Prologue

(The Great Ocean, Near the Northern coastline of the Empire)

"Man, this is the first time we've seen land in weeks!" Tatsumi exclaimed as he noticed the faint brown landscape slowly come in to view on the horizon.

"We've nearly arrived indeed…" the Argosy Captain agreed. "Won't be long now."

The sun was just beginning to rise in the East, which gave a stunning backdrop to their long-awaited destination.

After admiring the view for a moment, Tatsumi decided it was time to wake up his travelling partner and childhood friend, Ieyasu, to give him the good news. He went below decks on the great vessel they had been using for their trans-continental journey for the past 3 weeks to find his friend, who was still fast asleep on the bunk beds they'd be sharing. As he approached the doorway to the room, he shouted in:

"Hey! Ieyasu! Time to get up man."

He could hear the half-asleep moan his friend gave him indicating he had no real intention of jumping out of bed. This prompted Tatsumi to go a step further, as he usual had to most mornings. He went beside the bottom bunk where his friend was laying and shook his leg and repeated: "Hey! It's time to wake up! Looks like we're almost there."

"Huh…." Ieyasu mumbled, still very much drowsy. "We're almost where...? Home?" he questioned.

"Seems like it." Tatsumi responded.

"Alrighty, I'll get up." Ieyasu swung his legs around and came to a sitting position in the bunk. "Crazy to think it's been nearly 3 weeks eh?" Ieyasu let out a small sigh.

"Yeah, even though I'm grateful for the Captain taking us all this way, could really do with some dry land." Tatsumi responded with a bit of a chuckle. "I'll meet you top-side." Tatsumi told his friend, to which he responded with a nod and a wave of his hand. As Tatsumi made his way back to the deck of the ship, he started to reminisce on the travels the pair had made.

"Damn, after all this time. We're finally going home. Seems like its been so long…"

"Well no shit dumbass, it HAS been 6 years. Wonder if they still remember us. What a thought…" He chuckled to himself as he scratched the back of his head, before making his way up the straight staircase to the deck of the ship once again.

"Will your friend be joining us finally?" the Argosy Captain asked Tatsumi with a cheeky smile.

"Let's hope!" Tatsumi responded, pinching the bridge of his nose a little, before responding with his own smile. Just as the two finished their exchange, almost on que, Ieyasu appeared at the top of the staircase, still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"Yeah I know, I'm up okay." Ieyasu retorted, clearly catching part of Tatsumi's and the Captain's exchange.

"Wow, that's quite the sunrise… Can hardly make out the Empire on the horizon." Ieyasu murmured. "I bet Sayo would've loved this view…" as a blank expression came across Ieyasu's face. Tatsumi winced seeing the expression his friend was making, and he too remembered their best friend.

"He's right, she definitely would have. Man, it feels so strange without her here."

"Yeah… without a doubt." Tatsumi replied to his friend, which was barely louder than a whisper. He was able to conceal his emotions slightly better than Ieyasu, or so he thought, until a single tear made its way down Tatsumi's right cheek. Looking towards their approaching destination, Tatsumi clutched the talisman he wore around his neck, remembering what felt like moments ago.

(Flashback, 6 years ago)

Tatsumi could only sit and listen as he heard his parents quarrel in the room over. He could only pick up certain things here and there, but a certain monologue that he was able to interpret made him shake in fear of the unknown.

"… this place is going to hell! There is no way he can have a promising future here. Between the recent tax hikes and the poor harvests we've been having… even Ieyasu and Sayo's family both agree. This is no place for children to grow up, they've got too much to look forward to! The opportunities here are dying off like the fucking landscape around us …. Look, my father knows his way around the Western continent, he's got plenty of connections. He can make sure they learn the valuable skills they are going to need to survive in the Empire…

Tatsumi was struggling to listen to the words of his father as he paused to catch his breath.

"Fact is, most of our skilled tradesman and their families have all left for the Capital, there's barely anyone left here to teach them, and with us running the village and trying to take care of the sick, we've got no time, without us, this place will fall apart and cease to…" Tatsumi's father was clearly pleading to his mother, who, from what he could tell, was just listening to his words in silence, either in denial, or in awe, but likely both.

It was no secret that the village had been suffering, especially lately. However, Tatsumi didn't realize it had gotten this bad. His parents often shielded him from some of the harsher realities that came with living so far from the Capital, but certainly not out of its reach.

"We'll never be able to give them the life experience that exploring the Western continent would give them and think- "he trailed off. Clearly trying to pick his words carefully. "And think, one day, they will return, it won't be forever, but enough time for them to learn invaluable knowledge, skills, and how to survive!" Tatsumi's father was rambling at this point, clearly desperate.

After what seemed like multiple moments of silence,

"Okay." Tatsumi's mother replied with, in nothing short of a whisper.

"Thank you… if there was any other alternative, where they could all stay here, trust me, I'd find it… But them spending their most impressionable years abroad in a whole new world, with its own set of dangers of course, but, with the proper resources to be able to support them, is an opportunity we need to give to them, one they won't find here, at least not right now."

"I know…" Tatsumi's mother murmured in response, "I know you're doing your best, but I doesn't change the fact that it all just hurts so much… I wish we could do more here!" she choked out as she began to sob.

Tatsumi could do nothing but sit in silence as he stared at the floor in front of him, clenching his fists, not being able to fully understand the implications of the words he just overheard.

He was interrupted from his own thoughts by the calling of his name.

"Tatsumi." His parents called out as they opened the door to the living area, where he was sitting. "We need to talk to you about something." They both sat down in front of Tatsumi and attempted to conceal their emotions as best as they could.

"Listen here Tatsumi. I have something I need you to do for us, okay? Hear us out." Tatsumi only nodded in response.

"You, Ieyasu and Sayo are going to go an adventure with grandpa." Trying to sound as cheery as possible. "Grandpa's been all over the Western continent, as you know from all his stories. And your mother and I think it would be an amazing opportunity for you all to learn some amazing things, meet some amazing people, and experience a whole new world!" Sounding enthusiastic. "We would come with in a heartbeat- " Tatsumi's father stopped himself, trying to remain composed.

"But you know how much everyone here relies on us, without their chief, frankly… they won't make it." his father trailed off.

"Times have been tough on this village Tatsumi, and although it made be hard for you understand, growing up abroad will give you, Ieyasu and Sayo all the best chance at succeeding at making a promising foundation for yourselves, and the village."

"But as your father said, making sure you have a home to come back to once you've finished learning all you can, is our responsibility." Tatsumi's mother picked up where her husband finished.

"I think I get it…" Tatsumi responded softly. After a long pause, he added, "But I still wish-"

"-I just wish I could stay here!" As a few tears welled up in his eyelids and finally started to drop on to the floor.

Tatsumi's parents immediately embraced him, trying to comfort their son through which was undoubtedly the hardest decision they've ever had to make, and the hardest thing their son had ever had to hear.

"You won't be alone out there Tatsumi, we'll both be with you every step of the way, right here." As Tatsumi's mother gestured to his chest, directly at his heart. Tatsumi continued to sob lightly as his parents continued to console him.

After a few moments passed, Tatsumi's father stood up and spoke:

"And you will all be looking out for one another, you have to promise US that, and to each other most importantly." He declared.

Tatsumi, who was finally feeling a bit better, stood up, and responded with confidence:

"You have my word!" he announced with the best smile he could muster, with his armed aimed high with a clenched fist.

Tatsumi's parents were a shocked a bit at first at the resolve their son was expressing, but after a few seconds, could only respond with a warm smile.

"Then it's a promise. And remember Tatsumi, this isn't forever. One day, all three of you shall return, heroes of this village! We're already so, so proud of you. More than you know…" Tatsumi's father responded to his son with his own affirmation.

"I know you can all do it. You have the hopes and dreams of the entire village riding on you three. Before you know it, we'll be welcoming you back…"

(2 weeks later, Village docks)

Although the sun had barely risen, the activity surrounding the village docks was as bustling as the Capital's markets at midday. Tatsumi, Ieyasu, and Sayo were all standing on the docks admiring the impressive Argosy vessel that was docked before them.

"Wow… it's huge!" Ieyasu exclaimed.

"Little too big for your brain to handle?" Sayo responded with a snicker, smirking at her friend.

"Hey! You know that's not what I meant!"

The sounds of his best friends bickering like usual almost made Tatsumi miss the fact his parents, along with Ieyasu's and Sayo's were approaching them. Upon seeing them, Tatsumi immediately ran to them and embraced them both.

"Have you got everything?" Tatsumi's mother asked softly.

"Of course!" he announced in response.

"Excellent. Of course, with you triple checking all his things, its no wonder…" Tatsumi's father scoffed, which earned up sharp jab in the ribs, to which he responded with a wince and a slight chuckle. It was at this time when Tatsumi's grandfather and the Argosy Captain approached from the village center.

"Well youngsters, your gramps here has filled me on the details. Looks like you're all in for some adventure. Yes?" The Argosy Captain asked. The three of them of all nodded in response.

The Argosy Captain was a tall, impressive man who wore faded indigo pants, with a blue and white kimono. It was also hard to miss the impressive long sword sheathed across his back as well, known as the Barbarian Blade. He was a charming businessman who travelled the world in search of riches and other rarities. He frequently visited the village where Tatsumi grew up, which is how he got to know to Tatsumi's grandfather. Of course, the two of them go way back, much before Tatsumi was even a thought. This relationship that been forged over the years is why the parents of the three young people could trust Tatsumi's grandfather and the Captain so much.

Tatsumi's grandfather made his way over to his son, Tatsumi's father. And shook his hand.

"Thank you, Dad, you're the only one that I could ask do this. I hate to ask any- " Tatsumi's father was cut off with a hand wave of his father.

"This, I would do again a thousand times. I would be happy to show these young individuals the wonders of the world in hopes that one day they return and outwit us all!" he said with a laugh. Tatsumi's parents responded with a smile. He then turned to Ieyasu's and Sayo's parents, to whom he simply nodded with a smile, and then made his way over to the boarding area.

Tatsumi, Ieyasu and Sayo glanced at each other momentarily, and then gathered their things hurriedly. With a final look at their parents, the three of them followed Tatsumi's grandfather up to where they would board. It was then the trio heard a shout from Tatsumi's father:

"Remember! Look out for each other! Stay safe, and we shall see you all soon! We are all very proud of you!"

Seeing the warm smiles on the faces of their respective parents was the last little boost of confidence the trio needed to hop on to the deck of the massive vessel. With a snap, the Argosy Captain had signalled his crew to untie the last of the docking ropes and to set sail.

As the ship began to creep forward with its sails unfolding, the trio were leaning over the railing waving at their parents, who were returning the gesture in kind.

After a moment however, the morning fog quickly began to obscure their view of the coast, until it was gone entirely.

"I'm gonna do it. We ALL are. We're gonna make the whole village proud of us. We'll come back knowing things they've never even heard of!" Tatsumi shouted internally.

The three made their way up to the bow of the ship, where the Captain was standing. The Captain turned to face them all, witch a small smirk on his face.

"Are you all ready?!" he exclaimed.

The trio responded in unison: "Yes!"

"I guess it's a little late for that. But if what their gramps has said is any indicator, they've all got outstanding potential. I'll have to see for myself, but I got faith." The Captain thought.

With a nod to the enthusiasm of the youngsters, the Captain declared: "De wa! The sea breeze beckons!"

(1 month later, Port Town of Val Habar)

"So, you want us to show the ropes to these youngsters eh?"

A medium height, well-built man who donned a red flat cap hat, paired with a short sleeve red leather top and dark grey pants was conversing with Tatsumi's grandfather a few steps away.

"What kinda outfit is that?" Tatsumi wondered. "Looks like he's in the circus or something…"

Seemingly reading Tatsumi's mind, Ieyasu thought out loud: "Wow, what kinda weird get-up is that? He gonna show us a magic trick?" as he let out a chuckle.

"And he could definitely kick your butt in the middle of it!" Sayo jeered in return.

"You wouldn't be able to fight him off either! What the heck do you know?" he retorted, a tick mark appearing near simultaneously on each of their foreheads as they butted heads.

"C'mon guys! At least try and get along and take some of this place in!" Tatsumi interjected into their little argument.

With their friend coming in as the voice of reason, the two snapped out of their own little world and just looked away from each other, Sayo wearing a pouty expression.

"We have to make the most of this alright, so just try and hold it together. Please?" as he gently placed his hands on his friends shoulders respectively.

"Fine…" Sayo and Ieyasu responded one after another.

It was then the trio really started to look around and take in the sights around them.

Val Habar was considered a hub to all sorts of travellers, merchants and hunters. It neighboured what was known as the Great Desert, which the infamous Elder Dragon Dah'ren Mohran called home. The town had a large fleet of sand ships, and a large hunting gong to counter such a beast. These details were unbeknownst to the trio at the time, but they would later come to know them very well.

Their admiration of the town would have to wait, as the man in red approached the three with Tatsumi's grandfather next to him.

"So, the gramps here tells me ya'll want to be hunters?" the man announced.

The trio glanced at each other with confused looks, then finally turning disjointed expressions towards to the man who had just addressed them.

"Tatsumi, Sayo, Ieyasu, this man here is the Caravaneer. He commands a caravan who travel the world, much like the Argosy, in search of rarities and treasures. As a group, they all posses a variety of knowledge and skill sets." Tatsumi's grandfather explained. After a short pause, he continued:

"One of the main appeals of the Western Continent as whole is its monster hunting, for several reasons. The biggest ones for you three will be to learn invaluable survival skills in the wilderness and how to protect yourself from dangerous beasts and monsters alike." Tatsumi's grandfather finished with.

"I'd go ahead and show you the basics of hunting myself-" as he gestured to himself "-but I am little, shall we say, past my prime."

Tatsumi held back a chuckle.

"Gramps here has told me a little about your situation, and it sound like you all are in some need of some invigorating life experience!" the Caravaneer announced with a hearty grin.

"So, you three, this will be your first step in becoming men and woman your parents would be very proud of. Everyone must start somewhere, and for you all, I believe this your best chance. It wasn't SO long ago that I was in your shoes doing the same thing." Tatsumi's Grandfather added.

The three stood in shock, trying to soak in what they'd all just been told.

"So, when do we start?" Tatsumi asked, after re-composing himself. Ieyasu and Sayo shot him quick glances that clearly showed their hesitance:

"Hey idiot! What do you think you're doing?"

"HA! I like your enthusiasm kid. I got a real respect for your gramps here. He tells me you all have some real promise at becoming formidable hunters, and strong, confident individuals. You may not look like much right now, but we'll all whip you in to shape in no time." He responded to the group with a smile.

"Just remember one thing for me okay gang?"

"What's that?" Tatsumi asked in return.

"We'll teach you plenty of things here, show you sights you've never been able to dream of, and give you the skills you need to make it." He paused.

"So, remember, if a task comes up and you three are called upon, remember that we'll only ask if we think you're ready."

The group seemed to have a renewed confidence present in their eyes.

"All right! We got this guys! If this is what it takes to help our village and ourselves, we can do anything!" Tatsumi cheered in response to the Caravaneers words of encouragement.

"Excellent. Most excellent" The Caravanner nodded.

"You're the one to get it done."

And with a tip of his red cap, the Caravaneer gestured the group to follow him down what appeared to them as the main road in Val Habar.

Little did the three know at the time, the things they learned from the group lead by an over-eccentric Caravaneer and his compatriots would be the experiences they'd hold on to for the rest of their lives.

(3 years later; forest known as the Moga Woods, Western Continent)

Ieyasu sneezed.

"Hey idiot! You want that thing to kill us?" Sayo said venomously to her childhood friend.

"Oh, would you relax? The thing is over a hundred feet away! Plus, this goddamn bush is the real problem." Ieyasu replied with a muffled hissed as he glanced over at their target while also hacking away at the bush he was concealed in.

"Shut it you two! It's looking this way!" Tatsumi responded in a low growl.

"It's our first fucking large monster hunt, and here they are, at each others' throats."

"We've got no choice now, lets come at from 3 sides while it's still confused as to where we are." Tatsumi told the group.

As they all nodded to each other, they all rushed into the clearing where the Great Jaggi was. The Great Jaggi was a bipedal bird wyvern who was the largest, meanest of the Jaggi, who confidently led the pack of lesser Jaggi and Jaggia. It also never failed to call upon backup in a fight from its lesser minions. As the three surrounded the beast from three sides, the beast let out a low hiss, before rearing up and hissing loudly at the group 3 times in succession, all whilst dragging its claws through the dirt below it and showing off its gruesome teeth.

"Now!" Tatsumi shouted.

Sayo drew her bow and started to unleash a hailstorm of iron tipped arrows at the beast. After taking a few deflecting shots of its tough hide, it managed to leap backwards from the hunters, creating some distance between itself and the group. After hissing once again it charged towards Sayo, the source of its most recent aggravation with a flurry of tail whips in her direction. Sayo managed to roll out of the way in time to avoid any contact. Sayo prepared another volley, however this time with arrows which oozed with purple poison at the tip.

"Try this on for size meathead!" She yelled as two of the arrows landed their mark in the beast's crest area.

The beast recoiled in pain from the initial impact, not knowing the lasting effects the poison would have on its movements.

"Now its my turn buddy!" Ieyasu responded in kind to his friends handywork. He charged up a powerful Hammer blow as he ran towards the head of the Great Jaggi. Before he could fully power up however, he brought the charged hammer to a parallel plane with the ground and swung horizontally, while using himself as a counterweight to the massive blunt object. After connecting with the beast's head three times in succession, he reeled up for a finishing uppercut blow which sent the beast flying 10 feet backwards.

Tatsumi stared in awe at this friend who had just unleashed a massive blow upon the Great Jaggi.

"That's the stuff!" He yelled back at his friend. Ieyasu responded with a quick flex of his biceps and a bright smile, to which he and Sayo could only sigh and roll their eyes in response.

However, in the admiration of their childish comrade, the Great Jaggi had managed to right itself, now visibly enraged. The grey and maroon coloured frill that surrounded the neck of the best vibrated in agitation as the beast hissed.

"Uh-oh-" Tatsumi gulped. "Now its real pissed."

"No shit!" Sayo retorted, still angry at the fact that they missed their opportunity to strike at the downed beast.

The Great Jaggi then reared its head upwards towards the sky making an audible calling sound to inform its minions it required assistance.

"I'll go for the small ones, you two keep at it." Sayo said calmly, drawing her bow as naturally as ever. Sayo had always been skilled with a bow, and even when coming to this whole new world, she kept at it, polishing her skills even further.

"You got it!" Tatsumi responded. His own weapon, known as the Charge Blade, appeared at first glance to be a simple sword and shield combo. However, the intricacies of this weapon if mastered properly, could unleash deadly force with single attacks AND combos. Tatsumi began to hack and slash at some of the Jaggi that appeared in the way between him and his goal. The Great Jaggi, still enraged at its previous assailant, charged towards Ieyasu before coming perpendicular to him, and then unleashed a fast and powerful hip-check, which Ieyasu was caught off-guard by, sending him flying meters backwards and knocking the wind of him.

"Agh-!"Ieyasu managed to cough out.

"Alright buddy, your fight is with me right now!" Tatsumi yelled at the beast as he threw at rock at its face. The beast turned towards him with steam being breathed out of its mouth all the while. Tatsumi charged at the beast, ready to block its inevitable 'chomp' in his direction. As he predicted, the Great Jaggi attempted lunge and bite in his direction, to which Tatsumi was able to counter with a shield charge to knock the beast to his left, before dodging in the direction opposite and unleashing a fury of slashes and chops to the Great Jaggi's right side.

The beast flinched in response to Tatsumi's savage blows to its hide. It managed to whip its tail in his direction however, forcing him to block the tough hide tail with his shield.

"Damn, this thing is tougher than he thought." Tatsumi thought to himself with a bead of sweat dripping down into his eye.

Ieyasu had managed to stand up at this point. Sayo had also seemingly finished most off the minor threats with her deadly aim. However, almost on queue, the Great Jaggi was ready to call out to his comrades again, pointing its head high in the air. Before he could call out however, Tatsumi had pulled the pin on a flash bomb, and threw it just in front of the face of the beast. It exploded with a flash, interrupting the Great Jaggi's call to arms.

"Now!" Tatsumi yelled at Ieyasu.

"You got it!" Ieyasu responded in kind with charging up a massive hammer blow. The stunned beast could do both but hazily watch as the massive blunt weapon impacted its skull with an audible "thud". Knocking the beast into a near unconscious state.

As the Great Jaggi stood still upright, with its head drooping towards the ground trying to regain its senses, a purple ooze began to drip from its mouth. Noticing the fruits of her labour, Sayo could only grin as she saw Tatsumi gear up for a massive attack.

Tatsumi had managed to block enough damage and land enough hits with the sword part of his weapon that the blade now emanated a red glow from the hilt.

"It's time." He thought to himself.

He brought the shield which stretched from his upper torso down to his shins back and to his right side, before inserting the sword into the base of the shield. With a mechanical 'clang', he unsheathed the sword once again. However, the sword no longer exhibited the red glow from earlier. He sheathed the weapon again however, to close the distance between him and the Great Jaggi faster.

"Guess I'm all charged up now, no time to waste."

Tatsumi grinned, his eyes full of determination as he charged over towards the beast, who was still clearly stunned and dripping with toxins. He unsheathed his weapon once again, however this time, with a distinct metal on metal slide it transformed into an impressively sized double-edged axe. Immediately after unsheathing his weapon in this form, he chopped horizontally into the side of the beast, and with a grunt, he swung the axe around himself in a circle cutting deeply into the midsection of the Great Jaggi with each pass.

After the first rotation, Tatsumi converted the momentum of the weapon into an impressive stance, with the axe in a poised, ready to strike position just behind his back.

"AGGGHHHHHH!" with a mighty yell Tatsumi brought axe behind his head and back with a single arm and commenced a downwards chop, with his second hand meeting his first hand on the handle just at the axe blade crested his head. As the blade traversed its deadly trajectory, it crackled with elemental energy, resulting in a mighty chop as the blade reached its target. After a short second of the axe blade being well in to the Great Jaggi's neck, the elemental energy reached its climax and exploded with a loud and thunderous 'boom', causing a great deal of dust to be stirred up in the clearing the trio had found themselves in.

As the dust settled, the trio looked early to see their handy work, and to their hopeful expectations, the Great Jaggi lied dead on the clearing floor, with its head cleaved clean off.

After taking the victory in momentarily, Sayo could only look at Tatsumi in awe.

"Wow… that was amazing. I've never seen a strike like that."

Before she could get too lost in her thoughts, Ieyasu responded audibly to the success of his friend with an appropriate:

"Hell yeah Tatsumi! We kicked that things ass!" he exclaimed.

Tatsumi supressed the urge to smile out like an idiot before finally giving in and giving his comrades a huge thumbs up and a toothy smile.

"I haven't seen that smile in a while it feels… comforting." Sayo thought to herself, with a dusty blush forming on her cheeks.

"Well, we best report back to guild with this hunt! Plus, I'm sure the Caravaneer will wanna hear about this." Tatsumi declared.

"Man, what a rush, our first large monster hunt…I wasn't sure really how'd that turn out, but damn, we killed it! We'll be unstoppable in no time." Tatsumi grinned widely as he gathered his two friends with his arms around their shoulders as they made their way out of the clearing.

(Flashback end)

"Our first large monster hunt was quite something back then… heh. Pretty feeble in comparison to what we could do as we got more experienced, but damn, we really pulled out all the stops in that hunt. We'd only been on minor quests for the guild at that point, gathering resources, hunting 'non-threatening' creatures, escorting civilians around. So, it was definitely a test to see how we'd all hold up as a team." Tatsumi paused his thoughts for a moment.

"Man, Gramps was so proud of us when we got back, same with the Caravaneer! The guild finally started to take us seriously too at that point and let us take on more dangerous hunts."

Tatsumi let out an exasperated sigh, and then rubbed his eyes clear of any tears that were still lingering.

"She wouldn't want us to be showing up this weak and depressed looking, she'd kick our ass more than any damn monster ever could. Especially for our triumphant return..." Tatsumi managed to giggle a little at the thought of the energetic young woman chasing after him punching and kicking.

As Tatsumi pulled himself out of his own thoughts, he noticed the docks to his village slowly become defined against the terrain in the distance.

"Well, we'll have a lot of stuff to catch them up on, won't we?" Ieyasu pointed out to Tatsumi.

He nodded to respond to his friend, as he could slowly make out some silhouettes on the dock.