The serene waters of Lake Mechicume of Jugnar Forest, crystal clear and absolutely wonderful spring water! The crystal clear lake always is loaded with some of the most tasty fish in the world to, be it bass or emperor fish. Many people gather around the lake to fish or to relax, but then you have the third reason: hunters.
Every month in Jugnar, a small collection of about ten crabs come on shore almost unexpectedly. Referred to as Knight Crabs they are capable of killing just about any of the wildlife in Jugnar Forest alone. They have nothing of value and are always greeted when they come on shore; not with cheers or celebration, but rather a collection of the must brutal and powerful cleaving, piercing, stabbing and wicked swords, guns and spells to ever appear on Vana'diel.
Other elite members of several high-ranking clans gather around, anticipating their arrival like bears awaiting the return of the salmon. These men and women wear the hides of great and powerful legendary beasts, mantles made of the hides Cerberus and Amemet. Their bodies graced with armor made from behemoth leather from the great beast itself. Others wear gear given to them from the lesser gods for defeating them in combat. Strong osodes, kotes, haidates, and sune-ates. They display weapons ripped from the farthest reaches of Vana'diel, such as golden scythes, golden axes and legendary weapons like Joyeuse and Excalibur. Granted with awesome power that only the strongest in the world have, they crowd the western beach of the lake. Watching and waiting for their helpless prey to make their arrival.
I often go to these 'events'. Competition is fierce, each side boiling over with fire for victory and the riches that may come to them. Even through rain and thunderstorms they stand unaided and ever vigilant, surely they must be soaked to the bone and freezing cold. For three nights a month they watch the waters, rarely moving, never sleeping, always ready to pounce.
The days of hardship that await them are tiring themselves, they cannot waver or else they will surely fair and all will be lost. The mental strain of being constantly alert sets fear and nervous anticipating within most people, but for these battle-hardened warriors they thrive on it. Even when facing down gusty winds, torrential rains, oppressive heat, blinding blizzards, utter darkness or even solar eclipses they stand ready for their mark. Such discipline and control they have to each other and themselves.
At last the Knight Crabs arrive on the beaches! Everyone is alert and ready after nearly three days of waiting. A ranger outfitted in gear from the gods raises his gun to the crab and fires, everyone awakens and unsheathes their swords, draws their bows and arrows. Mages stand ready to unleash powerful spells upon the helpless and almost defenseless crabs. A die-hard warrior jumps into the fray, swinging two axes and yelling a war-cry to his comrades, the slaughter begins!
As the teams shoot and slaughter the crabs it is clear that even these powerful crabs are no match for the onslaught that they are receiving. Picking off the crabs one by one, their number dwindle from ten to one. Everyone crowds the beaches, looking away from the final kill, as if seeing the unseen through the waters of the lake. As the last crab falls to the ground silence takes over. A moment of peace and quiet, but underlying this solitude is a thousand prayers, curses and hopes. Awaiting the final test of their long camp, their unceasing need to prey upon these crabs.
Within minutes a powerful crab comes out of the water, instantly everyone jumps on it, but first to claim is the die-hard warrior with a provoke. King Artho belongs to him and his comrades. They descend upon the crab, flailing swords, spears, axes, poles and knives. In fury the mages unleash elemental hell upon the crab, freezing, shocking and burning the crab alive with their magic. With all their might even the peaceful white mage takes off her hood and screams, "Hell ya! Come on you little bitch, have some of this!" Racing into the crab the white mage unleashes hell with a club, delivering six powerful hits to the tough shell of the crab. A warrior cheers her on and yells, "Kick it up!" before unleashing his own barrage of five devastating slams of his axe upon the shell of the crab. Rangers shoot through crowds of people, slamming silver bullets into the armor and in some cases going as far as cannon shells. Surrounded by a mass of flailing weapons the crab is not defenseless, but all attention is focused on a ninja wearing a red piece of Koga chain mail. Four copies of the ninja surround the crab, hiding the real one. King Artho tries to kill the ninja who delivers powerful fast hits and infuriates the crab by provoking it to attack him.
Within minutes the crab falls to the ground, the people let out a big cheer! Everyone notes this moment and celebrates. The others outside the clan fume and look on with suspicion. At last the call is given that King Artho had a Speed Belt on his body along with a piece of damascene cloth! A pissed off warrior draws his axe and slams it into the nearest tree, hacking at it. Other more reserved people openly congratulate, but are upset over not claiming it as theirs first.
With time peace and civility come back into place, the serene waters of the lake are once again viewed. Helping to restore the calm nature of this place. After a short time everyone begins to leave, on to their lives and maybe even another hunt that lies just around the corner.