I had a massive spark of inspiration and decided to crank out two chapters within an hour of each other. Please read chapter 7 if you just skipped right to the latest chapter uploaded.

Ilia gawked, getting smacked out of the air yet again, having never actually getting out of her bad habit of staying airborne. Her kinsect flew back to her in a panic, crawling on the ground toward her as she landed on the ground rather hard. The roar of her target Tigrex filled the air, the ear-piercing screech piercing into the skies of the snow-covered region. With a cough, Ilia spat out a bit of blood as her kinsect crawled its way back onto her arm, causing her to take a moment to admire it as she got back on a knee. The Tigrex, with a bellow, gave another charge, jaws chomping the air hungrily as it ran toward the hunter. Ilia let out a grunt, jamming her glaive into the ground again, as she had done so many times already. Just in time to leap into the air as the Tigrex ran below her, the ground rumbling and snow getting kicked up into the air.

Ilia was quick to blow herself away in a different direction, floating slowly down to the ground. Just in time to land on the ground for the Tigrex to change directions, then change directions again right toward her, as they were well known to do. Looking back, Ilia's eyes widened in surprise as she quickly turned away and began running. She could feel the wyvern's breath right on her neck, instinct telling her to roll out of the way just in time as the monster went rumbling past her. She was in the clear…until she looked up and saw a tail heading right for her, nailing her square in the body.

Almost like a ragdoll, Ilia went flying through the air a bit, dropping her glaive before skidding across the ground. On her arm, her poor kinsect buzzed, concerned for its master. Ilia's eyes were shut tightly, pain coursing through her entire body as the Tigrex turned to face her again, letting out another roar. She wasn't new to failing quests if it meant survival, but going through this much pain was definitely different.

"...ow…!"

Ilia knew she was outmatched; almost every Tigrex quest she had gone on, she had always gone with Lucian, granted always having Joe and/or Reiya along. She didn't know why she decided to go after one this time by herself, and she could only hope that someone had seen the SOS flare she had fired not too long ago. In a way, it was shameful for a prideful hunter to fire a flare; live by the sword, die by the sword. But this situation wasn't about pride. It was about survival.

With a cough, Ilia spat up more blood, the snow before her turning red. Her brow furrowed, she looked up, seeing the gaping maw of the Tigrex charging right for her again. Gritting her teeth, Ilia tried to get up, her tired and battered body screaming for her to give up. To just lay down. But survival instincts told her otherwise, willing her to roll out of the way yet again as the Tigrex's powerful jaws snapped shut, the sound echoing in the air amidst their battle. With a pained groan, Ilia took off in a sprint, running right for her glaive as the Tigrex gave another roar and gave chase.

Almost…there…!

Grabbing the glaive, she was quick to roll, firing sap at the wyvern's face as she was upside down. The sap flew through the air, Ilia's kinsect quick to leave her arm as the sticky fluid landed on the Tigrex's nose, catching it by surprise and causing it to slow down. It immediately began to paw at its nose, trying to get the sap off as the kinsect began to harass it, distracting it as it continually clawed and bit at the wyvern's face. A minor distressed call filled the air as the Tigrex attempted to swat at the kinsect, Ilia taking the chance to retreat. Running on nothing but pure adrenaline, Ilia began to run, not even knowing where she was going as she attempted to get as far away from the situation as her body could take her.

—

Can't…keep…running…!

Ilia's breath only grew heavier as she approached the nearest camp. It had felt like hours that she had been running, her legs practically jelly and her body burning with pain. The adrenaline had long since worn out, her sole will to live the only driving force behind her continuing to run.

So…tired…

Slowly, Ilia's run slowed to a jog, then finally down to her dragging her feet across through the snow. Her breath was growing too heavy, the taste of blood obvious in her mouth. She didn't even know if it was from internal bleeding or if she bit her tongue or whatnot. All she knew was that she was in pain and she needed to get back to camp. At least there, one of the handlers would be able to get her out of here. The quest didn't matter anymore, not when she was this close to losing her life.

And finally, she began to tumble.

What could only be described as her life flashed before her eyes, everything going in slow motion as she mentally prepared herself to hit the frozen, snow covered ground. Maybe she could crack her skull on the frozen ground. Or maybe a pack of Wulgs would finish her off while she was unconscious. The buzzing sound of her Kinsect finally finding her filled her ear as she finally fell…into someone's arms?

Lucian clutched the woman closely, brow furrowed and eyes shut closely. Tears welled up from his eyes as he held his beloved tightly, though tender as he knew she was most likely beaten to hell. Ilia's Kinsect took to landing on Lucian's shoulder as Lucian said, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry I didn't come with you! I'm so sorry!"

"...L…Lu…cian…?"

Ilia's voice was weak, her eyes almost glazed over as she looked up and made out the faint shape of Lucian's face. The look in her eyes lit a fiery, rage-filled blaze in Lucian's body. Gritting his teeth, Lucian picked her up and began walking her back to camp. As he turned, Joe and Reiya walked past him, a single gust of wind blowing snow in the air almost theatrically. Joe and Reiya's eyes were filled with the same rage-filled blaze, seeing their friend so hurt. And yet, for all the rage in their hearts, they certainly couldn't feel the same rage that Lucian was feeling.

Now, it wasn't just a quest to slay a Tigrex.

This was revenge.

And no one took it more personally than Lucian.

—

The Tigrex pawed at the snow, almost like it was desperately trying to find food in the barren wasteland that was the Hoarfrost Reach.

This, however, didn't even faze the two Master Rank hunters, Joe and Reiya.

They didn't even bother going for a sneak attack, just walking right up to the wyvern right in the open. Normally, open ground was a Tigrex's specialty. Now, it was more of a minor inconvenience for the two hunters. They listened as the Tigrex chomped away at ice, supposedly marking its territory. Or rather, its soon to be former territory.

Leaning down, Reiya picked up a pile of stones, placing them in the slinger on her right arm. With a pull, she cranked the slinger back, the unmistakable ratcheting noise filling the otherwise quiet and tense air. The Tigrex perked at the noise, now noticing the sound of crunching snow as it turned to face the two hunters. Their eyes were fiery, intense, rage filled, and yet so calm at the same time.

Pulling his charge blade off his back, Joe was quick to draw his sword, then slammed it against his shield in a mocking fashion as he breathed out, "C'mon you. Show me what you've got."

Reiya glanced at him, then back to the Tigrex as it gave a roar. She couldn't help but wince a bit, even though they were still a bit of a distance away, but she wasn't going to let that distract her. Whether Ilia was here or not, they were going to finish this quest.

"C'mon," Joe finally shouted, goading the monster on as he then yelled, "Let's go if you want to die!"

—

Lucian did his best to hold back his tears. At the camp, a handler did her best to administer first aid to Ilia. Ilia's palico, Ventus, was scrambling to and fro, doing what he could to help. Even Lucian's palico, Gizmo, ran about as well, trying to help save the hunter's life. Leaned over the bed, Lucian couldn't help but caress Ilia's cheek, wondering if it was going to do anything to bring her back. If he could, he would've turned back time, to keep her from going on this quest, or at the least have gone with her instead of letting her go by herself. He began mentally punishing himself, believing himself to be worthless.

"You…aren't doing any good by sitting here and moping."

Lucian's eyes shot open, then landed right on the handler. While this handler was familiar with working with all four of them, she most often worked with Reiya, and the attitude surely explained a lot. Lucian's eyes narrowed, almost insulted by her statement as she then said, "I've…I've worked with a lot, and I mean a LOT, of hunters. I've…seen my fair share of hunters die. I've also had my fair share of hunters never come back to camp, never to be heard from again."

"Are you trying to cheer me up? What the hell is that going to do? It won't change the fact that I'm just worthless garbage who doesn't deserve anything," Lucian stated, berating himself. The handler's eyes saddened, hearing the man's statement. She continued working on Ilia as she then said, "But she's alive! She's here! And your friends…your friends are out there fighting for you right now!"

"But what's the point? I'll only get in the way."

The loud crack of a slap filled the tent.

Lucian blinked, slowly registering the fact that he had just been slapped by a handler. He was used to being slapped by Ilia, but a handler was certainly a first. His eyes slowly turned to said girl, her eyes narrowed and angry as she then said, "What the hell do you mean by that? You're a hunter! You've got a monster out there that's nearly killed someone, and you're just gonna get off on saying you're gonna get in the way!? You don't deserve to be a hunter! Drop your hammer and get out!"

The handler pointed promptly to the tent entrance. Lucian's eyes followed her finger to the door, then looked back at her as she then said, "Out of all the hunters I've worked with, ALL of them, YOU have the worst outlook! Letting someone's injuries cause you to believe you're worthless junk? Where do you get off on saying that about yourself? How have you come ALL the way to Seliana thinking like that? I find it hard to believe that she blames you for this! But if you truly do, then get out! Quit! Stop being a hunter!"

Lucian's eyes widened, surprised at the outburst. All of his time working with this handler, she had always been reserved, quiet even. Oftentimes, so calm it was scary. But to finally be on the receiving end of her telling him he was the worst hunter she's ever worked with, to be berated about believing himself worthless.

Just like that, the fire of vengeance lit in his heart again.

Lucian's eyes softened back to normal as he looked down at Ilia's resting form again. He had been so mortified, believing her to have been lost. However, seeing her relaxed face, her closed eyes, the last remnants of blood from the corner of her lips, his body adrenalized as he closed his eyes.

Get your mind right. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Leaning down, Lucian planted a gentle kiss on his beloved's lips.

The nearby handler watched him, seeing his resolve seemingly grow back as she backed off to give him a bit of space. Instead, she leaned over to the two palicoes, instructing them to gather various items for more treatment. Ilia's Kinsect buzzed excitedly on her insect glaive nearby, watching as Lucian pulled away, looking at Ilia's resting form again.

"...I'll be back, honey. I…WE…have a job to finish. I'm not going to let you down."

Standing up, Lucian grabbed his hammer and strapped it onto his waist. The handler watched Lucian with his regained resolve step to the tent entrance, pushing the cover out of the way as he stepped out. However, her eyes then went back to Ilia, widening at what she saw. Lucian didn't see it, as he was stepping out of the tent.

"...Lu..ci…an…"

Ilia's hand was stretched out toward him, her eyes open ever so slightly and watching his body disappear into a wall of light.

And before you give me the OOC stamp, NO THAT IS NOT THE HANDLER IN GAME. I more or less came up with this one because I needed a much more down to earth handler for this story. Not to say the in-game handler is bad, in fact I actually do like her. But for story purposes, I couldn't have her be the crew's handler. Maybe she'll be Hazel and Anna's handler instead?