Explosions ring out as gajalaka hurtle through the air. To Jonas frustration though, more come to take their place, an endless horde fueled by dance and rage. "Something is wrong. This tribe is abnormally large for its usual population." Grace swats at an approaching gajalaka before shooting two others that were behind that one. "Yeah you might be on to something Jonas. Heads up, there's more coming in from the flanks!" Paralysis arrows and ammo are shot, each hitting their mark and leaving a stunned Gajalaka out of commission.
As the two ranged specialists continue to delay on the west, the huntsman dodged to the side as meowlotoves crash into the area he once stood in. The tribal grimalkynes chatter as more bombs are hoisted at the experienced hunter. Smoke rises within the area as the smell of gunpowder lingers, a horrible mix of sulfur and rotten egg to those within its range. The gajalaka pause as they try to locate the huntsman within the smoke. Yet what came out was not the katana wielding monster slayer, but a dagger speeding right towards the supply of explosives. The gajalaka manning the volatile armaments flee in panic as the blade collides with an unlit firepot.
BOOOOOMMMM!
The following detonation, sets of a chain reaction, each explosion sending any unfortunate gajalaka tossed into the are, slightly burnt and still smoking. The trio of hunters soon find that the gajalaka began to create distance from them. "Yeah you better run! you can't handle the commission's hardworking hunters!" Jonas, who was using the opportunity to load up his bowgun, intervenes with "Hardworking is a bit of a stretch don't you think?" "Quiet, they don't need to know that!"
"The gajalaka have brought backup." Grace and Jonas turn to see what the huntsman was mentioning. A gajalaka twice the size of its tribe members steps into view. Instead of the usual tribe mask that somewhat resembles a cat with thorny whiskers, A lion shaped helm covers its visage, crimson red and still hiding everything except two glowing yellow eyes. Draped across its shoulders is an equally eye catching cape along with the weapon of choice-a crude mace that would surely crack skulls.
The remaining gajalaka circle around the hunters, frenzied hollers as they slam the butt of their spears onto the terrain. "What the heck is that!? WHY is that a thing!? The heck is going on!?" Grace had many more questions, but these were the three that could best describe their situation. The giant gajalaka wasn't going to answer them though(not that it could) as it rushed over before the other two could react. If it were not for the huntsman stepping in to block the descending blunt weapon, Jonas would have been flattened.
The huntsman felt his knees buckle as the muscle in his arms grow taut as the mace's impact hits his blade at full force. The Gaja Champion retreats as an arrow lands where his feet once were. Grace knocks two more, each one in a pair of fingers as she pulls the bowstring at shoulder width. Jonas provided cover fire, rapid fire bullets forcing their target to be on the move. The Gaja Champion jumps to avoid another bullet when the arrows were launched. Though airborne, the Large combatant did not panic, instead brandishing the mace in it hands. The arrows were knocked off course as the Gaja Champ landed. The surrounding gajalaka that were watching erupted into cheers as they watched their fiercest warrior. The Gaja Champion was ready to stand, but it stilled as a blade was held near its neck.
The huntsman's foresight could be said to be second to none as he had arrived near the location of where the distracted champion would land. "Relinquish your weapon." Though the language was not clear, the Gaja champion could still understand - it had been bested. The mace hits the rocks of the recess as the chanting of the Gajalaka tribe ceased. Some were ready to continue but were stopped at the rise of their now defeated champion's palm.
By the dawn of the next day, the three hunters find themselves within the Gajalaka lair as warriors of honor. "Alright guys, mittens has just finished conversating with that large Gajalaka. Here is what we know. First, the gajalaka is called Leo and would prefer his name being used. Second, The teostra has gotten into contact with this tribe and had just recently left for the 'oasis of fire starting' according to the other gajalaka. Lastly, they make REALLY good roasted Gastodons." Grace takes a bite of her food as she finishes summing up their research. "That is...different. it seems as the flaming emperor has finally decided to create a kingdom to call his own. We must prepare for what is to come." Just as the huntsman finished speaking all three radios had flared to life.
"Calling all hunters! return to Astera NOW!"