Monster Hunter: The Telepathic Hunter; Ch13: Hunter Vs Hunter!
Location unknown, time unknown…
"Wake up…" said a voice.
Alex stirred. "Uh...huh? Who's… there?" he mumbled weakly.
"Alex… You need to wake up… Now!" the voice demanded.
Alex opened his eyes. He was lying on his back. He sat up with difficulty to find out that he was laced with wounds and his Genprey Armor was trashed, hanging against his beaten frame. "Ugh, what happened… and where am I?"
"How long do you plan on wasting time like this, Alex!?"
"HUH!?" Alex turned to behind him. His eyes almost popped out of their sockets. None other than Maxwell Kasai was standing there with arms crossed. Alex hastily got up. "But… this can't be! You… can't be here… You sacrificed your…"
"Hold on! First things first, yes I am dead." Alex drew a blank at that. "We are within your mind."
"Really!?" Alex looked around. "Why is there nothing here? Why is the ground and the sky white?"
"That's because your mind is empty except for our current astral projections. I'm here now because I used a special ability to channel some of my Chikara into you."
"Whoa! When!?"
"When I punched you in the chest. My spirit came to you once I died. You can come here to speak with me any time by meditating. Be sure to ask for help from Treshi, the founder of Pokke. That is, if you survive the slow death that is steadily approaching you."
"HUH!? What do you mean!?"
"Look at yourself, for crying out loud. Your projection here portrays your state in the real world."
Alex had a revelation. "Oh… I got crushed by that Khezu. Are you sure I'm not dead already and this is just Heaven?"
"Do you really think Heaven would be this boring?" Alex opened his mouth to speak, but found no answer. "Anyway, it's time for you to wake up." Maxwell walked up to Alex and placed his hands on Alex's shoulders. "I'm proud of your hard work thus far. Try to be a little less overconfident from now on, and don't make a habit out of cheating death. It may just come to haunt you some day."
"Huh!? What are you saying!?"
"I can save you just this once. Make the most of it."
"Okay… I won't ask questions. Thank you."
"Kasai Bonds," said Maxwell with a smile. He began to glow and glow until Alex was swallowed by blinding light.
February 1st, 2089.
Golden yellow rays of the morning shone in from the hole in the ceiling of the cave, filling it with light.
Out from under the dead corpse of Shadow the Khezu struggled Alex. His armor was in bad shape; however his skin, where exposed, was without mark. "Bleh! It reeks down here!" he complained. Once he was clear of the defeated wyvern, he got up and inspected the damage. "Man, that was some clash… But I won. Thank you, Maxwell. Even in death, you look after me. I promise not to let you down. Now, let's get to work." Alex took out his carving knife.
After a few minutes, as there were a lot of materials to be plundered from the beast, which was four times the size of a Kut-ku, or two point five times a Congalala, Alex was done. "Alright, I'm outta here. Everyone must be worried sick about me." He began to make his way to the path that led to Zone 5. He stopped once he heard a heavy thud. "Huh?"
"Oh, how disappointing. The loser actually survived," said a haughty woman's voice.
"What the!?" Alex turned to see a Huntress in Mafumofu Armor, weilding a War Hammer on her back. Her helmet was in her free arm while the other was half-akimbo. He took note of her rather unkempt dark blue hair and her annoyed scowl. She looked to be about fourteen years older than Alex himself. "Who… are you? Did you come here to see if I was okay?"
"The name's Corra, chump! And no, I did not come here for that." Alex became uneased. Even though he was 22, he would sometimes behave like a naive child. But right now, the noticeable level of hostility emanating from this woman was not lost on him. "I came here to confirm your demise."
"What!? Are you for real? What's your Popo beef? We have not even met before. Have I done something to you? If so, then what is it?"
Corra suddenly looked angrier. "You happened! You came here to this village and got Maxwell killed! You took him from me!"
It was like a window had shattered. Alex took a step back. No one, but no one in the village had ever blamed him for what happened to Maxwell. And yet, here was this one individual decidedly viewing him as the enemy, even after all that he had done so far for Pokke. "You're… blaming me… for…"
"Yes. I am. Pokke was fine without you, but then you came along and ruined everything!"
Alex trembled exceedingly. "I… don't… believe… this…" Alex turned. "Well, I'm sorry that you feel this way. As much as I can, I've done my best for Pokke in his stead. On that harrowing night, with no escape in sight, faced with the beast, he sacrificed himself for Anna and I, so that Pokke could hold on to hope. Now, if you excuse me, I'll be heading back to the village. My rank-up awaits me." Alex began to walk.
Corra growled. "Don't you dare turn your back on me, you loser!" she exclaimed as she closed the distance between them. She drew her hammer and tried to bash him. Alex instinctively rolled out of the way.
"What, are you crazy!? What is the meaning of this!?" Now Alex was ticked off. This unmistakable act of hostility could not be ignored.
"I'm doing Pokke a favor! Draw your sword!" She charged and Alex jumped back, the spot he just was being smashed. Snow and ice shards flew.
"Now it's official. You're nuts!" Alex unsheathed his katana. "We're from the same village! Plus, Maxwell named me Head Hunter! You can't be doing this!"
"Maxwell was wrong in choosing you!" spat Corra hatefully as she advanced with a diagonal swing of her hammer.
Alex parried the blow with the flat of his blade but was sent flying from the force. Long Swords weren't sturdy enough to be used for guarding attacks, unlike Great Swords. "Guh!" He landed hard on his back.
"Haaaa!" went Corra's war cry as she advanced in a run.
Alex got up quickly and threw himself to the side. Corra ended up smashing her hammer into the wall where he just was. "Darn it! Accept my retribution like a man!"
That was the final straw. "Grr-AAH! I've had it with you! You want to play this game!? Then fine! I'll teach you the error of your lack of sound judgement!" Alex got into his signature stance. In conjunction to his fury, the Dragonite triangle of his necklace began to glow. Unknown to him, several strands of his bright blue hair turned yellow, so that they were mixed in here and there. "If you're just looking to blow off some steam, be my guest. But… if you are really serious about trying to kill me… then I guess I won't need to hold back. So, come at me!"
"With extreme pleasure and prejudice!" Corra charged once more. For a few moments, Alex just withstood Corra's assault, dodging and evading her attacks. If any one of the attacks hit him, he knew he would be seeing stars. In the world of hunting life, it was not uncommon for hunters to face each other in honest combat to hone each other's skills. But this death match was several leagues above what even disputing comrades would do.
Though Alex was especially mad now, he had no desire to cause harm, even if she appeared to not share the same sentiment. They were supposed to be proud hunters of the same village. He was the Head Hunter, and so he had a responsibility for her just as much as for Anna. This is just pure insanity. She's not even letting up one bit!
"Why don't you fight back, Mister High and Mighty? If you don't, you just may lose your stupid face!" Her tongue was as harsh as fire, but she did have a point. He was in as much danger as if he were fighting a monster.
"Are you sure you will be able to handle my attack?" Alex taunted.
"Why you!" Corra made a horizontal swing.
It's now or never! Alex switched to a reverse grip as he rolled under the attack to get behind her. "Hi-yaa!" With all his might, Alex unleashed a downwards diagonal swing into her back with the flat side of the katana. Corra screamed as the attack plus her forward momentum sent her hard into the ground. Her hammer flew out of her hands and slid across the snow covered ground. He then stood over her victoriously. "This nonsense is over."
Corra rolled onto her back. "No… I won't give up! Don't count me out just yet, chump…"
Alex uncharacteristically aimed the point of his katana as Corra's chest. "No, you will give up. Stand down, final warning." To add a little scare, he pulled up the sword a little as if he was preparing to stab her. He even mustered up as much killing intent as she was giving him. Corra gasped. "I take it you're ready to calm down?"
"You… wouldn't… dare…" Corra challenged, though her voice had just the smallest hint of fear.
"Want to try me!?" Alex shouted, cutting her off. He glared seething daggers at her. "Just... GIVE IT A REST ALREADY, YOU MORON! WHERE WERE YOU DURING THE MONTH WITHIN WHICH POKKE WAS HURTING!? WHERE WERE YOU WHEN MAXWELL WAS RETIRED FROM ACTIVE DUTY!? WHAT DID YOU DO, TO WARRANT YOURSELF ABOVE ME IN TERMS OF WHAT'S BEST FOR POKKE!?" Corra looked shocked, and gradually turned from angry to submissive and sad. "THAT'S RIGHT! THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT! YOU DID NOTHING! YOU SAT ON YOUR REAR-END AND LET THE VILLAGE BURN AROUND YOU TO THE GROUND, WHEREAS ANNA AND I WERE WORKING OUR TAILS OFF! LOOK AT THIS!" Alex pointed at the remains of the Khezu. His next words were brought down in volume but not in fiery intensity. "Pokke would have been demolished by now if it wasn't for me. No, it wasn't just me. The Chief, Anna, Mr. Vance, the Guild Maiden Patricia. These individuals held on to hope and contributed some way or how to the survival of the village. They placed their advice and faith in me… Maxwell himself paved the way. And here you are now… Attacking me as if I'm the one who threatens Pokke…" Alex shook his head. "You're just a deranged, misguided, little fool!" Alex sheathed his sword as he caught his breath. He looked to the side with a face of contempt, his killing intent finally subsiding. "You disgust me, Corra. Maxwell wouldn't be pleased to see you like this. I'm going home. Never speak to me again. Just stay away from me."
Once Alex's emotions had calmed down, his pendant stopped glowing as well. He began to walk away towards the exit. He barely went four meters before something caused him to stop. He heard light sobbing and sighed inwardly. Then he focused. "...Who was I kidding…? I'm such an idiot. He's so cold… But he's right… I've failed you, Maxwell…"
Alex sighed louder this time. He turned around to see that Corra was in a sitting position, with her hands covering her face. In this state, she would be vulnerable to a mere Giaprey ambush. My heart will never allow me to leave a woman in danger… even if she happened to treat me in the most rotten way possible. But then again, Master Koto told me that people can say or do anything when anger gets ahold of them, even things they would not ordinarily do. So for now, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. Maxwell, I'm doing this for you. Alex walked back to her, consuming a Hot Drink now that the cold air of the cave was affecting him since his adrenaline rush was over. He crouched before Corra. "Hey, stop wallowing in self pity like this. You'll catch your death out here."
Corra instantly looked up from her hands. "Huh!? You have the Telepathy Skill!? You're… really… a Kasai?"
"Listen, Maxwell himself was my uncle. He told me so… just before he sacrificed himself. He probably knew more about me than I know myself. He obviously knew my parents, and he probably orchestrated my attachment to Pokke as Head Hunter with my Master Koto, the Chief of Kokoto. So, tell me your story. Where do you fit in this little soap opera?"
"I'm… Maxwell's… younger sister."
Alex gapsed."That means we're… family. You're my… Auntie." Alex felt like becoming angry again, for he realized his own family had attacked him with intent to cause injurious harm. But he controlled himself. "You have to make this up to me. You have to make this up to Maxwell as well, for going against his very dying wishes. Now come on. Let's get out of here."
Corra gasped. "You've forgiven me already?"
"Not quite yet, but if you are willing to make amends I will gladly forget this whole ordeal. Family can fight, but blood is thicker than water. What matters is that we don't fight forever."
At this Corra smiled, and held out a hand. "I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble, Nephew."
Alex smiled as he took her hand, and helped her up. "Glad to have you back to sanity. Get your hammer and let's blow this popsicle stand."
"Yes, that would be best."
After collecting Corra's hammer, the duo made their exit. Silently watching the duo leaving from the hole in the ceiling was everyone's least favorite monster of this story, General Tiggy.
Zone 2.
"Corra…"
"...I feel it too…"
Alex felt fear flood his being as he recognized the approaching presence. "Get back, get back!" He pulled her arm. A beastly shape landed into sight, blocking off the escape route. It was none other than Tigrex.
"We meet once again, young novice!" greeted Tiggy.
"It's been quite a while. What brings you to the neighborhood; I thought you only hunted Popo here at night?"
"I was here to observe how your fight would pan out. You cheated."
"You were watching!? That's not possible! I felt no other presence than Shadow."
"The thing about telepathy is this; you cannot read anything if there is nothing to read."
"You cleared your mind!" Alex realized. It also did not help me that I lacked the Detect Skill due to my armor choice…
"Let's not mince words here. I'm here for my long awaited meal… your blood!"
"Call me a coward if you want, but I'm fully persuaded that I am NOT fighting you today!" Alex squeezed Corra's hand. His mind was set; neither him nor her would be Tiggy's new victim. Not on his watch. "Run!" He turned and they ran back the way they came.
Tigrex roared as he charged at the fleeing hunters. "I won't let you get away!"
Running won't be enough. If only I had a Far-Caster. Or a Shock Trap. Alex let go of Corra and turned around. He ran towards Tiggy and used his sword to vault himself over the wyvern! As he was about to land, Alex dug the sword into Tiggy's tail, effectively nailing the wyvern to the spot! "How do you like this!?"
"GRAAA! You'll pay for this!"
"Corra, now! While he's trapped!" shouted Alex.
"Right!" Corra sprinted past the thrashing wyvern as fast as her legs could carry her.
As Tigrex thrashed he only caused more pain to himself, but the sword was being dislodged. "Not just yet!" Alex held down the sword with all his strength. His Dragonite pendant glowed faintly. "Grrr!" he grunted in exertion. Corra ran past him. "Okay, now you can go!" He removed his sword and Tigrex was sent flying into the ledge. Alex then wasted no time in completing his escape. "Better luck next time, General!"
"You… won't… be… so lucky… next time… Novice…"