They sat around a small fire, surrounded by a field of corpses, human and monster alike, its dim flame highlighting the aftermath of the recent massacre.

He glanced over to his old friend. A shadow was cast over her entire face giving him only a black silhouette to look at.

“It’s been a long time” she said. They both stared deep into the flames.

“It has” he responded while throwing a log onto the fire.

“You disappeared” she said.

“I’ve been busy” he said.

“For over a year” she added.

“I’ve been really busy” he replied.

“… I can tell” she said. The flames crackled against the air illuminating a small smile on her face. She glanced to the young girl sleeping beside them, “Not the type of quest I’d ever thought I’d find you doing”.

“Me neither” he shrugged “But a lot has happened”.

She let out a small laugh “Tell me about it”. She once again glanced at the sleeping girl before her eyes locked onto her old friend across the fire, “Go on then Ryo Shoku from the start. I want to know everything”.

Ryo wandered back into the village, the sky’s light shining off his white-gold dragon scale armour as the towering trees and monstrous vegetation of the great forest Mori faded away. It hadn’t even taken him half the day to track down the monster, kill it and return. Another boring quest he sighed, like all the quests he’d done here. At least he’d earnt decent money hunting here and could leave without having to worry about his funds.

‘And the village is safe’ he quickly reminded himself. That probably should’ve been his first thought he considered. Maybe in the past it would’ve been.

He walked through the village straight to the guild hall, the central hub for all the hunters in the village.

It was a grand structure of dark wood and stone, its roof was angled up at different heights to form layers of triangles. Inside amber lanterns hung from the roof and the room was filled with quest boards, a canteen, item store and even its own smithy. At the centre was a tiny spiral staircase too small for any human to use. It was designed for the felynes that work here. It led up to the wooden roof beams which the felynes used to travel to the upstairs kitchen as well as around the guild hall unnoticed when they weren’t needed.

He adjusted his charge blade that hung on his back, forged from the same monster as his armour. He then strolled past groups of hunters clad in a variety of different armour and weapons. He arrived at the front desk and stood in front of the quest clerk, easily identified in this region by her forest green uniform. Ignoring the variety of stares he was getting, he claimed the reward for his quest and then had a look at the quest board. He scanned through all the quests that had been posted, hoping that there might be something interesting he could do to tomorrow. Nothing. Without a second thought he spun on his heels and left the guild hall.

Ryo strolled further into the village, he’d been here for a few weeks and planned on moving on very soon, there didn’t seem to be anything interesting left here. Ryo originally came here after hearing the village was requesting hunters to come help with rampaging monsters in the nearby forest, fearful they might soon attack the village. As a result pretty much all his time here he’d been hunting and therefore didn’t know too much about the village itself. Then again he considered that was nothing new.

He knew it was called Silva village and was deep into the Great forest ‘Mori’, found on the west side of Schrade. Everywhere you looked had vibrant greenery like the village was one with the Great forest and every building was built from a dark wood with a stone foundation. It’s architecture reminded him of a small village he’d hunted at a few years ago. It wasn’t too far from here if he remembered correctly, Kokoto village. He passed a few restaurants on the way back to the room he’d rented out and was tempted to treat himself with some of the money he’d been earning, especially after seeing one of them selling a delicious looking meat platter. However, he quickly remembered that he’d left his palico Nix at home. Knowing that felyne he’d definitely have gotten extremely bored and cooked them a meal.

Ryo had gotten himself a room near the centre of the village, like most buildings here it was a well-built dark wood hut with a slightly inclined triangle roof. Inside was mostly open plan with his bed in the corner, a small room containing a bathroom and toilet in the opposite corner with a storage box placed outside its walls. In the middle of his room a fireplace had been built into the stone floor with an air vent placed directly above it the roof.

He found Nix on a wooden stool stirring a steel cooking pot that hung over the fire. His palico had a fluffy, pure black coat, violet eyes and a wild bushy tail. Nix was dancing around on his stool enthusiastically stirring some kind of stew, meowing along to his favourite song.

‘At least he’s enjoying his time here’ Ryo thought. Nix paused from cooking to greet Ryo as he entered before instantly returning to what he claimed to be his ‘masterpiece’. Ryo got a whiff as he walked past and had to admit it did smell good and better than most of the restaurants he passed on the way back here. He was glad he’d decided against stopping off at one. Although he would’ve preferred a platter of meat he said nothing to his palico not wanting to ruin the felyne’s excitement as it happily pranced around on his stool.

Ryo carefully and gently unequipped his charge blade and placed it against the base of the wooden bed frame, the cooking fire’s light bounced off the red gem at the shield’s centre. With the same care he removed all his armour and placed it on the short, flat surfaced wardrobe that ran along the back wall, making sure to neatly fold the dragon webbing cloak under the chest plate as he put it down. After a quick analysis he concluded that his equipment didn’t need much maintenance. One of the benefits of a fast and ‘easy’ quest. Grabbing some supplies from his bag he had his gold-white scale and black-bone equipment polished, glowing and ready for action, just in time for dinner.

Nix poured them both bowls and they ate, and after his first bite Ryo was pleased to say the stew tasted just as good as it had smelled, its broth had absorbed all the flavours of the meats that had been included. Ryo quickly finished his bowl and then had another … and then another. Soon the entire cooking pot was empty and the two of them cleaned up satisfied with their full bellies. Nix then packed up all the cooking equipment and spare ingredients like he did every night he cooked in case they suddenly had to leave in a moment’s notice.

They’d been caught off guard once years ago and they were determined to never let it happen again.

After Ryo washed up in the bathroom and settled in his bed. He waited for Nix to get comfortable in his own bed, that they transported everywhere. He then blew out the lantern on the bed-side table, letting darkness engulf the room. Resting his head on his arms he stared up through the roof’s air vent at the stary night. That was one good thing about this village, Ryo admitted, they pretty much always had clear skies. He let his thoughts carry him off to sleep as he wondered if an interesting quest would get posted tomorrow. Like most trained hunters it didn’t take him long to fall asleep.

The first light of dawn instantly woke him as it crept in through the roof’s air vent. Ryo slid out his bed and noticed Nix was still asleep. He quietly walked past his palico and into the bathroom. As he washed his face he stared into the mirror on the wall that reflected his violet eyes dishevelled silver hair and the faded scar that ran down his neck and towards his chest. By the time he’d washed up and re-entered the main room Nix had woken up and packed away his bed as well as made Ryo’s bed. He was always quick when it came to things like that. It made long hunts that expanded over days a hell of a lot easier, which were quite common for them. After Nix was satisfied with the room’s condition they both found an open space somewhere in the room and like every morning performed their morning stretches. Ryo’s father had always taught him to stretch and warm up his body first thing after waking as a hunter’s life is unpredictable and you never know when you’ll need to act. And so Ryo did, every single morning since the day his father had told him.

After completing his routine, he ate some rations from his bag and made sure he was hydrated. Suddenly a rapid and erratic series of knocks shook his door.

“Ryo!” someone called out to him. Ryo swung the door open. In front of him stood one of the village’s hunters. The young man looked to be in his early twenties probably a few years younger than Ryo. His name was Leo and he’d been the first person to greet Ryo when he first arrived, as well as given him a tour and aided him in finding accommodation. He was a nice and friendly man (maybe too friendly) and as Ryo got to know him over the last few weeks also very reliable. However, at the moment the man looked exhausted and drained. Ryo guessed he’d been on guard duty all night. He was clad in armour forged from a Tigrex and had his Greatsword sheathed on his back. He had his helm under his arm revealing his strong jaw, ruffled, short blonde hair and blue eyes. He stood a little taller than Ryo, maybe around six foot two maybe three, and possessed a bit more bulk.

“What’s wrong?” Ryo asked, his voice still hoarse from not being used today.

“A quest-” Leo took a second to catch his breath. Had he sprinted all the way here? After a deep inhale he continued, “At the guild hall a quest was posted by someone who just entered the village. I think you might be interested” Leo told him.

“What’s the quest?” Ryo asked.

“You need to see it for yourself” Leo said with a childish grin.

Ryo then sighed and went to close the door. An armoured foot blocked it from closing. Ryo went to kick Leo’s foot away and then glanced up at the hunter. He considered how excited and frantic Leo was acting curiosity began to creep into his mind him. He had been hoping for an interesting quest today.

He looked back at Nix, “Watch our stuff until I get back”. His palico nodded and gave him an affirmative meow and then Ryo left with Leo. He probably could’ve brought Nix with him and left their belongings unguarded as he doubted anyone would risk trying to steal from him. Even if they did, he knew no one in this village had the skill to use his equipment. However, at the same time his equipment was worth a lot of money, and he knew what desperation could do to a person. Not worth the risk.

They made their way to the guild hall and Ryo noticed how they drawn the attention from every person they passed however, those stares weren’t for him. He doubted without his armour anyone here even knew who he was, he’d very rarely left his home without it.

All the attention was for Leo, you might not guess it from his personality but, the man was the village’s best hunter. Officially earning the title after single-handedly slaying a ramping master rank Tigrex with no armour and only his great sword at his side. As you might assume after saving the village he became quiet the hero and was soon admired by everyone who lived here.

It didn’t take them too long to reach the guild hall and when they entered Ryo was surprised by the sheer number of hunters surrounding the quest board and clerks. Especially this early in the morning.

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‘Must be one hell of a quest’. Leo and Ryo approached the quest board and hunters instantly moved out the way as they saw them coming. Multiple copies of the quest had been attached to all the three quest boards. Leo tore one off and handed it to Ryo.

“Why didn’t you just bring one to my room?” Ryo asked as he took hold the paper.

“If I had done that then you wouldn’t have come down” he said while shooting Ryo a stupid grin, “Come, we’ll get some food at the canteen”. Although annoyed Ryo still followed, but not without a grumble. He had been wanting a meat platter for days now.

They sat in the far-right corner of the canteen and Leo quickly ordered for them both. Like most guild halls Ryo had been in, the kitchen was efficient, and it didn’t take long for a group of felynes to bring them their drinks and food. After taking a bite from a big, beautifully cooked slab of meat Ryo finally looked at the quest. And was instantly disappointed.

“An escort mission” Ryo grumbled, “And it doesn’t even say where to. Why the hell are you showing me this?”.

“Yeah the quest’s information is very vague. You don’t like escort missions?” Leo asked.

“It’s not even a hunt” Ryo continued his grumbling.

“Look further down” Leo told him.

‘Further down? What at the reward?’. Ryo glanced down and his eyes went wide. He suddenly realised why everyone was making such a fuss.

‘One million zenny!’. That’s much more than you’d get for killing a master rank elder dragon (The Guild issued quests using three ranks low, high and master. The higher rank the quest, the greater the reward). Hell he knew hunters that had saved entire countries and had been rewarded less. All that for a protect and escort mission. Who in this world is so important the quest reward is that much?

“So what do you think?” Leo asked before devouring a huge meat skewer.

Ryo quickly composed himself “Hell of a reward”.

“Are you going to take it? I know you’re planning on leaving soon could be the perfect quest for you. Even if you supposedly hate escort missions” Leo asked him.

“I don’t know” Ryo replied while eating more of his platter. He continued to analyse the quest paper. “A master rank quest, doesn’t that exclude most hunters in this village?” Ryo asked.

“Yeah it does”, he glanced to the side, “And looks like everyone’s realising that now” Leo responded. Ryo followed his gaze to see that most of the hunters they saw crowding around before were leaving disappointed. “However, I also know there are a few master rank hunters currently in the village who are just passing through like you. So if you don’t want your spot taken, decide fast”.

Master rank hunters weren’t extremely rare across the world. Ryo didn’t know how accurate the statistics were but across the world its believed that one in every hundred hunters is of master rank quality. However, in a remote village like Silva it was a different story. It was impossible to meet all the requirements to be promoted if you stayed here. As a result any hunters with the potential would leave their village to gain their promotion. However, the issue these villages then faced was that most their hunters who actually reached the rank usually didn’t return. If you came across a master rank hunter here they’d usually just be passing through, exactly like Ryo.

‘Well there was one exception’ Ryo thought as he glanced up at Leo. He grinned, ‘Strange guy’.

“What about you? Are you going to take it?” he questioned.

“Me?” Leo asked shocked, like he was surprised Ryo had even considered him, “No! I mean it’s a lot of money, but I was born and raised here, and I plan to stay and protect my village for as long as possible. I’d need a damn good reason to leave here, and to me, money is not a that. Not even that much” the hunter told him. Leo saying that truly showed Ryo the man’s dedication. With that much money he could probably buy the village.

“Oh yeah, I know this doesn’t affect you but, Anna told me before-” Leo started speaking.

“Who?” Ryo asked as he ate more meat.

“The quest clerk” Leo said.

“Oh I thought her name was Alana must’ve been from a previous village” Ryo said, “Apologies, carry on”.

“Anna told me that this quest is an Urgent” Leo told with a smile that suggested he was still in disbelief himself, “This quest has been sanctioned by the Citadel guild”. Ryo failed to contain his surprise as his expression once again betrayed him. The Citadel guild was the main base of operations for all the guilds across the world, even more so than Dundorma.

Usually most quest were posted by the guild however, normal people posting quests at villages, towns and cities wasn’t uncommon. As long as you possessed the contracted reward you could have it posted pretty much instantly as an ordinary optional quest with the local guild verifying it for you in less than a day. However, if you wanted to make a personal quest an Urgent you had to have it verified with the regional guild which was no easy feat and borderline impossible. This was the first time Ryo had ever heard of it happening. The rewards for an Urgent quest were extremely high and usually resulted in hunter rank promotion, as a result nearly all Urgent quests were assigned by the regional guild.

‘How the hell has someone got their own personal quest sanctioned by the guild to become an Urgent. The Citadel guild as well’.

The two of them finished their meals and drinks and Ryo contemplated what he’d been told. Hunters were known for how fast they eat, Ryo and Leo were no exceptions devouring meals that could feed a whole family in minutes.

“So you said the person who posted this arrived early this morning?” Ryo asked.

“Yeah, a female hunter, and a young girl, I’d guess thirteen, maybe fourteen. They got into the village on horseback just as dawn was breaking, looked like they’d been travelling all night. I led them straight to the guild hall like they requested, and without wasting a second she gave a document to Anna. The hunter then told me they were going to get some rest. They’d somehow already got a room here in advance. It wasn’t long after they left that this quest got posted” Leo informed him gesturing to the paper on the table, “As soon as I saw it, I went to find you”.

“What did they look like?” Ryo asked.

“Hunter was wearing a complete set of Rathalos armour with the matching Long sword. It was funny, the armour model was the one you’d commonly see men wear so it caught me off guard when she removed her helm and I saw a women”.

“Why? you scared of them” Ryo stated, a small smile cracking across his face.

“Shut up” Leo replied while cracking a smile. “Her appearance. Erm she had long black hair with a braid mixed in there, hazel or brown eyes it was still quite dark so hard to tell, and she had tanned light chocolate skin, it looked like they’d been on the road for a while”.

Ryo nodded as he took in the description.

‘It couldn’t be. Could it? But what would she be doing here?’

“What about the girl the hunter was travelling with?” he asked.

“Tall for her age or what I assume her age to be, she had long black hair and these weirdly piercing sapphire eyes, it was strange I might just be tired, but I swear they were glowing in the dark like some monster’s eyes do” Leo said.

“Did they give any names?” Ryo asked him but he shook his head.

“The two of them seemed to be in a rush as soon as they got here. They came, posted the quest, and then went get to some rest and clean themselves up. However, the hunter said she’d be back soon to make sure the quest was successfully posted, if you stick around for a bit you’ll probably see her” Leo said as he signalled the felyne cleaning their table for another drink. Agreeing with Leo’s suggestion to wait, Ryo did the same.

The two of them watched all the hunters around the quest board as they drank. The few hunters that were still eyeing the quest Ryo assumed to be all the master rank hunters currently in the village. He had to admit there was more than he thought there’d be.

“So you’re not going to take the quest” Leo asked but it came out like a statement.

Ryo shook his “No. An escort mission to who knows where isn’t in my interest. Not even for one million zenny”.

“Fair enough” Leo shrugged, “I can’t say anything when I won’t take the quest either”. He remained silent for a moment then turned to Ryo. “How much longer are you planning on staying?”.

“A few days if that. Why? Are you trying to get rid of me?” Ryo questioned jokingly.

“The opposite, I’m trying to convince you to stay. Apart from your company”, he grinned, “You’ve been a great help to my village. You’ve done such a ridiculous amount a quests that not even I could’ve competed with you when I was actively hunting, and you’ve sold all the materials you got to the village for minimal price … You ever think about settling down somewhere?” Leo asked.

‘Settling down? The thought had never even crossed his mind’.

Ryo cracked a smile “No. I doubt I’ll be settling down anytime soon and if I did it wouldn’t be here”.

“I guessed that would be your answer, but I thought I’d try anyway” he responded matching Ryo’s small smile.

While travelling Ryo was used to not interacting with anyone when he arrived at a new village, instead just hunting and then moving on. He’d pretty much only ever speak with the quest clerk or shop keepers. However, this time he’s had to deal with Leo, and he had to admit it has been a nice change of pace.

“Ryo Shoku!” someone suddenly called his name.

‘That voice’. Ryo turned to see a woman clad in Rathalos armour with the matching long sword sheathed on her back walking towards him. She had dark hair, hazel eyes and light chocolate skin just like Leo had said.

It was her.

‘What the hell is she doing here’.

“Ahh Miss! There are many qualified hunters interested in your quest and wish to ask you some questions” Anna the quest clerk tried calling out to her, but the woman just kept walking sparing her a single glance.

“I’ll be with you soon” the woman said.

‘I see you’ve not changed’.

“Amara. It’s been a while” Ryo greeted her.

“It’s has been a bit longer than a while” she corrected him, with a lethal glare.

“Wait you know her?” Leo suddenly asked shocked.

“Yeah we go way back” Amara spoke first, her expression instantly lightening, “Met at the academy when we were fifteen. Became friends instantly”.

“I think we’re remembering things diff-”

“It’s Leo right?” she asked completely cutting Ryo off.

‘Going to kill her’.

“Thanks for helping me out earlier” she said offering out her hand. Leo hesitantly shook her hand, obviously still confused by the situation.

She then sat at the table removing her sheathed Long sword and placing it against the table unlike Leo who sat down with his Great sword still on his back. Amara glanced down at the table and saw the quest sheet in front of Ryo.

“So you’ve seen it?” she asked.

“Yeah ... this is your quest?” he asked. Probably a stupid question but he refused to believe the answer even if was staring him in the face.

“Yeah” she nodded, “So what do you think?”.

“How the hell did you get this sanctioned?” Ryo questioned, “And this reward money where are you pulling a million zenny from?”.

“That’s a secret” Amara said while giving him that childish, mischievous grin she always did when they were younger. “So what do you think?” she asked again even more insistent.

“What? You want me to join?” Ryo asked in disbelief.

“I do” she said casually but Ryo could tell she was hiding something.

“This quest sheet barely tells me anything. How am I meant to want to join a quest that just tells me I’m escorting something somewhere?” Ryo asked her.

“Well the reward money is meant to help out with that bit … But I see it’s not working on you” Amara said she then glanced at Leo, “Are you interested?” she asked.

He shook his head “Sorry I’d love to help you, but my duty is here in Silva”.

“Well then I’m sorry to ask this but could you give us some privacy. Some of the things I’m about to say the people on the quest won’t even hear about” she told him.

Without hesitation, and maybe a little grateful Leo finished his drink and got up from the table “Of course. I’ve got a little time before my next shift, so I wanted to try and get some rest anyway” he told them.

“Didn’t you do the night shift” Ryo asked.

Leo nodded “My friend asked if I could oversee some training hunters on their first guard shift, so I agreed” he told them.

“You’re off your head” Ryo shook his head in disbelief.

“Ryo I’ll see you later” he said smiling. He then turned to Amara “I wish you the best with your quest” he stated before leaving.

“Seems like a nice guy” Amara said watching him leave, “Strong too”.

Ryo nodded “Annoyed you couldn’t get him to join?”.

“He would’ve been a good addition” she admitted, “But. He’s not the reason I’m here” she stated before looking at Ryo.

“You’re here for me?” Ryo asked.

‘Unbelievable’.

“I was going play it off like it was a coincidence we met and tease you like old times, but I don’t have the time. So yes I heard you were here, and I came” Amara confessed Will you join me?”.

Ryo sighed then shook his head “I’m sorry Amara. I hunt. I don’t do long escort quests. Hell I’m surprised you’re doing one. How’s that happened?”.

“A lot of things have happened”, her expression then turned darker than he’d ever seen it, “Bad things, and sadly when bad things happen you don’t always get what you want. You know that better than anyone” she stated and instantly Ryo clouded into a dark scowl.

“Don’t” he said bluntly. He then slid the quest paper towards her. “So what is this”.

She sighed “If you’re not joining the quest I can’t tell you too much. To be honest I shouldn’t tell you anything but because it’s you I will. This quest isn’t actually mine, it has been commissioned by the guild and if it’s not completed the consequences will be more than dire” she said darkly “We’re talking possibly world ending”.

“… Leo told me you came here with a girl. Is that who your escorting” Ryo asked, and Amara nodded. “What’s so important about her and how have ended up babysitting?”.

“I can’t tell you that” Amara told him.

Ryo sighed “Alright where is she now?” he asked, but he quickly found out the answer.

“Safe back at where we are staying-” Amara suddenly stopped speaking when she noticed his gaze was no longer on her. It was behind her. She turned to see a young girl whose appearance matched the description Leo gave Reo before.

‘He was right she does have weird eyes’.

“Astra what happened to staying in the room with Lucy (Amara’s palico)?” Amara asked.

“I got bored” the girl stated casually “And I was hungry you said you were bringing back food”. Ryo had to stifle a laugh as Amara let out an annoyed sigh.

“I was going to bring you food. But you’re here now so you might as well sit” Amara said, and the girl sat on the same bench Leo had. “At least here we can keep an eye on you”.

‘We?’.

“They do any good food here?” Amara asked Ryo.

“The meat platter is good” he told her.