Monster Hunter Legends
Knights of the Tundra – Chapter 4
William gulped, not sure what to do in this situation. He had a Greatsword leveled at his chin, and a foreigner glaring at him with a squad of dimwits. Cautiously, he asked, "What is this about? I haven't done anything to you… have I?"
"My name is Demnos. My squad and I have been hired to bring you back to Guild headquarters in Dondruma, so you can pass on all your freaky little secrets to new hunters. And we have been told to use any force necessary… so, are you going to come willingly, or am I gonna have to cripple you…"
"Um, cap'n? Couldn't we just knock him out and tie him up?" murmured the one with the lance.
"SHUT UP! We do this whatever way William chooses! Now… huh?" By the time Demnos had turned back, William had run off back across the ice river. He turned and saw Demnos running after him, which was a struggle as he was still holding his Greatsword. Sensing a fight, William brought out his Switch-Axe and went into a fighting stance on the ice. He would use his balance and endurance to outwit this mercenary…
Demnos enjoyed it when they ran. It gave his mission more purpose, more challenge… His squad hadn't moved much, but he didn't care. They were spineless in one on one combat, as they were used to fighting monsters, not humans. Demnos had caught up to William, and he swung his Greatsword in a side slash. If the freak hadn't slid backwards, he would have had his ribs crushed. As he prepared to swing again, he heard William say, "Weapons are for fighting monsters, not man!" What a fool. The Barioth Knights obviously hadn't had much contact with the outside world, let alone the Guild. "You Knights should've given in to the Guild a long time ago!" Demnos yelled back, "You only secluded yourselves in these mountains! What is your PURPOSE!" Demnos brought his Greatsword up in a great arch, and it crashed down on the ice with a deafening crack.
William saw this as his chance to attack, or at least make the man back off. He made a wild swing with his Axe, which the man fluently dodged. Switching to the sword, William slashed back across and nicked Demnos' arm. Enraged, Demnos cried out and swung over his head and smashed the ice yet again. With his heightened balance, William could feel something shift beneath him… the ice was cracking. Any extra weight would start a chain reaction, causing the ice river to break up. That was when William spotted the Barioth. It had probably gone to eat some of the dead Popo's and recovered some energy. It was now back, and it looked angry… The other hunters, Demnos squad, saw it too, as they headed off across the ice to go and combat it. Demnos had his back to it, and William could see the Barioth going into a leap.
He had no idea what happened when it did. There was a crack, and Demnos could feel something behind him… Turning around cautiously, his Greatsword still ready to attack, Demnos realized it was the Barioth from before. It was balanced carefully on four blocks of ice, each limb on a different block. The Barioth had its head down, and was making an odd whining noise. The blocks grew further apart, and the Barioth wobbled. "Stupid beast," Demnos muttered, taking one hand off his Greatsword to watch the great monster fall. It reared its head up, and Demnos thought it was going to make one last roar, and instinctively drew his hands up to ears. But suddenly, William was yanking him back as the Barioth made a final attempt to get out of its predicament. It opened its powerful jaws, and its tusks clamped down just in front of Demnos face. The Barioth fell, lashing out wildly in the freezing water, and sank, carrying Demnos' arm with it. He was in such awe and shock he didn't notice at first. But the warmth of his blood soon brought him back to his senses, along with William shaking him.
"Oh, shit, shit, shit, shit…" William was shocked. The Barioth had managed to clamp down on the exact space between Demnos' gauntlet and chest plate, ripping most of his arm off. The sight was rather horrific. Demnos' squad was returning, and the kid had vomited when he saw Demnos' state. "Demnos, can you hear me? Demnos?" No response. "Any of you here know any first aid? I need some help bandaging him up." William looked from face to face, then the old man spoke. "I have some immunizers… if that helps."
"YES! Pass them over. Thanks…" William, holding the immunizer, managed to get some into Demnos mouth. Bandaging the wound as best he could, William looked at the worried faces of the hunters. "Ok. I'm going to have to take him to the Citadel – it has the best medical service for miles. I'll need one of you to help me."
"I will! I'm from Pokke. I can go through mountains easy!" the kid volunteered. "Great. Let's get going then."
With Demnos slung over his shoulder, William made the trip to the Citadel in reasonable time. The kid had come in useful, slaying a few Baggi on the way. He navigated the complicated mazes of caves and ice mounds, eventually reaching the far side of the tundra. Above, bridging the valley it was nestled in, lay the Citadel. "What's your name kid?" asked William. "Markus. None of the others bothered to learn it. Why are you trying to save Demnos? He tried to kill you. And if you do help him, won't he just sell out the location of the Citadel?" replied Markus, a concerned look on his face. "Hrmm. I expect we will drug him, and you, for the return trip. I am mainly saving him to see what information he has."
Later in that day, Markus was left down in the Citadel's medical room. William went to see his wife and told her where he had been and what had transpired. He also went and saw the elders, telling them his story as well. The elders all agreed that Demnos was to be cared for, but then returned to the Guild and sent to prison. The elders also agreed that they should have more contact with the outside world, and also with the other clans. Markus asked William when he came to see Demnos, "Do you think the Guild will come looking for trouble again?" William had no idea. The only information that could be extracted from Demnos was that the mission had always been to kill William, then blame it on a hunting accident – thus, the hired hunters purpose was explained.
"I don't think I trust the Guild anymore." Said Markus. It was the morning after Demnos had been returned to the squad, and he was asleep in the Aptonoth carriage. "And you promise you will turn Demnos in to Guild authorities?" this was William. "Yes, but it will have to be a minor one. Maybe far from Dondruma." Said the old man. Demnos' squad had turned out to be very cooperative, and had leapt at the chance of returning to Minegarde's main land. "But what I don't understand, is why would the Guild want to kill Monster Warriors? You guys are awesome! If they killed you, us hunters wouldn't learn how to fight the monsters of the Grand Trio!" remarked the bow master.
"I don't know why, but I think some thing bad is happening in the Guild. We should all be wary for the future." William looked back towards the tundra, and said his goodbyes to the squad. There was going to be harsh time ahead.