"Another afflicted monster has been sighted!"

Oboro raised his head upon hearing the commotion. The wandering Felyne named Suppy was at his side, previously browsing the wares before the distressed cry captured his attention. A scout had just returned from an expedition, and he was in a panic. Fiorayne and Admiral Galleus came from the command post to receive the details as soon as possible. Bahari and Tadori joined them.

"Another one?" Fiorayne inquired. "What kind of monster is it this time?"

The scout took a brief moment to catch his breath. "It's a Rathian wreaking havoc in the Jungle! Several other monsters have already fallen victim to it!"

Upon hearing that, the merchant jumped to his feet. "Oh no…"

Galleus gave the female knight a nod of approval. "Slay it. Take Sir Jae and Dame Luchika with you."

"I shall join the knights," Tadori spoke up. "My medical knowledge may be needed if any of them were to sustain injuries." Galleus nodded again before he and Fiorayne went to gather the other two knights and prepare to leave.

Oboro frantically looked to his Felyne friend. "Would you please watch the shop for me? Thank you, Suppy." He hurried away before the cat could even get a word in. "Doctor Tadori!"

The Wyverian turned, surprised by the shout from the normally calm merchant. "What is it, Oboro?"

"Reika, she went to the Jungle!" That one sentence caused the doctor's eyes to widen. "If there's an afflicted monster on the loose, she could be in grave danger!"

Tadori had to take the panicked man by the shoulders to calm him. "Reika knows how to take care of herself. You must refrain from panicking. Even still, we must hurry to be certain she's alright."

"I'm going as well," Oboro put on a brave face. "I can't sit here and wait for news. I need to know she's unharmed."

Tadori knew better than to argue. When it came to Reika, that merchant could go from sitting quietly with his books to scrambling around like a Bombadgy about to ignite. That girl had him doing things he'd never do - going on a hunt was just one example.

"Very well. Let us be off."

~~~~

The Jungle was practically alive with all manner of life. Plants were flourishing, endemic life was everywhere. Birds chirped in the trees above. Insects buzzed near the ground. Reika paused in her trek to watch a Clothfly flutter toward her. Holding out her hand, the large insect landed atop her fingers, tickling her skin. It took off again to fly gracefully toward a nearby bush. Continuing on, she found an open area where a couple of Bullfangos were napping. Reika knew how aggressive they could be, even toward their own kind, so she discreetly made her way past.

A patch of herbs made her stop, crouching to caress their leaves. "You seem to be recovering," she mumbled with a smile. "Everything here seems to be maintaining balance. Yet there are still underlying issues." She straightened up and sighed sadly. "I hope that, with a little more time, the ecosystem will right itself."

At a leisurely pace, she walked down the path to reach a beach. There were tall, thin trees that stopped just at the edges of the sand. Shallow waters separated a small set of decrepit ruins. It was a beautiful, serene area. The Wyverian woman made her way to the edge of the water, watching a group of Spearsquids dart past. A scuttling sound caught her ear, and she turned her head to see a couple of Hermitaur emerging from the sand. Calmly, she crouched, making herself smaller so they wouldn't be threatened by her.

"It's alright," she softly spoke. "I won't hurt you." She held her hand out, staring at the one that boldly approached her. The little carapacean shifted from side to side, its pincers snapping as it observed her. "Go on about your business. I'm no threat to you."

The Hermitaur flicked its antenna and lightly grabbed at her sleeve, moving in close to give her hand a taste test. When it decided that she was not a threat nor food, it turned and followed its fellow crab to pick through the sand for something it could eat. Reika stood and faced the water once more. Lifting her kimono slightly, she waded into the shallows, keeping her clothing just above the surface to avoid getting it wet. After making it across, the Wyverian gave the old ruins an inspection, fascinated. She spent a good while absorbed in the environment around her. It was a splash that tore her attention away from the ruins. In the water nearby were several Regalfins. They were adorable, friendly dolphin-like animals, and the group before her looked to be playing.

Reika carefully climbed onto one of the large, collapsed stone columns that almost created a pier over the water. She went to the end of it, earning the attention of the curious Regalfins. Sitting down, she dug into her pouch, fishing out a white ocarina decorated in pink flowers. A lovely melody played as soon as she brought the instrument to her lips. The aquatic creatures cheerfully squeaked and whistled along, enjoying the music. A couple of them even leapt from the water to splash the woman, interrupting her song and forcing a laugh to escape her.

"Hey now, you're more mischievous than I thought you'd be." She dipped her hand down into the water to splash them back. Several Regalfins clapped their flippers and squeaked, as if they were laughing as well. But the fun ended when the pod of Regalfins scattered, disappearing in a flash. Reika wore a knowing smile. "So, you've followed me this far, have you? Well, I suppose I did promise to draw you, after all."

Tucking her ocarina away, Reika got out a scroll and a pencil. It grew quiet - peaceful - with a soft breeze blowing. There were distant cries of monsters and other wildlife, but none of it concerned Reika. She was concentrating, her pencil leaving stroke after stroke, steadily creating an image from her memory.

And that was when he found her. Oboro had split off from the group, eager to find his fellow Wyverian. There she sat atop a collapsed column over the water. He waded swiftly through the shallows, the splash of his footsteps finally catching her attention.

"Reika!"

The woman stood abruptly, nearly dropping her scroll right into the water. "Oboro?" She was baffled as to why he was there. He was a merchant, not an explorer. The ocean seemed to ripple, forcing a gasp from her. Her hand shot out to halt her friend. "No! Wait!"

Before she could properly warn him, a large creature erupted from the water by her. A slender, serpentine neck stretched tall, covered in blue scales. Reddish-brown spines poked out from the beast's back. There were deep scars visible along its chest. Crimson eyes landed on the man, and a growl emitted from the monster.

Oboro stopped in his tracks with a gasp. "A Lagiacrus?! Here?!" The Leviathan roared threateningly at him, making him stumble back.

"Lagi, stop!" Reika shouted, throwing herself against the monster's neck. "It's okay!"

The Lagiacrus turned its head down to her, a soft gurgle replacing the intimidating growls. It nuzzled her with its nose, being gentle. Oboro was in a state of shock and confusion. Watching this mighty Lord of the Seas calm at Reika's command was quite a sight.

"What is…? I don't believe what I'm…" The merchant was beyond puzzled.

Reika, petting her beastly companion, turned her gaze to the man. "It's alright, Oboro. She won't hurt you. You startled her, is all. She was just protecting me."

Warily, Oboro finished crossing the shallows to reach the ruins on the other side, his eyes never leaving the beast even once. "I knew you had a way with monsters, but this is…beyond what I thought you were capable of."

Reika smiled at his fascination. "You remember that special friend I mentioned? This is her. I call her Lagi. Isn't she beautiful?" She reached down for her scroll that had narrowly avoided a splash of water, tucking it away in her pouch and stuffing the pencil in with it.

Oboro nodded, slowly making his way up to the column she stood on. "She's incredible." He locked eyes with Lagi, any hesitation erased when he saw the emotion in her gaze. Pausing beside Reika, he held a hand toward the creature. "May I?"

"Go ahead. She won't mind." The woman practically took his hand and guided it to Lagi's neck. His fingers met with cool, wet scales that were smooth to the touch. "See Lagi? Oboro's a friend." The monster grumbled lightly, causing her to chuckle. "I think she likes you."

After retracting his hand, the merchant turned his head to his friend. "Lagiacrus aren't native to this region. Where did she come from? And how did you befriend her?"

"I met her when I visited the rider village. She was injured and grieving." She traced her fingers over the scars on the monster's chest. "Her mate was killed by hunters. So I…" She looked up into the eyes of the beast. "I did what I could to soothe her anguish, then I left her in peace. It was some time later when she found me. She saved my life from an enraged Plesioth. From them on, she never truly left me. She's swam every sea to follow where I go, keeping me company and protecting me." She smiled at Oboro. "Monsters are far more complex than some people think. They can do incredible things. And Lagi…" She looked up at the beast, hugging her snout when lowered to her. "She chose me as a companion when she was left with nothing. In a way, she's like me."

Oboro frowned slightly. He recalled her story. Reika had been one of the only survivors of a village that had since been decimated by the Rampage. She was only a child at the time when Doctor Tadori, who'd been in the area at the time, found her crying among the ash and rubble. It had surprised him when the first thing she said to him was "All those monsters…they're afraid. Just like we are." Tadori knew from that moment that Reika was special. He taught her much of what he knew, then took her to Kamura where she could be cared for, and his friend Kagero watched her grow into a talented young woman. Once she was confident enough to set out on her own, she left and didn't look back. She constantly moved forward, studying the living things all around her - connecting with the beasts that roamed the lands. She wasn't angry or sad about the way things went. She was always optimistic, even when her home and her family were lost. But she did spend a lot of time alone.

Oboro placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression serious. "If you're ever feeling lonesome, you could return to Kamura or to the Kingdom with me. There are so many people who care about you."

Reika smiled sadly. "I know. Thank you." She knew she should rely on others more. She didn't have to go it alone all the time. There was no reason she couldn't put her travels on pause and spend time with those she cared about. But deep down, she was almost…afraid of losing them. "By the way, why are you here?" she abruptly asked. "You've never been one for fieldwork."

This situation suddenly had Oboro on edge as he remembered why he'd gone looking for her. "We have to leave immediately. There's an afflicted Rathian in the area."

With an alarmed gasp, Reika pointed Lagi to the open sea. "Lagi, go. It's dangerous for you here."

Lagi followed her finger, giving a soft whine before diving in. She disappeared under the water, safe from any of the monsters inhabiting the Jungle. Reika then took hold of Oboro's hand, and the pair hurried to leave before they ran into trouble.