Forgive, but don't forget and aspire to greatness. Always remember - never give up. Never give in.
The sun blazed from above - it's calescent rays nearly making you feel as if you could melt away from the armor you wore. Yet you bared the scalding temperatures, making your way towards Loc Lac, excitement clearly racing through your mind - despite your attempts to not visibly show it. You knew one of the greatest hunts was upon you. This was a chance to earn glory and fame; the notice had been served by the Guild - a Raviente had appeared. What a lucky break. It was rare one of these elusive, yet glorified monsters would surface, thus enacting the need for it's presence to be removed. For you, this would finally give you the chance to rise the ranks and make yourself known.
As you finally arrived at the great Sand City, passing through its massive elegant and ornate gates, you couldn't help but revel in the notion that the time was upon you. Making haste towards the landing pads where the airships sat at the eastern end of the city, you quickly passed eagerly by hawkers and weapon shops. Your only thought was to reach the secluded island where the Raviente had been located. For you this was to be the biggest grand adventure, even more so than visiting the grandeur of Loc Lac itself. Though as you finally shifted your way through the vast city and into the eastern quadrant where the airships sat perched, a huge gathering of other hunters had caught your eye; it was clearly obvious that some of the best had been called to partake in this hunt. You secretly hoped the competition wouldn't be too great.
It wasn't long before you boarded one of the three ships waiting to carry the hoard of hunters that had been patiently waiting, and before you knew it, you were airborne, heading towards your destination. You shivered in delight, eager as ever, almost unable to pass the slowly ticking hours before the ships finally closed in on the giant island. The ship descended towards its surface as the last glints of light vanished over the horizon. Moments later you found yourself, boots crunching against the hard, packed dirt, at the very place where you would finally become someone. This would be where you would find your calling.
Your thoughts however, were cut off abruptly and you was drug from your reverie as crimson shot across the sky and searing white heat filled the air. You cast a glance to where the airships had begun to ascend, only to realize they had been set ablaze and had capsized to the ground, completely destroyed. Shock griped you as your eyes locked on the scene and the sudden turn of events when a silhouette appeared behind the glimmering waves, nearly hidden by the smoking embers and burning ships.
You could not believe what you were seeing - the image partially cloaked amiss the devastation as it stepped forward, though you could just make out a devious smirk that graced the figure's lips.
"I know you are surprised..." The figure spoke - clearly female, "Though as much of a shock as this comes, I will attest, you have no hope of rescue. You are completely cut off from the Guild, from any contact with the world beyond this island." For a second, you caught the wisp of a diabolical laugh and a sense of dread crept up your spine.
"I am sure you are wondering who I am, eh? Well, that will be for later. What I will reveal at the moment is that I want to play a game.” A… Game you thought. What was going on? “One to test your mettle. One that will test your very limits and morals. The very strength of your will. I intend to see just exactly how far a hunter will go." The figure breathed, and you was sure there was satisfaction hanging on the female's every word.
"You all must play the game," she announced to the crowd, despite the growing protests, "Which your only hope of leaving this island and your very survival depends on if you win the challenge."
Your blood suddenly went cold. What was this woman proposing? Hunters killing one another? It was unheard of!
"If you choose not to play... Well then you die." The voice paused. "I will leave you to process this information. For now." The image beyond the crimson veil vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. Despite the weighing odds, you saw no other alternative. Stranded. Alone. The dread you felt was real. Your situation, bleak. If you were to survive and come out of this on top, you unfortunately had no other choice but to submit to this female's whims and play her game. One fought to the death.
To the victor go the spoils.
As you finally arrived at the great Sand City, passing through its massive elegant and ornate gates, you couldn't help but revel in the notion that the time was upon you. Making haste towards the landing pads where the airships sat at the eastern end of the city, you quickly passed eagerly by hawkers and weapon shops. Your only thought was to reach the secluded island where the Raviente had been located. For you this was to be the biggest grand adventure, even more so than visiting the grandeur of Loc Lac itself. Though as you finally shifted your way through the vast city and into the eastern quadrant where the airships sat perched, a huge gathering of other hunters had caught your eye; it was clearly obvious that some of the best had been called to partake in this hunt. You secretly hoped the competition wouldn't be too great.
It wasn't long before you boarded one of the three ships waiting to carry the hoard of hunters that had been patiently waiting, and before you knew it, you were airborne, heading towards your destination. You shivered in delight, eager as ever, almost unable to pass the slowly ticking hours before the ships finally closed in on the giant island. The ship descended towards its surface as the last glints of light vanished over the horizon. Moments later you found yourself, boots crunching against the hard, packed dirt, at the very place where you would finally become someone. This would be where you would find your calling.
Your thoughts however, were cut off abruptly and you was drug from your reverie as crimson shot across the sky and searing white heat filled the air. You cast a glance to where the airships had begun to ascend, only to realize they had been set ablaze and had capsized to the ground, completely destroyed. Shock griped you as your eyes locked on the scene and the sudden turn of events when a silhouette appeared behind the glimmering waves, nearly hidden by the smoking embers and burning ships.
You could not believe what you were seeing - the image partially cloaked amiss the devastation as it stepped forward, though you could just make out a devious smirk that graced the figure's lips.
"I know you are surprised..." The figure spoke - clearly female, "Though as much of a shock as this comes, I will attest, you have no hope of rescue. You are completely cut off from the Guild, from any contact with the world beyond this island." For a second, you caught the wisp of a diabolical laugh and a sense of dread crept up your spine.
"I am sure you are wondering who I am, eh? Well, that will be for later. What I will reveal at the moment is that I want to play a game.” A… Game you thought. What was going on? “One to test your mettle. One that will test your very limits and morals. The very strength of your will. I intend to see just exactly how far a hunter will go." The figure breathed, and you was sure there was satisfaction hanging on the female's every word.
"You all must play the game," she announced to the crowd, despite the growing protests, "Which your only hope of leaving this island and your very survival depends on if you win the challenge."
Your blood suddenly went cold. What was this woman proposing? Hunters killing one another? It was unheard of!
"If you choose not to play... Well then you die." The voice paused. "I will leave you to process this information. For now." The image beyond the crimson veil vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. Despite the weighing odds, you saw no other alternative. Stranded. Alone. The dread you felt was real. Your situation, bleak. If you were to survive and come out of this on top, you unfortunately had no other choice but to submit to this female's whims and play her game. One fought to the death.
To the victor go the spoils.
