The Primal Hunter

The two overwhelming auras clashed in mid-air, reality itself vibrating from the metaphorical dick-measuring contest of two beings approaching the apex. Jake saw several people he suspected to be gods in the crowd frown and slowly back away, a few even teleporting away to avoid getting caught in a fight far beyond their level.

“Bold of you to dare come here,” the Viper spoke, his voice calm yet with rage seething right beneath.

“Bold… sure, we can use that word,” Yip smiled and tilted his head. “Though I do wonder why you would think that. Is there something wrong with me coming here unannounced? Besides, what are you going to do about it? As I see it, you only have two choices. Either you can be nice and listen to my well-wishes. That-”

He paused and looked to the crowd below, giving them a pitying glance.

-“or you could lose your shit again and massacre everyone who was so silly as to respond to your invitation?”

The Viper’s presence flared with bloodlust as Jake took a step back. He moved back together with Vesperia and grouped up around Sandy and Viridia, where he helped cover them with his own presence to not get affected. Sandy and Vesperia both seemed thankful as all three of them observed the two gods with bated breaths.

“Are you willing to risk that I would do just that?” the Malefic Viper asked as energy gathered in his surroundings, amplifying his presence further. For a moment, it looked as if the other god would get suppressed, but...

“Yes, I am,” Yip responded confidently, his aura also flaring even more. Once more, they clashed, and once more, they were equal. “This is our second meeting, and while the first was simply a greeting, today is a declaration. You had a speech, didn’t you? My turn.

“The Order of the Malefic Viper has existed only on the merits of its broken legend for far too long. It is an old story that has waited for a new chapter for far too long. Now, the old forgotten main character returns and thinks he can just pick up the story again, making himself fit into the world once more.”

Yip spoke with confidence as his aura seemed to grow.

“A foolish presumption. While your story has been stagnant, the multiverse has been through several arcs, growing and improving with every story beat hit, every event passed, and every new character coming into their own. What have you truly done? Have you grown stronger? Yes. But it isn’t enough. You have wallowed and drowned in your own pity. Meanwhile, your old enemies have grown, their grudges festered, and your enemies multiplied. You, oh dear Primordial, will come to see that your infallibility is far from fact. With all that said, it would be unkind to rain too much on your wonderful return celebration… and I did promise a present, didn’t I?”

The god took out a golden parchment and began infusing energy into it.

“Now, you are known as a god who loves knowledge, so what gift is better than letting you be the first to know?”

In the air, a giant contract manifested, the words written in some runic language. Jake got the feeling one wouldn’t even need a translation skill to understand it. These were words written directly by the system for all to comprehend. Yip spoke as all looked upon the golden words.

“From this day forth, I, Yip of Yore, and my followers have officially signed an alliance with Valhal. Subject only to expiration through the death of the Malefic Viper,” Yip of Yore declared with a huge grin. “Personally signed by Valdemar and Gudrun both.”

A shockwave of gasps went through the entire hall, and within seconds, several figures teleported away from all over. Entire groups were suddenly gone, but most simply stayed there in disbelief at Yip of Yore’s words. Jake was also surprised as he kept staring at the contract. The wording was loud and clear and said exactly what Yip had declared. It was a contract made where Valhal and Yip had allied, with the contract being between him, Valdemar, and Gudrun.

Villy also stared at the contract in disbelief before his face warped into an angry visage. “So that bastard has finally made his intentions clear. So what? Do you think that will matter?”

The Viper rose into the air as the entire world started to change color. A faint dark green aura spread all over, but as it got close to Yip, it stopped. Monochrome energy spread out of Yip, beating back the colors of the Viper’s presence, matching him in power. The false sky, which was the ceiling of the massive hall, began to crack, and it looked like the heavens themselves were breaking. Several of the gods still in the crowd sprung up barriers to defend their individual sections, and right next to Jake, a figure appeared. Jake recognized him as the Lord Protector, and the scalekin instantly released a barrier to protect the ones on stage.

They’re actually going to fight? Jake questioned. If they did…

about to clash, a new voice

now,

between the Viper and Yip, a massive web of strings appeared. Suddenly, all the strings vibrated and snapped, rebuffing both gods as they stumbled back. Right in the epicenter of their clashing auras, where all the

I believe you are done saying your piece?” the

to the rescue of his old pal? Touching,” Yip

It

Primordials, you are the one I have the hardest time pinning down. Always secretive, always hidden. Your motives are a mystery to me, and I can’t even remember the last time I heard about you fighting anymore. Perhaps the Viper is not the only relic

reason you never hear about

aura were both instantly pushed back as both gods were once more rebuffed. Jake had to hold

never leave

His aura surpassed Villy’s and Yip’s by a huge

the Malefic

auras clashing. A memory appeared in his mind from the first time he met the Viper within his

“Don’t lose your cool.”

mind. Calm,

confused and surprised beneath his mask. While reading his impression was borderline impossible, he wouldn’t put it above

shouldn’t I?” Yip of Yore answered the Viper. “But alright. I shall

and looked straight at him. Jake felt the Lord Protector flinch and move into a

“Give him a proper challenge, would you? I at least expect you to prove a worthier opponent to my Chosen than your Patron is to me. I at least look forward to how you do at Nevermore compared to mine. Ah, but considering what you accomplished with the True Royal, perhaps simply slaying your Patron and allowing you a better

around him twisted. He threw a final glance towards Eversmile and then the crowd. “Excuse my rudeness today. I simply find it disgusting that so many chose to show up in support of a god whose most significant accomplishment is the biggest disaster in the history of the multiverse. All

gone,

looked at each other as the Primordial of karma

interference as any kind

I am not? Are you saying you would

Viper. It would be a needless risk. Now, please, enjoy

also gone, leaving just the Malefic Viper floating alone. The atmosphere was significantly different from before, and several groups had disappeared as hidden gods had teleported themselves and others away

discussions of the Nevermore party happening in the next section. If

on the stage among Jake and the others as he spoke again. “We shall reconvene in the inner chambers in an hour. Show

Vesperia, and a second later, he

Yore appeared within the void as a relaxed smile rested on his face. He collected himself as all that had happened ran through his mind, and he felt the power rushing through his body. The story was growing, and his aura grew further as the narrative flowed through

if I say so myself,” he spoke out loud into

would have made you come out looking better and created a more potent karmic justification for what is to come,” a second

level of self-control,” Yip said. “Though this appearance of the True Royal and this unique ability of his Chosen does throw a spanner in the works. Having

you foster. If the Viper’s Chosen is