Ryan Berentes's Story

The Hunt? Was one of the Beasts here? Hmm...that could pose a probably. While not opposed to the Beast, those of the Moon almost never saw eye to eye with that Sigil. While not opposed in ideology, they often clashed heads when it came to practices...and methods. Still...Uuik was already learning.

Families. Organizations. Something called a core. Audio filters allowed the Monk to focus only on the conversation he was currently observing. All data was important, but at least this actually seemed to have meaning. It wasn't just prattle over wares and goods and docking rights.

It was bright here, on this planet. Uuik would give anything to go without his suit for at least a cycle of his Moon. However...the atmosphere would kill him, not to mention his Order's oath of secrecy. Other-worlders must never know the identity of the monks. Species. True names. Home world. All of it must be kept a secret, while collect the secrets of said other worlds. Such was his orders way.

The Monk would move closer, slowly, passing through boxes, people, and other such things as if it was water. With almost no real combat capabilities aside from trickery, the Monks of the Darksky Moon relied on other tactics to complete their goals, and he was growing curiouser and curiouser about this core...Soon, he stood but feet away, invisible, intangible...but there.

Oh well when he put it that way! Berentes grinned. He was, like most others, overwhelmed with excitement for this year's hunt, but didn't quite get what Sir DeSeiro was playing at. There was something he knew, like always, but what? He shook his headand still smiling said, "I swear, DeSeiro, you could hang a cliff from a cliff from a cliff."

Sir DeSeiro laughed out loud at that. He was shady as a fox it was true. Folding his arms and looking to Berentes the older man said, "And what would life be without a bit of suspense, eh?" With a stomp he pulled himself from his perch, stretching his elbows above his head. Berentes decided to give up prying. I'll just have to wait until I can make it to Vien myself.

"The Hunt comes all the time. Not every day your wife falls pregnant," Remarked Sir DeSeiro, to which Berentes flushed. It was true he was more excited about the Hunt sometimes than the coming of his own child, but that didn't mean he didn't care! Heck, he supposed he should spend more time with her. Pregnant women were just not fun to be around. DeSeiro wasn't about to let up, pressing the conversation away from the Hunt as if he was hiding something. "Go on, tell what names the woman's musing on. I know you've picked a favorite."

"Well," Berentes began hesitantly, "She's thinking very glamorously, wanting to name our child after Tien the Young or another historical figure-"

"Fine and well, isn't it?" Sir DeSeiro twisted in place as he listened.

"-For a middle name. The first name of the child we're at a minor standstill on. You see, she's exploring some seriously abstract naming concepts, while I figured we should stick to the more traditional sense of things, considering the birth is timed with the Hunt just perfectly, and-What's that look?" As Berentes rambled on, a strange sort of smile grew on Sir DeSeiro's face. He couldn't even help but laugh at the common quarrel among couples, himself often wondering exactly how bad his own parent's fight was that they settled on a name like Mungus.

"You could always mush two together," DeSeiro commented with a smirk. Berentes was opening his mouth to retort, still choking up on the absurdity of it all when a young lad scurried up. He smelled kinda salty and payed his respects to both of them in a lopsided manner.

"G'even' Sir Bernantus!" The kid swayed where he stood with a shit eating grin. Ah hell, figures the kid would get greedy. "Ishth'rihere?" He pointed drunkenly past Berentes, probably meaning to point at him. Sir DeSeiro grabbed his left arm, and without a word Berentes grabbed his right.

"S'been here for a bit," Berentes revealed to all, then to DeSeiro, "I was wondering what you were waiting for."

"Kid told me a vehicle hadn't arrived yet," Sir DeSeiro grunted back.

"Ah, I put 'em up to that."

"Wanted to get your shocks in first?" Berentes's silence answered the question well enough. Off they went through the crowds, hauling a drunken young lad between them. Sir DeSeiro was honestly just glad the kid had sense enough to find his way back through the crowds. Things at the Society must have gotten lax in his absence. I was only gone a week!

"Let Prophet know we are beginning our final approach." Baegahn announced over the ship's comm. Prophet would be notified with a buzz at his door, the Sapieri noble often silenced the comm in his room so that he would not be disturbed in his meditations. He was standing behind the pilot in less than a minute, watching on the screen their descent towards the ambitiously named Freeport.

"Population scans show primarily mammals Eminence, primates." the winged copilot announced. "Apes, feh, we shall see if they are versed in such things as common courtesy." said the reptilian commander.

The ship came to hover over a landing bay, wings closing as its landing struts deployed before it lowered to the ground, settling with a hiss and the sound of its shifting weight. A hatch on the side, near the head of the silver plated vessel hissed open and a being resembling a humanoid, two headed dragon stepped out, a large, rectangular rifle slung under a pillar like arm. Following them was an even more massive being, also armed. Two others stepped out after him, one with fins the other with a pair of large wings. Following them was Prophet, the most human of the group, accompanied by a lean, black armored, female reptiloid at his side.

"Hmph, not earning points on the welcome I think." muttered the winged member of the group, a long rifle slung on his back.

He was practically singing. It wasn't every day, Hunt, or lifetime for that matter one was chosen to be a chooser. Skipping along with more than a smile in his step, Ryan Berentes made his way about the simple errands he had to complete before embarking on his journey for Vien. He had dreamed of this day since practically being a kid, and...!

A shadow swept over him, silence looming in it's wake. Murmuring, many citizens of Freeport angled a finger to the sky. A ship was up there, large and foreign. None like had ever come here before. Taking to the path beneath awnings, Ryan continued his pursuit towards the main docking ports. He, like many others, cast wary glances to the sky. It wasn't until the thing landed that the city seemed to breathe. A small crowd formed in awe, now that fear had been swept under the rug, as the side hatches of the door opened. He tried to avoid it, truly he did, but curiosity got the better of Ryan. He shouldered his way through the small and bustling mob. All were trying to get a close look without looking like they were trying to get a close look. Ryan played with a glowing orange orb at his wrist as he peeked above the heads of strangers at the even strangers.

The crowd took a step back, if not fully so, at the sight of weapons. Many were at ease upon touching their own firearms, some giving nods of approval at the foreigners. Of course, there was the lady or three who ushered away her children with scorn for the showy entrance. Then, as if a sigh, the initial shock faded. Even more Freeportions pressed forth with questions, comments, and concerns.

"Where are you from?" Rang from the lips of many, "Are you here for the Hunt?" "Do you speak Common?"
"Where'd you get that piece of tech?"
"Is it core compatible?"
"Can I touch it?"

Ryan grinned up at the ship from the second row, but really the people caught his attention. If they could be called people. He stared at them levelly, a friendly twinkle in his eye. His lips stayed closed in the sea of chatter.

"Back off ape." snarled the largest of the group, using a large hand to stiff arm one away from him. "You are not to approach Prophet." he said. "Easy now Degora, curiosity is what sets the mammals apart, particularly apes and felines, but then again, isn't there an ape saying 'Curiosity killed the cat?'" he asked aloud of another getting too close for his liking.

When one came too close to the lean black scaled member of the group she growled softly in her throat before turning and roaring in his face, jaws splitting into four segments, each lined with razor teeth.

"We are here for the Hunt Almora, leave the local cretins be." Prophet advised. "Degora, remain with the Grim Wing, we shall return once we have located a huntsmaster or whatever title the locals have given their so called hunting guides." he said, sneering at a few, particularly any that cowered away from Almora and Degora's display.

The Prophet? Some citizens of Freeport cowered when pushed away, but all too many more sneaked around to get close to the new beings and their foreign craft. A stiff arm could only hold off the meek of heart, and this wasn't a very meek place all things considered. The citizens continued to crowd and poke, until finally they were hushed back in awe and fear as one of the beings roared like a monster. Squeals pulsed through the crowd as some of the citizens of Freeport balked at the display. Such horrifying teeth! Still more applauded the ferocity, grinning ear to ear. Some realized this would probably be the escalation of drama and sidled off to other less interesting business.

Huntsmaster? That term sounded like something along the lines of a Hunter, which he most certainly was one of. He took a step closer to the alien group, standing off to one side as if waiting to be addressed. After a few moments, Ryan found the prime opportunity to pipe up, "Here for the Hunt?"

Of course, he had overheard them just discussing their exact purpose. He just didn't think intruding on conversation would go over well with this crowd.

Prophet turned his red pink eyes on the one who spoke up regarding him for a moment. "Yes, if you would have the courtesy to remove this rabble we can discuss the issue further." he said, standing with his arms clasped behind his back, face set in a bland expression of mild annoyance.

The two headed member of the crew hissed in annoyance as the crowd refused to back off, considering raising their rifle or tossing some noisemakers into the sea of people. The combat harness of their armor was visibly containing a number of grenades and ammo packs for the rifle they carried.

The female who had roared glared at those who refused to be frightened off from her display, vanishing in a burst of purple and black and reappearing atop the ship, away from the crowd.

"Right," Ryan bobbed informally and smiled as he did when his wife was angry with the other customers at the market. Rabble it might be, but they were citizens, and it wasn't every day a new sentient species landed in your city. Heck, he had come to oggle himself! However, it was pretty impolite the way some people were acting. Many still avoided eye contact with the weaponry, with good reason. There were still those who snuck around and tried to touch at things they shouldn't. A hiss from a two headed member sent a group of teens stumbling over one another as they rushed off.

It didn't take long to locate his phone and text for transport. Of all the days he decided to walk! A burst of purple and black in his peripheral and gasps from the crowd meant the aliens had done something extraordinary again. There weren't any screams, so he kept to the text message. Thumbing away Ryan was quite pleased with himself and everything else about right then. Today was turning out better than ever. The best day ever!

He looked up at the extraterrestrials with a broad grin, "Welcome to Freeport! Transport's on the way." It took a second to weasel his way to the very front of the crowd-blast camera technology makin' every damned moron an artist-but Ryan managed it. "Alright," He addressed the crowd, standing tall. Some may have recognized him as Ryan Berentes. He was gorgeous, and he was a Hunter. He was also married, a point too often overlooked. "If everyone could just give our guests some space," A few hand waves later and he looked to the Prophet individual. "If you could just do that roar thing...." He turned back to the crowd and stepped them back. They were unwilling, for the most part. Was the press here? Oh for the love of-"Step it back, people! Ah can someone get that thing in a cave port?"

Prophet sneered at the suggestion that he roar, for one he couldn't but just the mere suggestion that he would do something so uncivilized. "Stand ASIDE!" rang out the mental shout through out the crowd, Prophet glaring angrily at all who were gathered.

For those who didn't step aside the two headed member was gestured forward and he raised his rifle, preparing to fire a few blasts above people's heads. The group clearly felt no need to fear the people here and had no compunctions against hurting them when they didn't show the respect they felt entitled to.

Almora disappeared from the roof of the ship and reappeared among the others, gripping her sword this time, anyone coming to close to the Sahd wasn't going to come near anyone again.

Ryan smile-flinched as the words Stand Aside echoed through his head. In shock the crowd hushed as they experienced the same thing. Those who didn't automatically recoil did so soon enough at sight of weapons being hoisted. Ryan, and perhaps another one or two mingled in the crowd, stood there grinning. These guys were clearly impressed with the display put forth by the aliens. The audience resumed their stared from farther back, many getting back to their business upon receiving a glare.

"Very nice. Sorry about the local, they love a good show. The more violence the better! Speaking of the Hunt-" He shut off his communicator before it's rings escalated, "Transport's here!" With a wave, Ryan began to walk away from the ship as a few people in uniform pushed towards them. Again, Welcome to Freeport. Welcome to Aberash, for that matter! Your ship will be properly taken care of I assure you, these men-" the uniformed men stood before them in a bustle, "-will see to that. I've ah-" Ryan frowned at his phone for a moment, "Been appointed your temporary ambassadors until-" another look at his phone -"Alllright. Ready?"

He turned on his heel and began towards a large, glossy transporter that hovered just beyond the mingling crowds. A large orange core pulsed in it's heart, a faint orange glow cast on the ground below. Flat, octagonal, black panes indicated at windows. From the side, a large hatch was just finishing it's descent.

The largest member of the crew remained behind, blocking the entrance hatch as the uniformed men approached him. Pillar like arms were crossed over his chest and slung on his back was what looked like a hefty shotgun. "You will not go inside." he said, biting back to urge to remind them they were mere apes before him.

Prophet and the others followed Ryan, taking seats in silence through the two headed crewman did take a moment to examine the craft they were boarding before joining the others, having to turn to the side to get their extra wide shoulders inside.

"Word of this Hunt is scarce in the Directorate, can you enlighten us on the Gargantua?" asked the winged dragonlike being, moving his long rifle to rest on the floor beside him.

Brand quickly ran into freeport escaping Gin the ladar, and Saw a large transporter. "This could be a good escape." Brand jumped onto the transporter and sticked to the walls. He saw something similar to the dragon from the ruins, but not quite. He decided it was not it and stayed on the wall.

The transporter hatches closed, strange intruder slipping by undetected, and the big machine was off into the city of Freeport. Back at the main port terminal, mechanics did their best to communicate effectively the parking of the ship. Since it was a new vessel, practically a tourist attraction, it had to be stored in a containment cave and scanned for volatile substances. A nonintrusive procedure, they assured the large crew member from a step further away than necessary. If he could just maneuver the ship right this way...

---

"The Gargantua!" He beamed after securing himself effectively. Not that the craft was to provide a bumpy ride, it was just some law or liability or another. For humans at least, he thought as he eyeballed the two headed crewman. "Fantastic beasts native to this here planet, the Gargantua host at their core an energy source-called the core, of course. We harvest it through great battle and we hunt them in the wild as well I suppose. Great timing, for not hearing much about it in...The Directorate? Yes, well, champions compete in a series of competitions. I myself hold the honor of being a Victor of the Hunt, if but once." He seemed very proud of this. Slightly fidgety as well, thinking of the errands that had been delayed for this little extravaganza. Ah, well.

"Interesting blaster," Ryan pointed at the rifle on the floor. The transport continued across Freeport, citizens and buildings scrolling by. Every now and then someone recognized the high tier governmental transporter for what it was and pointed at it as it hovered above,

Brand realized the people below the ship were begining to notice him. He thought they wouldn't be any trouble, so he just stayed still. But then he heard the crew of the ship he was on talking to the military. "We have an intruder who is sneaked aboard the bottom of the ship." Brand panicked. "They wont get here in time." Brand thought. So Brand waited for only a few seconds to have military planes sneak up behind the ship. They started shooting laser beams but the ship kept moving. So they started charging a shot. Then shot lose a homing missile. Brand realized his best bet was to jump into the ocean. So he said a possible goodbye to the world, and jumped into the ocean.

A sleek, sand-and-black, high class governmental transport vessel zoomed through Vintu. It was on it's way to Vien, carrying noble passengers for important causes. The emblem beneath was instantly recognizable by travelers on the long road between Freeport and Vien below. Some made sport of pointing it out.

Ryan Berentes gazed wistfully from a window port on the governmental transport vessel. He had much to do when they arrived in the great city of Vien.

Mark grunted, nodding in thanks for refilling his tea. "Yes, I felt your power; I'd like to avoid doing it again. It was not a pleasant experience... Besides, if you tried it now, even you would be horrified with what you'd turn me into, even if it only lasted a second." he winked. "As for winning; well, once I had your heart in my palm again that was easy, now wasn't it, my dear Lady Warmoon." he smiled, sipping at his tea after placing a cube of sugar into it and stirring.

"You'd be surprised at what I can do now, Lady Warmoon. I've come a long way since killing you. As for Sazhori,... I honestly can't say what she's up to right now if she is nearby. Could be aboard my ship for all I know." he shrugged.

"Ms. Yu? She's alive. A shattered, scared mess of a woman, but alive... pity, she was so pretty I was sure someone in Arendelle or the Mythic Realm would try to court her.... Now she's a bumbling fool of a woman... no thanks to you." he stated. At the slight look of surprise Mark smirked, letting out an amused half-chuckle before taking another drink and setting the cup down on the saucer. "Yes, your magic wore off; it took some... wrangling, of course, but she returned to human form. I must say, I hope you've gotten better at Transformation magic, no clothing when she came back. Not saying that was an unwelcome sight but, still. Little embarrassing for anyone else." he shrugged.

Out of sheer habit alone his eyes darted to the car as it rounded the corner, heading down the street this little cafe was on. It mattered not; he had no contracts; No Targets to take care of besides Draco, but he was of no concern right now. Now, he was focused on Vitas. At least for a small while longer; until he finished his tea.

Ryan Berentes had arrived in Vien safe, checked into his room, handled some minor business, and was now taking his time to finally relax. Gian Di Park was a spot he had been meaning to visit his past few trips here, but had never gotten to. It was famous all throughout Vintu and beyond. Stones shaped by wind reached and piled towards the sky. Lichens formed all over them. Brush and trees grew where they wanted.

The little patch of wilderness was relaxing to Ryan Berentes. It was an escape from his life as a Hunter, as a husband, and everything else. Supposedly in this great city there was a champion he should sponsor. Sure, many came to him with their ideas-friends and family members, the lot.

This year the Gargantua were extra erratic. There was something that had gotten into them, as if they had been spooked by a new presence in the world. Nobody could quite figure it out, but it would take skill to be victor of the Hunt this time.

Arriving within Vien upon Aberash, his position of arrival on the outer parts of the Gian Di Park, tucked away out of sight, in a back alley, stepping out his cloak no longer wrapped about his form, allowing it to hang freely like a cape, he carried himself as an adventurer, a hunter and a warrior, his stride almost a march as he passed through the streets.

time in the astral warped the traveler's perception of time and their senses, Yvandír's keen senses were always hit hard when he passed through the plane that connected all but he always swiftly recovered, stopping mid-stride, coming to a stop, he had sensed another like himself, another immortal being, he shok his head and moved into the park, finding a bench to take a seat on. "did not expect another god, or they could be a goddess, never know" he found himself enjoying the serene picturesque landscape.

Ryan came to a stop as he passed by a stranger who had come to sit at a bench close by. Strange, for Ryan was sure he was all alone in this part of the park. He hadn't heard anyone coming, which is odd as Ryan's hearing was top notch.

"Hello, what a wonderful day, eh? And what's this about a God? Goddess?" Ryan Berentes feigned interest. He smiled, half expecting the stranger to ask him for his autograph. In truth he was a bit caught off guard. Relaxation could be a dangerous sport, he supposed.

"not heard these rumors sadly." Yvandír looked up the slightly, the two odd coloured eyes, one blue the other green investigating this stranger who was wandering past but stopped. "as for the weather, it is a lovely day."

Yvandír was put off almost immediately; speak of gods? so his senses hadn't been massively warped this trip "are those these Gargantuans that I've heard the local folk speak of? or am I shooting wide of my target?" the question about the Gargantuans easily labeled him as an outsider.

Ryan laughed, "The Gargantua aren't gods, at least I don't think. They are where we get our power sources from, though!"

"now that's fascinating, power sources from them" Yvandír stood from the bench and approached Ryan, holding out a hand to shake. "My name's Yvandír Vythari, I came here seeking something named the Gargantuan eye"

Ryan gave a firm handshake back.

“The Gargantuan Eye? Well, all Gargantuans have eyes...” Ryan Berentes took a few moments to think. Whatever The Gargantuan Eye was, it sounded mighty important. Then, it dawned on him!

Gargantuan Stage

Where the great theater of life and death is played out for sport

“The Champion Core! You must be looking for the core of the Champion Gargantua. You see, right now The Hunt is going on. It’s a great tournament - we’re still in the first rounds here on Aberash, so you’re still able to sign up and compete. Whoever proves to be the best on The Gargantuan Stage will get to fight the biggest, baddest, Champion Gargantua.”

By now the man was grinning. He himself was a true Champion of the Hunt; he had won before and was a sort of celebrity around Aberash. Between winning the Hunt and his dashing good looks fame came all too easy.

“The eye, or probably the core, of the Champion Gargantua is probably what you’re looking for!”

"Fight the gargantuan? alright, I'll bite what are the rules" Yvandír pondered what he might get away with engaging in this contest. "and where do i go to sign up; i haven't been on a hunt in quite a while."