Juliana and Lia walked side by side, the gravel of the path crunching under their feet with each step. The stable house loomed not far ahead, its large doors slightly ajar, hinting at the monstrous creatures within while the stable masters busily bustled amongst each other, carrying bags of feed and handling equipment.

"So, you ready for this?" Lia asked, a hint of her signature smirk playing on her lips.

Juliana rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile back. "As ready as I'll ever be, I guess. You?"

"I'm always ready," Lia replied confidently, her grin widening. "I wonder which one we'll get this time. Hopefully, not another Rathian. I think I'm still recovering from the last one's tail."

Juliana chuckled, imagining Lia's earlier encounter with the Rathian.

"Well, let's hope for something a bit more manageable," she said dryly. "Something that won't knock you flat on your ass."