Monster Hunter: The Telepathic Hunter; Ch7: To The Desert!
January 7th 2098. 2:10 PM…
Upon leaving the gathering hall, Alex came upon a weird sight. A short wyverian woman was carrying a huge back pack several times her size. "Oh, hello there, you're a new face…"
"Oh, hi! I'm a traveling merchant, although everyone insists on calling me a peddler…"
"Oh, I see! So that's why…"
"Why what?"
"I was amazed by the size of your bag!"
"Don't be fooled, my young friend. We wyverians are tough despite our looks. Say, I've got contacts from all over the land. If ya got something ya be looking for, then speak up son; maybe I've got it. I travel all over the place, so my stock is always different."
"I'm not looking for anything special right now, but if and when I do, I'll be sure to hit you up when you're around. Oh, I'm Alex, by the way."
"I'm Mary. Thanks for giving this old heart the time of day. Be seeing you, Alex." Mary began to go away.
"Hmm, things are going to get interesting over the next few weeks. Max, I wish you were here to see it all…" Alex turned to the direction of the house and trudged on towards it.
Upon nearing it, a man dressed in yellow Mafumofu came up to him. Oddly, he was carrying a pig dressed in a diaper and with a pink bow on its tail. "Hi there, you must be Alex. I'm Jonathan and I have a request for you."
"Hello, Mr. Jonathan. What's with the pig?" asked Alex.
"Yeah, I run the Pokke Farm for Treshi…"
"Treshi? As in, the Legendary Treasure Hunter Treshi!?" asked Alex for clarification.
Jonathan nodded. "Yep, that's the one. You know, he founded this village many, many years ago. Anyway, let's get back to topic." Alex nodded. "I caught this little bugger eating some crops. I was just going to take him to a cook, but seeing how cute he is, I had a change of heart. Um, I know this is sudden, but could you adopt him?"
Alex studied the pig. It was indeed a cute little imp. "You mean as a pet?" Jonathan nodded. "Um, okay, I'll take him. He'll help me get over my complex with the Bullfangos." Alex reached out and the pig jumped straight into his arms. He snuggled tight as Alex held him like a human baby.
"Wow, he's already warming up to you! I bet in a past life, you had a way with animals!" The two shared a laugh and the pig gave out an oink of content. "Now, let me give you my actual request. You see, the farm has run out of certain plants that we can't find on the mountains. Maxwell…" Alex instantly looked down for just a second, but he just as quickly gave a straight face. Jonathan nodded and continued, "…used to obtain these plants for us on his travels. But, you know, his retirement and the whole month of nothing…"
"I get it. You want me to gather these plants, right? Of course I'll do it. I'll do anything for the sake of Pokke's benefit."
"Thank you. Here is the list. And be sure to drop by if you need anything. The farm serves everyone." Since Alex's arms were full, Jonathan tucked the scroll containing the list into the neckline of Alex's armor chest piece.
"Thanks. See you later."
"Take care, Monster Hunter Alex!" With that, Jonathan turned and walked towards a wooden water works mechanism. He started down a flight of stairs and waved before he disappeared.
Alex looked down at the pig in his arms, which was sleeping soundly. "Oh my, what have I gotten myself into? I've never raised a pet before…" Alex sighed before walking into the house. Imagine his surprise at finding a doggy bed next to his bed. A name was written on it, so he went for a closer look. "Emperor…" he read. He sighed again before gently putting the pig into it. "Will wonders ever cease?" Alex went over to a large brown box and started taking off articles of his armor and his weapon and shield. "Hmm, I think I should change my weapon specialty. The Sword and Shield is cool and all, but I'm a huge fan of the Long Sword." When he was done, and left in his favorite blue and brown zig-zag clothing, he went to the kitchen.
Yet another surprise was awaiting him.
"Nya? Oh, hello Master!" greeted a Felyne Chef, waving the large knife it was holding.
"Whoa!" Alex fell flat onto his rear. "Ow…"
The Felyne instantly placed down the knife in shame. "Sorry, Master!"
Alex found his legs and got up. "You scared me. Who are you, anyway?"
"Ah yes, I'm…" A jolt passed through Alex's head and he heard the voice of the Felyne in his head, "I'm Apple! The Village Chief hired me to cook for you!"
Alex held up a palm at the confused Felyne. "Your name is Apple and Granny hired you to work for me, right?"
"Wowie, nya! You really are psychic! It'll be an honor to cook for someone as special as you, Master!" Alex tensed as Apple bowed at him. The cat like Lynian really seemed to respect him a lot.
"Um, don't do that… I'm no one of that much importance… And please don't call me "Master." It's giving me a really weird vibe. I can't handle that much formality. Just "Alex" is fine."
"I understand, Mas… I mean, Mr. Alex." Apple gave a sheepish salute and Alex sighed in defeat. This was probably the best he was going to get from her, so he had better deal with it. "How about I whip you up some lunch?"
Alex perked up at that. "That would me most appreciated, Apple." His stomach gave an audible growl which caused him to blush.
"Have a seat at the table. I'll set your palette licketty-split!"
January 10th, 2:00 PM.
Three days after the Bulldrome battle saw Alex and Anna returning home from yet another quest in the Snowy Mountains. They had been either fighting with Blangos, Giapreys and/or a few Giadromes. They were also gathering more Anteka Antlers and Mountain Herbs for the Village's stocks. Alex was also mining for Iron ore and Machalite ore for the creation of a Long Sword, as per Vance's instructions. Machalite was a special ore also called sparrow stone. It was what the giant blue rock in the Village was made of, and Alex was very surprised to learn that.
"We're back… Granny," announced Anna as the duo came up to the Chief. Interestingly, she was having a chat with Mr. Sanchez.
"Hello, Anna. Hello, Alex," greeted the Chief.
"Alex, hi," greeted Sanchez.
"Hello, Mr. Sanchez. Is everything alright?"
"Uh, yes. I was just speaking with the Chief about the state of financial affairs in Pokke. I believe I have a solution to help with that."
"Huh, really?"
"Yes. But, it seems there is a bit of an issue."
"What is it?" asked Anna.
"Well you see, I have this trader friend of mine which I would like Alex to meet. He lives in the desert village of Rekusara. But, Pokke still does not have access to the airship service, so the only way to get there is by boat through the Leviathan Ocean."
"But that would mean Pokke would have one less hunter for an extended period of time," stated the Chief.
"I see. Hmm…" Alex looked thoughtful.
"Hey, Alex," Anna spoke up, "I think you should do it. I mean, I think I can handle things here."
Alex turned to her. "Are you sure?"
"Don't worry. You can trust me," replied Anna. "Besides, we ought to do our best for Pokke. Remember, I'm behind you all the way, whatever it takes."
Alex smiled. "I do trust you. You actually have a lot more experience than me anyway." Alex turned back to Sanchez. "Let's do it!"
"Great. Um, Sam and I are actually moving back to Rekusara. I used to be a hunter myself, but four years ago when I lost my wife and Sam's mother, I took us up and left without even looking back. I must have hurt my trader friend, too." Sanchez looked thoughtful at that. "But, I'm hoping it's never too late while you're alive to mend a friendship."
"I believe so, too."
"Well, we should get prepared and leave this very afternoon. We will be traveling to a village called Jumbo first. We can hitch an airship ride from there."
"Great. This'll cut a large chunk out of the journey time." Alex threw up his hands.
"Good luck and don't get sea sick!" exclaimed Anna.
Alex suddenly grimaced for just a short second. Although he had an affinity for the water element, he did have a glaring weakness for anything related to traveling on water.
Hunter Stats
Alex Kasai (HR1)
Weapon: Frost Edge Sword and Shield (Ice Element)
Armor: Battle Blade Master
Skills: Telepathy, Strength Up, Sword Sharpener, Detect
At 4:45 PM, the trio of Alex, Sanchez and Sam set out down the path from the exit in the gathering hall. After informing September, the excursion was granted authorization as an official Guild Quest. A trail led them down to the lake below the hill where the base camp for the Snowy Mountains was. Down at the lake was small dock where they purchased the boat ride to Jumbo village.
The ride took them past the silver mountain into the coast and finally to the Leviathan Ocean, so named because of all the Plesioths and other sea dwelling monsters which called it home. In particular was a dangerous beast called the Lagiacrus, who could generate electricity potent enough the boil the very sea around it! They were rare to these parts, but quite frequent to the east and south east near a country called Shiki.
The ride stayed only a mile and half clearance from the coastline for safety purposes as they traveled to the south. Along the way, the boat sailed past a huge lagoon where one could go through to reach a hunting ground known as the Terosu Jungle.
At the end of the coastline was the border to another ocean area designation, the South Kiri Sea. The boat turned and went west for a mile. To the south of this point was a large island country called Aya. The boat then went northwards with the coast again and finally dropped anchor safely at a pier in Jumbo port well into the next day. Throughout the entire ride, poor Alex was bedridden with sea sickness. But no sooner did Sam tell him about their arrival did all of his energy come back to him and he jumped out of bed and bounded out of the boat, leaping haphazardly unto the pier.
"Free! Free at last! Oh, how I missed you, solid, steady ground!"
Sanchez, Sam and the sailors of the boat all stared at him incredulously, like as if he was not the same person.
January 11th, 2098. Jumbo Village, 6:32 AM…
Alex, Sanchez and Sam started walking up the pier. Curiously, there was a sword stuck into the ground in the exact center of the village, with all the buildings surrounding it in a horseshoe. His curiosity piqued, Alex ran up to the sword to check it out. As he gazed upon its wing tipped hilt and white and blue blade, he recognized it.
"Whoa! This is Hero's Blade! The real thing!"
"Alex, side tracked already, are you?" said Sanchez with a laugh. Alex turned to him. "What did you call it?"
"There's a replica of this back in Kokoto. This is the Master Sword. It was forged for the Hero of Jumbo!"
"Well, someone's quite informed!" said an unfamiliar voice.
"Huh!?" Alex turned to see a wyverian with a pipe. He was dressed in a blue shirt, yellow pants and purple boots, and he carried a gourd on his back. He had blue fingerless arm warmers, a purple belt sash, a pale yellow scarf around his neck, and his hair was tied in a ponytail. "Oh, hello there! Who are you?"
"I was just about to ask you. I see that you are a hunter. I am the Chief of Jumbo, Ryuu. This is the Hero's Blade I used on my journey before I helped this fine village find it its bearings alongside a young but aspiring hunter, the Hero of Jumbo you said earlier."
"Oh, okay. Nice to meet you, Chief Ryuu. I'm Alex Kasai."
"Alex… Kasai…? You're a Kasai, like Maxwell the Great?" Alex nodded. "Say, maybe you can help me out. A wyvern snatched a Princess while she was visiting and whisked her away in the direction of the Terosu Jungle yesterday afternoon. I filed a request to the Guild, and you are the only hunter that has shown up so far."
Alex looked alarmed and turned to Mr. Sanchez. "But…"
"Alex, this is far more urgent. Our business can wait. Plus, we could use a favor."
Alex turned back to the Chief of Jumbo. "I'll do it, Chief, sir!"
"Fantastic. Come with me to the gathering hall."
"Alex, Sam and I will ask around and secure our passage to Rekusara. You go do what you do best."
"Good luck, Alex!" called Sam.
"I'll be back soon, you guys!"