Hybridization

Chapter 194 – How and Why

“I swear that daemon is going to be the death of both of us.” – Thalla Stormwatch, EVP of Order Stabilitas Operations

Kurt awoke and went through his usual process of carefully sliding out of bed. It happened to be slightly easier than normal that morning, since he was on the end and Kristi was in the middle. He managed to slip out without waking either of the girls, though they would likely be up shortly after him. Still, he quietly dressed and left the room, ready to start the day.

Padding down the hall to the kitchen, Kurt was greeted with a slightly unusual sight, someone awake before him. Sitting at the counter was his father, reading on his tablet with a coffee in front of him and the rest of the pot sitting on the burner still. The only lights that were on were the pendant lights above the counter which were also turned down on their dimmer switches.

It didn’t really surprise Kurt, since the only people who needed less sleep than a half-elf were full elves. Something that, he suspected, led to the reputation elves had for being overly amorous. When one didn’t need more than a couple hours sleep every few days, it left a lot of time for other, more pleasurable pursuits.

That odd sleeping habit also had some rather interesting impacts on civilizations which were primarily elf in their demographic. Many such cities had stores and businesses open around the clock, operating 24, or in the case of Verdant, 28 hours a day to accommodate the increased demand.

“Morning.” Voice still thick from disuse, Al greeted him. “Coffee is only half an hour old.”

“Thanks.” Kurt mumbled, not wanting to speak at a normal level and disturb the peace. Given that they both had heightened hearing, he didn’t even need to speak at his usual volume, since a whisper would suffice.

As he filled a cup with coffee, Kurt noted his dad had turned off his tablet, setting it on the counter. He didn’t say anything but that was usually a sign that he wanted to talk and was waiting. In this case, he had the good graces to wait for Kurt to be fully awake before starting with whatever it was he wanted to talk about.

Kurt took a few sips of his own coffee and putzed around getting things put away from the night before. After clearing the fully dry dishes, he got out the pans, bowls, cups and plates he would need for breakfast before turning to look at his father.

Al, seeing that Kurt had finished what he was doing, brought up what he had been waiting to talk to his son about. “How are you?”

Laughing a little, Kurt shook his head. “That’s what you’re going with? Well, I guess I am OK.”

“You know what I mean.” Al said flatly. “I want to know if my son is happy. Are you?”

Deciding to take a moment, Kurt fully considered the question. If he were being completely honest with himself, then he would say ‘mostly happy’ would be the truth.

“Yeah, mostly I would say I am.” Kurt shrugged.

Still staring, Al pressed him. “What do you mean ‘mostly’? Is that in your job, your finances? Your love life or whatever ‘god’ nonsense you have going on?”

“Ha! Yeah, it feels like nonsense a lot.” Kurt shook his head ruefully. “Should I just go down the list? Do you really care?”

“Kurt, son, you are my only child and while I helped raise you, we haven’t been around much in recent years. And I am sorry for that, really, really sorry.” Al began, looking down into his cup like he was searching for a script. “You changed a lot. After the Army.”

“Grew up, more like.” Kurt muttered.

“No.” Al shook his head. “Not like you should have. You grew, yes, but it wasn’t growth through wisdom and learning from experience. You are more cynical, more critical of things that you weren’t before. You care less about people.” He held up a hand to forestall Kurt’s rebuttal.

“I don’t mean individual people. I can see you love your wives very much. I mean people as a whole. You came back with less regard for the average person.” Al paused, heaving a sigh. “We weren’t there for you then and it only got worse after the veil.”

“Can you blame me?” Kurt asked. It wasn’t in the defensive way but an actual question. “Dad, I thought I saw the worst of what humanity had to offer on multiple occasions. I fought my way through those situations only to come out the other side missing parts of me. Missing friends and family.

“Even before that, getting bit was all the worse. When I was a kid, I might not have had much in the way of friends but at least I had a community. Para’s always seemed like a big extended family. When I became what I am, I lost that too.

“So yeah, I am bitter. I bought this land and built this house as a place to spend the rest of my years to hopefully die in peace. I didn’t want to lose myself like you always hear of wolves doing.” He hated thinking back to the days when he was at his lowest but felt like his dad needed to hear it. “Then I met Val.”

Al was still staring at him. “And? What, she made it all better?”

“She didn’t fix it. Nothing will.” Kurt admitted. “But she showed me that I don’t have to live like that. That I don’t have to be alone.”

“Does she know?” Al asked. “About everything you went through?”

Kurt shook his head. “Not all of it.”

“Why?”

“Because, dad… there are some stories that you don’t share” Kurt scrunched his face like he bit a lemon. “I took them to see Cameron. Visited his grave with Kristi and Val. Told them a little… but…”

“But?” Al asked when Kurt didn’t continue.

He shook his head. “We have seen enough of that together and will likely see more of it in the future. They don’t need my bullshit to deal with too.”

They were quiet for a little while, each of them digesting what Kurt said, until Al asked his next question. “So, three of them now. Why?”

Kurt laughed in an exhausted way. “Only two for now. Rindi might be soon though.”

“Why are you waiting then?”

“That’s her story.”

Al frowned. “I didn’t ask why she was waiting I-“

“Yeah, I have my reasons too.” Kurt cut him off. “But those are mine for now. Rindi has a history and we have already talked about it. That’s all you need to know on that matter. I’m not trying to be a dick, but that is between us.”

“Fair enough.” Al held up a hand. “But back to my original question. Are you happy? I am just worried you are being swept up in things that you shouldn’t be.”

Kurt poured another cup of coffee. “Day late and a dollar short on that one.” He put the rest of the pot in a thermos and started brewing a second one. “Yeah. Things get intense at times, but I am happy.”

In truth, Kurt didn’t really think there was anything else he would like to do. Sure, his job was sometime awful, and he could do without the politics, people, or god stuff. All that aside, he was happy with the work. It was also a job that was not only fulfilling but left him having more than enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life.

He was also more than satisfied with his relationships. He had friends that he liked to spend time with. He had a social network. He had people who cared about him and he cared about in turn. The icing on that cake was the girls.

While he never thought he would end up in the relationship he had, and soon would have, he was pleased with how things turned out. Being in a relationship with two women, not as the central focus like a harem, was something he had grown to appreciate. If, or rather when, Rindi came in, then it would be all the better. He just hoped that three women was the limit and planned to have a talk with Val about it.

Kurt looked up as he heard a door open and saw the bathroom light click on before the door shut. “Yeah, all in, I am pretty damn happy.” He clicked the coffee maker on and began pulling out cups, smiling softly to himself.

*****

“I just don’t see why you insist on doing this.” Thalla Stormwatch, the EVP of Order Operations said to Jay as they sat in a small meeting room. “What is it about this man that you can justify this sort of expenditure.”

“Two things.” Jay said, looking from Thalla to the other occupants of the room and members of this oversight approval committee. “Firstly, I am completely within budget and will not need any additional funds or resources from the Order unless there is a catastrophic event.”

As he spoke, Jays eyes flicked from Thalla to Jurmanz, a Jinn, who ran the finance division. “The revenue generation from my team is grossly exceeding our net costs even with recent expenditures.” The man had been about to speak, from what Jay surmised was his ass, but was cowed by the glare from the daemon.

“Be that as it may, how to you morally justify it?” Squeaked a gnome with rosy cheeks and jet-black hair that looked like it belonged on a poodle more than a person.

Jay turned his glare on Avin Hanie, of the Ethical Guidance Oversight Group. “I was just getting to that as my second point. You know, the one that comes after ‘firstly’.”

“Jay.” Cautioned Thalla. “Play nice.”

“Of course, Thalla. As I was saying, it is my moral obligation to-” Jay stopped at the snort from his boss, Casitor, but continued when the gargoyle didn’t say anything. “The moral obligation to ensure my agents are meeting not only Order goals but also their personal goals.”

“Going on a trip off world and running errands for you is a little outside either of those. It’s not like going to Talth to talk to some bookkeeper is the same as lowering their golf handicap or taking up painting in their free time.” Avin countered.

Turning to Thalla, Jay had to ask about their previous understanding. “How much can you guarantee confidentiality in this meeting?”

“Guarantee confidentiality?” Avin’s squeaky voice somehow got even more shrill. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Thalla’s piecing purple eyes flicked to the gnome. “It means, if you even think of talking about what you hear in this room, I will let him have his way with you.” She turned back to Jay. “Is that satisfactory?”

Looking at the now very pale gnome, Jay grinned. “Because, I have a project that I am working on. One that fits my aspect quite well. My agents are part of that plan.

“Kurt, in particular, covers multiple areas of that project. His work as an enchanter and his status as the husband of one of that hoard’s descendants only add to that.” Jay wasn’t going to give them everything but would hint at some things. “It is because of him that we confirmed the rumors about the enchanter’s guild and that we have a means of dealing with a new threat.”

While he might not leak any information, Avin was still not an ally in Jay’s plans, which he proved by continuing to argue, flipping how he viewed Kurt. “And you think letting that particular asset loose on another world where we don’t have direct oversight is a good idea? Why are we even letting him out of the Order at all is what I want to know. If this is that same one that the enchanters guild has been up in arms over, then shouldn’t we just hand him over and sue for peace?”

“We, of The Order Stabilitas, do not so easily forfeit our allegiance to our members.” Rumbled Hetramoz, the final person in the meeting. The rebuke seemed to vibrate the entire room and everything in it. “To sell one of our own in such a manner would be beyond abhorrent.”

Hetramoz was an absolutely ancient being, though he looked to be in his mid-fifties based on the human-ish avatar that was sitting in the room. It was only an avatar for several reasons but mostly because the dragon was so massive that he couldn’t fit anywhere in the Order. He also didn’t like people coming to him and interrupting his bodily rest. As it stood, he acted as the arbiter for all things that may affect the direction the Order was going.

“Y-yes, Lord Hetramoz.” Avin stammered.

The avatar, while looking mostly human save for the crown of horns growing from his golden blond hair, turned his attention back to Jay. “What value does this Kurt hold for you, daemon?” His voice was much less threatening, no longer an assault on the senses, but it still carried a certain weight, born from the eons he had been alive to amass his power.

While Jay didn’t fear much, he knew that Hetramoz would be able to snuff him out like a candle in a hurricane. “His mortal accomplishments are numerous, Lord Hetramoz.”

“Name them.” The dragon rumbled, insisting on details.

“How about I show them?” Jay offered. That got the dragon’s interest, and he gestured for Jay to continue. “Here is a sample of the work Kurt had made as an enchanter.”

Jay laid out a plethora of items on the table, getting interested looks from the gnome and dragon as he produced each item from his ring. He started small, at least in terms of magical achievement. He placed down a simple scribing tool he had borrowed from Kurt. Hetramoz picked the tool up and examined it for a moment before setting it down.

Then came one of the spare bits of tile from the bathroom remodel that Kurt had done. On the back was a line enchantment, one unlike any that Jay had seen before Kurt. As far as he knew it was unique to him, but he also knew that might not be the case. Something proven by Hetramoz a moment later.

“Someone else has figured out how to enchant without the need for a complete circuit I see.” The avatar held the tile, peering at the clean set of runes on the back. “Hmm, amusing to see these come back after so long.”

Still not saying anything, Jay produced one of the identify rings along with the bracelets that his people wore to enhance their physical abilities. Then he produced a set of the armor, a couple wands and the enchanted less lethal buttons for shotgun slugs.

Each item was examined by Hetramoz in the way someone might inspect produce at the grocery store. A close look but not a deep examination. “These are all excellent works, but I suspect it is not all?”

“Indeed not, Lord Hetramoz.” Jay said and summoned a storage ring. He handed it over to the dragon, noting the slight flash of desire in the avatar’s expression. “A storage ring. Just as I have been using to summon these items.”

“I suspected as much…” Hetramoz trailed off. He squinted at the ring, slowly turning it in his fingers. The room sat in silence as the dragon examined the item for several minutes.

Finally, he set the ring gently on the table, closer to the other objects but still within reach of his hand. “While these show a promising development, what is it that makes this… hybrid, special?”

Jay fought back his smirk as he summoned a box, turning it around so the lid would open facing the dragon. He handed it over and gestured for him to open it.

Hetramoz raised an eyebrow but did just that, opening the lid before freezing in place for a moment. “This is… unexpected.” He reached out and touched his finger to the object in the box, nostrils flaring slightly as he did.

“Lord Hetramoz?” Thalla asked after several long seconds of silence, hesitating slightly to question who was, in function, the leader of the Order.

Snapping the lid shut on the box, Hetramoz looked up to the rest of the table. “Vote. All in favor of the expedition?” He raised his hand, getting similar signals from Thalla and Casitor. “Opposed?” Avin raised his hand but Jurmanz, the Jinn from finance shook his head.

“Abstain, I am impartial as long as finance is not required.” Jurmanz answered the questioning looks and getting nods of approval from Thalla and Hetramoz.

“This meeting is concluded. The mission is approved.” Hetramoz declared. That was the cue for everyone to ‘get their shit and get out’ as Jay liked to say. “Jahamet, a moment of your time.”

Jay had expected that after having to show the last item. “Of course, Lord Hetramoz.” He stayed seated and watched as everyone left as fast as their pride would allow.

When the room had cleared out, the ancient dragon turned to Jay. “What is he?”

“He is exactly what you would expect.” Jay said. “He has begun to walk the path to divinity. Partly his own and partly reclaiming another.”

Hetramoz was silent for a moment. “Don’t think I failed to notice what he puts into his craft. The efficacy of the enchantments surpasses what it should.” He tapped the bracelet. “Those runes should not produce as potent of an enchantment as they do.

“I can see the changes in his mana over time, assuming these items represent a timeline. And this… what is it? It can’t be from the original source. That was all scoured from the realms.” his finger tapped on the small box.

“That small bit of gemstone is a mana sample from Kurt.” Jay explained. “He got them from all of us, but I asked to have one of his for ‘testing’ reasons.”

“And the results of those tests? I know of that so-called saint who walks around with him but haven’t seen much from her.”

Jay wanted to be offended but he knew that this ancient being had seen much and had likely encountered false signs before. “I can assure you, Jade is no false saint. Kurt is truly the Lupus Rex.”

“So, he returns.” Hetramoz sighed wearily. “I knew it would happen eventually. The cycle of all things being what they are and Lycaon being who he was.”

“No.” Jay contradicted, getting a surprised look from Hetramoz. “Lycaon, the man, is gone. The Avatar, Lupus Divinus Spiritus, has bestowed the mantle to Kurt.”

“And the tendency to go feral?” Hetramoz asked. “That divine backstabbing of a genetic curse?”

“Controlled.” Jay said. “I have personally witnessed him purge it from another. Where it goes or what he does with it, I don’t know. But our one-eyed associate has also taken an interest in that part of the gift.”

“Gift.” Hetramoz snorted. “Some gift. Like being given a naked blade and never being allowed to set it aside.”

“Did you know him?” Jay asked, making the dragon turn to him. “Lycaon, I mean.”

Hetramoz nodded. “I knew him and knew ‘of’ him. My agents of the time spoke into both my ears about his exploits but never of the man. They did not understand what he was doing, none of us did, really. And it was only after he was censored that we realized what we lost.”

“That seems to be the way of it.” Jay agreed. “Every record I have from that time says much the same.”

They sat silently for a few moments, Hetramoz looking like he wanted to say something but held back. Then Jay pointed to the ring on the table. “That storage ring is yours if you want it.”

“It is not yours to give.” Hetramoz glared at him. The dragon clearly wanted the ring, despite the rebuke in his tone. He was a being of rules and held to a strict personal code of ethics.

“Oh, but it is.” Jay insisted. “While you may not know him, Kurt prefers to trade and make friends rather than do cash business. He has no need for more material wealth and has given me some things to help make connections on his behalf.”

“Trade you say?” Hetramoz’s eyebrows scrunched together. “A trade amongst… friends? How… novel. That I can do.”

The dragon snatched the ring, sliding it on his finger. “This, Kurt, of yours. He is a Hybrid, yes? And his mates?”

“The King of Wolves, Half elf and half human.” Jay confirmed. “He is mated to a dragon and angel mix; a dark-elf and kitsune and soon a new species based on Valkyrie and felitaur.”

Hetramoz nodded. “And he has taken in many werewolves under his protection?”

Considering what the dragon was asking, Jay hesitated for only a moment. “In a way. They seem to flock to him, and he has yet to turn one away who wanted to be near him.” He paused then shrugged. “That makes sense knowing what he is. I may have also helped with some of them finding their way to him.”

“Then I think I can help him.” Hetramoz stood. He ripped open a portal and stuck his hand through, withdrawing it and a sealed envelope before closing the portal. “Have him bear this to Libertzal. I will make arrangements for him and this nation of his very soon.”

Jay took the letter, skipping past what the dragon would consider to be ‘soon’ as he stored it away. “Very well. anything else before I see to it?”

“Yes. When they return, I would meet with them… in the flesh.”

Managing to keep the surprise off his face, Jay nodded. “I shall make it happen, Lord Hetramoz.”