In the short months that Hunter has known Willow, so much of his perspective changed. He started questioning his Uncle's actions a lot more, going against the Emperor's will, and experimenting with his own freedom. Hunter was careful, of course. The last he needed was Belos to start noticing Hunter's change in attitude, sending someone, probably Kikimora, to investigate, and find out he has been sneaking out to meet up with an extremely powerful plant witch. He knew that despite her age, they would more than likely force her into a coven to tame her power.

And, if it was months ago, he would have helped. Hunter felt revolted with himself knowing that once upon a time he would have forced Willow to join a coven, whether it was the Plant Coven or, since she was as skilled as she was, The Emperor's Coven. Probably the former, however, he knew his feelings for her now are just play on his desire to have her in the same coven as him. But, even as such, a Coven should be her choice and...he'd hate to admit it, even joining a coven in the first place should be something she decided on. But that was a luxury she wouldn't be able to afford. The Day of Unity was coming, and Belos was cracking down harder and harder on the coven-less.

That's why Hunter was feeling so nauseous lately. Willow, along with the rest of her friends, would be forced to join coven's soon. Why was he worrying so much in the first place? It didn't seem like he had to worry she wouldn't join one, though they never talked about it. Maybe he should talk to her? Is it really any of his business? So many questions flew in and out of his brain. He couldn't just let her be a free witch because of his role as The Golden Guard. But, this is Willow he is talking about. Maybe he could make an exception? But then what if other ranking officials go after her?

On days like this Hunter really wished he was not The Golden Guard. He fought for this rank tooth and nail, but all that hard work he put forth was starting to seem more and more not worth it. Knowing Willow made that mask seem more like a prison than an honor. Was that a good or bad thing, though?

He was so lost in his thoughts he almost ran into a pillar of the ruins he was in. Emperor Belos had ordered him to capture more palisman, and The Golden Guard knew better to go into The Bat Queen's territory. He wasn't sure if the Bat Queen even knew of what was happening to the palisman in the castle, and if he encountered her he was not going to ask. These ruins, however, were just on the edge of The Bat Queen's parts, and sometimes palismen would come out here to play. All The Golden Guard had to do was set up a few traps and he should have a decent collection to bring back to Belos.

'So you are really going to do this?' Luz's voice forced itself into his head, ' You are just going to hand over all these innocent little guys over to Belos?' The Golden Guard stopped as he remembered back to the human's scolding, the disappointment in her voice. 'Your not my friend, you're just The Golden Guard'

Hunter sighed as he lowered to rest his staff's end in the dirt. The way Luz said that really tore into him, and he didn't know why. Looking back on the moment, too, he couldn't help but think...Did Luz tell Willow about the palismannapping incident? Would Willow have even stuck around him knowing what he did and planned to do? He slumped his shoulders slightly, before moving to lean against the ruined-pillar and slide down it into a sitting position.

His common betrayals against Belos seemed to always have to do with palisman. First, he let Luz get away with the cage, second he kept Lil' Rascal hidden from Belos, and now? He didn't think he had the heart to give over any more palisman to Belos, even if it helped him tame his curse. Why couldn't Belos just tell him what happened? How did Wild Magic do this to him? How did this really destroy the rest of their family? Why do we not have magic in the first place?

Why does Belos have to keep so many secrets from him? Hunter couldn't even remember what his parents looked like anymore. He could barely remember even being held by his Mother, or sitting in his fathers lap. Were these memories even real? Hunter put his hands up to his helm, taking it off to breathe better as he felt his stomach turn. Whenever he thought about his parents, he couldn't help but feel sick, and that was adding to the nausea he was feeling before from worrying about Willow so much. And now he was just feeling so angry? Angry at his life? At the coven? At-

Hunter widened his eyes at the all too familiar feeling in the depths of his stomach, he stood up and leaned over, making sure to aim away from his boots as the familiar black-sludge expelled from his mouth with a few hard and dry coughs. Hunter breathed deeply, wiping his mouth before he leaned his side against the pillar. He hated it when that happened…but, he brought it onto himself. He'd gotten way too upset over his situation, and of course his broken bile-sac reacted. As his uncle said this was just a side effect powerless witches have. At least this is the first time in a long time this has happened.

He let out a sigh as he leaned his back against the pillar, looking up at the sky. He knew he should set up the palisman traps before he went to visit Willow...but, he knew he didn't have the heart to do something so cruel to those creatures while spending time with Willow. She would hate him forever if she ever found out…

Instead, Hunter put his helm back on, and went to leave. He will just spend the time building a rock tower or two before Willow gets out of school...all the while unaware of The Bat Queen's eyes that had been on him the moment he ran into the pillar.