Tales of the Sapphire Stars I: An Encroaching Encounter

SGS

〜SGS〜

As the Hunters landed safely at the base, they started unloading their unused provisional supplies on the communal chest, as well as discussing the last few details for Hana's report turn in. Just then, A tall muscular man carrying a great sword approached them. He had a commission armor plate with his chest opened, and black hair tied in the back, similar to Kovu's but a bit shorter. He wore the commission insignia on his chest plate and greeted the hunters in a deep suave voice.

"Welcome back. I heard you were the ones who decided to take on The Anajnath. And by the looks of your faces succeed." He said.

"Fi-fi-fiel Team leader Rihd, go-good morning sir!" Said Kat with a shaky voice.

"Haha! Good day Kat, bright and cheerful as always I see." The man named Rihd said, making the Huntress blush intensely. However, before he could notice, Hana stepped in front of her, covering her in time. Kat let out a small sigh of relief and placed her hand on Hanas's back, giving her a feeling of comfort.

"Rihd, if it's ok with you I'll handle the report right away. I was notified of how urgent this quest was" Hana said.

"It is quite alright. I actually came to pick you all up" He said back.

"Us? Something happened?" Kovu asked.

"Haha, you guys just keep climbing up and up is what's happening. Follow me"

By his words, the Hunters followed Rhid, crossing the Tradeyard, all the way to the council table where a large map of the known locations of the New World was drawn.

On the other side, a tall elderly man stood. He had a scar above his left eyebrow, and the hair on his head was completely white. His skin was of a darker tone, but lighter than Tenshi and Niki. He had a commanding presence, as he wore the commission's First Fleet provisional armor, alongside its flag, hanging from his belt with great poise.

The Hunters stood straight, tensing their bodies as they greeted the man.

"Commander!" They said in unison.

"No need for pleasantries," He said in a slow composed voice, his arms crossed. "Kovu" He called.

"Yes sir!" Kovu stepped forward.

"You and your squad haven't been around for more than 3 months, yet you succeeded not only in various quests both in the areas of the Wildspire Waste and Ancient Forest, but your squad also did the commission a great service today by Hunting the Anjanath in question" He elaborated.

"Sir! The SG squad is just doing what it came to do in the new world" Kovu replied, with an abnormal and uncharacteristically loud tone.

"Indeed, and thus I am left to ponder the best course of action for you all to follow. That's why, members of the SG squad, I hereby wish to assign a mission to you all" The commander said, closing his eyes for a moment in a pensive expression. "Zorah Magdaros, The Scorching Mountain Dragon, and current objective of the Research Commission. We are all currently on the verge of an encounter with it, and thus I and the rest of the commission will hereby issue a request for you to join the team that will face it in the following days" He explained.

The squad members were left in awe, their jaws agape. Kriss was the one who broke the momentary silence. "Si-sir...could you please elaborate?"

"Basically, you guys get to go head to head with Zorah Magdaros alongside the best of the Commission," Rhid explained with a confident smile.

"That is if you all accept of course." Added the Commander.

The Hunters seemed to struggle with how to answer, worry, and fear, as well as anxiety and self-doubt, filling their thoughts. All of them, except for one.

"W-we...we ge-get.... WE GET TO GO HUNT ZORAH MAGDAROS?!" Exclaimed the overexcited Kovu, to which the rest of the squad turned their head with concern, somehow blowing away their worries for a brief moment.

"Hunt will be an overstatement, but take it as you would." The commander said."Can I take that as a yes?"

"Guys, what do you say?" Kovu turned towards his comrades, his expression akin to a small child about to get a new shiny toy.

"I mean...sure...w-why not!" Replied Kriss, his voice determined, yet shaky.

"If you're all going then you'll definitely need me to keep things in check," Said Sera, crossing her arms, smirking as she glanced towards Kriss, annoying him slightly.

"OH. MY.STARS! Guys imagine the types of materials we could get! This is the dream of any aspiring Hunter!!" Exclaimed Kat.

"Indeed my fellow Hunter! How I've wondered what melody will the Scorching Mountain Dragon sing, how will his longevity serenade us? I must know, I must engage in a duet of life and purpose!" Said Niki, matching Kat's excitement.

"Stop Stop Stop!! We barely managed with an Anjanath. This is a friggin' ELDER DRAGON guys!!" Said Tenshi, seemingly being the only one still with serious doubts.

"Ten! After what you just did today, don't you wanna push yourself even further? Raise to the challenge?" Asked Kovu Vehemently.

"No oh!" Responded Tenshi in an instant. "...But you're not gonna take no for an answer right?" He asked back, only to have his comrade smile widely. "Haa...Fine...But the second things go south we're bailing out!" Tenshi demanded.

"Hana?" Kovu asked the Handler. "What do you say?"

She smiled softly as she looked at the Hunters.

"It's not like I'm of any help out there...but at least... at the very least...." As those thoughts resounded in her head, she nodded deeply. "If in doubt take a bite! Right, Ada?" She replied energetically.

Kovu turned once more towards the Commander pressing his fist strongly against his chest, before letting out their final answer.

"Commander...The Sapphire Guidance Squad hereby gladly accepts the mission. We'll show both yourself and the commission...We will Hunt Zorah Magdaros and unlock the mysteries of the New World"

The Commander saw the fire and burning desire on each member of the squad, as their leader announced their cooperation. Smiling broadly, "My oh my, They are worth looking out for after all...I expect great things from you" He thought. 

"Very well then! Start preparations immediately. We depart tomorrow. And may the Sapphire Star guide you all!"

Thus, another day came to an end in Astera and the new world. As the night sky enveloped the sky, a single sapphire-colored star shone brightly in the heavens. As the Hunters looked towards it, determination filled their spirits, as they got ready both in heart and mind, for the task to come

An Encroaching Encounter 

The end