A Zoologist’s Guide to Surviving Magical Creatures

Chapter 210: ʕ•̫•ʔ---Hierarchy Exists

The core's rhythm had stabilized—for now—but my chest still carried the remnant of its pulse, a subtle vibration that made every nerve ending tingle.

Vorta waved his hand, precise and deliberate, and the air in front of us parted in that familiar, impossible way. A portal shimmered into existence, vertical and quivering with subtle energy currents.

"Let's go back," Vorta said, voice calm as if asking me to fetch a cup of tea rather than navigate cosmic architecture. "It is… prudent."

I glanced at Nico, who gave me a sharp nod.

"Don't overthink it. Just follow."

I exhaled and stepped forward.

"Wait, Vorta. Before we go… can we regroup with the others? Agnos, Jiuge, Heim—they came with me earlier."

Vorta froze. A flicker of surprise passed across his otherwise unreadable face. Silver hair shifted over one eye as he regarded me like I'd just suggested juggling exploding suns for fun.

"They… came along?" His voice held disbelief, faint amusement brushing the edges.

"Yes. They were here at the Eternal Prison at Pazuzu's. Why?" I asked, frowning.

Vorta blinked, then a slow, calculating smile spread across his face.

"That is… unexpected." His tone was sharp, tinged with amusement, like a predator who had just realized all the mice had walked into the same trap.

"More than unexpected—remarkable. Especially the combination of Jiuge and Heim traveling together. And for Agnos… to tolerate it?" He shook his head, the corners of his lips twitching. "That alone warrants… recollection. A reunion, of sorts. I do hope they remember their manners."

I raised a brow.

"Uh… recollection?"

He hummed, like a cat savoring a particularly juicy mouse.

"Let us say… I am intrigued to reminisce."

Mischief clung to his words, almost tangible. My chest tightened instinctively. Vorta's amusement had a way of foretelling trouble. But I feigned ignorance.

"Sure… sounds fun."

Vorta's hand flicked once, precise as a surgeon's incision, and the portal expanded, radiating an inviting, silvery light.

"Lead the way," he said, motioning through the portal.

I stepped in, sensation rippling across every nerve ending as the portal reassembled space around me. The world compressed, stretched, and then—release.

I landed softly on stone. Familiar stone.

The nest of Pazuzu.

The first thing I noticed was the Emperor War Beast himself, lying curled in his resting place. His massive, serpentine body shimmered faintly in the soft glow of the chamber, scales glinting like molten copper and emerald. He twitched lazily at first, then his ears—ridiculous feathered things—perked sharply.

Recognition hit him instantly. His head whipped around, eyes wide with joy, tail lashing the floor, sending small tremors through the stone. Then he lunged.

"Pazuzu—wait—" My words dissolved as his massive tongue smacked my face with gleeful abandon.

Gross. Wet. Slightly horrifying.

And somehow perfect.

I staggered back, hands rubbing at my dripping cheeks, laughing through the chaos.

"Okay! Okay! Yes! It's me!"

He whined happily and nudged my chest, tail swishing with reckless excitement.

And then I saw them.

Agnos, Jiuge, and Heim. Flat. Face-down. Completely immobile.

Nico. Of course. Nico had forgotten to release the pressure from the earlier encounter.

"Uh… Nico?" I asked, waving. "Slight oversight?"

A sheepish smile.

"Apologies, Owner. Minor miscalculation."

"Minor? They're literally glued to the floor!" I gestured helplessly.

"Understood. Releasing now," Nico said with an apologetic shrug.

A few gestures later, the pressure dissolved. The three Unknown Gods flopped backward, gasping and scrambling to their feet, hands, tails—weapons—fluttering frantically.

And then, as if on cue, they lunged.

Frenzied. Predatory. Every muscle coiled for violence.

"Wait! Stop!" I shouted, thrusting hands forward. "It's me! It's Carl!"

Pazuzu growled, deep and low, rumbling through the chamber. The sound vibrated against the stone like distant thunder. But as soon as he realized it was my friends—and more importantly, that I was unharmed—his growl subsided, shifting into a protective purr.

The three paused, recognizing my presence. Agnos exhaled sharply, cat ears drooping in relief. Jiuge and Heim relaxed, though tension lingered in their stances like a storm cloud waiting for wind.

Their eyes—sharp, measuring, just a little too aware of everything I did—were fixed on me.

Agnos was the first to break the silence.

"Carl… are you… alright?" His voice was deep, calm, and almost fraternal in its concern, though he masked it under a veneer of authority.

"Yes," I said quickly, holding up my hands as if that would convince them.

Jiuge's eyes immediately narrowed, sharp and fiery.

"Mostly? Mostly fine?" She leaned forward, fists tight at her sides. "Do you realize how reckless that was? Do you have any idea what could have happened?!"

Heim waved her off with a casual grin.

"Relax, firecracker. Carl's fine. That's what matters. Right, Carl?"

I exhaled.

"Right. Mostly fine."

Agnos shifted slightly, ears twitching, tone still indifferent.

"Explain. You were… where, and with whom? What did happen?"

"Okay, deep breaths," I said. "The Time-Space Leyline Core was under extreme strain. The Fragment Realm—Stragglers—were pressing against it, trying to break in. I worked with Nico and Vorta to reinforce the core's rhythm. Basically, we stopped it from draining completely."

Agnos blinked once.

"And the Stragglers?"

"They probably won't be able to invade our realm for the time being," I said. "Core's stable, pressure's relieved, borders holding. For now."

Jiuge's arms crossed, stance fierce as ever.

"Hmph. Well… at least you didn't completely ruin it. Mortals rarely survive situations like that."

"Hey!" I said, mock-offended. "I like to think I'm more than just a walking disaster zone."

Heim grinned, slapping a hand to his chest like a linebacker.

"Yeah, you did good, Carl. Didn't die, didn't explode—total win in my book. I'd throw a party if we had time."

Jiuge groaned.

"You're ridiculous, Heim. Parties are not the point."

Heim grinned, arms folded over his chest, wolfish grin on full display.

"Maybe not, but celebrating survival is always the point."

Jiuge whirled on him.

"You're impossible!"

"I'm loyal," Heim shot back easily. "And Carl did good. I approve."

I laughed.

"Thanks, Heim. I think I needed a cheerleader more than anything."

I rubbed the back of my neck, half-relieved, half-amused.

"Okay… most importantly, everyone survived."

I let out a long breath.

"Alright, team. Let's head over to Vorta's."

"Good," Agnos said. "Lead the way. I need some tea time."

I pointed to the still-shimmering portal.

"This way."

Pazuzu whined, stepping forward, tail curling anxiously.

"Emperor War Beasts are restricted to their dwellings," Nico interrupted smoothly. "Leaving will trigger alarms. Imbalances. You will not leave this designated sector, and the Leylines will enforce it. He will remain here."

"Even if he wants to come?" I asked, frowning.

Nico's expression was neutral.

"Even if he wants to come."

Pazuzu whined again, ear feathers drooping. My chest tightened.

"Okay, okay… be patient. I'll leave you some beef jerky and snacks." I tossed a few chunks toward him. He sniffed, accepted them with careful dignity, and finally settled back, tail curling protectively.

I turned back to the portal.

"Let's go."

The sensation of transition was smoother this time, less chaotic than the core stabilization. I landed in Vorta's chamber with the three Unknown Gods immediately dropping into a synchronized bow, heads low, eyes on the floor.

"Lord Vorta," they intoned in perfect unison.

My jaw practically hit the floor. I've never seen Agnos like this—usually he's smug, indifferent, and draped in that unshakable air of regality. But today… today he seemed different. Polite, almost considerate. It was disarming, even refreshing, like glimpsing a side of him he normally hid behind those lazy, purple cat ears.

Vorta's silver hair shifted with his motion, eyes calm and precise.

"Seniority," he said crisply. "Hierarchy exists, even among Unknown Gods. Politeness, respect, chain of command. This is expected behavior."

I blinked.

"I… did not know any of that."

"Most do not," Vorta replied. A faint amusement crept into his voice. "It is… charming to watch your comprehension unfold."

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Charming… yeah, sure."

Agnos straightened from the bow. Jiuge and Heim mirrored him. Their eyes flicked between Vorta and me, measuring, calculating, cautious but attentive.

Vorta stepped forward, hands behind his back.

"Now that all parties are present, Carl, I trust you have briefed them?"

"Yes," I said. "I kind of gave them a summarized version of what happened so far."

Vorta's lips twitched with a dangerous sort of amusement.