Monster Hunter: The Hothead.
On his way home, an old man walks past a hidden cave. He walks into it & hears the crackling sound of a flame.
Old man: Is anyone here?
In one corner he spots a person, and this being’s entire body is on fire.
Old man: (Gasps) Are you alright?
Hothead: No. (Screams) Help me. My whole body is burning.
Old man: How did this happen? Roll on the ground that will hopefully put out the fire.
Hothead: (Rolls towards the old man) Watch out! I’m coming your way.
Old man: Whoa. You nearly knocked me down.
Hothead: I am so sorry.
The Hothead stands to his feet and walks slowly towards the old man.
Old man: Hey?! Aren’t you in pain?
Hothead: (Laughs) Come on old man. How much money do you have in your pocket?
Old man: I don’t have any money. I was on my way home. But then I decided to take a look around here.
Hothead: (Sighs) Big mistake. You should have walked right past and not have tried to help me.
Old man: Please, do not hurt me.
The Hothead raises the heat intensity of his body. He throws flames out of anger towards the old man. The old man’s whole body is engulfed in flames. His skin, bones & other organ all burn to ashes.
Hothead: What do we have here? A gold pocket watch. This is a great prize.
The Hothead stretches his arms. And he looks at the place below the mountain. There isn´t much to see. In the corner of his eye- a small house. Hmmm. Interesting. It looks like his day just keeps getting better.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Heko: So, Vanessa. What are you doing here in Eryv?
Vanessa: Just came to see the mountain view. I needed to get away from Ondu and the magicians for sometime. I would love it if you came exploring with me.
Heko: Of course. Let me just check on my young warriors. Traning the next monster hunters isn’t an easy job. I’ll leave Derwin in charge. He’s my star pupil. A young man full of heart, strength and wisdom.
Vanessa: (clears throat) Ahem. And what am I?
Heko: You were, and still are, the number one most outstanding student I have had.
Vanessa: Why thank you Master Heko.
Heko: Okay. Time for a quick mountain walk. I am glad that you were able to be here with us. It’s been a while.
Vanessa: I have missed this place, the people and the mountains so much.
Master Heko and Vanessa explore the large mountain grounds. Vanessa takes a deep breath of the cold air. The mountain area will always be her favorite place to be.
Vanessa: Master Heko, are there any monsters or creatures around here?
Heko: Not that I’ve heard of anything lately. Why? Do you sense one nearby?
Vanessa: I’m not sure. There seems to be something telling me to be on my guard.
Heko: There could have been a monster that may have passed by. Maybe now it’s already gone.
Vanessa: Yeah. It could also have moved to another spot closeby.
Master Heko walked past a hidden cave. It was covered by mountains on both sides. The entrance was just inbetween two rocky large mountains. If someone didn’t look carefully they would not be able to find it.
Heko: Vanessa? Let’s keep going.
Vanessa: There’s a hidden cave. I’m going to take a look inside.
Master Heko follows the monster hunter into the cave. Vanessa looks around the cave. She finds a pile of ashes. In that pile there lies some pieces of burnt bones.
Heko: Is that someone’s burnt body in ashes?
Vanessa: I’m afraid so. There’s only one main creature that I know that does this.... a Hothead.
Heko: Oh my stars. This is not something I come across everyday. Eryv doesn’t have so many monsters.
Vanessa: This one is smart. It usually attacks, and kills older folk.
Heko stares at Vanessa with fright.
Heko: Older folk you say.
Vanessa: That is the ones who travel alone. I’m sure you’re able to defend yourself. You’re a great monster hunter trainer. The monsters would have to be crazy to beli that they can defeat you.
Heko: Where do you think this Hothead is now?
Vanessa closed her eyes and quickly thought for a brief while. She opened her eyes in a matter of few seconds. And walked towards the hidden cave’s entrance.
From the top of the mountain, Vanessa saw the vast grounds of Eryv. Then she spotted one house that was closest to the hidden cave.
Vanessa: I think I know the whereabouts of our Hothead.
The Master and his student knocked on the door of the cottage. An elderly woman answered the door.
Heko: Greetings. We are only passing through. Do you have room for two strangers right now? We mean you no harm.
Elderly Woman: Hello. I am Mrs. Fletch.
Heko: I am Master Heko, and this is my student Vanessa.
Mrs. Fletch: Nice to meet you two dears. Please, do come in. I seem to be popular in having guests today. My husband went on a walk. He should be back soon. It has been a couple of hours now.
Vanessa: Thank you Mrs. Fletch.
Mrs. Fletch leads her guests into her cozy kitchen. She places a pot of tea on the stove.
Vanessa: You have a lovely home.
Mrs. Fletch: Thank you. I hope you both would like some green tea.
Heko: That would be nice.
Vanessa: Mrs. Fletch, thank you.
Mrs. Fletch: Are two travelling from around here?
Heko: Yes, I am.
Vanessa: I am sort of. But I am here only for a visit. A bit of a wanderer right now.
Mrs. Fletch: That’s what my other guest said too. (chuckles)
Heko: Your other guest?
Mrs. Fletch: Yes. He’s in one of the guest bedrooms right now. He said he had a long day. The poor fellow.
Vanessa: (in a hushed tone) Pfft. He’s going to be one soon. Once he meets his fate.
Mrs. Fletch: What was that dear?
Vanessa: Oh, nothing. I can’t wait to meet him.
Soon the Hothead comes downstairs. He whistles with every step he takes. When he walks into the kitchen he stops, & stares at the two strangers.
Mrs. Fletch: We have two new guests. Meet Master Heko and his student Vanessa.
Hothead: (smiles) Charmed to meet you. (Stares at Vanessa’s necklace).
Vanessa: Nice to meet you.
Heko: And what is your name?
Hothead: I am Sir Flareth.
Vanessa: Sir Flareth, that is an odd name. I mean, kind of unusual. Not quite common.
Hothead: (starts to heat up) I- well, it is a family name.
Heko: You don’t look so well. Do you have a fever?
Vanessa: (smiles) Master Heko. I think he’s alright. Maybe he is not used talking with several people, three could be a crowd for him.
As the Hothead wonders who these two intruders are, the pot of tea boils with a hiss.
Mrs. Fletch: Ah, the tea is ready.
Hothead: Enjoy your tea.
Mrs. Fletch: Wouldn´t you like to have a cup of hot tea?
Vanessa: Do join us.
Hothead: Thank you. But really I’m fine.
Mrs. Fletch serves the tea to her two guests. Later on she shows them to their separate guest bedrooms.
Vanessa: Thank you Mrs. Fletch. You are a marvelous hostess.
Mrs. Fletch: (laughs) I’m glad to have you all as my guests. I am worried about my husband though. He still hasn’t shown up from his walk.
Vanessa: Don’t worry. I’m sure that he will find his way to you always. No matter what happens to him.
After Mrs. Fletch leaves- Vanessa knocks on her Master’s door.
Heko: Vanessa, we have to stop that Hothead. I don’t want to leave the sweet old lady with this monster.
Vanessa: You are absolutely right. Let’s go put out that Sir Flareth.
Heko: Yes.
Sir Flareth walks out of his guest room. He tiptoes past the other guest bedrooms and walks quietly to the living room. He thinks no one is watching him and in less than a minute his body is on fire.
Vanessa watches the Hothead from the kitchen. She peeps from the doorway that leads to the living room. This must be his act. People may easily believe that he is burning and needs help.
Sir Flareth doesn’t know that he’s being watched until he hears the creak of the door.
Hothead: (walks towards the kitchen) Is that you Mrs. Fletch?
Vanessa leaps from the back of the door. She sprays a cooling foam all over the Hothead.
Sir Flareth: What have you done to me? Argh, my body is freezing up now. You’ve messed with the wrong Hothead.
Vanessa stands and faces the Hothead. Sir Flareth forms a now & arrow with his natural flaming heat. The monster hunter dodges all the arrows thrown in her direction.
Sir Flareth: Stay still. I promise that this won’t hurt a bit. If you keep moving, that will make me shoot and aim with greater force.
Vanessa ran out of the kitchen, and out the door. The cooling foam she had thrown at the Hothead was slowly cooling him from the inside. His flames were fading out. Even his steady running pace was gradually becoming like a sloth’s.
Sir Flareth: (groans) Ugh. What’s happening to me? Why are you doing this to me? Tell me.
Vanessa: (faces the Hothead) I found a pile of ashes in a hidden cave.
Sir Flareth: He didn’t hand me his money. The old man had to pay the price.
Vanessa: (shakes her head) I’m afraid you picked the wrong time, & place to lie, steal and kill. Now you’ll have to pay the price of your actions.
The monster hunter backed away from the Hothead. His body started to freeze like a block of ice. The more heat Sir Flareth produced, the faster his body froze.
Vanessa smiled at the Hothead. She placed a few explosives on him, and he blew up into a pile of finely blown up ice.
Mrs. Fletch and Master Heko were back in the kitchen. It was time for dinner.
Heko: Vanessa, dinner will soon be ready. Mrs. Fletch has cooked us a meal fit for a King.
Mrs. Fletch: Have any of you seen Sir Flareth?
Vanessa: Yes, he just left. He said he had to head back home really soon. He’s sorry that he wasn’t able to say goodbye to you.
Heko: Such a shame he won’t be joining us for dinner.
Mrs. Fletch: That’s too bad. Enjoy the meal. More food for you then.
Vanessa: We passed by a hidden cave on our way here. Mrs. Fletch, I think we may have stumbled upon your husband’s remains.
Mrs. Fletch’s clasped her hands over her heart. Tears slowly trickled down her face.
Vanessa: I am so sorry. This is all that’s left of him. (She hands him her husband’s gold pocket watch).
Mrs. Fletch: (in sobs) Oh- ... no.
Master Heko felt so sorry for the elder lady. What a sad day for her.
The next day, Master Heko and Vanessa said their goodbyes to Mrs. Fletch. Vanessa’s job was complete.
Vanessa: Thank you for everything Mrs. Fletch.
Mrs. Fletch: Come visit anytime.
Heko: Thank you. Goodbye.
Back at the traning camp.
Vanessa: Goodbye Master Heko.
Heko: I hope you’ll come visit us here again.
Vanessa: (smiles) Yes. This will always be my home.
Master Heko smiles, and waves- as Vanessa heads to find another place that needs a monster hunter.