Fanfic:Born of Darkness

''This is my first fanfic. I wrote this story simply because I enjoy writing and monster hunter. Keep in mind I am '''NOT? '''finished writing this. This is also very much a rough draft. Things will be fixed and cleaned up, at a later date. I also encountered some formatting problems when copying this from Word, so it is currently written in block type.''

Born of Darkness

Eyewitness account archived under order of the king. ''



Anne was a merchant crossing a wasteland. She was pregnant, and was leading the Aptonoths driving the cart. She was passing through the Schrade region, an empty wasteland that used to be a hub of civilization and prosperity. That was until the Legendary Black Dragon, Fatalis, decided that this place was to become his home. Of course, no-one believes that story anymore; they think it was a plague, or an attack of lesser, more well known monsters. Still none have lived there in centuries.

How ever, the occasional brave trader will ride through the Schrade region, but few do so more than once. These traders are usually in a hurry; Anne wanted to return home to have her child. Fate had other ideas.

 ? She had nowhere to go when a strange storm took up, and worse, Anne’s water broke. She was along a forsaken road at that point, and there was no shelter in sight. Soon however, she saw the majestic and legendary Castle Schrade. Built to withstand a millenniums worth of attacks, it was still mostly intact. Anne quickly hurried to the castle and praised her good fortune.



Anne began to have contractions in the castles entrance, and then stopped under the shelter of the portcullis that connected the two halves of the courtyard. Ten hours later, she had a child, whom she named Orion.



The following morning, after a night of caring for her new child, Anne watched carefully as the storm further worsens. A dark shadow grew in the storm, and Anne began to feel a sense of dread.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Suddenly a dark shape slammed down on one of the Aptonoths and tore out it's neck. It quickly ate until it was full, with Anne watching in horror, until it turned to them. Completely ignoring Anne it walked towards the infant Orion. Anne's attempt to stop it, was met with a sidewards bat from one of its arms, and Anne realized there was nothing she could do. She thought of the old legends of Fatalis, the legendary black dragon that they said had destroyed Schrade. She was no longer convinced it was a myth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Fatalis walked slowly up to the coddled baby, and drew back the blanket covering it. Slowly, and gently the Fatalis made a light scratch across the infants chest. Stranger, the Fatalis then took made a similar scratch across its finger.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The beast than pressed the finger to Orion, mixing the two beings blood forever, and creating an epic destiny for the helpless child crying under a dark castle.

<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Fatalis flying away was the last thing seen by Anne before she passed out.

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Twenty Years Later

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''<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">After rigorous training and many years, Orion has finally been assigned a town to protect as it's Hunter. Training for this his entire life, he eagerly awaits this new adventure. ''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Orion lay in the open back of a traveling caravan. Minegarde, he though Never heard of it. He realized that was normal. Few hunters are assigned to larger cities immediately after getting their full license. Many work in small villages in a number of years first before moving on to the big scene.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The cart suddenly stopped. Orion heard brief shouting and the sound of a roar. Springing to action he grabbed the Ravager Blade at his feet and jumped out of the cart.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">A Congalala had knocked over the head caravan and was eating various foods from its storage. The pink monkey paid no attention to those around him, something he would regret dearly.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Orion was wearing Velociprey armor, and had taken to wearing most of his armor at all times. He had left his helmet in with his other belongings, so he would have to be careful to avoid any attacks at his head. He yelled at the merchants to stand back.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Striding confidently up to the Congalala, orion made a lightning quick drawslash, creating a deep cut in the Congalala's arm. It made a loud screech, and jumped to it's feet.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Congalala was fast, and charged at Orion swiping with it's claws, but Orion was faster, and dove out of the way. However he did corner a one legged merchant who was not fast enough to get out of the way.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">About to rip him to shreads, the Congalala was stopped by a sweeping strike which created a long gash across it's side. It yelped and turned towards the source of the pain.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Orion was ready and countered with a powerful upstroke. The greatsword lodged itself halfway through the Congalala's skull. The beast twisted a lot in it's death throws, and Orion's blade was torn out of his hands.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Not needing the sword immediately Orion turned toward the merchant. He was laughing miserably, and pretty battered up. “Well, just wait till....” He said, lining himself up for a joke that never came, as a coughing fit siezed him. Orion quickly moved to steady him.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When his breathing was regulated, he looked towards the man who had saved his life. “Thank you,” he said sincerely “You saved my life. My name is Tennant”.

<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"Orion” Orion said and shook the man's hand.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Till.”

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“What?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"You're a hunter right? You'll need a quick hunting name, and I know this is based on a bad joke, but I did say 'Just wait Till'”

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Orion considered this “Till. Sounds kind of strange, but I can make it work.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Tennant smiled as he looked into the eager Hunter's eyes. “I owe you one, why don't I buy you a round of drinks later”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Sure, but I have meeting first.” Orion nodded at the mans missing leg “Perhaps you could tell me how that happened.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The man nodded, but feeling pain, groaned again. His men moved him onto another cart.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Orion helped clean up the mess made by the monster, and pulled his sword out of its head. He was able to load the body onto an empty cart at the back of the convoy.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Orion spent the rest of the trip cleaning and sharpening his blade.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Orion walked slowly into the guild hall at Minegarde. He walked up to two men, one was an old man, presumably the Guildmaster at that time and the other was a middle aged man who bore the scars of a hunter. He was likely Orion's new mentor.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“What took you so long” Asked the Guildmaster.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Expecting this, Orion had cut the end of the tail off the Congalala to use as a proof of his exploit. “Monkey troubles” He said as he slammed it down on the table. This turned a few heads, but drew no more attention after a couple of seconds. These kinds of things were commonplace in a Guild hall.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Guildmaster nodded. “We have been experiencing some Congalala problems recently along our most popular trade routes.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Well they're gone now.” Orion said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Throughout this exchange the second man had been calculating Orion's skills based on his appearance. He still remained silent.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Again the Guildmaster nodded. “I see. Orion this is Sal. He is the last village hunter, and is to be your mentor.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sal was silent for a few seconds, then he said “Don't disappoint me kid.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Orion was silent, not realizing it was his turn to talk. He finally said, after thinking back to his meeting with the merchant, “Till.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Till what?” Sal said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“You may call me Till.” Orion replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Kid, I'll call you whatever the hell I want” Sal said before turning and leaving.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Six years later.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The former Guildmaster has died, Sal becoming the new one, Sal's friend Crox becoming another when the city became larger. Sal and Till have grown close, and enjoy mutually insulting banter. Minegarde has grown into a thriving city. Orion has officially formed a hunting group with several fellow hunters. Members of this group, Shadow Watchers, have become good friends and work well together. The group is also good friends with Tenant, the merchant saved by Till and with Crox, another guild master and originally mentor of Carrie.

<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Ophelia is the first member to join the Shadow Watchers and has a fiery personality. She fights with passion and is extremely skilled with the Dualswords. She met Till on a chance occasion. He was hunting a Yian Kut-Ku in the jungle, she a Daimyo Hermitaur. They became fast friends, and quicly registered as an official hunting group. She came to be known as Rain.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Carrie, known as Edge to his friends, was the next to join. He was sitting alone in the guild hall when a fight erupted between two rivals. He stood up quickly with a sparkle in his eyes. He gracefully spun his longsword so that it was directly between the two. He calmed them both down with the skills of a master negotiator. Rain and Till were both there at this time, and asked Edge to join their group. He graciously accepted. He calms the others, and is a master of the longsword.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Nazik, known as Scraps for his penchant for combining totally different sets of armor into a decent set customized for a specific use, is a lancer and gunlancer who was met in the field. He was about to get his face eaten off by a Rathalos, and was saved by the team. He came with them to train, and has since improved greatly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Katherine, or Kit, is the newest to join. She was found incapacitated in the snowy mountains, the results of a failed Kushala Daora hunt. Her parents disappeared when she was young, but not before showing her how to use a bow. She is now an expert bowmaster, and is learning to use bowguns.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This story continues with their first Nargacugra Hunt.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Chapter 2 – Jumping at Shadows

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Got everything?” Till yelled over the noise of the guild room. He grabbed Teostra Del Sol, a powerful fire elemented greatsword. He was pleased with its feel, and quickly donned the Basarios U armor. It was his favorite, and default armor for most circumstances.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The other hunters were using some of their favorite weapons and armor as well. Rain was using a speciall blue dyed Mizuha armor set with the Crow Tessen, a pair of sharp fans made from Yian Garuga parts. Scraps was using a combination of the various Rathalos sets with a long fiery lance Till recognized as the Crimson War Pike. Carrie was using his Shinobi Armor (Earth), and the Gaelic Flame. Kit came out in her Butterfly armor, a set magnificent for status gunning. Crimson Blade Shower hung at her side.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Till stood in front of all of them and spoke. “Today our target is a Nargacugra. Dark colored and fast moving, I have heard many warnings of hidden blades in it's wings. We have been in this area before, but it was the day, this hunt will be in the night. If any assistance is needed in your location or if you spot the monster send up a flare. If no-one has any objections, lets go.” Rain and Scraps nodded along through the speech. At the end everyone moved towards the landing pad.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Great Forest was a distance away, so they were going to use the airship system. It was highly efficient and much faster than using caravans. The airship is almost always eerily quiet. There are those new, eager Hunters who break it with their excitement, but most of them are silent in thought. Most are planning to make sure they come back alive.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This trip was similar to most others, with the silent apprehension felt in the air. Till sat in the back sharpening his blade for combat. He was approached by Rain. She spoke in a quiet voice, respectful to those who had spent some of their last hours in similar ships.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Why have you been so withdrawn recently? I've barely seen you, except for when your hunting.” She asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I don't know.” He replied in a similar tone. “I've been feeling strange, not bad, just strange. I can't explain it.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Rain simply nodded, than sat down and sharpened her blades next to him.

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Three Hours Later, Great Forest

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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It was cool at the drop point. Not cold, just cool, but in the way that makes you uncomfortable beyond simple physical feelings. It may simply be the stories told of the Nargacugra, a beast wrapped in shadows, acting on our wits, but that didn't change the fact that it just didn't feel right there. They were surrounded by a seemingly endless forest, somewhere in which a deadly creature was waiting for them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Everyone, listen, we're splitting up to cover the most ground in the least amount of time. If any of you see anything send up your flare gun.” Till paused momentarily, before continuing “And lets hurry up about it so we can get the hell out of here. This place is giving me the creeps.” There were three paths out of the area. “Who feels comfortable tracking on their own. Edge raised his hand. “Okay, Edge will take the west route, Scraps and Kit can take the south-east route, and Rain and I will take the north-west route. This is just to start, and you may need to split up further.” Everyone nodded, and met with their hunting partner.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Rain and Till nodded at one another and moved toward the trail. The tracking part of the hunt is mostly silent, no-one wanting to alert the monster of their presence too soon. The battle itself was filled with yelling, and the flare usually alerted the monster when you arrive, but at least you were not being stalked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Unless of course you were. You can't necessarily avoid all danger until the major fight. This causes movement to be slow, with someone always checking to see if a flare had been sent off or if you were being followed. Hunting isn't always the most interesting job, and sometimes you never even find what your supposed to hunt.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Rain and Till were about to split up when they saw something. Not sure what it was they froze and looked closer. They saw a large dark shape jump from the shadows onto a Kelbi. The helpless kelbi could do nothing as the Nargacugra feasted on it. Immediately Rain sent up a flare. The monster noticed, but didn't seem to mind. Rain and Till simply stood in the shadows

<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Rain and Till took cover in deep brush. It wasn't much as far as protection goes, but it would have to work until the others got here. The Nargacuga was totally aware of their position, but cared nothing for them. It stood their strangely after finishing it's meal, and looked in their general direction with glazed over eyes.

<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">After several minutes of total silence it suddenly crouched to get ready to launch a series of springing attacks. Till had been warned of these pounces.

<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">"Rain, get to the side!” Till yelled. Till himself stood straight and drew his greatsword.

<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The Nargacuga never attacked however. And after few moments Till was filled with the strangest thought. It wasn't rational, but somehow he knew it to be true. The Nargacuga wasn't crouching for an attack.

<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">It was bowing.