The Primal Hunter

William listened to the woman talk on and on about the importance of others. His parents were also there, both off to his side, a chair's width too far away for it to ever be considered close. His mother was still a mess, and his father stoic.

His crying mother told of how hard it was, how it felt like she had lost both her sons. Something William naturally took offense to. How could you compare that defective product that they had called brother to him? A fully functional and overall excellent person.

But he didn’t show it on his face, of course. He had never quite mastered the act of fake-crying, so he just looked down and pretended to be sad. He was sure it was fooling everyone, even the boar sleeping in the corner.

The woman, a therapist, was the only one who knew what had truly happened, what he had done. William had accepted this, as from what he had read, she wasn’t required to report of past crimes committed, only suspected future ones.

The fact that his parents insisting that he “didn’t know better” and “didn’t do it on purpose” likely also helped. Of course, he was more than happy to reinforce that misconception, or at least he had tried to, but the damn woman in front of him was sharp and had seen through his act.

She also knew he wasn’t actually sad currently, but he had to play it off to his parents, at least, as they were the ones currently sitting on the giant cookie jars. And his therapist had given him good advice on how he should focus more on other people’s perception of his actions. He had to admit that a lot of her arguments had logical consistency, so he followed them.

William saw the therapist as one of the few people he had ever grown to respect. She was smart and, without a doubt, the best manipulator he had ever seen. She could speak entirely differently with him, his parents, Richard sleeping on the recliner, and when he and his parents were together. It was terrific and a great learning opportunity for him.

His father, still stoic as ever, asked while petting the badger on his head: “So the medicine is working? We want to make sure everything is alright before we take any further steps.”

“Yes, they are helping greatly. We have even been able to lower the dosage recently as we are making great strides. I do believe William has more tutorial points than Richard also,” The therapist answered with a smile.

William just sat there listening but was still a bit annoyed at the insinuation that he was somehow not complete. Yet he had to accept that to others, he perhaps did appear to lack something. He could make up for that by acting like he did have that something, but not always and not to everyone.

“William, do you have anything to say?” she said as she turned to him.

He had trained his response, and with as much faux sadness, he stammered out. “I am sorry… I really didn’t know how much it would hurt everyone… I promise I will get better, and nothing like that will ever happen again.”

His mother teared up even more at that, and even his father slackened his worried facial expression slightly. If only he could throw some fake tears in and not be covered in blood, it would have been perfect.

“And William, what about that other thing we talked about?” The kind therapist said as she smiled at him once more.

A bit confused, William wondered… what else? She rarely ever addressed him doing these sessions, to begin with, but what else did they talk about?

No, this entire situation was wrong. What was going on? He looked questioningly at The Smith standing at his side, but he just shook his head, as confused as William himself.

we talked about you lacking,” she continued, the smile on her face now gone. A dark aura began spreading from her as a giant sphere

pathetic you are. So broken and weak… unable to

towards him. He couldn’t react before he was stabbed in the chest by the

him as he fell to the floor, completely paralyzed. Those eyes, staring at him like he was some defenseless critter. He couldn’t move; he couldn’t breathe. He felt life slowly seep out of his body as he was absolutely powerless. His chest was rotting as the poison spread, the

sitting up from a makeshift bed in a cabin. His heart was pounding

swiftly opened as he saw the healer Caroline enter. William couldn’t help himself from shaking… he didn’t want anyone to see him right now. He felt

looked and spoke to him differently than usual. Her voice wasn’t warm

even pick up Caroline’s changed demeanor. “Ye... yeah. I am fine. I am

What the fuck was that archer? What the fuck was up with him and his stats? Who in their right mind makes a build entirely centered around perception and defensive stats?

entered the cabin too. The young caster didn’t even think about it, as he was too stuck in his own head. He did perk up when

he exclaimed, confused as he looked up and saw the cold eyes

what happened?” Richard

forth between the two as he put on his innocent teenager

look for that Casper fellow in case he needed help,

interrupted. “You went to kill him like you’ve killed so many others. This ridiculous farce is

surprised. What? he knew? How? Richard had been fooled for so long, Caroline too, when

know? You weren’t exactly subtle, William. You are powerful, yes, but you are also

lesser for what you are. You are a brilliant young man with endless potential to be the perfect soldier, but every soldier needs a commander - a

the man, perhaps even more than before. He looked… serious.

had never been

all he could manage to

you the first day we met. Did you think I

what to do at this very moment. William didn’t feel like they were about to attack him, and quite honestly, he still felt too weak

you want? You want me to play soldier?” he asked, trying to look stoic.

super-soldier. I am proposing a partnership. I will be at the back, supporting you to reach for higher power, and you will help me be the leader of this camp

felt pleased with the man’s attitude. So that is why he hadn't done anything for so long. There was actually someone

he agreed. This was good,

said with a happy smile as he went over and padded the young man’s shoulder. “You cannot begin to comprehend how glad I am to have you as a partner. I couldn't imagine anyone better. Caroline,

did, but he did feel a bit of strength returned. “I have done all I can;

to rest,” Richard said