Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Monster Hunter, only how the story goes. The characters and world of Monster Hunter belongs to Capcom. The only thing that I do own are the OC's of the story. I do apologize for any errors in grammar and/or if I was not accurate in reference to something.

A/N: This chapter won't be too terribly long I'm afraid. And I may have taken some inspiration from the movie with this one. And to Kurama the Platinum Zoroark and anyone else who may be curious, there is a plan for Jacob meeting Swift, but that'll be coming later on in the story. You'll just have to stay on the look out and I'll let you know when we're close.

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Chapter Forty-Four: The Trek Back

The three friends began the walk back towards the familiar parts of the Wastes. Jacob was a little grateful that they didn't just burrow and leave him alone in the dunes. They climbed up a dune and Nana and Valiantops went over the side. But as they walked on, he couldn't help but look back to the structure, and wished that the Diablos family hadn't been killed like that. It's like that even after the thing with the rogue Diablos and the Kulus, they wouldn't have much time to breath before a new danger approached. The structure would seem so hollow if he were to see it again.

With a sigh, he turned and followed after the two Diablos. The two giants had made it to the bottom and Valiantops looked back to see the human doing his best not to fall and roll down the dune. But it didn't work as Jacob lost his footing and tumbled through the sand. He landed at the bottom and lifted his head with a splutter to get the sand out of his mouth. Looking up he found Nana Diabla and Valiantops looking down at him. Jacob shook his head, "Hey, you two swim in the stuff so you'd be used to the taste."

Nana only lightly shook her head while Valiantops rolled his eyes and turned away and walked again. Getting up, Jacob dusted the sand off himself and followed after them as they continued on their way.

…

(Cue Sandstorm Trek from Monster Hunter)

They had walked for about an hour and the Grand Spire grew with each step they took the closer they got. But the winds suddenly picked up and everyone looked in the direction it was coming from. Eyes widened when a large sandstorm was quickly coming in from the east. The large dust cloud was coming in pretty quickly and would be on them soon. Valiantops and Nana Diabla started to go much faster and Jacob started running after them.

But they weren't fast enough to escape the sandstorm as it over took them. Jacob held up an arm to shield himself from the high winds and sand. He wondered how the two Diablos were faring in this weather. The human teen couldn't see them that good due to the storm around them. He could barely see their shapes in front of him. And because of his limited vision, it made it hard for him to see where he was going. He lost his footing again when he had climbed up another dune and tumbled down to the bottom.

With a groan, Jacob sat up and covered his eyes to avoid getting sand in them. He looked around to try and see either Nana Diabla, Valiantops or the Grand Spire. But from the looks of things, he was on his own. Jacob didn't know what to do. He could try and keep walking, but he didn't know which way he would go.

The ground trembled underneath him and Jacob grew nervous, thinking that it might be a different Diablos. But his fears were alleviated when a pair of wings draped over him. Looking up, he found both Nana Diabla and Valiantops standing over him with their wings forming a barrier around their heads and him to keep the sandy winds out of their faces. Jacob was really grateful that they were willing to come back for him. Having a feeling that they weren't going anywhere until the storm lets up, Jacob could only hope that it wouldn't last for very long.

…

The sand storm ended up lasting for what felt like hours. When the winds died down and the sand stopped blowing, two shapes rose out of the sands. Nana Diabla and Valiantops gave a small roar while Jacob stood up as well. Sand fell off them and they all shook themselves to get the excess off of them, Jacob in particular.

(End of track)

Looking up to the sky, Jacob saw that a majority of the day had gone by while they had been stuck in the sandstorm. The sun was about to touch the western horizon and be gone for another day. He thought that maybe he could crash at the camp that was hidden in the rocks of the Diablos' cave. The teen was about to ask when Nana Diabla lightly nudged him forward with her wing. Getting the hint, Jacob started walking with both Diablos flanking him on both sides.

…

It was around dusk when the three made it back to the familiar territories of the Wastes. They climbed up a hill into the dunes covered slopes that sat above Nana and Valiantops' den. Jacob followed them across the dunes and they came up to a slope that would go down into the Diablos' den. Jacob was planning to go down the hole that would lead to the camp and abandoned little village. But just as he turned to head that way, he was stopped by Valiantops' tail. He looked up to the Diablos and the sand burrower gestured with his head for the teen to follow. Having a feeling that he was being welcomed, Jacob continued to follow after the two Diablos. Had they been looking to their left, they would have noticed a shape moving amongst the rocks. The slope took a tight curve the further down it went and had a large view of the rest of the desert as dunes spread out for many miles to the east.

They came to the bottom of the slope and into the large cavern. But as they walked further into the cavernous space, Jacob started to get a bad feeling. And that feeling was quite accurate, for unbeknownst to them upon the ceiling right above them was a large shape. The skies grew dark as the shape on the ceiling moved its head downward and a pair of lips parted to reveal a toothy maw that looked like a sinister grin.

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Author's Note: I do apologize for it being so short. The next chapter will most likely be the final chapter of the Caverns of Horror story arc. There will be a confrontation between Jacob, the Diablos and the new monster. Plus, a surprise appearance and a small teaser for the next arc as well. I plan to post the final chapter to the arc for the story's one year anniversary and as you already know, this is a Halloween gift to you readers. I look forward to reading your reviews. Be sure to leave a comment either about if I've done something wrong or if you want something specifically to happen. See you all next time.