Red Hunter Redemption: Chapter 5
It was another busy day at Astera, with the members of the Van Der Linde aiding as best as they could, some even aiding in the organization, such as Susan Grimshaw, the camp organizer of the Van der Linde gang.
«Oh for Lord's sake. Put that knife away and go help. » she threatened a hunter lazing around. While that occurred, the Commander, Hosea and Dutch seemed in a discussion. « Excellent work with that Pukei Pukei. » the Commander congratulated the duo.
« Let's hope it was worth it. Some folks almost died back there. » Hosea commented. « It's a dangerous life we live, Hosea. » Dutch responded. «{And at least we're doing something good of ourselves.} » he then commented mentally.
« None the less, now that the Pukei Pukei has been dealt with, we're on hot pursuit of Zora Magdaros. » the Commander continued. « But there's more to figure out. » he then explained. « Yes, like those god damn morons who decided to just go on a camping trip with no hunters or support whatsoever in this hellhole of a world. » Arthur finished the sentence as he walked in alongside Eden.
« I take that you're already aware of the situation our scholars are in. » the Commander responded. « We've been informed by the provision manager. I guess they were rather eager to go and investigate without support. And stupid if I had to be honest. » Eden commented.
« That's surely one way to put it. » Arthur responded. « None the less, your next objective is no longer in the Ancient Forest. You are headed at the Wildspire Wastes, so make sure you are prepared. » the Commander explained. « I reckon we're gonna need the wagons for this one. » Hosea commented. « One should be enough. I'll call some of the boys. » Dutch then said. He then turned to Arthur. « You, Eden and Hosea take the wagon. I doubt our little huntress has learned anything yet horse related, and I know you two like to talk about the good old days. » Dutch said.
« Ready for an escort mission, guys? » Eden asked. « I guess. Always good to see new places. » Arthur commented. «After this, we gotta give you a saddle for your avian friend. He'll end up throwing off a cliff if you keep lashing on its legs. » Hosea joked.
« I think this is the first time I spent some time alongside you other than the first meeting. I haven't seen you going out of Astera that much. » Eden commented. « I'm getting old, miss. I ain't what I used to be. But I do know a few tricks still. » Hosea responded.
« You can still shoot mighty fine, old friend. » Dutch then commented. « The Wildspire Waste is a dangerous place. It hasn't been explored to the same degree to the Ancient Forest. » the Commander then said.
« Not that the Ancient Forest was explored that much in the first place. » Arthur joked. « What I'm trying to say, is be careful. » the Commander responded. « We will. Hopefully we won't find much trouble, as long as we keep our nose clear. » Hosea then said.
After a while of travel by wagon, the group, composed by Micah, Lenny, Bill, Javier, Dutch, Hosea, Arthur, Charles and Eden finally reached the Wildspire Wastes, Eden admiring the scenery, while the gang looked with some degree of nostalgia.
While the Ancient Forest resembled a huge, old jungle, the Wildspire Wastes resembled a large, rocky desert, not much different from the kind the Van der Linde had seen in their home world.
After a while, the group finally reached the scholars, waiting them near a camp with a cart. « And here they are, our professional scholars in stupidity. » Arthur mocked the group. « What the hell were you thinking wandering off this damn desert by yourselves!? » he then cursed at the group.
« Arthur! » Eden scolded the man. « What? You said it yourself it was stupid! » Arthur defended himself. « We've waited for SO long to finally investigate for evidence! You better not get us killed, "outlaws"! » one of the scholars responded offended.
« Oh, you clearly don't need a hand on that one, feller. » Micah joked. « Enough! » Dutch said stern. « Come on, gentlemen. We're better than this! » he continued; his tone softer. « Well, if you fellers want my opinion, it's best if you tie your cart on our wagon. You ain't gonna go anywhere without horses around these parts. » Hosea then said to the scholars.
« That way, we can collect even MORE evidence! » an upbeat scholar exclaimed excited. « As long as the horses can pull it. » Charles commented. « Any idea where our supposed evidence is supposed to be? » Bill asked.
« The slag was found in the desert area of the Wildspire. » Eden explained. « You heard our huntress. Lenny! Micah! » Dutch exclaimed at the two men. « You two ride up ahead, find the slag and make sure there's no surprises. We've had enough of those. » he then commanded.
« Me, with the boy? » Micah asked annoyed. « Just go. » Dutch responded with a tone which didn't take no for an answer. « All right. » Micah responded annoyed, before turning to Lenny. « Come on, kid. You can buy me a whisky later. » he commanded, before the two rode off.
In the meantime, Eden continued to admire the scenery. « One thing's for sure, the environment here is completely different from the Ancient Forest. » she commented. « Yes, the Wildspire Waste features a mixture of dry land and swamps, which naturally supports its own unique ecosystem. » a scholar explained.
« Which naturally wants us dead, if the Ancient Forest taught us anything. » Arthur joked. « Hey! No negative thoughts on this expedition! » Eden scolded the man. « Say, swamps and deserts. Ain't that a bit like Mexico, Javier? » Bill asked.
« I dunno, hermano (brother). I've seen mostly sand when I used to live there. Not many swamps. Definitely not many waterfalls, that's for sure. » Javier responded, pointing at a small oasis. « The water filters down through the sand and collects in the lower areas, thus creating a mire. » another scholar explained.
« And a nice little hill, it looks like it. By the Sapphire star it wouldn't had been fun without the horses. » Eden commented. As the group proceeded on the narrow canyon, they encountered many large insects.
« The wildlife here are quite resilient creatures. They have adapted excellently to the dry climate. » a scholar explained. « They're not gonna survive much longer if they keep swarming on my face. » Bill complained.
« Save your ammunition for larger folks, Mr. Williamson. » Hosea warned him sternly. After a while, the group reached an opening, and were able to see the Wildspire desert. « Look! The Wildspire! That's where we'll find what we came for. » Eden explained.
However, just as she said that, a powerful roar was heard. « D-did you hear that!? » one of the scholars asked worried, before the sound of horses running where heard. It was Lenny and Micah, running with their horses as fast as they could.
« BACK! BACK! GET THE FUCK BACK! » Lenny shouted at the top of his lungs, before a huge pair of jaws nearly grabbed him.
They belonged to a medium-sized dragon like creature. It's hide was a dull, muted green, and its lower mandible featured a long, protruding chin spike. Its upper back and wingtips were covered in a moss-like fur, and her clubbed tail had sharp needles.
« Jesus! » Arthur cursed at the sight. « What the hell is that!? » Bill exclaimed. « Jumping Jaggis! A Rathian! » a scholar exclaimed panicking. « You mean a Rathalos!? » Arthur asked shocked. « Nope. She's its mate! » Eden explained as she prepared her blowgun.
« Everybody, get back in the mire, quick! » Dutch commanded, as it tried to shoot at it with his revolvers. The Rathian was hit by a volley of bullets, which didn't seem to stop the creature, as it continued to charge at the group uncaring.
Luckily, the group was quicker to retreat. The Rathian, with its massive size, was not able to enter the tight canyon, roaring at the group as they shoot at her. The beast then tried to sore above the group, taking advantage of the open topped canyon, but she was too large, and soon found itself unable to attack the group.
« Sorry, you dumb whore. You're too big for us! » Micah mocked the creature. Almost as she heard the insult, sparkles begun to form on her mouth, which begun to open once more. « Now what? » Hosea cursed.
« EVERYBODY! MOVE! » Eden shouted at the whole group, as fire was developing on the Rathian mouth. None of the Van der Linde gang had ever saw a Rathian before. But they knew about dragons. Or at least fictional dragons. And a peculiar ability of dragons.
« SHIT! » Arthur cursed as he realized what was going on, pronging the wagon to move out of the way just in time. Just a few seconds as he moved, the Rathian let out a huge fireball at the group, which engulfed a large area.
The flames spread for a considerable area, hitting Lenny in the back, causing his back to catch on fire. And, with that, the beast retreated. « LENNY! » Dutch shouted worried. Soon, the boy jumped out of his horse, desperately trying to get the flames off. As that happened, Dutch jumped off his horse and attempted to extinguish the flames with his jacket, alongside the rest of the gang.
Hosea was quick to react thought, and he quickly grabbed a bucket, filling it with water from the mire and throwing it on the boy. Soon, the flames were extinguished. « Here. Take this! » Eden handed him a potion, which quickly healed the young man.
« Thanks. » he thanked the huntress. « You ok, boy? » Arthur asked concerned, as he helped him getting up. « Yeah. I think so. » Lenny responded. « I'll go and check out if that Rathian is gone. It shouldn't be too interested on us, with bigger game out there. » Eden said, as she prepared her blowgun once more. « Arthur, you go with her. She's definitely going to need as much firepower as possible. » Dutch commanded nearly voiceless from the event.
« Got it. » Arthur responded. The duo checked the exit of the canyon, looking both in the sky and the ground. It was clear that the Rathian was gone. « That was horrifyingly close. » Eden commented. « Understatement of the god damn century. I survived shoots out, avalanches, bears, cougars, wolves, and none of those things compare to THAT! » Arthur exclaimed.
« I told you our world was more dangerous than yours! » Eden shot back. « Let's not get crazy there, lady. » Arthur responded calmer. « Arthur! Eden! Everything good there!? » Dutch shouted at the two.
« Looks like it! » Arthur responded. « All right, gentlemen! That flying snake flew away! Let's move out, before she decides to come back! » Dutch commanded the group, before he noticed Hosea placing a hand on his heart.
« You all right, Hosea? » he asked concerned. « I'm fine. Just wasn't expecting that. » Hosea responded. « We can give you a horse and you can go back to the camp, if you don't feel like continuing. » Dutch proposed.
« Well I made it this far. Might as well continue. » Hosea responded. « Like you often say, you have nothing to prove. » Dutch shot back. « I know. Thanks, still. » Hosea responded.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please review so I can learn your opinion. I'm willing to accept suggestions, so stay tuned.
See you on the next chapter!