We entered a new place, I was sure of it. The air was cooler, the noises were far fewer and the smells less abundant. Although the faint smell of blood did not reassure me.

As the box kept moving forward, the monsters guiding the box talked in low voices. A few words came up frequently, like “Rathalos”, “Boss”, and “The miss”. What could that mean?

Everything about this situation told me it could not end well. How bad it would end, I did not know. But screaming or struggling was useless, therefore I laid still and hoped for the best. Maybe that way they would forget about me?

A few moments later, a monster shouted in our direction.The box stopped and they all talked together. Soon after something big clanked, a rhythmic clinking following, before another big clank.

The sounds stopped and the box resumed moving while the monsters talked. What is going on now? The box turned left, and it sounded like the ground changed to sand or dirt, the sun shining through the cover again.

A new area? The monsters moved the box a little further before stopping it. What now? What did they bring me here for? The cover was removed and the sudden brightness blinded me for a short moment.

When I opened my eyes a red ball exploded in my face, blue purple air filling my view. This again! I held my breath, but when the air dispersed another ball exploded. I couldn’t hold it any longer and breathed in the sleepy air. My mind went groggy, and soon everything was dark.

***

“I can’t wait to see it!”, a young woman exclaimed.

“Don’t worry young miss, his cell is very close. You will soon see it,” a bald man walking alongside the young miss said, his left arm missing.

The young miss covered her mouth laughing, the golden tiara on her head tingling.

“When I was told you came to see me again, I was just going to have you thrown out.” She smirked at the man. “But, I heard an interesting report from the docks about you. Who would have thought the useless hunter would bring me such a nice surprise!” She exclaimed with wide eyes.

“A mighty Rathalos, and a child at that!” She added, lifting a finger up.

“Really makes me wonder how you pulled that one, old man.” She stared at the man, half grinning.

Unshaken, the man answered. “I won’t lie to you, young miss. It was pure luck that we captured him. We were even luckier to escape the continent alive.” The hunter said, his voice a little grim. “Most of us, at least.”

“Hm yeah I guess the parents would be pissed,” she said in a bored voice, “Well anyway it looks like we’ve arrived.”

On the left, a huge metal gate appeared, with two regular doors on each side. Guards were standing by while servants came and went through the doors. One of the guards with different clothes noticed their arrival and stepped up to the miss.

“Good morning young miss. We have inspected the monster and it is indeed a young Rathalos. The observation deck is ready.” The guard turned to the old hunter. “Is this gentleman allowed inside?”

“Yes he is, now let’s go see this Rathalos.” The young miss said with a grin.

“Of course, please follow me young miss.” The guard bowed before walking to the left door. They took a flight of stairs and arrived at a long corridor, the sun shining through the right wall’s blinders. While they walked, servants made way and bowed. “Now Jonah, tell me what you know about this Rathalos.” the young miss asked the old man.

The old hunter walked up beside the miss, “Unfortunately young miss, we do not know much. He is young, at most two months old, is healthy and has no signs of any injury. That’s about it.”

“Can it breath fire?” She asked with wide eyes and a smile.

“I do not believe so. From what I know, Raths learn to use fire by 6 to 8 months old, Rathaloses usually earlier than Rathians.” as he finished they reached the end of the corridor and turned right.

The young miss frowned, “If it can’t use fire, can it even be called a Rathalos?”

Before the hunter could answer, the guard turned and spoke up.

“This is the observation deck, do you wish to open the window, young miss?”

She clapped her hands and hissed, “Yes!” The guard motioned to a servant, and he pulled on a lever. With a clank, the wall in front of them split open slowly, revealing a large courtyard behind the barred window, a red wyvern sleeping in the middle.

“Oh!” the young miss exclaimed, “He’s bigger than I thought! Looks like he’s still sleeping.” She turned to the guard, “Wake him up.”

***

Ah! I woke up to a loud sound. I blinked a few times before I realised I was free from the vines. I’m free! I broke into a run and flapped my wings excitedly. Then I stopped. Uh? Where am I?

I looked around to take in my surroundings. I was in a sandy room lit up by the sun, black walls on each side. Wait. One wall had an opening some distance above the ground, barred with black sticks. And it had monsters behind it, looking at me.

I gasped and reeled back, but I was no longer restrained by vines. I stared at them through the bars. I recognized the one armed furless monster on the left. The one on the right had shiny stuff all over and seemed very excited. I am free now, you don’t scare me. I glared before taking off. Let’s leave this place.

I rose up with each flap, looking up at the sky while the monsters spoke. But as I rose higher I noticed the sky was barred by black sticks. I reached the ceiling and looked closely at the grid. Each stick was thicker than a big tree branch. Can I break those?

With a flap, I lifted up my feet and grabbed one. Graah! I screamed as painful shocks coursed through my feet. My mind blanked and I fell down.

I regained consciousness close to the ground and quickly flapped to slow down my fall, landing with a thud.

That was close! While I gulped in large breaths of air, the shiny monster shouted “Hahahaha!”. I don’t know what that means but I feel like it’s mocking me. Angry, I roared at it. It stopped shouting and looked at me with big eyes.

Better. Now, how can I break those black bars? I looked up at the sky. Even touching them is dangerous. Maybe with fire? But I don’t know how to use it… The monsters talked again and a clank rang out. I looked back down and below the window the wall split open. An escape?

But a four legged creature charged inside the room.

What is this thing? It had two large tusks on the front and thick brown fur all over its body, about half as big as a big grey.

My stomach couldn’t help but growl at the sight. Finally some good food!

It looked at me and shouted, its foot scratching the ground. How do I kill it? The neck is too thick to bite and it looks too heavy to lift high up.

I roared in response and it screamed, charging at me.

Before it got close I took off, the charger grounding to a halt. I passed over it and gripped its back with my feet. Heavy! It struggled very hard while I lifted it up. I had only risen a little when I had to throw it down.

It rolled a few times on the ground but was unharmed. That didn’t work too well. The charger screamed at me from the ground. If I fall down from high enough on it, that should deal enough damage. But it’s not an ambush, it won’t stay still. The thing kept screaming but it could never touch me in the air. The monsters were talking but I tuned it out.

I focused on the charger. Let’s find a strategy… I flew around the screaming charger, examining it. The belly looks softer than the rest. Let’s get it to charge at me, then I’ll rip it open while it recovers.

I landed some distance away and roared at the charger. It stomped angrily and charged, its speed increasing quickly. Closer… When I could see the red in its eyes I jumped right and flapped. While the charger struggled to stop I stomped on its flank and it fell down on its side.

Before it could stand up I fell and slashed its stomach with my talons. It screamed and tried to kick me but I jumped away. It’s over. It stood back up but the long gashes on its belly dripped blood, some of the innards poking out.

It flew into a rage and ran aimlessly, gradually slowing down as it lost blood. It was hobbling weakly on its feet. Too hungry to wait for it to die I struck down, pushing it on the ground. It screamed and struggled, but was too weak to pose any threat. I tore up its belly all the way and took a large bite. Delicious. I relished in the taste while the charger slowly died.

***

“Wow. Did you see that?” The young miss turned excitedly, her tiara tingling. “It studied the target and made a strategy to defeat it. It almost looked like a human fighting.” The old hunter smiled widely.

“You are right, young miss. Rathaloses in particular are known for their advanced intelligence among monsters. Except for humans and dragons, there is nothing more intelligent than them.”

The young miss stared silently at the Rathalos eating, her arms crossed.

After a moment she said, “Interesting. Very interesting. If it is as intelligent as you say, it could have an incredible potential.”

The hunter quickly replied, “Yes young miss, with time and training I’m sure-” “But,” the young miss cut him, the playfulness gone, “ that is only a possibility.” She turned and stared at the old man.

“As I’m sure you know, Rathaloses are not native to Aya. Once the guild learns of it, which they probably already do, they will come knock on my door. If they learn that I own it, they will bother me for weeks, even months. And I can’t exactly turn them away, you know. That is a huge waste of my time, time I don’t have.”

The hunter started sweating. “But young miss, this is a unique opportunity!”

She tilted her head, “I already have strong monsters with good results in the arena. Why should I put myself in a terrible position for a baby?”

The old man wiped his sweat in a hurry, “Young miss, with just a year, no, just a few months, I am sure he will become a serious contender in the arena!”

The woman’s expression sombered. “A year? Months?” She glared at the hunter with wide eyes, making him reel back. “Do you think the guild is so easily dealt with? And I’m sure my brothers are begging in their dreams for such an opportunity to mess up my position.” Then, a guard came in running, stopping close to the group.

“Young miss! A representative from the hunter’s guild is asking for an audience.” She smirked at the sweating hunter. “See? That’s already two hours of lecture.” She turned to the guard. “Escort her to the audience chamber. I will be there shortly.” He bowed before leaving hurriedly.

The old man fell to his knees, “Young miss I’m begging you please buy it! Me and my crew are finished if you don’t.”

Her expression was cold as she stared him in the eyes, “Jonah, let’s be real here. I only came here out of curiosity, not to buy some red baby.”

The hunter froze. “But,” she turned to look at the red wyvern, “on account of what I have seen just now, I am willing to give you one chance.”

He almost jumped, “Thank you young miss! Please tell me what you want.”

She smiled, “Simple. He will fight today’s opening capture match. If he wins, I will buy him at whatever price you name. If he loses, I will watch the guild take you away.”

The man’s eyes widened, “T-this…” She glared at him. “What? Would you prefer me handing you over to the guild right now?” The old man fumbled,

“No! Of course not young miss! But… a match? How could he win?”

The young miss tilted her head, “Oh? So you think he will lose?”

He looked at the red wyvern with a bitter smile, “As much as I believe in his potential, he simply has no hopes of defeating experienced arena hunters without any training.” She grinned and laughed softly, “Of course he has no hopes to win. I was just making a fool of you.” The old man stared blankly.

“I am not one to pass up on opportunities when I recognize one. He only needs to fight well enough to satisfy me.” She smiled and extended five fingers, “Five minutes. If he can avoid capture for at least five minutes, I will buy him and hide you from the guild.”

The man’s face regained color and he kowtowed, “Oh! Thank you young miss! Your magnanimity is only equal to your beauty! He will fight well and not disappoint you!” The young miss chuckled at the flattery, “Good,” she turned to a guard in the corner, “Guard, have a handler take care of the Rathalos,” she pointed to the hunter, “and take him and his crew to our quarters. Before the first match starts bring him to my lodge.” The guard bowed with his right arm on his heart, “It will be done young miss.”

She turned back to the old man, now standing, “I will see you this afternoon Jonah.” He bowed deeply, “Thank you, young miss.” She smiled and walked away, the guard that had led them in following behind her, while the observation window closed shut with a clank.