Hunter had been on edge all week making it difficult to make any new progress relationship wise with Lady Hel. It felt almost like they hit a wall. Hunter wasn't sure how to progress and he was stressing out too much to simply let go and let things flow naturally. Though it's not like there was no progress. After learning a bit about human courtship rituals Hel insisted on holding hands and walking together when they moved to different locations in the palace or bar. However Hunter put his responsibilities before himself and as such had to split his time between work and home before finally getting ready to leave for Svartalfheim. Once again Hunter opted to use the boat with Hel and Lilac both being onboard once again. The unease Hunter was feeling about both the diplomatic mission and his relationships practically oozed off of him.
After taking a stop to pick up Lulu the group traveled to Svartalfheim, the land of rot and decay. Hunter felt things would go smoother if they first approached Archeri before talking to the ruler of the realm. Having a local on your side first could do much in the way of easing the process. So naturally Hunter had the boat taken to the shroom elf village in the equivalent location of the one Lilac is from in Alfheim.
Hunter, Lilac, and Lulu hopped out of the boat and walked to the door of the outer wall of the bunker town and knocked in rhythm. The peephole slider moved and Hunter declared “I’d like to speak to the village leader, Archeri. Let her know that Hunter Steel-Bone is here.”
The slider shuts then after waiting for some time Archeri opens the door to great Hunter. “I thought you said you didn't plan on coming back here. What changed your mind?”
“A lot has happened since I was here last. May we come in and talk someplace private.” Hunter moved to the side so that Archeri could see Lulu. It took a bit before an expression of recognition and shock hit her face.
“By all means, come in.” Archeri gestured them in and the trio walked into the door with Hunter out in front. Archeri then spots Lilac. “What's she doing here?”
“She's with me Archeri, we'll explain everything once we are in private.”
Archeri leads the trio to her home and lets them in. A few people spot them and whisper among themselves. Once everyone is in the private area Archeri shuts the door. “Okay, so first you leave saying you don't intend to come back, then you show up a year later out of nowhere with a Twilight Elf and Lord Cthulhu in tow. Care to explain what in Helheim is going on?”
Hunter pulls out chairs for everyone at a table in a dining area. “You'll probably want to sit.”
Everyone sits and Archeri reiterates. “Okay, I'm sitting. Start explaining Midgardian.”
Hunter lets out a sigh. “Okay to start off, part of the reason I'm able to travel realms is because I've inherited the strength and wisdom of Ymir through… complicated means. I've been getting pulled to new realms collecting the scattered bits of him and it's now complete. I've visited all fifteen realms and during my travels I learned, among other things, that the King in Yellow Hastur plans to return with a proper army. The thing is, once again, most people value free will and don't want to be forced into his twisted idea of perfect order.”
Lulu waves a hand. “I value free will because I kinda like chaos. Also my elder sibling is an absolute jerk. He might not simply stop at subjugation. He might seek annihilation.”
Archeri thought this over, she had no idea the gods she worshiped were at odds like this and never once expected to actually meet one. Yet here one was, siding with the Midgardian whom she let live despite complaints from her own people.
Lilac tapped her finger on the floor a few times before blurting out. “Oh, and before he forgets to mention, it's been foretold that Hunter will die in this war in order to ensure a new golden age for all the realms. So if you have any strange ideas about him, you should consider that fact.”
Archeri’s head shot up in shock at that statement. Whether it be the sudden revelation simply because it's heavy and sudden or because she had a crush on him is not made clear. “I'm… sorry? My condolences I guess. Tis a shame, here I was thinking we could be friends or something.”
“Just friends?” Lilac asked with a clear amount of aggression.
“Well I mean you have to start with friendship even if you are interested in courtship. Wait… are you two..?”
“Kinda,” Hunter answered. “She and one other have been spending time with me with that as an option. I'm still trying to figure out who I'd rather spend what little of my life I have left.”
“Hey, I'd offer apologies but I envy you having options in a mate. You've got my backing for this upcoming conflict Hunter. I'll go with you to the King. I'll help you convince him.
Hunter nodded. “Thanks Archeri, I was hoping to count on you. Our ride is waiting, just give us directions.”
With a clear goal in mind the group heads back to the boat with Archeri in toe. Once onboard the group is greeted by Lady Hel.
“I see everything is running smoothly.”
Archeri stuttered in shock at seeing Hel. “L-Lady Hel, what a surprise. I didn't expect to run into a goddess like this. Even if it's one my people wouldn't recognize.” Archeri does a light bow.
Hel chuckled. “No need to be so formal, I'm mostly here to help with the realm traveling boat. Hey Hunter, did you want us to give her a tablet too?”
“Might as well since she'll basically be the ambassador for us.”
“Quite the promotion, from village leader to realm ambassador. I'll do my best to serve my realm with distinction.” Archeri then gives Hel directions to the capitol from the village.
It doesn't take long to get there but to be safe and not unduly panic the citizens. The city is a strange sight to most, a metropolis of gigantic mushrooms that had been hollowed out of or grown into the shape of buildings and homes. Once at the outskirts of the city Hunter, Lulu, and Archeri depart the boat and make their way into the city. Once inside Archeri helps them get into a public transit that takes them to city hall. A centipede that had been dominated with magic served as a bus to take people through the city. Once at the capitol building the three made their way inside.
The building was massive, the largest in the city, a variable castle with mushroom stalks as towers. Once inside Archeri led the two all the way to the King's throne room where they are easily let in thanks to people being able to recognize who Lulu is despite having never met them. Inside the throne chamber a servant announces the group's arrival.
“Now presenting Lord Cthulhu and guests, Archeri of Stonewall and… a human of Midgard. Apparently.”
The King bows for Lulu who offers a light nod in return. “T-to what do I owe this pleasure, your holiness?”
“Well I'm here mostly for support, it's actually the human here, Hunter Steel-Bone, who wanted to speak with you.”
The King eyes Hunter and looks him up and down. “And why, besides simply because you said so, would I ever listen to a human?”
Lulu simply stands in silence, trying to think of something besides “because I said so” to say to the Kind. They didn't exactly expect to be questioned. “Uhhh… well you see… hmmm… because Hunter here is uhh…”
The King raises an eyebrow at Lulu who's struggling to think of a good and legitimate reason for the King to listen to Hunter.
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Lulu could say something but could think of anything that wouldn't simply give away the reason for coming here and thus taking the chance to explain things away from Hunter. Lulu knew in order for this to work long term they had to convince the King and his people to listen to and follow a human. They doubted pointing out that Hunter was the foretold Crownless King would help. “You see Hunter… he is… uhh…” Lulu continued to struggle when they heard Hunter intentionally project a thought to them saying “just say whatever pops in your head first or something.” Lulu did just that, however Hunter wouldn't exactly be happy with what Lulu would ultimately come up with. “You should listen to what Hunter has to say, because you see, this human here” Lulu pauses to wrap their arms around Hunter. “is my chosen mate.”
Archeri lets out a single loud cough “He fuckin wat?!” while Hunter himself goes pale and dons a deer in headlights look.
The King slams back against the back of his throne in shock before leaning forward. “Excuse me?! Do you mind repeating that?”
“You heard me, your mossy royal fungalness, this human is my chosen mate.” Lulu playfully slaps Hunter on the ass loudly causing him to jump a bit and yelp. Lulu then grabs Hunter by the collar while projecting a thought to both Hunter and Archeri. “(Just play along)” They then pull Hunter down to their height and start full on making out with Hunter and forcing a strange, longe, tendril like tongue down Hunter's throat while making loud kissing and moaning sounds. After the extremely extra, extremely lewd display is done they let Hunter go who just stands there wordless for a bit while Lulu whipped the saliva off their mouth. “That's what I'm talking about.”
The King raises an eyebrow. “I suppose I shouldn't question the preferences of a god. Well then, you have the floor Hunter Steel-Bone, consort to Lord Cthulhu.”
Hunter took a bit to shake himself off after Lulu's improvisation before addressing the King. “The King in Yellow is going to return in full force, however Lulu would prefer the realms not surrender to him and his so-called perfect order.”
Lulu takes a step forward. “Also, something to consider, is the reason he wanted the realms under his rule in the first place. Hastur's chosen mate is due to birth his children, and when members of our kin are born they are very hungry. He wants to bring his mate here so his children can feed on the fruits bore from the World Tree Yggdrasil. In other words, his children will eat the very realms themselves. This is simply a part of the life cycle of my kin, however your tree bore fruit much faster then what is normal and for some reason the fruit is more potent than normal as well. This is why he chose your tree over any others in this cluster.”
Hunter's mind spun for a moment as it hit him that Lulu just stated that there is more than one world tree. There are others with their own realms. Could it be that the entire universe or maybe the multiverse is actually a massive forest of world trees, some of them growing the “fruit” of worlds with sentient life? He had to let this thought go and focus on the now. “If you don't side with Lulu and myself, your realm and all life in it will cease to be. Hastur will not spare you because you worship him, because to him you are nothing. All the realms must stand together to beat him once and for all, or we will fall and all will be lost.”
The King shuffled in his throne as he thought about everything that he's been told. There was a lot to consider. “How much time do we have before the return?”
“A decade at most.” Hunter quickly stated. “I've been working to ally the realms in preparation to stop him.”
Lulu gestured to the King. “I've come to rather like these realms and have come to call them home. I won't stand by as my brother destroys them to feed his spawn. Especially considering what he plans to do with them.
“What do you mean, does the King in Yellow have an endgame beyond taking the realms to feed his spawn?”
“The trees in this cluster spawned fruit ten times more potent than normal, as such it is his hope that his spawn will also be ten times stronger. Because there are fifteen trees in this cluster all with fifteen fruits he'll be able to easily feed a hundred kids. All ten times stronger than a normal member of my kin. Once they have fed Hastur will take their power just like the last time he spawned in order to bring himself another step or maybe even two up. He's already ten times more powerful than a normal member of my kin, this would put him at least the same step above the rest of us as the Aesir are above humans. He'll continue to do this to reach a level equal to if not greater than the original progenitor of my kin, Azathoth. The one who is as far above us as we are above humans.”
“He wants the ability to enforce his perfect order on all existence, creating a multiverse spanning New Eden. A dystopian paradise void of free will where people exist solely to eat, worship Hastur, garden, and sleep. Where everything from what they eat to whom they marry is chosen for them in the name of Hastur's perfect order. But you and your kin wouldn't live to see it since this along with other worlds will simply be a sacrifice for his ascension to the power he needs.”
“To think we worshiped such a being, one who cares so little for us.”
Archeri then quoted the quote she said to Hunter when he was here last time. This time under a different context. “By what metric does one measure a God? If they have power beyond your understanding and have conquered mortality, is that not enough for you?"
Hunter remembered the conversation and responded. “What meaning hath joy, when not measured by sorrow? What meaning hath love, when not measured against its loss? I hereby declare to thee, as fact, that there can be no comedy without tragedy. I now ask of thee, old friend, now that fact has been stated; what meaning would life have if death wasn't just around the corner, like a stalker in the night, waiting for an opportunity to take it from us?” Hunter takes a short pause before continuing “Hastur may be a big fish, but there's always a bigger fish.”
Archeri couldn't help but chuckle before speaking. “It's turtles all the way down baby!”
The King has a confused look on his face. “Excuse me?”
Archeri simply replied. “It's a Midgard thing, it would have been funny if you understood the context.”
The King sighs. “So what exactly do we do in this alliance?”
Hunter cleared his throat before speaking. “Well we give you a tablet that can communicate with others regardless of what realm they are in and you participate in meetings where members bring up issues that affect them, other realms, and we can coordinate our efforts so we can strategize and work together effectively.”
“I'm guessing these tablets were built by Dwarves using some sort of Bifrost tech.”
“Yep, we have a couple ready to go and will hand them out as needed. The Dwarves also provided instruction manuals that cover everything you need to know about the tablet.”
“Then consider our realm a part of the alliance, but as soon as the threat is over don't expect us to stick around.”
“That's fine by me I guess, so long as the threat is removed what you do after is up to you.”
The King nods and the group hand him everything he needs to join the alliance before being dismissed and heading back to the ship.
After a bit of walking in silence Archeri finally speaks up. “Soooo… are we going to talk about what happened back there?”
Hunter was already starting to think about where to go next and how to deal with it. “What are you talking about?”
“You know… the thing with Lulu…”
Hunter's back straightened out as he recalled what happened. “Oh, that.”
Lulu chuckled. “It's no big deal, just a little lie.”
Hunter raised his voice. “You kiss raped my mouth hole with your tongue!”
“It worked didn't it, besides it's not like you'll have to consummate our fake marriage. You won't live long enough to get a chance even if it's something we both wanted.”
“I did not consent to having your tendril tongue forced down my throat!”
The three got back to the ship where Lilac and Hel were waiting.
“Oh stop complaining, you liked it and you know it. Besides, it was just a kiss, I don't see what the big deal is.”
Hel and Lilac both shot dagger looks at the group.
“It's a big deal that you forced that in me, because…” Hunter paused.
Lilac and Hel moved over to Archeri and started to whisper among themselves. “What's going on here about a kiss?”
“Lulu had to give a reason for the King to listen to Hunter besides them saying so, blurted out the first thing that popped in their head. Resulting in them telling the King that Hunter was Lulu's consort. To make it convincing they… kissed Hunter. Like a deep sloppy “these people are about to mate in front of everyone” kinda kiss. Hunter is upset because he didn't consent to it.”
Lulu was done waiting for Hunter to continue from his pause. “Why is it such a big deal for you? It was a tiny little lie and a harmless kiss. I don't understand why you are this upset. I get I didn't ask but it's not like I had time to properly do so other than to tell you to play along.”
“It's a big deal because it was my first proper kiss!”
The three ladies all look to Hunter with shock for a solid moment before eventually Hel breaks the silence. “You mean to tell me that at your age you hadn't even so much as kissed a girl romantically before now?”
Lulu shifts around a bit. “Humans are silly for putting such importance on such milestones. I've had two wives and a number of kids.”
Archeri shifter to look at Lulu “You have kids?!”
Hunter responds with. “Keep in mind that's not Lulu's real body and they are much older than they look. Although it may be silly it's still something we do. When you have such a short lifespan everything especially a first something is even more special. I'm going to let it slide this time but never do anything like that again without clearing it with me first.”
Lulu nods. “I'll do my best, and yes, I have four or five children between two wives. Both members of my kin. Though it's not fully unheard of for members of my kind to take humans for that sort of thing, it was rare even when we lived amongst you. So are you taking me home now?”
Hunter sighs loudly. “Yeah I guess. Let's take everyone home. Starting with Archeri since we don't have to leave the realm for that.”
Hel starts up the boat and flies it back to Stonewall village to drop of Archeri. “Well, I'll see you later I guess. You have my condolences Hunter, it's a shame you won't have long enough to get a happily ever after with a wife and kids.”
“I'll make the most out of what little time I have. Good luck with the long journey to mending relationships with the other elf tribes. If all goes well there'll be trade and even migration between the realms again.”
“I don't think even I'll live long enough to see the elves reunification but a girl can dream I guess.”
With that they wave goodbye and ready themselves to take Lulu home. Lilac is still crossing her arms and staring daggers but now at Lulu. “I can't believe you stole Hunter's first kiss as part of a performance.”
“I'm not looking to be your rival, in fact I wish you both luck with… whatever you three have going on. I just want to go home and nap till I'm needed again.”
Hel started up the boat. “Fine by me.” And they jumped to the ocean realm to drop off Lulu. Hel waits for a bit after they are gone before going to the bridge of the ship again. “So Hunter, where am I dropping you off?”
“I almost want to go to Ivadoll to visit my brother for a bit and not think about romance or anything close to sex for a while, but knowing him he'll bug me with questions about how things are going with me romantically. So just take me to Alfheim I guess. I've only got three more realms to lock down for the alliance and one is Midgard so we are nearing the end of the road. Once the alliance is fully formed I can focus fully on myself for a bit until Hastur gets here and shit hits the fan.”
Hel nods. “It's Lilac's turn next so Alfheim it is.” She dropped the two off then went home.
Hunter did a stretch once he was back in the “village over the rapids” and then looked to Lilac. “Do you… want to stay at my place tonight. I figured we can work on making things even between you and Hel.”
“You mean…”
“Talking and getting to know each other better, seeing all of one another, and sharing a bed with no further expectations.”
“I'd like that.” The two then went to Hunter's home together.