The Primal Hunter

Getting back to Haven was quite a bit easier than going to Skyggen. A month was not a long time, but it was enough for many changes to happen. Earth’s space mages had been working tirelessly, and the teleportation network expanded by the day. All the factions that remained were busy claiming what they could, especially after the Holy Church decided to effectively abandon the planet, resulting in the second biggest faction suddenly being gone.

The United Cities Alliance had clearly known of this outcome and already had people in place to take control. They did proceed with the plan of the takeover, but their loyalties to the Alliance were now in question as they all were also made aware of their failed overall plan. Which begged the question: what would happen now?

Jake had talked with Caleb about current events, and he at least had to give these City Lords credit. Their response had simply been to do their jobs as best they could and act as neutral forces. They invited everyone to make teleportation circles, and they prioritized their citizens over petty politics and focused on rebuilding and ensuring public order after all the beast attacks. That was pretty damn respectable and made Jake feel a bit better about what was to come.

For the final stretch back to Haven from the Fort, Jake still had to run. He decided to be nice and not rush, as they were now aware of his arrival back in Haven and could prepare stuff. A bit to his surprise, something unexpected contacted him on the way.

“Had a nice vacation?” Villy asked after the deity descended with his presence.

“I know you peeked in at me pretty much all the time, so you tell me?” Jake asked in return.

“In my defense, I wasn’t really paying attention. Think of it more as me having a security camera on you where I can pull up the footage if I actually want to see something. Anyway, you had a good vacation, and now it is back to work, which is why I pulled you into a fast meeting. What are your plans with Valhal?” Villy asked.

“Not thought much about it, but I am a bit pissed at them for making a deal that is pretty much contingent on my death. Arthur, I can excuse for being ignorant and getting fooled by Ell’Hakan or whatever, but Valhal? Nah, fuck that; they did it with full knowledge. So something has to give, that is for sure, be it telling them to get the fuck out or demanding some kind of hefty compensation for being assholes,” Jake said, a bit miffed.

“Okay, allow me to offer an alternative. Don’t. I won’t share much, but I will say that things aren’t quite as they seem. Valhal is a good ally to have and a beneficial force to keep on Earth. The entire thing with Yip’s Chosen is also far more complicated than you know, and again, while I won’t share much, then you hit it right on the money when you said they went in with full knowledge. Including the knowledge that the contract would never materialize and become relevant,” Villy said, making Jake frown.

“Explain,” Jake simply said.

“I can’t; that would potentially ruin future plans. Some things are simply best left unsaid. But know that Valhal never actually saw you losing as an option. They are allies, and it would be best to keep them as allies,” Villy answered, refusing to give an actual reason.

However, Jake frowned with suspicion. “You were involved in them even making the offer, weren’t you? What are you up to?”

“Things. We are playing a long game here, and some things will only make sense in due time. For now, just keep positive. Shit, if you want to excuse your sudden sense of forgiveness, just blame it on the Runemaiden. Wait, maybe you can demand to make her your mistress to-“

“Okay, bye!” Jake cut Villy off as he severed the connecting, a faint echo of a laugh still left behind as Villy clearly enjoyed teasing him.

was aware that things between gods were rarely simple and that something bigger was brewing than just Yip and the Viper deciding to duke it out in a straight-on fight, so he decided to play along for now and be a good Chosen. While potentially using it as something to

not that he didn’t expect her and everyone else to know about

Sword Saint and Fallen King were already there. He had kind of assumed at least one of them to be late due to all the things they had to deal with during this month. Both had territories to stabilize and take control of once more, and while Jake had gotten some updates, he wasn’t entirely clear on how things were looking elsewhere on Earth. Primarily because

his sphere before he entered the office, and it was quite the sight, especially with how overly stoic Arthur looked. However, it at least looked like the man wasn’t too uncomfortable. Jake would hope not. He had been in Haven for weeks already, so he should have had plenty of time for Miranda

the large meeting room,

the King said with a bit of snark. The Unique Lifeform felt a lot better than a month ago, and the many cracks in both masks were close to healed. Jake’s own

answered back. “I apologize for assuming we would meet

“The Fallen King is the only one complaining. I am personally surprised you even showed up

was doing. Humanization. She was trying to show that Jake was a normal person in front of Arthur by treating him casually and friendly. Jake didn’t think the King was in on it; he was just being a dick with Miranda then

as a predictor of future behavior,” Miranda smiled. “Anyway, good to have you join us, Jake. You aren’t actually that

excuse the tardiness of another,” the

arrive. Not my fault you decided to misread when I would come,” Jake just answered, not caring how unreasonable that sounded. He then finally turned to the guy in the room he was truly

saw you last time, I was surprised, but I guess I shouldn’t expect anything less of Jacob’s dad. What I did not expect was for you to effectively try and start a civil war leading to

his credit, Arthur didn’t deflect or

Light has been shed on my numerous misunderstandings and misinterpretations, and I now realize my mistakes and can only take full responsibility for my actions. However, I will not apologize for my ultimate reason for doing what I did. What I will apologize for is not realizing

quite skeptical of all this. I

to know it will truly be a council and not just a farce to try and sell the mirage of fairness and representation. That it will be a council that can actually lead to positive

the standoffish demeanor Arthur had adopted, making it apparent that wasn’t how she

personal whims,” Jake answered truthfully. “Why else

why even make a council? Why not just have the Order of the Malefic Viper come and take

hear what I just said?” Jake interrupted. “I said it was for my personal whims; what does the Order of the Malefic Viper have to do with anything? This entire council idea can be boiled down to a personal whim. Tell me

at Jake, confused by the

Church or some other bullshit faction take charge and do whatever they want. So, I decided to selfishly just claim the planet and tell everyone else to play nice or fuck off. The system clearly wants someone to take control at some point, and if that is the case, it may as well be me. But that doesn’t mean I want to actually rule anything. That

bit confused why the hell Arthur was still so ignorant even after all this time. Shouldn’t she have explained all this already? However, she just

your ultimate goal after gaining control of Earth? What is the goal of the Order of the Malefic Viper, and what, if any,

to whenever I want, and for those I care about who remain behind and be safe. As for the role of the Order? Well, they don’t have any, at least not from your point of view.

once more fell silent, his frown making his skepticism