"Hi. I'm Isaac Mechanos." he replied excitedly, an enthusiastic grin on his face as he bowed in return.When the hell did he get up?! Cassandra thought frantically, suddenly noticing the loss of warmth from his hand in hers. "I'm the guardian of no one and the head of nothing. And, well, suicide's in the name."
"I'm gonna like this one." Io whispered to Aiden at her side, nudging him a little. She turned then to Cassandra, who was still kneeling on the ground. As soon as their eyes met, a wave of heat spread quickly through Cassandra's cheeks. She quickly bolted up and performed a flustered bow.
"I-I'm Cas-ssandra Ev-verly." Those eyes... She couldn't stop thinking about the Brachydios, her heart still beating hard from the thought of it's burning red eyes, so like the Nargacuga that almost ended her life.
"What are ya nervous about, kid? I don't bite." Io pointed out, concerned. Aiden turned his head towards the hunter, and tapped lightly against the helmet she still wore. She gasped slightly and leaned her head down into her hands, which turned the helmet to the side with a sharp metallic click and a puff of steam. With a quick pull, the helmet was off, revealing her true face. Her skin was a deep ochre, making her snowy white hair tied back in a short ponytail stand out shockingly. A single thin bang of blood red partially hid one of her golden eyes which were focused on Cassandra. Her face had several scars, three of which ran from the side of her chin past her lips, almost reaching her nose. Cassandra thought that there was something bizarrely handsome about her, rather than beautiful.
"Sorry about that, kids. I always forget I have that thing on." She grinned, showing off her long and sharp canines. "It wasn't the helmet, hm?"
"Well uh, I-I uh..." She could feel all the eyes burning with concern and confusion pressing down on her, but her heart was chained by fear. I can't breathe, I can't breathe! She was breathing really heavily, yet she felt like no oxygen was being absorbed.
"Ah, there's the problem!" Io exclaimed suddenly, touching a finger to Cassandra's chest. Confused, the young hunter looked down to inspect the "problem", when the finger twitched upward rapidly, passing lightly against her nose. "Made ya look."
She inhaled sharply, leaning back and pressing a hand on her nose instinctively. Hearing laughter from Io and the others, she nearly instantly realized what just occurred, and just like that, her heart became unburdened by fear. How did I fall for that. She was ashamed by her own reaction to the lamest of pranks, yet she laughed at herself and at the lightness she felt inside.
"You alright now, kid?"
Cassandra held a friendly grin now, nervousness now melted away, "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm not sure why I was so... you know."
Io's expression got darker then, like she was uncovering some dark memory from the corner of her mind. "The Primordial Fear debuff. Haven't seen it since...probably not since Jarrell was alive, now that I think about it."
Primordial Fear? I've never heard of that debuff. How did she know I have a debuff if she can't see my HUD? Cassandra thought, lightly touching the Hunting Utility Device in her pocket. "She probably received it from the incident with the Deathclaw Nargacuga." Aiden observed, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Deathclaw?" Isaac asked, as confused as his friend.
"A Deathclaw is a monster who has been infected with a mutated form of the Frenzy virus, most likely delivered by the First strain Shagaru Magala. That Brachy who's ass I kicked earlier was also infected with it, but a good bash to the head is all it takes to snap them out of it. Their movesets, and therefore their weaknesses, change based on the strain, so my hunter's guide is kinda useless information wise on how to fight them, making them the most dangerous for normal hunter's to kill." Io explained slowly, allowing her wealth of knowledge to sink in.
"What do you mean, your hunter's guide?" Isaac cut in again, "I mean, how would the info in your hunter's guide relate to others?"
"Oh, you didn't tell them, Aidy?" Io asked the hunter, a proud smirk on her face, "Who do you think wrote the damn thing?"
"Wait wait, hold up. You wrote the hunter's guide?!"
"And the God Killer's guide, which I've been told you've been meaning to get your hand's on, kid."
"That's just not possible, though." Cassandra said incredulously, "The original hunter's guide was written over 200 years ago with the creation of the Wycademy!"
Io sighed, her helmet drooping between her arm and side, "Look like it's gonna be a long night, kids. I was gonna have you guys over tomorrow, but since you're here now, I'm sure Cece won't mind a few house guests. You coming, Aidy?"
"My apologies, Commander, but I can't. I promised Lucy I would be home before she went off to bed."
"You know you don't have to call me that, kid. You're family. Anyway, I'll be over in a day or two anyway. We've got some news to discuss, about him."
Aiden's expression turned dark, like a mixture of seriousness and fear, which Cassandra could pick up for but a moment before he turned, pulling his hat onto his head. "Alright Io, I shall await your arrival. Goodnight."
"G'night, old man!" she exclaimed with a fanged smirk and a wave.
"Good night, dude." Isaac also said, startling both Cassandra and Aiden.
"Isaac, don't you still..." Aiden began.
"Naw, we're cool. Can't be mad at my partner, now can I?" he explained with a grin, infecting Aiden with a similar one as he turned again to walk home. Of course. Isaac can't hold a grudge even if he tried.
"Alright kids, let's get a move on here, we're burnin' moonlight! Let me hail us a ride." Io announced, snapping the hunters back to alertness. A ride? Before Cassandra had a chance to ask, however, Io cupped her hands in front over her face like a funnel and released a deep, powerful howl that reverberated through the forest. I've got to ask her how she does that later. she mentally noted to herself. As she finished the thought, she felt the fauna rustling behind her, like something big and fast was tearing through the brush. Before she could prepare herself for an assault, a huge white silhouette shot out of the brush above her, soaring through the air to land on the far side of the clearing. As the figure began walking casually toward the group, she noticed more of it's features. It was the size of a Zinogre, yet thinner and more mammalian than reptilian. It's head was just like the helmet Io wore, except that on the beast's head was a set of beautiful horns, like the one's on a older Kelbi male. It's paws were covered in blood red fur up to the knees, as was the tip of the tail, a dot on it's head, and the outline of it's two gorgeous golden eyes. The rest of it's pelt was snow white, and it's horns were brownish tan. It was the most beautiful creature she had ever seen.
It took a seat next to Io, who turned to the creature to pet it's neck fur lightly. "Hey buddy! This big furball is Ryko, my partner in crime. He's like for me what a palico is for other hunter's, except he can't speak Lish."
"What is he though?" Cassandra asked, still enraptured by his beauty.
"That's kinda hard to explain. How about we just say he's a wolf. A really big wolf. With horns. He's gonna be our ride for the evening, right, bud?" Io asked with a behind-the-ear scratch, to which Ryko purred in delight.
"Wait, we're gonna ride him?!" the young hammer wielder asked incredulously, scared of the answer. She was dared as a kid to ride a baby Popo, once, and as soon as she got on the kid who dared her threw a sonic bomb and whacked the baby on the behind, causing it to panic and flail around, throwing Cassandra here and there. Needless to say, she beat the kid senseless, but since that day, she had a phobia of rough riding.
"My home is a ways off kid. If we tried to walk, we probably wouldn't make it till midnight. With Ryko, it'll only be a short ride."
"Heck yeah, that's frickin' awesome! Come on, pipsqueak, let's go!" Isaac exclaimed excitedly, pushing the girl towards the wolf from behind as it laid to accept passengers.
"But Isaac I..."
"Hey, don't worry so much Cassy. It'll only be a short ride."
"But..."
"Kids, let's hustle! I don't want Cece to know I'm gone." Hesitant, Cassandra climbed up the huge wolf's side to rest behind Isaac, who was nearly giddy with excitement. "Oh, I should warn you guys, Ryko doesn't like when people tug on his fur, so you're gonna have to hold on to the person in front of you."
Oh shit. Cassandra thought, red exploding on her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around Isaac's middle. Feeling her tense up behind him as Ryko rose, Isaac turned, concern on his face. "Cassy, it's gonna be alright. I'm right here, I'm not gonna let you fall."
His concerned, calming voice made her blush even deeper, yet she did feel a bit better. "Ok, Isaac." she said, nearly whispering nervously.
"I promise not to fart on the way."
"Ew, dude, shut up!" she laughed as Ryko began to walk, slowly picking up speed as they approached a tree that blocked the path to the forest.
"Ok, hold on!" Io exclaimed over the rush of air as Ryko dipped his knees. What's about to... Suddenly, he released all the power in his legs, and shot himself and his passengers nearly straight up. Cassandra screamed involuntarily from the rush of air as they traveled vertically, Ryko using the side of the great tree to boost higher and higher until...poof! They blew straight through the leaves and branches of the tree right to the top, the new night sky in perfect view as Ryko landed on the treetop and bounced off, tree to tree as fast as lightning.
She didn't realize that she was literally squeezing the life out of her friend until they had already landed on the forest floor 12 minutes later, in another clearing with a path. She squeaked, releasing her grasp to allow air to finally return to Isaac's lungs. "I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed as Io hopped off the wolf's back, stretching a little.
He managed to wheeze out a quick "It's fine", as the hunter helped the two down from Ryko. "Ok, kids, the house is just a little ways down the path. Ryko, you go patrol the forest and desert, 'kay?" The wolf nodded, and with another leap disappeared into the treetops. Our heroes began to walk down the dirt path, towards an ever growing dot in the distance.
"So, uh, you're a god hunter, right?", Isaac asked, breaking the silence between the trio.
"Only the best. Well, that's debatable, but my kid thinks so. I make and train all the god hunters. There are 23 active as of today, but you probably won't see another."
"Only 23?"
"Remember, god hunters are basically only for hunting first and second strain dragons and those they affect, so you don't need a lot at a time. Plus, it's easier to keep a small number of super powered knuckleheads in line rather than a bunch of 'em. Those are the guild's reasons for not making more."
"What's your reason?" Isaac asked inquisitively.
She hung her head down slightly and sighed, "To be honest, I'm just really tired of burying kids."
Cassandra's breath hitched in her throat, and as she turned to her friend, she could see all the blood had left his face. "Io, what's the mortality rate for the awakening?" she asked in almost a whisper, knowing that the answer would only make her feel worse.
"I'm not gonna bullshit you guys. I've had as many corpses as I've had hunters. It's the flip of the coin, really." Her voice was serious to the point of frightening.
"So then one of us is guaranteed to die then, is that what you're saying?!" Isaac asked angrily, temper flaring.
"Whoa kid, calm down! That's not what I'm saying at all. In fact, I got high hopes for you two." she said calmly, turning to face them. When she noticed the inquiring looks they gave, she continued, "You see, in all the awakening's I've done, there's been a pattern in the data. The ones that lived without terrible mutations were the ones that were great hunters before the procedure. What me and the scientists over at the library think is that there is some gene, or maybe a quality of the soul, that makes hunters able to use monster blood to it's full potential. These hunter exhibited strengths and instincts at higher levels than hunters with more monster blood. From what I've heard, you two have that special something, but I'm not gonna take that chance. That's why I signed you up for that arena match on Friday."
I knew it wasn't Aiden! Though, what she said, "a quality of the soul". What could she have meant? "You signed us up? What are we gonna fight?" Isaac asked, most assuredly feeling like a dick for accusing Aiden.
"You'll be fighting the demon within your souls, kids." Something about the way she said it made Cassandra shutter. The demon in our souls? Before she had a chance to ask this, however, a cry was heard behind the tall hunter, and as she turned, the group saw a small boy, maybe 7 or 8 years old, running towards them.
"Daddy!" the boy cried, running up to Io.
Daddy? Cassandra thought as Io got on a knee, dropping her helmet to catch the boy, who wrapped his arms around her neck. "Hey, puppy! What are you doing out so late?" Io asked happily, grinning as she ruffled the boy's spiky white hair. Now able to look at him better, Cassandra noticed that the boy almost exactly like the hunter who held him. Same white hair with a lock of red, but spiky, like Isaac. Same complexion, same golden eyes. They look more like twins than mother and son. And what's with the whole "daddy" thing?
"Mommy was worried, so I went out to find you!," the boy answered proudly.
"Tamryn, I know you were looking out for yer mom, but I told you not to go out after dark!" When she saw the boy's disappointed face, she continued, "Well, at least your tracking skills have gotten better. Now, let's get you home before your mother has a heart attack, ok?" Tamryn nodded with a contented grin, and as Io turned to walk forward, Isaac cleared his throat loudly, causing Io to gasp slightly and turn towards the two she had clearly forgotten. "Oh right, I almost forgot about you two! Guys, this is my kid, Tamryn. Say hi, buddy."
"Hello. Who are you guys?" Tamryn asked confused.
Just as Io was about about to say something about how that wasn't a very polite way of asking the question, Isaac spoke up, "Hey there kid, I'm Isaac, and the short awkward one is Cassandra."
The boy's eyes lit up as Cassandra's fist knocked her friend upside the head, "Does that mean you're the dancing queen?"
This sudden recognition took Cassandra aback, "Well yeah, uh, that's my hunter title."
"Really?! I have your hunter card at home, it's my best one! You're so cool!" the boy gushed, enticing a blush out of the young hunter, who wasn't used to such flattery.
"Yeah, he really loves monster hunting. Definitely my fault, with all the hunting stuff I got him."
"Well then, you must have heard about me, the great suicide sniper, as well, right?" Isaac asked, puffing his chest out in pride.
"Nope. Never heard of you." Tamryn said bluntly, visibly crushing the hunter's pride considerably.
"Well, I think that's all the introduction we need. The house is just past this brush up ahead." Io pointed out, getting the group moving towards the goal again. "By the way, Tammy, just how long was I gone for?"
"2 hours."
Io's face immediately turned white at the news, and a cold sweat grew over her visage, "T-Two h-h-hours?! Oh god, your mom's gonna kill me."
"Are you scared, daddy?"
"Me, scared? Not at all, nothing scares me, especially not Cece. Nope, not at..." she babbled on nervously as they walked through a patch of forest that grew over the path.
"Io Emric," a thickly accented voice called past the brush, visibly turning Io to stone. As the other two hunters caught up to Io, who was just at the edge of the forest, Cassandra got a look at the voice's owner. She was standing on the porch of a sizeable wooden cottage, looking to be about a foot shorter than Io, one hand on her hip and the other holding a small bundle, and a scowl on her face. She had creamy white skin, aided by the light of the moon, with light teal hair that was accompanied by locks of gold and white tied in a braid. And her eyes... Her eyes, they don't...where are the pupils? The woman's pupils seemed to have been swallowed by her irises, which were emerald green. She was hauntingly beautiful, and frighteningly pissed.
"H-hey Ce..."
"I'll get to you in a second, Heseca. Tamryn, honey, could you come over here please?" her voice became sweet at the mention of the boy, who Io let onto the ground to walk over to the woman, "Tamryn, you can't just leave the house without telling me. You scared me half to death, baby!"
"I'm sorry, mommy." He looked down at his feet, hands held together.
"Oh, I'm not mad at you, love. I'm mad at your father. Now, go on inside, I'll be there in a minute to read you a story, alright?" Tamryn nodded and walked into the cabin, allowing his mother to return her gaze to Io.
"S-Sweetheart, I..." Io started walking up to the woman.
"Don't you "sweetheart" me, Io. Where have you been? Because I remember you were supposed to be bathing Emi. How that turned into "dissapear for 2 hours and not tell your wife," I will never know." Ah. Wife. I get it now.
"Well, I..."
"Let me guess," she pursed the bridge of her nose with her fingers, closing her eyes in annoyance, "you were out fist fighting something, again. What was it this time? Rajang? Brachydios?"
"...It threw the first punch this time, I swear!" Io exclaimed in defense. The bundle in the woman's arms hiccuped and wriggled a little before becoming still.
"Io, if you wake this child up I swear to god I will actually kill you tonight." she whispered angrily, putting a hand lightly to the baby's chest, "was fighting really more important to you than your daughter, Io?"
That really struck a nerve with the hunter, who looked visibly hurt by the comment. "Cecilia, I'm sorry." she said in a half whisper, her tone making even Cassandra feel bad for her.
Cecilia sighed, stepping down from the porch to meet the hunter, "I know you're sorry honey. I shouldn't have said that, it wasn't fair. I...I just get so worried about you, and you just leave and don't tell me, and...," she leaned into Io, their baby nestled in between her and Io's still armored chest, "I know we mean the world to you, and you want to make the whole world safe just for us, but could you please just inform me before you go off to save the day?"
Io wrapped her arms around Cecilia, one around her middle and the other cradling her head, and held her, "Sorry, sweetheart. Still trying to get used to having you guys around is all." Looking at them, Cassandra couldn't help but envy them, because she knew her own parents would never just make up like that. Yet, for some reason, she also couldn't help but feel glad for their happiness, maybe because their kids wouldn't grow up like her, with parents who hated each other, and a mother who resented her kids because their dad loved them more than he did her. "By the way, I brought those kids I told you about."
"Really? Where?" Cecilia asked, leaning away from Io to look around. Io pulled away from her and took her hand, leading her to the brush where the two stood. It was at that moment that Cassandra realized that, to some effect, Cecilia was blind. "Oh, there you are. Hello, my name is Cecilia Heseca, and this is my daughter, Emisa. Very nice to meet you both!" She tilted the bundle slightly, revealing a sleeping infant who, like Tamryn, looked almost exactly like Io. She then held out her hand in between the two, and they took turns shaking it. "This may sound odd, but I could see you better if I felt your face's first. Would that be alright?"
They both agreed, and after she lightly passed her fingertips over their visages, it was like she could see them with perfect vision. What kinda blind woman is she? She's making eye contact, but she can't see where our eyes are! "She's the head of medical research over at the Library. Isaac, you will probably be working with her a lot over the next few months, so get comfortable," Io stated, interrupting her thoughts.
"I should probably introduce myself formally then, huh? My name is Isaac Mechanos, and I'm glad to finally find someone who knows about this sorta stuff."
"If anything thing I've learned can help your mother, you can be sure that I'll put that knowledge to good use. I may not see very well, but I'm not this dummy's doctor for nothing!" she shook his hand, directly now, one last time, then turned back to Io, "I'll go read Tammy his story and put Emi to bed, you should go bring the kids to see your father."
"Sounds like a plan. I'll tuck him in when we're done, 'kay?" she pecked Cecilia lightly on the lips as she left, then turned to the other hunters, "Ok then, kids. Let's go see my dad."
They were led through the cabin, until they reached a small room against the farthest wall of the house. Entering the room, they immediately noticed the lack of furnishing. The whole room was bare, except for some wall sconces. The only decoration in the room were strange shapes and symbols written in chalk, wrapping around several indented circles and lines.
"Ok, kids, promise not to freak out?" Io asked as she closed the door behind her. The hunters nodded, confused. Why would we freak out? Cassandra didn't have to wait very long to find out, as Io pressed on a small segment on her armor, which immediately exploded in a bath of red lightning.
Cassandra averted her eyes from the incredibly intense light, and as she looked back, she saw that the armor was gone, the only remaining piece being the snarling helmet. The armor was replaced by a red and white jersey jacket and black jeans, and her gauntlets by bandages that completely covered her hands. Needless to say, they were dumbfounded by the sudden display. "Ah, much better!" Io exclaimed, stretching fitfully. "Don't just stand there with your mouths open, take a seat in one of those circles. Trust me, that won't be the most surprising thing you see tonight." The two did what they were told, still in awe of what just occurred. The older hunter sat in the circle in front of them, and placed the helmet facing the two in the triangle between them. Once the helmet hit the floor, all the symbols, shapes, and lines around the hunters lit up with red light, the symbols blinking randomly. What is this... Cassandra felt the air around her grow heavy and hot.
"Before you meet my dad, he may look mean and scary, but he's really just a big fluffy push over. Thought I'd warn ya preemptively." Io grinned, placing her hands, which crackled with the same red lightning as before, on the helmet in front of her. "Now, look right into the eyes for a second, will ya?" Again, the hunters did as they were told, and as their gaze met the helmet, the mouth snapped open, and all was black...
Then, white. Where...what is this? Cassandra opened her eyes to see an open field surrounded by huge trees, all looking strangely familiar. This is the same place where we met Io! But why...why is everything in black and white?! Indeed the whole forest, the trees, the grass, even the sky, was all white, bordered by black, like a hyper-realistic pencil drawing.
"Beautiful, ain't it?" Cassandra turned, startled by the voice, to see it was only Io, the only spot of color besides her and Isaac, who was also laying on the white grass.
"What is this place?" Isaac asked, just as confused as his friend.
"This place doesn't really have a name, but when I wrote about it I called it the World's Forest. This is where my dad lives. You guys ready to meet him?"
"Just who is your "dad", Io?" Cassandra was tired of waiting and being dragged into strange places enough for one day, and she wasn't having it anymore. Instead of answering, however, Io turned her back to the two, a toothy grin on her face.
She cupped her hands over her mouth like back in the forest where they met, and inhaled deeply. "I'm home!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing through the forest. At first, there was only the rustling of wind through the trees, as though the wind itself was called upon by the hunter to introduce itself. Then, they heard it, or rather, felt it. Thump, thump, thump, low at first then gaining intensity. With every thump, the forest shook, and as the shaking increased, a rustle escaped from the brush around them. Appearing suddenly from the bushes, large creatures just like Ryko made themselves known, of all different sizes, colors, and horns.
One by one, they circled the hunters, filling up the field until there was almost no more room left. What the hell... Cassandra felt for her weapon, realizing afterwards that she had not thought to bring it with her that day. Not that it would help anyway, there's too many of these things. She turned to Isaac, at a lost as to what she should do, to notice that he was staring intently at one of the wolves in particular, one with short horns and dark brown and white fur.
"Are you alright?" she asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.
He seemed to snap out of whatever it was that compelled him at her touch, "Oh, yeah. I'm uh, I'm fine." He looked like he had just seen a ghost, concerning Cassandra a bit, "It's just... I feel like I've seen that wolf before, like I know him..." he turned to look back at it, but another wolf had already taken it's place. Before Cassandra had chance to ask her friend what he meant by all that, a huge thump knocked them both over onto the grass. Cassandra pushed herself up onto her hand, rubbing the other on a sore spot on the back of her head.
"I'm sorry, children, did I harm you?" a voice, deep as a valley and calm as a lake, asked, concerned.
"Oh, that's al..." Cassandra began, looking up to talk to the stranger directly. As she did, however, what she saw made her squeak in surprise and fear. A massive wolf stood above them, at least twenty meters tall. Like Ryko, it's pelt was mainly white, yet instead of patches of red around the eyes and feet, it seemed to have every color of the rainbow at once, like the shimmer of true opal. Around it's paws seemed to be a living flame made of this every-color, and it's tail looked to be entirely comprised of it. It's incredible horns also seemed to be made of this material, with a single orb of pure gold suspended in the center. It's giant golden eyes, like Io's, stared down at the two, who were slack jawed in awe of this magnificent creature.
"Are you two alright?" it asked, not moving its lips. It was as if it were speaking not only outside, but also inside their heads.
"They'll be fine, pops, I just don't think they were expecting you is all." Io explained, not fazed at all by the creature. How can she be so calm?!...Did she just call it "pops"?
The creature still looked very concerned, "I had no intention of startling you, children. I knew this form was too extravagant!"
"Dad, it's ok. They're tough kids, you should know that!"
"Yes yes, daughter, you know I worry too much. So then, what brings you here, child? How is your litter?"
"All happy and healthy. Tamryn already shot his first bolt just yesterday." she said proudly. The other wolves, who had opened the circle to accompany the giant one, shared her look of pride.
"That's wonderful, child! You can tell Tamryn that grandpa is very proud of him."
"Will do!" What the hell is going right now? Why is her dad a giant wolf, why does he live here, where is here? Cassandra, and from what she could see of Isaac, was overwhelmed by confusion.
The wolf turned back to look at her then, a knowing look over his face, "Yes, I can see how this would be confusing," he said, startling the poor girl once more. How did he...did I say that aloud?
"No, Cassandra, I'm afraid you didn't. You see, in this place, thoughts and words are one and the same. My apologies, let me introduce myself. I go by many names, by hundreds of your cults and religions. I wear..."
"Yeah yeah, dad, different skins, many names, blah blah blah. Kids, this is my father, Nature." Io stood in front of the wolf, hands splayed to either side. Cassandra's breath hitched yet again, and she could feel her heart pounding hard in her chest. Nature...everything Aiden said...everything Io wrote...
"Yes, the gist of it is true, however my daughter gets into the habit of writing and speaking very daftly," he answered, placing a paw on Io, who was holding it up strainfully. "Well, Isaac, I simply am quite fond of wolves. Only humans have more of my favor, but to be honest, I find your forms quite boring."
So, he can read his thoughts too... "Anyway, dad, I brought the kids here so that you can weight their souls." Io said as the wolf turned his attention back to her. Weight our souls?
Nature turned back to Cassandra as she thought, "Yes, weighing souls. The blood is the gateway to the soul, and vice versa. My daughter must test you before you can become knights under me, and to do so we must know what demon lies in your soul. For example, Io and her litter have the blood of the White Fatalis within them, so if I weigh her soul, I will see exactly that."
"Cece has Amatsu Magatsuchi blood. Her eyes are blind, but she can use her powers to see with air pressure. She didn't do it back there cuz she thought it would freak you out." Io stated, chuckling at the last part.
"Now then, Cassandra, please step towards me." His voice was soothing, yet Cassandra was still very tense as she stood, taking a step forward once she did. The wolf bent down, moving forward till his snout almost touched her. He closed his massive eyes, and inhaled sharply. Then, Cassandra felt it. At first, a tug. Then, a full on yank. Yet her body did not move. She looked down, and saw it. It was so clearly not her, just a ball of light and colors, yet so clearly her, a mirror or a clone. It was all these things, yet none of them.
"Is this..."
"It's beautiful..." Isaac stated, causing Cassandra to blush profusely, as if he had seen her naked. It certainly felt like it.
Nature did not seem to notice, or maybe he simply didn't care. Suddenly, the back hairs of the wolves around them, including Nature, stood on end, and he snarled angrily at the orb. Is something wrong? Cassandra thought, frightened. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and as she turned, she saw Io's face hovering next to hers, "Don't worry. They're just trying to scare the monster into showing itself." Monster?
Then, the orb began to wriggle, then bubble, then full on boil, like a pot of water on a fire. The steam that came off it rose and recondensed into a cloud just over it, like a genie emerging from a lamp. The cloud became bigger forming a more defined shape. It grew darker, becoming obsidian, then gaining green, and red, until...Brachydios?
"No," Nature began, the cloud Brachy nearly formed, "Raging Brachydios. An incredibly powerful sub-species. Can you procure one in time, child?"
"Of course. I might have one already in the Zoo." Io answered. Nature nodded, and turned back to the monster. He raised a paw as the beast roared, and as it charged, he flicked his wrist. The blast of wind from the action blew the monster away, and knocked the soul back into Cassandra's body. Just like that, the pulling sensation disappeared. Raging Brachydios, huh. Dad fought one of those when he was a hunter... she thought, placing a hand over her chest where the orb came from. She looked up to see Isaac stepping up now, and uncomfortable look on his face. She flashed him a thumbs up and a grin, which he returned weakly, as Nature and the other wolves repeated the process, revealing his soul. It really is beautiful... she thought as the wolves around her snarled and barked at the orb. Like hers, it bubbled and steamed, forming a cloud of it's own. Yet this cloud wasn't dark like hers had been. No, this one was bright orange, then yellow and red, and then.
No... a sick feeling smacked her in the gut at she saw the monster form, It's that monster?!
"No way." Isaac said in a half whisper, hand over his even paler than usual mouth.
"Yes. The Teostra." Nature announced as the great fire dragon roared.
"T-that monster..." she had a hard time breathing looking at it, like the wind had been knocked out of her.
"That's the monster that killed my dad." Isaac finally managed to choke out, fists clenched at his side.
Oh no, drama bomb! Right at the end, too. Next chapter, get ready for incredible action, as Isaac faces off against the creature that took his family away! By the way, to clarify some things in the chapter, Cecilia has a British accent, but since Britain doesn't exist in the context of their universe, it was kinda hard to describe whilst writing. Also, did you see what I did there? With the HUD concept? Did you catch that? Cuz I feel damn proud about it. Anyway, see you in the next chapter!
Update: Recently, I've been very active on the tumblr account for the story. If you haven't already been to it, if you want to know more about the characters, the story, or the silly stuff I post, then I recommend checking it out at blackandwhitehunter on tumblr (this site won't let me post the link). I've already posted the story as well as simple character bios for Cassandra and Isaac. Also, it also acts as an ask blog, so if you have any questions for me or for any of the character, you can shoot me an ask, even if you don't have an account. Anyway, see you later, and happy hunting!