The Primal Hunter

Temlat hadn’t been home ever since the day Jake fetched him from the dystopian futuristic world he came from. He hadn’t even asked to go once. Instead, he had stuck primarily to the centaur world and the jungle world for all his training sessions.

His reasoning was that he didn’t want to risk losing control of his emotions. Also, he was certain he was still wanted in his homeworld after having escaped from that noble woman on the floating island. Jake had briefly asked Temlat if he wanted Jake to go and check things out, but the half-elf had answered in the negative. He didn’t even want Jake to tell the lady Temlat was dead or anything like that.

One of the reasons for this was also his desire to protect those he actually did care about. The freedom fighting force he had been working with were the only people in that entire dystopian world he considered friends and family, and he feared getting them involved wouldn’t end well. If they knew Jake had taken Temlat in, they would want to see him, and if they were told he had died, Temlat feared they may go for revenge or do something dumb. Jake also sensed that Temlat was afraid of how they would look at him these days. He had changed a lot in the time he had spent with Jake, the curse energy affecting him a lot.

Jake had simply done as Temlat asked as he continued to go with his free-range teaching style. However, even so, he gladly joined his student when he asked Jake to join him on this first visit back.

Standing in the portal room, Jake gave Temlat a look, noticing he was hesitating.

“Nervous?

“I… what if they can’t recognize me? My friends, that is,” Temlat muttered. “You know… the last time they saw me, I was running from some monstrous cloaked guy, and now I have suddenly been gone for nearly two years. I feel like I have changed a lot during this time too… I know I have changed.”

“Any changes will surely be easily explained away by telling them that the monstrous cloaked guy decided to help you get stronger,” Jake said casually and calmly, trying to reassure his student.

Temlat flashed a light smile, the curse energy around him temporarily fading a bit. “Yeah, probably. No matter what, they’re gonna be ecstatic when they learn why I am back. When they learn what we can now do to set things right.”

Jake just nodded, genuinely hoping his reunion would go well. Jake knew the feeling Temlat was currently experiencing, as he had felt something very similar when he had first gone to see his parents after the integration.

To return to loved ones a changed man wasn’t easy. You wondered if they would accept you, and even if they did accept you if they would begin to treat you differently. Especially if you experienced a large shift in your status. Jake had already been tired of everyone acting all weird because he was the Chosen of Villy, and he really didn’t want his parents to also act differently back then. Jake had gotten lucky, and he hoped Temlat would share the same fate.

“Let’s not delay anymore,” Jake finally said as he gave Temlat a pat on the back. “Let’s go.”

“Right,” Temlat nodded.

It was time for him to either reaffirm or reject the source of his hatred. In order to do that, he would first meet up with the freedom fighter organization to learn what had happened during his absence. To have clarified how shit the world still was and to hear their opinions on if his deep hatred was truly justified. In other words, he would have a discourse about his own hatred to either come out feeling vindicated in what was to come or reconsider his entire Path. Needless to say, Jake wanted him to feel confident in the Path he was walking, but even if he ended up rejecting the curse and evolving in another direction, it would be interesting for sure.

Jake wouldn’t involve himself either way. It wasn’t his job or why he was there. He was just there to guide Temlat in whatever direction he decided to take his life.

Walking through the portal, Jake was instantly hit by the slightly metallic smell and taste of the futuristic world. He didn’t like it at all, and his Sense of the Malefic Viper unprompted made him aware that pretty much nothing alchemical could grow anywhere nearby. Yeah, definitely happy Haven has strict building codes.

“It looks the same,” Temlat muttered as the curse energy around him fully retracted, Temlat absorbing it into himself to keep it hidden.

“Even if you have changed a lot in recent times, two years is just an insignificant blip in the existence of a world like this,” Jake commented. “Especially if those who live there have no desire to pursue change.”

Temlat looked at the floating mansions still high up in the sky, adding: “Or if those who hold power do not allow any change to happen.”

“That too,” Jake agreed. “Anyhow, this is all you. I’m just gonna be the little spirit that’ll follow along as you decide what you want to do. Feel free to ask me if you need something, but I won’t interfere in anything unless you ask me directly, alright?”

with determination. “Thank

Perception. The stable arcane mana covered his body, and soon, his form faded away, making him invisible to anyone

shabby, and Jake knew most weaker C-grade couldn’t see him unless they really tried. Even if they were spotted, Temlat had good odds of defending himself, even if

Temlat’s progress. He knew the young half-elf had gotten a lot stronger in the nearly two years since Jake took him in, to the level where he had even managed to take down a handful of C-grades, that centaur warlord

appeared quite far up in the air after going through the portal but soon headed downward toward the slums. The city was absolutely massive, but Temlat clearly knew where to go as he beelined for a certain area Jake recognized.

while Jake had said he wouldn’t interfere,

have any C-grades among them?” Jake asked while wondering if they ever even stood a chance against the C-grades living in their mansions with C-grade

leader. He used to work security for one of the mansion owners, but after a particularly bad case, he quit. The government tried to make trouble because he didn’t work for any of the people in power, but he managed to convince them he had retired and that he would contact them if he ever wanted to go back to work. Now, he is under surveillance, but as long as

of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully

see,” Jake nodded

front of him. There wasn’t a single C-grade anywhere to be found below any of the highrises or the floating islands, at least not in the entire area of

half-elf’s excitement but bit his tongue even as they landed, and Temlat began to

muttering to himself. “It hasn’t been reinforced for a while… our

some secret code, Jake following. Down below the warehouse, Jake saw several people gathered, none of them

included a detection spell. One that Jake naturally dodged

before they reached the final door, Temlat stopped and raised a knuckle. He knocked in an odd pattern as he also spoke up. “The Broken Collar

the people inside would calm down with this revelation, but instead, they tensed up. Jake was quite curious as he saw they nearly all of them carried

all the weapons trained on him. The half-elf was confused, but before he could say anything, a woman who also happened to have the highest level in the room – 190 –

What the fuck are you doing

removed his hood and hidden the curse energy as best he could, but Jake still saw

proper

top, in Jake’s opinion. It was more than just nervousness, suspicion, and agitation. They were genuinely angry, and

going into details about exactly who Jake was. “I

room for a few seconds before the woman

That’s your fucking

was also a bit perplexed about what exactly

and expect us to believe you? Do you know what the fuck

Temlat shot back, failing to suppress

said in a cold tone. “You

remember,” Temlat said in

put two and two together

didn’t return, he went to that owner of yours, acting like a buyer trying to get you back… how the hell don’t you know any of this!? A year! A fucking year

only looked increasingly confused as the woman and the other seven people in the room only got madder. Their anger,

announcement!? Just tell me what is going on and stop acting like whatever the

knew you worked for him!” another person yelled. “They captured him and… they said if you didn’t return they would… would… a fucking year! It was there for a year, and you

am getting sick of this shit!” Temlat yelled, agitated and angry. Jake understood why. Emotions were high, and in all honesty, they had probably both underestimated the impact of Temlat’s passive curse aura amplifying everyone’s anger. As he had only ever really spent time around Jake, the Attendants, and his enemies. This meant he had never been required to learn

woman asked in a cold tone. “What do you think they

his nails to pierce his own skin as he cursed out loud.