A top a mountain of monster corpses, a lone huntress held the line fending off waves of vicious and terrifying beasts. Every swipe of her blade severed torsos from waists, bisected creatures in two and decapitated an incalculable number of heads from their bodies. Valerie laughed heartily as she was showered in a rain of blood, her slick wet hands gripped tightly around her weapon as it cut down monster after monster. As she made to topple a humungous dragon her feet slipped out from under her, and she fell into the crimson pool almost sinking below the waves. She barely managed to rise back to the surface clinging desperately to the blood rivers edge. On the scarlet stained shores, she saw the culprit responsible for her fall: a single banana peel. Another fruit skin landed directly onto her head leading Valerie to gaze up at the sight of her uncle, Samantha and that damn monkey all munching on Bananas. The mischievous smirk plastered on the simian’s face boiled the huntress’s blood such that the pool she was half sunk into began to bubble.
“I’ll get you; you damn dirty ape!”
She yelled out bolting upright from her once pleasant dream. Her mad eyes searched the area, finding the passed-out monkey laid out right next to her. Still in a semi-unconscious state, Valerie raised her right hand up and tried to stab down into the Battleboon’s heart. Fortunately, all she succeeded in doing was slamming her fist into the monkey’s chest, forcing it awake as it retaliated with a justified tail slap to her face. Knocked onto her back again, Valerie eyed the monster and made to jump onto and strangle the life out of the simian while spitting vitriol.
“You dirty fu-“
Thankfully a series of shadow chains came to the rescue erupting between the pair and forcing both to retreat. The huntress back pedalled coming to a stop beside Samantha whom she glared at, betrayal written on her face.
“What are you doing? Let me kill that thing!”
Holding up her hands in surrender, the shadow user tried to plead her case.
“Hold on, I promised we’d talk it out first.”
“Promised?! Promised who?”
The furious huntress demanded only now realizing they were not alone. Across from the rookie hunters was a six-foot tall dark-skinned man with a well maintained and thoroughly shampooed head of flowing red locks that reached past his shoulders. His muscled physique was on full display as he seemed allergic to shirts which allowed his many intricate tattoos to draw one’s attention. Or they would were he not presently cradling the battered and bruised Battleboon like a baby in his arms.
“She promised me, my good lady.”
The man proclaimed in a regal and noble voice. Although she had never seen or met one before, Valerie had the distinct impression this shirtless maniac was some kind of royalty or at least came from very old money, she was ultimately unimpressed. Her eyes locked onto the monster he held so delicately, disgust spreading across her face from the display.
“And just WHO are you supposed to be?”
The peculiar man beamed, excited to introduce himself to an all-new audience. Setting the Battleboon down and giving it a gentle friendly pat on the head, he bowed deeply while giving his full name and title.
“My name is Sikandar Reynaldo of the house Reynaldo! I am one hundred and sixtieth in line to the throne of the Maroch Empire as such I have been called prince, your highness, your most esteemed royal highness, or your lordship. You, my fine beauties, may call me Sikandar.”
The prince concluded his introduction with a wink Valerie was disgusted by and Samantha was indifferent to. The inappropriate gesture was directed more to the huntress not because she was his type, or because he felt any particular attraction but because his eyes refused to wander over to the fear inducing girl wrapped in a cloaked. Reaching an agreement with her had been a challenge of world-shattering proportions but the well-travelled prince was up for any challenge. Except a duel to the death, anything involving manual labour, or competitions organized during his beauty sleep. Stepping to the side, Sikandar then presented the individual who would fulfil such challenges.
“And you have already met my faithful companion, my most trusted advisor, my lifelong friend and mentor: Maji.”
The monster in question stood at attention resting its hands on its hip while tilting its head slightly up. The regal stance may have landed better were all in attendance not forced to look down upon the monkey. Even Samantha’s less than ideal height meant she towered over the beast. With their own introductions out of the way, Sikandar beckoned for Valerie and Samantha’s side to reciprocate.
“Hi, I’m Samantha. I have the aspect of the shadow and Mmmmmph!”
The shadow user’s opener was cut short as Valerie forcibly shut her mouth.
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“It doesn’t matter who we are. What matter is you’ve a damn monster right next to you and if you’re too much of a chicken to do what needs to be done then I will.”
Although she talked a big game, Valerie was in no position to be getting into another scrape. Without her weapon and numerous darkening wounds across her flesh, she was one stiff breeze was toppling over. Adrenaline and anger were the only things propping her up and those supports were crumbling fast. Sikandar laughed to try and ease the tension, which he failed miserably.
“I do believe you my intimidating friend, but I would beseech you please do not take my mentors appearance as all that he is. Monster he may be, but poet, artist and gentle soul are also his true nature.”
The poet decided to pipe up and offer an eloquent and inspiring poem in the form a long and spittle filled raspberry directed right at Valerie. It took an awe-inspiring force of will not to charge over and stomp both the mentor and his student into paste.
“Give me one reason! One reason I shouldn’t slice that little blight into ribbons!”
The wandering prince smiled from ear to ear exposing his teeth and the gem encrusted into one of his pearly whites.
“I can offer more than just one, I can offer many reasons in fact. Wealth beyond your wildest dreams, influence within the highest courts of the Maroch Empire, favours with individuals you would be remiss to not have in your corner. Whatever you could possibly desire is within my power to grant should you simply refrain from harming my dear comrade in arms.”
The sales pitch fell on deaf ears as neither Valerie nor Samantha had even the slightest idea of the value of money. They also did not require political favours as while it could be argued they were not right in the head neither was despicable enough to associate themselves with government officials. Thus, Sikandar was forced to rely on a travellers true currency: information and supplies.
“Ah but perhaps I can offer another option?”
With a wave of his hand a bottle of crimson soflty glowing liquid appeared out of thin air. It was not really magic just simple slight of hand that the prince had picked up from of his many tutors back home. The girls failed to react to the appearance of the alchemical liquid prompting yet another desperate plea.
“What I hold in my hand is liquid gold to some. A potent and highly effective potion of rejuvenation that can turn those unsightly bruises into a distant dream in mere moments. I gift this one to you both free of charge and as a show of my good faith.”
The bottle was tossed high into the air descending for Valerie to deftly catch though she was wary of drinking random fluids from a man who cavorted with monsters.
“I have many more where that came from and other treasures you may find interesting such as… this!”
With a grand gesture, the prince produced a rolled-up sheet which he unfurled to reveal details and description of the surrounding lands all beautifully illustrated for any to follow. While Valerie had never seen a map before she could tell at a glance it was exactly what the prince held in his well-manicured hands. A map was exactly what the travelling duo were missing, they could fight monsters to their hearts content, live of the land forever if they needed to but actually getting out to find civilization that was another matter entirely. They desperately needed that map and unfortunately also needed someone who could read the colourful drawing.
“Give us a minute.”
The huntress huffed out before turning away from the prince and the monster inviting Samantha in to huddle and discuss the matter at hand.
“So… are we killing them?”
The shadow user enquired getting right to the heart of the matter.
“No, not right now at least.”
Valerie answered disappointedly, casual murder was not exactly on her bucket list but desperate times and all that. Though she was loathe to admit it, they were lost, the road they followed ended some ways back and they had been wandering aimlessly for days before coming upon the monkey monster. Without assistance they could end up walking these woods for the rest of their lives which she knew would annoy Samantha more than anything, she still had a death appointment to make after all. It left a bad taste in her mouth but, Valerie ultimately accepted they needed help and a guide to get them the heck out of there. That did not mean they needed to be all buddy buddy with the other side, however. The two monster hunters discussed plans and code words if things ended up going south or they needed a quick exit. Should it come to it, they would rob them blind and try to figure out how to read a map along the way but for the moment it was easier to accept the help. A plan of action prepared; Samantha finally handed back Valerie’s weapon. She did not intend to deprive the huntress of her sole means of defence, but she knew what her friend was like and they wouldn’t be discussing things right now if she had given it up earlier. The return of her knife brought much needed strength to Valerie allowing her to forgo drinking the mysterious if tantalizing potion for now. Breaking from their huddle, they addressed the two newcomers who waited patiently nearby.
“Alright, you have a deal. We won’t hurt your pet IF you promise to guide us out of this divine forsaken forest.”
The ever so slight and simultaneous eyebrow twitch from both the prince and his monkey at being called a pet disturbed the huntress. Just how enmeshed was this lunatic with his monster sidekick?
“Wonderful! Isn’t Maji? To think we would run into such noble and… well-travelled individuals.”
The subtle barb at their poor appearance and the foul smell radiating off their clothes was intended to ruffle some feathers however neither monster hunter noticed nor cared for the insult. Valerie had been covered head to toe in monster guts several times within the last few weeks without batting an eye lid. Samantha on the other hand was used to not bathing for extended periods and had little to no idea under the grime, dirt, ragged cloak and terrifying aura she was by all accounts as cute as a button. Any comment on their appearances may as well be wasted breath lost to the wind for all the good it would do offending them.
And so, they formed perhaps the most contentious band of misfits and ruffians to have ever grouped together. Well probably not that bad, at least each could contribute their individual strengths to serve the party’s main goal. Valerie could hunt their meals including killing, skinning, and preparing any suitably edible creatures they came across. Samantha would ensure the group remained ambush free at night through her ever present eery aura, only the very hungry, very stupid, or very angry likely to try their hand. Any monsters that did would be challenged by the Battleboon who showed far greater prowess when it came to single handedly combatting larger than life creatures. Lastly there was Sikandar who fulfilled perhaps the most essential role any travelling band would be remiss not to have. He was the entertainment.
“Ah! I shall tell the tale of my great grandmother and the time she was mistaken for a rampaging ogre!”
The prince laughed long and hard beginning yet another tale from near bottomless well of anecdotes and fanciful stories. He could barely contain his enthusiasm as they walked regaling them with the finest of his many, many, many unfunny jokes.
“And so I said, ‘that’s not my uncle, that my Nona Jaliyah!’”
He concluded the story with a real zinger of a punchline so good all in ear shot forgot how to laugh. Not the least bit dismayed, Sikandar guffawed merrily at his own joke for a solid minute.
“Ah, you should have been there, Maji my friend you were there you recall, yes?”
He asked his companion upon finally calming down. The monkey in question nodded hesitantly as he lazed atop a tree branch waiting for the rest of the party to catch up. He had heard this story several times and it was only really funny the first time. Samantha didn’t quite get it, and Valerie refused to listen to anyone who threw their lot in with monsters, especially the very aggravating kind. She got the feeling this was going to be a long journey to… wherever it was they were going. She mentally added fore planning to her ever-growing list of skills to learn.
“Oh that reminds me of another story you will love!”
Patience too, she definitely needed to learn patience if their party of four was going to remain a quartet.