These youngsters are Riders,
continuing their quest to find blackened Kinship Ores
and stop the Black Blight, spreading across the world.
After Lute joins Lilia in Gildegaran, who should show up
but Mille and Hyoro, who'd broken off from his team.
They'd left Cheval behind as he charged down his own path,
and were now seeking the path they were meant to follow.
Now reconciled,
Lute and friends set out for the Forest of Confusion and the Kinship Ore within.
There they reunited with Genie and Stone,
senior Hakum Riders hot on the heels of a Blighted monster.
I don't know what happened,
but I allowed your choice because it was the path you chose.
Yet a disgrace who can't even see that choice through...
...is no Rider--and no brother of mine.
Genie...
Genie disowned his little brother for not sticking to his convictions,
but after seeing Hyoro's bold figure as he was forced into a desperate battle,
Genie had a change of heart.
It's true, you're not who you used to be.
You're a full-fledged Rider.
Genie!
Yep, there's nothing like a brother!
You and Cheval are like brothers, right?
You always said you were family.
Lute sees himself and Cheval in the reconciled brothers.
And so the young Rider continues ever onward--
to restore the Kinship he shared with his dear friend
and to save the world from the Black Blight.
Next stop: The Forest of Confusion, where a new Kinship Ore is said to slumber.
"Monster Hunter Stories RIDE ON"
"Episode 44: A Mystical Meeting with Kirin"
The path splits here.
Let Navirou's skills handle this one!
This way!
So that way, then.
I think we ought to split up, just in case.
Then we'll go this way.
If anyone finds the Kinship Ore, use your Field Horn to signal the others.
Yeah!
Wait, Mille.
Hmm? What is it?
Don't forget what I said about the lightning earlier.
Especially if you get lost along the way!
I know, I know.
You folks be extra-careful, too.
Yep! Thanks!
So what about the lightning?
Beats me.
We talked about it at breakfast, remember?
Weren't you listening?
Honestly...
I was going through old texts before we came here
and came across some lore about these woods.
"At the ends of the Forest of Confusion,
beyond the lightning-wielding phantom beast, sleeps the Crystal of Rapport..."
Lilia, make sure you tell Lute:
If you get lost, keep an eye on the lightning.
I will. But why?
A lightning-wielding phantom beast once saved my life.
Oh?
I've wanted to convey my gratitude to my savior ever since.
You go on ahead. I'll be right behind you.
Yes, ma'am!
"Keep an eye on the lightning" is all well and good, but...
Can't imagine there'd be lightning on such a sunny day.
Hmm...
We'll see what happens if we get lost.
It'll all get clearer as we go along!
That's right! Follow me, everyone!
This forest sure is creepy...
They say once you go into the Forest of Confusion, you never come out again!
That's because there are no maps of it, and compasses don't work.
If we happen to get separated and you get lost, all alone...
Eeek!
Keep an eye on the lightning and you'll be fine.
Is that how you found that phantom beast, by following the lightning?
Indeed. That was back when I'd just joined the Scriveners.
I'd gotten word of an unidentified monster in a certain woods.
My squad and I moved out.
But then a sudden rainstorm hit.
I got separated from my squad and lost my way.
It was then that a light flashed across the sky,
as though guiding me in my exhaustion.
Using that lightning as a signpost, I stepped forth into the darkness.
What... is this place?
Looking back, I now believe that was the lightning-wielding phantom beast.
When I came to, I was looking up at an unfamiliar ceiling.
I'd been rescued at the forest entrance, on the verge of collapse.
After that, though my squad and I searched everywhere,
we never did find them.
Not that mysterious white clearing nor my phantom beast rescuer.
It's as though all of it was an illusion.
This world is still overflowing with mysteries.
And I?
I will study this forest, with its monsters and its untouched nature,
so that I may be of use to future research.
Huh?
Didn't we just come through here?
Are we lost?
That's the Forest of Confusion for you! Nice.
This is no time to be impressed!
If you'd followed Navirou's gracious guidance the first time,
we would never have gotten turned around!
Yeah, yeah, I got it.
This time we'll do exactly what you say.
So which way?
This way!
Wait.
Here? Again?
We're totally lost!
Because you followed Navirou's directions.
And that's... a Navi-rule.
Whoa!
What a downpour!
At this rate--
A-choo!
--we're gonna catch colds!
Let's find some shelter.
Wait! Debli's not here!
That Debli. And after all that "follow me" nonsense, too.
Now he's run on ahead and gotten lost.
Saw that coming.
You could say he doesn't let you down.
Hey! Tub--!
"Tub" nothing!
That was him!
Hey! Tub--
--li!
Say it right!
It came from over there!
You all right, Lilia?
My bag!
No sweat. I'll go find it once the rain stops.
Okay.
You're not going anywhere on that leg!
Finding shelter is our top priority.
Catching up with Tub--
--li can wait till later.
I told you, say it right!
And where have you been?
I found some Divine Rhinos and just couldn't help myself.
Argh! Always getting us worked up over nothing!
You can buy a lotta donuts with one of these!
You chose wisely. Navirou commends you.
That was fast.
Are you all right, Lute?
Aw, it's okay. This is nothing.
Why'm I giving you a ride?
Lightning!
All right... that way!
Is this the right way?
What the--?!
The rain's stopped.
What's going on?
Does it hurt?
A little.
Uh-oh. And with Lilia's Herbs under that cliff.
That reminds me, Lilia...
You dropped this.
Oh, now you pull that out!
Oh, you found it!
I'm so grateful, Debli! How can I ever thank you?
Huh?
That smile of yours is thanks enough!
No, no, no, no.
This all started with you getting lost.
That only brought us closer together!
Honestly.
That's laying it on a little thick!
"Kirin"
Ride On!
"Monster Hunter Stories RIDE ON"
Rathalos!
You're...
Wh-What is that?! A monster?
It's not anywhere in here!
It's an unidentified mystery monster!
I haven't seen it in any Scrivener texts, either.
Whoa!
Yow!
What the heck is it? And what's it trying to do?!
I wonder if it wants to talk...
Yeah, right. Like you can talk to a monster.
Maybe if it were a Monstie you had Kinship with...
Yeah, but... it kinda feels like it's trying to tell us something.
That horn is off the hook!
It'll fetch a pretty zenny, all right!
Now to slay 'im and snatch the spoils!
Debli!
Ride On!
Rathalos!
Pull back for a sec, Ratha!
S-So strong!
Take that!
The Flash Bomb's not working!
Then how about this?
That Dung Bomb's no good, either!
Just what is this thing, anyway?!
Dammit!
Debli!
That horn... it will be mine...!
What admirable materialism!
This is no time to be impressed, either!
Enough! Stop!
Lute!
Look out!
Ratha, we have to stop it!
Sky-High Extreme!
Lute!
Look, Captain! Lightning!
I don't think that's lightning...
That light!
Lute's and Ratha's Kinship Attack!
Why would they use a Kinship Attack?
Let's hurry.
Navirou! Hey, you okay?
Where...? Where are we?
Dunno.
Lilia and the others are gone!
Hey, Lilia! Tub--
--li!
It's you...
That beast from earlier.
Hey! Where are you going?
We should go, too.
What?! Following some mysterious monster, just like that?
That's beyond reckless!
Lute! Wait up!
There's something you'd like to tell us, isn't there?
And that's why you called us here?
Hey! You all right?
Navirou hears it! It's talking directly into his head!
Navirou! Are you okay?
Navirou?
We...
...shall speak.
Huh?
This...
...is hallowed ground, beyond all human understanding.
The wellspring of all creation...
...binding fate to fate.
What's going on, Navirou? What happened to you?
Are you doing this?
When fate is bound to fate...
...life moves ever onward...
...that time beyond all time--
That...
...is eternity.
And we...
...wish to safeguard it.
To protect this rapport.
There are things I'd like to protect, too.
I'll guard my Kinships till the very end.
I'll keep them safe--no matter what!
Perhaps we can share...
...this sentiment...
...if we share it with you.
A Kinship Ore!
To us...
...it is known as...
...a Crystal of Rapport.
Lute! Stay with us!
Quit sleeping, Navirou! Wake up!
What happened?!
Captain Simone! It's Lute and Navirou!
Fear not. They're simply unconscious.
Smelling salts. They ought to do the trick.
Thank goodness!
The monster!
Where'd it go?
What monster?
You can't mean...
You know what that thing was?
Kirin, an Elder Dragon-- also known as the "phantom beast."
So that was a Kirin...
Well, it wasn't in Navirou's Monsterpedia!
Elder Dragons aren't like other monsters.
They're a special class that don't fit into any ecosystem.
Your average guidebook won't have them.
But mine does!
So you met Kirin, did you?
We saw the light of your Sky-High Extreme!
Is there a monster? Where?
It...
It vanished.
Vanished?
You purified it, you mean?
No...
It wasn't afflicted with the Black Blight.
It had such beautiful eyes.
Huh...
I hope I can see it again.
Your Kinship Stone!
"At the ends of the Forest of Confusion,
beyond the lightning-wielding phantom beast,
sleeps the Crystal of Rapport..."
That Kirin had been guarding this Kinship Ore all this time.
Your Kinship Stone--it's glowing!
Is the Kinship Ore doing that?
It's proof of the Kinship Lute and the Kirin share.
I'm sure of it.
I was mistaken.
Huh?
I'd wanted to survey the Forest of Confusion and confirm that phantom beasts exist.
I thought advancements in knowledge would lead this world in a better direction.
But perhaps there are things in this world not meant to be explained.
Captain Simone...
This world is overflowing with mysteries.
Uh-huh!
Captain Simone... Simone... Simone...
Give Navirou... Navirou... Navirou...
...some donuts... donuts... donuts...
...right now... now... now...
Let's go.
Roger!
We'll be heading back to Hakum Village, Lute.
So this is goodbye for now.
If you happen to see Cheval...
...tell him we're waiting for him in Hakum Village.
And that we'll keep the village safe till he comes back.
Got it.
I'll tell him.
Guess we should be getting back to Gildegaran.
And we're off! Adventure calls!
C'mon, everyone, follow Navirou!
Are you sure we're okay following your lead?
What if we get lost again?
Like you're one to talk, Tub--
--li!
It's Debli! Say it right!
We'll meet again.
We are bound together--by Kinship.
"Monstie Manual"
The Monstie Manual!
Navirou here will fill you in on some Monsties!
Get your Media Trigger smartphone app ready!
And you've got your egg with you, right?
Okay, time to form Kinship with your Monstie Egg!
And now, the moment of new life: awaken!
"Monstie:"
Our Monstie this time is Kirin!
"Kirin"
This illusory monster is one of the Elder Dragons.
"Type: Speed"
"Species: Elder Dragon"
You'd be super-lucky to have this as your Monstie!
"Overall Length: 295.9 cm"
"Overall Height: 190.5 cm"
What's this? It commands lightning with its speedy movements?
"Leg Size: 31.1 cm (rear)"
So... just like Navirou, then!
What Monstie will hatch for us next time?
"Next Episode Preview"
There are seven Kinship Ores in all.
We're off to a legendary location in search of the very last one!
"The Deviljho of Mt. Xerion"
Next time: "The Deviljho of Mt. Xerion"!
Ride On!