I walked along the worn dirt path back to the village. Merchants often used this route to trade with other villages and towns. The kut-ku parts that I carved off had gotten sticky with all of the blood caked on them. I stopped by a small pond to wash them off. I saw the face of a handsome young hunter staring back at me; and something else.

Two eyes popped out of the water. Following them were two long, antennae that slithered around my face like snakes. I brushed them aside and watched in amazement as a crab the size of 3 men emerged from the small pond. The skull of a large wyvern was positioned on its back. I put the kut-ku parts in my bag. It had smelt the blood in the water. I dove to the side as a hulking claw smashed into the earth. The crab's shell rattled; it wasn't used to killing on land. As I recovered from the dive, the beast swung another claw towards me. I grabbed both pincers, trying not to let them close on me.

The monster leaned forward, putting it's weight into its claw. Thousands of gnawing teeth showed in rows in the crab's mouth. Small claws clicked around its jaws; waiting to push its prey down into the death-trap of teeth. Another claw came down. I rolled out of its way, under the claw I was holding. I came up behind it, and twisted until the claw came off. To my surprise, no blood spilled out. White meat was exposed from the severed limb.

It fell over, in obvious pain. The fall made the skull slide off. As it desperately tried to get up with only one claw, I heaved the huge appendage I was holding downward, the claw crushed into the crab's back. The makeshift weapon slid off the wet shell, revealing a crater from where it hit. I pulled of the bottom pincer, and threw it aside. The crab swung its other claw around; grazing me on the side of the head. I flew to the ground; my eyesight blurred from the hit. All I could see was a large silhouette scuttle towards me. I felt a pincer close around my ankle and felt the chill of cool water engulf me. I awoke underwater, my lungs burning from lack of air. I was desperate to get oxygen. I swam up, my armor holding me back. I felt a squeeze, and I jerked back another few feet. My heartbeat was heavy, and my blood was pulsing, making every vein in my body bulge out.

I looked back, the crab was holding on to my leg, its claw slowly denting my armor. Then I noticed that I was still holding the claw. I jabbed it towards the monster's mouth. The sharp point of the claw, jammed into the crab's mouth. I could hear the faint screech even through the water. The crab freed my leg, and slid back into the bottom of the pond. I burst up from the water, my lungs heaving, taking in every amount of air they could find. I threw the large claw onto land. Wait. I could carve the crab. I quickly took in a breath, and dove back underwater. I found the dead monster with its legs curled under its body.

I dug my blade under its top shell, and wiggled it around. After a few slices, and three breaks of air, the shell wiggled loose. I swam up, holding the large flat plate, and threw it on land. I then proceeded to pull of the other claw. It was harder underwater. I places both feet against the body for leverage, and pulled it off. I threw myself onto land, and placed the claw by the other parts. These were too big to fit in my bag. I threw the crab's arms over my shoulder, and dragged the shell and skull behind me, as I followed the path to my village.

I walked slowly into the village, showing off the parts I had carved off my fallen prey to everybody. I entered my house, and laid the parts down on my bed. I pulled out the kut-ku parts, and placed them in my item box. I pulled my other, larger chest out of a corner, and wiped off the dust. I placed several large chunks of ice in it. i turned to grab the crab parts, when I saw Musashi desperately trying to break the hard shell against the floor. "Oh, uhh hello Gastronome." he said accusingly. "Just softening it up for you." he smiled. "well, thanks Musashi" I said. I saw him eying the claw, drooling. "Okay you little hethern" I said. I gave him a part of the meat from the claw. "Thank you Gastronome!" I shouted. "Bless you!" he said as he curled up on my bed, licking the crab meat.

I walked into the Guild Hall, seeing the village chief walk over to me. "I heard you slain a Zizami!" he exclaimed. "A what?" I was confused. Then I remembered the crab. "Oh, the crab?" I asked. "it gave me hell, that's for sure." I sighed. "Are you ready to fight a bigger one?" he asked. I paused, considering my current situation. There was a silence. I had made up my mind. "How much does it pay?" I asked. "Thirty-thousand zenni." he said. I could use the money. I agreed. I took the flyer, and folded it up, and put it in my pocket. I sit down sipping a glass of ale. Several drunken village men stumbled around at one end of the bar. I looked through the paper. The quest was in the desert. I finished my drink. I decided to do the quest tomorrow. I haven't slept in my own bed in two days.

I hung up my armor, and slid under the woolen bed sheets. I could feel Musashi's small form curl up beside me at the foot of my bed. It wasn't long before. I fell into a deep sleep.

I was in the desert. Several other hunters were fighting a tremendous crab with skull on its back. The skull had a huge horn protruding from the front. A hunter came running past me pointing over my shoulder. I turned around, and saw, the crab swing its massive claw, scattering several hunters. As they ran in my direction, it turned and saw me. It raised a gigantic pincer; I was so scared I couldn't move. All I saw was a tremendous claw coming down quickly on top of me.

I shot up; knocking Musashi off of the bed. "What's wrong Gastronome?" he asked rubbing his head. "Something bad is going to happen tomorrow." I said, "I can feel it." I couldn't believe what I had dreamt; it was so... real. Who were the other hunters though? I pulled on my armor, and grabbed my Viper Bite. "Take care of the house Musashi" I called, opening the door. "I'll be back."

I walked off into the still night air east towards the desert. The full moon set glowing in the sky. Whatever was supposed to happen on that hunt tomorrow wasn't going to happen anymore.