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

“You’re alive!” I say, surprised. “But Adoel—”

“—is even more cryptic than I am,” he finishes with a grin. He turns to the gate and finding no sign of Nephil, says, “You have done well, young King. The dark lord Ophion was still connected to the warriors above when he left this world.”

“You mean—”

He nods. “His army is in ruin.” He steps toward the open gates, takes one and closes it. “But your work as King has only begun. The lesser clans are scattered, but living, as are those hiding among men. Battles await you in the future, but mankind is saved.”

He reaches for the second door and begins to close it, stepping toward the darkness. It’s now that I notice there are no other Titans present. “The other Titans?” I ask.

“Fallen,” he says. “I am the last. The keeper of Tartarus. Guardian of Ophion.”

“You will be alone,” I say.

“Adoel would say that one is never alone in paradise,” he says. “But I will have company.”

Ninnis, I think. “Before you go,” I say, reaching into a pouch attached to my belt. I pull out my very used, first edition copy of The Pilgrim’s Progress, and hand it to Cronus. “For Ninnis. It will help.”

He takes the book, offers a nod, and says, “Farewell, young King. Peace be with you.” And then he slides into the darkness of the gate and closes the giant door behind him.

Kainda, Em and Mira gather around Wright, Kat and me.

Mira gives Wright a hug and says, “Glad you’re alive, boy scout.”

“Likewise,” he says, then nods to Kainda and Em. “Thank you for taking care of my wife.” He kisses Kat’s forehead. “I’m not exactly an expert on this, but I think we should get topside before we miss the next year.”

He’s right. If we stay much longer, the day above will end before our return.

I lead them to the circle of earth upon which we descended into the depths. With everyone standing atop the stone, I look at each of them—Em, Kat and Mira, my sisters, Wright, my brother, and Kainda my wife. My family. My dear ones. I want to say something, but I’m at a loss for words.

“Just take us home, kid,” Kat says.

I laugh, turn my head to the ceiling and we rise. Through the air. Through the earth. Through Antarktos, the land that is me and is now, after thousands of years, free.





Epilogue 1



It’s been six months since the human race stood up against impossible odds and survived. In that time, the world has changed a lot. Nations are coming together to form a global alliance in which the new resources of Antarctica are shared responsibly, but also in the tracking down of any surviving Nephilim. The warriors are all but wiped out, but the other classes: gatherers, thinkers, breeders, feeders, shifters and more, are still living and active in numbers, though now in hiding. The most dangerous are the shifters, who hide in plain sight, looking like any other human being.

But we will find them all in time.

In addition to working together, world leaders have also recognized my individual claim to Antarktos. And when the hunters proclaimed me King, the outside world cheered. Videos and images of the final battle, how it was fought and won, have surfaced. I didn’t even know it was being recorded. But the whole world knows what happened and understands the sacrifices that were made. They also know what I can do, and of my connection to the land, which I suspect has a lot to do with their accepting my leadership.

After all, if someone decided to drill for oil on Antarktos without my permission, I would know just as easily as I would feel someone prick my skin with a needle. With every passing day, my connection to the continent deepens, and grows easier to control. The land is fertile. Life is plentiful. And the human population that has chosen to relocate to Antarktos, is happy.

Not that everyone wants to immigrate. Many prefer to stay where they were, comfortable in their own homes and a safe distance from Antarktos, where the supernatural world, dinosaurs and an underground labyrinth is all part of everyday life. And that’s why I’m here. In New Mexico.