V
Rare Occurrences
In the private walls of his temporary room in the old man's house, Vance was gearing himself up for the hunt of the two Diablos. First getting all the items he would need to take with him, such as the portable traps, vials of different toxins to coat his arrows, a few medical supplies such as bandages and splints and a suture kit, and lastly a few cookies that he used as rations. These were round in shape, just like a cookie, and tasted a lot better than the Guild Issued rations that hunters would get on their missions. Placing everything in their rightful pockets in his knapsack, the young hunter went straight to his traveling bag, grabbing the gear he would wear upon his form. The different pieces all an azure color, with spines, scales, and burnished metal of an ore known as carbolite. One by one he fitted each of them on, locking the straps securely around his sides and hips.
When it was all put on, minus the headpiece, for he had another piece of equipment to wear on his face, he looked like an azure colored beast with a human head. The breastplate almost a black color, the azure scaly hides from a rare breed of Rathalos flowed in all directions starting from his chest. His shoulders seeming to sprout small, spiny wings where the tips looked as if they could cut steel themselves, with the scales flowing down his arms. The midsection belted tightly together with the scales that gave away Vance's thin build, yet they flowed beautifully down to the waist coat that covered the majority of his left leg. The coat crafted to fit interlocking shells where thorns stuck out as if to strike anything that came near, and along the flatter, yet rougher, surfaces of the azure coat were several leather straps with buckles on them. These were for his vials of toxins he would use for his arrows, allowing a quick access to them instead of having to go through his bag.
He grabbed his head gear, which was some leather and silk stitched together that he could wrap around the lower half of his head and neck. Protecting his nose and mouth from breathing in nasty fumes or anything that was kicked up towards his face. Completely satisfied that each piece of armor was securely on his form, he went over to the night stand and went through the tiny coffer where he kept his most valued possessions. Three necklaces laid inside the cherry red coffer, one a personal amulet, another that had an object wrapped in a black, silk cloth, and the last being two clumps of wax that he could place in his ears. He grabbed the earplugs and the necklace with the covered charm, placing them both around his neck.
In his life, many thought the ear plugs to be a good idea, but only for those who used blades or hammers. Vance agreed to an extent, but he was no ordinary hunter. Over the years he grew into an ability to tell where a giant wyvern was through his feet. Though the direction wasn't exactly 100% accurate, just knowing the general direction was all he needed to escape certain death from a wyverns fanged maw.
A knock came from the door, grabbing Vance's attention from the hunt back to reality. A few seconds after, Gary entered the room, just as Vance was locking a quiver full of lance-like arrows on the right side of his hip. The old man stayed silent for a moment, admiring the young hunter. He spoke just as Vance was slinging his knapsack and securing his folded bow onto his back.
"I wish you luck tonight, and I have to say I am proud that you decided to go!" His tone expressed happiness, and his features also portrayed this. Similar to the expression of a child getting a new toy. The young hunter scoffed, and the old man's expression melted away to a discerned look.
"I may not even have to fire a single shot. There are six others going on the hunt." Vance doubted those words, but he couldn't predict the future. No one could. He looked to his old friend, releasing a smile to put the man at ease since he looked troubled. "I may not be joining them, but I'll overshadow them and jump in if things go sour. Hopefully they're not the type to just outright kill the beasts."
Gary tilted his head, slightly confused at the young hunters remark. Most hunters preferred to kill their targets, since it was "easier", and Vance was one of those types of hunters. Yet here he was, standing in his guest room, saying something completely different from what he would've said years ago. The old man saw how he changed, and begun to wonder just how much more was different. He kept the thought to himself, walking out behind Vance as the young hunter passed him.
"I'll walk with you to the gate."
~VL~
A few hours had passed by, the sun completely gone from the sky turning it into an indigo blanket with the twinkling stars searing their places within the dark, vast horizon. Enough light was out for anything to see, though one would have to strain if they wished to clearly see what was before them.
From afar the two hunters known as Copperston and Braneld were watching the two Diablos fight each other. These beasts, a hulking wyvern with a large head, tusks, and with two horns rising from their foreheads, and a crescent type club at the end of their tail, kicked up sand spray all about them, making them oblivious to the four forms creeping about them as they went into a horn lock.
The two hunters noticed the four slowly circling around the fighting duo, waiting to see what they would do. Within seconds, they saw two rush the beasts, but at that time one of the Diablos broke free of the horn lock, spinning quickly to smack his opponent with his tail before digging into the ground ferociously. The other beast stumbled back, trying to shake itself out of it's daze but found itself blinded by a sudden bright light that erupted before it's eyes. Copperston and Braneld looked to each other, both excited to see an elite group of hunters take down a wyvern like Diablos. As they looked back to the fight, they could see two hulking forms beat away at the wyverns face, with a smaller one seeming to dance around with blades just under the beasts belly. The fourth further away in a safe distance firing some type of round into the beasts side. The two hunters thought they could hear the beasts scaly plates crack away, and perhaps they did. But just as soon as the fight started, it ended with the beast collapsing over onto its side. Giving a few death throws before going limp completely. They saw the four gather in front of their newest victory, and heard a few cheers. Braneld clapped his partner on the back, getting up quickly and looking to the clusters of plateaus to the east.
"I bet the other one went to the oasis! We should go see if it's there and slay it before they find it!" he said excitedly, starting off towards the plateaus as Copperston was getting up to follow him. He stayed silent though, feeling a bit nervous about the whole thing. The one that ran away somehow knew the other four hunters were about to attack, so for him and Braneld to take it on alone didn't sit well with him. He forced the thoughts away, remembering that this is what he lived for. The thrill.
~VL~
They gathered in front of their kill, all bearing smiles, though only one showed since he didn't wear a helmet. Frances patting each of his companions on the back, praising them for a job well done. They kept their victory short, and went to work on carving the most expensive, and hardest parts of the wyvern from it's body. Frances focusing on the tusks and fangs of the beast.
"I'd say we should go after the other one, but I'm sure we scared it off! So it won't be coming back around here anymore! HAH!" Frances said as he sawed off the two giant tusks from the beasts mouth. The two objects almost tipped like a spear, and was bigger than his hands. He looked at the two tusks, and then at his hands. He felt embarrassed at the fact he was so small, but he pushed the thought away as he started to work on the horns. Careful not to chip away the hard bone so they could get the highest price possible for the parts. He looked over to the gunner seeing him atop of the beasts back carving out the hard spinal cord that was the hardest part to get from a Diablos.
"Think you can get the spine out in one piece this time Dorian?" Frances yelled to the gunner, who looked up from his work and gave a rude, yet playful, gesture towards Frances. "Hahah! Well, if you get it out in one piece, I'll buy you the most expensive drink on the menu!" He watched Dorian's face light up and go back to work, but laughed once he heard the gunner curse aloud and the cracking of bone. Again Frances laughed, knowing that the gunner messed up on getting the spine out in one piece. After that there were no more words exchanged, just the ripping of flesh and cracking of bone slightly echoing in the air as they carved the beast apart.
~VL~
"What a mess…" Vance muttered to himself as he examined the fresh corpse of the wyvern. The sky was completely dark now, with the stars being the only source of natural light in the area. The young hunter took out the necklace that held the covered charm, unraveling the silk cloth to reveal a crystal that glowed in white light. A light crystal is what it was called, and it lit the area around him by at least five feet, allowing him to study the fresh corpse even closer. The wyverns face was completely cracked open, the large tusks gone, the horns gone, several portions of its back gone and even the spine. The young hunter had no problem guessing who took down this beast. He walked around the dead wyvern, noticing the belly completely sliced open and the organs piling atop one another when they slid out. Vance was glad he wore the face covering, since the smell was barely starting to seep through the fibers of his mask.
Placing the silk cloth around his light crystal to melt back into the darkness of the night, he listened closely to the environment around him. To his fears all was quiet, which was never good. There was no sign of the hunters or the other Diablos, and with a fresh carcass laying out here he knew that some scavengers would gladly prey upon it, and maybe even the young hunter himself if they outnumbered him. He walked over to the black hole in the ground that was just in front of the dead wyvern, peering down into the vast void. He reached into his knapsack, pulling out a tube like item. He popped off the top, and it erupted in a red glow as sparks and flames danced out in the air. He dropped it into the hole, watching it bounce off it's walls before hitting the bottom and skipping to a different direction. Vance's left. He looked in that direction, seeing the outline of the plateaus that made up a place known as the Averan Maze. He thought back to when he hunted in these lands a long time ago, slightly recalling an oasis that nestled itself in the very center of that maze, though there was only one path that lead to it. Four others would lead you through many days of traveling, then eventually put you in the volcanic region. Perhaps the other Diablos sought shelter there to get away from it's pursuers. He started off in that direction, but froze in place upon hearing the distant shriek of a Diablos. He sprinted towards the plateaus, hoping he could get to the fight in time before the beast was killed.
~VL~
The four hunters, who was only about an hours walk away from the plateaus, stopped when they heard the second Diablos echo through the skies. They all looked to each other, nodding to Frances as he started towards the plateaus.
"Let's go get him! I wonder if we'll run into that punk ass rookie!" he said eagerly, and the two brute hunters with hammers nodded in agreement. Dorian however slumped, his mind racing through the different scenarios that would take place if they did happen to cross paths with that hunter Frances argued with back in town. The two brutes quickly followed their boss, Dorian however lagged behind for a few seconds before following. Letting out silent curses towards his team for wanting to do such petty things.
~VL~
The frantic gunner dived out of the charging wyverns way, dropping his weapon in the process. The beast trampled the weapon, breaking it into unrecognizable pieces. As soon as the gunner hit the ground, he rolled up onto his feet and sprinted away. Arms and legs pumping as sand spray kicked up into the air from his feet. The Diablos slid to a stop, quickly turning around and starting another charge towards the gunner. Within a few strides the beast was upon it's newest victim, but instead of continuing it's charge, the wyvern stopped. The gunner dove to the side again, and got up to go back the opposite direction, but met the wyvern face to face.
The gunner staggered back with a yelp of surprise, trying to get away from the beast, but before he could turn around the Diablos lunged forward, impaling the hunter in the gut with one of its horns. The pointed tip sliding past the metal rings of the armor like a hot knife going through butter, piercing the gunner completely with his blood spraying out in a fine red mist. The man went to scream, but only a gurgled cough escaped from him as blood oozed from his mouth and nose.
The beast lifted it's head, with the gunner sliding down it's horn easily, and with a shake of it's head the body fell apart. The two pieces hitting the ground with a wet smack, with the organs plopping on the ground around them and a mist of blood floating over the mess. The wyvern shook it's head again, looking to one side before letting out a shrill shrieking type roar, sweeping it's head across the air as it echoed throughout the entire place, going for miles in the desert night.
~VL~
Vance entered the oasis, glad that he remembered to take the middle path when he came across the five entrances into the maze. However, all he saw was the dismembered body of a human and a circle of blood and organs laying about. With no sign of the Diablos, the young hunter grew concerned about where the beast was at. If he wasn't careful, he would join the unlucky victim that he saw before him. Carefully walking towards the mess, his footfalls barely making the sand crunch with each step, he looked around. Seeing nothing but multiple shadows that overlapped each other and seemed to stand over him, as if they would come to life themselves and swallow him whole. He kept his mind in check though, remembering that there was a real threat that could still be in the area. Once he was by the fresh human corpse, he uncovered his light crystal and found himself fighting back some vomit that suddenly jumped up in his throat. The upper body was laying face up, and he could see the face of Braneld molded in an expression of terror, and his legs were a few feet away facing down. Several organs, and the long tube like masses that was his intestines was strewn between the two pieces. Vance could even feel his stomach go uneasy at the thought of being impaled.
He wondered where Braneld's partner, Copperston, was at since he didn't see him at all when he entered the oasis. He looked back the way he came, and saw a peculiar shadow to the right of the entrance. The black lines overlapping in a way that it seemed almost unnatural. The young hunter stood up, slowly walking over to it and watching as the body of Copperstone came into view. His form smashed completely into the wall, the armor pieces broken in many places with blood slowly oozing from the lines and cracks. Vance let out a sigh, shaking his head in disappointment. He had a feeling that these two would more than likely get themselves killed, and here it was proven to him. The sight of the two bodies though started to revive some older memories in the young hunters mind, and he had to fight the horrifying images away as he heard the scream of his deceased friend. He staggered back, putting his face into his hands as he fought away those horrible memories. He dropped to his knees, looking up towards the sight of Braneld, the shadows taking over again since he crawled back out of range for his light crystal to illuminate the corpse. He took several deep breaths, despite the smell of organs and blood being so strong near him, and managed to calm himself. He slowly got back up to his feet, holding his head with just his finger tips as he regained his focus.
PHEESH
The sound of rushing sand and grating rock forced his mind to come back to reality, and he quickly grabbed his light crystal in one hand and ducked down. Nothing was in front of him, so he turned around, seeing the silhouette of the other Diablos emerging from a hole by the pond. The beast slowly dipping it's maw into the cool water for a drink. The young hunter watched the shadow, barely making out the rest of the beast asides from the large shadow of it's form. The beast was calm, behaving as if there were no hunters around. To Vance it meant a good thing, so he slowly crept his way back to the entrance. Rising up to his feet as he exited the oasis, but stumbled back as he ran into a short form.
His hand released his light crystal, revealing Frances and his companions. All carrying huge bags on their persons. The young hunter cursed his luck silently, wishing he had a helmet on so the group wouldn't recognize him.
"Well well, if it isn't the rook." said Frances as he approached the young hunter, his hands lifted up towards the sky as if he was offering praise to some deity. "My how my luck is with me today!" He stated with a laugh, the two brutes chuckling in unison, Dorian just shaking his head.
"This isn't the time nor place idiot." Vance kept his tone harsh, his eyes narrowing as he stared the short hunter down. However Frances didn't back down, and instead stepped right up to him. Face to face, though Frances had to stand on the tips of his toes, the two stared at each other hard. Though Frances sly grin was hidden under her helmet. Suddenly, the short hunter back away, looking past Vance as he saw the silhouette of the Diablos move about in the background. He seemed to jump in joy, looking over to his companions.
"There's the one that got away from us!" he said as he made his way around Vance, but found himself spin around as the young hunter grabbed him.
Almost instantly the two brutes were upon the young hunter, him and Frances staring each other face to face once again. Vance didn't show any sign of being worried that he was outnumbered, but Frances was glad he had his helmet on and his companions near by.
"This is Team Quad's hunt rook. Back off!" the short hunter said, pushing Vance back with his hands. Yet the young hunter didn't budge an inch, and his glare became more intense, making the short hunter uneasy. Yet he still held his ground against Vance.
"The mission given by Averos was met, and from the looks of those bags you guys got quite the haul of parts already. Leave this one be and just leave." Vance kept his voice low, though he knew that eventually the wyvern would catch on that it had visitors.
"You just want this one to yourself!" Frances replied in a harsh tone. Almost yelling. Vance could see the Diablos move about more often, and he knew that the wyvern caught the sound of their voices. He merely shook his head though, staying calm despite the growing danger.
"I don't need the parts, nor the money. I'm in this business for the thrill of the hunt, and for many of the wyverns well being."
Frances laughed aloud, but it was short lived when the Diablos let out an angry roar and started to charge the group. The five of them instantly scattered, with Frances and Vance going one way, the other three going the opposite direction. The wyvern charged through open air, sliding to a stop and quickly turning to begin another charge. Vance had turned around, slowly backing away to gain more distance from the beast as he waited for it's move. He smiled as the beast charged towards the other three, and he instantly knelt down while going through his knapsack. He fished out a circular device about the size of his head, though it was only a few inches thick. As he set the device on the ground to arm it, he could see Frances running towards him out of the corner of his eye. He brought up one arm, ready for any blows, but was shocked when he merely ran past him. Clapping him on the shoulder as he stopped behind him.
"Temporary truce." he said as he drew his hooked blades, looking to the group that was running in circles about the wyvern.
Vance set the trap, streaks of yellow shot out from the device, lighting up the area slightly. As he got up, he pursed his lips and let out a loud whistle while bringing his folded bow in front of him. Thumbing the switch to unfold it, the weapon snapping into place and the rubbery string tightening.
The wyvern stopped paying attention to the other three hunters, and looked in Vance's direction. With a roar, it started to charge towards the two, with Vance backing away from the trap quickly. Within a few strides the beast was upon them, but as it's foot set down upon the traps paralyzing streaks, it found itself stuck in one spot. Twitching helplessly as it let out a high pitched squeal. Frances charged on in, going between the legs and dancing about with his blades. The edges slicing into the thighs and belly of the beast. The two hunters wielding hammers were upon the beast almost instantly, both going to work on it's right leg. Repeatedly smashing in the beasts knee in their own sequence. The gunner firing rounds off one by one as he slowly advanced towards the twitching wyvern. The sight of the four working together was quite a spectacle, and Vance had to force himself to come back to reality.
The trap suddenly fell apart, the streaks releasing it's grip on the beast completely and letting it fall over on it's right side. Frances leaping out just in time, with the hunter wearing Gypceros armor barely escaping the crushing weight of the falling beast. The other hunter wasn't so lucky, and found himself pinned beneath a thrashing beast. Frances let out a startled cry, but Vance was already a step ahead of the entire group. Acting quickly, he took a vial out from his coat, the vessel filled with a blue liquid. He put the vial in a small port on the quiver, a sucking sound coming from the port as the liquid shot through several rollers. Vance took out an arrow that was coated with the liquid, the lance-like object about as long as his arm, and strung it. Pulling it back effortlessly and taking aim at the beasts back. He released the arrow, the projectile flying through the air and piercing into the Diablos hard shell on his back. Within a few seconds, the young hunter had several more arrows flying into the beast.
The beast stopped moving after the eighth shot, and went completely still as it's breathing became more rhythmic. The other three hunters rushed to their companions aid, trying to dig him out. Vance replaced the vial of toxin back onto his coat, walking over to the group as he flipped the button to fold his bow in half and secure it on his back again. The trapped hunter was pinned from his belly down, and made no movements what so ever, and when Frances and his companions helping him pulled the still hunter out from under the sleeping wyvern, Vance could already tell the man was crushed to death. He felt a bit of relief when Dorian confirmed the man was still breathing, though barely.
"You need to get him back to town as fast as you can. If you don't he'll surely die out here." Vance said in a grim tone, though he hid his sympathy well beneath his features. Frances stood back as Dorian and the other large hunter helped the injured man up, carrying him away as fast as they could. The short hunter approaching Vance.
"This is still our-"
"You're not killing the wyvern." Vance interrupted, fixing his gaze so it was on the short hunter. Frances let out a growl, and his body seemed to tremble, but he stormed off after his companions. Once they were gone, Vance started to inspect the wyverns injured leg. To it's luck it wasn't completely smashed apart, maybe sprained if the Diablos was extremely lucky. Dressing the wound would still be a difficult task to do, and with only about an hour of time before the sleep toxins wore off, it left little room for error. The young hunter took a deep breath, putting his bow and knapsack on the ground before digging around the wounded leg of the wyvern.