SPOILER WARNING! This chapter has information that was revealed in Eclipse Lake! You have been warned! SPOILER WARNING!
Hunter wanted nothing more than to check on Willow again. After Willow had kissed his cheek he just could not get the girl off his mind. He hoped that it wasn't noticeable that he was distracted, even more so as he stood, one hand folded behind his back, his other holding The Golden Staff, next to his Uncle's side. Darius had requested a meeting with The Emperor, and as such The Golden Guard was expected to attend.
Darius was a prideful man, to say the least. The Abomination Coven was viewed in very high regards, more than the other covens, in society's eyes. Abominations were used in every way possible, from being able to learn to take care of plants, to cooking, and building. Hunter had his own opinions, but knew better than to speak them, even more so when the conversation was not even on said subject.
"And so, it would be a great honor to have you come to the Grand Celebration I will be holding." Darius kept his head down while he knelt before The Emperor, but with the small smirk on his face The Golden Guard knew that Darius was seriously expecting a yes from Belos.
'Did he really just ask The Emperor of the Boiling Isles, who has not been seen leaving the palace in over a decade, to go to his birthday party?' If Hunter wasn't disciplined he would have face-palmed. Instead, he kept quiet and unmoving, his eyes on Darius.
"As...interesting as that sounds, I will have to reject your offer, Darius." Emperor Belos spoke, making the coven-head look disappointed. " However, in my place I shall send The Golden Guard."
'...ARE YOU KIDDING ME?' Hunter screamed in his head. 'SEND KIKIMORA INSTEAD PLEASE!'
"A-ah, yes of course!" Darius spoke up, looking up from the floor to The Golden Guard. " You will be my guest of honor, Golden Guard, sir! And if you have anyone you wish to invite, you can count their names on the list!"
"Thank you for the generous offer, Darius. I will be sure to dress appropriately." The Golden Guard replied, knowing he wasn't going to be able to weasel his way out of the party, even more so after his Uncle sat him up to go.
"Now, if there is nothing else you wish to discuss, I will need to look over some important preparations for The Day of Unity." Belos said, hinting to Darius that it was his time to leave. And he got the message.
"Of course, Emperor Belos." Darius stood, giving a deep bow, before turning to leave. Hunter waited until the door was closed before slowly looking toward his uncle. He wanted to argue with him, but knew it was best just to accept that he was going to be forced to attend whether he liked it or not.
"Come now, Hunter, do not be so disappointed." Belos said, standing from his throne. " As a coven head, you do need to make public appearances."
"Yes, sir." Hunter put his staff away, he hated the 'public' appearance of The Golden Guard. He was lucky most people didn't expect much at such events. Usually it was just him showing up, standing in a place he could be easily seen for a while with two of his favored soldiers, and leaving after a good amount of time passed. " I will make sure to put Steve and Diyanna on the guest list."
"Very good. Perhaps, though, you should add the name of your friend to the list?" Hunter felt his heart drop, was he talking about Lil' Rascal? No...he hid the little bird too well. But then...was he talking about her? He felt Belos' hand on his shoulder, looking up to see his uncle had taken his mask off. " You didn't think you could hide them from me forever?"
"I-I uh...pardon my confusion on the matter, sir?" Hunter would have taken his own mask off, but was too worried to move as he stared up at his uncle, who gave him a slightly amused look.
" I have noticed that you have been faster in getting your duties done, then you run off into the forest near Hexside." Belos started, " When you come home, you have a bit of a spring in your step. It reminds me of how I used to act a long time ago…"
Hunter swallowed hard, finally finding the courage to lift his mask off his head to look up at Belos proper. " I apologize. I should have kept in mind how me running off affected my duties-"
" Under other circumstances, yes." Belos cut him off. " But, there is a reason I have been allowing this to go on, Hunter. You have kept up with your work, training, and lessons, and yet still find the time to see whoever you are running off to see. They must be very important to you, right?"
Hunter felt his face going red, he could only offer a nod up to his uncle in response.
" Then all I ask in return of being allowed to see this person, is that you keep in mind that your first duty is to The Titan. Remember, he needs you to be at your best when he calls your name, Hunter." Belos smiled down at Hunter, the smile he received from Belos a million times when he talked about the boys supposed 'Destiny' and 'Being Picked by Titan Himself'.
Hunter gave a nod, " Of course, Uncle. I will not let you down."
"You better not, after all it will be so hard to find a proper replacement." Belos squeezed Hunter's shoulder, though to the teen it felt more like a spike was shot through his heart, before taking his hand back, " I know you will not disappoint me again, Hunter. Now, you are excused." Belos put his mask back on, turning to head deeper into the throne room.
Hunter turned, putting his own mask on as he headed to exit, his heart still thumping in his chest and ears. " Oh...and Hunter." He stopped, turning to look back at Belos, who's blue glowing eyes stared back at him.
"Do take care to not get too attached to this person." Belos warned, before turning his back on his nephew. Hunter felt his heart sinking further, nodding as he muttered a 'I won't' before finishing his exit. He quickly made his way out of the castle, his mind racing from thought to thought. It was too late for not getting attached, that was for sure. He loved Willow, he knew that. He was even starting to build the courage up to meet her in the front of the school, potentially throwing himself at the mercy of Luz. But, Belos telling him not to get too attached? What does he mean by that?
As Hunter pushed out one of the doors to a balcony that overlooked the palace grounds, moving out to the edge as he summoned his staff. He was waiting all day to go see Willow, and damn it he was going to see her. He quickly took to the sky, waiting to be a good distance away before he landed in a secluded part of the forest to change out of his Golden Guard gear and into one of his hoodies. He decided today was the day to be brave, despite what Belos said. He was going to wait outside of Hexside for Willow, mostly because he was unsure if she was still grounded for the zizz fruit incident.
Summoning Lil Rascal and putting his Golden Staff away, he took a deep breath in. If Luz saw him, he wouldn't know what to do, but Willow was worth the headache he was going to get from the human. He felt needed to see her more than anything right now.
"Alright, buddy. Let's get going." Hunter said to his palisman, still frozen on the staff. Lil Rascal reacted to his voice, spreading his wings out, ready to fly.
It was only a few minutes to Hexside by staff, and the classes had yet to get out. Hunter landed to the side of the entrance and went to lean against a tree, a bit out of sight of the door, before he pulled his hood up. He felt nervous, not only for the chance of the human finding him out, but if that Bocha girl went against his orders, he knew he would overreact. He still needed to come clean to Willow about that, as well. He looked back at the school, feeling Lil Rascal tuck himself into his hood as the two waited. He wondered what Willow was doing in there right now, hoping she was having a good day.
Willow had a bounce in her step the whole day, and a smile on her face as if the incident on Friday had never happened. She decided, despite her second guessing, she was glad she gave Hunter a kiss on his cheek. He looked so happy after, and it was at least one way for him to know how much she cared for him. The school day had been great, as well! She was called to Bump's office in the morning, where he told her that Boscha's friends ratted her out to him about the rotten zizz fruit. Boscha's parents had attempted to get involved, but changed their minds suddenly and dropped the whole deal. Instead, Boscha was suspended for a short amount of time.
That had frighted Willow a bit, but after Bump excused her she quickly forgot the whole thing. She was able to get other pressing matters dealt with, including treating the root-rotted plants rather effectively! Her 'Little project' plant had bloomed and was ready to be given to Hunter, as well. He said he had an interest in learning about plants and how to maintain them without magic, and this particular type would be perfect for him.
Willow couldn't help but smile a bit more as she thought of Hunter. A lot of people had complimented her new glasses, and when Luz, Amity, and Gus asked about her new pair at lunch, she had actually found herself not being able to stop the truth from coming out.
"My friend from the grove got them for me!" Willow knew she had a light blush on her face, but she didn't care. She needed to talk about him! " He is so sweet. He saw what happened, and was able to quickly get these."
"Does this friend happen to have a cardinal palisman?" Luz piped up, rubbing her chin lighty.
"Oh yeah, the bird that brought you your old pair and landed on your shoulder! Was that his palisman?" Amity asked.
" That cardinal was one of the palisman from the adoption, right?" Gus put his voice in, but was busy playing with his own chameleon palisman to look over to Willow.
" Yes, actually! The little guy apparently left my friend in a tree to come over to me." Willow giggled, reaching up to scratch Clover's cheek.
"Hmm….iiinntereeesttiiinnngg~" Luz said, rubbing her chin in her usual 'detective' time style.
"Anyway!" Willow said, prompting a move in the conversation, though in the back of her mind she wondered if Luz would recognize Lil Rascal as Hunter's palisman. " I am really hoping to see him after school. The Memoria Bonsai is ready for him, I really hope he likes it."
"I am sure he will, Willow." Amity smiled at her friend, " He sounds like a great guy, and would love anything you give him." Willow felt her ears flick as she smiled, giving a nod. The rest of the lunch conversation was idle chat about classes, happenings at The Owl House, and a few other little subjects. Amity and Luz had plans after school, and Gus had his HAS meeting, so Willow was free to meet up with Hunter without the possibility of them trying to tag along.
The rest of the school day felt long for her, but once the last bell rang she quickly picked everything up, including the Memoria Bonsai, got her items from her locker, and left from the school's main entrance. She was about to jump onto Clover when a little red bird fluttered in front of her face, chirping a few times.
"Lil' Rascal! What are you doing here?" Willow asked, offering her hand out for the bird to land on.
"Making sure you don't leave me behind."
Willow flicked her ears, looking over to Hunter with surprise. He kept his red and black hoodie over his head, and appeared a bit nervous to be so close to the exiting students, but otherwise had a smile on his face and a light tint of pink to his cheeks as he approached her. He offered his hand out for Rascal to jump over to, putting the palisman back into his hood.
" I uh...wanted to make sure I got to see you. I wasn't sure if you were still grounded." Hunter gave Willow a light shrug and smile. She couldn't help herself, she turned and wrapped her free arm around Hunter in a hug, and after a moment Hunter hugged back.
"Don't worry, it was just for the weekend. Everything is cool now!" Willow said, stepping back to look up at him. " We can head to the grove if you want."
Hunter nodded, offering his arm for her to take, which she did, before they made their way to the usual path they took to the grove.
Luz was ducked behind one of the school's outer pillars, eyes on Willow and the figure she was interacting with. Amity, on the other hand, was standing in full sight and was looking between Luz, Willow, and the stranger they saw her interact with.
"So, you think you know who that is?" Amity asked Luz, quirkling her brow.
" Yeah, I think I know who that is." Luz repeated, watching as the other two hooked arms and started walking away. " And if it is who I think it is, then I really have no idea -what- to do right now!" Luz put her hands on her head.
"Who what is?" Gus asked, appearing in between the two. Luz jumped, looking back at Guz with a confused look. " HAS had to be cancelled today, apparently Matt tried to pull a weird magic stunt...again...so, no president, no meeting." Luz relaxed, before looking back at where Willow and the guy in the hoodie were. "Is that the guy Willow was talking about?"
"I think so, but if it is who I think it could be then I am VERY concerned!" Luz moved to bite her thumb lightly, trying to decide what was the best action. Her and Amity had plans, but if that guy WAS Hunter should she really be worried? He seemed like a good guy, but was unable to escape his situation. Would he hurt Willow?
"Luz, calm down." Amity reached over to put her hand on her girlfriend's shoulder. " I am sure they are fine."
"The Golden Guard." Luz whispered to Amity and Gus. " I think that guy is The Golden Guard."
Amity blinked a few times, before taking Luz's hand and quickly following Willow and the stranger at a distance. " Ok, maybe this isn't fine!" Gus quickly followed after the two, his eyes wide as well.