The start of the fourth year since Hunter was first pulled to another world against his will so it's only fitting that he revisit the very first place he traveled to. Rust or Jotunheim. This time Hunter was going to visit the capitol city. Although he was perfectly capable of going himself he called in for the boat. Hunter, Lilac, Cinder, Glacier, and Lady Hel all traveled via the realm boat. Hunter expected everything to go smoothly. The city was a strange reflection of Idavoll. Rather than a stone wall several dozen feet thick it was a thinner wall of black metal. The buildings inside rather than being log cabins the city consisted of cold black metal buildings all built on solid rock desert landscape.
“Alright so… before we go into that big intimidating black metal building in the center with the jagged spikes on it, what am I getting into?” Hunter really should have done this prep on the boat. Seriously, walk and talk people.
Cinder sighed. “Assuming nothing has changed since before the war, the top governing body consists of four kings. One from each tribe. To deal with vote ties the four kinds vote for a member among them. They can't vote for themselves. The voted person is the High King and if there is a tie the vote of the High King is counted twice.”
“Okay, well do we at least know who's on what seat?”
Cinder’s eyes jump around. “I'm currently the queen of Muspelheim and the fire Jotun. Glacier is the king of Niflheim and the frost Jotun. Last I checked Tempest was the queen of the storm Jotun. She fought in the war. The queen of the earth Jotun died in it so odds are her eldest child took over. That would be…. Tremor. Her eldest son.”
“You have no idea how silly your names sound when translated. This should be even easier than anticipated. I already have half the vote.”
Glacier interjected. “No you misunderstand. You only have half the vote. Any tie goes to Tempest. Unfortunately for you she's distrusting of… well anyone who isn't a Jotun. The war you see…”
“The only non-Jotun ally was Helheim. Run by a mostly Jotun queen. I've become familiar with the history.” Hunter sighed.
Hel chuckled. “Well if you can't convince them you've got me as a backup.”
“I'm glad I thought to bring you but maybe stay back until I need you. I'm supposed to be the living Bifrost. You know, unifying the realms.”
“I'm sure you'll do fine.”
The group walked into the building and everyone except Lady Hel entered the council chamber. Cinder and Glacier take their seats. Tempest is a more svelte build then the average Jorun, alabaster white skin, black skalera paired with a white iris, and horns slash antlers that form a natural crown. Tremor is built big, bigger than even Cinder. A lumbering mass with dirt colored skin and yellow eyes. Somehow despite being the bigger of the two, Tempest gives the more intimidating aura.
Tempest addresses the group. “Attention all. This is the first joining of this counsel since Ragnarok. All members in attendance. We are here to address a matter at hand. That matter being…” they sigh loudly. “I see no paperwork has been handed in beforehand. Does no one care about protocol?”
Hunter speaks up. “We are here to address the formation of an alliance of the realms. A democratic counsel with each realm having an equal voice and-”
Tempest interrupts Hunter. “Who is this insignificant little speck who's trying to address me?”
Cinder answers first. “This is Hunter Erickson of Midgard, honorary citizen of-”
Tempest interrupts “Midgard?! A human?! I'd sooner listen to an Aesir than a blasted human! At least the Aesir had guts. Humans were nothing more than Odin’s puppets in the war!”
“That was thousands of years ago, you can-”
“SILENCE!!” I vote to disregard anything this human, Hunter says.”
Cinder and Glacier both say. “I object”
Tremor speaks in a surprisingly soft voice. “I vote in agreement with Tempest.”
Tempest smirks and waves a hand..”The tie goes to the High King. The word of the human will be disregarded from henceforth in this meeting.”
Lilic steps forward. “You should rethink that, your highness. Human lifespans are shot. Shorter than elves. Only a single century. You can't hold him accountable for the actions of… well actually he's not even a descendant of that tribe from.what I understand. Even then Odin tricked and lied to that tribe. He convinced them he was a god, something with power over their world. They worshiped him, would do anything for him and a chance at some promised paradise. What Odin did to them is unforgivable, as much victims of his machinations as anyone.”
Tempest shifts in her seat. She twirled her hand around a bit. “At least he has an excuse unlike the elves who went to war on Odin’s side willingly.”
“That was the light elves, the dark elves sided with you and-”
“The Wood and Twilight elves abstained from the war entirely. Neutrality my fat white bum. More like cowardice. I vote to also disregard this elf.”
Tremor spoke softly once more. “I vote with Tempest.”
Cinder sighs loudly. “And the tie goes to the High King. Motion passed.”
Lady Hel finally enters the room. “May I have the floor?” She changes to her green skin and humble horns.
Tempest waves a hand. “The council recognizes Lady Hel Lokisdottir, queen of Helheim and member of the Earth Tribe.”
Hel bows lightly. “I feel it is unwise to disregard everything these two have to say. After all we came here-”
“To request we join an alliance, yes? Such a minor thing. What do we need for an alliance? Sounds like a way to abuse democracy to subjugate Jotunheim.”
Hunter grumbled. “Jotuns have three entire realms and votes under the proposed system. Besides, abuse of democracy is exactly what you are doing?”
Hel pats Hunter's shoulder. “There's more than that, a solid reason to band together. If you… if just… listen to what Hunter has to say.’
“We already put forth a motion to ignore the human Hunter.”
Hel looks to Hunter then back to Tempest. “Then I request you hear the word of The Crownless King, Living Bifrost and destined unifier of the Realms. Butcher Steel-Bone.”
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Hunter channels his energy to transform.
Everyone in the room except Hel and Cinder jumped back. Tempest stuttered out “w-what the-”
“Allow me to reintroduce myself.” Butcher gives a light bow. “I am the inheritor of the strength and wisdom of Ymir. Crownless King and Living Bifrost. Honorary citizen of Alfheim. Butcher Steel-Bone.”
Tempest collects herself. “The counsel recognizes Butcher Steel-Bone of… Midgard? Alfheim?”
“Just say of Yggdrasil. Anyway, the reason we want an alliance of all the realms is because Hastur, the King in Yellow is returning. This time with more than a scouting party.”
“Your saying… all the kingdoms of Asgard had to band together to push back the equivalent of a scouting party?! I wouldn't believe you if I couldn't feel your aura. You are practically leaking your emotions all over the place. Impossible for you to lie in that sort of state.”
Butcher looked himself over. “I spent some time among some empathetic and lightly telepathic crystalline people. Learned a trick or two.”
Tempest chuckled. “I guess I have no choice but to accept what you say. Jotunheim will join this alliance against Hastur. The realms are deeply interconnected and if one suffers the damage is reflected in… unpredictable ways.”
“The cataclysms that started hitting a peak almost a decade ago. It's possible they can be traced back to changes in Midgard. An increase of pollution. Started around two hundred years ago but started becoming a big problem around a hundred years ago. Unfortunately I have zero sway in my birth realm.”
“Maybe you should consider remeding that.”
“I'm no tyrant, I won't force anyone to do anything.”
Tempest chuckled again. “I look forward to working with you. Though I don't look forward to working with Vidar.”
Butcher lightly shook his head. “We must all be prepared to make sacrifices. After all, we are getting ready for a war. Larger than even Ragnarok.”
Both Lilac and Hel started looking at the floor. The extra time they've had with Hunter has only made it harder to hear about his fate. I imagine it was like adopting a rescue dog knowing it has cancer. Only you aren't trying to have sex with the dog. At least I'd hope not. I'm not even sure what they see in Hunter.
He's average looking in his human form and decently attractive in his Jotun form. Sure he's nice, doesn't do deception, and does his best to help others but that's just base level stuff. Sure he's gotten better at socializing at this point but before that he mostly kept to himself except to complain about his life or current situation. I'm probably missing a lot of information because he only really documented his travels. He doesn't come off as charismatic at this point. I'd sooner expect Michael to have a harem than Hunter. Sorry, I've sidetracked again.
Butcher loudly clapped his hands. “Then I guess this concludes this meeting. The hell am I going to do with the rest of today? Explore the city and chat?”
Cinder stood up as did the rest of the counsel. “Well we've got a lot of paperwork to go over to cover five thousand years of separation. We'll use the Bifrost Communication System [I'll be abbreviating this to B.C.S even if the speaker didn't because Hunter does it to save time in the next sentence and boy does it] when we want a ride home or need anything.”
“Nice, we will make sure the B.C.S is installed.”
Hel gives Butcher a strange look. “Acronyms don't auto translate. I just wanted to point that out. Myself and Lilac who know your language know B.C.S is intended to be short for Bifrost Communication System but the last two words don't start with the same letter or sound in every language.”
“I'm not going to say the entire thing every time. They know to call us using their tablet. That's good enough for me. Any chance there's a restaurant nearby? I'm really hungry.”
Tempest gave some directions to a nearby place to get food before leaving the room.
Butcher offers a light wave and starts to follow those directions with Lilac and Hel in tow. “I wonder what Jotun food is like. I've already tried Elven cuisine, lots of seafood. I've had Dwarven cuisine, lots of root vegetables and small livestock meats. I've tried food in Helheim and Idavoll. The only branch race I haven't tried the food from is the Jotun. I mean I guess I've had food in Muspelheim and Niflheim but that boils down to “opportunistic scavenging” for the most part. Hunting and foraging from the land and eating what's available.”
Hel sighed. “I mean that's how Helheim and Jotunheim also work unfortunately. Resources are scarce so odds are we'll be seeing cooked cactus, small lizards, maybe roasted insects and scorpions.”
“Honestly I'll eat just about anything at this point. It'll be the closest thing I can get to taking you out to eat like a normal human date.”
Lilac shuffled around a bit as she walked. “Home cooked meals are more intimate though.”
“Yes, but there's a whole thing about going out in public as a couple I guess.”
“So it's like officially announcing yourself as a couple to others? More than once?”
“It's also sometimes about trying new things. New kinds of food, new places, and such.”
Hel tilted her head. “But wouldn't we just be seen as a group of friends since there's three of us? It's also strange to be on a three way date if romance is on the table.”
“I guess. But with such limited time some overlap for the sake of efficiency is kind of necessary.”
Lilac and Hel both nod as they approach the restaurant. It was a humble black metal building that mostly looked like the others with the exception of the sign designating it as a restaurant. There were a few people eating and drinking at tables. It looked like a bar and inn combo with a full restaurant. Serving food in the day and offering booze and beds at night.
Butcher looked at the food being served as they were sat down at a table. The group ordered food and waited for their order to arrive. Talking as they wait.
“So what did you pick from the menu Hunter… or should I call you Butcher since you're still in that form?”
“Use whatever feels better for you I guess. I kinda don't care. I ordered some spicy scorpions. What about you two?”
Lilac rubbed her arm. ”I had trouble picking so I ended up with a cactus and [cucumber] salad.”
Hel patted the table. “I ordered some Dreki steak and some rock candies for all of us. A simple sweet.”
Butcher shuffled. “You ordered a dessert? And rock candies of all things?”
Lilac looked at Butcher. “You know what rock candies are?”
“We have something similar on Midgard. Made with sugar, coloring, and flavor extracts. They look like small rocks or crystals. We even called them rock candies.”
“That's fascinating. Truly to think that two cultures completely separated would invent the same thing and even give it the same name.”
The food is brought to the table and the three start eating.
“I had an interesting experience in Shatterheim.” Butcher shows the realm on his map. “Living crystal people who were empathetic and lightly telepathic.”
“So now you've been to all the realms then?”
Butcher nods. “Because I could use my energy to form the same kind of connection that they can naturally, I was able to share my thoughts and memories with another. We became extremely close in a short span of time and she even shifted herself to reflect that. Even with that closeness I couldn't simply let go of my walls. Maybe it's because she asked me to abandon my mission.”
Lilac put her hand on Butcher’s. “So let me get this straight. You had a day in another realm and managed to sprint your way into having another person wanting courtship only to sprint your way into removing her from the equation?”
“You could say that. However, thanks to that experience I've grown as a person. I think that I could be ready to let myself be happy with some now. Maybe I could even use what I learned to get there faster. I might be able to telepathically link up with other people.”
Hel smiled lightly. “So if that works we could get to know one another a lot more quickly. Though there are some memories I'd rather not share.”
“That's perfectly understandable. Since it speeds things up you can take your time a bit. I won't force you to share something unless you are comfortable.”
Both ladies nod as everyone continues eating their meals.
“So… Hunter. What realm is next on your agenda?”
“Well it'll only get harder from here as we've already recruited the root worlds that are easier. Also unless you've already visited Vanaheim without me we still have one branch world.”
Hel chuckled. “Vidar and I took a visit there while re-establishing old communication lines. Once everything was explained they signed on quickly.”
“Yeah, I imagined it to go that way despite issues with the past histories.”
“Well Vanaheim may have had issues with Odin and maybe myself since Odin was a bit of a dick in forcing their hands and my forces killed a number of their people. However, they understand the mutual threat.”
Butcher nodded. “That just leaves the root worlds starting with Svartalfheim since it'll probably be easiest. I'll grab Lulu before going for extra leverage.”
Lilac crosses her arms. “I really don't like that idea.”
“It's all or nothing Lilac. We either stand united or fall alone. I get the history with the banished tribe is not something that'll be overcome overnight. I'm not asking you to forgive them for siding with Hastur last time, I'm just asking for you to keep an open mind this time.”
Lilac grumbled. “Just don't go hooking up with any more elven ladies. Competing with Lady Hel is stressful enough.”
“I'm not actively trying to build a harem you know. I don't even know how it started. Besides, the fact of my impending expiration date has been enough to dissuade most from attempting a romantic relationship with me anyway.”
Hel puts her hand on Butcher's other hand. “You should still be careful, and not just about that. You're effectively going into enemy territory.”
Butcher nods. “I'll do my best. I don't plan on kicking the bucket just yet.”
The three finish their meals and head out after paying for them and Butcher stretches as the group walks back to the boat to leave the realm.
Hel pats her hand on Butcher's shoulder as they reach the boat. “So since you spent last week in Alfheim that means it's my week next right?”
“What is this, shared custody?” Butcher jokes. “But I guess it's only fair. Did you set up a room for me?”
“Nope. Looks like you'll have to share mine again~”
“You neglected to set Hunter up in his own room on purpose. Your aggressive tactics frustrate me.”
“You're just mad you haven't shared a bed with him or seen him naked yet~”
“Shut up, I've seen him naked. Not intentionally because he was getting out of the bath, but still.”
Butcher chuckled nervously. “Enough you two. I'm trying my best to treat you both equally but you're making it very difficult when you point out stuff like that when it wasn't even intentional or in a romantic slash sexual context. Though I do see how Hel might have an unfair advantage in exposure, Lilac has probably had more time with me. I'll endeavor to even it out the best I can.”
The two glare at one another and agree. Besides, now's not a good time to fight among one another. The two would have to endeavor to not have hard feelings regardless of Hunter's choice. Besides, with how long they both live relatively to humans that's more than enough to move on.
The three hop on the boat and leave, Hunter going home with Hel this time around.