The Last Hunter: Collected Edition (Antarktos Saga #1-5)

The first hunters and Nephilim to regain their sight see me as I approach the flames. A murmur rises up. They no doubt expected me to arrive on their side of the fire wall and avoid Behemoth altogether. I can’t hear what’s being said, but they’re probably wondering if I’ve gone mad.

So I prepare to continue the show. But before I use my ability to split the wall of fire in two and walk through, I have a revelation. Not only can I not feel cold, but it has no effect on my body. I don’t get frostbite or hypothermia. No matter how cold things get, or how strong the wind blows, I am immune to the cold. And I think the same holds true for heat. So instead of parting the fire before me, I step right in.

A grin spreads onto my face as the orange flames lick painlessly around me. But I notice my clothing and belongings catch fire and I quickly create a protective vortex of wind around my body. Ull might not mind stepping out of the fire buck naked, but I don’t think I could hide my embarrassment.

Once free of the flames, I realize I’m still grinning. But Ull would do the same, so I keep the smile and meet the eyes of every hunter and Nephilim waiting for me. I see many I recognize from experience and by their garb and headdresses. Thor, son of Odin, Norse god of thunder and Kainda’s master, wielding his hammer and wearing a great horned helmet. The Egyptian Horus, god of vengeance, wearing a helmet shaped like a falcon and carrying a two pronged spear. Next comes Hades, brother of Zeus, whom I identify by the pet he holds by a chain: Cerberus, a three headed creature with the body of a giant red-furred wolf, its three heads resembling feeders—black orb eyes and triangle teeth. It’s a horrid thing and I fight not to show my revulsion.

When the first Nephilim drops to one knee and bows, this becomes easier, in part because they can’t see me, but also because my show has worked and it’s quite possible that they fear me. They weren’t entirely sure what would happen when I bonded with the body of Nephil, and they most likely assume I’ve taken on some supernatural abilities.

The sea of Nephilim and hunters separates, offering me a path that stretches like a freeway through their ranks for four hundred feet. I see more familiar Nephilim including the obese Gaia, whose beaked face and rolls of feather covered fat make my stomach twist with disgust, not only from her grotesque appearance, but also at the knowledge that the feeders I ate in the pit emerged from her girth. As did the duplicate of my mother.

It occurs to me that Gaia knows the truth about me. That I needed to be broken once again. How many others know? Kainda for sure. Ninnis trusted her with the knowledge, which means there is a bond of father and daughter between them that neither would ever admit. I look at Gaia and see a glimmer of fear in her eyes. But she’s not afraid of Ull, I realize. She’s afraid of the truth being revealed. Of me not pulling off this monumental bluff. If I’m not Ull, it means not only Ninnis failed, but so did Gaia, as the breeder overseeing my rebreaking. The punishment for failure would no doubt be severe. The punishment for this deception? Well, that might very well mean a trip through the giant gates I now see before me.

The gates stand fifty feet tall and half as wide. They’re black, and metal, I think. I expected ornate decorations, perhaps an inscription or some kind of gilding, but the two doors are simply as black as night. In fact, the bright firelight doesn’t show on the doors. It’s like they’re actually absorbing the light.

But the strange doors don’t hold my attention for long. Enki stands before me, dressed in his black leathers. And Ninnis stands by his side, though his near six foot height takes him only up to a level slightly below the giant’s knee. He stares at me with an intensity that matches the wall of fire, probably wondering if I will play his game.

When I see Luca off to the side, and Kainda next to him, there is no doubt that I will play my part to the very end. Behind them stands a pair of young hunters, one male, one female, who I assume are Preeg and Pyke. I glance around them, finding no sign of Doug.

As I approach, Enki drops to one knee and bows. Ninnis, Kainda and the others follow suit. When their eyes are downcast, I turn my eyes to Luca. He looks frightened, but manages to show a slight grin when I wink at him. The wink tells him that not only am I here, but I’m also me. Not Ull. But if he’s seen any of my recent experiences, he might already know that.

The sound of standing bodies brings my eyes forward again, and then up. Enki looks down at me with a toothy grin that looks more savage than happy.

“I was not sure you would come after so long,” the giant says, his voice like the roar of an eighteen wheeler.

“The effect of bonding with the body of Nephil was…profound,” I say, fighting the quiver in my voice. “It took some time to adjust.”