Tales Of Old
Chapter 1
" Be on the lookout dear. We have reports of a white Wyvern in the area. "
" Yeah. I'll stay alert. "
" Mrow! "
" Right Mila. We won't let a monster surprise us until we find the one we are actually hunting. "
" Meow. "
" I wish you the best of luck my dear. Neither this... White Wyvern, Nor the beast you hunt should be taken lightly. May your blades be swift. "
" I will return Elder. "
A Few Hours Later
" Spirits curse this infernal jungle! Damn beast has to be here somewh... "
" Mrow! "
" What? "
" Mrow! "
" A baby? The hell do you mean a baby? "
" Mrow! Meow! "
" Fine! Just lead the way already! "
After trudging through undergrowth, The young woman and her Palico came to a clearing as the Palico pointed toward what appeared to be a body lying next to a small bundle of cloth. After several moments of deafening silence, The young woman spoke.
" See? You are hearing thin... " The woman paused as a crying sound emanated from the bundle of cloth, Causing the young woman to rush into the clearing before gently rolling the bundle over and opening it to reveal a Wyverian baby that had human hands and feet as opposed to the normal four fingered hands and digitigrade feet of other Wyverian's. His pointed ears also curved upward toward the top of his head but were shorter and more human than Wyverian ears normally were.
After shaking off her shock, The young woman looked toward the body nearby, Noticing that it was a Wyverian woman. After sighing softly, The young woman noticed a small book on the Wyverian woman's chest before picking it up as her Palico made a series of panicked noises, Causing the young woman to scoop up the baby before darting into the undergrowth and doing her best to keep the baby quiet.
As the baby fell asleep, A monstrous roar echoed through the air before a huge Wyvern that had luminous white scales, A line of fur down it's spine to the tip of it's tail, Antler like horns and a uniquely shaped head landed in the clearing before picking the lifeless body of the Wyverian woman up and tossing her into the air before catching her in it's mouth with a sickening crunch and chewing several times before swallowing and taking off once again.
After several minutes, The young woman tied the bundle of cloth around her torso so the baby wouldn't fall before she rushed back through the jungle with her Palico close behind, Silently hoping that the Wyvern would not return.
Evening
" Elder look! She is back! "
" I told you she would kill it! "
" She is the best! "
" Come now children. Home with you. It is getting dark. "
As the children rushed away, Giggling all the while, The elder looked toward the village gate as the young woman slowly trudged toward her with a mix of exhaustion and fear on her face before walking past the elder silently and to her hut.
After entering her hut, The elder spoke softly. " Speak to me Raine. What is it? "
" I... I... " Raine breathed raggedly before falling to her knees as she continued. " I saw the white Wyvern... It's huge... I have never seen anything like it... "
" And this? " The elder paused as she motioned toward the cloth before Raine looked up and spoke.
" There was a woman... Wyverian... Dead... It ate her... " Raine slowly regained her composure before sighing softly and opening the bundle of cloth. " She had this baby with her. "
" Intriguing... Wyverian's are not normally so pale... Nor do they usually have such strong human appearances such as the hands and feet. Hmm... A boy... " The elder sat down before pouring tea as Raine spoke softly.
" What do I do elder? I am not ready for this... " Raine breathed slowly as the elder looked toward her as she held out a cup of tea.
" Ready for what exactly? " The elder spoke calmly before sipping her tea as Raine sighed irritably and spoke.
" You know what I mean! Of all the things I expected to find on a hunt, This wasn't even on the list! What the hell am I supposed to do with a baby?! " Raine gasped softly as the baby whimpered before stirring slightly, Causing her to drop to her knees before making soothing noises, Causing the baby to settle as the elder spoke.
" You are already doing it Raine. " The elder smiled sweetly as Raine looked toward her before speaking slowly.
" Elder... I'm only seventeen... I only just became a hunter... I am not ready for this... " Raine looked down at the baby before biting her lip as the elder spoke.
" Again, Ready for what dear? What is it you are afraid of? " The elder looked toward Raine with curiosity as Raine sighed audibly and spoke softly with a hint of sadness in her voice.
" I am not ready to raise him. I just watched his mother get eaten by a Wyvern I have never seen before and I am scared okay? I am so scared... I can't do this... " Raine bit her lip before she carefully held the baby toward the elder as she spoke shakily. " You must take him... I... I can't... "
" You say one thing yet feel another. For certain, You are young. But your mother was no older when she birthed you. Being young doesn't make you unfit, It simply means you have much more to learn. Which would be true with or without the baby. " The elder spoke before smiling sweetly as the baby whimpered and squirmed before crying loudly, Causing Raine to quickly draw him back in before making soothing noises.
As the baby slowly stopped crying, His eyes opened before looking up at Raine with gleaming, Blood red eyes, Causing her to gasp softly before the baby seized her finger and pulled her hand forward, Hugging her hand against his chest tightly before closing his eyes and falling asleep while Raine bit her lip as tears quickly built up in her eyes while the elder spoke.
" I have always been honest with you my dear. While you are young, You are the mother he needs. Even a blind man could see the love building within you. Raise the boy. It will do the world of good to heal your scars. " The elder smiled sweetly as tears trickled down Raine's cheeks quickly as she spoke.
" Why... Why do I love him so much... I don't know anything about him but I love him so damn much... " Raine smiled as the baby squeezed her finger tightly as the elder spoke.
" Bonding with another is curious. No-one knows how or why it happens, But we all know how much it means. " The elder paused as the baby made a soft, Content sound, Causing Raine to make an expression that clearly said how her heart was melting before the elder continued. " I understand you are scared... I will offer you an out. If you doubt yourself, I will raise the boy in your stead. "
" That's just it... I did doubt myself... I was scared... But the moment he took my finger, It all just washed away. No. I will raise him. " Raine smiled brightly as she looked toward the elder, Who smiled in kind before speaking.
" It is good to finally see you as yourself again dear. You have been shrouded in a fog of pain for far too long. He will need a name. " The elder sipped her tea before waiting expectantly as Raine looked down at the baby and sighed softly before speaking.
" Kael... My Kael... " Raine smiled happily as tears continued drizzling down her face before the elder spoke.
" A good name. A strong name. Now then, Was he all you found? " The elder smiled sweetly before Raine snapped out of her adoration and carefully rummaged through the pouches on her belt before handing the small book to the elder, Who noticed that it was held closed by a long, White fang on a small cord. After unravelling the necklace and handing it to Raine, Who carefully placed it over Kael's head, The elder spoke.
" To whomever finds this book, I beg of you. Protect my son. The white calamity destroyed our village in the mountains. It is coming. I cannot fight it. We failed to kill it. Please, Do not let it have my boy. " The elder finished speaking as Raine looked toward her slowly. " I will study this until he is old enough. Until then, He is yours to raise. "
" And after that? " Raine looked down at Kael with love and sadness as she spoke. " I don't know if I could give him up now... Or ever... "
" There will come a time when such things will be decided. But it will be his choice on which path he takes. For now, Go home and rest. Raising a child will teach you much dear. " The elder smiled as Raine nodded and stood carefully before leaving.
The Next Day
After comforting Kael all night, Raine awoke early the next morning and walked to the elders hut. As she entered, The elder looked up from the book and spoke softly.
" You are here. Good. I have been reading this book. " The elder waited as Raine sat down before speaking again. " His father was a hunter. His mother was a researcher. This book records her research as well as the many hunts his father completed. But there is something familiar about this symbol they use as their clan signet. I have seen it somewhere before but just cannot place it. The inscription reads, We stand against one to protect the many. "
" What does it mean? " Raine looked toward the book as she gently rocked Kael in her arms as the elder spoke.
" I believe that this clan had a singular purpose. To hunt a single monster. A monster of cataclysmic power. The Wyvern head in the signet could be the one they hunt. I would imagine that it is an Elder Dragon. " The elder paused as Raine made soothing noises before speaking.
" Could it be a new species? Maybe even an unrecorded subspecies? " Raine spoke softly as the elder thought for a moment before speaking.
" Nothing is impossible. We have seen records of monsters thought the stuff of nightmares only to see them in the flesh later. For something so powerful that an entire clan's sole purpose was to hunt this one creature... Such power is unimaginable and yet we have sufficient evidence to assume that this creature is beyond us. These however, Are concerns for another day. Focus on your son. Raise him and train him. Look to others for help with this and when he is ready, We will see. " The elder smiled as Raine smiled and nodded before speaking.
" I will not fail elder. " Raine stood and left as the elder smiled sweetly and nodded.
Ten Years Later
" Kael, Wait! You are going to get us in trouble again! "
" Don't be scared Tara! We always have fun don't we? " Kael grinned playfully as Tara whimpered nervously before speaking.
" Well yes... But I don't want you to get in trouble... " Tara looked sad for a moment before Kael seized her hand and pulled her gently as she blushed lightly before he spoke.
" Don't worry about it! Mother will scold me but I won't be in trouble for more than a day or two. Now come on! " Kael pulled Tara carefully for a few minutes before they entered a small clearing that had flowers covering the ground around a small pond full of fish. " Worth it right? "
" It is beautiful... " Tara looked around slowly as she breathed in, Her senses filling with the aroma of the flowers as she walked forward and sat down carefully.
" Told you. I find all the best spots. " Kael grinned playfully before the sounds of twigs snapping filled the air and Tara ran over to Kael before hiding behind him as a large, Blue monster with a bright red crest on it's head, Long thin arms with six thin fingers and sharp talons, Walking on two legs stepped into the clearing and snarled loudly before Tara spoke shakily.
" It's... It's a Velocidrome... What do we do? " Tara looked terrified as Kael spoke softly.
" Run back to the village. Get my mother. I'll keep it busy... If I can... " Kael sighed softly as Tara looked toward him with shock.
" But it will kill you! " Tara looked mortified as Kael glanced over his shoulder before pulling a hunting knife out of the sleeve of his shirt and speaking.
" Better than it killing you. Now go. " Kael smiled reassuringly before Tara shook her head as tears built up in her eyes before Kael spoke forcefully. " Go! "
Tara bit her lip before turning and running toward the village as Kael turned his attention to the Velocidrome and chuckling lightly before speaking. " Well then... Let's not drag this out. "
A Few Minutes Later
Raine was cleaning the hide of a monster she hunted the night before as she heard Tara calling her before turning around and watching as Tara ran over to her in tears with a scared look on her face before speaking shakily.
" Raine... Kael and I... We were in the clearing with the pond and flowers and a Velocidrome showed up... Kael is distracting it... You have to save him! " Tara sobbed softly as Raine ran inside and picked up her dual blades before running toward the clearing with Tara in tow as panic quickly filled her heart and her thoughts raced.
" Dammit Kael... How many times... How many times have I told you... " Raine gritted her teeth as she continued toward the clearing.
After a few minutes of running, Raine burst into the clearing and looked around before gasping loudly at what she saw. Kael's torn shirt was laying on the ground surrounded by blood spattered flowers and several claw marks torn into the dirt. As Tara appeared, She gasped loudly before rushing forward and picking up Kael's shirt as she cried loudly.
After walking forward and checking the tracks, Raine stood quickly as several twigs snapped nearby and raised her blades in a defensive posture before gasping as Kael limped into the clearing and fell to the ground as he spoke while lifting his leg so he could sit up.
" Stupid Velocidrome... Shouldn't have picked a fight... " Kael groaned painfully as Raine took in the sight of her son. He had large claw marks across his chest, A large bite mark on his left shoulder that covered his left pectoral and the top of his stomach, His right leg was broken severely and his hands were covered in blood before Raine snapped out of her shock and ran over before dropping her blades and kneeling down as she spoke.
" What were you thinking?! How many times have I told you to stay inside the village?! Look at you... " Raine sighed as tears built up in her eyes but looked taken aback as Kael scoffed and grinned playfully before speaking.
" You should see the other guy... " Kael laughed softly but groaned painfully before Tara ran over and hugged him tightly as she cried.
" Stupid Kael... I thought you were dead... Stupid... " Tara cried heavily as Kael petted her head soothingly before Raine stood and walked in the direction Kael had appeared from.
After a minute or two of walking, Raine came to a small outcropping overlooking a thin stream that ran through the trees. As she looked around, She gasped when she noticed the Velocidrome laying a few feet away with what appeared to be sticks protruding from its leg and a large gash that ran up it's stomach to under it's bottom jaw. There were several slash marks along it's side and embedded in it's left eye socket was the hunting knife Kael had hidden in his sleeve. The knife was shoved so far into the eye socket that only the pommel was visible. If not for the glint of the metal pommel, Raine may not have noticed it.
After retrieving the hunting knife, Raine lifted the Velocidrome's tail before dragging it back to the clearing to find Tara in the pond with Kael, Tenderly washing his wounds as he groaned painfully before Raine walked over and spoke calmly. " How did you kill it son? What I saw... No one is that lucky. "
" Maybe not. But it wasn't skill either. It clawed my chest and bit my shoulder and I just... I was really angry... I wanted to kill it so badly that it felt like there was fire in my chest. I kinda blacked out to be honest. " Kael grinned sheepishly as Raine sighed before petting his head gently.
" Let's get you home. You need the healers. " Raine smiled before Kael nodded and Tara helped him out of the pond before helping him walk as Raine dragged the Velocidrome back to the village.
The Next Day
Kael was sleeping soundly while Raine made some breakfast as Tara knocked on the door before walking in and speaking softly.
" Hi Raine... Um... Is... Is Kael okay? " Tara fidgeted with the hem of her shirt as she blushed lightly.
" He will be. He needs to rest and let his wounds heal but he will live. " Raine smiled before noticing that Tara was trembling. " You okay? "
" No... I was useless Raine... Kael... All he was worried about was me. All I could do was run away and now he is hurt... " Tara sobbed softly before Raine walked over and hugged her gently before speaking.
" It isn't your fault sweety. Kael has always been that way. He has always put others before himself and he has no fear. Even in the face of being killed, I imagine he said something along the lines of not keeping him waiting. " Raine smiled reassuringly but her smile faded as Tara cried louder and spoke between sobs.
" But... I... I... Couldn't... Do... Anything... " Tara cried loudly before a hard tap on the head made her gasp loudly before turning around to see Kael glaring at her before he spoke sternly.
" Idiot. I don't blame you for this. Protecting you was my choice and I would do it again. Stop feeling useless. If you hadn't gone back to the village, You would have gotten hurt to. Plus you brought mom to help like I told you to. " Kael smiled before hugging Tara tightly as he continued. " I wouldn't ask any more of you than that. You weren't useless. "
" But... " Tara spoke softly but fell silent as Kael stepped back and caressed her cheek gently before speaking.
" But nothing. Don't feel useless. You aren't. " Kael held Tara gently as she cried while he continued speaking. " You are my best friend Tara. I wouldn't change anything about you. "
" But I should be stronger so you don't have to protect me... You got hurt... " Tara sniffled softly as Kael smiled and spoke.
" That won't change no matter how strong you are. You could be the strongest person in the world and I would still protect you. But if getting stronger is what you want then let's get stronger together. We can be hunters together. " Kael grinned as Tara looked shocked before glancing toward Raine who nodded approvingly before Tara hugged Kael tightly.
" Thank you Kael. I was worried you would hate me because I couldn't do anything but run away... " Tara stepped back and blushed lightly before moving forward quickly and kissing Kael's cheek before darting out of the house as Raine giggled softly.
" You two are just too sweet. " Raine smirked before feigning a swoon and speaking teasingly. " Young love is just too adorable. To think you might marry her one day... "
" MOM! " Kael looked irritated as he tackled Raine and they batted each other playfully as they laughed before Raine effortlessly lifted Kael up and placed him in a chair while he fumed silently as she kissed his head and placed a plate of breakfast in front of him.
" Eat up my little hunter. We can start training you two right away. " Raine smiled happily as Kael ate his breakfast. After he finished, Raine cleared the dishes away before telling Kael to find Tara. As he wandered through the village, Kael stretched carefully before spotting Tara.
Tara's parents owned a noodle shop where Tara helped whenever she wasn't wandering around with Kael. As Kael walked over, He heard Tara humming softly as she cleaned tables. After grinning playfully, Kael walked up behind her and spoke softly. " Missed a spot. "
" NYA! " Tara cried out loudly as the cloth and bucket she was holding hit the floor before she fell over from shock as Kael laughed before using the cloth to clean up the water and putting it in the bucket as Tara spoke. " Kael! Don't scare me! "
" Sorry Tara. Couldn't resist. " Kael grinned playfully as Tara blushed and fidgeted with the hem of her shirt before speaking nervously.
" Would... Would you like some breakfast? " Tara blushed lightly as Kael thought for a moment.
" Mum made me breakfast already but I am still kinda hungry so, Sure. " Kael grinned as Tara smiled happily before ushering him to a table and walking into the kitchen and speaking.
" D... Dad... Can... Can I cook something for Kael? Please... " Tara whimpered nervously as her father glanced toward her before nodding gruffly and putting a stool next to him at the stove.
After handing her some ingredients, Her father watched silently as Tara cut up several vegetables and put them in a small wicker basket over a pot to steam, Sliced some meat before placing it in a small pan to cook and placed a small bundle of noodles in a pot of water to boil. As the noodles were cooking, Tara made a small pot of broth using the vegetable peels and meat cutoffs.
As the broth bubbled, She skimmed the fats and oils off the top to keep the broth clear. After a few minutes, The broth, Noodles, Vegetables and meat were ready so she placed the noodles into a small bowl before carefully pouring some broth into the bowl to cover the noodles, Carefully placing the vegetables neatly in a small fan pattern and placing the meat in a similar pattern.
Before taking it to Kael, Tara placed a small pinch of pickled ginger on top with some dried seaweed and carefully carried it to the table Kael was sitting at. As she set the bowl down, Kael looked happy before speaking.
" Wow! It looks delicious! Did your dad make it? " Kael looked toward Tara as she blushed brightly.
" N... No... I... I made it... " Tara fidgeted with the hem of her shirt for a moment before quickly kissing Kael's cheek and running back to the kitchen as her face flushed red.
After watching Tara disappear behind the curtain covering the kitchen, Kael smirked before eating the bowl of ramen slowly, Savouring each bite and the flavours of each ingredient. As he ate, Tara peeked through the curtain and blushed brightly as she saw the joy in Kael's expression as he enjoyed each part of the food she had prepared. As she turned around and sighed, Her father nodded toward her approvingly of her food before Tara smiled. As her father chuckled and turned back to the stove, Kael placed his empty bowl on the counter-top next to Tara before speaking calmly.
" That was awesome Tara. Thanks. Mom wants to start training so when you are ready, Meet us in the training school. " Kael smirked before tousling Tara's hair gently while she blushed before leaving as her mother walked in and spoke.
" I saw that young lady. " Tara's mother smiled knowingly as Tara shot her a look of innocence before speaking.
" I have no idea what you are talking about. " Tara turned away and crossed her arms before pouting as her mother spoke calmly.
" Oh really? I must have imagined it when you kissed his cheek then. " Tara's mother grinned playfully as her father grunted loudly and looked toward Tara as she blushed brightly and stammered through her words nervously.
" Th... That... I... It.. No... Uhm... " Tara blushed brightly as her father tousled her hair and her mother spoke softly.
" You don't have to hide it sweetheart. I know all too well what it is like to be in love. I was no older than you when I first met your father. But small steps okay? You are still young. " Tara's mother smiled as Tara sighed in relief before hugging her tightly.
" Thanks mom. I promise I won't do anything silly. " Tara smiled happily as her father grunted approvingly before her mother giggled and spoke.
" Good. Now run along, Training to be a hunter won't happen on it's own dear. " Tara's mother smiled as Tara nodded excitedly before running out of the noodle shop as she spoke. " Our sweet baby is growing up so fast honey. " Tara's mother sniffled softly as her father grunted and turned his attention back to his cooking.
Training School
" Calm down Kael! If you get all worked up after eating again, You will get a stomach ache! " Raine spoke sternly as Kael sat down with an irritated look on his face as he spoke.
" I wanna get started already! Just give me a weapon and let me hit something! " Kael growled irritably before Raine sighed and knelt beside him.
" A hunters first lesson is patience Kael. You cannot run into fights blindly and bullheaded. You have to wait. Observe your prey and strike at the most opportune moment. " Raine petted Kael's head gently as he sighed and nodded before sitting in a meditative position and breathing slowly before Raine spoke again. " Good. Just like I showed you, Long slow breathes. "
Kael nodded and breathed slowly for a moment before Raine spoke again. " Good boy. Patience. "
" Patience. " Kael continued breathing slowly as Raine smiled before Tara walked into the training grounds and spoke softly.
" I'm here! Sorry to keep you waiting. " Tara smiled excitedly before running over and sitting next to Kael as Raine spoke.
" No problem. Now, To start I will teach you both meditation. Kael has already learned a little so I will explain it to you Tara. Sit the same way as Kael. " Raine paused and waited as Tara examined Kael for a moment before sitting in the same position and looking toward Raine expectantly. " Good. Now I want you to close your eyes and breathe slowly. Long, Deep breathes. Focus on your breathing and let the world around you fade away. "
Raine smiled as Tara nodded and closed her eyes before breathing how Raine had told her to. As Tara and Kael meditated, Raine left the training school before going to the smithy. As she approached, The smithy spoke. " Raine! No hunt today? "
" Not today Alva. What about you? Minegarde not need you? " Raine smiled as Alva laughed happily before speaking calmly.
" Not for a while now. Think the town might be resettling elsewhere soon and I wanted to stay here to support what hunters are left. Kokoto Village needs all the help it can get. " Alva smiled as Raine giggled.
" True enough. Well, Back to what I'm doing here, I need some training weapons. Kael and Tara want to be hunters. " Raine smiled proudly before a look of excitement and happiness appeared on Alva's face as she spoke.
" Yes! New hunters! Ofcourse I can help with some training gear! I'll get some weapons and basic armour sorted out and meet you at the training school. " Alva smiled brightly before Raine thanked her and walked back to the training school.
Chapter 1
End