair to face him?" H'aanit asked.
"When the time comes, yes. Of course I will." David said.
"Then shall we go and face our quarry? It would be most great for you to prepare for your battle with your comrade." H'aanit said.
"Of course. Thanks, H'aanit." David said.
The group made their way through the woods of the Frostlands before coming across a field of herbs shined on by the sun. But standing in it was a large orange dragon.
"By the gods. Never would I have seen a dragon myself. My master told tales of them, but to see one now… truly it is inspiring." H'aanit siad.
"Not exactly the same for us." Miu said as the dragon rose into the air as it gave a fierce roar.
Jude then raised his fists. "Ready David? This one's for Eizen!"
"Right, Let's go!" David said as he drew his sword.
(Cue- Spread Your Wings and Open Your Future- Tales of Zestiria)
"Remember, Dragons are basically big lizards. Meaning they're cold blooded. Ice attacks should work on this big guy." Miu said.
"That's all I needed to hear." David said as he casted Ice Needles.
"Is it cold out here, or is it just you?" Himiko asked. "Fimbulvinter!" she said casting an ice spell on the dragon.
"How about this? Diamond Dust!" Francisca said as harsh snow started falling on the dragon.
"Whoa, nice one, Francisca! I knew you could pull it off." David said.
"Hee hee… thanks." Fransisca giggled.
"Let us continue the assault. Blizzard!" Kirumi casted.
"The beast grows weak." H'aanit said firing arrows into exposed parts of its flesh that were shown after the scales were frozen and chipped off.
"Jude! Finish it!" Nagi said.
"Got it! It's time!" Jude said as he dealt a flurry of strikes at the dragon. "My fists...will open...the heavens!" he said as his fist started glowing. "Final Fury!" he said landing a powerful strike at the dragon.
The dragon gave one final roar before it fell to the ground dead.
"Seems that did it. We slayed it." Ramona said.
"That we did. It sure wasn't easy, though." David said.
"At least we have thine herbs we need." H'aanit said.
"Yes. We have plenty herbs for defense." Gonta said.
"Now all we need to do is look for Redeye." Scott said.
"I think I might have an idea about that. I overheard some knights talking in town. They mentioned a large monster with blood red eyes moving into Marsalim in the Sunlands." Ibara said.
"That's probably where it's planning to strike next. We must make haste." Sectonia said.
"Trading the snow for the hot desert...I'll be looking forward to that." Kokoro said.
And so...with an epic story to tell and the herbs safely gathered, our hunter and her companions now head south to Marsalim…
It is there that the final confrontation with the beast is set to take place. But what will unfold in this final hunt?
