The python moved.

It slithered forward. Slow and deliberate. Its body rippling with muscle as it closed the distance between itself and Jake.

Two meters.

One meter.

Jake’s hand went to where his sword should have been. His sword wasn’t there. He’d left it somewhere. He couldn’t remember where. His mind was completely focused on the snake.

The python stopped directly in front of him.

Its head was at Jake’s chest level. It could strike his throat in less than a second. Could wrap around him and crush every bone in his body before anyone could reach them. Could do a dozen different things that would result in Jake dying very quickly and very unpleasantly.

It didn’t do any of those things.

Instead, it did something that made every person watching stop shouting and stare.

The snake moved towards Jake quickly and coiled.

The massive body wrapped around Jake in a perfect circle. There was enough space for Jake to move inside the wrapped portion.

Maybe two meters between its scaled body and where Jake stood. But completely encircling him. Creating a living wall of snake between Jake and everyone else in the camp.

The python’s head rose up.

It lifted three meters into the air directly above Jake. Its body tensed. Its eyes fixed on the Dragon Maidens who had weapons drawn. On the soldiers who were reaching for their own blades. On every person in the camp who was moving toward them.

And it glared.

The glare was unmistakable. Protective and threatening.

The message was crystal clear even without words.

Stay back. Don’t come any closer.

The snake thought those people were trying to harm Jake but didn’t think that they were showing killing intent towards the snake and came there to kill it.

A voice appeared in Jake’s mind. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

It wasn’t the system. It was different, older. Like something speaking directly into his thoughts without using sound.

(My lord, I will protect you!)

Jake’s eyes widened.

He looked up at the python’s head hovering above him. The snake was still glaring at the people outside its protective circle. Its body was coiled tight and ready. Prepared to strike anyone who came too close.

"Wait," Jake said out loud, raising his hand towards the maidens and others.

The python’s head tilted down slightly. Looking at him now instead of the others.

Its golden eyes blinked once.

(My lord?)

"They’re not going to hurt me," Jake said quickly.

"They’re my people. They’re protecting me too."

The python’s eyes moved from Jake to the Dragon Maidens and back again. It seemed to be processing this information. Evaluating it.

(They drew weapons) the python said in his mind.

(They ran toward you with blades. I thought they meant harm.)

"They thought you meant harm," Jake said calmly, trying to reassure the python.

"That’s why they drew weapons. But we’re all on the same side here."

The python was silent for a moment. Its head swayed slightly above Jake, considering.

Then slowly, very slowly, its body began to uncoil.

The protective circle opened. The python’s massive form slithered backward, giving space, moving away from Jake but keeping its eyes on him the entire time. It settled a few meters away in a loose coil with its head at ground level.

(Forgive me, my lord) the python said.

(I misunderstood the situation)

Jake took a breath. His heart was pounding. He looked at the snake; its golden eyes were watching him with that strange intelligence.

"Why are you calling me lord?" he asked quietly.

The python’s head dipped slightly.

A gesture that might have been a bow.

(Of course, you are our lord.)

(I recognized the bloodline - the monarch’s blood. It calls to those of us who can sense it. I came to greet you and offer my service.)

"Monarch’s blood?"

(Raikarndel)

The bloodline of the Serpent Lords. Only beasts of a high level can recognize it. I am old enough and strong enough to feel what you are.

Jake stared at the creature.

While everyone was watching with confusion and bewilderment. They could see Jake was talking to the snake, but they couldn’t hear the snake’s words.

The system had gone quiet during all of this. But now a screen appeared at the edge of his vision.

[ TITLE ACQUIRED: SERPENT KING ]

[ RECOGNIZED BY THE LORD OF SNAKES]

Jake looked at the screen.

Then at Python.

Then back at the screen.

Everything was starting to make a very strange kind of sense.

He looked at the python one more time.

"Thank you for coming to greet me," he said carefully.

"But I don’t need protection right now. These people are here to help me get home. You can go back to the forest."

The python’s eyes blinked slowly.

(As my lord commands)

(If you have need of me in the future, call me, my lord. I will come.)

"How do I call you?"

(Think of my name. I will hear.)

"What’s your name?"

The python’s head tilted.

(I have had many names. You may call me what you wish.)

Jake thought about this for a second.

"Vareth," he said.

The name just appeared in his mind and it felt right.

The python’s eyes brightened slightly.

(Vareth, it repeated. I am honored, my lord.)

The snake lord turned then. Its massive body moved through the camp with surprising grace. People scattered out of its way. It slithered back into the forest and disappeared into the undergrowth without a sound.

The campsite was completely silent.

Jake stood where he’d been standing, under the tree. With every single person in the camp staring at him.

Then the Dragon Maidens moved.

All six of them dropped to their knees at once.

Raani was first. The others followed immediately. They put their hands together in that formal gesture. The one they’d done in the hotel room. The one that meant reverence.

"True born of the Raikarndel Clan," Raani said. Her voice carried across the camp.

"Recognized by the ancient beasts. Bearer of the monarch’s blood."