The Primal Hunter

”This is complete bullshit,” Carmen said as she stared at the golden projection.

”It wasn’t my call, but it comes all the way from the top,” the projection of Sven said, shaking his head. ”This may sound curt, but it is partly because of you. Your personal relationship with the Malefic’s Chosen is both a merit and a demerit. On the one side, it ensures us a spot in this world, but on the other hand, then if someone else gets in charge, we may be ostracized.”

”Still complete fucking bullshit,” Carmen now raged. ”Do you really think Jake will just be all fine with us supporting this orange Cheeto fuck? Do you think he will just go: ”oh well, what can you do?” and let us go about our day like nothing? Fuck no, there will be hell to pay.”

”You are talking as if his victory is a given,” Sven answered. ”Even if he is stronger than this Ell’Hakan, it does not mean he will beat him in the political arena. Besides, it is not even Ell’hakan we are supporting, but Arthur, another human. We are not betraying anyone, for we were never on the side of Lord Thayne, to begin with. He will get even better terms than Arthur if he comes out on top, and with Miranda likely around, she will be a voice of reason.”

”Funny,” Carmen scoffed. ”You think he gives a shit about some terms or benefits? Jake is an impulsive kind of guy, and if he thinks you slighted him, that is the only thing that matters.”

”Carmen, we are not getting anywhere if we talk in circles,” Sven sighed. ”The decision has already been made, and none of us can do anything about it. All we can do is make the best out of the situation. The top brass thinks this will have the highest overall chance of success, so that is why we are going with it. You can agree or disagree, and it changes nothing. If you want to do anything, it should be to make sure Jake stays positive towards us if he wins.”

Carmen just kept frowning as she abruptly turned off the projector with a huff, still thinking it was fucking bullshit.

”Ree?” Sylphie asked, still sitting beside her, not entirely getting everything that was going on.

Sylphie had chosen to stay with Carmen during the time since Jake left, and the two of them had used Paradise as a home base while exploring. Renato was the kind of two-faced asshole Carmen expected and did not choose any side at all, only fortifying the city itself in case anyone chose to target them. Not that she cared, he let her and Sylphie do as they wanted, and Carmen’s mother was doing way better. She had settled down and now just worked as a tailor. The original plan of bringing her to an area Valhal controlled had been delayed due to the Salvento family having a lot of assets to claim and Renato being very good at convincing them to stay ”just a little longer” all the time.

”I don’t know, Sylphie,” Carmen sighed. ”This entire situation is fucked up, and they just expect me to sit tight and do nothing? You know what, how about we go fuck up some of their cities? Go punch some City Lords to give them a bit of their own medicine.”

”Ree!” Sylphie screeched excited, probably just wanting to get in a few good fights.

”Let’s do i-”

a headache come on. She knew what it

heard the voice of Gudrun say as the god launched into a lengthy explanation. ”You remind me much of my husband, you know? Like Valdemar, you never see the bigger picture because you personally don’t have to. But this entire scenario is quite delicate. Earth is a melting pot right now and in an untenable situation if one has even the slightest foresight. The Holy Church and Risen would never get along, and not even the Viper’s Chosen could create peace among two factions that have warred for trillions of years. In the same way, then some humans will never come to accept the Order of the Malefic Viper either. They will never be able to disconnect the Chosen from the Order, for historically, there has never been any such separation. You know him as a person; they know him as a symbol. Conflict is inevitable and healthy, and this entire conflict will only lead to Earth entering a more stable state. No matter who wins. All we want to make sure of is that no matter who wins, we keep an opening. If the Chosen chooses to close this opening, then so be it. Removing ourselves as an organizational presence from Earth is truly not that big of a loss, and as per the doctrine of Valhal, you would be able to stay if you wanted. Anyone would. And remember, we have not actually chosen a side; we have, in fact, done the opposite and said that we

a huge package. Carmen took a while to process it all and wasn’t sure what to think… Gudrun had been incredibly

it suspicious, and even if she had a damn

you wouldn’t go this far as to contact me

to leave. People like Jake Thayne care about the people they choose to care about. He has chosen you as someone he cares about. So even if Valhal leaves Earth and you stay, we won’t have lost anything worth mentioning. And if the Malefic’s Chosen loses, I think it wise for you to bring your loved ones and leave Earth altogether, even if we do enter a partnership. For the safety of both you and the potential

way you talk makes it sound like there is

many, and what many do not know is that he showed up to Valhal and challenged Valdemar to a duel not

pounding. Gudrun also knew this and retracted her presence, leaving Carmen alone. She gritted her teeth and clenched her

said with much annoyance. She was pissed off and really felt like getting her frustrations out on some unsuspecting beasts. Besides, she and

a while of no talking. After having a lot of

Jake said as he reached

to Wings, I see,” Villy just

”Yep.”

usual. He had not reached

for you to address… you

this Ell’Hakan guy had prepared for a long-ass time and clearly did not hold back when it came to divine guidance.

will admit, I had expected you to be a bit angrier. You were taken by surprise, and someone died, with Earth

did by telling me to stop slacking off, didn’t you? Also, we had this talk before that this falls

Path is also very different. I cannot give

”I see,” Jake answered.

was just trying to even the playing field, expecting me not to do the same out of pride. I also trusted you to handle it yourself. Even if you suffer temporary setbacks, you should be able to overcome them. People may die, but as harsh as it may sound, that is something I am fully willing to see happen as long as you keep moving forward,” Villy explained. ”And about Yip himself, I will

Stormild, if that