Gamer's Soul : Monster Hunter Chapter 2 Part 2 : The Lethal game of hide and seek

Ferithan grasped his daggers as large red scales pass by his current hiding spot. He tries his best to keep a low profile while keeping himself and his leader concealed.

"My, what large nose you have... the better to smell you with my dear..." 

He allows his thoughts occupy him as he try to keep his nerves in check.

"My, what large fangs you have... the better to chew you with my dear.."

He flinched as he thought of the next verse. What better way to relax than to remind yourself how your quarry can crunch you down with no trouble.

"uuuuughhhh..." 

The unconscious woman let out a whimper as she starts to wake. The hair at the back of Ferithan's neck stood as he took a breath and held it. He instinctively put a hand on the woman's armor to keep her still as he took a slow gaze at the last location his quarry was at.

His eyes widened as the unusually large wyvern slowly turns his head towards their direction. Its eyes slowly scanned the area and stare him in the face. It lets off a low guttural growl as it slowly slinks forward, eyes never leaving ferithan's face. It was then seen breathing in, about to let out a deafening roar when ferithan saw small movements just behind the monster's head.

"FLASH INCOMING!!!"

Ferithan ducked and covered the rousing woman while waiting for a second. It only took split of that second for the wyvern to turn and focus on an incoming projectile that then turned so bright it left the red scaled monstrosity unable to respond to the oncoming threat.

The wyvern stomped an unstable leg forward trying to catch its weight as he try to focus his eyes on a human shape in the direction the flash came from. When its sight focused a bit, it was too late. An older man holding a golden serpent blade have braced and swung his sword downwards onto his waiting snout.

The large monster dropped straight down like a rock.momentarily stunned.

"Hell yeah! Come on ye overgrown winged newt. after me!" 

Galadros swung his sword sideways to the wyvern's head to wake it up and started to dash opposite to the hidden hunters.

The wyvern shook its head while getting up, planted both front claws firmly to the ground one at a time and roared.

It then took off after the older hunter, less like the Rathalos it apparently is but more like a Tigrex. If not for its Dark Red coloration and its massive size, its movement might remind one of an extremely large tigrex instead.

Ferithan stared at the weird monster going after his master. He is unconcerned, the old man have faced travesty much larger than this. If he cannot bring it down, he will escape.

His thoughts wandered back to their unusual quarry. It is way too large for a regular rathalos and moves a different way than one as well.

He kept his position for a bit longer while making sure his master, Galadros have brought the monster further away so he can safely help their leader, Alexandra, to a safer hiding place for recovery.

"Ferithan, you stink."

He gazed down to the armored hunter and smirked.

"Why good morning, Teddy. Woke up from the wrong side of bed this morning?"

She tried to sit up assisted by Ferithan and removed her helm. Beautiful golden locks flowed out of the oversized helm albeit some tinted with blood.

"Shut up, what happened?" 

"Rathalos took our prey, all four of them. Master Galadros got pissed and attacked it while it was eating and got us in this horrible mess. Since the rathalos knew we were around, it scared a bunch of raptors to hunt us down."

He smiled as he saw her eyes still filled with sparkle instead of the dead flat eyes usually seen on hunters that had a bad fall and was about to give up.

"You took the brunt of it as you tried to give me and my sister more space to collect ourselves."

His smile faded when he got to the harder story to tell.

"The large rathalos came to you while you were busy with the raptors. Rathalos usually doesn't give you much trouble but this.. is way too large to be called a routine monster."

He pointed a part of her armor that lost most of its material.

"That is a tail swipe."

Then to a part deformed rather deeply.

"And then a stomp." He looked towards the clearing where he picked her up. "He then carried you to the middle of that field and had raptors nip at you. I am quite sure it was to lure the rest of us out after he lost sight of master. We were able to form a plan to get you out of your pickle. That is the reason for the smell. Ceiba leaves. It covered up our scent."

"Where is it now?" Alexandra was nursing her head as she asked the question.

"Master showed up and took it away so we can regroup and recover. My sister found a location where we can rest. Which is where we are going if you are done gathering your wits."

"Yes I have, thank you, I remember bits and pieces but I remember that bastard clearly..." She looked at her companion missing his armor and her own mangled armor.

"but we are severely outmatched and outgunned."

"agreed." Ferithan resigned with a sigh. He helped her to her feet and picked up her sword and shield.

"I sure hope there is water where we are going."

Ferithan cocked his head as he asked; "Why is that?"

"Ferithan, you stink."

Despite the situation, Ferithan cannot help but chuckle.

Gamer's Soul : Monster Hunter Chapter 2 Part 1 : The abandoned party

Ferithan scowled at the damp fallen Ceiba flowers all around his hiding place. The Ceiba trees scattered a lot of its flowers onto the forest floor attracting insects with its stench. Humans however cannot stand its foul odour.

He closed his eyes and tried to focus his mind away from the smell and onto the task at hand. He needs to react quickly to the signal from the cliff that serves as a vantage point for his sister who is acting as their spotter. She made a whole plan centered on her observation that the monsters cannot detect them by scent when they are around the flowers.

He opened his eyes and waited for the signal. He needs to get to the hunter sprawled unconscious in the middle of an open field with raptors biting on her armor. Thankfully the Rhenoplos "Armored Teddy" set has a full face mask keeping the raptor's teeth far away from her face which is usually exposed on most of the other armor sets out there. why in the world are female versions of armor sets like that? I've always wondered why they need to show either their tummy or their legs. This particular set looks like a joke but still performs more of an armor than the lingerie armor blacksmiths seems to keep making for women. I think the blacksmiths are just all perverts....

Ferithan shook his head along with the silly observations from his head as he saw an arrow fly out beyond the fields far to his right. He braced himself for the explosion he knew would be coming from the barrel bombs he piled a long ways far from the fields. He also said his mental goodbye to the kutku bracers, helm and armor he left there as a scent bait.

The raptors turned their heads to the direction of the explosion and started to call out to other raptors around the area. They then head towards the direction of the explosion. It will take them a few minutes to get there, a few minutes to realize there is nobody there, then a few minutes to come back to their bait. A bait they set for the rest of the human hunters.

Ferithan did not head out though and stayed still even after the raptors have gone. He still awaits the signal. It is not the raptors they are worried about. Not even the Kutkus they were hunting. They can easily dispatch a pack of raptors or multiple kutkus. That is the reason they were contracted for this quest. They are very efficient at hunting them.

No they are worried for something much larger.

As Ferithan survey the skies, a huge shadow flew by towards the explosion. Something quick, red and angry. His instincts made him duck and stiffen against such a foe. He swallowed the lump on his throat as he saw the flash of a mirror from his sister at the vantage point a few seconds later and he dashed out of hiding towards the bait. As he ran he chugged down his last power juice and gave a silent prayer.

After a dozen paces or so he heard raptor calls near the clearing to the right.

They are coming back. They left guards! How can they be so smart!?! 

He scooped and picked up the Rhenoplos armored woman as well as her sword and shield and slung them onto his right shoulder. The extra weight should have slowed him down badly but removing his helm, armor and bracers allowed him much more mobility than what he normally would have.

The drug burns on his throat and stomach keeping him quite alert and ready. His body is on edge, pushing at every jog trying to get to the cliffs before the huge monster shows up.

The raptors eventually caught up, hungry and unburdened, they assailed the running hunter with teeth and claws. Ferithan could hardly defend himself while running. With a dagger in one hand he entered the "hunter's high". They dubbed it demonization, which is by all intents and purpose, pretty accurate.

His lungs burned with fumes much hotter than the power juice and his muscled tensed as if operating on a hair trigger.

He slashed on the oncoming bite slicing open a swath of skin and scale on both the raptor's upper and lower lip. That raptor fell back kicking and clawing the ground, cursing perhaps if they ever could.

He kept up his pace unabated by his maneuver, he jumped towards the right as an arrow flew through where his face was. It hit the raptor behind him on it's forehead between the eyes as it was about to take a nasty chomp. As if a crimson flower bloomed as it crashed to the ground never to open its eyes again.

Ferithan kept running and dispatched another raptor by jumping forward while making a single spin extending his dagger out and opening a gash on yet another raptor's neck.

Once he cleared the field and entered the forest, he found the pile of ceiba flowers prepared for them by his sister and dunked the unconscious hunter in. He then scowled and rubbed some flowers onto him as well making a well disgusted face.

After a couple more minutes of continuous running he heard a very loud roar. He flinched despite the distance from the source knowing in his guts how the roar rivals the monster perfectly. He shook his head and continued towards the cliff.

Ah, he finally found out that the bait has been rescued and his "hunters", the raptors, have been dispatched. It will take him a while before he realizes how we dropped out of his radar. Good.

He kept his legs moving despite the strain and fatigue. A normal monster should lose their scent... but the one following them is double the size of one deemed normal...

maybe it also have twice the size of a nose...

Gamer's Soul : Monster Hunter Chapter 1 Part 4 : The road goes ever on and on

Nearly midday and the sun is glaring down the road so intensely. A group of travelers dotted the wide expanse of sparse foliage. Following a dirt path that seems to sway back and forth due to heat of the sun. Four hunters in their hunting garb have been trying to get a wagon off a deep hollow track the wheel have unfortunately fell into. The Palico driving fell asleep leaving the popo to wander a bit on the often curving path and ultimately followed the deepened track and ended into a crack in the dirt.

Lito and Kalimata have been pulling on the tongue while Yanyi and Roluke have been pushing the back of the wagon bed. It stayed wedged pretty bad until Kalimata suggested using one of his spare lance as an incline for the wheel to get out of the deep, cracked rut. 

The hunters were able to roll the wagon out of the dried mud track and agreed when Kalimata suggested a 15 minute rest. No one contested the request due to his great idea saving them more than the 15 minutes he requested along with saving them a whole lot of work. 

Yanyi settled underneath a nearby tree with a waterskin and a bag of dried aptonoth jerky.

He can hear Kalimata bragging to Roluke on how hunters have to be as smart as he is or they will not survive the wilds. Kalimata had one arm around Roluke's shoulder as he laughs and exaggerates the 'ordeal' they just went through.

He also saw Lito approaching him with his own waterskin and a bag of bread. He seems to be listening to Kalimata brag since he had a smile on his face and chuckles while he is shaking his head.

"Mind some company? I brought some stuff for trade." and offered some bread.

Yanyi passed some aptonoth jerky and gladly received bread.

"How long do you think before he comes to us and have us say how great he is?" 

"If we keep our voice down, Roluke might keep him distracted."

Lito gave a low chuckle and cut the bread in half. He then placed the aptonoth meat in between the bread and started looking around the ground. 

He found the herb he was looking for and gave some to Yanyi, motioning to put it into the sandwich.

"Its pretty good, you'll see."

He took a large bite and made an exaggerated flex motion. "a very young power plant bud. Does not have the same effects as a power seed but tasting it might give a placebo effect. haha."

Yanyi gave a brief smile and took a bite on his own sandwich. Made a face like he just ate something incredibly spicy.

Lito almost coughed a mouthful of the sandwich as he said, 

"Oh forgot to tell ya, still has that potent kick tough." and started laughing.

They allowed a few moments to pass as they enjoy their makeshift lunch and Yanyi asked a question that has been bothering him for a while.

"Where do you fit in this quest sir Lito."

Lito's smile faded and stared off to the direction of the mountain.

He took a few moments as he forms the words floating in his head.

"The hunters we are about to rescue are very important to me."

He took a small bite on his sandwich and continued,

"A couple of them are new but experienced hunters. Their current leader, Lady Alexandra, prefers the sword and shield. A good pretty head on her shoulders with long curly locks. Level headed and organized. I usually go with her for hunts and the two of us would toy with a Gypceros until it is too tired to fight back. Always a good controlled fight. Everything is taken into account. This is the reason why we are out here. The guild master knows how good she is. A group with her not reporting back is bound to be in danger or worse."

He looked down and took another bite on their sandwich.

"If there is trouble, its bound to be from the veteran. Galadros is a monster of man wielding a long sword. Quick to laugh and quick to anger. A bulldrome in man's form." 

Lito chuckled a bit and continued. "He is my master. He taught me the ways of the hunt. He says he is an intermediate hunter, not a veteran at all but he taught me everything I know." He then pointed to Yanyi's sandwich using his own sandwich."The herb in that was his idea. He said he will get the chef back at Pokke to always make his sandwiches with it."

He gave a quick smile that faded just as quick. "Chef never did put that in. wonder why." and took another bite.

They also had a hunter that specializes in dual daggers. Does not really suit him. he is pretty quiet and he is not the bulldrome type like my master. I always think only them types will ever wield those daggers. That trick of theirs, demonization, is also a bit too sketchy, too.... ritualistic for that smart boy. Good at looking at the battlefield and finding flaws and loopholes. A real tactician that Ferithan"

Lito finished the last of his sandwich and clapped his hands clean before continuing.

"Their last member is their wild card. Like my master, quick to laugh and quick to anger. Small stature but you never want to be on the business end of her arrows. Boy they are sharp. I should know as I used to tease her." 

He showed a scar where an arrow literally opened the skin when it flew by the side of his arm near his chest. 

"Good thing she missed." Yanyi exclaimed.

"No, no. if she missed, I would have an arrow IN my arm or in my body. She meant the arrow to glide by."

"oh."

"She is an anchor. She sees the entire battlefield as it is happening and calls out strategies. She saves hunters who have gone too close or made a misstep. Imagine pissing her off in the middle of a hunt."

"I see what you mean by wildcard."

"Yeah."

At this part of the conversation, They heard the struggling Roluke whimper and saw Kalimata stripping him of his armor one by one, telling him to try the gypceros armor he had stashed in the wagon. He was bragging how it was a special gypceros and that the blacksmith needed his help to craft it.

"I think we should start off again."

"errr, yeah. Before Kalimata gets a sexual harassment charge from the Town elders."

They have started gathering their things when they saw Kalimata drawing a massive gunlance from the wagon.

"Do you think the only reason why we have that wagon is because sir Kalimata brought his house with him?" asked yanyi with an eyebrows raised.

"I don't doubt it." Lito replied as he called to the rest of the team to form up and move out.

Kalimata exclaimed that he should not be walking and should be allowed to ride the wagon to sleep as using his brain to solve this catastrophic problem made him tired.

Nobody tried to stop him and allowed him to sleep. Surely not because they think he is right.

Gamer's Soul: Monster Hunter Chapter 1 part 3: Smooth sailing from here...up to here. Now comes trouble.

In the next couple of days, Yanyi have completed multiple quests and have ranked up to two star in his guild record. He was able to gather for two more sets of armor; Giadrome armor and congalala armor. He even have some set pieces for the hermitaur armor as well. His collections of weapons have also grown quite nicely. He got himself a war hammer and had it upgraded twice to war mace. He also got his own buster sword upgraded to a buster blade. His stored zenny have also been stable now that he can go out to hunt. He started paying for his new home and is now able to eat a warm freshly cooked meal in between hunts.

Things have been looking up for him compared to when he first woke up.

The people around him have started regarding him as a bonafide hunter. The merchants now puts a smile on their faces when he approaches expecting a good purchase whenever he is getting ready for quests. His friend Yumi lights up every time he comes up to the desk. They enjoyed a drink or two at the outdoor kitchen with the chef after hours as well.

One fine morning, as he was getting ready to go to his newly acquired farm, a guild receptionist came running to him.

"Yanyi!" 

The lady is out of breath, it seems she have been looking for hunters for a while now.

"Will.. will you be able to come to the guild hall? There is an emergency and the head hunter have asked for all remaining hunters in Pokke to gather right this instant."

Yanyi nodded his consent and went back home. He gathered his equipment as quickly as he can, deciding to take his buster blade and giadrome armor and ran to the guild hall.

There are a few hunters there. Fewer still were the veterans as there were only two of them and both are already retired.

There are however some experienced hunters. One of them is a man named Lito. Sporting an upgraded Ravager blade and a Yian Kutku armor, he stands next to the guild leader wearing a worried look on his face.

The guild leader looked around and spotted the receptionists who gave a brisk shake of their heads indicating no more hunters are around Pokke and all of them have gathered.

"Hunters, I greet thee. I gathered you together this early morning for no idle banter." he started.

"We have a crisis on our hands. four of our hunters have left 4 days ago and have not yet come back."

murmurs arose a bit and died down when the guild leader spoke again.

"They were hunting multiple Kutkus near the mountain which should only have taken them a day or two. As we have lost so many new hunters before, we will need our hunters back. I am proposing an immediate quest. Recover our hunters. return them home. details will be given by our receptionists."

On that cue, Shirley stepped forward and spoke in a polite tone.

"We will need 3 hunters to go along with Sir Lito. He will lead the hunting group to recover the early party. Whoever wants to join the rescue party, please step forward and declare yourself. As this is a guild request, a reward will ofcourse be present upon your return."

She then stepped back and lifted her clipboard awaiting whichever hunter would want to join.

"Well, if they have not come back, doesn't that mean it went awry? Why would they ever risk another four? This is crazy!"  a freshly ranked two star hunter exclaimed.

"Well, because not anyone is a coward like you." an arrogant hammer user retorted.

"I myself will be going. list me, beautiful. I will bring them home" he added.

"Thank you sir Kalimata, The guild appreciates your decision." Shirley said as she bowed. She then jotted that down.

The attacked hunter reddened and left the hall.

The guild leader looked saddened and slowly shook his head.

"I will come as well" said a retired veteran hunter. but before he can continue a younger man interjected;

"No dad, let me go. I can assist them in your place. I was going to anyway. Your leg is in no condition for a fight, no offense intended. Rest assuredly, I will uphold our family honour."

The father gave a smile and gave his son a tap on his shoulder. "So be it Roluke."

Shirley took this as a declaration and wrote Roluke down. A long sword user sporting a conga armor.

"Thank you so much Sir Roluke and Sir Radaman. And for the last spot?"

"I will go too. Please add me to this group." Yanyi spoke.

"What can you do newbie" Kalimata jibed. "Well, you can always carry my hammer for me."

Instead of facing Kalimata head on, Yanyi smirked and stretched his hand out with his palm up. Kalimata laughed and was going to hand his hammer to Yanyi when Shirley stomped and glared at him. Everyone froze in their tracks.

Nobody should ever piss off Shirley. That is the unwritten guild rule # 1.

All hunters in the guild hall stood stiff and was having cold sweat. Even new hunters like Yanyi and Roluke knows the wrath of Shirley.

"Sir KALIMATA, Please carry your own equipment as each hunter is responsible to his own safety. WE do not want YOU in danger when YOU get separated from your group without YOUR OWN HAMMER."

Kalimata swallowed a lump in his throat and followed with "of course, miss. I had no intention of making anyone else carry my items.. it was only a joke." with a queasy smile as he places the hammer back to his back harness.

There was a longer moment of silence as the situation have just become more awkward. A growing stiffled giggle can be heard from behind the counter. Clearly one of the new receptionists is enjoying the situation.

Kalimata reddened.

Shirley rolled her eyes as she turned and went back to the counter.

Yanyi knows it was Yumi.

Gamer's Soul : Monster Hunter Chapter 1 Part 2 :The front desk, my first friend

The air is crisp and cold when he came out of his home. It was relatively quiet even for a mountain town. The sun have taken a small peek but darkness still bathes the town in a somber aura. One can hear birds chirps and the branches as it sways and shakes the dew off its leaves. His mind partly taking in the beauty is getting filled with the hunt as he took strides down to the guild.

Yumi, the new girl at the guild's front desk has been getting the area tidied up as Yanyi walked up to the desk. They have met the day before when she was being trained and have struck a quick friendship. She was a bit preoccupied today though with the guild quest sheets that she answered automatically without looking up.

"Hi, Welcome to the guild house! Could you give me... a..."

WHAM!

"Kyaaaa!"

Shirley was holding the book-binded completed quests for the month and its spine found a nice tender spot on her protege's skull. Yumi made an exagerrated motion that she got stunned and rubbed her bruised head.

"What did I tell you about greeting our hunters?!?"

"muuuuuuuu...."

Shirley gave a low bow and Yumi jumped and bowed with her.

"I apologize hunter, My associate have only started like yourself and lacked the proper decorum. I ask that you let it go for now..."

She gave Yumi a slit eyed side stare...

"..and we will be working on it."

Yumi looked down to the floor and gave a whimper.

"So, Yumi, what did we miss?"

Yumi straightened out and opened her eyes. She then smiled politely as she declared.

"Eye contact and a smile!"

"Correct! Now, give our hunter his rightful salute."

"Good morrow dear hunter, Welcome to the Guild house! Here we assist our hunters in finding quests that match their skill and renown. I apologize Yanyi for my earlier disposition and please be assured that I will conduct myself in proper decorum in the future."

Shirley smiled and started "Now if you will excuse me hunter, I will continue with bookkeeping and leave you in our Yumi's hands".

Yumi watched her superior walk away and gave a sigh of relief.

"oh man! She is so strict! Don't get me wrong Yanyi, I like her. Just... my head is still spinning. That was a thick book she was carrying around!" 

She then leaned on the desk with both hands under her chin.

"Ah, I hope you don't mind me speaking this way. I would like to consider you my friend if possible since we both started at the same time. Is that ok?"

Yanyi gave a hearty nod with a smile as he does like the idea of Yumi being more casual around him.

"Thanks! You will be my first friend in this town! I am glad you came back. Most people just simply disappear and not even show up for their first hunt."

She started looking through her quest pages (although exaggerated and comical) and found the quest that they agreed upon yesterday. She started nodding and started reading it through.

"Here! In accepting this request you are hereby required to present 10 herbs, 10 raw meat, 10 honey and 10 blue mushrooms upon your return. The hunter who signed below will receive 1000 zenny as his reward as well as any other materials brought back from the field within time allocated...."

"yada yada yada.... I don't think you need to hear the rest at this point because I know you will be coming back successfully anyways. hahaha!"

Yanyi cracked a crooked smile at the sheer frank confidence she had on him.

"I will return right away. Thanks for that! Consider my hunt started and I will see you later!"

He gave her a wave as he turned and started out of the gates.

Gamer's Soul : Monster Hunter Chapter 1 Part 1 : A blank slate

Yanyi was found passed out at the foot of the mountains with no memories or possessions save the clothing on him and a small dagger. He was taken to the great hall and was given an abandoned house to use as his own during his stay in Pokke village.

At first they thought that he could not have been a hunter due to his poor equipment and not having any items in the middle of the wilds would have been foolhardy. He seems to be able to wield a greatsword though, with little difficulty and enough finesse to pass the master trainer's tests to become a hunter. He was lent a buster sword and some basic armor pieces that mostly look like scrap leather and metal put together. He thanked the elders and gathered his new equipment hoping this could be a start of a better fortune for himself.

After the test, he took his items back to his new home which still feels cold and clammy as it has been abandoned for quite some time and started inspecting them thoroughly. He will be going out the wilds tomorrow and despite the simplicity of the task given to him, he would like to be ready.

He took the sword and checked its sharpness, how were the rivets? There really isn't much to check as it looks as if two pieces of sheet metal were simply welded onto a cylindrical handle but it pays to be thorough.. specially since its not just aptonoths and kelbis out there...

He then took his new armor and inspected it thoroughly as well. 

Holes in the leather... untightened binds... metal is a little rusty.. huh, I think sickness would kill me before a monster can, eh?

He chuckled as he gave his head a shake. Took the borrowed rasp from the blacksmith out and worked on areas on the metal that have rusted. Some on the shoulder and shin pads... Some on the vembrace plates and even on the chest plate. It took pretty much the most of the evening until no light can be seen outside and the room was only lit by the fire in the hearth to clean up and repair the rest of the armor.

After some time mending the leather, just as the last dimmed ember on the hearth has gone, he appraised his work in near darkness and nodded approvingly.

This seems good enough to take to the field. I wonder what is out there.

A feeling of excitement washed over him as he imagine what it would be like to be out in the wilds. 

Maybe I can find out more about why I was there to begin with. Maybe I can wrestle with a Congalala or two... 

He gave a quiet laugh at his own joke. While he does hold on to his hopes that he will find his purpose in being there, the thoughts of simply being out and earning his keep by hunting seems to be reason enough for him to continue on.

It took him a bit of time to fall asleep with thoughts of hunting and gathering at the fore of his thoughts while worry and uncertainty in his current predicament eats him inside.

The next morning seems less grim as he started to put on his equipment. As he took the leather pants, he thought less of his own problems and started to look forward the easy hunt. As he took the boots he thought about the materials he is to gather. As he wore the chest piece he thought of the random creatures he will meet. How many scratches will this plate take. As he put his vembraces on as well as his gloves, he imagines the taste of perfectly cooked aptonoth meat that he is sure to be able to enjoy when he do his barbeque in the hunting fields. And as he fit the leather strap onto his head his resolve solidifies completely and his excitement started bubbling. He got up and faced the open door. The darkness and chill of the night still lingers out the door yet he feels no cold.

Its time to hunt!

My Last Treasure chapter 1 part 2 - The knight

My Last Treasure chapter 1 part 2 - The knight

*Crash*

Ugh! What in the world… Where am I? Ooooooowwwww……. My head hurts like crap…

Pain racked his entire body. At the moment, he felt oblivious of the fact that he is in a sack. As a knight, he had always put his life on the line to defend the weak. Most of the time he comes out of these fights bloody and unconscious, but always victorious. Tons of times he tries to change this… someone else always tries to take the credit for what he has done.

He tried to make sense of his surroundings and looked around. He found that some of the bandits have been beaten and a lone figure stands above all of them.

Ah, here we go again…. I guess, why would today be any different than before? So much for change. Why does this always happen to me… ooowww… my body hurts like crap… where did I put that medicine.

He felt like an utter failure. His mind, dejected. He covers everything up with random words but his heart, heavy as he watches the lone figure walking slowly to a cra leaning on a tree. The fog and the darkness hide his features fully but the cra is scared stiff. This must be a really strong iop.

That man will take credit. I have defended that town with my all and yet, I will never get any recognition. I will always be a low ranked knight of Astrub.

As he wallowed in despair, the clouds parted a bit that enabled him a glimpse of the savior. Fur. White wet fur covered in patches of blood. The cra spoke softly to the figure, probably asking for mercy or forgiveness. The figure spoke back yet from where he lays he can only hear low growls. The cra spoke again in retort, clearly they can understand. The furred figure raised his great clawed arm and swung it down hard. The cra spoke no more.

There was silence apart of course from the pitter patter of the rain. The figure stood staring far away to the east. After some time, he looked back to something tiny a few paces away from the knight. A small sobbing sound can be heard in the air.

A CHILD! And the monster moves closer to her!

He summoned all his strength and ripped through the eco fiber bag. He forced himself on his two legs and grabbed something from his small haven bag on his waist. From the mouth of the bag he pulled on a solid shaft. As he dashes to the child he withdrew his arm until the full length of the lance shows a full seven foot. He stood in front of the monster ready to act. He wields the lance on one hand as if it weighs nothing.  He slowly paces and puts himself in between the monster and the child.

“Halt friend, may we speak a while?”

The monster halted and slowly crouched, ready to spring.

What am I doing talking to a walking bag of fur? Friend? We haven’t even shared ale yet, ah… I am talking to myself again… am I that scared? Wait…

He then saw the tusks… this is not a boowolf, this is a man. An enutrof. Someone that can be reasoned with.

“Friend, were you the one that cut us lose? I see three of the children from the town I defended.”

He gestured towards the child and the fallen dragoturkey carrying two other ecofiber sacks. Curiously enough, the monster followed his hands looking to the children.

He has the capacity to think. He haven’t lost his mind to the primal nature of drhellzerkers. I can bring him back… but how? Oh shoot!

The drhellzerker shot up from the crouching position and led with a hard swipe. The knight manages to bring his lance up to block the blow.  It threw him a dozen paces though, too far away to defend the child. The monster roared and raised an arm against the girl.

“NO!”

The Astrub knight called upon the positive energies swarming around him, he threw the lance between the primal hunter and his prey and yanked on a chain of wakfu forming between his hand and the lance. He was pulled towards the lance and as he landed took to his knees and put the lance between the drhellzerker’s blow and his own body. He deflected the blow but placed himself out of balance to defend the oncoming follow up.  He was hoping for a swipe, maybe he can get in position to defend again after… It was an incoming stab.

“KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!”

The child screamed as she saw death coming swiftly for the knight and herself. She closed her eyes and shuddered as she saw her parents’ demise in her mind, replaying over and over. She hardened and looked up to see a confused and surprised face on the monster.

The monster then put his hands on his face and changed back to his enutrof form.

“How could I have raised my hand against a child… I cannot keep this form… I will not lose myself again…”

The old man saw the child and showed a very pitiful expression.

“You are safe. The threat is done. You will be home soon.”

Despite being scared witless, the voice gave her refuge and she drifted back to unconsciousness…

A Gamer's soul: FFXIV ARR Chapter 2 part 2

Chapter 2 part 2

"Well you sure took your time. I've redone my hair a couple times already."

I heard a sudden outburst behind me. There stands a lalafel woman with her fists rested on her hips. Her head slightly tilted to her right as she sighs with an annoyed expression. Despite the attitude, I was surprised I don't feel cross. Instead, I felt my facial muscles pull a one-sided smile instead.

"Then you wake up and what? YOU FORGOT TO CALL ME! How am I to know you are back?"

She started to pace slowly back and forth and with a serious face started an 'I am telling you' gesture with her fingers wagging back and forth.

"Not to mention everyone has been waiting! We were supposed to meet an hour ago! Keep doing this and I am telling you, we will be replaced."

She stopped pacing in front of me and had both hands folded together.

"Be serious for once, Cocozan!"

The smile never left my face. I always piss her off yet she always stays with me. We have been together for a while too... I don’t know what I would be without her. She and I are alike. She jumps consciousness too. A soul jumper.

"Nice to see you too darling. Am I late?" I waved a hand in front of me in a gesture and pulled a list out of nowhere. I don’t know how such technology exists in eorza.

"See? Our guild leader is not even on yet. Where are Krono and Midgetpants?"

"Baking some food to recover spirit. Our mages and healers can’t seem to get enough money to pay for that themselves." She rolls her eyes and looked at me from head to toe.

"Why are you not dressed? Equip your proper gear, paladin!"

"Oh, shoot sorry! I remember we took a photo before and that was what I choose to wear."

With another gesture I pulled out a screen with my old gear and changed it to my paladin's raid gear. One by one my gear disappears and another reappears sometimes giving a glimpse of my smallclothes. No one ever seems to mind in this world... And it happens often for everyone.

I inspected myself and made sure I have all important things on; a full gleaming suit of white plate chestpiece, a crown, greaves, sabatons and gauntlets on top of a blue silk shirt and nice shiny mail underneath.

I changed my weapon and shield as well. Curtana, my sword is a white glowing one handed weapon while my shield is the hold shield of the paladins.

"This feels right. I am ready."

“You have your potions?”

“Yeah, got them. Let’s head to the meeting place.”

With her in tow, I started to teleport near the Coils of Bahamut.

A Gamer's Soul: FFXIV:ARR Chapter 2 part 1

My first entry for the game Final Fantasy A Realm Reborn, an MMORPG. I am actually pretty excited about this game. It comes out on the 27th of August. This is the reawakening of my character into the new remade world of Eorza.

I have played this game when it first came out, so my character remembers the world...

Chapter 2: Awakening

My consciousness drifted for some time... I allowed myself to drift through the darkness. Nothingness is soothing, peaceful even. For some time, I considered this a rest after one adventure and a herald for the next. It happens often... I feel like I am a soul jumping from one body to another. Each of them belonging to a different world.. All of them having unique adventures...

What was I last? It takes time to remember.. sometimes I cannot remember at all... Oh right, I was an old man, a penny-pincher.. Not a bad trait really... I was adventuring in a world called "the world of twelve". Alone. hmmn... That sounds sad.. Why would i let myself be alone... Wait, I remember a beautiful woman... No, thats a different "life"... Right, the one before the last... Dang what am I now?

It feels like I am still floating in nothingness but as I shift my attention to whats around me, sensation starts to form at the small of my back. It then turned to pressure. Am I leaning on something? Maybe... I am feeling gravity now on my bottom... Im sitting on the grass... I can recognize its smell...and also leaning on something hard and rough.. Oh.. A tree.. I can most definitely feel the wind too.. As the wind blew I also recognized the distinct song of birds chirping. Wow what a peaceful place. Where am I?

Slowly I opened my eyes. Ouch! A blast of color and light blinded my initial attempt to take in the world around me. I squinted a few times and tried to make out the blurred colors. I stretched my fingers and felt sensation in my hands. Whoa! Pretty small hands! My eyes began focusing on the tiny leather gloved hands that I am holding infront of my face. Am I a child this time? I leaned forward and put my hands on my face, eagerly searching for clues of what manner of creature I have become.

Between my fingers I saw something glint on my waist, no, on my belt. An iron scabbard with an iron xiphos. Im not a child. Im a warrior.. A very small one at that! Oh! I remember this life... in my distant past. Is this Vana'diel? Am I a Taru ta-.. No this is more recent, a lalafel, This is Eorza!

I took a good look at myself from my feet to my arms and my chest. Shiny brass and copper sabatons covers my feet to my knee, a tightly double-chained haubergion covers most of my body and a pair of iron vambraces along with a scutum lays on the grass. A swordsman! more accurately, a gladiator! Oh grand!

I jumped up and unsheated my sword and listened with glee to the distinct metallic ring it made as it cleared the scabbard.

Schhiiiing!

I twirled the Xiphos from my left to my right and held it upright in a combat stance. Closed my eyes as I danced a heavy choreographed routine. Looking into the darkness, I imagined my quarry. A short upward stab right under his chin, pull the sword back and drew a quick over head strike to his right temple. Ah! exhilarating!

I opened my eyes to a dodo staring straight at me. (well, sideways really... the other eye is on the other side of his.... never mind...) I kept from moving a muscle, breathing slow deep breathes watching the dodo and its next move. It started a step forward. He wants to dance.

I bolted into a sideways roll and grabbed the scutum on the floor, the leather straps are hard on my lightly gloved hand. I dont have time to put my vambraces on. The dodo went to a strut and started squawking. I need to shut this up. he will be calling his pack!

With the shield in between the frenzied bird and myself, I braced my shield arm to receive the initial tackle and readied my Xiphos for a stab. The heavy body of the dodo crashed on my shield and tried to peck my face a couple times. I dodged two and allowed the last one to glance my celata near my temple to get the timing right. A quick sword stab went deep into the bird's neck. I smiled, I did had the timing is right.

The bird kicked then staggered back. glaring as it squawks unintelligible.. well.. squawks... Im glad I dont understand dodo... for it was probably cursing me through hell and back....

As I was making fun of the bird in my mind, I was caught unaware, It crouched and launched itself into another tackle. The bulk of its feathered hide hit my scutum near the bottom propelling the other end of it to my face. The world swam.

With my shield lowered it took a couple swipes to my right shoulder. I desperately tried to keep my sword from dropping, my fingers grasping the hilt of my Xiphos with the pinky tightly around the pommel. As the world goes back into focus, I saw the bird going for another tackle, with my sword lowered, I tightened my grip and swung upwards. Putting my entire weight into its momentum, my sword opened a huge gash on the monster's side. with a rasping screech, the bird dropped to an eternal sleep.

I closed my eyes as I reviewed the fight in my mind. breathing steadily as I study each stroke, each dodge, every mistake and every triumph.

I am back in this world. Eorza. I smiled in the understanding and shivers in the excitement.

A whole new world of adventure! 

A Gamer's Soul: Wakfu Chapter 1 post 4

In post 4, my latest entry to the wonderful world of wakfu, I tried something different. made it into a journal entry. lets see how it goes..

Post 4

journal entry # MXVIII by Ephimethius...

"The initial climb to zinit proved arduous. The regular crabs keeps nipping on my toes and my dhreller decided fighting them is a waste of time and slept in my haven bag... such a timid creature... I'll be sure to give him a really long bath once we get back to Astrub. I can imagine that toothy frown now... hahaha

The eery starfish with its single ocular feature is very nerve breaking. The weak-snivelly starfish alerts its crustacean friends and keeps me busy trying to fend them off and keep myself progressing forward... sometimes.. i feel im too old for this....

All that was simply icing to the cake... the cake itself, a very gelatinous mixture of seaweed and olives, the gredovores. They move in groups and hits very hard. i can see each of them having some specialized role to play in a group... the ones with the olive-like eyes rolls around and physically rams his entire wobbly body onto me. surprisingly enough though, their body is pretty solid since it feels like hitting dragoturkey in full strut.

They also have some sort of wakfu user... a gredovore with a staff healing and casting water based energy onto me from afar. These semi-amorphous creature's mastery of water wakfu astounds me... being a water-wakfu user myself, seeing them cast wakfu to both support his allies and attack me is amazing...

I didnt really had the time watch and adore them... since their entire group can pound me to death easily, I had to keep on my toes and stay alert. after running through the entire length of the beach.. I met a most peculiar old man named Moze...

The first thing the man asks is food... ok, thats normal... raw crabs? easy, i have 6 in my bag... after extorting the smelly crabs from me, he was able to conjure some brain cells to tell me he needs his old amulet to open the path forwards... guess who took it? crabs... capn crablocks to be exact. a harder hitting crab with a disgusting looking tongue from its claw.... weird...

Looking through the damp and clammy beach, i find one of the larger-than-most crab... wearing a quarter of an amulet. it was so interesting how he eats with one claw and holds an amulet with the other.. like in that last movie i watched about a man greedily watching a single gold ring on his hands.. eery.. *ahem*

Anyways, he put up a mighty fight but in the end gave back the quarter of the amulet after being hit by bags of kama (i of course took back all my kama). The other three went easily after knowing what i am looking for.. the day passed with me chasing crabs with a shovel... for crustaceans... they're pretty fast >.<

After i put the amulet together the weird old man Moze gave the cliff next to him a kick and the cliff gave way blocking a section of the waterfall revealing the cave inside... ummmm.... so much for magic....

At this time of writing, i am inside my havenbag while inside the cave.. awaiting ullu to catch up.... and a very lazy dhreller to get up..."

A Gamer's Soul: Wakfu Chapter 1 post 2 & 3

Post 2 and 3 are really short. They were meant to be posts in a forum. I liked them enough to put them here...

Post 2

Ephimethius stepped out of his havenbag and his senses were overwhelmed by the sweet smell of amaknan bread and the bright yellow fields of his homeland.

He smiles as he looks beyond the fields, remembering the places he had been and those he have never even seen... adventure is what he senses. His nerves tenses and a familiar shiver went up his spine.

He caught himself muttering "a new day... a new day..." as if a mantra to aphyxiate his boiling enthusiasm. To keep himself in control. He spent most of his life chasing after adventure. He just had a feeling he will be in a one pretty soon. It starts today.

Adventure did start its call pretty early today. His attention shifted from the fields of amakna to a distant rumbling on top of a mountain...

"Zinit! Dang it Ogrest! stop your whinin'! It has been a long time since your love has gone d-...." his restless attention once again shifted. this time to a piece of a poster stuck on his leg. before getting blown away, he swiped one side of the poster and held it against the wind. the wind caught it and blows it sideways, enough for him to read the contents..

"Ah! our next destination my friend! LOOK!" He held it in front of his dhreller... somewhat prentending that his dhreller can read...

Seeing the perplexed face of his dhreller he smiled and started to explain...

"This my friend says we can climb Zinit! Adventure to be had are endless! A chance for my old bones to give that monkey up-top a good one-two!"

A grin spread across his face. "Plus we get to keep all the spoils! hehe!"

He lifted his bag and slung it across his body. He hefted his shovel to his shoulders as if carrying a huge sword and started walking. His dhreller right beside him.

"We cant do anything in Amakna anyways...or any country for that matter!"

His dhreller gave a grunt showing his disgust.

"What the heck is a subscription anyways, eh?"

They walk towards the crustry road to take a portal.. a zaap to the 'free' lands of Astrub and beyond to Mt Zinit.

(o.o.c.) part two! i think despite the lack of readers, i would continue on my little story. this documents my return and my first few unsubbed weeks. see you on part 3! Zinit solo climb!

Post 3

Ephi walks about the ruined town of Astrub. The roads are filled with either cracked bricks, dirt or grass. The houses are in poor condition and only a handful of residents stayed in this tattered place.

A talking blue cat with a beard directed him to a boat that can take him to the shores at the foot of Zinit. All he asks is 10 Piwi beaks...

Ephi gave a side glance to his fanged companion and grinned..."Well, im glad they arent taking kamas. hee hee!!" His dhreller showed his teeth that looks like a mock grin.

"Remind me to brush your teeth before bed, eh?" His dhreller shut his mouth and gave him a glare. "Well, you need it! Do you wanna look like me?" The dhreller gave a shocked look and started walking faster as they board the vessel.

The boat trip to Zinit was not hard. With the occasional starfish and gathered dark clouds, they got to Zinit without much incident.

As the vessel makes it way to the docks, the tall ominous mountain looms before Ephi as if warning him of the dangerous trek he was about to take. "Takes your breath away, eh Abu?" His dhreller gave a scared grunt. "Makes me wonder if im being foolish.." Abu gave a grunt.

The captain gave a wave to Ephi signalling their arrival to the docks and that they are ready to disembark. Ephi noted the dark old planks used on the dock. The wood shows wear and age. He gave a hearty handshake to the captain and on closer inspection, saw how ragged and scarred the captain was. His respect grew in an instant.

"Lets get started shall we?" Ephi and his dhreller started their adventure on a sprint. towards the foot of Zinit!




(o.o.c.) a very uneventful update... i was gonna make it more interesting but it wont be true to my adventures... I know the climb to zinit itself wasnt as boring. watch out for it! XD

A Gamer's Soul: Wakfu chapter 1 post 1

I started playing Wakfu when it was first released way before when (I mean I dont remember). I left due to boredom then went back when I saw the world flourish. I played Ragnarok Online inbetween the two Wakfu sessions...

I thought to myself, maybe it will be much more fun if I can write about myself jumping from one character to another. So I created a story about my "soul". 

By soul, I mean, myself. jumping from one game world to another. I think of myself as a soul jumping from one character to the next... I will tell a story about my jump from Ragnarok Online 2 to Wakfu. its as follows:



"Rassler! Try to keep him busy! our spells are almost done!" Yuniechan's voice was clear and concise as she, and her brother Rhaz, concentrated on their own spells.

A haggared Rassler grunted and obeyed, his greatsword, completely different from the shovel he used to carry around in a past life he still so dearly remember, separated the massive goat-like monster from his family...

"My strength is almost spent, my sweet lady! hurry up with the incantation lest he will break free from me!"

Facing rapaceus leader-monsters like baphomet along with the life-long adventure he and his wife Yunie endured have taxed the old warrior... Each block, each bash of his sword is bone-felt.

Yuniechan motioned to Rassler that her own spell has been woven.

"NOW!"

Rassler dug his toes to the black-crusted ground and sprung backwards just as baphomet swings its massive scythe upwards.

Rassler looks to his wizard and has momentarily forgotten his enemy, enraptured by the fire dancing in the mage's eyes as she chanted the spell. That always takes my breath away... He thought.

"FIRE EXPLOSION!"

A fiery pyrotechnic display buffeted the field and masked the grim figure of the foe along with the old veteran...

The initial wave of scalding hot air blasted the tiny area between the warrior and their quarry followed by flame and smoke... The beast was flung off its feet as it lets out a scream of anguish.

"AAAAUUUUUUUNNNNNGGGGG!!!!!"

Red shining eyes flickered through the dust, knowing the monster still lives, the wounded warrior crawls away from the monstrous figure... trying to get back to his wife...

"RASSLER!" Yunie shouts with worry as baphomet, though clearly dying, raised his scythe once more. Intending to have the warrior join him in death.

"Dang it!"

Rassler scrambles about looking for his greatsword. The dust clouding his vision as he scampers about on all fours.

Oh God, its over... Rassler's mutters in a panic... Death would surely be swift... But I cant die yet... And he knows he had no control over it.

A split-second away from being slashed and pierced through by a scythe, He hears a deafening shout from his brother in law.

"MAGNUS EXORCIMUS!"

Blinding light cleared the field of dust and finished baphomet sending the massive monster crashing to the floor. eerie red light finally has left its eyes.

Yunie caught the warrior in a cradle, The man clearly hairbreadth away from death whispers...

"I - I'm being called back to my past life, my love. Bapho... is he?... is he?"

Ignoring the hints of lunacy in his words, She held his hands to her cheeks... "Yes love, we took him down. another one for our trophies, we also saved a lot of lives you know. Now, lets get you patched up, and i will have a cup of hot choco delivered to your favourite chair...."

He is gone...

A few moments after, Rassler felt the warmth of his wife slowly fade from his touch. His breathing stabilizes and felt as if he is floating.

The pain is gone.

He knows his eyes are open yet all he see is darkness. He knows he is trying to shout but no voice comes out of his lips. He helplessly allowed himself to be carried along the stream of darkness...



Birds chirping brought him back from his stupor. Ephimethius slowly opened his eyes and found himself in his bed. In his old haven bag bed... Yesterday, he remembered hunting puddlies along with a guildmate... he stood up scratching his head. Why does he remember wearing heavy armor and swinging a heavy sword when all his life he has been holding a shovel? Why does he remember a beautiful wife and family when he has been all alone in the world of twelve?

A tear ran down his cheek as the beauteous woman fades from his memory slowly...

He took a deep breath, grabbed his shovel and called out for his dhreller. Its another day. A smile slowly crept up his face as he scratched his dhreller's fur...

"I will see her here soon. we will be together again and our adventures will begin anew."

He started whistling as he stepped out of his haven bag. He hefted his shovel to his shoulders just as how he carries a greatsword in a life he gingerly remembers...

(o.o.c.) Hi people! I am an old Amaknan player who have been playing a different game for a while... I wanted to come back so many times but my fiancee has been playing another game. I will see you all around^^ im level 28 enutrof