Finally, after several hours of trouncing on Hastur's soldiers with relatively minimal losses the big man himself was here. Hastur, the King in Yellow. Everything Hunter and crew had been working towards for the last few years was finally going to pay off. After today, the realms would no longer have to live in fear of the eldritch tyrant. The massive ugly almost cockroach like figure standing like a man would while covered in countless cockroach like bugs wearing a yellow robe and crown loomed over everyone while standing on a Nautilus that was larger than the others. The ten foot tall insectoid figure mocked and belittled everyone that was fighting. He undercut all their efforts, and clearly despite losing thousands of not millions of his men, underestimated us and our allies.
“Alright everyone, looks like the boss man himself is finally here. Time to focus fire on clearing a path to him so I can go straight for the King. Don't let up now, we're almost there.”
After Hunter gave the order every person fighting for the allies in that area of Midgard whether they be on the ground or in the air, regardless of race, nationality, and realm of origin; they all pitched into shooting down any aircraft and soldier of the invasion between Hunter and Haster. Explosions rocking the area as a line of fire and explosions fill the area. Even long range weapons from different areas were launched to help clear the line. After a while the area was clear enough for Hunter to dash in. Using fire to blast himself through the air like a rocket and dodging or shooting down anything that gets in his way making a B-line to Hastur. Hunter's thought being that if they killed the leader any remaining invaders would retreat from the realms.
As Hunter blasted towards Hastur the bug man couldn't help but mock in mild bemusement. “Oh, so you're approaching me?”
“Yeah, I cNt beat the shit out of you without getting closer.”
Hastur puts one leg forward and stretches all six of his arms out in a sort of welcoming gesture. “Come at me then.”
Hunter wasn't sure exactly how fast he was going, just that it didn't take long to get to the lead Nautilus that Hastur stood on. Once there, while going full speed, Hunter slammed the tip of the shield into Hastur's face. There was a burst of air from the force of the impact and Hunter could tell he got a solid hit. However when the smoke in the area cleared and he could actually see Hastur, Hunter noticed his ugly bug-face had barely moved to the side.
“Is that really the best you can manage, insect? How pathetic. If you are the best they have it's a miracle you've managed to take out so many of my forces and get this far. Unfortunately for you, it seems your luck has finally run out. Now get crushed.” Hastur backhands Hunter sending him flying at mach speeds to the ground creating a solid impact crater.
“Hunter! Are you okay?”
Hunter lets out a cough. “Yeah, I'm fine. Reminds me of when I took a punch from Vidar while not drawing on any outside powers. Makes sense considering the gap is about the same. Meaning if I draw on the Bifrost like I did then on top of my transformation I should be able to fight on the same level for a few hours. It's kinda like going Blue plus Kaioken.”
Michael shouts into the coms “Stop making anime references, no one from outside Midgard has any idea what you are talking about!”
“I refuse.” Hunter gets up and starts drawing on Bifrost energy. “This isn't even my final form.” Hunter once again bum rushes straight at Hastur but this time launching a cannonball at his face before punching at his gut.
The hot lands with a loud thud followed by Hastur making a gagging sound as his body bends around the fist and is sent flying for a bit. Hastur sprouts wings and starts hovering in the air. “That actually hurt. If you thought I was upset before, you've yet to learn the full extent of my fury. Allow me to educate you.” Hastur simply pointed at Hunter and all the bugs crawling on Hastur's body flew over to Hunter and started attacking him.
The bugs crawled into Hunter's armor and started biting him and he could exactly sway at them. Instead he simply ran electricity along his body and armor zapping the insects to death. “Really, that's your attack?”
“It's the only attack an insect like you deserves. It's bad enough I've already sullied my hand once by striking your filthy body.”
“I think it's time to teach you the meaning of humility.” Hunter goes in from above, this time firing a full volley of explosive rounds and flack at Hastur. This time the eldritch cockroach puts in some effort to dodge after the first hit. All the shots and shrapnel that misses Hastur lands directly on his Nautilus. Hunter positioned himself to make sure that any missed shots still hit a high priority target. Then when Hunter got close all seven cannons fired shrapnel at Hastur points blank while Light-bringer and its ghost swords started stabbing and cutting the prime Nautilus. Hunter alternated between flack shots and shield punches getting a number of glancing blows and a few solid hits.
“Enough!” Hastur shouted angrily before flying at Hunter to go for an attack himself. Hunter dodged the first one, putting Hastur above him. Then Hastur dived at Hunter reaching super sonic speeds before doing a spinning ax kick and flinging Hunter straight down at high speeds. Straight down through the prime Nautilus. While speeding through it Hunter managed to fire off multiple explosive rounds into the inside of the shelled behemoth. A chain of explosions boomed from the aircraft before it plummeted to the ground below. It lands on top of the crater made by Hunter's second meeting with the ground and explodes on impact. “I might have lost my flagship, but at least he's not getting up again.”
Hunter climbed his way out of the rubble looking a bit banged up but nothing was broken. He groans as he makes it into his feet on top of the burning mass. “Is that the best you can do?”
“What the hell is this cockroach made of?! Why won't you just fucking die already?!”
“You know I never really thought about it before, but considering how things scale my transformation is basically a multiplier on my base physical capabilities. Though my base strength is close to average and my agility is just a bit above, my durability is insane. I took a punch from an Aesir while still on the level of a human with no boosts. Meaning in this current form that's four steps above my base I'm more than capable of taking hits from someone two steps above me on the cosmic scale. I can draw on an outside energy to enhance my physical abilities two steps up from where I'm at. To summarize, my strength rivals yours and my durability is higher. For as long as I can draw on this energy, I'm actually a bit more powerful than you. So start taking me seriously!” Hunter rushed Hastur again, this time keeping a bit of distance and bombarding him with flack, explosive rounds, and normal cannonballs as Light-bringer moved its focus to taking out smaller targets on mass.
Hastur dodged and even deflected a lot of the shots using a sickly yellow energy to create a barrier before throwing balls of it at Hunter for projectiles. Hunter is more than able to block thanks to skið-garðr consisting of seven shields. Hastur on the other hand is able to summon energy from his six hands giving him similar defensive and offensive range with the small caveat of not being able to block and attack at the same time. The small delay puts Hastur at a small disadvantage. He probably realized this because he ordered his men to focus fire on Hunter. Every ground troops, mosquito, and Nautilus that wasn't already fully preoccupied with another target started firing at Hunter forcing him to the defensive for a while.
Hastur took the time during this barrage to shout at Hunter. “Humans were literally made to be subservient. Do you really think teamwork and the power of friendship are enough to beat me? Do you really think you're the hero of this story?”
This however provided an opportunity for those fighting with Hunter since they only had to worry about the targets right next to them allowing them to clear out an area then take on someone who was preoccupied trying to kill Hunter. Hunter quickly realized that he could turn the tide of the battle below him drastically if he had a way to call in reinforcements of some sort. It is at this point Hunter gets an idea, another one of his unorthodox plans. He was going to call on Nyarlathotep and Lulu.
Hunter starts using his energy to produce music somehow and before making another attack he starts to vocalize and breaks into song.
“I am not a good man, no~ I'm a far cry from the gods. I'm not some streetwise Heracles, born to fight the rising odds. But when life beats me down and brings me to my knees, I always seem to find a way to get back on my feet.” As the music swells Hunter makes his way to Hastur and goes on the offensive. Being a lot more reckless in order to get in hits at his own expense.
“I'm not a hero~ I'm just somebody who's too stubborn to die. So I learned to be strong and I learned to be fast ‘cause that's what it took to survive.
I'm not a hero~ But I'll do what I feel to be right. So I'm gonna be strong and I'm gonna be fast and I'm not going down without a good fight. Without a good fight~”
Hastur growls in frustration as he tries to return to the offensive but Hunter is pressuring him and keeping him in the defensive. “Why are you singing? It's annoying.
Hunter continues to press the attack and continues singing, not responding to Hastur.
“As the clock runs close to midnight, as we reach the final hour. I know we all have our doubts, feeling a little sour. But we have a quest to gather strength, to fight a threat that towers.
I'm not a hero~ I'm just somebody who's too stubborn to die. So I learned to be strong and I learned to be fast ‘cause that's what it took to survive.
I'm not a hero~ but I'll do what I feel to be right. So I'm gonna be strong and I'm gonna be fast and I'm not going down without a good fight. Without a good fight~”
“Are you finished with your strange display? What was the point of-” Hastur is interrupted by rifts forming and new Nautilus jumping in. These ones are light blue instead of dark purple. Hastur starts laughing. “It's really over for you now, it seems I had two siblings laying in wait and now they are here to back me up. You have no hope of winning now that there's three of us with our own armies.”
Nyarlathotep gives a haughty laugh. “You misinterpret my intentions brother. I'm here because I love a good show and would hate to miss out on the climax. I'm actually here, on the side of those you call insects.”
Lulu giggles. “I'm just here to fuck shit up and ruin your plans because absolute order sounds boring. So I too will side with the natives.”
Green banners drop from the light blue Nautili with the Yggdrasil logo on them. Hunter puts on a big smile. “Attention alliance members, don't fire on the light blue Nautili, they are friendly.”
Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
The allied Nautili start firing on the enemy Nautili and Hastur is clearly really pissed. “All air units focus on the traitors. Ground units, kill this detestable cockroach that refuses to die.”
All the ground units focus fire on Hunter, with skið-garðr he's able to block all of it but do little else. Nyarlathotep activates her magic on the area, drenching it in her energy.
Hastur tries to give more demeaning insults but finds his words coming out in a sing-song voice backed by music. “You are all just maggots, made to be crushed under my feet. You were bred to be servants, we gave you everything you could need. Yet you saw it fit to turn on us, claiming you wanted to be freed. What's the point of freedom, if it just leads to chaos and to crime? You should have accepted my order, you should have fallen in line. Now by my hands I'll crush you all. You'll die screaming as I twist your minds~”
The squid facers under his command join together in song. “We're nothing but useless maggots, made to be crushed under your feet. Bred to be you servants, and given all we need. Why would we ever turn on you, wanting to be freed? Your order is our freedom, it's everything we need. We've accepted order, we've fallen into line. We'll do your bidding, and help you crush those who to your bliss is blind.”
Hunter starts to sign as well, still doing his best to block incoming attacks. “We are but small and fragile things. Alone there isn't much that we can do. But when we band together, even mountains can be moved. You may call us insects, maggots, or even ants. But if we're so small, why are you losing? Is that urine I see trickling down your pants? Yes, though we are small and fragile, together there's nothing we can't do. If we all lift together, we can make the earth move~”
The alliance joins together in song. “Yes. Though we are small and fragile things, alone there isn't much we can do. When we all band together, we can even make the world move. We are small and fragile things, you've underestimated us and it'll be your doom. Because we've banded together, and we will make the earth move~”
Hunter breaks out of his stalemate and rushed Hastur pummeling into him savagely. He begins to glow brighter, his entire body becoming enveloped in rainbow, drenched inside and out in Bifrost light, almost as if becoming one with it.
“What's happening to him? He's never been able to access this much before. That's more than a human or even Ymir's body can take without burning up yet his body isn't taking damage. I saw his body burned by his own power after fighting Vidar the first time he used it. He shouldn't be able to tap in that deeply without side effects.” Hel's voice had genuine concern.
“It's the prayers, everyone on Earth, even people in other realms are praying for and to Hunter, hoping for his victory. That energy is being fed into him through the Bifrost. The thoughts and prayers are being manifested through the power of Bifrost.”
“It's like in the old days when Aesir would draw extra power from humans, but I've never seen it on this scale. At this rate, he might even be a step or two above Hastur. I think we found the answer to the Elven question of what metric one measures a god by. It's hope and faith. Right now Hunter has the hopes and faith of billions of people across the fifteen realms. He's become a god, in the one measure that truly matters. Even if it's only temporary.”
Shield punch after shield punch with blistering power and speed Hunter pummels into Hastur. The Bug man shouting in anger. “This shouldn't be possible!!! What are you?!?”
Hunter gives a simple response. “I am Ginnungagap, chaos and creation incarnate. A power old as time, old as Azathoth. I permeate all created under my power, and bridge the gaps between all things. My body is the soil the tree is grown from, my mind the sky it spreads its branches, my blood the Bifrost through which all things are linked in these realms. I am time meeting space, thought meeting reality, impossibility meeting the inevitable. I am both the unstoppable force and immovable object. Through this vessel of a King Without a Crown I am given form, and with it I will see to it yours is erased.”
Hunter keeps pummeling Hastur and at some point in his combo he snaps his finger and Light-bringer, who was focused on smaller units, flies into Hunter's hand. It lights up a bright gold and its ghost swords glow just as brightly in their sickly green. Though all but the main ghost sword tied to the hilt of Light-bringer are still cutting through squid facers. Hunter then takes Light-bringer and brings it down hard onto Hastur's left side, taking out two of his six arms.
Hastur screams in pain as he holds the bleeding stumps. The music has stopped. “You- you little fucker! You actually severely injured me! How dare you!? How dare you?!?! I'll do more than kill you. By the time I'm done, you'll wish you were dead.”
The two start to exchange blows once more, seemingly matched. Music starts picking up again as Hunter regains his composure and speaks as himself and starts singing. [The song he choses is “One Last Song” by “Lord of the Lost”] As they exchanged blows.
“If I could sing one last song, before the world ends. If I could sing one last song, to say goodbye. If I could sing one last song, to all my children. If I could sing one last song, before we die. If I could sing one last song, to my parents. If I could sing one last song, with all my friends. If I could sing one last song; to everyone, I've hurt and beg their forgiveness before this life ends. I'd give everything I have, say all the things I left unsaid. If I could sing one last song, I'd make it a good one.
A song about love, a song about death. With desperation in my breath. I scream in the silence, massive and violent. Hear my voice for I am lost. Singing for my broken ones.
One last song, whoa-oh, whoa-oh, whoa
One last song, whoa-oh, whoa-oh, whoa
If I could sing one last song, to show my love was endless. If I could sing one last song, to help you cry. If I could sing one last song, when the colors fade. With a smile through the pain, to the everlasting nights.
A song about love, a song about death. With desperation in my breath. I scream in the silence, massive and violent. Hear my voice for I am lost. Singing for my broken ones
One last song, whoa-oh, whoa-oh, whoa
One last song, whoa-oh, whoa-oh, whoa
For the rebels and the brave. The runaways, the renegades. For those living by the sword. The forgotten and ignored. For the victims standing proud. All the lonesome in the crowd. For all my kings and all my queens, and for everyone between.
A song about love, a song about death. With desperation in my breath. I scream in the silence, massive and violent. Hear my voice for I am lost Singing for my broken ones.
One last song, whoa-oh, whoa-oh, whoa
One last song, whoa-oh, whoa-oh, whoa
One last song, oh, oh, oh (whoa-oh, whoa-oh, whoa)
One last song, oh, oh, oh-oh (whoa-oh, whoa-oh, whoa)
If I could sing one last song, to you.”
Hastur grunts in frustration as heals one big attack that slams Hunter to the ground once more. Hunter wobbles up and moves to block but he seemingly isn't fast enough.
“I've had enough of these primitive fisticuffs! It's time we fight on my terms!” Hastur shouted as his hand managed to slip through Hunter's shields and touch his face; the two just froze there, simply standing in silence.
“Hunter!” Lilac yelled as she started to run for him, but Nyarlathotep put her hand out to stop her.
“Just give it a moment hun, your man's got this. If you interrupt now you risk everything.”
The bug hand reached for Hunter and a smirk crept across his face. Finally, this is what Hunter had planned for. As soon as the hand met face there was a flash and Hunter found himself standing on a solid black surface that started to bubble and move as soon as his presence in this inner world was felt. The King in Yellow stood a bit away from him in this dark room. His injuries are not apparent in this place. Hastur looks around.
“You know, I expected this place to be bland, but I didn't expect it to be this empty. That Ginnungagap can't interfere from the outside here. Or…. could it be I'm still underestimating you and you're hiding something else up your sleeve? Not that it matters. You may have been able to boost your body to match a level equal to mine but your mind is still at least two steps below. Taking on outside energy and the prayers of the lesser beings can't boost mental ability. Here I have the advantage to such a degree you can't hope to win. I mean, did you really expect to beat me and leave unscathed? Did you really think you could win?”
Hunter starts laughing. The laughter grows louder and Hunter is slapping his knees in roaring laughter. “That's the neat part, I didn't.”
Hastur's face manages to look confused despite having bug features. “Excuse me what?”
“Oh yeah, I had no plans on walking away unscathed. Heck, I didn't even come in expecting to survive. In fact, I came into this planning to die. Cause you see, I don't have to win. I just need for you to lose.”
“I don't understand.” Hastur starts looking around as he starts to hear a distant whisper. “What is that?”
“You see, I let you in. This was a trap. You hear that whispering, it's only going to grow louder. You assumed this place was empty but take a second look at your feet. You're half buried in black ink. You've always been above others, you've always been superior. You've never once doubted yourself, never once hated yourself, never once thought that maybe, just maybe, the world was better off without you in it. Never once have you contemplated suicide. But me? I've always felt inferior, always doubted myself. Not a day goes by where I don't wonder if the world might be better off without me in it. These constant dark thoughts, these inner demons. I've spent my entire life with them trying to drag me down into the murky black waters and trying to drown me. I've gotten really good at swimming because of it. You, however, you've never so much as dipped your toes in water. Why would you when you could always simply fly.”
Black inky humanoids form from the muck and pull at Hastur and start dragging him down. He thrashes and punches them.away but his efforts are clearly in vain as they continue to whisper various self deprecating thoughts into his ears. “Get these things off me. Make them stop!”
Meanwhile they simply slide off Hunter like he's covered in waterproof spray. “Someone once said: Fate is nothing more than the consequences of our actions.” Well it's time for you to face the consequences Hastur. It's time for you to meet your fate.”
A door appears behind Hunter as Hastur is dragged further down into the ink. Kicking and screaming as he's pulled. “You- you can't do this to me. I'll never truly be gone. As long as you live, I'll always be here. You can't just leave me like this. Hunter. Hunter! Hunter!!!”
Hastur is almost completely submerged as Hunter reaches for the door handle. “So you finally spoke my name.” Hunter smirked. “Don't worry Hastur, I don't plan on living long after I kill you. You won't be left like this for a lifetime.” Hunter opened the door and there was a flash.
Everyone on both sides had stopped fighting, waiting with baited breath. Though only minutes passed it felt like an eternity. Then, Hunter reached out his hand and with the snap of his finger Light-bringer slapped into his palm and glowed as brightly as it did when Hunter severed the arms. Hunter then thrust the blade into Hastur's lower abdomen and dragged it up before cleaving back down, cutting the massive bug man in half. Then the body turned to dust and floated away with the wind into nothingness. Hunter's gear all went back into his ring as he shifted back into his human form and fell to his knees.
Lilac finally got out of Nyarlathotep’s grip and ran to Hunter along with Hel. Both reached out to grab a hand and see tears streaming down his face as he let out soft sobs. Lilac rubbed on Hunter's hand and tried to comfort him. “Why are you crying Hunter? You did it, we won. Best part is your injuries are manageable, nothing fatal.”
“Lilac, don't. Please. We both came into this knowing how it ends. I've accepted it. Unfortunately, it doesn't make it easier. I… don't have much time before I fade away. I need you to do something for me, I need you to pass along a message. Can you do that?”
“Hunter, I don't understand.”
Hunter grabs Lilac’s hand tightly. “I know, but you will. Someday. My message is this: I know I wasn't there for you, when you needed me most. There's a lot of things I won't be able to do for you that I wish I could. It is my greatest regret. In the end, everything I did was to create a future for everyone. To create a future for you. I know things were probably difficult, and I know that they'll continue to do so. The path we walk, it's not an easy one. The path of the thorned crown isn't one someone walks for their own sake. So I give these parting words to you, words I spent most days of my life wishing to hear. I love you, oh so much, and I'm very proud of you.”
Lilac makes an extremely confused face before Nyarlathotep pulls her and Hel away from Hunter. The tears stream faster down Hunter's face as he lets out one last sob. Shortly after being pulled away Hunter's body is enveloped in blue and purple flames. Glowing, sparkling particles coming off him as he burns. However, after several minutes of being drenched in magical fire when it dies Hunter looks entirely intact when he drops to the ground. Lilac runs to him and delicately puts two fingers on his neck, checking for a pulse. “He's… he's still alive. I don't understand.”
Nyarlathotep puts her hand on Lilac's shoulder. “The Hunter you knew is. All the memories of his travels, the happiness he gained from it. That's all been burned away along with the part of Hunter where a fragment of Hastur dwelled after their fight. This was the only way that Hunter could in a sense survive this encounter. However he'll have no memories of his travels to the other realms. Because of his strong connection to the Bifrost this erasure will extend beyond him. Every trace that Hunter was involved in this will cease to exist and fade away. The memories, the physical documentation. Only people like myself, and Lulu will remember. There's a chance for people who were drenched deeply in Bifrost energy could remember, but I'm that might take an effort. Sure, people will remember a Midgardian who had the powers of Ymir and went by Butcher Steel-Bone, but no one will remember that he and Hunter Erickson were one and the same.”
With a colorful flash and a strange distortion, Hunter vanished.
“W-where did he go?”
“Back home to Midgard, back to the apartment he lived in before moving into Alfheim. Soon, you'll forget all about him.”
“But that- That isn't fair. After everything we've been through we deserve a happy ending. Not only is Hunter being denied that, but no one is even going to remember his sacrifice. What kinda bullshit is that?!”
I did my best to offer Lilac my apologies, and did my best to soothe her anger. In the end my efforts were in vain. A wave swept across the realms and only myself and my siblings Lulu had any memories of Hunter’s sacrifice. There were some blank stares and blinking, then everyone went about as if Hunter was never there. They mourned the loss of Butcher but celebrated their victory thanks to his sacrifice. The alliance continued to hold, and people slowly but surely walked into a new future. A better future that now exists thanks to Hunter. I've gathered these notes in the hopes that someday I can spread his story once again. After all, it's too good of a story to let it be forgotten. This, however, isn't the end. For there truly is no such thing. After all, every ending is just a new beginning. The end of one story leads to the start of another. Who knows what this new future may hold. This isn't goodbye. This is not the end.