The transition to the real world to the domain of the Archivist was just as seamless as the last time. One moment, Hunter was absorbing the sights and sounds of spring, and in the next he was in the twilight realm of the Heavenly Host.

Hunter reflected on the changes that he had undergone in the time between meetings. He had fought, he had almost died many times, and he had seen what both sides had to offer. He was both the same person, and someone different. Even his body had been changed beyond all recognition from his time in the Rift.

His eyes wouldn’t look out of place on a demon. His body had been moulded and shaped by forces beyond his understanding. He was faster, stronger, and smarter than the average human. He had a mask permanently welded to his face and armaments that would look at home in a high fantasy movie.

Beyond the physical, there had been a mental and physical shift that had taken place. Hunter wielded powers that no mortal should have the capability to harness. He had black wind that stole the very souls of his enemies. It penetrated him until it was melded into his very blood. He had used those powers to defend and to kill creatures that had no business existing in the world prior to the first Revelation.

When Hunter opened his eyes to take in the mystical scenery of Heaven, it was without awe. He saw the beautiful and esoteric decoration with a measure of tiredness. His escape from the Rift was and ending of sorts but he knew his journey was just beginning. The weight of his future pressed down on him more than any concern of high school graduation or college admission. There was a permanence to his fate that felt inescapable.

“Welcome back, Hunter Gold.”

Hunter turned and faced the Archivist once more. The creatures blank features were inscrutable. The swirling cosmo in its face brightened playfully. Every color of the universe was present in the Archivist’s appearance. It’s silver robes and aged leather tome a stark contrast to its body.

“I would say that it’s good to be back, but we both know that isn’t true.”

The creature nodded. “Alas, I had hoped for a more pleasant reunion. When I sent you to the Rift, I had thought you would return as my ally.”

Hunter crossed his arms and glared at the heavenly creature.

“You didn’t give me that impression when I left. In fact, you lied. There was no way I was as unique as you painted it out to be. You needed a convenient tool.”

The Archivist spread his arms. “I don’t lie, mortal. I simply didn’t reveal everything I knew. In some ways, you were unique. You didn’t have enough Faith to outright join the Host, but you weren’t so lost to the Horde that you would’ve been on their side either. You were truly a neutral party. It was that neutrality that allowed me to risk sending you to the Rift.”

The Archivist cocked it’s head, but Hunter had no inclination to interrupt the creature. He wanted to hear an explanation that made sense. He wanted some confirmation that what he had been through was worth it.

“Regardless, the Host thanks you for your contribution to the war. Without the unpredictability that you brought to the situation, a Lord of Hell would’ve been released in your plane far too early. Your world would have swiftly fallen to the Horde and I would’ve been powerless to stop it. With your help, they broke the rules and I was able to break them in turn.”

“What rules?” Hunter sneered.

“That’s a fair question. I can’t answer everything, but I can give you a hint. There are seventy-two planes that the Host and the Horde are fighting for. Whichever side can control them all will have domain over the entire universe. Your world is the thirty-third plane to be joined in the Eternal War. In the beginning, there’s an armistice of sorts that allows the native population to come to grips with the conflict. This initial period of adjustment is the First Revelation. There are seven of such phases of conflict. I can’t go into any more detail than that. It would violate the rules.”

Hunter considered the new information. The battle between ‘good’ and ‘evil’ was far larger than he had imagined. If this was just the first phase of the war, then how much worse would it get for him and his people. He was more determined than ever to return to his family and protect them the best that he could. Who knew what threats lay on the horizon. Still, Hunter had questions.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“So, why am I here? Surely, not just to say thank you.”

The Archivist nodded sagely.

“Of course. The Celestial Archives should’ve sent you a notification. You’re no longer the human that you used to be. You’ve become an aberration to both the Horde and the Host. I’m offering you a chance to rectify that mistake. Join the Host in truth, and I’ll change you back to your unaltered state. I’ll unlock your Class and transport you closer to your family.”

Hunter frowned. The Archivist was offering him everything he wanted. He merely had to place his Faith in the Host and he would be rewarded beyond his wildest dreams. Hunter wouldn’t have to think about how to get from Colorado to Arizona on foot. He could simply give up his new status as a Nephalem and become human once more.

Still, Hunter narrowed his eyes at the Archivist. The creature in front of him was a chess player that used lives like they were pawns. Hunter was in this situation because of the Host. Not only that, but in his opinion, the Heavenly faction wasn’t that different from the Horde. When it came to killing his grandparents, they had been united in what Hunter’s actions should be. They wanted the same things, they just went about them by different means.

“No,” Hunter said quietly. “I don’t know what my new race means, but the very fact that you want to take it away probably means I should keep it.”

The galaxy whirling in the Archivist face dimmed like there were a million black holes that sprang into existence at once.

“If you choose to go down this path, I cannot help you Hunter. Nephalem are hunted by both sides. They live a tortured, pained existence and cannot find succor with either faction. This is not the way to help your remaining family.”

Hunter wanted to reconsider. The Host’s offer was generous and yet, Aquila had said something that the teenager focused on. With his new powers, he could hunt forces from both factions. He would never have to worry about his will being warped by one side or the other. In the beginning it would be difficult, but that was the price of freedom. Maybe it was the immature side of him, but he didn’t mind spitting in the face of both the demons and the angels. He wanted to deliver a big ‘fuck you’ to all of them. They were the ones that brought this war to his world. He wouldn’t be a tool for them to prop up their forever war.

“I want to be free.”

“You are free, Hunter. I promised you in the beginning that the Architect granted Free Will to all of his subjects.”

“That’s not true. Every power the Archives gave me was designed to bind me to your side. It was just as insidious as the power of Greed. Sure, it was delivered in a better package but it was a pair of golden handcuffs that I don’t care to wear. I want to make my own decisions. I want to choose whether I help the Host or not. My transformation to a Nephalem seems to strike fear in both causes. Otherwise, they wouldn’t go to such lengths to destroy them and you wouldn’t be trying to hard to convince me to give up the power.”

The Archivist sighed. “You’re wrong, of course. You just don’t realize how wrong you are. Fine, it seems I can’t convince you to do the right thing. I will not force you. That’s not the way of the Host.”

Hunter snorted, but the Archivist continued.

“If this is truly the path you want to take, then I’ll give you one last gift.”

The Archivist opened his leather-bound tome and flipped through the pages. He slid a dainty finger down the length of the page before stopping three-quarters of the way down.

Hunter heard chanting that was at an octave so low that he couldn’t make out the individual words. Silver glyphs appeared above the tome before coalescing into an orb of white energy. Hunter recognized the soul energy being weaved into a ball so tight that he couldn’t discern the individual strands.

When the chanting stopped, the orb flew from it’s position and sank into his chest. Hunter felt his muscles easing like he had a full night of rest.

“There, I’ve cleared the quest conditions. You’ll be able to find a class without having to come to me again. I won’t reward you with a Class, but I’ll at least give you the means to find your own way in this world.”

The Archivist snapped the book closed and raised its head to peer directly into Hunter’s eyes.

“Additionally, I will order my kind to treat you as a neutral party unless you do something to break our truce. In time, I hope you realize that joining us is the best decision for you and your family.”

Hunter felt strange gratitude toward the Archivist. It’s actions weren’t the vindictive kind that he expected.

“Can you transport me back to my family in Arizona?”

He hoped that the heavenly creature was in a charitable mood, but his hopes were quickly dashed.

“No, you will need to experience hardship to make an educated decision. Right now, you’re angry and suspicious of my gifts. I hope in time that you’ll see that I only want the best for you.”

Hunter sighed. “Sure. Whatever.”

“To come back, all you need to do is pray to me. I will hear your prayers and save you from whatever troubles you. My offer remains the same. All you have to do is accept it.”

The Archivist pressed one hand against the cover of his book.

“Goodbye, Hunter.”

There was another flash of light, and Hunter was standing in his previous position.

Manling, are you okay?

Hunter looked up into his companion’s face.

Yeah, buddy I’m fine. Did I go somewhere?

You were still physically here, but it was as if your soul was far in the distance. You were in a place I couldn’t follow. It….scared me.

Hunter knew how much it took for the bird to admit something like that. He was touched by the eagle’s concern.

Well, I’m back and we have a long journey ahead of us.

Where are we going?

Arizona, Hunter replied.

END VOLUME I