Night had fallen over the twin peaks, no star shown in the sky the only light coming from the moon that was hazed by cloud cover; that and the fire at the edge of the woods. The small camp was nothing to celebrate. A few logs for seats. A hammock made from vine and leaves brought in from the lusher outer woods. The fire pit in the center was dug into the ground with large stones laid around it. A half a dozen fish were cooking over said fire, procured from the same woods as the hammock. Sombra and Sol'trabem were each seated, Sombra tending to the fire with a long stick while Sol asked him questions.

"So let me get this straight? That was your solution to swinging your hammer better?" Her baffled expression only grew with his simple nod. The warriors shoulders sinking as she failed to grasp at what would be the most ridiculous hammer user in history's reasoning for developing a completely new fighting style.

"All of this training happened in three weeks? and you did it all to hunt the Dragon of Night of all things!?" Another nod. "Why? How even?!" Her mind just couldn't comprehend this strange man.

"Well I grew to understand that this world had magic, a different kind that is. Magic may not even be the right word for it? Ki? Power? Energy? Hacks? Not entirely sure. Either way I didn't just come up with it in a month, I had been thinking of how I could apply this for years just with no luck in succeeding. It just so happens that the strength increase from eating the fauna and training in search of that power has helped me adapt my ideas to practical use."

"First of all." She cut him off. "What do you mean this world? Second what in the Great Jaggras Ass are you talking about, how did you even do that back there? I'm one of the fastest people in my tribe! Second only to my late brother, and let me tell you he was quick as a Narg and as agile as a Mitsune. But you Mr have just blown that out of the water! So I want to know how."

His brow furrowed realizing what he had just said, the isolation he had during training should not have made him this talkative. He had noticed it back on the peaks as well. Less then a month without companionship should mean nothing to the king who spent a years traveling alone. Yet here he was having a blast. It was strange but so was everything that's happened up until now. Deciding he no longer cared he looked at her for the first time, not that he hadn't looked at her before but he wanted to take her in as a whole. The air she gave off was calm, like a flowing river or a gentle breeze but just like both she had a dangerous force that followed her. Potential to become a raging flood or a powerful thunderstorm. He admired her for that, but her kindness had been the thing that brought upon his curiosity. A warm smile, a gentle presence, a caring and interested look. It almost clashed with her brass personality. With all that he made up his mind.

"For your first question. If I tell you, and I will. You won't believe me." He wore a shit eating grin, a challenging expression for sure. Almost and evil look. It threw her off and made her gulp but she would not back down.

Standing up on her log looking down at the still sitting man, she pointed at him and put on her own bravado. "Try me tough guy!"

He had spent hours regaling the tale to his new companion. From both his past history to everything that had transpired since coming to the world of monsters that she called her home. She had stopped him at several points to ask questions but not once did she laugh. By the time the story was done the moon had reached its highest peak and Sombra had noticed a slight break in the clouds revealing it to be waxing gibbous. He had arrived around three days after the Dire Miralis had returned to this spot. Now with only a few days to spare before the creature moved again he had to train even harder. Returning his attention to Sol he waited, having finished the whole story moments ago there was nothing left to tell.

She did not give any kind of major reaction during the tale. A small chuckle at his companions actions here, a question there, but nothing that would give him any hint that she didn't believed him. 'Maybe' He thought to himself, 'maybe that's her way of showing me that she does believe'. He gave a soft smile and gazed into the fire, remembering the shared dream he had with the rest of the party. Those fires, the dense forest, the beast in the mountain. 'How long would it be until we made it there?'

"So what's next on our journey Sombra?" Her question broke him out of his thoughts and he had to take a moment to process what she had said.

"Our?" Was his only response.

"Of course! How could I not tag along after hearing such on interesting story! I want to see everything myself, and besides my original goal was to find out the source of all the chaos anyways. Thanks to you I have a direct path." She spoke with such confidence that he had no choice but to just go along with it.

"Fine by me I could use someone who's more familiar with these lands anyways." He reached out his hand toward her. "Welcome to the group."

She reached out her hand and met his giving it a strong shake before returning to her spot. "Happy to join!" She pulled out an unreasonably large flask out of what seemed to be nowhere, and with a wicked grin said, "How bout' we celebrate?"

"Hot damn that's the good stuff!" Sol barked out as she took another swig from her cup.

Sombra himself had moved onto his second glass and could feel the familiar burn. "This is delicious, what's it called?"

Standing up with pride she put a fist to her chest, "This my deer new comrade is my special Gammoth Snow Berry Scotch! I used some of the best ingredients I found exploring the Frozen Seaway. This particular barrel has been brewing at one of my base camps at a quest town for about two years now."

"So tell me" He asked gripping his glass in both hands, "why are you after the beast?"

Her response was slow her mood dropping slightly. "Several people in my village were hit by the creatures ability, they are all in a deep sleep. I was told the legend by our chief and asked to set out as the last remaining hunter of my tribe."

"I am sorry that you were given such a harsh task, hopefully we can help one another." His smile was soft and helped her mood.

"What about you big guy?" She pointed an accusing finger at him. "You never told me what that power was"

"Well you know of the Kai hunters correct?" She nodded. "Well my ability is similar to that, I managed to drag out a small portion of my power a week ago and have been refining it ever since. The power itself is just a breathing technique as I said before I have been developing it for awhile but the muscle strength that I required to use it only came from the training and nourishment I received in this world. I use it to flow blood quickly through my muscles, then I use each muscle group at once in one motion. The noise you hear is my joints coming in contact with each other as I release the built up power."

She was amazed by his level of thought, the process to it didn't seem to complicated. That's when she got an idea that made her giddy. "Hey Sombra?" She asked.

"Yes?"

"Would you be able to teach me that technique?" Her eyes were glistening with excitement. He was unsure wether or not it would be a good idea especially with the danger it posed to the different muscle groups within the body. One wrong move and a tendon could tear.

"I have to warn you this could be very dangerous, and I don't mean you could just get hurt. I'm talking about lossing you're ability to fight for the rest of your life." A very serious look crossed his face and he looked her dead in the eyes. "For the sake of helping you I am willing to teach, but for the sake of your mission you must understand the risks."

She stayed silent, the only noise coming from the crackling of the fire and the crickets near by. The fate of her village rested upon her shoulders and she had no idea if she could accomplish her goal. Unlike the rest of her people who were not affected by the monster she was the only one to actually see it. A small glimpse was all it took to make her realize that nothing she had faced in the past would even compare. The power it wielded was to unnatural and its very essence put off a powerful aura. What ever it was it was not something that could be taken lightly by any level of hunter. To make herself prepared even if the chances only barely increased she would take the risk. Turning to Sombra she met his caring eyes with ones of determination. "Train me."

"If that is what you desire then I will turn it into your justice. But be ready, I will not go easy on you." His excitement shown through his warnings and with it put a fire in her belly.

"I wouldn't let you go easy on me if you tried!"

And with that the two turned in for the night, with morning would come a new challenge for Sol. She was nothing but determined.

Author's Note

Iceborne has me hyped.