Chapter 3: First hunt

Monkey didn’t like this. He didn’t like the situation one bit. Vivian couched down next to him as they made their way to the cockatrice lair. “why the hell was she coming with him?” he thought. He was supposed to do this alone. The villagers were even kind enough to give him some antidote for the poison. So why? Why is this girl coming with him?

“the cockatrice lair isn't far now. It made its nest in a small cave. The scouts found it couple days ago.” Vivian said.

“thanks for guiding me here. You can go back now. I’m sure the village chief doesn't want to risk losing his daughter.” Monkey responded. Wanting to get rid of her.

“Not a chance. We may have paid you for your help. but this is your first time isn’t it? We don’t want that guilt on our conscience for sending a kid to his death. Especially one that isn’t an official mercenary yet.

Monkey turned towards her. Clear annoyance shown on his face. But before he could respond he stopped short. The first thing he noticed was her emerald eyes. Like most woman in her village. Her hair was braided. The length fell down her back. Since the sun was out and he could see her clearly than last night. She seemed to be around his age. Yet, she acted like she needed to protect him. In fact, now that he thinks about it. She treated everyone like they were her children. It kind of reminded him of momma. Wearin what he assumed is her people traditional tribal clothing he could clear see the gem on her chest. A oval shaped gem with what seemed like horns spreading out of it curved around her chest. Clear sign she was a magic user.

“where exactly are you looking!?” her voice rose. Almost embarrassed.

“shhhhh....I was just curious what type of magic you use” he replied, quickly turning around hiding how red his face was.

She snorted in disbelief. “And what magic can I use?”

“Lightning magic” Monkey answered.

Vivian didn’t seem too surprise. He didn’t expect her to be. This was basic knowledge of their world, after the great race centuries ago the twelve gods bestowed upon the world a way to wield magic. This was the gems that was embedded into their chest. With these gems. It allowed our bodies to harness the magic within the world.

“the color of your gem is yellow, which mean you’re able to use lightning magic.” Monkey continued as they made their way into the cave. Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Ice and Lightning. These are the six elements the gods allow us to wield.” He smiled to himself. He couldn’t help but be a little proud. Sure, this was common knowledge but he just couldn’t resist patting himself on the back.

“you’re forgetting light and darkness” Vivian added, “rare gifts that only granted to a few”

Monkey paused. She was right. Light and Darkness isn't power granted by the twelve gods, but power given by the entities themselves. The gift was so rare that only four beings exists with the power. The two rulers in the dragon kingdom, the lion general of the tiger kingdom and....the black beast. The thought of that monster filled Monkey with rage. Vivian noticed a murderous aura around him all of a sudden, the air felt very tense.

“hey” she placed a hand on his shoulders, bringing monkey back into reality. “want to tell me what just pissed you off right now?”

Monkey shook his head and continued deeper into the cave. Vivian followed close behind.

“sorry, didn’t mean.....just got lost in thought.”

“un huh, and you normally have thoughts that gives off such a murderous intent. Seriously, if I could feel that then I’m sure they could”

Monkey stopped dead in his tracks, making Vivian bump into him.

“you really need to warn me when you stop all of a sudden.” she looked over his shoulder to see what made him stop abruptly like he did. The image horrified them both.

Laying before them in a clearing, was piles of half eaten bodies, rotten flesh being torn and devoured by the baby cockatrices. The smell itself was enough to gag on. Monkey couldn’t take his eyes away from sight as much as he wanted too. His breathing, increased in rapid paces. Vivian couldn’t withstand the sight either as she fell over, puking. As she did, she knocked a couple of stones down, giving away their position. Immediately four dozen eyes were on them.

Instinct and Fear took over as he forcefully pulled Vivian to her feet and they backtracked to the cave entrance. The high pitch screech of the creatures ringed in their ears as they heard their pursuers behind him. Monkey knew there had to be a couple of them. He was ready to fight five or ten. But chasing them now was well over 30 cockatrices. He also had no idea where the parent was. Couldn’t see it but right now he was thankful it wasn’t following them as well. As soon as they exited the cave monkey threw Vivian forward as he turned around. Placing both hands on the ground, his chest radiated a bright red light. Flames covered his entire body as a trail of fire traveled along the ground where he was towards the cave entrance, the flames erupted into a wall of fire blocking the entrance. Some cockatrices tried to break through, but ended up burning themselves alive in the attempt. The rest seeing what happened to their brethren stopped and continued to scream loudly at the two, angry that their dinner was going to escape.

The flames subsiding around his body, Monkey looked towards Vivian. Seeing that she was also recovering from the sight they had witness. Vivian stood up and took out two vials from her pouch. She handed one to monkey.

“what this?” he asked.

“the cockatrices are the normal annoyance in our lands, especially their poison. After fighting them for so long we were able to develop this temporary anti-toxin. Drink this and you’ll be immune to their poison for a few minutes.

Monkey took it knowing what she was thinking. These things could not be allowed to continue living to repopulate.

“those were my people monkey. These disgusting creatures are eating my people.” Monkey could hear the rage in her voice and it reminded him why he was becoming a mercenary. Images from that night flashed in his head again, bright red eyes staring at him from the deepest abyss. Yeah, he almost forgotten how terrifying the world really is. He lived behind walls too long.

Vivian drank her vial as she brought out two tonfa weapons, a stick melee weapon that went

down to her elbows. These was different as each had small tooth-like blades embedded into the sides.

Monkey drank his, the taste was horrible. Taking one last deep breath the flames dissolved as his resolve, anew. held firm. This was his first test out on his own. He could not run and as the horde descended upon them monkey reminded himself. “I will not die here!”.

In an instant Vivian cut one head clean off, she used her lightning magic to enhance her speed. Moving quickly through them as she cut them down. Monkey wasn’t as fast but his reflexes was enough to make up for it as he dodged each one that attacked him. Flames covered his fist and legs as he leaped over one, slamming his feet down onto the head of another. He realized that they were worried for nothing. Yeah, inside that cave they would've surely died. The scene before had affected them both. But now that they calmed and was focus. Handling these small guys were nothing. The cockatrices realized it as well, they retreated back into the caves. He can only assume they were going for help. His assumption was right as a few minutes later the parent came out. Parents, he corrected himself as two fully grown cockatrice came out. Both standing well seven feet tall. They extended their wings making them look even bigger.

“A show of intimidation.” Vivian said. “watch out. They can release a poison gas.”

“poison!?” monkey asked shocked. soon as he did the Cockatrice on the right spewed out a deadly toxic gas. Monkey and Vivian both jumped back, covering their mouths. The anti-toxin they drank was wearing off and the injuries they gotten from earlier, while not deadly was starting to slow them abit.

The Cockatrice continued to release a large amount of gas, slowly spreading it over the area.

“how long can it do that for?” monkey asked.

“the cockatrice is able to constantly release it poison for 3 minutes without taking a breath” Vivian answered.

Fire erupted in monkey hands “yeah, no point in waiting” He said as he throws a fireball towards the one releasing the gas. Its partner reacted in its defense, the ground shook as the earth itself rose to protect them

“ok plan B?” Monkey asked.

“first, you need to remember that most creatures can use magic.” Vivian told monkey.

“not cockatrice. They are not the Azure, was your magic being drained in there?” Monkey retorted.

~

“then care to expl-” Vivian was cut short as she and monkey dodge a hurl of spikes being thrown at them. They both focused on the dome before them. The one that had created it was now using it to continuously attack them at a distance. While the other one continued to release the poison. Only stopping every few minutes.

“something wrong here. Cockatrice are not this coordinated. Defending itself while also attacking us at a range. Not only that, but it having its mate release continuously release a stream of poison gas so if we do get near, we would breath it in. This goes beyond a mindless beast” Vivian thought, trying to figure out a way to get near them and destroy that wall but while she was planning a blur flew right pass her.

“monkey!?” Vivian was stunned.

~

Monkey continued to run towards the dome that protected the cockatrices. He held his breath, dodging each spike that was being thrown at him. He just needed to get close he thought. His chest glowed as the gem radiated light as fire ignited around his fist, destroying any spikes that he couldn’t dodge. As he drew near, he launch himself overhead, landing on top of the dome.

“trapping yourself in inside was a big mistake. You made this easier for me” As monkey finished speaking he placed both palms on top of the dome and ignited the inside of it. Setting both cockatrice on fire. Their screams could be heard from the inside as the fire burned away at them. Monkey jumped off as the dome itself dissolved back into the earth. Both cockatrices were still on fire, the one who could wield earth magic quickly covered itself with dirt, putting out the flames while the other continued to burn. This was when Vivian acted. Using her lightning magic to enhance her speed, tonfa ready. She sliced the head of the other cockatrice off. It body stood for a second, as if it forgot that it was on fire. Before falling to the ground.

“well well well, look who finally made herself useful” Monkey said, a huge smile on his face

“are you insane!? Deadly. Poison. You reckless idiot!” Vivian almost screamed at him.

“oh, did you want me to stay back and let it continue to try and kill us? It literally trapped itself. What was...” monkey fell off as his vision blurred. He stumbled alittle before getting his footing again

“mmhmmm...exactly. Good thing is it don’t seem like you breath in a lot.” Vivian checked on monkey. Monkey, clearly annoyed looked behind “yeah I know” she said. “we still got one more”

She turned to face the other Cockatrice rising out of the ground. Anger flared in it eyes as glared at them. It body, half burnt from monkey fire magic. It stretched out its burnt wings and seemed to roar at them as the earth beneath their feet trembled and shake. The cockatrice lunged forward. Vivian leaped right while monkey rolled left. The cockatrice went after Vivian. Using it tail to smack monkey farther away. Vivian used her tonfas to block and parry most of the creature attacks. Luckily, she was faster than it. She coated her Tonfas in lightning as the next strike came, she dodged underneath it and slash at its belly. The cockatrice roared it pain. Using it wings to, attempt a step back. But Vivian wouldn’t let it escape. Staying close she struck again, cutting off the it left claw. Bellowing in pain, the cockatrice had the earth rise to encase Vivian but she once again dodged, placing herself in front of the cockatrice as it release its own poisonous gas right into Vivian. She fell to the ground as the creature used its magic to shackle her to the ground. Stopping her from moving. Vivian could barely breath. Taking too much of the poison in her. Fear, gripped her as she gasp for air as the creature loomed over her. The Cockatrice reared its head, then lunged forward to deliver the final blow.

Monkey seemed to appear out of nowhere. Catching the beast head, holding it at bay.

“what were you doing monkey? You reckless idiot. Oh, but look who just took a full blast of poison to the face” monkey mocked, “don't worry. You can apologies to me once I save you”

The cockatrice seemed to panic, getting ready to release another cloud of poison gas.

“none of that!” monkey yelled. Knowing what it was getting ready to do. He forced it mouth open farther as he let out his own breath of fire straight into it.The creature exploded, monkey dropped it head. Looking down at the remains he saw a faint light. Reaching into the remain what he picked up shocked him.

“oh shit Vivian look!” then he remembered. “oh shit Vivian!”

He turn back towards her, picking her up he rushed back towards the village.

“don't worry. You're going to make it! Just stay with me.” Monkey assured her as he ran as fast as he could.

~

“WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING WOMAN” Vulcan voiced boomed inside his hut. Monkey was outside, waiting. Listening to the conversation. They thought he was resting, recovering from his wounds. No. Monkey couldn’t resist hearing what Vulcan had to say about this little ordeal. When Monkey returned to the village as the sun was setting carrying Vivian in his arms, he saw a shock and worried expression on everyone face. Anger also appeared on Vulcan face as he saw them return. Apparently, Vivian left to help him on her own accord. Without telling anyone.

“was I supposed to let him die?” Vivian said, she sounded weak, tired. Still recovering from all the toxin that was in her system.

“that is what they are paid to do! Risk their lives for gold. Fight for gold. DIE! For fucking gold!” Vulcan yelled at her.

Monkey hand tighten into a fist. All the food, drinks they offered him. All a mirage just to get him relax then appeal to his greed with gold as icing. Yeah. Ok. He was going to become a mercenary. Yeah. Mercenary loyalties was only to gold. They were known for that. But monkey didn’t know that they would be this hated. He didn’t understand, why they were hated. These were warriors that hunt down monsters and beasts that others can't or won't do. Being mercenaries meant they can freely travel. Yeah being one also meant that they had to forsake their people. They could not hold an allegiance to any one kingdom. But that meant anyone can employ them. Monkey couldn’t see the problem.

“he’s the same age as me father. And you just sent him to his death. No knowledge of the cockatrice, no antidote for the poison they carry. Did you even know they was two of them? Not just one.” Vivian own voiced started to ring with anger. Also seem like she was getting some of her strength back. Vulcan remained silent.

“no... father you knew?” Monkey heard her asked. Sounding Sad and disappointed.

“I....received word about it before we went on patrol that morning” Vulcan responded.

“did you also know that one of them could use magic?” She asked.

“what? No..impossible” Vulcan sounded surprise by this revelation. “cockatrice aren't azure. They cannot wield magic”

“this one did father. Earth magic. It’s the reason we almost died” Vivian told him. Her anger not subsiding

Monkey couldn’t help but smile. At least the daughter wasn’t anything like the father.

He heard Vulcan let out a deep sigh. “we’ll speak no more of this. You need to rest and I need to see to our guest”

“oh, what for father? You made it clear his life mattered little to you” Vivian snared at him.

“remember child. Was it not you who lectured him on the matter of loyalty to one own kind. Reminded him of the history HE, himself used to save his own skin. Times are changing. It became clear when those Houzi decided to raid us. I’ve seen the look you gave him that night. Disgust. We're the same. I felt the same way.”

Vivian didn’t respond. Vulcan went to leave. “father” Vivian spoke. Stopping Vulcan halfway out the door. He Spotted Monkey on his left. “make sure you pay him in full. He earned it. He still saved my life” he says nothing as he left the hut. he cocked his head to the side signaling for Monkey to follow.

They made a good distance away from the village.

“suppose I should explain” Vulcan started.

“oh yes, I would love to hear why you didn’t bother to mention that there was two fully grown cockatrice. From the way it sounded I can believe you were unaware that one of them could use magic. But that doesn’t explain why you decided to hide information that could’ve saved my life” Monkey could feel the rage inside him growing the more he thinks about it.

Vulcan didn’t speak for awhile. Staring at monkey. Looking at the rage in his eyes.

“I don’t like you boy. I don’t like mercenaries. Easily bought. Your kind are only loyal to coin. Do you know what it like to watch brothers who once fought beside you to become mercenaries? At first it was pride. They were going to help save this world hunting down creatures. Or so I thought.”

Monkey wondered where Vulcan was going. That was exactly what we do. Hunt down monsters. The black beast was the main and only reason he was becoming one. He continued listening as Vulcan went on.

“but then the day comes where you’re attack by a band of warriors. Your nation under attack. You fight to defend your homeland, your people. In that battle you see that your kind is fighting among themselves. Confusion comes first before it dawns on you that these are people who you grew up with, fought with, laugh, slept, ate with. Then all of a sudden they become mercenaries and all that history” he spat on the ground as he said that word. “mattered none. Even the history between our two-nation mattered little to those that chose to rob us of what we have.”

“but that does-” Monkey began but Vulcan stopped him

“Yes, that doesn’t excuse me not telling you about there being two cockatrices but as you put it once Monkey. I don’t see how it concern me”

They stared at each other dead in the eye.

“the hell did you...” Monkey started, stepping forward but Vulcan once again interrupted him.

“is it me you’re really mad at or is it yourself? Is it not your job to ask these questions? To gain knowledge about the foe you plan to face? Tell me, why didn’t you bother to ask how much the cockatrice numbered in?” Vulcan ask, Monkey didn’t have an answer.

“then let me ask you this. Why didn’t you stock up on provisions? It's common knowledge that cockatrice carry poison and yet you went ahead without buying anything. I had assumed you already knew and already carried vials of antidote with you. But when I saw that two vials were missing from our own storage and witnessed my daughter in your arms, poisoned! I knew this to not be true. By the god's child did you learn nothing before you left home or did you think the world would just hold your hand? If you had to die because of your own ignorance then so be it.”

Monkey flew into a rage, his whole body erupted into flames as he launches himself at Vulcan. Vulcan didn’t move. He easily caught monkey fist in his hand, flipped him over and pinned him to the ground.

“so, when all else fails you’ll just recklessly attack your opponent? Is that your solution?” Vulcan was unbelievably strong. No matter how much monkey struggled, Vulcan grip held firm. He could not break free.

“let me be clear. If you had died out there, I would’ve slept peacefully. After all. This is what your people do. But at least others would have the common sense not to wander blindly into a fight and if that wasn’t bad enough, my daughter gets dragged along in your little suicide quest. In fact, if it wasn’t for her there is no doubt you would be dead.”

Monkey stopped fighting; the flames subsided. He had no choice but to listen to what Vulcan was saying. As much as he hated it. He was right. Vulcan seeing that the fight had left him, release his grip, taking a step back so monkey could get up.

“here” Vulcan said as he tossed a pouch full of gold towards monkey. It landed near his feet. “forty gold. twenty for each Cockatrice. As promised. You rushed over here so I wouldn’t be surprised if you forgot to also pick up proof of your accomplishment back where you fought them. I’m sure the creatures of these woods didn’t completely eat the remains. From there head north. It’s a straight shot to our kingdom. You'll get your fucking badge there.”

Monkey stared down at the bag as Vulcan turned to leave. Rage boiling within him but Monkey still had to ask.

“why...haven't you sent word to your queen about the raids. Have her send a message my nation king to have it stopped”

Vulcan stop and turned at the question. “I’ve already told you. I haven't had the chance. Yet.”

“I think you have.” Monkey went on. “I think you sent a user who uses earth magic to request that your queen do something about the situation.”

Vulcan eyes grew wide. “how could you know the person I sent uses earth magic?” Vulcan asked.

Monkey reached into his own pouch and pulled out a gem that besides it color resembled the gem that was on his chest. This gem was brown though, symbolling that it represented the earth.

“this was inside the Cockatrice. The one that could use magic. When me and Vivian entered that cave. We saw many bodies. Many of your dead. In there. I don’t know how it happened but I can only guess that somehow your men was ambushed and killed by that cockatrice. And when it ate him and also devoured his gem. Gaining the ability to wield magic even though it not an azure.”

Monkey tossed the gem towards Vulcan who caught it. Then picked up the pouch that was at his feet and proceeded towards the rooster kingdom.

“just thought you should know” Monkey said as he disappeared into the darkness. Vulcan looked down at the gem.