Tatsumi rallied as their attacks started to wear down the Monolith. [b][i][color=Gold]Alright! This hunting stuff is kind of fun![/color][/i][/b] He thought to himself, a grin making itself clear on his face. He felt in his element. At first the Monolith appeared to be failing, [b][i][color=Gold]We beat it already?! So quickly?[/color][/i][/b] But Tatsumi was proven incorrect as a stony hand clutched for support against the ravine. The earth shook as the massive creature recovered. Now it was on the offensive! It shot lava from it's mouth like a cannon, and the ravine was rapidly getting a whole lot less roomy as it began to fill with the molten rock. [b][i][color=Gold]We better close this up quick before that stuff gets too high, or we'll be roasted alive![/color][/i][/b]

The lava attack was quickly wasn't all. Massive rocks began to fly towards the hunters. Not only that, they were really [i]flying[/i] directly towards them, assumingly propelled by magic. [b][i][color=Gold]Gotta get a move on if I don't want to get crushed![/color][/i][/b] A trio of boulders were moving right for the happy-go-lucky hunter. The first was the easiest, Tatsumi diving to the right, going into a roll and barely moving out of the way before the rock crashed against the ground. By the time he recovered the second boulder was already almost upon him. He didn't have time to dive again so instead he pushed himself off the ground and deftly leaped above the attack. The final one was really homing in on him, looking to catch him in the air. [b][i][color=Gold]There's no way I can dodge![/color][/i][/b] For a moment he panicked, but he took a deep breath, realizing he had to keep calm if he wanted to survive. His shadow sword was still in hand, so he had a chance! He extended the blade, bringing it down on the stone and cleaving it in two. As he landed on the ground he thought to himself, [b][i][color=Gold]Wow, that was too close![/color][/i][/b]

Tatsumi took a moment to rest, finding himself out of breath after his acrobatics. His attention was taken by a man who seemed to be a completely unfamiliar hunter. Tatsumi realized that he came in earlier, when they were attacking the Monolith. He attacked the monster with two massive swords, and then greeted their apathetic vixen companion. [b][b][color=Gold]He must be another vet! I can't wait to see him in action![/color][/b][/b] Tatsumi watched him eagerly. He dodged the boulders effortlessly, all while handling his two unwieldy weapons. [b][i][color=Gold]Two greatswords?! He must be strong![/color][/i][/b] Tatsumi was in awe as he threw one of his heavy swords into the air like it weighed nothing. He then rushed forward and snatched it from it's fall, using the momentum for his attack. [b][i][color=Gold]Amazing! He's way cooler than Akemi, and seems a lot more lively! I wonder if he'll teach me moves like that?! The coordination and strength an attack like that must take! Is this the power of a veteran hunter?![/color][/i][/b] Tatsumi was, to say the least, highly entertained by the new hunter's skills. He eyed the slovenly fox-girl. [b][i][color=Gold]I wonder if she's that strong when she's trying?[/color][/i][/b]

Tatsumi steeled himself. He was getting pumped up. He couldn't sit on the sidelines when a guy like this was here! The monolith was only down one arm from his attack, after all! He readied his shadow sword, and rushed towards the lava monster. [b][i][color=Gold]I've gotta pull out some cool move too![/color][/i][/b] Tatsumi thought to himself excitedly. As he closed the distance between himself and the monster he formulated his plan. [b][i][color=Gold]I'll make sure to impress even Akemi![/color][/i][/b] He grinned to himself. The monolith was in front of him [b][i][color=Gold]Let's go![/color][/i][/b] He used the shadows below him, using the magic that he was rapidly growing accustomed to, and perhaps dependent on. He formed a 'springboard' of sorts, bounding off the shadows and pushing himself upwards. Soon enough he was above the beast. He raised his dark sword, the length of it rapidly expanding. [b][color=Gold]"I'm gonna cut you in two!"[/color][/b] Tatsumi cried out excitedly. He brought the shadowy sword down.

He didn't exactly cut it in two. In fact, he only barely clipped it. Tatsumi highly underestimated how unwieldy a sword as long as the one he had made would be. [b][i][color=Gold]Damn! Everyone saw that, didn't they?[/color][/i][/b] He thought to himself as he was rapidly falling towards the ground. He made contact with the stony surface of the ravine, using shadows to cushion his fall. [b][i][color=Gold]And that was almost cool![/color][/i][/b]