Monster Hunter 2

"Shit," I mumbled as my plasma gun slipped out of my hand. The bracing cold bit at my face, already drowning in layers of clothing. Whatever deity wished a slow, cold death upon me, I was going to have a few words for him when I died out here. But I couldn't turn back. I was looking for something.

I ignored my body's screams for warmth and comfort. Home was at least a mile away and at this point, I'd rather die out here than return to my home city, Hyphaxia. The world is not like it used to be. It's changed, and not for the better. We work like dogs, every day, while those above just laugh and look down at us. When I was a kid, life was fun. I played in bright green fields, picnics in the parks, hunting for fun. But maybe that was youthful euphoria clouding my mind.

Either way. I was out here for a reason. Pressing on, I dug my spiked heels into the thick ice. It must travel at least two miles below the surface. What's below that... I don't even want to think about. I've already seen a couple monsters breach ice this thick. And there are entire cities built on this kind of land. I hate this world.

shuffle

I spun around. Nothing. Just a barren stretch of white.

shuffle shuffle

I started to panic. Something is out here with me.

shuffle shuffle shuffle

I looked down. Oh. It's a tiny little ice mite. These guys are harmless. Placing one hand down, it manouvred onto my thick glove and gave me a longing stare with its glossy blue eyes. It was kind of cute. You don't see many ice mites nowadays, at least not in the city. Pollution is too much for most things other than people, and even we're seeing some side-effects.

The ice mite eventually clambered off my hand as I rested it on the ground. I felt sad leaving him; he's the only friend I've ever made and he's a fucking arachnid. As I took in more of my surroundings, flashes of a light blue caught my eye. It's the most I had seen since I set out on my journey, and according to books I had read the day before, absolutely nothing is out here. I clutched my plasma gun and headed directly for it.

The walk seemed to take longer and longer, the blue outlines running farther and farther away, in an eternal loop that continued forever and no matter how much walking I did, I'd never reach it and- oh, I made it. From about a hundred metres away I could figure the outlines of... houses? Absolutely nobody could live in this weather. My fingers were grasping so hard on my plasma gun that I felt the intense warmth in my blood.

As I approached this absurd town, several figures made appearances. They stood tall, much taller than me. Hunched shoulders, a gigantic grin baring about fifty sharp teeth, and blinding yellow eyes. They did not look happy. Are these... yetis?

Fuck. They're yetis.

Before I could even process my arms burst into action and my plasma gun burned through two yetis stood in front of me. Another two jumped back in pure horror, watching as its comrades screamed until their voice boxes boiled and simmered into the ice. All that was left were singed torsos, mangled and disfigured. My goodness, this weapon is powerful. How on Daglaci is it legal.

The other yetis turned back to look at me. They ran. I ran. Soon it became a chase, and I was the prey. There was no way I could outrun these monsters. I heard ear-grazing snarls and roars as I slid down an icy hill, the beasts not far behind. I looked back in horror to see a gigantic arm snaking out to grab me. I shot my plasma gun directly at its hand, its entire body shrivelling up and evaporating. A pair of singed bones rolled down the hill I was still sliding on.

Reaching the bottom, I bolted as fast as I could. Despite being over a mile away, Hyphaxia's blinking lights and bright beacons pierced through the mist. Just one yeti was following me. I could feel its stinking breath slithering down my throat. It couldn't be far behind. Synchronous thumps chased after me, the monsters pants syncing with my heart's poundings. I could not die like this. I need to find it.

Without thinking I turned around. I grabbed my plasma gun with both hands and fired. But I was too late. A giant hand swiped at my face. Three gigantic claws ripped through my cheek, flinging me across the icy terrain. I didn't even have to touch my face to know blood was gushing out. Shit. I still had my gun in my other hand. I fired again.

This time I shot it in the face. The monster's head molded into its body as it writhed in pain, scratching and clawing to relieve any kind of pain. His was a quick death. One more shot and his entire body evaporated.

I could finally breathe.

But something caught my eye. Something shiny.

I took a couple steps over to something dug in the ice. A name tag. It read "Moli Ataeala". My daughter's name.