Tobi found himself in a peculiar place, unsure of what exactly was happening. His head no longer roaring and booming with that deep voice of the angry god, rather the god spoke once more, curious.
Does it not hurt? he asked, confused
It does, the hunter responded back blunt
Interesting, the god said simply
The hunter explored the roots of the tree, which lay in a vast and open, catacomb-like area, each tunnel crawling with creatures thought to be mere myths. Among them, a myriad of beasts who looked like uglier and more pitiful men would soon be reduced to ash by the wrath of just he who happened to fall. It wasn't unwelcome; maybe he could find something here.
Flames blazed, consuming everything in their path as the man hurled the severed heads of whatever beast lay down here at their fellow brethren. Behind him, piles of corpses burned, their flesh crackling in the heat. His eyes, burning coldly, his vision remained fixed ahead as he carved his way through the horde. The creatures eventually faltered, realizing the futility of their fight. Weapons clattered to the ground as surrender washed over them. But to the man, none of this mattered. He had a destination, a goal beyond any sane man's comprehension.
You call yourself the hunter, but just what are you?
The Lord of Flames asked, intrigued by the audacity of this human as they talked mentally.
Lu dy skurut mordu
The words slipped off of his tongue. Though he not know what they meant he knew the words he spoke true, and the fire god's lips curled into a wicked grin. To think he would find a human who knew his very own language. Perhaps there was merit to such madness. If he were to gamble, to place faith in this human, perhaps he would bear witness to something truly monumental.
You don't even know what you say yet you speak it with such conviction. The god laughed madly. Very well, hunter. Show me your wrath.
And with that, the hunter felt a surge of power flooding his veins. The burning sensation that had once marred his flesh was gone. He was free. His gaze lifted to the hundreds of enemies ahead of him, and he saw it: a masterpiece painted in their ashes, influenced by the god. And yet, he did not strike. He did not kill needlessly.
The fire lord scoffed at the hunter. Why don't you kill them all, hunter?
There is no merit to it; they have already given up.
A glint of apathy flashed in the hunter's eyes. He didn't do it from sympathy but something else, which seemed to hold him back from being a complete monster.
The fire lord chuckled darkly. You are something else, aren't you? At first, I thought you were like the boy, but are you even human? Tell me, hunter… what if the boy dies while you're gone?
The god probed, seeking to unearth a weakness of this enigmatic man.
This is just an errand to finish. I don't imagine it will take long.
The hunter's voice spoke calmly as the flames continued to burn around them. His hand, wreathed in fire, clenched into a fist as they strode deeper into the cave. Then, they reached what looked to be the final chamber.
Something stirred in the darkness.
It slithered, barely visible in the murky waters. The ground trembled beneath its immense weight, its emerald scales gleaming faintly. Six golden eyes blinked open, slitted pupils contracting as they fixed upon the intruders. The water rippled as the hydra moved, its many heads rising in silent menace.
The lord of flames let out a booming laugh. You, boy, are going to fight a hydra? Really?
I will kill the hydra.
The hunter replied simply. Not a shred of doubt marred his expression. The fire god could only laugh at the sheer audacity of this madman.
Everything was dark and the hunter needed to see so he let himself burn. Fire consumed him whole and it was like he were in heaven. He closed his eyes and breathed before erupting into a mad, all-consuming inferno to devastate anything in its path. The hydra shrieked as water splashed everywhere and all was visible. he now saw the hydra in full display, its dragon-like heads and those razor-sharp teeth. If it weren't for how scared it looked at the moment, it would have been a real menace, but instead it shrouded itself in the darkness, submerging the depths of the waters.
What now, hunter? the fire lord asked, amusement dripping from his tone.
The hunter answered by stepping forward and plunging straight into the water.
Fire clashed against the depths, steam rising in an instant. The water boiled violently as he sank beneath the surface. For a brief moment, all was still. Then, the cavern erupted. A vortex of bubbles spiralled upward, the water churning as if a storm raged beneath it.
Perhaps there is truth in the words you spoke before, the fire lord whispered, admiration laced in his voice.
The hunter shined brilliantly, even at his disadvantage underwater. He pushed the limits of his mind to become an all-encompassing inferno burning so intensely, evaporating the water so rapidly that it was as if he were fighting on land itself. He was a walking supernova, a mirage beneath the surface, his heat carving out a pocket of steam that expanded and collapsed with every step. Not a single drop of water touched him as the bubble of steam around him boiled violently. He was like a sun beneath the waves, glowing radiantly, beautifully. He was an existence that had no place here, yet he had defied nature itself. The Lord of Flame laughed wickedly as he watched the hunter grow so unbearably hot his form distorted into an indescribable blur until he was no longer a man but a force of nature.
And then he disappeared.
The hydra had never stood a chance.
With a single step, the hunter passed through it, and the beast was undone. It had never even existed.
The fire lord laughed, a deep, resounding boom that echoed through the chambers of Tobi's head.
I wish to defy fate and take it by the head, the hunter said, his voice cold and steady.
The god grinned knowingly. Perhaps you stand a chance, hunter, it joked.