Arc 1: The 1st Adventure (Final)

 

By this point, Kao just wanted to get to the bottom of things; after that battle with the Brachydios, she decided to put a stop to the Frenzy. So, the next day, she headed straight to Heaven's Mount with Tenko to investigate. His Palico was in high spirits and determined to help. It wasn't until they reached the central area of ​​Heaven's Mount that they spotted a beast with a distinctly prehistoric look. They tried to stay quiet, but the moment Kao took a step, the beast instantly spotted them and charged. It was a creature that ran on all fours, yet it was fierce enough to scale walls; Kao dodged the charge but took a hit from its tail. They managed to put some distance between themselves and the monster to prepare, but then the beast let out a deafening roar—as if the scream itself were an attack. Upon seeing the beast, Kao recalled what the Guildmarm had told her: there was a monster known for running at high speeds and unleashing massive roars—the Tigrex. Kao had a feeling this creature would turn out to be a major nuisance. Surprisingly, neither Kao and Tenko felt the beast was an overwhelming threat; they quickly predicted its attacks, and within minutes, the Tigrex went down. Kao found it odd—the Tigrex was clearly dead given its condition—but just as they were about to leave, they sensed a terrifying dark aura radiating from the carcass. The beast suddenly lashed out at them; Kao managed to dodge, but Tenko took the hit. She realized the dark aura was the Frenzy. Tenko fought to withstand the infection; although not human, she could feel the Frenzy trying to drive her mad, yet she knew that by constantly attacking the beast, she could heal herself. Kao began to realize that Tenko was no ordinary Palico—she was learning more with every battle—which made him think:

Kao: "Why did it choose me, right from the moment we met?"

For several minutes, both of them tried to inflict as much damage as possible on the Tigrex, aiming to end the fight quickly; fortunately, thanks to the constant damage they dealt, they managed to defeat the beast without much trouble.

Kao sat down for a moment to reflect on the situation:

Kao: "This has been getting a bit tiresome. Even though there haven't been that many Frenzied Beasts since I arrived in Cathar, why do I feel like the problem is slowly escalating?"

She still wondered where so many frenetic beasts were coming from—it was like a massive plague. Although she had never faced a threat quite like this before, she had learned a great deal since starting her adventure; she had simply expected to spend her time exploring the world rather than trying to solve such a huge problem. Back in Heaven, her only entertainment came from getting into trouble with Tenshi—never anything on this scale. This was a whole new experience for her. Still, she couldn't deny that it was entertaining, given that she could take down any target without much help. That was when she noticed Tenko looking at her curiously.

Kao: "So, Tenko? Don't you have anything to say?"

Tenko: -looked at her-

Kao: "It’s true that you’ve helped me with this massive problem, but I still have this feeling that you’ve seen me before."

Tenko: -looked curious, as if wanting to know the answer to that-

Kao: "Hmm, I wonder if Tenshi met you before—or at least saw you. She wouldn't mind you joining her."

Tenko: -upon hearing this, simply moved closer to her side-

Kao: -sighed slightly- "I suppose the answer will come out sooner or later, or something like that... but for now..." -she stood up and looked at Tenko- "let's finish this, okay?"

Tenko: -nodded without hesitation-

Upon returning to Cathar, both were struck by the atmosphere; the sky was overcast and the wind was howling, as if a massive storm were about to break. The locals were worried about the situation; Kao overheard talk of a Zinogre afflicted by the Frenzy and a pack of Ioprey loyal to their leader, an Iodrome. Needing to find the source of this trouble, they quickly went to see the Elder. He told them that the monsters on Heaven's Mount had gone frenzied, but then mentioned that the Caravaneer had returned. Kao and Tenko went to speak with him and found the Commander there as well. The Commander greeted Kao warmly—as if they were already close—but quickly changed the subject to report an unexpected development. The Caravaneer revealed that the Gore Magala they had defeated had vanished, leaving behind nothing but scattered black scales. Kao had suspected something was amiss, but she hadn't expected the defeated Gore Magala to disappear entirely. The Commander then explained that, according to their findings, the creature had transformed into something far more powerful; it had reached the Sanctuary and unleashed the Frenzy virus on a devastating scale, blanketing all of Heaven's Mount. Finally, the Commander revealed that this was the very monster responsible for the calamity years ago, and that its name was:

Shagaru Magala

Both were taken aback, aware of the immense threat now present in the sanctuary, yet they had no choice; to put an end to the crisis, they had to eliminate Shagaru. The Commander noted that the inhabitants of Cathar would need to evacuate until the threat was neutralized, while the Caravaneer shared another piece of news: the Great Guru wished to see them both at the shrine.

The two of them calmly made their way to the shrine to speak with the Great Guru. Upon entering the area, a profound sense of serenity washed over them; it was a vast cavern with the Great Guru seated at the far end. Kao felt the same sensation he used to experience when addressing certain gods of Heaven, and she knew full well not to show any disrespect. She accompanied Tenko to where the Great Guru sat. The Guru spoke calmly, noting that he had not expected the calamity to recur; as he continued speaking in that composed manner, he let out a soft laugh. Kao was taken aback by this, realizing that despite the Guru's calm demeanor, he possessed a sense of humor—a realization that helped them both relax. The Guru then changed the subject, explaining that a group had informed him of the situation: a threat known as the "Frenzy"—a dark aura—had enveloped Mount Heaven. The current incident mirrored the past calamity, until he finally mentioned the Song of Cathar:

"If ever eyes of darkness widen

A light from yonder soon will break

But if the land the light should brighten

A shadow wanders in its wake

If dawn is sent to slay the night

And chase its minions underground

Then when dusk makes the day take

Night Beneath it pinions night rebounds

But do not cry, my sons and daughters

Life must leave to come again

And when it does, it springs like water

A great reprieve to and all pain

Turn now, Heaven's Wheel! Turn, turn, that we may heal!"

As Kao and Tenko listened to those lyrics, a sense of nostalgia washed over them—as if someone had lived a past life, only to be reborn, forgetting that previous existence and starting anew. Perhaps that was what Kao was feeling; she was well aware that a Celestial had once been human, but having begun a new life, she had completely forgotten the one before. She found herself wishing she could see that past life one last time, yet she understood it was too late for that; she had chosen to start over and explore new worlds, though she also longed to see Tenshi again and share all those experiences.

The Great Guru grants them permission to enter the sanctuary and respects them both for their resolve. They bid the Great Guru farewell and quickly depart, determined to put an end to the calamity once and for all. They decide to speak with the rest of the group, only to find that everyone already knows what has happened; the others offer their full support to help eliminate the threat. For the first time, Kao feels she can truly trust them all—that despite everything they have been through, she wants to see this adventure to the end with them and cherish the memory for a long time to come. Before the pair heads to the sanctuary, the Caravaneer wants a word with them; he mentions that he never expected that artifact to be part of something so monumental—perhaps even linked to the first calamity—and that, for some reason, it had found its way into his hands. It may well have been destiny that brought the artifact to the Caravaneer and sparked this entire adventure. Kao feels a deep desire to thank the Caravaneer for the unwavering support he has provided from the very beginning, but for now, there is only one thing left to do...

Kao and Tenko arrived at the entrance to the sanctuary; a dark aura was emanating from it. Kao felt calm amidst it all and began to recall... something from long ago...

 made by cis (carcharias)

-Some time ago-

-Kao and Tenshi were running away after causing trouble for a couple of Celestials-

Tenshi: "Run!"

Kao: "I'm coming!"

-They got away and ended up at the edge of one of the floating rocks-

Tenshi: "See? Nothing bad happened~"

Kao: "I was scared for a moment there..."

Tenshi: "Don't worry; if anything happens to you, I'll protect you!"

Kao: "Come to think of it... knowing I'm not as bold as you are, why do you still want me to tag along with you everywhere?"

Tenshi: -that caught her attention- "What do you mean?"

Kao: "Usually, you'd look for someone bolder, but back when we met... it was like you chose me to be your friend. But... I don't really have anything that special about me."

Tenshi: "Ohhh... is that what this is about?"

Kao: -nods-

Tenshi: "I don't know. I guess it's because, unlike the other Celestials, I saw you differently."

Kao: "Differently?"

Tenshi: -nods- "You aren't like the others. When I saw you in that line, you looked bored—like you wanted to be entertained or something. So, I wondered if you might have fun with me.." -smiles- "...and I wasn't wrong~"

Kao: -Hearing that, she realized Tenshi hadn't chosen her without a reason, though Tenshi had hit on something Kao knew to be true- "To be honest, after everyone came to see me following my ascension, I started feeling bored. But I never expected to find entertainment with you."

Tenshi: "See? You haven't been bored with me, and I've had fun with you, too."

Kao: "It feels like this is something more than just being friends."

Tenshi: "Oh? -curious- Could it be that we're best friends?"

Kao: "I don't know. It's like I'm part of your family, even though I'm not."

Tenshi: "So... would you be like a sister to me?"

Kao: "Sister...?" —she mused— "I hadn't thought about it, but I suppose that could work."

Tenshi: "Then it's settled! You're going to be my sister, whether you like it or not~"

Kao: "You didn't need to say that; I would have agreed anyway."

Tenshi: —chuckles softly— "I never expected to have a sister~"

Kao: "Neither did I... sister..."

Kao finished reminiscing and smiled slightly...

Kao: "Well... I suppose I'm not alone after all."

Tenko: -looks at Kao-

Kao: "Tenko..." —looking at her— "thank you for all the help you've given me from the very beginning."

Tenko: —smiles—

Kao: "And now... let's finish this..."

Kao and Tenko entered the sanctuary...

Upon entering, they noticed the area was shrouded in deep darkness—as if they were suspended between the edge of the earth and outer space. The sanctuary resembled a massive floating rock; ahead of them, a vast crimson aura began to surge, revealing the creature present: Shagaru Magala. It resembled Gore Magala but was entirely golden. The beast fixed its gaze upon them as if recognizing an old rival; then, instead of charging directly at them, it soared upward and spread its wings, appearing like a golden star in the sky. Kao sensed a threat beyond comprehension, feeling as though she were facing a final trial. Shagaru then lunged toward them; both dodged the attack, and the beast prepared itself, cloaking its body in that dark aura and letting out a piercing roar—signaling the start of the battle.

Kao and Tenko knew how to control the Frenzy Virus, but Shagaru commanded it with far greater mastery; the Sanctuary was soon blanketed in multiple explosions and swaths of the virus. Kao could sense that Shagaru’s power far surpassed that of Gore Magala—it felt like battling a celestial being, an intense clash in the heavens. She felt the weight of responsibility, knowing that the lives of those in Val Habar, Harth, and Cathar—along with her own group—depended on her and Tenko. Tenko strove to distract Shagaru, allowing Kao to maintain a steady offensive; the strategy worked well, stripping away scale after scale, yet Shagaru refused to yield, striking Kao with tremendous force. Still, the celestial warrior would not give up; her body, hardened by battles against various beasts, allowed her to endure the onslaught. Then, without warning, Shagaru soared into the air, unleashing a piercing scream and massive dark shockwaves that triggered upward-shooting Frenzy explosions across the Sanctuary, as if attacking the very sky. For several minutes, the celestial and her Palico kept up the pressure, but Shagaru would not back down. Between the explosions, powerful claw strikes, and the relentless Frenzy Virus, the battle seemed endless—until Kao managed to mount the beast. After landing numerous blows, she brought Shagaru crashing to the ground, though even that did not stop him. With that, the beast rose into the air and let out another intense scream—this time accompanied by far more powerful dark shockwaves—causing Kao and Tenko to feel the effects of the Frenzy with overwhelming intensity. The Celestial warrior was determined to finish off Shagaru once and for all; despite suffering blow after blow, their only desire was to annihilate the creature. Their bodies were battered by the impacts and the Frenzy, yet they were willing to endure any consequence if it meant securing victory. Then, they hit upon a plan: Kao launched Tenko at Shagaru to create a distraction. Tenko struck the beast hard across the face, inflicting multiple wounds; as Shagaru turned to retaliate against Tenko, Kao rushed in, delivering a deep gash to the creature's neck and driving his sword into the wound. The blade caused internal damage to Shagaru's head, bringing the beast crashing to the ground where it succumbed to the fatal blow.

Kao watched as Shagaru fell to the ground; Tenko witnessed the moment, too. Yet, they did not celebrate the victory; instead, they felt a sense of relief knowing that the calamity had come to an end. It was only when Kao looked ahead that she thought:

Kao: "...My adventure has come to an end..."

Hours had passed since the battle; dusk had fallen over Cathar. The Caravaneer entered the Sanctuary and saw Shagaru lying dead on the ground. They watched the sunset, gazing at the scene and feeling the journey drawing to a close.

The group decided it was time to return; they gathered their belongings, stowed them on the airship, and said their goodbyes to the people of Cathar. Finally, Kao and Tenko said their farewells as well; everyone thanked them for what they had done, assuring them they would always be welcome back in Cathar. As the airship began to rise, the group waved goodbye to Cathar.

...although Kao just stood there silently watching the sky.

During the days the airship was returning to Val Habar, the whole group felt at ease and in high spirits as they decided what to do next; Little Miss decided to return to Harth to keep helping the Chief. Meanwhile, however, Kao spoke privately with the Caravaneer.

Caravaneer: "So, is it time for you to set off on another adventure with Tenko?"

Kao: *nods* "Let's just say this journey opened my eyes, and I think it's time to satisfy my curiosity about other places."

Caravaneer: "That doesn't surprise me; you certainly put up a good fight against Shagaru."

Kao: *chuckles* "I suppose neither of us expected a challenge like that."

Caravaneer: *laughs* "True, but I have to admit that thanks to you, I was able to discover the origin of the Artifact."

Kao: "In any case, I never expected something like that to reveal such a major secret."

Caravaneer: "Alright then..." *stands up* "Kao..." *extends hand* "I just want to say thank you for giving me such a great adventure."

Kao: *sees the gesture, stands up, and shakes his hand*

Caravaneer:" And don't worry about us; we'll figure things out while you travel to other places."

Kao: "I'm sure you will."

Caravaneer: "Oh, right!" *grabs his hat and takes out the Artifact* "Here."

Kao: *surprised* "Wait... are you..."

Caravaneer: "Think of it as a gift from me."

Kao: "Are you sure?"

Caravaneer: "Go on~ The adventure already answered the questions I had, so it's better if you keep it now."

Kao: *accepts the Artifact* "...I'll cherish it."

Caravaneer: *laughs* "You'd better not lose it; I don't want you to forget this adventure."

After that conversation, the rest of the journey was quite calm, though Kao and Tenko both knew that upon arriving in Val Habar, they would have to embark on a new journey.

The day had arrived; the group had settled back into Val Habar, and Kao and Tenko prepared for their long journey. They said their goodbyes to everyone—a moment that left Kao feeling a bit emotional, as she hadn't expected to part ways with the group after just her first adventure. Yet, she was determined to explore new places. She said her farewells, Tenko did the same, and together they began to leave Val Habar. But before departing, Kao took one last look at the place where it all began.

Kao: *sighs softly* "Thanks for everything..."

And with that, they began walking toward their next destination—a place that would be... a new world.