I struggled with this one. I couldn't decide on who's POV would work best, but eventually I settled on Kenichi. He has a lot to grapple with this chapter and I think getting inside his head and seeing how these events affect him will pay dividends down the line. As always if you're enjoying feel free to let me know and if not constructive criticism is always welcome :)
The air was thick with ash, a black miasma that stung Kenichi's eyes. He blinked furiously trying to clear his vision. Through watery pupils he could see Astera guttering like a candle while a furious wind chased flames through the town. My home. Kenichi thought.
There was no time to grieve, Hirio had been right. He had to find his grandfather. Kenichi almost admired the grizzled hunter's singular focus, his pure distilled sense of purpose even in the face of nightmares. Then he remembered how Hirio had shoved a terrified mother to the ground on his way into Astera, and the thought soured.
Kenichi knew the woman, and the daughter she was asking after. He had promised he would find her, if he could. And Sonia had taken her hand and offered her reassurance, even as her own fingers trembled.
Kenichi re-focused his attention on the present. Addressing the team that stood in front of him. "We should split up, we'll cover more ground that way. Zoyla, take Sonia and sweep the upper levels. Help any survivors you come across, maybe one of them has seen the Commander." It was the less dangerous task; from the upper levels one could easily escape if the fire spread too far.
Sonia acknowledged him with a determined "Right." and Zoyla locked eyes with him as an unspoken message passed between them. Look after her, it said. Zoyla gave him a curt nod.
Kenichi continued. "Erick, you're with me. We're heading to the tradeyard to rendezvous with the second fleet. We need them up here to keep the escape route open. If the fire spreads to the bridge, our only way out is by sea. And with the dragon down by the docks we'll be trapped."
Erick nodded. Usually, he had some wry remark to acknowledge people, but his jaw was set tight. "After that we'll start sweeping the lower levels. Any questions?"
There were none. Erick had adopted a look of grim determination that wouldn't have looked out of place on his one-time teacher. Sonia's eyes were wild, full of adrenaline and fear. But she stiffened her upper lip and met his gaze unflinchingly. Zoyla was breathing steadily, settling into a sort of pseudo-trance that hunters did in order to focus before battle.
"Good luck." Kenichi finished the briefing and turned towards Astera.
He raced down the ramp into the lower tiers, feeling as though he might melt away in the punishing heat. Erick followed close behind, his lithe frame taking long bounding strides. Smoke billowed into the sky, choking out the sunlight, and every now and then a baleful screech came from below.
Where is Master, did he fall facing the dragon? Kenichi Huntsman was the best the Commision had, and no doubt he would've charged to face Fatalis with a whooping cry the moment it had descended on Astera. But Kenichi hadn't seen him from his vantage on the upper levels, only the dragon. Grandfather, he will know what to do. Kenichi clung to that thought, letting it fuel him.
They barrelled into a thick wall of smog, Kenichi held his breath and tried to ignore the stinging in his eyes. When the smog finally broke, he was standing in the tradeyard.
Second fleet technicians swarmed around the square like angry wasps after their nest had been cracked open. Some had buckets of water, hurling the contents against the flames, before rushing off to find more and resume the futile effort. Others dove through barrels and chests hoarding anything they deemed too valuable to leave, loading it onto a cart that stood in the centre of the yard.
Before the cart, a tall young woman in garish clothing was screaming and waving her arms frantically. Ayala, the provisions manager. Kenichi recognised her. The focus of her ire was the second fleet master, a burly old man with a jagged beard who ignored her theatrics and continued barking orders to his men.
They both stopped when Kenichi came sprinting into the yard, turning to face him they cried out in relief.
"Where is the Commander!" Was Kenichi's only response.
It was the second fleet master who answered. "He was in a meeting at his quarters with the Huntsman before the attack started! The Saphire Star knows where he is now, I haven't seen either of them!" Kenichi cursed, and the fleet master quickly added. "Don't worry, they can both handle themselves!"
Ayala interrupted. "Kenichi, talk some sense into this stubborn old man. He won't leave until every bit of equipment is accounted for, down to the last boot!" She stomped her foot on the ground in frustration.
"We'll need this gear if we have to abandon Astera!" The second fleet master argued. "Without the forge we'll have to ration-"
"Thats my job. And I say we'll manage. So let's go!" The young women snapped indignantly.
Kenichi sighed in frustration. "It doesn't matter, the fires getting closer to the bridge. With Fatalis watching the waters we'll be cut off from escape. If you don't leave now, we'll all burn to death."
There was a pause, then the fleet master asked. "What about the Commander, and your master?"
"We're going to look for survivors." Kenichi continued. "We need you to keep our escape route open until we get back."
"And the dragon?" Ayala asked.
"The new hunter, Hirio, is keeping it busy." Kenichi explained. "Apparently he's fought the Three before."
"Aye, I remember it being mentioned." The fleet master looked around him and shook his head. "Dammit." he muttered under his breath, then bellowed to his technicians. "Second fleet, pull back to the upper levels! We need to stop the fire from reaching the bridge! Bring shovels and pickaxes, we'll use earth to smother the flames!"
The fleet master clasped Kenichi's arm. "Good luck."
Kenichi responded. "We'll try not to take too long. Come on Erick!"
The pair dove into the inferno once more with Kenichi leading the way, following the path to his grandfather's quarters. Erick shouted ahead in between strides. "Kenichi, is it possible the Commander has already escaped?"
Kenichi barely heard him over the roaring flames. "No!" He responded. "The old man will be the last one to leave Astera, you can count on it."
A piercing roar thundered across Astera, and Kenichi felt a chill across his back. He spared a thought for Hirio, and his Master. Hirio didn't seem confident he could kill the beast alone, but maybe with the two of them... Kenichi felt hope kindle in his heart, Astera might yet be saved.
As soon as the thought had formed, his hopes were dashed. Kenichi rounded a corner and saw two palicos dragging a sled. Sprawled out on the litter was the Huntmaster, rolling and turning in agony.
"Master!" Kenichi cried. When he saw his friend and teacher Kenichi sucked in his breath. A terrible burn scorched its way up his right arm. His right gauntlet lay on the sled next to him, twisted out of shape like it was made of molten wax.
"Damn lizard." He sputtered. "The tricky bastard got the better of me, suppose my old armour wasn't up to the task." He groaned and doubled over in agony, clutching his ruined arm. Kenichi felt his heart pounding, he had never seen his master like this. He had never seen him lose.
Despite the rising panic he forced himself to stay on task. "Where is grandfather?"
The Huntmaster managed to force out the words. "At the hunter's barracks. When the Fatalis attacked, I ran to meet it straight away. Your grandfather said he was going to rally more help and organise the defence." The hunter coughed. "This thing is smart kid. When it first landed it ignored me and went straight for our defences, the cannons, the ballista. When a few of us boarded the Red Maiden to use its equipment, it set the ammunition on fire and blew up the ship. It knew. It knew what we would do, and it knew exactly how to spring the trap. Sapphire Star, it's intelligent Kenichi."
His masters words worried Kenichi, and he spared another thought for Hirio. I hope you know what you're doing. "Hirio has fought them before, he won't underestimate it." Kenichi told his master. Though he struggled to convince himself as he looked upon the broken Huntmaster. All those hunts, all those monsters. Apex predators, Elder dragons. With his master now out of the picture...
He didn't finish the thought. "Look after yourself." Kenichi told his old friend, then he turned to the palicos. "Get him out of here." The sled trundled off. Erick and Kenichi shared a look. "How far is the hunters barracks?" Erick asked
"Not far." Kenichi answered. But close to the docks. He thought. "Let's go."
As they ran Kenichi finally gave voice to his doubts. "Erick, do you really think Hirio is up to this?"
Erick was lagging behind, breathing heavily and bathed in sweat. The heat was exhausting, but he managed an answer. "If he can't do it." He panted. "I doubt anyone can."
Kenichi noted that his answer wasn't a "yes" but didn't press him further. The barracks were not far, and after a few minutes he could hear the sounds of shouting up ahead.
The pair finally came upon the Commander, he was bellowing orders while carrying a wounded hunter over his shoulder. "Palicos, bring me a stretcher dammit!" a pair of the diminutive felynes darted off to obey.
"Grandfather!" Kenichi cried, barrelling over to him.
His grandfather turned and faced him, but it was the Commander's face that greeted him. He was beaded with perspiration and his brow was furrowed, showing the stress lines on his forehead. But in his eyes Kenichi saw a glimmer of relief.
"Kenichi! I'm glad you could make it, but you've came too late. Astera is lost. I'm ordering a full retreat!" As he spoke the two palicos returned and took the hunter off his hands, he let out a faint sigh and rolled his shoulder.
"The Huntmaster said you were rallying more help!" Kenichi exclaimed.
"And Hirio!" Erick chimed in. "Hirio is still down there, if we're retreating, we have to let him know. We've got to get a message to him!"
"We can use flares." Kenichi strategized. "Hirio will know what it means, right?"
But the Commander's face didn't change, though his eyes softened ever so slightly. A roar punctuated the silence, and Erick seemed to notice that something was wrong. "I'm sorry son." He said in a solemn tone. "Hirio is dead."
Erick stumbled as if he'd been struck. "No, that's, no, he's fought these things before, he wouldn't" Erick trailed off, not meeting the Commanders gaze. "He wouldn't let that happen!" Erick shouted.
"One of my hunters saw it happen." The Commander continued. "The Fatalis played dead and lured him into a trap. It struck him with its tail, and he landed in a burning building. He didn't come back out."
Ericks eyes widened. "Then he could still be alive! He might be trapped, wounded! We have to go back and-"
"He's gone kid. I saw it myself." A huntress to the right spoke up, she finished bandaging one of her companions and then came over to the confrontation. "No one could've survived a hit like that."
"Did you see a body?" Erick retorted. "How can you be sure he's dead!"
The huntress shook her head in exasperation, and Kenichi turned to Erick and said in a low voice. "Go and help with the evacuation, I'll handle this."
Erick met his eyes, and he seemed to be on the verge of tears. "But-"
"Go." Kenichi insisted. "They need you at the bridge. I'll handle this."
Erick wavered but he seemed to trust in Kenichi's words. He nodded his head shakily and then turned back the way he came. "He's still alive." Erick said before he left.
"You too Farah." The Commander said, addressing the huntress. "Get our wounded to safety." Farah saluted. "Sir." And then returned to the hunter she was bandaging earlier.
Once they were both out of earshot the Commander spoke to his grandson. "I've got a team right now trying to delay this thing, but they won't last. We need to leave. Even if we wanted to recover Hirio we'd never make it to him, let alone make it back out."
Kenichi's eyes widened. "So you think he might still be alive?"
"I doubt it, but it's a moot point. We'd lose half our remaining hunters trying to retrieve him, at least. I won't risk anymore lives on such an uncertain venture." Another roar interrupted the Commander, but he continued. "Furthermore." And he looked around uncertainly as he said this. "The hunters refuse to face this beast grandson. Once the Huntmaster fell it was bad enough, but when Farah saw Hirio go down as well they lost all hope. If I order them to stand and fight, they'll refuse. A Commander should know how far to push his troops, and this is the breaking point."
The Commander spat out the last words bitterly, and Kenichi felt sympathy for his grandfather then. He had seen the old man make some tough decisions during his tenure as leader, but this... Hirio.
He wrestled with it in his mind. He knew if they abandoned Astera now the old hunter's fate would be sealed. But they had to abandon Astera. If we stay here, we could lose everything. He thought about Erick, and Sonia. They could be burnt alive while we try and fight our way to the docks.
"I... I understand." Kenichi said at last. He felt a lump form in his throat, and the words fell like hammer blows in his ears. He was steadied by his grandfather, clasping his shoulder firmly. For a moment he allowed his face to change, softening into the kindly old man who used to tell him stories by the campfire. "Good." He said. Then his face hardened again, and the Commander turned and bellowed orders. "Send up the signal flare! Let's move!"
A bright red spark shot into the sky, detonating in a shower of crimson smoke. With the signal given the delay team would begin retreating back towards the upper levels.
"Everyone, to the bridge, now!" Kenichi roared.
They made their way up the immolating tiers. Wood screeched and cracked all around them, and more than once the ramp threatened to collapse, buckling violently. Kenichi cast a glance backwards and saw entire buildings tumble into the sea as supports withered away. Sending up great gouts of steam to mingle with the smoke as burning homes were suddenly doused.
Every now and then from within the churning morass he would see the flash of a bowgun. Illuminating a wing, or a claw, or a pair of molten eyes. With each flash he could see the delay team drawing closer to the ramp as they fought a desperate retreat action.
When they reached the upper level Kenichi was relieved to see the second fleet had kept the passage open. Hastily erected earthworks surrounded the bridge and a small army of technicians shovelled dirt onto the encroaching flames. Sonia was among them, frantically patting down with her shovel to try and smother the fire. Erick was nearby snarling in effort, aggressively throwing clumps of earth into the blaze.
When the second fleet master saw the Commander, he came dashing over. "Sir, what're your orders?" The Commander shouted so that everyone could hear him. "Full retreat! Into the forest! Hunters take the lead, we'll rendezvous at the southwest camp!"
Erick set down his shovel and ran to Erick. "What about Hirio?" He demanded.
Sonia joined him. "Is it true what they're saying Kenichi? Is he really..." The team leader met her eyes. They were red and puffy, though whether it was from grief or the smoke he could not tell. This isn't the time, we're still in danger. He thought to himself.
"He's gone." Kenichi said. "I'm sorry." He saw her almost choke, Erick slammed the point of his shovel into the ground and cursed. "We don't have time to talk about it here, we have to go!" He hated to be like this with them, but Fatalis was drawing closer. "Over the bridge, now!"
Sonia fled weeping, and Erick threw down his shovel and followed, cursing again. Kenichi took his side by the Commander. If his grandfather was going to be the last to leave, Kenichi would be second to last, he decided.
The two shared a knowing glance, and his grandfather nodded, understanding. They worked to help the wounded across the bridge. Carrying stretchers and offering their shoulders to struggling evacuees. Eventually he saw the retreat team crest the ramp, hailing the Commander with a wave. "Sir, it looks like it's given up the chase for now. It settled in the tradeyard!"
"Good!" The commander shouted. "Let's get out of here before it changes its mind!" The retreat team crossed the bridge, and Kenichi went to follow them. But then something caught his attention in the corner of his eye, and he stopped.
It was the woman from earlier, the one searching for her daughter. Her face was covered in grime, hair matted with ash, and her hands were blistered with burns. She emerged from the smoke like a phantom, her eyes sunken and hollow. For half a heartbeat Kenichi questioned if she was real, until her hands gripped Kenichi like a vice, despite her charred fingers. "Did you find her, please tell me you found her!" His grandfather glanced over, observing.
Kenichi answered in a hollow voice. "I'm sorry, perhaps she already escaped."
The mothers mouth moved wordlessly, eyes darting, processing. "Yes. Yes, she must have. She's a clever little thing. She would've ran straight away." she kept muttering hysterically. "Yes, she must have, yes. In the forest, I bet she's there now! She's smart that one, she would've ran straight away!"
The mother shoved him aside and ran across the bridge, still babbling incoherently to herself. Kenichi watched her, feeling like a ball of molten lead had been dropped in his stomach. She waited. He thought. She defied the order to retreat and waited. She stayed till the very end.
His grandfather clapped a hand on his shoulder, squeezing firmly. "Let's go." He said. The two of them crossed the bridge, hearing Astera shriek and cry behind them. The sound of wood cracking and splintering was drowned out by the raging inferno. He felt the scorching heat on his back, and the flames spat and crackled like laughter.
Somewhere in their midst, there was a deep, sinister growl. It reverberated in Kenichi's ear with an almost smug satisfaction, a sound that was terrifyingly human. Then only the cackling flames remained.