Chapter Text
ok, let's do this. Lemme... ... ah- okay.
Ehem.
It is wind still over the empty, still waters that surround the New World. the only things you would hear this far out are gentle waves and wind brushing past you, rarely. This far out, which is far enough for the New World to be shrouded in mist, the majority of large monsters aren't even considering this as valid hunting grounds. It's like a desert - a wasteland of no movement and little to no life.
It's basically the ocean. Water and nothin' much else. But recently, these waters have been seeing something else besides the empty sky above. Currently flying above the still, quiet waters are a full team of hunters and their handler. It's a group that few are familiar with.
They're currently on their way to a newfound landmass, formally known as the Guiding Lands. It is a mysterious place with preposterous biodiversity, down to the temperature. This is a big deal for the Commission, so investigations were made shortly after its discovery. Even so, with how recently it was discovered and with how far away it is from the New World, not many have set foot on it yet and/or documented anything besides its biodiverse environment.
Returning back to this peculiar group of friends heading towards this elusive landmass, they've been flying overseas for about an hour now. The Wingdrake are fast, but they need to conserve energy to fly such long distances. Even so, only two Wingdrake are present during this flight.
"I'm actually kind of envious about those two up there." Says Crystal, looking up at his friends, who have taken a different approach to this kind of travel. "Would be nice of the Wingdrake could carry armchairs and stuff. My legs are killing me."
---Crystal, the charismatic hunter---
He's full of energy, will, and pride. Crystal is the kind of guy you'd expect to be a natural-born leader, from his brave behavior and his confident, shining green eyes alone. Though, in reality, he's more of a confident faker than anything. He's terrible at planning and, even if he has potential as a hunter, slips up constantly from his desire to impress everyone. Or, as he says it: "be as eye-catching as a woman's chest." ..Yeeaaahh.. he's not popular with any women who know him even a little, which is evident by the female members of the group feeling a little uncomfortable around him. Just a little. Luckily, this unease is subdued by him being so bullyable. Primary weapon: Longsword
"Don'tcha think so too, Star?" Crystal asks, looking to the only other person traveling via Wingdrake. to his right, specifically. "It'd be much nicer if we had an airboat like those Third Fleet nerds.
"Owning a small airship, like that of the Third Fleet but smaller, would be preferable for such long flights." He responds, his voice plain and direct, loud enough to hear over the rushing wind.
"Wait.. you actually agree with me?" Crystal asks in surprise, expecting his suggestions to be turned down immediately.
"Hypothetically speaking, yes. An airship would prove useful. But in reality, it would prove more of a hassle than flying via Wingdrake. Let alone even acquiring one would be a challenge of its own."
---Starfall, the deliberate hunter---
Starfall is the actual leader of the group. With his own handler, he's considered to be one of the prime hunters of the A-list. He's a stoic guy who likes being honest. He's not afraid to tell somebody how terrible of a job they are doing, even if it'd hurt them. But behind that often stone-cold, careless gaze lies a guy who also truly cares for his friends, not afraid to try and quell any unease amongst them. Also, on top of his fluffy, yellow-blond covered head, sit two odd, wolf-like ears that not even he knows their origin of. Primary weapons: Charge Blade, Switch Axe.
"Then again, Raze could fly faster than the Wingdrake.." Starfall says, looking up at his peculiar co-hunter, which flies above them. "I'm sure if we ask her, she's carry us too. Well... At least she'd carry me." Starfall remarks, glancing at Crystal.
"Huh? I'm lighter than you are! Why wouldn't she be able to carry me?" Crystal retorts, a light frustration on her face. He turns his head up to his peculiar friend, her wings graciously allowing her to stay afloat above them. "Hey, Raze!"
Noticing her friend's call, Raze looks down at the pathetic sight that is Crystal looking up at her. "Wassup, twerp?" Raze replies with a grin, finding the sight amusing.
"You think you'd be able to carry all four of us while you fly?" Crystal shouts at Raze, ignoring the comment she made with some difficulty. The wind blows hard, causing some turbulence for the Wingdrake and the dragon girl.
"Pfff, my arms ain't big enough to hold all four of you!" Raze replies, scoffing at the idea. "Besides! It'd look stupid if I were to carry all four of you in a nap sack!"
---Raze, the monstrous hunter---
Raze is a big girl, standing at least 250 centimeters tall or about 8 feet for those overseas. She's an audacious and self-loving girl who shares a bit too many traits with elder dragons. She's got big wings, plated arms with clawed fingers, a thick, red tail, and sharp, shark-like teeth that support her big apatite for anything she hunts. Her hair is a mess of red, yellow, and magenta. this color palate persists in her draconic features. To the crowd, she's seen as a monster and poses fear into the hearts of those who witness her. But in the group, she's accepted and fits as the most useful oddball they could wish for. Primary weapons: Greatsword, Hammer, her claws, her fireballs, herself.
"Though, I have to say." Raze looks down at the two girls who she holds tightly against her body. "It's not like I don't notice that I'm carrying two girls instead of one, y'know." Raze remarks to her tightly secured passengers. One of them turns her head lightly, upset by Raze's snarky comment.
"Well- you let me join Maji! If it were so bad you wouldn't have let me join her.." she replies with some shame.
"Oh? But I'm sure flying would be easier if I just... y'know... dropped ya~'" raze teases with a grin, and it totally works, making Ayame hold Raze's arm a little tighter.
"Hahaha.. y-yeah.. I'm sure it would, yeah."
---Ayame, the joyous hunter---
She's the last, unexpected addition to the group. Ayame usually hunts by herself, taking pride in her exceptional abilities and her status amongst the Fifth's questing system. She's the one who takes up all the side quests before partaking in anything more urgent, and it's a way of life she enjoys living. Personality speaking, she's a happy go lucky gal who enjoys spending some of her time with Starfall and the rest whenever she's not occupied with quests or whatever has caught her interest, like trends. Primary weapons: Dual Blades, Lance.
"Seriously, Raze. Don't drop me, okay?" Ayame asks her dragon friend, not really trusting her at the moment.
"Heh, sure, sure. I mean, doing that would probably bring Maji to tears. If we were alone, I would've used you to catch some fish already!" Raze boasts, blaming Ayame's safety on the shy handler that Ayame is squeezed up against.
"You hear that, Maji? If I wasn't being squished up tightly against your warm body, Raze would've dropped me already! You're a true hero!" Ayame says, leaning her head in towards Majikaja, the girl who's a bit less comfortable with all this.
"Y-you're welcome... though.. I d-doubts she'd actually d-drop you, Ayame." The girl in question slowly replies, unsure of how to get her doting friend to stop.
"But even if she didn't say that, I feel SO much safer with you by my side! Don't you like this, too?"
Majikaja blushes from Ayame's positive words, though they embarrass her as much as they make her happy. "I-I.. d-don't hate it.. n-no. But.. b-being squeezed t-tighter than u-usual is a little l-less comf-fortable."
---Majikaja, the shy and short handler---
She's pathetic at best. Majikaja is a short, sweet girl who looks like she doesn't belong in the Commission at all. She was interested in the small and large monsters shown to be in the New World. but being such a caring girl, she couldn't find it in herself to become a hunter. It was under Starfall's guidance that she found that her interest could be put into use. by becoming a handler, she was able to satisfy her desire to meet these elusive monsters and finally have some friends. Majikaja appears shy from her frequent stutters, but those come purely from some medical condition she has. in actuality, she loves the time she spends with Starfall, Ayame, and Raze. She's just easy to embarrass. Favorite Monster: Banbaro
"C-can you see the Guid-ding lands a-already, Raze?" Majikaja asks, unable to lift her head high enough to see for herself.
"Yuhuh! We're almost there, girls! Air-Raze will arrive at your destination soon!" Raze says with confidence, or, yells with confidence. She's quite loud when she's happy.
"Hey.. you're right." Crystal says quietly to himself, noticing that the guiding lands are in view. "Hey, Sta-
"Already saw it, Crystal."
"Not that! I'm sure you could see it. I just wanted to ask where we'll be dropping in?" Crystal continues. "Last time we were there, we requested a camp to be set up, right?"
"We have, yes." Starfall replies, turning his head to Crystal. "Soon after we went on our first trip, the fifth, with some assistance from the third, managed to connect the Guiding Lands to the PSR system."
"Theee.. what now?" Crystal asks.
"The Provisions Supply Route system. They are the ones who build up camps and fill the supply boxes, you could say. Other than that, they also handle the incoming supply trade separate from the argosy, as well as being responsible for making what we have in Seliana and Astera seamless. What that entails is that, yes, the camp is set up." Starfall answers, his boring subject passing over Crystal's head. But he nods nonetheless.
"A-"
"Hey, leave the bedtime stories for when we're at base, Star!" Raze complains from above. "I'm not going to be so vigilant if you keep going like that!"
Starfall looks up at Raze for a moment before looking ahead of him at the Guiding Lands without saying a word.
"I-It was Crystal w-who asked h-him, Raze.." Majikaja mentions to her draconic companion.
"I'd usually block him out, but with nothing but the wind blowing past my ears, I can not really ignore his ramblings." Raze explains, looking ahead.
"He's like a teacher, honestly. Great guy, but like.. Booooring, at times." Ayame chirps in, looking down at their wolf eared friend. "Heh, you're probably the only one here who listens to him, Maji." She mentions with a smirk, turning her head to Majikaja.
"I-I'm sure C-Crystal listens, Ayame! I-I mean.. h-he did ask him a-about it." Majikaja replies, not wanting to believe Ayame's probably correct words.
It doesn't take too long from then for them to finally arrive at the designated camp, nestled neatly in a cove-like opening, hidden and safe from any large monsters. Once their feet hit the ground, it's the crack of dawn, the sky shying its orange color barely.
Also, once his feet hit the ground, Crystal promptly drops himself onto the floor and rests his legs.
"Pfew! Finally... my legs are KILLING me, man!" He complains, feeling up his sore, stiff legs.
Starfall approaches him, his expression ice-cold. Like usual. "... I'll let you sit this time, Crystal." Starfall accepts with a somewhat disappointed tone in his voice. He then turns around to Raze, who lets go of her two, much shorter cargos.
"There we are! Safely landed without any injuries!" Raze proudly boasts with a laugh. "So! How'd you girls rate Air-Raze? Let's do it one to ten! Come on, hit me!"
Majikaja laughs sweetly, finding Raze's happy behavior endearing. "W-well.. I'll always give i-it a n-nine, Ra-"
"Six" Ayame interrupts, a look of comedic displeasure on her face. It confuses Raze.
"Oh? You're saying you prefer the Wingdrake?" Raze says with a stern look on her face, displeased with her low score from Ayame. Said girl scoffs, turning her head to the side, pouting and crossing her arms.
"My arms were stuck, I couldn't snuggle up against Maji-Maji throughout the whole flight! It was horrendous!" Ayame play complains in an annoying tone of voice. She then breaks that play by lowering her arms and smiling at Raze. "But for the rest, it was cool, Raze!" She adds innocently with a little wink.
"Yeah, yeah.. whatever." Raze grumbles, crossing her arms.
Starfall then approaches, gathering the attention of the girls. "Is everything in order?" He asks calmly.
Majikaja nods but then cuts the nod short as she remembers something. "N-not yet!" She says before quickly moving behind Raze with child-like hops.
"Ah, right. Forgot it was there." Raze says, placing a hand on her hip as she waits for Majikaja to unstrap her book from Raze's back.
After grabbing a hold of her big book, she trots back next to Raze with a happier look. "Okay! N-now I'm re-eady!" She says with a joyous look on her face.
The book she holds is messy and looks rather old. It's large, bigger than her head and rather square, baring a kaleidoscopic, black pattern, with the book's base being a deep brown. It seems unhandy and.. it really is, but Majikaja likes it, so she takes it around with her whenever she's doing her job.
Ayame is curious about this book, though. It's not often she'd seen it, let alone this far out from the mainland. "Whazzat?" She asks, leaning in a little to observe the oddity Maji holds.
"W-well, it's my r-research book. It's just a c-couple years of n-notes I wrote down about monsters and stuff." Majikaja says, looking down at her old, trusty book.
"That's what a handler's field guide looks like!?" Ayame says in surprise, making Raze snicker quietly.
Majikaja, too, finds it funny, but she doesn't laugh. She just smiles and lightly shakes her head. "N-no, Ayame. "M-my field guide handbook is just like yours." She admits, holding her book against her chest with one arm while the other reaches down to her hip, picking up the somehow more messy handbook and showing it to Ayame.
"Oooohh! Okay. Then what's the big book for?" She asks again while Majikaja puts the handbook away.
"It's for.. l-let's say, unpr-rofessional n-notes. Look." Majikaja opens up her book and flips through some pages, eventually landing on a page filled with scribbles and doodles. "H-here are what I w-wrote down about Shara-ra'Ishvald-da. I'm.. n-not an artist, but I t-try my best.
"Oooh. I think I can see it now!" Ayame says cheerfully while observing Maji's sketches, which appear no different from children's drawings. She can't actually decipher anything, though.
"Hahah, what a mess." Raze comments. "So, you're telling me that THIS is what the research team had to deal with when you had sent them your "notes?"" Raze asks, finding it hard to pinpoint anything.
"Y-yeah..." Majikaja admits, somewhat shamefully now that Raze mentions it. "Welp!" She quickly shuts her book, feeling embarrassed to have been commented directly on her horrible drawing skills. "M-moving on! Starfall!"
"Hm?" Hums the furry eared boy in response. Throughout that whole conversation, he was just dosing off. With his eyes wide open. You ever tried to sleep with your eyes open? It's not impossible.
"Y-you wanted our a-attention, right?" Majikaja asks, prompting that same memory to appear in both Raze and Ayame's heads simultaneously.
"You could say. Mainly, I just wanted to make sure everything was okay on your parts." he says, not a look of interest or distaste on his face.
"Welp! I'm really darn hungry, so yeah, I think I'm ready, alright!" Raze boasts with a determined grin.
"Yeah, enough with the talking. Let's go and hunt something big!" Ayame says, pumping her arms in excitement.
While they were speaking, Majikaja strapped her book to her back with a big belt. "R-ready, yeah."
Starfall nods and turns around to the still sitting Crystal, who is drinking what is presumably an Armorskin. Refreshing. "How about you?" Starfall asks.
"Me? Yeah, I'm ready." Crystal replies, getting up and stuffing away the empty flask into his pouch. "With the early morning sun shining on us, I'm certain that this 'll be a good day!" He boasts confidently.
"Good. Then," Starfall takes a step back in Crystal's direction and puts his arms behind his back. "The Guiding Lands have never been deeply investigated before. All five of us are the first that will be discovering whatever this mysterious landmass has to offer." He speaks directly with a voice that seems to be trying to mimic the commander's way of speaking. It's definitely working on Ayame, who feels a little nervous now.
"Oh great, another speech." Raze thinks, rolling her eyes as she's losing her patients.
"We don't know what kind of monsters await our arrival, but rest assured that everything we'll find today and so on will aid the future of the Commission." Even if he tries to sound like a leader, he doesn't actually put much emphasis in body language. Like the commander. Though, it only makes Ayame more nervous, making her fidgit with her hair slightly.
"We've been through this once before already. With the Hoarfrost. But this time, we're on our own. I advise everyone to take utmost care today, as there w- ..." Starfall cuts himself off when his eyes drift towards Ayame. She doesn't look too nervous on the outside, only a little discomforted, but Starfall could tell that it was more serious.
"Ayame?" He asks, letting loose his arms in a more natural state. "You're not as excited as I thought you'd be... is something wrong?"
Ayame realizes she's been caught and looks surprised. "Ah- w-w-well- erm!-" she stammers, trying to convince them she's alright to no avail. "It's not what i- PUAGH!!"
Ayame is then cut off as she gets a heavy slap on her back, coming from Raze's rock solid, heavy claw. "We've already got one stammer-mouth in the group." Says the dragon girl, internally concerned for the person Majikaja cares a lot about. On the outside, Raze looks a little irritated, though.
"Spit it out. There's no point in hidin' it." She continues, crossing her arms.
Recovering from the impact on her back, Ayame stands up straight and sighs, holding her arm and looking disappointed. "Sorry. You just made it sound so serious and scary, Starfall. Like.. this is not the kind of stuff I'm good with." She confesses, looking at the ground.
"Ayame." Starfall pauses, giving time for Ayame to look at him in the eyes. "Nobody here is good at this, nor ready for what's to come. We're all hoping this'll be a regular expedition." He states, speaking for everyone with some degree of sympathy.
"..yeah, I know... but everyone is able to keep up a face of confidence. Or.. at least their fear isn't overcoming them." Ayame says, looking at the visibly impatient Raze behind her.
Majikaja decides to chirp in, stepping closer to Ayame. " I-I might not be a h-hunter.. b-b-but I a-also feel a b-bit worried about a-all this. B-but I b-believe in y-you, Ayame!" Majikaja sympathizes with a gentle, trying-to-sound-uplifting tone, prompting a smile on Ayame's worried face.
"Of course you're worried, Maji. That's normal for you." Ayame comments, before closing her eyes and sighing contently, calming her nerves somewhat. "That's right," Ayame thinks. "Majikaja is rooting for me to fight on. I can't disappoint her."
Ayame opens her eyes again, looking a little bit more confident at the cute handler who speaks to her so sweetly. "Tell you what, Kaja. As long as you keep believing in me, I'll keep fighting. How's that?" Ayame asks, making the short handler smile softly.
"Hmhm!" She hums in approval. "O-of course I will, Ayame!" She says with a big smile.
As Majikaja finishes speaking, a deep, deep, gurgling rumble is heard coming from close proximity to them. "Hrmm..?" Majikaja hums, looking at Raze with a concerned look.
"Okay, guys. I'm REALLY hungry at the moment!" Raze complains, agitated from her hunger. "Are we going to get to slaying, or are we just gonna' stand and chat all day!?"
"We're about to get going, Raze. Please hold it in for a li-
"NO!!!" Raze shouts, her eyes full of anger. Said shout makes everyone but Starfall flinch, Majikaja even holding onto Ayame for safety.
"I've already flown for about 2 hours straight and can't stand being so hungry anymore!" She shouts, jumping backward and crouching to the floor.
"You guys just keep planning!" She advocates, spreading her wings wide, ready for takeoff.
"I'll contact you when my guts are full of Fresh, Juicy monster meat!" She states, before taking off quicker than anyone could stop her.
"R-Raze!.. .." Majikaja calls out to no avail. It stunned everyone for a moment, but soon, Crystal gathers everyone's attention by simply speaking.
"This is where we remember that she's still a dragon on the inside, despite her human personality." He comments, standing next to Starfall, who turns to him.
"I had forgotten to consider her apatite. The thought of imminent discovery had blinded me from it." Starfall apologizes?
"Whatevs, man. We both know she'll be just fine on her own, anyway." Crystal mentions, looking up at where Raze took off from.
"Shouldn't we chase after her?" Ayame asks, never really having seen Raze get angry so suddenly.
"It's best we abide by her rules, Ayame. She's honest, despite her behavior. She'll come back to us when she's full, she said." Elaborates Starfall, holding his hands behind his back.
"Oh.. okay." Ayame accepts, understanding that Raze maybe just needs time for herself. After that, she shakes her head and does a little jump, pepping up some positive energy to try and get the group back into action. This also prompts Majikaja to let go of her.
"Okay! So, what's the plan, Star? From what Maji has shown me, there's a lot of unique places here at the Guiding Lands. Where we off to, first?" Ayame conveys, her tone of voice sounding energetic.
Starfall nods and elaborates. "Our current goal is to clear and note any large monsters which may inhabit the "Ancient Forrest" Biome, so Majikaja and I are able to thoroughly explore and note down everyone we can about it. Until we know it's safe, Majikaja will stay here at the camp."
It surprises Ayame that Majikaja wasn't coming with them. "Whaaat? We can protect her! well, at least I'd be doing my best to keep her and her precious little smile safe." Ayame plays, a little disappointed that she has to part from her favorite friend for a while.
"Y-yes, Ayame.." Majikaja says, feeling a little flattered that Ayame would prioritize her that way. "B-but S-Starfall doesn't w-want me to g-go before i-it's safe a-and I'm okay with t-that."
"Awww... welp! Just know that I'll be thinking about you every step of the journey, Maji!" Ayame claims, making the shy girl blush a little more.
"Y-yeah.. ok-kay."
Starfall taps his Scoutfly cage on his hip, waking up the glowing swarm of guiding bugs for the busy day ahead of them. "My original plan was to split us into teams of two, but with Raze gone, It's best that we three stick together for now." He explains, looking between Ayame and Crystal.
"Hrmmm.. okay, fine." Ayame says with some resentment, stepping next to Starfall.
"... something wrong with that, Ayame?" He asks, unsure of why this girl would react this way to what he said.
"Nope!" Ayame states, turning her head to Crystal with a light look of disapproval. "Nothing at all."
Crystal feels a bit hurt but shrugs it off. He's used to this kind of treatment from women. "I'm okay with it, so let's go."
Starfall nods and begins walking off towards a somewhat long cliff, the walls covered in sturdy, climbable vines. "We'll go down here and start there." He explains, only to see his handler being smothered by an exaggerated embrace from the emotionally unstable huntress.
"L-l-let go, A-Ayam-me... S-Starfall i-is..." Majikaja pleads to the ferocious hugger.
"Just a little longer. You're just too soft to let go!" Ayame whispers in response.
"Ayame. Let's go." Starfall insinuates.
"Hmmm... Fiiiiiine!" Ayame obeys with teenager-like disinterest. She lets go of Maji, but not before messing up her hair.
"H-hey!" The pathetic handler complains. Making Ayame laugh a little.
"Sorry, not sorry! Bye-bye!" She bids before cheerfully running up next to Starfall.
"So, down here, yeah?" She asks, looking down at the tree root path at the bottom of the vine-cliff face.
"Yes. We'll go north from there and reach the forested biome." Starfall re-explains.
"Then let's go!" Ayame says, hopping down the cliffside and using her clutch claw to anchor herself into the vines.
Starfall shakes his head and begins to carefully climb down the vines, too. It's then that Ayame notices that Crystal is already at the bottom, staring up at her.
"Huh!? H-how'd you get down there!?" Ayame asks in shock, realizing he's just watching her from below.
"I started climbing as soon as Starfall said we'd be going down! We're you any faster, and I wouldn't have to be staring up at your butt like this, hehe!" He plays with his perverted confidence.
"Kya- h-how dare y-you! S-show some d-decency!!" Ayame complains with a heavy blush. Him mentioning that was not what she wanted to hear.
"Yeah, yeah. Maybe if you- OW!" He's cut off when a stone gets thrown directly between his eyes, making him fall backward.
"Always make sure you have ammo in your slinger, Ayame." Starfall teaches, proving to be the one who chucked the stone at his teammate."
"Thanks, Starfall."
And so, after a good talk, a hunrgy teammate leaving and Kaja being thoroughly squeezed, the group of hunters start their journey through the mysterious Guiding Lands. What do they find along their way? Find out in the next chapter.