Monster Hunter Destiny - Final Chapter

One Month Later

The memories flowed through Taka’s head as he stood straight and tall. He wore a long-sleeved buttoned top and a jacket made from shed wyvern scales, as well as a pair of pants made from Velvety Hide. The reason for this new, formal wear was – well, suffice it to say that it was a special occasion.

On his right stood Elric, similarly dressed. The boy gave him a smile and nudge. Taka gave him a friendly nod before turning his attention to the person on his left.

Beside him, Relcia smiled back at him, wearing a sleeveless, Rathian-scale dress trimmed with silky Popo fur. She clasped his hand in hers as they waited for the Elder’s words to come. Any foreign wyvern that might have passed by just then could have instantly deduced what the occasion was.

Taka took a deep breath through his nose, savoring this moment. No longer would he and Relcia be simple friends, or even a simple couple. He closed his eyes, allowing the memories to overtake him…



Six Years Ago

Taka ran through the foliage making up the forest in the Idyllic Ocean region. He had foolishly gotten lost during his search, and now had no idea how to get back to Mediatas Village. Every minute he spent in the dangerous jungle was a threat to his life.

It was Illeera he was looking for. His best friend had went off into the Idyllic Ocean as a favor to the Village Elder, who had requested her to find Blue Mushrooms in order to help replenish the village’s Potion supply. But at least she knew her way around the Idyllic Ocean.

Taka did not.

Now Taka was not only worried for the safety of Illeera, but himself as well. He stumbled through the last of the trees, making his way down to the shoreline.

He allowed himself a moment of relaxation. Not only was the serene view of the sea naturally calming, but he could now clearly see the top of the Great Oceanic Cliff peering over the tops of the trees. Now, at least he knew in what direction to go if he was to make his way back home.

Suddenly, the ferns behind him rustled. Taka jumped and nervously adjusted his glasses as they slipped slightly down his nose. He clutched his miserable Hunter’s Knife in his fist – if whatever came out of the bushes was any bigger than a Velocidrome, then he was probably dead meat.

He jumped again as the creature crashed through the foliage and onto the sand. But Taka allowed himself to relax as he noticed that it was only a girl, about his age from the look of her. In fact, something about her seemed familiar.

“… Taka, right? The shapeshifter?” she asked doubtfully, eyeing him warily. He nodded, still wondering who she was and why he felt as if he had seen her before. The girl visibly relaxed and smiled warmly at him. “Illeera and Mylie told me about you. They say that you’re a really good friend.”

Taka smiled sheepishly and looked down at the sand. That was when he saw a strange lump coming out from the ground. The girl followed his gaze and peered at the lump as well. “Hey, looks like there’s something buried there,” she observed. “Want to see what it is?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Normally, Taka would have said no. In a dangerous, war-torn world such as this, a strange lump in the sand could have been anything – a lost Lagiacrus egg, for which the worried mother could come searching for at any minute, or a buried Hermitaur, waiting for prey to stumble across its path. But the girl’s kind smile seemed to convince him otherwise. Before he knew what he was doing, Taka nodded.

<p class="MsoNormal">Both of them bent down and began to burrow in the sand, trying to dig the hidden object up. It was Taka who finally reached into the small hole that they had made and clasped his fingers around the object – it was gritty with sand, but with a smooth, hard texture. It felt cool to the touch.

<p class="MsoNormal">Taka pulled out the object and almost immediately gasped. It was a fist-sized gemstone, deep blue in color and sparkling with the radiance of the sea. “A Deep Dragongem,” he breathed. He had read about such things, but had never thought he’d have the fortune to see one with his own eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal">The girl was similarly stunned. Dazedly, Taka brought the Dragongem up to be exposed in the sunlight. It sparkled even more, shining with the most beautiful sapphire color.

<p class="MsoNormal">He glanced at the girl, who was looking at him expectantly. What are you going to do with it? she seemed to be asking. “You can have it,” Taka said, holding out the Deep Dragongem. The girl looked even more stunned. “No, no, no,” she protested, pushing his hand away. “You take it. You were the one to dig it up.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Taka smiled and retorted, “You helped. And it was your idea to dig it up in the first place.” The girl pushed until the Deep Dragongem was being hugged against Taka’s chest. “Take it,” she insisted. “I don’t want it.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The shapeshifter looked intently at her earnest, pretty face. He suddenly felt something deep inside of him – almost as if his heart was fluttering – but the sensation was dim enough to be dismissed as a figment of his imagination.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You’re from Mediatas, right?” Taka suddenly asked, recognizing the girl. She smiled and nodded. “My name’s Relcia,” she told him with a slight widening of her smile. “Pleased to meet you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">One Week Ago

<p class="MsoNormal">Taka approached Elric, hard at work in the forge. The boy had agreed to stay in Mediatas Village for the next little while, at least. As Taka approached Elric - who hadn’t noticed him yet, so great was his concentration – and grabbed the little slip of paper in his Qurupeco pants pocket.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Elric.” The sound of Taka’s voice was enough to make his friend jump a foot in the air. “Taka, you scared ten years off of me!” he scolded mildly. “What is it? What do you need me for?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Taka grinned and handed the young blacksmith the paper. Bewildered, Elric unfolded the parchment and examined the design hastily scrawled on it. Although Taka wasn’t the best at drawing up plans or blueprints, there was enough legible writing on the sheet for Elric to get an idea of what the shapeshifter wanted.

<p class="MsoNormal">“It won’t take long,” Elric muttered, almost to himself. “But gathering enough Wyverngold will take weeks, potentially. It’s not exactly the most common stuff…” Taka wordlessly reached into his other pocket and dug out several pieces of the needed material. “This cost me three Rathalos Scales and a Plate to trade for. Thank the gods that Vulcan was willing to hand them over.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Elric took the Wyverngold and smirked knowingly. “Well, with such a good reason as this, how could he refuse?” he asked. “It’ll be ready in about a day. I’ll get to work immediately.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The shapeshifter grinned uncontrollably. “Thanks, Elric, you’re the best,” he said, and the boy blushed and muttered to himself sheepishly. “Now, there’s only one thing left to do…”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Present Day

<p class="MsoNormal">The flow of memories faded away as the Village Elder began his speech. Taka felt Relcia increase her grip slightly on his hand, and he replied with a similar gesture. They patiently waited for the Elder to finish, although inside, they were as impatient as two baby wyverns waiting for a late dinner.

<p class="MsoNormal">Finally, the Elder looked to Taka and nodded. Taka turned to Relcia, smiling as he slipped the Wyverngold ring onto her finger. She smiled back, and did the same with his. Now both of their hands sported the brilliant, gleaming rings.

<p class="MsoNormal">In a strong, carrying voice, the Elder pronounced Taka and Relcia as husband and wife. There was a huge cheer from the assembled crowd – which consisted of all the people Taka had grown up with, all the friends he had made over the years. There was Illeera, tears flowing down her eyes. Elric was there, as was Hydra and Ignus, and their little Terra. All the monsters were there as well – Vulcan and Jin and Ignatius (companionless since the death of Taahnn), Reia and her children, Bront and Rell. There were also a few foreign monsters – Helix and Dronk, Taka’s friends from the Mysterious Beyond, and an Emerald Nargacuga named Viridis, who was Syrie’s younger brother. They had all shown up in the days leading up to this one.

<p class="MsoNormal">Amidst the cheers, Relcia lunged forward and eagerly wrapped her mouth around Taka’s. Taka gathered her in his arms and replied in kind, deepening the already passionate kiss they shared. He didn’t want this moment to end. It was the happiest moment of his life.

<p class="MsoNormal">They broke apart slowly, yet didn’t stray far from the other. Relcia’s nose was touching his as she whispered, “I love you, Taka.” He smiled and tightened his grip around her waist. “We both know it,” he murmured, prompting a giggle from his new wife.

<p class="MsoNormal">All of a sudden, there was a tremendous, echoing screech that rattled the sky. The cheers faded, and Taka and Relcia instinctively looked to the horizon. “Is that…?” Taka asked, trailing off as his mouth tweaked up at the edges. “It can’t be…” Relcia replied.

<p class="MsoNormal">Indeed it was. The setting sun was blotted out by a figure sailing on huge wings, a dragon so vast that the sky itself trembled with each wingbeat. “The Sky God!” exclaimed the Village Elder. “Taltaira!” Taka spoke its name with joy and excitement flooding his heart.

<p class="MsoNormal">Suddenly, Vulcan was there. He wants to speak with the two of you! he claimed. Hop on, and I’ll take you to him! Taka scrambled aboard, dutifully helping Relcia as she climbed on as well. Vulcan took off toward the passing Elder Dragon – the King of the Skies meeting the God of the Skies.

<p class="MsoNormal">Vulcan leveled out his flight when they were side-by-side with the Taltaira’s head. Greetings! the dragon roared. I’m glad to see you alive and well, shapeshifter! Taka laughed and shouted across, “And you as well!”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Taltaira laughed, a rumbling sound that sent a shudder up Taka’s spine. I wish for you to ride on my back! he decreed. ''You deserve to, Taka, on your wedding day! You are the Central World’s hero, and the Central World itself wants to congratulate you and Relcia!''

<p class="MsoNormal">The girl was grinning as the wind whipped her hair out behind her, hands clutching Taka’s shoulders. It’s not an option, Taka, Vulcan said over his shoulder. The Sky God has decided it – he wants to take the two of you on a flight across the Central World.

<p class="MsoNormal">With that, the Rathalos soared upwards until he was just above the Taltaira’s mountainous back. Taka stood up shakily, followed by Relcia. Taking her hand, he jumped down the few meters that separated the monsters, landing solidly on his feet. The Taltaira was so vast, it was as if he stood upon a flying landscape.

<p class="MsoNormal">Vulcan soared off, but not far. Reia joined him, carrying Bront and Rell on her back as they flew. Taka couldn’t help smiling at the sight of the wyvern family as he sat down.

<p class="MsoNormal">Relcia did the same just behind him, wrapping her arms around him. The gigantic Elder Dragon soared into the brilliant sunset, with the light painting his dark crimson scales with orange and pink.

<p class="MsoNormal">“This has been the best day of my life,” Taka murmured as he gazed out at the impressively colored sky, framed by the Taltaira’s massive peaked head. “Mine too,” Relcia whispered, resting her head on his shoulder. “And it will be followed by the best night of our lives,” she added suggestively, kissing his cheek with a new seductivity.

<p class="MsoNormal">Taka glanced at her and reached back to stroke her hair. Ever since they had become friends, Relcia could be counted on to help him overcome any challenge – but now it seemed an entirely new challenge was looming, one that they both looked forward to in their own way.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Taltaira raised his head and released an awesome screech that caused the very sky to tremble. Clouds shifted and made way for the Elder Dragon and his passengers. The sound crashed in Taka’s ears and carried all the way to the four corners of the Central World.

<p class="MsoNormal">Monsters all over the Central World – from the Wet Rainforest to the Frozen Wastes to even the depths of the Hellish Abyss – picked up on the call and raised their heads to the sky. All saw the majestic Elder Dragon and immediately knew what it was saying. Their hero, the one that had ended the war two years ago, was married. He had found true happiness this day. Even the Neopterons and Carapaceons felt their simple hearts swell with utmost joy.

<p class="MsoNormal">In an amalgamation of different voices, each and every monster in the Central World shrieked, roared, growled, clicked, hissed, chirped, and sang the same thing. They wished their congratulations upon the shapeshifter and his new wife, and pronounced their undying loyalty to their hero.

<p class="MsoNormal">Taka felt this immense vibration surge up to his ears, and smiled to himself. He kept smiling without once dropping the expression for the entire flight.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Taltaira, with another victorious screech, flew into the sunset, the wyvern family following, into the beautiful sun of another coming twilight.

<p class="MsoNormal">Their next adventure would begin tomorrow.

<p class="MsoNormal">-

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Monster Hunter Destiny is finally done! Farewell and many great goodbyes, and thank you for reading!'''

<p class="MsoNormal">EN FIN