Zero the Monster Hunter

ESKK: This is a Familiar of Zero Monster Hunter crossover fanfiction. I've finally decided to get back on the saddle for it and give this fic another try. So, with that being said this story is a reverse summon with time dilation involved. If this is not your sort of story turn around and find another. Now let's get this started.

"Talking."

'Thinking.'

-Music Insert/Lyrics-

(Scene Break)

Disclaimer: I do not own Familiar of Zero or the Monster Hunter series they belong to their respective owners. Now it's time to begin.

(Start Karin Duramond)

A most peculiar world. That is what duchess Karin de la Vallerie found herself thinking over and over again.

It has been 3 weeks since that anomaly opened right outside of Tristan's academy of magic. This anomaly was apparently a portal connecting to another world, a totally different one at that. First came that man, clad in what looked to be armor of steel suggesting him as a knight of renown. Next came men who came dressed scales and furs suggesting them as hunters or barbarians of some kind. Apparently, the group were his escort from that other world and from the sounds of things they came in peace.

The events leading up to this however was something of note. Reports came in all over of powerful massive creatures capable of destructive power to the land and nearby villagers. Many nobles found themselves at wits end over this because their magic barely scratched these creatures. They came in varying size and forms, fliers, birds of some kind, leviathans, and even massive brutish nightmares. There had even been a sighting of an ape of all things that attacked just about anything and everything that came close to it.

What really sealed the deal however was when new forms of Dragons appeared powerful ones that literally changed the land around them just by appearing. Karin had seen it firsthand one time when one such creature appeared in the Vallier domain. Thankfully, it was more or less harmless only bringing thunderstorms to the land before leaving the area. But the presence of such creatures had decimated crops and livestock and with no way to defend themselves from them they were at wits end.

So, this anomaly was a godsend for them because the world it opened too was the home of these creatures. Invasive species carving their way in a new untapped food chain causing those unknown to them to suffer for it. These creatures affected the whole world and from what she understood they were here to stay. So, Karin was asked to join a diplomatic mission to request the aid of this other world to clean things up. With her was Princess Henrietta herself as well as several other nobles for this task.

The nobles of these lands seemed more reliant on these hunters to handle such creatures called Wyverns or Monsters. The discussion was a long one as both the local Nobles of these lands and the Hunters Guild had to collaborate to help find the best solution for this situation. It took a great deal of negotiations as the task also required them a great number of Hunters with how widespread the Wyverns were getting.

It took several hours but eventually and thankfully a deal was struck. The crown had a plot of land under their care that the hunters would use as their home base in Tristain. But for all intents and purposes the land belonged to them as per the agreement. The Hunters were providing them a great service after all, and they needed all the tools they could get to carry it out.

So, the following weeks was mostly logistics and preparations on both sides. Several of the nobles returned to their world to set up for the hunters eventual arrival. They had also fled because many of the people here bore a striking resemblance to the elves. Karin was amongst those asked to stay behind to inspect the arriving hunters.

A Commission was formed for this event as they gathered everything from blacksmiths to cooks. Karin saw it personally as they gathered the needed groups Requisitions, blacksmiths, scholars, and most importantly the Hunters. A Carvan was being formed to help transport all these people and equipment to Tristian and their new home. Apparently, the Guild had some experiences with other realities, but it was mostly via visitors and never was there a permanent and table portal like this. From what Karin had seen the Guild had already gotten a town constructed around it and they seemed thankful over how it had appeared in an easily defensible location.

From what she gathered the Guild wanted to make sure the people in Tristain would be able to hunt the Monsters themselves and thus were gathering master hunters for roles as instructors. To help with the diplomatic issues for this commission the Guild had even requested one of the local nobles to make the journey as well. This was followed up by concerns from both sides that Karin could understand. The Guild and the local Nobles both feared that this may be a one-way trip. So, if any of the Hunters had families, they were given leave to bring them along on this great journey.

Karin could respect that much and had made her people aware of this fact. They called in the best Hunters from all over from in the Old World which is the Continent she was in and the New World where a Research Commission had been formed some years prior. So far, she watched at the hunters were doing their final check Human Resources crews checking their supplies, blacksmiths making sure they have tolls and equipment, and traders preparing to transport wares between the portals.

Thinking of families Karin watched and saw a few children running around wearing packs on their backs. So far, they were innocent smiling and curious things. Karin smiled sadly as she recalled her own children or one in particular. Karin was a woman who followed the rule of steel a lesson she had imparted to her own children in the past. So, it came to her as a shock when her rule was broken by the one who created it, herself. The Rule of Steel was tough but that did not mean Karin did not love any of her daughters.

So, the day she broke her rule she made sure she had been alone to do so. Karin remembered it how her daughter had vanished over 10 years ago. She remembered it as if it had only been yesterday the worst day of her life. She had been sitting in the living expecting a letter that would detail her daughters success of summoning her familiar a creature worthy of her bloodline as a Vallier. She did get the letter but not the one she had been expecting or hoping for at least in terms of contents. It said that during the summoning another of Louise's trademark explosions occurred, but it was a much more powerful then they usually were. Powerful enough for nothing to be left from her daughter. When Karin had read this her mind had all but shut down the world had gone dull as all color had been drained from it. She had re-read the letter several times thinking she may have misread it or something else. This was not the case as the letter did not change even once. Her mind had gone at war with her heard in this and in the end, she had to send all the Servants away.

For that one moment Karin's Rule of Steel had been broken. What followed was hard for Karin to recall but she knew what she did. She cried she waled she was a grieving mother in that moment of isolation. Her husband was nowhere to be seen for Karin did not wish to be seen as weak. Karin knew she had slept there as morning came and she had still been in the living room.

Karin had been cold and isolated for several weeks as she needed time to grieve. IT wasn't until her husband found her drunk one evening that Karin needed to finally accept the facts. There had been no body found and Karin after spending much gold in the search found nothing. She had a grave erected on their land for her little girl.

Karin was forced to face the reality and thus reforged her Rule of Steel. Steel must be unbendable and thus she had to move on. But the hole torn into her heart Karin knew nothing could ever fill it again. Her Rule of Steel only acted as a patch and for that Karin had barred herself in on two days each year. The day her daughter had first entered the world and the day she had left it. No parent should ever outlive their child and Karin learned that the hard way.

As Karin let out a sigh, she soon heard the excited cries of children from nearby. "Papa lets go!" Came a young boys cry as Karin spared a look.

"Hurry we gotta beat mama!" A little girl cried out and Karin was left wide eyed at the girl. She and her brother were pulling a young man with black spiked hair and blue eyes towards the rest of the Caravan. The girl however Karin swore for a moment she saw Louise in her place at that age. Karin almost called out for Louise to leave the man alone but had to remind herself that her daughter was gone. Besides, she was too young to be her Louise, the blond hair with a pinkish tint was a major give away to that. The boy was a spitting image of his father however, but his magenta eyes may have come from his father.

"Easy the portal isn't going anywhere." The man said to the two kids who pulled him along. Next to them was a Palico and a Palimut which the cat rode on the mut to keep up with the trio.

"But mama said if we beat her there, we'll get Dango once we cross over." The boy said as the young man sighed to this.

Karin sighed as she had to admit the scene made her envious of them a family still close and united. The father was clearly a Hunter, and he while he seemed to be young Karin could see that he was gentle with his children.

But then a new voice cut in one that Karin was wide eyed as she recognized it. But I also said if I get there first then you two will be part of the first group for lessons." Came the voice almost teasingly as Karin then dared another glance. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw none other than Louise ten years older now. Karin could not believe her eyes when she saw the woman as the children tried to run from their mother.

"NO!" The cried as Louise managed to grab them in her arms before they could run.

"Not so fast." Louise said showing she had clearly been experienced with the two terrors.

"Mama!" The boy cried as he wanted the Dango.

"Thanks Louise." The young man said as Louise smiled at her husband and gave him a kiss. Karin was wide eyed at what she saw her daughter it couldn't be but there she was. Louise was a spitting image of her mother at that age and clearly her children most likely twins did nothing to slow her down. While her son was dressed in an outfit of the Kamura Hunters Louise was dressed more as a traditional hunter with leather and scales and a small cape.

"Its alright Saito." Louise said to her husband. "These two terrors are just bundles of energy." Louise said as she snuggled her children's cheeks into her own.

"Mama stop!" The girl cried as she was embarrassed by this.

Karin lost control as she slowly approached the family. She didn't know what to do or what to say but the only thing that came out was one word. So, when Saito took his daughter Sasha off of Louise's hands Karin finally found her voice.

"Louise?"

(Prior to this with Louise)

Louise had a good life in the 10 years since coming to this world. She had her ups and downs she still recalled how she came to be here. She awoken just outside of Kamura village where she had met Saito who took her back to his village after saving her from a Wyvern. There she had spent a year with Saito and the villagers learning their ways and becoming a hunter all the same. Going through every training put in her way. When they two had become recognized hunters, they were then sent to face the Rampage an event that had plagued Kimura every few years.

Many hunts followed some difficult others not. After all these hunts Louise and Saito eventually slayed the Elder Dragons responsible. Even when new threats appeared new Wyverns and other Elder Dragons the couple were always victorious. Kami no Hidarite Saito and Bakuretsu Zero Louise titles they earned amongst the Guild as hunters.

Eventually Saito and Louise would date and by years end they would be married. Their family would only grow however when they're twin children came into the world. Tsukasa their son and their daughter Sasha children of two worlds. Louise was not happy about the bloating of pregnancy, the sour feet, and not being by Saito's side as he hunts and earns Zenni to support all of them. But it was all worth it to hold her little bundles for the first time as they took their first breath of life.

She wanted to give them the world a world they can enjoy, explore, learn, and most of all be free in. Years would pass and the pair of six-year-old going on seven were truly bundles of energy. Her life it was perfect until the portals appeared, and the best hunters were called in to deal with it. When it became clear that it would lead to Louise world, she wanted nothing to do with it. She had abandoned her old life one when she found no way home and two because she found her life in this one. She was happy a loyal and devoted husband, two wonderful children, and a career she can take pride in. But when Henrietta was the first to show up amongst the visitors Louise had a different tune after.

The Guild had called just about everyone they could to aid in this mission. It was optional but when Henrietta told Louise of the situation the pinkette's loyalty to her friend and duty as a hunter compelled her to help. So thus, here she was here to make the journey with her two children and husband to her world of origin. Unfortunately for Henrietta Louise had made it clear that she had no intentions of trying to interact with her parents and would by content to let her kids think their mama had no birth parents. But then it all came tumbling down when she heard a voice speak up one, she hoped never to hear again.

"Louise?"

Louise looked and much to her shock and disdain she saw Karin her mother there. "Louise is that… is that really?" Karin asked shocked to see her daughter alive and well but most of all, she was all grown up.

"Mama? Who is that?" Tsukasa asked as he looked to the woman not realizing she was his grandmother.

"Saito… take the kids will you." Louise said as she handed Tsukasa over to her husband.

"Uh sure." Saito said and thus he looked to the kids. "Come on kids we should go make sure our spot is secured." Saito said and in turn he took the children's hands and lead them away.

"Meowster." Came the Palico as Louise looked and saw her and Saito's Palico friend. Kiba their Palimut stayed with Saito most of the time, so Louise knew where he was.

"Don't worry Tako I'll be alright." Louise said and thus Tako nodded and scurried off to get to Saito.

Once Louise was alone with her mother, she gave the woman a hard glare. Karin noted this as the woman tried to find the right words to speak of. Now that it was clear that Louise was alive Viscount Wards would no doubt seek to renew the engagement with Louise. But the fact she had a commoner for a husband with children of his seed might cause some issues.

"Duchess." Louise began with a calm and neutral tone. "How can I help you?" Louise asked speaking as the Hunter she had become. She had no more reason to be afraid of her mother now here she had a life she was strong and accomplished.

"Louise you've grown." Karin said as she had not been expecting this. She had thought of so many scenarios of how this meeting would go a heartfelt reunion Karin hugging her daughter in her arms crying into her chest may have appeared. Maybe there would have been yelling but none of that had happened.

"I see your eyesight had not worsened with old age." Louise said calmly with a neutral tone like she was speaking to a client. Hunters were widely sought to deal with Wyverns and Louise with her reputation was in no short supply of request and funds.

"How did you come to this world, Louise?" Karin asked, trying to start a conversation, her eyes boring into the caravans preparing for the journey to Halkegenia. The woman looked like she was simply doing her part in monitoring the journey to her home world by Hunters trained to deal with their current problem with the Wyverns.

"I am sure you have received numerous reports of the events from ten years ago, Duchess." Louise said calmly not giving her mother any edge over her. While Louise held her emotions in check, she felt an emotional maelstrom inside her with power to rival Kushara Daora's powerful windstorms. Louise had looked up to her mother for years but after coming to this world seeing what a true family looks like and now having her own family to raise Louise had changed.

"Those children with you…" Karin began as she tried to find the right words. "Are they?" Karin asked and thus Louise knew what she wanted to know.

"You mean Sasha and Tsukasa?" Louise asked as she looked to Karin with a neutral tone. But by her tone Karin saw her daughter was getting defensive. "If you must know, Duchess, then yes they are my children." Louise said showing that she will protect them from anything even her mother their grandmother. "And the man with them is their father my husband." Louise said hoping to rile up her mother but to no avail in that regard.

"I see." Karin said and while outward she kept calm bar her breach earlier, she was having trouble finding the right words to speak with. Karin was not blind thought she noted the intent of when Louise said that and thus felt she needed to remind her daughter of her place. "Remember who you are talking to, Louise." Karin said as she was calm about this. Karin did have to commend Louise for sending the children away in case this turns messy. "Surely you have not lost your manners in those two years, even in this land of commoners." Karin said as this got a small rise out of Louise.

"Hmm. Is there something you actually want to talk about ,Duchess, or are you here to mock one of the people coming over to aid your lands with your growing Wyvern situation?" Louise asked almost accusingly reminding her daughter the Guild was doing this practically free of charge for them.

"That is enough, Louise. I will not stand here and be talked back by a mere child." She said in a harsh voice, any semblance of feelings now gone from her eyes. "You always were a handful." Karin said and thus Louise had enough, and she snapped thankful Saito took the kids.

"Is that all that I ever was to you, mother-dear. An annoyance. A disgrace that is to be married of as soon as possible?" Louise asked as she glared at her mother. "You even engaged me to that man. A man that is well over twenty years older than me." Louise added as she made it clear that she was not going to marry him especially when she had a devoted husband and two wonderful children already.

"You will do your duty to the Valliere family or-"she began to say, or more like command before Louise cut her off.

"Or what? You will drag me back?" Louise asked as she had enough of keeping control. "You forget, 'mother,' I'm one of the hunters coming over to help your world with the Wyverns and Elder Dragons that managed to come through." Louise said making it clear that she was the one holding the cards somewhat. She was the feared Duchess de la Valliere, but here, on this world, she is no one. She has no authority here and Louise learned that very quickly already.

"Tristain is your home, little girl!" Karin snapped as both sides were losing their temper now and possibly causing a small scene.

"Tristain was never my home!" Louise snapped as she glared at her mother. "What has it even given me? This world gave me more in 2 years then what Halkegenia ever could offer." Louise countered as the two woman were clearly at odds.

"And what can this world offer?" Karin accused as this served to anger Louise. "Surely it cannot be something good, considering the lack of magic." Karin added with skepticism in her voice and thus Louise knew her mother would saw something like that. Typical noble, looking down on commoners. To think that, at some point, Louise was hoping to become like her.

"Something that you can never understand. Companionship, care, a future which I can choose myself instead it been decided by someone else." Louise said listing off for her mother. "It offered me people that do not judge me by where I come from but for who I am. I have friends, comrades here even a husband and two wonderful children." Louise said as she wanted to protect her children both of them. "What do I have back on Halkegenia?" Louise asked but before her mother could answer Louise just kept going. "The only person that ever cared for me there was Cattleya. Only she was ever there for me!" Louise said with her voice as calm as possible to prevent a bigger scene from forming.

"We were all there for you, Louise. This is why we are family." Karin said trying to focus on the caravan.

Louise had enough her raged reached her peak and for a moment Bakuretsu Zero Louise was about to unleash her explosive temper. "Family, you say…" Louise began in a whisper as she had enough of keeping her cool. "Where were you ten years ago…where were you when I stayed up all night up so that I might memorize every spell and theory." Louise spoke more audibly now. "WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I BLED MY EYES OUT OVER THE BOOKS" The woman shouted with tears running down her face feeling like that small sixteen-year-old girl again.

"WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I WAS INSULTED, DEGRADED, TREATED LIKE NOTHING!" Louise continued as she was standing, looking straight at her mother, shouting her hearth out. All the feelings repressed over the years coming out now.

"But I kept to your damned 'Rule of Steel'." Louise said grateful she never forced her children to go through something like that. "Even when I was insulted, I kept my head high for they were 'beneath a la Valliere'." Louise said as she wanted her children to be humble to be kind. "Even though I could not cast a single spell, I kept trying and trying until I had to be sent to the infirmary to be treated for the burns that I constantly suffered, for 'failure is not an option for a la Valliere'." Louise said, more calmly, her voice still trembling. "Where were you then?" Louise asked accusingly to her mother.

Karin was silent for what felt like minutes, Louise still standing, looking straight on her with tears still streaming down my cheeks.

"Why…Why me. Why ? WHY?! WHY DID YOU INSIST ON DRILLING THAT BRIMIR-BE-DAMNED RULE OF STEEL INTO MY HEAD?!" Louise asked , no, demanded from her as this may be a chance for some closure to finally close this chapter of her life.

"Because… I saw myself in you." Karin began her voice shaken now. "I wanted you to be strong, Independent. To be truly above the rest. A true La Valliere" Karin said and thus Louise finally lost it.

"Do NOT compare me to you. I am NOTHING like you!" Louise snapped pointing an accusing finger at Karin the woman is very lucky that Louise did not have her Insect Glaive or any of her ranged weapons at the moment. "My children don't need to constantly measure up to an impossible standard nor would I ever force them into it." Louise began as she made it clear who the better parent was. "My children don't need to act like they are above all others they are kind, humble, and would not hesitate to help others and ask for nothing in return." Louise said but she kept going. "They've had their mistakes their failures but at least they don't need to be afraid of them if anything for them it's a learning opportunity." Louise went off listing her own children's strength where Karin had failed. "The best part they have magic my children the first two mages of this world." Louise said and thus Karin saw her grandchildren were blessed.

Louise originally intended to have a normal, somewhat civil, conversation, but those things she said… How dare she. How dare she stand there, spilling these nonsense so casually as if she were talking about the weather.

"Be reasonable, Louise." Karin said as she knew her daughter had spent ten years here, but she was still a noble. No doubt this world may have clouded her mind of her role in the game of politics. "You said this world gave you the chance to choose your own future. What future can you possibly have here for yourself and your children?" She said, her tone still steady and cold.

"A future they will choose for themselves!" Louise snapped as she dared her mother to try and argue her on this.

"You were supposed to marry Wardes." Karin said and thus Louise reached a new apex. "You would have been happy he's a fine gentleman and would have been a suitable husband." Karin said but then Louise cut in.

"Oh, I'm sorry mother I wasn't allowed to marry for love after being stuck here for so long?" Louise asked glaring at her mother. "Is that all I am to you all my children are to you breeding stocks for achieving better social position?" Louise accused now really glad she let Saito take the kids. "Little, poor, magicless Louise. We should marry her off as soon as possible, lest she keeps on disgracing us." Louise said in a mocking tone to imitate her mother.

"If that would be all you ever wanted to say to me, mother, I have work to attend to and children to look after." Louise said as she then stormed off to see her children. But then she stopped for a moment before glaring at her mother. "Don't ever speak to me again, out of everyone of you Cattleya is most likely the only one I'll speak to." Louise said before she stormed off to be with the family, she built with her husband Saito.

Karin realized she made a mistake and tried to reach out. "Wait Louise." Karin said but was promptly ignored by her daughter. Louise was already amongst the crowd as she went to regroup with her husband and children.

"Dammit." Karin cursed realizing she said the wrong thing from start to finish. But she did care for her daughter truly she did but… blast it all. Karin had her daughter in her reach, but her own words pushed her baby girl away. She had to keep her emotions in check for now but despite this Karin could not help but grow curious over her grandchildren. Ellenore was deeply against getting married and Cattleya may not be healthy enough to carry a pregnancy to term. This made Tsukasa and Sasha her firstborn grandchildren and most likely to inherit her titles.

Karin wanted to reconnect to let Louise know she did care and most of all she wanted the chance to meet her grandchildren. But Karin didn't know how, and she was the fool who once more pushed her child away from her arms.

(Meanwhile over with Louise's family)

Louise found Saito sitting on their wagon with Sasha and Tsukasa resting against either side of Saito. Louise smiled at the scene as she joined them. "It's surprising how one minute they can be bundles of energy and the next they are sleeping so quietly." Louise said as she joined them.

"Don't need to tell me twice." Saito said happy that they tuckered themselves out. "So… how did it go with your mother?" Saito asked with concern for Louise.

"Not good." Louise said plain and simple with a finality there.

"Louise." Saito said and thus Louise glared at him.

"Don't Saito I get it you want to see the best in people but they're my parents my problems." Louise said but then Saito asked and put a comforting arm around his wife.

"But your my wife and your problems are my problems the same way my problems are your problems." Saito said showing they shared their burdens between them.

"Yeah, our vows." Louise said calming down some. Soon enough people were seen getting ready to go as all the final checks were done.

"Come on Louise lets give this another try ok." Saito said wanting the kids to meet their grandparents and their aunts.

"Ok." Louise said knowing Saito was just looking out for them all.

"Just promise me you won't lose your temper this time." Saito said wanting the best for his family.

"I just can't promise that Saito." Louise said causing Saito to sigh a bit.

"Why won't you open up?" Saito asked causing Louise to sigh.

"I don't know I mean it was hard growing up with them over there my explosions were seen as failures but here it made me someone special." Louise said as she liked it here.

"Why are you always so hard inside?" Saito asked while rubbing Louise's shoulder which calmed the girl down.

"I guess its so I can protect myself." Louise said and in turn smiled a bit. "I suppose I can try to be open with them for Sasha and Tsukasa's sake." Louise said before looking to her husband. "You always know what to ask and say, thank you dear." Louise said grateful to have someone like Saito in her life.

"Anytime." Saito responded as they got ready to depart.

But then Louise heard a familiar buzzing of insect wings and saw from one of the containers her Kinsect friend come out. The creature clicked its fangs and purred while rubbing up to Louise. Louise smiled at the Kinsect and rubbed its exoskeleton. "Yes, I know Kiki I'll do my best and you better do your best too." Louise said to the Kinsect who was practically her familiar at this point.

In the past Louise use to be disgusted by Kinsects but now this one and its siblings were her best friends. Kiki simply lifted up one of her legs and waved in salute to Louise. Soon the bell rung and thus Louise saw this and looked to the kids.

"Sasha, Tsukasa time to wake up." Louise said shaking the children awake.

"Are we there?" Sasha asked in a tired tone as Louise smiled.

"No not yet we're about to start moving." Louise said and thus the children looked and smiled.

"Really?!" Tsukasa asked as the twins got excited to see it. Soon enough the Carvan began to move and with that said the creatures pulling wagons were moving. Tako was holding the reigns on their wagon while Kiba was sleeping inside. Their wagon had just about all of their belongings from Kamura Village all loaded into their chests with most of their weapons and armors. The children were wide eye in amazement as they watched people enter the portal and make their way through like nothing. As they got closer the soft glow of the portal made them gasp in pure wonder that only a child was capable of.

When it was their turn to enter the portal, the family felt a familiar tingle resonate through and thus they began the shift. They travelled through an odd rainbow of energy as a road was made similar to a stone rode. The tunnel was alit and eventually they began to exit out the other side. When they came through Sasha and Tsukasa ran over to the other side of the cart to the driving area. Louise and Saito calmly followed and thus the twins gasped and smiled when they saw what stood before them.

"Its amazing!" Tsukasa cried out as before them was Louise's old school a large castle in the hills. Louise looked at the scene and made a small smile at her Alma mater. Saito put a comforting hand on her shoulder with a promise that everything will be ok for their family.

(Meanwhile back over with Karin)

As Karin slowly moved away from the portal, she cast a final glance at it, thinking about what had happened, and above all, how was she going to explain it to her family. Thoughts and feelings were plaguing her. Sadness, pride, worry were but a few of the words that could describe her emotional state. While she was good at hiding her feelings, those around her were not.

Most of the nobles wore faces of relief, both from been back and the agreements that were reached with the government on the other side. As they got out of the way the Caravan of Hunters from the other world would be travelling to the land Des Orienes. This was set up curtesy of Henrietta herself so the Hunters can have a home base to better facilitate themselves in. The Denizens of said land were also made aware of this and were asked to prepare for their arrival.

Karin though knew there was more to it than that. When the young Queen had returned from the world of Hunters Henriettas face was different.

Yes, it had relief, some would even call it happiness, but it also held sadness. She had heard that the princess had met with her, and that while there was no shouting, unlike her conversation, it would seem it was not a pleasant talk either.

On the path leading off the academy many carriages were assembled. From the royal one, pulled by unicorns and flanked by griffon knights, to the simpler ones of the lesser nobles, having no escort at all.

She slowly began heading to the one with the Valliere symbol on its side, her mind still in disarray at the notion of the conversation that will take place back at the manor.

As she got in and the carriage started moving, she began thinking of the way she would break the news. Perhaps it would be the spark of hope her family needed.

Cattleya's sickness has been getting worse, in leaps now, the biggest when she heard of Louise's apparent death. Eleonore became more protective of her remaining sister, her temper growing in time. Her husband, the duke, was more and more often away on business he always had an excuse not to be in the house. But at the same time, it could rapture the family even more, with Louise no longer wanting to associate with anyone from Halkegenia in general, except for Cattleya. Those heavy thoughts began taking their toll on Karin's mind and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.

(Scene Break Valliere Domain)

"When Karin awoke from the sudden stop of her carriage, looking outside only to see the sun setting over the horizon, her surroundings been that of the Valliere grounds.

Getting off from the carriage, she began walking towards the manor entrance, the staff greeting her with the usual 'Welcome back, milady'. Paying them no heed, she entered the main hall, where one of the maids notified her that her family had gathered for dinner and were waiting for her.

Moving at a fast, but composed pace, she entered the dining hall, finding her family seated around a table. The duke, seated at the head of the table wore a hard face, but it can clearly be seen he was happy for the return of his wife. On one side of the table were seated both her daughters, Cattleya looking even paler than usual, yet smiling at her mother.

As Karin took her seat on the side of the table, opposite to her daughters and next to her husband, she spoke

"Leave us." She said, addressing the staff in the room. They began excusing themselves out, a wide arrangements of maids, butlers, and guards.

After they were all alone, the pink-haired duchess leaned back into her chair and let of a heavy sign while closing her eyes. Yes, she was trying to loosen herself around her family, but even after two years, this was as much as she could.

"We have reached an agreement with the denizens of the other world." Karin said as this was good news for them all. The Wyverns have caused problems for everyone in their attempt to acclimate and adapt to this new environment and so far, they had succeeded there. "They agreed to assist us by sending over a commission of hunters to help us adapt to the Wyverns." Karin said as her husband Centurian had a few objections there.

"Adapt they don't intent to exterminate?" Centurian asked and thus Karin turned her head.

"No, these Wyverns have more or less ingrained themselves to deeply into our world that removing them could cause more problems then solutions." Karin said as she had been told of the reports by the Hunter Guild on this. Nature was apparently living magic and thus had a certain balance to it. "So, they will send Hunters to help cull them as well as teach us their ways to better defend ourselves." Karin said as it was the best they could hope for in this situation.

"Well at the very least we can finally return things to relative normality." Elenore said as she was forced to concede that.

"Yes." Karin said as the Wyverns had become something of a nightmare for several nobles and their lands. The Elder Dragons were forces of nature and so far, she had seen three that had one of the five elements, fire, water, wind, earth, and the Holy Void. From what she researched the dragons in question were Teostra, Namielle, and Kushara Daora.

The duke, silent so far, turned to his wife fearing something was wrong. "What is it, dear?" He asked voicing his concerns for his wife. "You seem troubled." He added hoping talking about it may help her.

"One of the Hunters that will arrive…" Karin began steeling herself with her rule of steel. "It's her…It's Louise." Karin said and thus silence set in

It was so quiet; one can hear the people's hearth beats. Her family stood, starring at her, faces frozen in shock, tableware clattering to the floor, yet no one paying any heed to it.

The first to come out of his stupor was the duke. "Karin, we all miss Louise, but it has been 10 years." Centurian said as he had a hint of concern and sadness. "Believing that some girl from another world is her… perhaps you should retire for the day. I am sure you are tired-" He spoke but before he could finish, he was sharply cut off from his wife.

"I know who I spoke to! How many, pink-haired girls with short temper going by the name of Louise Valliere are there?" Karin asked and thus Cattleya heard this,

"You spoke with little Louise, mother?" Cattleya asked, tears running down her cheeks, yet a smile slowly forming on her face.

"If it was her, why is she not here now?" Eleonore added, her voice still her usual overly loud one, yet one can clearly detect the happiness within it.

Karin visibly flinched at the second question. She wondered for quite some time how to tell her family about the argument she had had with Louise, or rather, if she should tell them at all. In the end, she decided to tell them the truth. No more secrets from her family.

"Yes, I spoke with her…." Karin began knowing what came next. "And we regrettably had an argument." Karin said as the others visibly widened their eyes at that. Little, meek Louise daring to argue with her mother. "I wanted for her to return with me, which she refused." Karin went on as both sisters gasped, while the duke narrowed his eyes.

"She said she has no future here mainly because she had searched for a way home and only this event had given her a way, but it was too late." Karin said getting down to it. "She had moved on adjusted to the new world and… she's married has a family with children." Karin said as she had only seen her grandchildren in passing.

"Grandchildren? I'm an auntie?!" Cattleya asked surprised and happy to have a niece and/or nephew to spoil and love.

"She has a husband?" Centurian asked shocked at those words and curious of his apparent son-in-law.

"Yes, but despite that I foolishly brought up her arranged marriage and she reacted violently to it." Karin said recalling the scalding words. "Why did I bring it up, why did I even suggest it." Karin wondered as she would not dare separate Louise from her husband the father of her grandchildren. "Louise had long since adopted their customs and had set her roots down." Karin said knowing 10 years was a long time to search. She may have accepted it was a fools errand and chose to stay there.

The Duke had no idea how to approach this he was unsure of his feelings. On one hand, his little girl was alive and well, and to top it all, she was a hunter of renown from what he understood. On the other hand, she wanted nothing to do with her family.

"Is there some way we can visit her to appease her somehow?" Centurian asked as he wanted to reconnect with her.

"Most likely the domain they are staying in Des Orneille is not far from the Vallier domain." Karin said as she wanted to visit Louise to meet her grandchildren and meet Louise's husband.

"Mother, I want to be there." Cattleya said, her face serious, eyes reddened from crying but showing hope.

"Cattleya! You can't! In your condition!" Eleonore began to say before she was cut off by her younger sister.

"You heard what mother said." The pink-head said, her gentle voice filled with sadness "She would only speak to me." Cattleya said as she wanted their family to be whole again. She wanted their family to be stronger for their two latest additions.

Karin was unsure how to respond. What both her daughters said was the truth. While Louise had the desire to talk only to Cattleya, she was unsure if Cattleya can make the journey to Des Orneille. Ten years ago, she would have been able, but now…

She turned to the duke, only to find him deep in thought with his eyes closed. "We are all going." He stated with an air of finality.

"I suppose we have little choice." Karin said which got the families attention. "It was decided that certain groups of Nobles will conduct trade with them once they have acclimated and had time to properly settle and we are amongst those groups." Karin said as each noble family would be providing the Hunters with what supplies they could provide. "I was to travel there to help settle the deal." Karin said and thus this meant that they would visit Louise soon.

"When do we leave?" Cattleya asked curious to hear this.

"As soon as possible three days at most." Karin said as she wanted them to rest first.

"Very well that should give me plenty of time to acquire presents for my niece and nephew." Cattleya said with a smile wondering what they were like. "Oh, mother how many children did Louise have, are they boys, are they girls, or are they both?" Cattleya asked needing information.

"Both, one boy and one girl possibly twin's and they seem to be six maybe seven I could be mistaken however." Karin said knowing Cattleya will be calling their maid to retrieve ideal presents for the new children.

"That means the are owed 14 presents 7 for each of them just to be safe." Cattleya said before looking to Elenore. "Sister, we have shopping to do." Cattleya said and in turn Elenore found herself being dragged along by her sister to travel to the nearest town to start shopping. Karin stood there as she sighed a bit suspecting she may have to do the same as well. After all she was told spoiling the grandchildren was one of the prerequisites of being grandparents.

(TBS)

ESKK: Hey this took be a bit to finally get down on paper. I originally got the idea from Zero Commander and after reading Cultural Clash I finally decided to give this a shot. I hope you all enjoyed it and will join me next time for Chapter 2. Oh, and before I get to said chapter, I have a request of sorts. I need Monsters which Monsters should be used before we start going higher levels for Elder Dragons. Please leave suggestions for which Wyverns to use in the reviews and until later, ja-ne.