Monster Hunter Legends
The Tigrex Samurai – Chapter 3
The trio trudged wearily back to the cave, their heads held high in triumph, and the carved materials from the Tigrex in their packs. The Head Instructor was waiting for them, grinning and holding an hourglass. "Hohoho… I haven't seen such a fast Tigrex hunt in years, especially from a bunch of beginners!" the Head Instructor remarked as the trio reached the cave. "Who you calling beginners?" Makoto laughed.
"Heheh… you have a lot more training to do before you can say that Makoto, but yes, you have proven to be very good pupils. Come, let's get back to the temple." And with that, the Head Instructor turned and walked off, the trio in tow.
When they got back to the temple, the Head Instructor gave the young Samurai the privilege of running off and telling the temple there story. Robert, the Head Instructor, sighed happily and walked off towards the elders hall. HE had expected a good result out of Kai and his friends, but not in the space of under two hours! He suspected there was some part of the story he hadn't heard yet, but he hadn't really inquired much. That was what most of the Samurai respected Robert for – he let others have their privacy, when as the Head Instructor he had to know what went on in his dojo. Eh, he thought, I'll find out soon, news travels fast. He entered the glorious hall, and saw that many of the other head and senior Samurai where gathered. "What's going on?" Robert asked, concern showing on his face. "Rob! Over here!" one of the senior Samurai waved to Robert from a group of solemn faced Samurai. He walked over, low voices reaching his ears, "… the Nargacuga Clan, apparently…" Robert asked again, and a couple of heads turned his way. "Ok, Robert, you're not going to like this. The Tigrex Warrior was assassinated, while hunting in the swamp. Apparently, the hunters he was with have reported the killer to be from the Nargacuga clan. They may be just jumping to conclusions, as it was nighttime, and the swamp area does have a Narga Clan outpost. We are trying to keep the issue down, if word gets round that a Narga Clan assassin killed our Tigrex Warrior, all hell could break loose."
Robert didn't like this at all. He sat down, thinking hard. His first thought was for the Tigrex Warrior, who he had trained with as a child. His next thought was directed at the Narga Clan, and what would prompt them to attack an ally. Then, his thoughts grew solemn, and he murmured, "What will we tell the boy?" The Samurai glanced nervously at each other. They had each thought about how Kai would handle his father's death. "I will tell him." It was Kai's former instructor that spoke. "I have been the boys teacher for many years, and have watched him grow and praised him when his father was not there. He trusts me the most." The others nodded sadly, knowing that the instructor was going to break the boys spirit.
Kai grinned as his friends retold the story of their Tigrex hunt to another group of Samurai, and remembered the feeling of power and certainty he had felt when he leaped over the Tigrex. He turned to go back to his room in the temple, tired from the hunt. As he headed up the stairs, his old instructor called out to him. "Sensei?" Kai said, noticing the sad look on his teachers face. "Kai, well done on your Tigrex hunt. I heard it was the fastest time in years! When you tell your children, say, "I hunted that Tigrex the fastest, because my teacher taught me how!" Eh, how about it?" the Instructor joked, but he could see Kai wasn't buying it. "Sensei, has something gone wrong?"
A look of pain crossed the Instructors face, as though he was torn between what he should say. "Kai… there's no easy way to put this. But know I will help you through it, as your friend and mentor. An assassin from the Narga Clan killed your father a day ago, we believe." The Instructor finished, and Kai stood where he was, taking in what he had just heard. Kai clenched his fists suddenly, and his eyes flared into a deep crimson colour. Tears streamed down his cheeks and he fought the lump in his throat, and said "Sensei, I don't care how long it takes, or what I have to endure. I am going to become the Tigrex Warrior my father was, and I am going to find his killer. I swear on our ancestors, I will bring justice to his death!" Kai then broke out into a fit of sobbing, and his sensei and friends were there in a moment. "Don't worry Kai. Where here." Nami reached out and hugged him, and Makoto awkwardly joined in as well. For them, they had no idea what the future held, whether it was good or bad, but only time could tell…eLK