MH Fanfiction [Ch. 37 is out]

Ch. 37: Haunts from the Past

Forest – Just outside of Valenster: Mid-Day

Xross Blades is nearing Valenster with Zedept out in front. “Zedept hasn’t said a word since he told us about his past.” Raylin said. “You can’t blame him.” Link said. “I know but it is worrying me.” Raylin said to Link. Lyra just watches in silent. They arrive on top of a hill where they can see Valenster. “So that’s it huh?” Lyra asks. “Yes. That’s the place I spent a year at.” Zedept replied. Zedept reaches into his bag and pulls out a small cloak and wrapping cloth. “What’s that for?” Link asks. Zedept puts in on and the cloak reaches to his elbows and wraps Shikaiza. “If they see me, hell with break loose.” Zedept said as he puts up the hood. “Let’s go.” Zedept said and they walked to the town.

Valenster

Xross Blades arrive at the gate. “Stop and state your business here.” A guard said pointing a spear at them. “We’re just here to gather some information on some monsters.” Lyra said. The guard looks at them and looks at Zedept. “You in the hood, remove the hood and show me your face.” The guard ordered. Zedept didn’t comply. “He never removes that hood even to us, his teammates.” Raylin said. The guard looks at Raylin then back at Zedept. “He is friendly though.” Link said. The guard looks at Link. The guard puts the spear back to standby.

“Alright, you may pass.” The guard said. “Thank you.” Lyra said as the rest bowed. They enter the town. “It’s a nice looking town.” Raylin said. “I agree.” Link said as they look around as they walk. “So where do we go from here?” Lyra asks as she turns to Zedept. “The guild. This way.” Zedept said a bit quietly so no one around can recognize his voice. Zedept leads the way to the guild.

Valenster Guild

Xross Blades enters the guild and every hunter looks at them. Link and Raylin gulps. Zedept walks past them and heads to the counter. Everyone else follows quickly behind him as the hunters watch them. “How may I help you?” The counter lady asks. Zedept pulls out a piece of paper and hands it to the lady. The lady opens it and reads it. Her eyes widened and looks at Zedept. Zedept places his right index finger over his mouth and slightly moves the left side of his hood to show the lady his scarred eye. The lady leaves the counter and heads up the stairs that are at the left side of the guild. A hunter slams his drink onto the table and made Lyra, Raylin and Link quickly turn around. “You in the hood.” The male hunter said. Zedept doesn’t turn around.

“I don’t know who you think you are but here we don’t hide our faces.” The hunter said. Some of the other hunters stand and grabs their weapons. Lyra grabs her long sword’s handle but then Zedept places his left hand on top of the handle. Lyra looks over and sees Zedept standing towards the hunters. Zedept looks at Lyra and shakes his head. Lyra releases her hand and Zedept looks at Raylin and Link moves his right hand telling them to move back. “So you think you can take us on?” A female hunter asks. “He must be stupid.” A male hunter said. They all start laughing.

“I see that everyone is still cocky as ever.” Zedept said. They stop laughing. “What was that?” A male hunter asks ticked off. “I don’t need to repeat myself to a bunch of idiots.” Zedept said. “Why you little.” A female hunter and some of the hunters charge at Zedept. Zedept grabs Shikaiza with his left hand and swings once and pushes away all that charged at him. “I see that there is still weak hunters here.” Zedept says in a depressed voice. A male hunter charges from the left side with a long sword. Zedept quickly flips Shikaiza into the back grip style and lift his arm up and blocks the attack with Shikaiza running along his arm. The hunters are shocked at the block. “A left handed back grip style?” A male hunter asks in shock.

Zedept swings upwards and pushes the hunter back and then Zedept flips Shikaiza in mid-air and grabs it in back grip with his right hand and slams downwards and sends the male hunter into the wall and breaking the long sword. Everyone stood in silence. “Duel back grip. I only know one person with that style.” A older female hunter said. “I recognize that stance too.” A older male hunter said. Zedept flips Shikaiza to the normal grip and looks at the other hunters. “Who else?” He asks. A bunch of the other hunters charge at Zedept. Zedept swings down hard with just his right hand and causes Shikaiza to break the flooring and knocking back the hunters. Some of them recover and start to charge again. “Stop now.” A male hunter said. Everyone stops.

Zedept pulls Shikaiza up. “I think I know who you are.” The male said. “Oh? Then who am I?” Zedept asks. “You was once Reimu’s student.” The older female hunter said. Zedept closes his eyes and places Shikaiza back onto his back. He then grabs the hood with his right hand and pulls it back to reveal his hair and eyes. “I see some people do remember me.” Zedept said and then opens his eyes. “I knew it, Zedept.” The male said. The other hunters are shocked at Zedept’s name. “That’s Zedept?” “I thought he was just a rumor.” “So that’s him?” The other hunters said. “Why are you back here?” The older female asks angrily. “Cool it, I’m just here for some info then I’m gone forever from here.” Zedept said without taking his eyes off the hunters.

“You sure has some nerve coming back here after you killed Reimu.” The male said angrily. “That wasn’t.” Raylin said. “Raylin, shut it now.” Zedept said angrily interrupting her. Raylin looks at Zedept and sees both anger and sadness in his eyes. Raylin backs off. “Enough with all the racket.” A deep male voice said coming from the stairs. Everyone including Xross Blades looks towards the stairs. Zedept and the male’s eyes meet. “So it was you after all.” The male said to Zedept. “Hello, Grandmaster Garito.” Zedept said. “Grandmaster?” Xross Blades asked at once. “Explain that later. Come, you’re here for business right?” Garito asks. “Correct.” Zedept said. “Then come.” Garito said. Zedept signals Xross Blades to follow Garito and Zedept takes the rear to make sure no one attacks.

Grandmaster’s Room

They enter the room and they look around and sees a lot of books and papers on shelves and desks. “Take a seat.” Garito said. Zedept leans Shikaiza onto one of the desks and they others followed and sat down on one of the couches while Zedept sat in a chair. “I will admit that was a bold move you made using that code.” Garito said as he sat down and the main desk. “I knew you would see me if I used it.” Zedept said. The others are confused. “Hold on for a minute.” Lyra said. Zedept and Garito looks at Lyra. “What?” Zedept asks. “Explain everything before we get lost even more.” Lyra said.

Zedept sighed. “Grandmaster Garito is the leader of Valenster and master of this guild.” Zedept said. “Ok, so what’s this code all about?” Raylin asks. “Every hunter in the guild has a certain code for certain reasons.” Garito explained. “So what was the code you used?” Link asks Zedept. “Reimu’s code.” Zedept answered. “Oh. So you used her code.” Lyra said. “Reimu is Garito’s daughter.” Zedept said. They are shocked at what Zedept just said. “She was my daughter until that Deviljho hunt happened.” Garito said. “Do you blame Zedept for what happened?” Raylin asks.

“No I don’t. Deviljho is a strong monster to hunt even for the expert hunters.” Garito said. “We successfully hunted one a while back.” Zedept said with his eyes closed and arms crossed. “So you did. I did hear that some hunters did kill one a few days ago.” Garito said. “Can we get to business? I don’t want to be here longer than needed.” Zedept said. “Of course so what is it you need?” Garito asks. “Access to the top of the mountain.” Zedept said opening his eyes. “Why do you need to go up there for?” Garito asks. “Alatreon’s shrine.” Zedept said. Garito closes his eyes and places his hands together and in front of his face with his elbows on the desk.

“So you found out about the shrine?” He asks. “Yes. I need to get up there and find where that dragon rests at.” Zedept said. “Why do we need his permission to go up there?” Link asks. “The path that leads to the top is guarded and the only way through is with approval from the Grandmaster.” Zedept explain. “That makes sense.” Lyra said. “So, can we get permission?” Zedept asks. “You do know what monster lives at the top right?” Garito asks. “All I know is what its nickname is. “Dragon of Storms” correct?” Zedept asks. “Yes and it’s a powerful enemy.” Garito said.

“How powerful may I ask?” Raylin asks. “Powerful enough to retire me from hunting.” Garito said. They’re surprised to hear what they just heard. “Even Reimu who as at the time the best hunter on the island was still too weak to hunt it.” Zedept said sadly. “Speaking of Reimu, she left you a letter.” Garito said. Zedept quickly looks at Garito. Garito opens a drawer and takes out an envelope. “I waited until you returned to give you this.” He said handing the letter to Zedept. Zedept opens the letter and starts to read it silently.

To my dear student Zedept

Tomorrow we go on a difficult hunt so in case one of us or both of us don’t make it back I wanted to write this while I still can. When I first found one unconscious on that beach, I brought you to my place and you didn’t wake up for 3 days and when you did you had an angry look to you and every time I talked to you, you never said a single word back to me for 2 months (laugh) I figured you was just trying to be tough and you never ate any food that I made too. Even though I knew you wouldn’t touch anything I made I still made some just in case and then one knight I heard you talking in your sleep and you said “Why did you leave me there to die?” and then I was able to figure it out, you was betrayed by someone and so you refused to trust anyone. I was never mad that you didn’t want to talk about it, I mean everyone has things they want to keep to themselves. I remember coming home early because a hunt took quicker than I thought and you was in your room so I went out back and saw you training alone to improve your skills and so for the next few days I just watched you train and when I woke up early, I saw you leave the house and so I followed you and saw you hunt some stray Jaggis and you was eating them to survive and then I realized that I couldn’t just leave you like that so then I can to you and showed you my back grip style and I saw the look of amazement in your eyes so then I started to teach you how to use your sword with both hands and how to use the back grip style. One day as I was cooking dinner, I heard noise coming from the door and I turn and saw you there hiding your left side. I told you that dinner was about ready and when I finished I was surprised that you sat at the table and started to eat with me. I was happy. It felt like you was starting to trust me and then you finally said something to me. “Thank you.”. I was surprised and I simply said you’re welcome back to you. After living together for 5 months, you started to talk more to me and then I decided to ask you if you would like to meet some friends of mine. At first you was withdrawn about it and I understood why but then you asked me to take you to the guild and I brought you there. Of course I told everyone about you and they wanted to meet you so when we arrived, you was withdrawn from everyone but you slowly opened up to them and even started to contribute to the guild. Everything was going well for you and I couldn’t help but feel happy for you. I can’t forget the day when we hunted that Black Yian Garuga and made you the armor. You was so happy that you said “Thank you so much Reimu.”. It was the first time you ever called me by my name. Zedept, even though I couldn’t have a child of my own, I always thought of you as my own son. I want to leave you something after we get back from this hunt. Talk to dad and he’ll give it to you. I would give it to you personally but after this hunt he wants me to go and train to become the next Grandmaster so I won’t be with you for a while but I know you can take care of things for me. Take care of yourself.

Your teacher and adopted mother, Reimu

Zedept finished reading the letter and a tear came from his right eye as he places the down some. After 6 minutes of silence, Zedept broke it. “What did she leave?” He asks. Garito stands up and walks to a chest and pulls out a cloth that’s wrapping something. He then places it onto his desk. “This is it.” He said. Zedept stands up and walks over and unwraps the cloth to reveal a Sword and Shield. “This is, but I can’t.” Zedept said. “May we see?” Link asks. Zedept nods.

They get up and walks over to see the weapon. “What is it?” Lyra asks. “Eternal Hate.” Zedept said. “I never heard of it.” Raylin said. “I have, it’s an ancient weapon said to have tremendous dragon attack.” Link said. “It does. I’ve seen it in action before.” Zedept said. “She left this to you. Remember that it’s the Sword and Shield match of her weapon.” Garito said. “What was her weapon?” Lyra asks. “Eternal Sacrifice. The ancient dual swords that match this weapon.” Zedept said. “So does this mean she wanted him to be his partner?” Raylin asks. “No, not exactly.” Garito said.

“It means she trust me even to be the Grandmaster after her.” Zedept said. They look at him. Zedept picks up the shield and turns it around and sees a folded piece of paper taped to the shield. Zedept takes it off and opens it and it simply reads “Live long and fight to protect the ones you love.”. Zedept stares at it for a minute. “Garito, I want you to do something.” Zedept said. “And what’s that?” Garito asks. Zedept pulls out a map of the Eastern Continent.

“About here (Zedept points on map) there’s a village. Send Eternal Hate there to the elder and tell her that it has been given to Zedept and she’ll know what to do with it.” Zedept said. “So you’ll take it?” Link asks. “Right now I’m more confident with my greatsword than an sword and shield.” Zedept replied. “Ok, I’ll have it send there but it’s getting late so stay here tonight and I’ll send you off tomorrow.” Garito said. “That’s fine with me.” Zedept said. “Ok, I‘ll take you 4 to a spare room.” Garito said and lead them to a room for the night.