How far till we reach the arctic region, Haz?” I asked for the millionth time. Haz rolled his eyes and rubbed his hands together to keep warm. “Just a little farther. I'm already missing the sunny weather of Tanzia.” he complained. Then, he brightened a little. “But that doesn't mean I don't want to go. In fact, the arctic is one of my favorite places to hunt.

And you're about to find out why, Adily.” he added. “If it's because there's natural hot springs, then I'm all for it.” I shivered, pulling a blanket tighter around my shoulders.

Haz, LJ, Joar and I had all met early that morning at Tanzia to catch the boat that would take us to the arctic region a few miles north. It was around a half-day's journey, and we wanted to be there at the “warmest” time of day. The going had been good so far, until ice masses began to appear in the ocean as we edged closer and closer to our destination.

Now, the four of us were shivering uncontrollably in the bitter, biting wind, occasionally having to pick off ice crystals that would form on our noses or in our hair. I sneezed, watching as my frosty breath blew away into the fog around us.

“Hoo...yes, a hot spring sounds very pleasant right now.” I mumbled. Haz put his hands underneath his arms to keep them warm and walked around a bit. “I'm afraid you'll be disappointed in that respect, Adily. There aren't any hot springs anywhere.” LJ rubbed his legs, trying to get the blood to flow and smiled.

“Yeah, but there is one thing about the arctic that just makes you want to come back again and again.” he said. I raised an eyebrow. “What's that?” I asked through chattering teeth. Haz grinned and pointed through the clearing fog ahead of us.

“That's why.” I gasped in amazement as the campsite came into view, as well as the new region. There were evergreens planted alongside the camp, laden with heaps upon heaps of fresh snow. Cliffs made entirely of solid ice loomed over us like giants, their frozen majesty sparkling in the sunlight. A fairly slow moving river of fresh water flowed away from the inland, carrying with it occasional

glaciers and other ice masses. Though there were still occasional snowflakes, we had just missed the initial snowfall. “Haz...! Oh, this place is beautiful! Who knew ice held such craftsmanship and beauty?” I sighed as I jumped off the boat. LJ and Joar jumped off with me and admired the sights while Haz threw our weapons down to us.

“Look out below!” he called, finally jumping down with us. He walked over and grinned. “So, what do you think? Pretty impressive domain, isn't it?” he asked. Joar and I nodded vigorously. “It really is. Reminds me a little of my own homeland.” Joar commented. Haz hoisted his longsword, Pyro demolisher, onto his back and secured it.

After doing so, he reached into his pouch and pulled out a glass container with red liquid in it. Steam was coming off of it as he drank it down in just a few gulps. He immediately seemed warmer and more comfortable with his surroundings.

“Well guys, hurry up and drink your hot drinks. That Giggi is as good as ours!” he chuckled, walking ahead a few paces. LJ and I gulped ours down and began to equip our weapons. Joar stood next to us shivering and chuckling slightly.

I turned to him after a few moments. “What's the matter, Joar? Didn't you drink your hot drink?” I asked. He shook his head. “I forgot mine.” he admitted. I smiled. “No worries! I have a few extra you can have.” I replied, handing him a couple of bottles. “Thank you, Adily!” he said with a relieved smile, drinking it down and equipping his dual blades.

Haz was waiting ahead, his arms folded across his chest. “I suggest we move towards the caves. That's usually the best place to search for a Giggi of any sort.” he said. “Good idea. Lets go.” LJ replied.

As we trekked through the fresh snow, I couldn't help but forget I was hunting. As the other three went on ahead, I took a separate path. In each clearing, there seemed to be a new perfect display of frozen artwork, each better than the other. Icicles hung over entrances to dark, dank caves, glistening in the light like gems. There was a pair of elk that seemed to be playing, enjoying the frozen

grandeur like human children on snow days. The ice crystals that had grown on the tips of the trees and on fallen logs resembled fairies, each sitting side by side in her own sparkling white dress. The ice cliffs and columns appeared to be guardians, protecting this fragile land from harsh winds that sought to destroy it. Like warriors prepared for battle.

I sighed and touched one of the hanging icicles on a tree lightly and pushed it towards another. A faint tinkling sound lighted upon my ears when they collided, like miniature wind chimes. I had grown oblivious to time itself. All was right with the world. A small hush of wind blew my hair away from my neck and brought me back to reality.

I turned and looked at the cave the wind was blowing towards and remembered why I was here. “No more daydreaming, Adily. You've got a monster to slay.” I murmured to myself, running into the cave.

At first, all I could see was dark blue, then my eyes adjusted. Haz, LJ, and Joar were nowhere to be found. “Gu-uys?” I called. My question reverberated off of the icy walls and returned to me. I began to feel idiotic for going off on my own like this. Who knew where they could be? Right as I was about to leave and go after them, I heard a soft moan barely audible come from deeper within the

cavern. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I was quickly assured I was not alone. I unsheathed my dual blades and walked slowly further into the cave. “Hello...?” I asked in a small voice, wishing that the others were there with me.

I heard a sickening sound come from ahead of me and I froze in place. I gripped my swords tighter. Slowly, slowly, the thing crawled from its wretched hiding place. It was unlike any creature I had faced yet. Its skin was a green-gold like color and soft like sharq skin, while its underside was bruise black. It had frog-like toes that it used for moving along the walls and ceiling with ease.

Then there were the mouths. Not one, but two gaping maws on both ends of the creature revealed a nasty display of sharp teeth, too many I wanted to count. It reared both heads up to the ceiling and howled a most deafening cry, causing the icicles themselves to fall like deadly rain.

I fell to my knees, covering my ears. I looked up and saw the creature advancing quickly towards me. Thinking fast, I grabbed my swords back from the ground and rolled out of the way, just when he tried to bite into my flesh.

“You are one seriously messed up monster.” I said, turning a sword in my hand. The thing replied by spitting an orb of electricity at me. I dodged just in time, though the attack grazed my shoulder. I grumbled my disapproval and attacked the soft skin of the Baleful Gigginox.

“Fine then. If its a war you want, then that's what you'll get.” I said, dodging another aimed orb of electricity. The creature was a fast one and didn't give me much time to get ready for my next attack. I noticed his bright green heat-sensing organs located on his heads and began to think. Perhaps attacking these organs would prove to be useful.

Rolling out of the way of another bite, I ran head-first for the organs and struck out at them. It seemed to work fairly well. He let out a groan and flinched. I grinned. “Ha ha! Not so tough now, are you?” I laughed. The beast replied with a deafening roar and struck out at me, sending me flying a few feet. I groaned in pain and slowly stood up.

“I guess you ARE still tough.” I said simply. His skin suddenly turned bright crimson and he let out another howl. I gulped. Whatever the skin change meant, I knew it wasn't good news. My hypothesis proved true.

Despite my efforts to run, I was hit square in the chest with an electricity attack and landed flat on my back. I couldn't move; let alone breathe. I watched in despair as I saw the creature approach me and raised his head for a bite. I shut my eyes tight. This was gonna hurt.

Clash! I opened my eyes at the sudden noise and was surprised to see Haz standing above me, his longsword keeping back the beast. He kicked me out of my slight paralysis and got me on my feet. “Next time, don't leave the group.” he scolded, letting go of the hold he had on the beast.

I laughed hesitantly. “Aww, c'mon. Can you blame me? This place's scenery is just gorgeous.” I replied, circling around the back of the Gigginox. Haz rolled his eyes. “You could've saved your sightseeing for later.” he retorted, attacking the right wing of the creature.

I rendered one of its heads momentarily useless with a few strikes. “Haven't you ever heard the saying, 'wait not, want not'?” “It's WASTE not, not wait.” “Same idea.” “Not particularly.”

The Gigginox voiced his opinion on the subject as well by sending Haz and I both backwards into the wall of the cave by jumping into the air and nailing us down with a body slam. LJ and Joar, in the meantime, attacked the creature's unprotected backside while we recovered.

I moaned and drank down a potion. “Well, I'm sorry for leaving the group.” I said. Haz sighed with a small smile. “It's alright. You're the one who found him anyway. I should be thanking you.” “Thanks. Now I feel justified.” I replied, dodging another electric attack. “Whoa!” Joar yelled out suddenly. He swiftly slid by us and just barely missed the enormous bite the beast tried to take out of

him. Panting, he wiped the cold sweat from his brow. “Anyone got a good plan for this thing?” Haz narrowed his eyebrows and quickly examined the creature. His heads were badly damaged, but that seemed to only anger him. As for his wings and underside, they were still tough and unyielding, despite the soft appearance to them.

“We need to get him out of rage mode.” Haz stated finally. He pointed to the abnormal redness of the Gigginox's skin. “Once we do, that should make him more vulnerable to our attacks.” “But how? The more we attack the more angry he gets.” I asked. Haz clicked his tongue. “Exactly. I'm still trying to figure out that part.”

LJ rushed over to us, switch axe in hand. “He's on the move, maybe we can wait long enough for him to calm down.” he suggested. Haz nodded his approval. “Good idea.” After sharpening our weapons and healing our wounds for a bit, we headed out into an open area just a small distance away from the cave. It wasn't long until we found the Gigginox feeding off of an Anteka.

His skin was now golden-green again, leaving him open for an attack. Haz clapped LJ on the back. “Good plan there!” he said low. He then turned to Joar and I. “Now I've got a plan. Joar, you and Adily go attack his left and right wings and distract him. LJ, you attack the head that's always facing away from me. Once you've weakened him, I'll unleash my spirit blade attack on him and hopefully

that will make him weak enough to fall.” he instructed. We nodded in agreement and took out our weapons again. “And once he falls?” I asked. Haz brandished his longsword. “Go in for the kill, of course.” he replied with a chuckle. With a shout of battle, the four of us began to dash into position. I took the left side of the creature while Joar took the right.

The beast looked up from his kill and howled in dismay at our arrival to the scene. I noted a weak point on his toes and struck out at them. With a unsavory crack, his toes came clean off with my blade. I looked at the broken toes and grimaced. That wasn't very good for one's appetite.

Joar and LJ, in the meantime, were having slight difficulty. Due to the creature's habit of moving constantly, it made it hard for them to hit him, and instead hit each other. “Ay! Watch out there, Joar!” LJ warned, landing a blow on one head of the Gigginox. “Sorry!” Joar replied, also removing the toes from the beast's right wing. He howled in rage, deafening us all.

“Haz, is it time yet?!” LJ yelled over the howl. “Not yet! Get more damage to his head!” Haz yelled back. Joar and I joined LJ at the head in the back and smiled. “We'll give you a hand.” we said. “Thanks.” he chuckled, out of breath. Within a few blows, we were able to weaken him just enough for Haz's attack.

“Move out of the way!” Haz called. We leaped away from the creature just as Haz released his spirit attack. The Gigginox cried to the heavens and fell to his side, writhing in pain. In a flash, the four of us rushed the beast and delivered powerful strikes to his exposed belly. Convulsing, the Gigginox cried one final cry, fell back to earth, and was forever silenced.

Haz sheathed his blade and sighed contentedly. “Good work, team.” he said, retrieving his carving knife. LJ and Joar sheathed their weapons and joined him, hacking away at the supple skin of the fallen beast. “He was a bit on the easy side, wasn't he?” Joar said. LJ nodded. “Yes, I believe he might've not been fully matured. Would've been much more of a pain if he had been older and wiser.” he

replied, carefully removing some of the skin and hoisting it onto his shoulder. I bent down over the carcass and nodded in agreement with LJ. “Yeah.” Haz finished carving from the beast and kicked back on the snow, staring up at the sky. “I'm glad our quest wasn't interrupted by another monster. I'm too lazy to ward off two.”

LJ joined him and nodded gravely. “Yes, indeed. Especially if we had been confronted by...'him'.” He said in a mysterious voice. I looked up. “'Him'?” Haz nodded agressively. “Aye, 'him'. The most feral creature to ever walk these lands. Always has an insatiable appetite. He wanders the arctic in search of his next meal day after day. If any unfortunate hunters or huntresses happen to be in his

path...” Haz swept his hand through the air. “Gone.” My eyes widened. “What is he?” “He's the true monstrosity of our age. Millions of teeth, so many that they're even on his chin. And the drool? Acidic. One touch and you're dead. He literally breathes lasers and can bring an entire city down to dust. If you come across him...” LJ trailed.

“...it may be the very last hunt you ever do.” I gasped in fright. “What's his name?” Haz leaned forward. “He's called by many titles of woe and hate. But we call him...” “The Pickle-Jho.” LJ said in a dark voice.

I furrowed my brows. Haz glanced over at LJ, desperately trying to hide a smile. LJ smirked and tried to pretend it was a cough. Joar walked over to us and shook his head, a small smile on his lips. “Jho isn't a laughing matter, guys. I know you know that.” he said. Haz shrugged. “It was just a bit of fun.” he chuckled.

Joar rolled his eyes and turned to me. “Ignore them. His real name is Deviljho, and he is one mean customer. His saliva isn't acidic, but he CAN breathe lasers like they said. You wouldn't want to meet him unprepared, that's for sure.” he explained.

I laughed. “I'm not sure if I should feel reassured or scared.” I replied. Joar chuckled. “I think both is a good answer.” Haz and LJ stood up and stretched. “We should be heading back. By the time we return to Tanzia it'll be dark out.” LJ stated.

Haz chuckled. “Yeah, and I didn't bring any food with me. How about we all eat dinner at the tavern tonight? I'll pay.” he offered. “Thanks Haz! That sound positively delicious.” I replied, picking up my spoils I had carved from the Giggi. “I agree with Adily. Little bit of fine eating after a good hunt in the arctic doesn't sound bad at all.” Joar said, chuckling.

And quite the fantastic meal it was! Ranging from the royal delicacies of King's Truffle and Heaven Bread to the more humbler feasts of Buffalo Butter and Moss Pork, everything was perfect and delicious.

“Thanks again for this treat, Haz. It's absolutely spectacular.” LJ said to Haz, slapping him on the back. Haz grinned through a mouthful of meat. “Yoor fery wercum, Rrr Jay.” Joar and I laughed. “Sorry, what was that, Haz?” I teased. Haz swallowed. “I said, 'You're very welcome, LJ'. Are you deaf?” he said simply.

LJ filled his mouth with mushrooms and turned to Haz. “Ahm shurreh, whot wush zhat?” Haz picked up a handful of cheese and threw it at LJ's face. LJ dodged it and instead it landed right into my hair. I sent the death glare at Haz and stood up from the table.

“Uh oh...” Haz mumbled under his breath. I took off one glove and then the other very deliberately, then gently set them aside on the table. I smiled at Haz and grabbed a handful of sauteed jellyfish. “You're gonna wish you hadn't done that.” I said gently. I hurled the food right for Haz's chest and hit my mark. Haz's freshly polished armor was now dripping with jellyfish remains.

He looked up from the mess and raised an eyebrow. “This means war.”

Within seconds, the entire picnic table area was covered in remains of meat, veggies, and cheese. Empty mugs were used for holding “missiles”, plates as shields, spoons as catapults, and forks and knives for jousting over reserves of ammunition. I dodged a well-aimed spoonful of caviar from Joar's spoon and laughed triumphantly. “Haha! You shall never take down the commander Adily!” I boasted.

Joar glared from underneath the table. “Oh, so you think, dear Adily. But behold! Your end is nigh!” He revealed a row of spoons lined up all the way down the bench, each one locked and loaded with food aimed right for my corner. I pulled a chair up closer to my fort and stuck one knife out of an opening. “Bring on all you've got, mate! This fort shall stand!” I yelled as he rained fire down upon

my fort. In the meantime, LJ and Haz were standing atop the picnic table in a heated fencing match over a plateful of monster guts. LJ held a fork while Haz wielded a knife.

“Wot, ho! My dear friend, I sense your resistance growing weak. Do you dare give up the fight?” Haz asked breathlessly. LJ grinned. “Bah, never! I've only just begun—Hyyah!” Haz eyed the plate of food keenly and returned his gaze to LJ's own. “Tell me, LJ. Have you ever once considered why sponges are either immature or mature?” LJ paused. “What?”

Haz grinned. “Exactly.” With a quick and well-timed thrust, Haz caught his knife right between the tines of the fork. The two men pressed hard against their silverware, grunting and straining for the upper hand. “You're finished...!” “Heh heh...Not quite yet...!” LJ panted and glared Haz in the eye. “It all comes down to this. You always seem to have a plan, yeah?

Where's your plan of victory now?” Haz closed his eyes and pushed against his knife with the last strength he had. “I...” Suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked towards the boat. “Hey, is that a Zinogre?” “Wha-?” LJ asked back, turning around.

While he was distracted, Haz released his knife from the tines of LJ's fork, grabbed the plate of guts, and leaped down to the ground and took a fistful of the guts into his hand. “VICTORY!” LJ's shoulders drooped. “Oh no...” he said, seeing his fate had come.

“What's the matter, LJ? Don't have the 'guts' for it?” Haz joked, hurling the food at his face. “That was bad, Haz!” LJ coughed through the rain of guts. “I know.” Haz laughed, half crazed, as he tossed another handful. It was at this moment I leaped for cover into the corner Haz was standing in. “TAKE COVER! JOAR'S GOT THE TOMATOES!” I yelled.

Haz stopped mid-throw and stared down at me, at LJ, then at Joar. Joar was walking slowly towards us, wiping fish eggs and meat juice from his eyes and grinning menacingly, a bowl of tomatoes in his right hand. “Hungry?” he asked in a nice tone.

LJ and Haz's eyes grew wide. “Time to run?” Haz asked him. “Yeah, that's probably the best alternative.” Diving for the corner I was hiding in, the two guys rushed in and covered their heads. Red juicy pulp showered us from head to toe, the sauce dripping from our necks and hair down into the crevices of our armor. Eventually, the tomato rain ceased and everything was silent.

“Is it over?” I asked out loud. Joar was laughing, sprawled out on the wooden floor, half of the tomatoes remaining in the basket. Haz sighed and smiled, getting up from his fetal position on the floor. He crept quietly over to the basket, picked up three of the tomatoes, and handed LJ and I one.

We caught his grin and surrounded the shaking form of Joar. Haz tapped him on the shoulder. “Excuse me, sir Joar?” Haz asked. Joar stopped laughing and looked up. “You guys wouldn't...” LJ and I laughed. “Oh...but we would.” Joar bolted up and sprinted away from us faster than lightning.

“Oh no you don't! Come back here!” Haz yelled, laughing. We didn't care for a moment that everyone in the tavern was staring at us and shaking their heads in confusion. We were having the time of our lives, and there wasn't anything I could imagine myself doing that night that would've been better than that.

If there was at least one thing I could say I wasn't happy about, I'd say it would simply be the fact I had a long night of polishing armor and bathing ahead of me. And trust me. The smell of tomatoes and fish is not a feminine smell.

~Finished~ I took a more *cough cough* "normal" approach near the end here to show how crazy we four can get. Hope the clan likes this, and other readers as well!

Nah Paul it's alright. xD Thank you for your kind comment earlier though! Much appreciated!

Because you asked I've done so, though its really not a trouble. Don't feel bad. ^^"

To you as well, Paul! And thank you very much!!! ^.^

Hehehe xD I'm glad you liked it LJ. Yeah that part was fun to write. I find myself laughing aloud when writing sometimes, and that was one of those times. xD

Hahaha, yeah once I got to the food fight I just let my mind roam. xD whatever came to my head was what I put down. And yeaaah but its Haz, what did you expect? xD and about revenge...?... Well... Already in progress xD

EXACTLY! xD

Hehehe can you tell I had fun with this? xD

Fun way to end the year imo xD now, what shall happen next time...?

I couldn't have thought of a better plot line.

YAAAY

Alright, thats fine, just read it in your own time. ^^