Monster Hunter: The Telepathic Hunter; Ch42: Tempest of Rust!
December 6th, 2098. Minegard City, Schrade Region West Coast. 10:00 AM.
Some three days after the excursion to the Bateyubatom Great Forest, Alex and his team that day, plus Anna and Corra tagging along, were here at the Monster Hunters' Guild Headquarters to have an audience with the two leaders of the entire organization. One was a human male, and the other a wyverian woman of over two hundred years; just a bit younger than both Treshi and Granny of Pokke. Alex and company, the two leaders, with two guards, and two HR9 ranked Guardian Hunters were in a meeting room seated around a large circular table. The Hunters were seasoned protectors of Minegarde City.
"Alright everyone, let us begin," said the human leader. "First, I suppose some introductions are in order, though you all probably know our names already. But I believe there is a proper process to everything. I am Takahashi Getsu, from the west country of Taiyoniho."
"That's Clarence and Patricia's country!" thought Alex.
"Everyone affectionately calls me Moon Falcon. I do a little hunting, myself, from time to time."
The wyverian woman cleared her throat. "My name is Juniper May. I am the second wyverian to serve the Guild as a leader. I was also an avid advocate for the rights of wyverians, until I finally got success."
"Oh, I remember," said Anna suddenly. "Some time ago, wyverians and humans weren't on the best of terms. Wyverians were being treated unfairly. But nowadays, both sides live in peace and harmony, and support each other."
Juniper smiled. "You are well informed. It is as you say." She took out a scroll. It contained Alex's written report of his investigation, and the ramblings of the King Shakalaka. She turned to Alex as she opened it. "Now, everyone, let us move to the main agenda. Alex, you and your group's finding confirms some alarming legends that have been passed down in my family."
"Huh!? Really?" Alex.
"Yes. Allow me to lay it out on you. A very, very long time ago, and even longer before that, even a time before all of monsterkind had a stranglehold over humans and wyverians, there was an ancient race of people who called these lands home. Their civilizations were flourishing and their technology was unlike anything we have now. Only a few things of their technology have survived the ages, such as the airships we use. Legends have it exactly as the King Shakalaka told you; that race had over hunted the Kushala Daora and used their parts to form the blocks used to build the Ancient Tower. Now, apparently, this civilization was gearing up to challenge the Fatalis Three. These ultra powerful wyverns, whether people know it or not, rule our entire continent, and apparently the East Continent too. For the most part, they were content to leave this ancient race alone."
"But they took great offense at the challenge this race was posing," observed Corra. "They were overstepping their boundaries."
Juniper nodded. "Yes. You see, the spearhead of their plan was the construction of some kind of weapon they must have felt would level the playing field. They really thought they could defy the natural order. They were wrong. The numerous ruins of their civilization scattered around the world to this day serve as testament to that."
Alex was just in awe at all of this. But then a thought struck him. "Say, do you have any idea what the weapon they were building was?"
"Not exactly… The exact information has been lost to time. The faintest clue that is passed down in the legends is that they were trying to… "make" their own Fatalis."
Everyone but Takahashi, the guards, and the two HR9 Guardians gasped. "Whoa… Just whoa…" commented Qilin.
"That is as weird as it sounds," said Clarence.
"No kidding," added Sakura.
"There is one thing we know," said Takahashi. "It was the wrath of the Fatalis Three that plunged our world into the millennium and a few centuries of pure hell. The civilization was destroyed somehow, and the people that were left had to struggle for survival."
"It really makes me question the nature of our world," thought Alex.
"Do any of you know how we obtained the power of Chikara, and came to reverse the stranglehold?" asked Anna.
"My great-great-great-grandfather was a young man in the year 1804," Takahashi began. "He was a commander in the then still young Hunter's Guild. As you know, back then the Guild was not nearly as successful as it is now. The strength of even basic monsters like Velociprey and their cousins was too much, much less for the damage caused by Rathalos and other strong wyverns. But hopeless as it was, everyone was persevering. Deaths were no longer meaningless. They were fighting to change a terrible fate. Do you know of the now abandoned Schrade Castle?" Everyone nodded. "Grandfather led a mission to try to obtain supplies that had been left there. Among his squad of four was a wyverian. I won't go too much into detail, but apparently, the squad was attacked by a Black Fatalis." Everyone gasped. "Of course, they all stood no chance and were completely defeated, but before they could be killed, that wyverian stood his ground. It was his perseverance that led the Fatalis to not only spare the lives of everyone but also share to its power with them; the power of Chikara." Everyone could guess the rest of the story. It led up to the present day. "The descendents of that wyverian would later become the Kasai Clan. In fact, their Telepathy power is the first ever Skill. All other Skills came about once people learned to enhance their armor with Chikara energy, and as more and more clans came into being." Alex and Corra gasped. They had truly learned a lot about their heritage today.
The meeting continued into discussing the Guild's plans for the Great Forest. It was decided that there would be legislation to limit the amount of Select Mushroom gathering, in order to lessen the trouble caused by the local Shakalaka tribe. The team that the Guild sent was finally able to finish securing the camp, probably because Alex's group had whittled down the Shakalakas just enough.
February 1st, 2099.
A lot of time has passed. Alex and friends were working hard all through the rest of December and well into January. Alex knew he needed to pick up the pace on his training if he was going to become strong enough to face Ukanlos. As Alex faced High-Rank versions of foes fought previously, he began having Vance produce High-Rank versions of their armors. On December 11th, Alex fought a Kut-ku. On the 25th, a Gypceros. January 2nd, a Daimyo hermitaur. January 7th, a baby Khezu in the Still Swamp. January 12th, a pack of Cephalos with a Cephadrome leader. January 18th, a Plesioth. January 24th, Congalala. And recently, on January 29th, a new Blangonga seeking to eradicate Pokke Village. That one, Alex showed neither sympathy nor prejudice. He worked his hardest to take it down.
8:25 AM. Today, Alex was going to visit Dondruma. Maxwell from beyond the grave had informed him of an old friend he wanted Alex to meet who lived there. "Have a safe trip, Dear," wished Anna.
"I will." Alex pulled Anna into an embrace. "See you in a few days." When he released her, he got into the airship. Turning the heat to full blast, he waved as the airship began to gain altitude. Anna, Corra, Clarence and Patricia all waved back. Thus began his four hour trip to the Great Stone Town.
Hunter Stats
Alex Kasai (HR6)
Weapon: Eagle Cleaver Longsword (Thunder Element)
Armor: Garuga Blade Master
Skills: HG Telepathy, Kasai Potential, Sharpness Plus, Earplug, Reckless Abandon+1, Poison Resist, Water Damage Increase.
12:26 PM. Alex lowered the heat as he steered his airship towards an available landing pad. "And here I am. I must say, this view will never get old." Upon landing, Alex disembarked. "Now then, off to…" Alex began to feel a familiar presence. Far away, the source of a very powerful signature was approaching. "This is… Elder Dragon pressure… But from this distance!? HG Telepathy really is amazing. I need to hurry to the Guild's outpost here."
Alex began running to the nearest terminal. He was quickly processed and paid for fuel and a parking ticket. Then he rushed into the town proper. A flight of stairs took him into the market-like area used as a sort of basecamp for hunters, before taking the main flight of stone stairs that took him into the heights of the town, at least several hundred feet. At the very top was the giant Hunter's Guild Outpost Gathering Hall. Alex ran towards the counter and then stopped to catch his breath.
"Whoa, aren't you in a hurry," commented a Guild Maiden. "Welcome to Dondruma's Guild Outpost. How can I assist you?"
"Hi… I'm Alex… Kasai… I'm here to inform you that the town is about to be attacked…"
"Really!? How do you…" She paused as a Carrier Hawk flew into the room from an open window, landing before the Guild Official.
"This bird is WindCutter, the E.D.O branch's fastest messenger bird!" The Official took off a note attached to one of the bird's legs, unraveled it and began to read. "WHAT!? An Elder Dragon is approaching!? A Kushala Daora!?"
"I knew it… I knew I felt a strong presence approaching." Alex turned to the Guild Official. "Sir, I'm going to engage. Please try to send back-up." With that, Alex quickly left the venue, not even bothering to wait for so much as confirmation from the Official.
Alex knew better than going to Area 3, the great battlefield. Only Teostras went there. Instead, Alex went to Area 2. Kushalas were known to stage their attack from there. It was easier to get into the town from there if you had the ability to fly. Getting into the town directly was difficult because there were Ballista and Great Cannon installations on the rooftops of some buildings, and these were operated in shifts for quick response to any emergency. Nothing short of a Chameleos (Which did not come here at all) or a Fatalis (This has not happened in forever) would be able to infiltrate without contest or friction.
Alex passed through a tunnel to come out to a balcony. But he was not the first to arrive; standing there, with a lance weapon drawn, was a Huntress with dull dark blue hair. "Whoa. Uh, hi there. Have you also noticed what's about to happen?"
The woman did not turn. "You are Alex Kasai, yes? My, you've grown. But we shall talk some more later. It's here."
The sky above Dondruma suddenly turned dark. A wind picked up, and raindrops began to fall. Alex gasped as none other than Metal the Kushala Daora descended before the two Hunters. However, Alex took notice of the Elder Dragon's peculiar current rust coloration in place of the usual dull silver grey. "I knew I sensed your stench, Alex Kasai! Too bad I was too slow this time. I would have loved to knock down your transport again!"
For once, Alex allowed himself to be riled up. "Still as sly as ever, huh? So, what's up with your body?"
"He has not molted his old armor yet," answered the woman, much to Alex's surprise. She got into a battle-worthy pose. "Don't just stand there, Alex. Let us take him down."
Alex drew Grace. "Okay."
"That sword… is that an Eagle Cleaver? So you really did defeat Raiden… How sad. I guess I'll have to avenge him." Metal let out a roar as he flapped his wings a few times. His body creaks were sounding even more metallic than usual. "Dragon Element: Air Pressure Cannon!" Metal fired a projectile of air pressure at the woman, who put her shield and blocked it easily. "Hmph."
Alex went to Metal's left side and took a horizontal slash. His attack bounced right off as Metal jumped back. Even while rusted, his old armor is still pretty tough. Okay, I can't afford to play around too much. My best course of action is attacking resolutely and then dumping everything into the Spirit Sword Attack.
"I'll back you up. Please draw his attacks to me so that I can block them, and occasionally get a hit in. Then finish him off when the time is right."
Alex blinked in shock. It was like the woman used her thoughts like that knowing he, and only him, would hear it. "You're a Kasai! Okay, let's do this!" Alex recovered and advanced.
Metal was confused for a few seconds but shrugged it off in order to face off with Alex. He only heard what Alex said, not what the woman thought. As the battle raged, Alex found that he couldn't get any real damage on Metal's body, except for dents and chips into the wings and tail. Alex would position himself between the dragon and his current battle partner when Metal charged or used the Air Pressure Cannon. In the case of a charge attack, the woman took opportunities to poke with her lance. Soon, Metal became agitated.
"I grow tired of this! Air Flow Control: Gale Slipstream!" With a strong flap of his wings, Metal activated his wind aura.
"Shoot!" Alex had tried to break Metal's horns so that the Elder Dragon would lose this ability for the rest of the fight, but Metal was wary of this as Alex was armed with a Thunder Element imbued weapon, one of his greatest weaknesses. Alex moved away as his Kirin armor did not possess the Dragon Wind Breaker skill to protect him from being blown off balance.
"No need to fear!" called an unfamiliar voice as someone new came onto the scene. Alex turned to see a man running unto the scene, wielding what looked like a pair of axes. He charged fearlessly as Metal began hovering a few feet above the ground.
"Dragon Element: Draconic Air Pressure Stream!" Metal began blowing out a continuous blast of wind laced with dark orange sparkles. He moved his head from side to side as he tried to catch his quickly advancing new assailant. As the new hunter tried moving to the right, Metal turned with him, trying to get him.
"Now's as good a time as any." Alex had some energy charged up in Grace, but he was not going to use it just yet. "Khezu Cloak." Alex charged and upon nearing the Elder Dragon of Wind, he made a powerful slash to the tail, cleanly cutting off half of it.
"AAAHH!" The pain caused Metal to drop out of flight and land hard.
"Right on, Mr. Alex!" The Man took the opportunity to enter Dual Blades Power Up and got in front of Metal's face. "Take this! Poison Attribute: Dual Blades Gypceros Dance!" The hunter began one of the most ungraceful series of attacks Alex had ever seen. Anna would have been appalled. But then Alex remembered that Gypceros were far from the most graceful of wyverns, so the name of the attack made sense to its execution. "Okay, finish him off! No more wind aura for now!"
Alex fixed his grip on Grace. "You got it!"
Metal, despite being poisoned, got up. "N-no! I cannot… I WILL not end here!" the wounded Kushala turned to Alex, coughing purple bubbles. His horns were broken from the attacks to the face he took. "But if I must… Then I'LL TAKE YOU WITH ME!" Metal lunged at Alex.
Time slowed down a little for Alex's perception as shock and surprise gave way to experience. Grace glowed a bright red as Alex somehow jumped up in time to avoid Metal's last ditch attack. "Not to the likes of you! Thunder Element: Super Lightning Spirit Sword Attack!" Grace glowed a brilliant white as Alex slashed with inhuman speed, his Khezu Cloak flaring like angry flames.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Metal screamed his last.
Dondruma Guild Outpost Gathering Hall. 2:00 PM.
A few minutes after bringing in their report of the battle, Alex was sitting at a table across from the woman. The man who showed up, a Dondruma native hunter, had to leave for the quest he actually signed up for so he did not stay to talk. Alex at least settled for thanking him for his help.
Back to the present, Alex had not said a word beyond thanks to the woman. Besides recognizing her as both a Kasai, and also the woman that sang the song at the performance after the Shen Gaoren incident, he felt there was something else that was familiar about her yet he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He also felt a little uncomfortable how the woman seemed to settle for remaining quiet, not bothering to instigate further conversation. Finally deciding that the deafening silence was enough, Alex picked out a good way to start. "Um, may I know your name?"
"Maxwell didn't deem it fit to tell you this much? Shame on him." The woman chuckled to herself quietly. She seemed so different now than when she was so passionate onstage. Even her battle style was rather subdued; purely defensive and only attacking when the foe came to her. "As you have probably guessed by now, I am in fact a Kasai. In a way, you can consider me your cousin, but very, very distant in regards to family blood. My name is Beverly Kasai."
Alex looked at her in shock, but shook his head out of it and produced his trademark smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Beverly. So, I take it you've seen me when I was younger? Can I trouble you with asking about how old you are?"
Most women would probably take offense to that, but Beverly was not most women. In her quiet and subdued theme, she replied, "You are 23 now, right? Let's see… I am 53. Lil Max was 51 when he… was taken from us." Alex chuckled at the way she addressed Maxwell, dismissing any hint of sadness that might have arrived at the mention of his death. It had been some time, but Alex had healed since then.