Odyssey Of Survival-Chapter 136 - The King’s Demand

Nate stood among the hunters, his gaze drifting upward toward the towering structure before them—the grand palace of Kemet Ra. Its massive stone pillars stretched toward the sky, adorned with intricate carvings of past rulers, gods, and great battles. The golden sunlight reflected off its polished surfaces, casting a warm glow over the entrance, where heavily armed guards stood watch. It had been a full day since they arrived at this very spot, only to be told by a stone-faced guard that the king would summon them later. And so, they waited.

The tension in the air was subtle but present, woven into the fabric of their shared silence. Meni, ever restless, paced back and forth in short, sharp steps, his arms crossed, his fingers tapping against his elbows. His eyes, however, remained locked onto Tiaa, who stood a few feet away, occasionally flicking her gaze toward him before looking elsewhere. There was an unspoken exchange between them, something neither of them voiced but both acknowledged. And then, with a sudden sharpness that broke through the quiet, Meni spoke.

"Did you have sex?"

The words dropped like a stone into a still pond, their ripples spreading in the form of reactions. Tiaa's face immediately shifted, her expression turning unnatural, her lips pressing together as her eyes narrowed slightly, though she tried to mask her reaction with indifference. Meanwhile, Nate, though outwardly composed, felt a jolt of pure shock course through him. His thoughts raced as he turned to Meni, his mind grasping at the absurdity of the situation. How the hell did he know? What kind of person could just look at someone and make such a bold assumption?

But then, as if answering the very question in Nate's mind, it hit him—Meni was the self-proclaimed master of sex, and if there was anyone who could pick up on subtle cues, it was him. The minute changes in Tiaa's demeanor, the way she carried herself, the faint but discernible shift in her aura—it was all there, and Meni had caught it instantly.

Tiaa, rolling her eyes, exhaled through her nose. "None of your concern."

Meni merely smirked, his eyes still fixed on her, though he didn't push the topic further. He had already drawn his own conclusions. Before anything else could be said, Nefer cleared his throat, stepping slightly forward as he cast a warning glance at both Meni and Tiaa.

"Focus. The king is here."

Immediately, all heads turned, and sure enough, emerging from the palace entrance was the king himself, surrounded by an entourage of servants and royal guards. He was a striking figure, his presence commanding without the need for words. His robe, woven from the finest linen and dyed a deep shade of blue, was embroidered with golden patterns depicting scenes of conquest and divine blessings. A broad, ornate collar rested over his shoulders, encrusted with shimmering gemstones—lapis lazuli, carnelian, and turquoise—each glinting under the afternoon sun. His wrists were adorned with thick golden cuffs, and atop his head sat the unmistakable crown of Kemet Ra, a regal piece that gleamed with authority. His stride was slow but purposeful, exuding a confidence befitting a ruler.

As he approached, his expression softened, his lips curling into a smile—not one of warmth, but of acknowledgment. When he reached the group, he stopped, his piercing gaze sweeping over them before he spoke.

"You have done well," the king said, his voice deep and smooth, carrying the weight of someone accustomed to command. "The beast you brought alive is of great value to me, and the beast crystals you have delivered will serve their purpose well. You have earned my favor."

At his signal, one of the servants stepped forward, carrying a large, ornate tray. Resting upon it was something that immediately caught the hunters' attention—a collection of polished stones that shimmered like captured starlight. These were pieces of electrum, a rare and highly valuable natural alloy of gold and silver, sought after for its brilliance and significance in royal craftsmanship.

The hunters' eyes widened in amazement, the sight of such wealth causing their faces to light up. Even Tiaa, usually reserved, showed a flicker of excitement in her gaze. But amid their awe, Nate remained unmoved. He alone saw the exchange for what it truly was—scraps compared to the immense value of what they had handed over to the king. The beast crystals alone could tip the balance of power, and the living beast itself worth alot. Yet here they were, being rewarded with polished metal while the king reaped the true benefits of their work.

Nate shook his head slightly, though he did so in such a subtle way that only the most observant would notice. But one person did notice.

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The king.

Their eyes met for a brief moment, and in that silence, Nate knew that the ruler of Kemet Ra had taken note of his lack of enthusiasm. There was no direct confrontation, no words exchanged, but an understanding passed between them—an awareness that Nate saw through the illusion of generosity. But Nate didn't care. He wasn't here for gold, for silver, or for favor. His goal was far greater, and no amount of treasure could change that.

He needed to know about the ritual. About the portal. About the Koryathans.

He had already seen it in the vision—the ancient tablet, the ceremonial preparations, the hidden cave. It was all falling into place, and he had no intention of stopping it. In fact, he would let the ritual proceed exactly as planned. His goal wasn't to interfere but to observe, to witness what lay beyond the veil of time and fate. His only purpose now was to meet one of them.

A Koryathan.

The king's gaze swept across the hunters standing before him, his expression calm yet unreadable, as though he was weighing something far beyond their understanding. His piercing eyes lingered for a moment on each of them before he finally spoke, his deep voice carrying across the hall with an air of finality.

"However, there is something else I require of you," he said, his tone measured, yet there was a certain weight behind his words that made the atmosphere tense.

The hunters remained silent, their focus now fully on him, waiting to hear what else he had to say. They had already completed the difficult task of subduing the beasts, yet it seemed their duty was far from over.

The king leaned forward slightly, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his throne.

"In three days, I will be traveling beyond Kemet Ra to meet with the other kings," he continued, his gaze unwavering as he studied their reactions. "And during this journey, we will be carrying the captured beasts along with us."

A ripple of unease passed through the hunters, though none of them dared to speak out of turn. They had risked their lives to capture the creatures, yet now they were being told that these very beasts would accompany them on a journey beyond the city's borders. There was an unspoken question lingering in the air—why?

The king's expression did not change as he gave them a moment to process the information before delivering the final piece of his command.

"I want you hunters to follow me on this journey," he declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.

A heavy silence settled over the hall.

Tiaa furrowed her brows as her fingers instinctively tightened around the leather strap of her quiver. The meeting of kings.

She had heard whispers before—faint rumors carried by the wind, passed between merchants, travelers, and the more observant residents of Kemet Ra. She thought back to those hushed conversations, the cryptic warnings about a dimensional portal being opened, the speculation about what could be stirring beneath the surface of this so-called gathering.

Something was off.

Her mind raced as she tried to piece together what little she had heard, yet the more she thought about it, the more unsettling it became.

It couldn't be true, could it?

She shook her head slightly, forcing the thought away.

Now wasn't the time to get lost in rumors.

Whatever this meeting was, whatever the true reason behind the king's request—they would find out soon enough.

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