Episode 04
The rhythmic clatter of arrows and projectiles echoed through the wooden towers as Winter, her eyes sharp and focused, continued to thin the swarm of Raphinoses encircling the west gate. The air crackled with tension, and the hunters on the towers maintained their relentless assault on the airborne threat.
Hamo, his brow furrowed, took a moment to reload his heavy bowgun, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene unfolding below. "What's going on, Winter? These Raphinoses are acting crazy, and I've never seen a Barroth this far north."
Winter, her movements fluid and purposeful, shot down another Raphinos. "It's not just any Barroth, Hamo. Look closer." She pointed towards the charging giant, and as Hamo squinted, he noticed the ice crystals adorning its armored hide.
Hamo's eyes widened in realization. "Ice-covered Barroth? That's not natural. What's it doing here?"
Winter's gaze darted around, searching for a solution amidst the limited options. The cliff on one side and the flat land on the other left her with little room for strategic maneuvers. "We can't let it reach the gate. The impact will shatter it. We need to stop that Barroth."
"Any ideas, Winter?" Hamo surveyed the landscape, his mind racing for a plan. "We can't take it head-on."
Winter's eyes scanned the surroundings, and her expression turned determined. "There's only one thing to do." Without hesitation, she leaped off the tower, her agile form descending gracefully to the ground.
Hamo's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and concern. "Winter, what are you doing? Get back up here!"
Winter, her voice carrying over the chaos, shouted to Hamo as she sprinted towards the oncoming Barroth, "Just keep the Raphinoses off me, Hamo!"
Hamo gritted his teeth, watching the daring hunter rush towards the colossal threat. "That girl is nuts," he muttered to himself. Then, with a determined expression, he barked orders to the other hunters on the tower, "Focus on the Raphinoses! Bring them down before they overwhelm us!"
The hunters, their attention now fully directed towards the frenzied flock, affirmed with determined shouts. Bows and bowguns unleashed a barrage of projectiles, creating a storm of arrows that intercepted the chaotic assault.
Hamo, glancing at Mosh, the Healer Palico, who was still curled up on the tower, swiftly made a decision. "Mosh, go with her!" With a firm grip, he lifted the small Palico and hurled him off the tower in Winter's direction.
Mosh, letting out a startled "nya~," descended gracefully, his eyes locking onto Winter's retreating form. As he landed on the ground, he scurried after her, his little paws padding against the earth.
Hamo turned back to the Raphinoses, his heavy bowgun roaring to life once more. "Let's clear the skies! No room for mistakes!"
As Hamo and the other hunters continued their relentless assault on the remaining Raphinoses, Winter, now perched on the rocky outcrop, took a deep breath. Her eyes locked onto the charging ice-covered Barroth, determination etched across her features.
With a swift motion, she descended from the outcrop and sprinted towards the onrushing creature. As she ran, she notched arrows with practiced speed, each shot aimed at the colossal beast's thick, icy hide.
The arrows found their marks, but the Barroth proved to be a formidable adversary. Winter grimaced as the arrows barely dented its tough exterior. "Tough on the outside, aren't you?" she muttered to herself.
Undeterred, Winter increased her pace, firing arrows with precision. The Barroth, undeterred by the onslaught, charged forward with unrelenting force. Winter's eyes narrowed as the behemoth closed in.
Just as the ice-covered Barroth was about to collide with her, Winter executed a nimble dodge to the right, narrowly evading the deadly impact. In the same fluid motion, she fired a fire arrow directly into the creature's belly.
The Barroth roared in pain, its charge halted as it turned its attention to the source of its newfound agony—Winter. The creature began to take a defensive stance, preparing for another charge.
Winter, undaunted, mirrored the Barroth's movements. As the beast charged again, she skillfully dodged its oncoming assault and fired another fire arrow to its vulnerable underbelly.
The battle continued in this dance of agility and precision. Winter, with each dodge and arrow, tested the limits of the Barroth's endurance. The monster, its icy exterior now marred by fiery wounds, roared in frustration.
At one point, however, Winter's daring tactics led her too close to the charging Barroth. The massive creature grazed her with its icy armor, sending her sprawling across the flat land. Winter winced as the impact sent her rolling, but she quickly regained her footing.
As Winter regained her footing on the flat land, Mosh, the loyal Palico, darted to her side. He released a healing bubble that enveloped Winter, mending her wounds. Winter offered a grateful smile and a pat on Mosh's furry head. "Thanks, Mosh. I've got an idea."
Mosh, worry in his eyes, meowed, "Winter, please be careful. Don't get hurt, nya~"
Winter's eyes gleamed with determination. "I won't, Mosh. Trust me." With that assurance, she took aim, her bowstring humming with tension, and fired several fire arrows at the ice-covered Barroth.
The fiery arrows found their mark on the creature's face, each impact leaving a searing mark. Enraged by the fiery assault, the Barroth roared in frustration and turned its attention solely to Winter.
As the monster charged towards her, Winter executed a nimble dodge, narrowly avoiding the oncoming assault. She then sprinted towards the cliffside, creating distance between her and the furious beast.
With her eyes locked onto the charging Barroth, Winter planted her feet at the edge of the cliff and, with precision, fired several more arrows at the approaching monster.
The arrows struck true, further fueling the Barroth's rage. The creature, now in a defensive stance, prepared for another charge. Winter stood her ground, her eyes unwavering.
As the Barroth thundered towards her, Winter waited until the last possible moment. With a swift roll to the side, she evaded the charging beast. The Barroth, unable to stop its momentum, careened off the cliff's edge.
The mountain air resonated with the creature's furious roars as it plummeted into the depths below. Winter, standing at the cliff's edge, watched as the ice-covered Barroth disappeared from sight.
Mosh, his eyes wide with awe, meowed, "Winter, you did it! Nya~!"
Winter grinned, a mixture of relief and triumph in her eyes. "We did it, Mosh." She then turned her gaze towards the west gate, where the other hunters and Hamo were witnessing the aftermath of the daring maneuver, and had downed all the attacking Raphinoses.
Hamo, from the tower, shouted down to Winter, "That was a risky move, but it worked! You really are something, Winter!"
Winter waved back, a sense of accomplishment in her posture. "Just doing what needs to be done."
As Winter walked back towards the west gate and into the village, cheers erupted from the other hunters. The camaraderie and relief were palpable in the air. However, amidst the celebratory atmosphere, the village elder, Kenjo, approached Winter and Hamo.
"Good job out there, Winter," Hamo said with a grin, clapping her on the shoulder.
Winter returned the gesture with a nod. "Thanks, Hamo. Team effort, as always."
Kenjo, a venerable figure with a hint of wisdom in his eyes, gestured for Winter and Hamo to follow him. "Come, we need to discuss what transpired." He led them towards the village hall, the heart of Taruno's decision-making.
In the hall, Kenjo took a seat at the head of a large wooden table, gesturing for Winter and Hamo to join him. The air inside was heavy with the scent of aged wood and the echoes of past meetings.
Kenjo looked at Winter and Hamo with a serious expression. "Now, tell me what happened."
Hamo, taking the lead, began to recount the events—the unexpected Raphinoses attack, the charging Barroth, and Winter's daring maneuvers to protect the village. As Hamo spoke, Kenjo listened intently.
Kenjo's gaze shifted to Winter as Hamo finished his account. "Winter, do you have anything to add?"
"The Barroth was different, Elder Kenjo," Winter nodded. "It was covered in ice crystals, and it wasn't a natural occurrence. There's something unusual happening in these mountains."
Kenjo stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Ramond, the village researcher, has been warning us about unusual monster behavior. He believes there's a disturbance in the balance of nature."
Hamo chimed in, "Seems like he might be onto something. That Barroth was way north of its usual territory."
Kenjo nodded, acknowledging Hamo's observation. "Ramond has been studying these changes in monster behavior. He's currently in Gumboldt, attending a Researcher's Union gathering. They're discussing the peculiarities of the environmental changes in various regions."
"Gumboldt?" Winter raised an eyebrow, her curiosity evident. "That's quite a journey. Why not send Hamo? He's a more capable hunter than I am."
Kenjo leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Winter. "Ramond's research is complex, and you've been his primary assistant in the past. You understand the nuances of his findings better than anyone else. Besides, your skills are needed not just in the hunt, but in deciphering the mysteries that surround us."
Hamo, ever the supportive comrade, spoke up, "Winter, you've proven time and again that you're more capable than you give yourself credit for. Look at how you handled that Barroth earlier. I'll hold down the fort here, and you go gather the information we need. The village is counting on you."
Winter sighed, a mixture of gratitude and trepidation in her expression. "Okay, I'll do it."
Kenjo nodded approvingly. "That's good, Winter. The village is counting on you to bring back valuable information. Ramond's insights may hold the key to understanding these environmental changes."
"I'll do my best, Elder Kenjo." Winter, her resolve firm, nodded in acknowledgment.
With the decision made, Kenjo dismissed the two hunters. "Go well, Winter. And may your journey be swift and safe."
Winter and Hamo left the village hall, stepping into the crisp mountain air. Mosh, Winter's faithful Palico companion, awaited them just outside. Hamo patted Mosh on the head, a silent gesture conveying unspoken camaraderie.
"Take care of Winter on the journey, Mosh," Hamo said with a smile.
Mosh tilted his head, his ears perking up. "What journey, nya~?"
Winter chuckled, her hand ruffling Mosh's fur. "A long one, my friend."
As the trio stood outside the village hall, the sun casting a warm glow over the mountainous landscape. The journey ahead held the promise of adventure, discovery, and the unraveling of mysteries that lingered in the shadows of the world. And so, with Mosh by her side and determination in her heart, Winter prepared to embark on a quest that would take her beyond the familiar peaks of Taruno into the bustlng town of Gumboldt.