The Chameleon Loop

Elizabeth Hawke brushed Ashley’s hand wide to wrap her in a tight hug, shutting her single uncovered eye as she cradled her second oldest child. They stood there for several moments, clinging to each other until the sauna began to make them stick.

“Nice to see you’re still around Liz.” Said Mary-sue, surprising Elizabeth Hawke.

Her eye snapped open, staring at Mary-sue for a single unblinking moment.

“May? I’m happy to see you, but what happened to your face?” Said Liz, breaking away from Ashley.

“Just a little cancer, no biggie.” Said Mary-sue, making a joke then realizing who she was talking to.

Her face fell slack, understanding that she just kicked her uvula. “I mean, normal cancer, not mana cancer… I’ve gotten better at preventing it, but…” Her voice trailed off, looking away from Elizabeth’s eyes.

To Nox’s shock, his mother embraced Mary-sue, planting a kiss on the good half of her forehead.

“Hush. Dear May, I’m happy that you’ll recover. -Mwah- One of us having mana cancer is already too many. You didn’t draft me, the saps did. Thank you for protecting others- oh! If you’re here, then you protected my kids! Nox and Ashley! I should be thanking you, not hearing your apology!” Said Elizabeth.

Nox felt like he was eavesdropping on a private conversation, though he wasn’t terribly surprised Mary-sue knew his mom. The hunter community was tiny and highly mobile, it wasn’t uncommon to be airlifted across the state to clear a gate. Which meant distant hunting camps often ended up raiding alongside each other. Especially considering the heavy genomic component. Most hunters activated at the same time as someone else within their immediate family, ie a sibling or a parent. But Mary-sue called his mom ‘Liz’, like they were old friends from high school or kissing cousins.

Oh no, please don’t be related to Mary-sue, that’ll make this situation ten times more awkward! Thought Nox, wrapping a towel around his face to avoid catching a glimpse of Mary-sue’s voluptuous curves.

Unfortunately it was Samson who sussed him out, wagging a finger in Nox’s direction.

“Ah, found you. Doc’s been looking all over for you, he wanted to take some blood, but seeing as how it’s your black day. There’s no reason to run those blood tests. Oh, that stuff is toxic, don’t try tasting it, and don’t let any dumb human try to eat it. You’re a blood hunter now, all the Homo Venatorus laws apply. Once you stop leaking you’ll have to register with the JAG office. Sorry kid, but you missed your shot at retirement.” Said Samson.

Retire… Yeah right, you sapiens pulled me out of high school! I can’t even get a GED, forget about a job outside of hunting. And don’t lick the fecal-sweat? WTF! Why tell me that?

“One less jab? Fine by me.” Answered Nox, trying to puzzle out who could possibly consider ingesting the pungent filth.

Elizabeth perked up at the sound of his voice, turning to see the one person left in the room. The sauna was by no means large, but the door had obscured her view. Plus she’d been distracted by seeing Ashley’s wounds and an old friend. Not to mention this sauna was supposedly ladies only. Though budget cuts resulted in their current sauna being the only one to exist at this hunting camp. A fact Ashley had conveniently forgotten when she dragged them all in there.

“Nox!” Shouted Elizabeth, rushing to his side.

She paused a second before touching him, recognizing the goo that was leaking from every orifice, snatching a fresh towel she wrapped it around his shoulders and gave him an awkward side hug.

“Hi mom. You’re looking a lot better.” Said Nox, trying not to stare at the bandage covering her left eye.

He couldn’t see the outline of a mana crystal protrusion, so the sap butchers must have removed it. And considering how large the mana crystal had been when they left, Nox doubted there was any eye remaining under the gauze bandage.

“A high level healer, an A ranker I think, accompanied you guys back here. They had to put me under, but they were able to extract all the mana crystals– uhm, they said my eye will heal, but not to uncover it for a few more days…” She paused, seeing the question in Nox’s wide eyes.

“Are you cured?” Nox gasped.

Elizabeth’s smile tugged downward, answering him before her words could. “No… I'm not cured, but they were able to heal my eye after the crystal excision. It’ll be months before more mana can crystalize.”

Nox managed an “Oh, good.” before falling silent.

So even an A ranked healer can’t cure mana cancer… I’ll have to find an S ranked healer, assuming one even exists… Ah, and if they do it’ll be like trying to find Area 54. The government will never disclose its S rankers to an E ranked nobody like me– I can’t think like that, WHEN I find an S ranked hunter, I’ll ask them to heal mom…

He knew it was pointless, if a cure to mana cancer existed, the Corps would have used it, if only to send more hunters into the dungeons. Momma Hawke saw Nox’s thoughts, reading him as only a mother could. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She said.

After she left, Ashley shot him a dirty look.

“What now?” Snapped Nox.

“Don’t remind her of the cancer you honker!” Answered Ashley.

“I’m not trying to!”

“ENOUGH!” Mary-sue shouted. “Be thankful for the time you have with her.”

Nox flushed red, wanting to strangle Mary-sue and knowing he was being a cocksucker by doing the very last thing his mother would have wished for. Anger welled within him, a byproduct of the helplessness he felt. Dying in the dungeon had been easier than this.

Why am I losing it now? Thought Nox, trying to expel his fury in a sigh, and growling instead. Ashley’s pupils widened as he growled. Nox could see the hair follicles on her arms and shoulders contract. A visionary feat that should have been impossible across the steamy sauna.

In frustration he gripped the towel he was holding. White fibers shredded in a flurry of snow as his fingers tore the towel apart. It burst in a spray of confetti, like a perforated sheet of paper.

“What -ack?” Muttered Nox, blowing away several white floofs with a ppffftt of his lips.

“Heyyy, that’s pretty good! Your hunter strength is kicking in. How does it feel Nox? Anything like the gene rush you get from therapy?” Mary-sue asked.

Nox looked from the raining towel confetti to Mary-sue and back, “This is normal? Are you crazy? I don’t feel any different at all!”

His incredulity combined with being covered in black sweat and towel fluffs made Ashley lose it, she broke down laughing, pounding her knees with both hands. Her humor brought no relief to Nox, but any further retorts were interrupted by Elizabeth returning, a frowning suit following between her and Samson. Elizabeth carried a tray with shaving cream, a couple of razors, water, and several fresh towels. Which she placed on the faux wood planks beside Nox, a pitstop before she harrumphed her way onto the bench.

“Have you no shame? First you misclassify an S gate as an E, literally the furthest possible gap! And now you won’t even let them rest in peace on their black day? You disgust me.” Snapped Elizabeth.

The frown wearing man gave her a blank look. Dark bags clouded his cheeks and his eyes were fuzzy, as if he’d gone a month without sleep.

“Technically, no gate and an S gate is a further gap…” He said, drawling an answer without contemplating the obvious reaction.

Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open, and Samson took a few quick steps to place himself between her and Mr. Frown.

“Cmon Merlin, I know you’re tired but they’re as upset about the gate as you are.” Said Samson.

Mr. Frown withdrew a hand from his suit pocket and rubbed his eyes.

“You’re right, sorry. My apologies Mrs. Hawke. This doesn’t make it right, but this miscategorization has reached the tallest desk in the country. Which is why I’ve been on non-stop flights across the pacific ocean. And why I cannot wait. Mr. Nox Hawke, my name is Alexander Jefferson and I’m the director of Homo Venatorus Evaluations, my talent allows me to visually see mana concentrations as well as detect lies or half-truths. Do you have any questions before I begin my questions?” Asked Frowny Alex.

Detect lies? Man, can you detect a certain nordic clown that’s floating around my subconscious? Thought Nox.

“That’s a mighty talent… Do I have to answer?” Said Nox, wondering if he should’ve asked for a lawyer instead. Not that any lawyer bothered to represent homo venatorus clientele.

“I cannot compel you to answer, but I would strongly encourage you to be totally honest. Normally blood samples or physical investigation can determine a hunter’s rank, yet your results keep coming up as contaminated with unthinkably high mana concentrations. Highly indicative of a dungeon borne parasite or an infiltrator. If you lie to me about your abilities the Hunter Core is inclined to place you in the S rank and impose an S ranked quota on you.” Said Director Jefferson.

An S ranked quota? Heeeeellll no! I’d never survive a constant stream of A gates. Regression or not!

“Uh director, I’m no where near S ranked–”

“Do you know your own strength?” Jefferson pointed to the ripped towel in Nox’s hands.

Shit! He’s got me there. I guess the director earned his rank. “I guess not…” Said Nox “I’ve never even heard of a black day…”

Director Jefferson let out an exasperated sigh and shut the door. He flicked the sauna’s dial to 220 degrees fahrenheit, well past a homo sapien’s limit.

“Roughly one tenth of the population has the genes required to become homo venatorus, but for ninety nine percent of that one tenth, the genes are scattered across multiple chromosomes. That’s why it’s called the Homo Venatorus gene cluster, instead of gene. Right now your body is regenerating itself, purging every cell that isn’t capable of replicating the gene cluster’s DNA. It’s also purging all the leftover proteins from your gene therapy treatment. An unpleasant but largely harmless process, just be sure to drink lots of water, and don’t be surprised at what you see in the urinal. I recommend sitting down for that experience.” Warned Jefferson, reciting his advice as if he’d rehearsed it a thousand times.

“Don’t tell me i’m going to piss black shi–” Nox asked, cutting himself off as he realized his mom was sitting next to him.

“I wouldn’t call it feces… Anatomically speaking, it’s very similar to urine, but with a thousand times the protein added. Almost as if someone mixed in protein powder with the contents of your bladder.”

“Dude, what the fuc–” began Nox, wishing he had never asked.

“Watch your language young man.” Snapped Elizabeth.

“Ahem, you’re right, that isn’t important, just be sure to have a nurse like Samson dispose of anything contaminated, that goo is extremely toxic to homo sapiens, but there is a viral trend where people appear to consume it and gain powers. Which, I can assure you, is a total fabrication.” Said Jefferson, trying to speak over five groaning people.

Everyone was appalled at the revelation, even the normally composed Samson wrinkled his nose at the mention of consuming the ichor. Ashley gagged loudly, Mary-sue groaned, and Nox nearly vomited.

“Yes yes, very stupid, and very gross, but please, I’ve seen enough of those videos to know the power of millions of idiots. Do not enable them. Now, tell me what you know about your hunter ranking. The reports say you’ve awakened some kind of foresight talent, have you seen anything unusual?” Asked Director Jefferson.

“Unusual? Ha, what’s a normal dungeon?” Began Nox, finding that no one was laughing. He swallowed, and recounted his story to Director Jefferson, excluding any mention of Loki or his deaths. When he finished the Director’s perpetual frown sank a millimeter lower.

“I see… So, were you infected by any parasites?” Asked the director, seeing right through Nox’s deceptions and pulling on his first thread.

“Uh… Parasites? No… I never saw anything enter my body or attach to me… The grass never got through my clothes. But maybe there was something on the minotaur?” Said Nox.

“A lie buried in three half-truths. So what is inside you Mr. Hawke? And do you intend to harm us?” Pressed the director.

Ashley’s brow furrowed, and Mary-sue shot Nox a severe frown. Meanwhile, Samson moved very slowly, but he was only a few feet away, too close to avoid Nox noticing his hand grasping the holstered 1911.

“Harm you? No! Not at all!” Snapped Nox, used to this treatment but feeling defensive anyways. “Look, nothing in that dungeon makes sense! I don’t really know what it was that I saw and heard in that gate… My foresight talent… Ah- uhm… it talks… I can hear a voice… A very unhelpful voice and it sorta guides the way.” Answered Nox.

Director Jefferson’s eyes narrowed. “That’s an odd truth.” He said.

An audible sigh escaped from four lips. Relieved to know that Nox wasn’t a ticking parasite bomb.

“Is that voice antagonistic to you or any other human beings?” The Director asked.

“You think a voice that talked inside your head can’t be antagonistic?” Said Nox, raising one eyebrow.

“I see your point, but answer the question or this will have to get very ugly. I’m no fan of vivisections, but they are mandated in cases of parasites.” Said Director Jefferson.

“What do you want me to say?! This asshole is chatting in my ear, always telling me to di–” Nox glanced towards Elizabeth, “Uhm, telling me to eat a dick. But then he’ll warn me of dangers and guide me to a solution.” Finished Nox.

“An odd talent, it sounds more like a guardian angel.” The director said, folding his arms and stroking his chin before continuing. “But that doesn’t begin to explain why your blood tests come back as contaminated with minotaur and doppleganger blood. The later should be impossible, since they bleed blue, an adaptation where dopplegangers use heavy metals to transport oxygen and other gases. Even for a homo venatorus, heavy metals in the bloodstream should be lethally toxic.”

“Minotaur and dopple blood? I have no idea why- or how that’s possible.” Said Nox.

“I said Doppleganger, not ‘dopple’. Don’t lie to me. What was it? I need to know.” Snapped Director Jefferson, unbuttoning his suit jacket to reveal the hilt of a blade and the grip of a 500 Smith and Wesson revolver.

“I DON’T KNOW!” Shouted Nox, truly unsure how it was possible. “Look, I… I hallucinated in the dungeon. There were a lot of things that… That can’t be real, it’s impossible–”

“Dungeons themed after our ancient myths and legends are popping up in every major city worldwide, you just killed a minotaur inside a labyrinth. Similar to the myth of Theseus from ancient Greece. Try me.” Said Director Jefferson, slowly drawing the revolver, though it remained at his side, pointed towards the floor.

“I saw, and felt like I died… Uhm… A lot. It was like a dark souls game- I mean, you have infinite lives but every enemy can and does kill you. But honestly, I have no idea about the blood tests… We, the whole team I mean, killed the minotaur. I only shot it, same with the uhm– The voice called it a feline dopple–. It looked like Jesus, except at first, I saw the thing’s eye before the others cause… Well cause once I reached the ziggurat the Labyrinth looked like daytime.” Said Nox, pausing awkwardly to try and phrase his experience in a way that sounded slightly less psychotic.

And judging by the look on Director Jefferson’s face, failed miserably. He cocked the hammer on his revolver, ensuring that the trigger would have a much lighter –and thus quicker– break.

“Do you mean us harm?” Repeated Jefferson.

“No! I would never hurt Ashley or mom.” Answered Nox. A second later he added, “Or uhm, you guys either.”

“What about the voice?” Said Jefferson.

Crap, does loki mean us harm? I don’t know what he wants at all! To be entertained? That’s not a clear answer at all!

“Uhm… I don’t–”

Jefferson’s revolver inched forward, until his elbow was bent at ninety degrees, muzzle aimed at Nox’s heart.

“I don’t know, the voice doesn’t always make sense, but I don’t believe it’s malicious, though it acts like a boss. A Dungeon boss I mean, but one that can’t be killed. But a gate opened when we killed the minotaur. So it can’t be… It’s always giving unhelpful suggestions and I don’t think it cares if humans live or die…” Said Nox, staring down the enormous revolver’s muzzle.

The barrel was wide enough for him to stick his index finger down, but he was sure the staggeringly large bullets –that were equal in weight to the projectiles in a 50 BMG– would obliterate any obstruction. Thoroughly demolishing any attempt at an Elmer-Fuddism.

Director Jefferson adjusted the pistol slightly and squeezed the trigger. His thumb rode the hammer down, allowing it to gently rest against the live round. Then he re-holstered.

“Samson, that was all true. But it’s as you thought, each answer only adds more questions–”

Music from inside his suit coat interrupted him, playing “The Imperial March” from the original Star Wars and not the seventh reboot of the same film.

“Of course the president calls me now.” Muttered Jefferson. He turned to Samson and spoke quickly, giving a rush of direct orders. “Put Nox on administrative observation, I want two unrelated hunters watching him at all times. Put him through the full battery of evaluations. Everything from VO2 max to IQ tests to the damnable Briggs-meyers, get it done, pause his quota until I get back.” He said, not waiting for a reply before answering the phone and tiredly exiting the sauna.

“Yes sir!” Answered Samson, eyes never leaving Nox’s face.

As Director Jefferson’s voice faded down the hall.

“Don’t worry, we’ll get you tested and diagnosed tomorrow. I would say don’t sweat it, but that’s exactly what you should be doing today. Get all the ick out.” Laughed Samson, dropping a pile of towels next to Nox and leaving.

He knew Samson meant well, but found his joke entirely unfunny.