It was a nearly perfect plan, and lucky for Hunter he didn't have to wait too long to start the beginnings of it. He tucked the piece of folded paper in his glove, careful to make sure it wouldn't slip out until the time was right. He wrote it in secret, not wanting to take any chances of anyone seeing it, not even Steve or Captain Magz. He felt bad that he was keeping his team out of the loop, but in the end they would survive without him.
He quickly stopped at the beast stables, checking in on the Quetzalcoatl before he planned to make his way to Blight Industries. He did a faster mental check of the stables, in the back of his mind wondering if the beast inside will be ok after he was gone, before finding himself in front of the cage of the giant, winged serpent. She was slowly shifting around in the prison, her head hidden under the rest of her body as a way to protect herself from the beast-keepers around her who worked on trying to figure out how to best make sure she would obey.
"She is a beauty, ain't she?" One of the coven scouts asked from nearby as she eyed over the creature. " To think that we have one of these now! Gosh I would love to ride on her back."
"Maybe you will if you stop ogling and help us out over here!" Another scout called out, trying to get the other to help move ropes around. Hunter waited a few minutes before stepping forward to the cage, moving his head around like he was looking the cage over, but his eyes on the Quetzalcoatl inside.
'I read about you in a book once.' Hunter thought, unsure if this would work to communicate with the creature. 'You are empathic, not telepathic, but I am hoping that I can at least reach you somewhat like this…'
The Quetzalcoatl shifted, he saw a slight bit of her eye peering out at him through the colorful mess of feathers and scales.
'I don't know how long until I can get you out of here… But one day, I promise I will get you out.' Hunter said his thoughts loud, hoping he was putting enough emotion behind them that she would pick it up. It seems she did, as she closed her eyes at him before relaxing into the cage again. Hunter gave a light nod, turning on his heel to head out the gates. He still had no idea why they needed such a creature, but he no longer cared for what Belos wanted. He no longer cared about the Day of Unity as a whole….he just had to make sure to care enough so no one got hurt when the day came.
"Alright, Steve, Diyanna." The Golden Guard called out to his two loyal scouts who were awaiting him outside the stables. " Let us head out." He ordered.
It was a short flight to Blight Industries, Steve and Diyanna made small chit chat on the way before the three of them landed. The Blight Twins were already outside waiting for them, probably as their parents requested. The two of them bowed to The Golden Guard and his soldiers, ushering him inside.
"Right this way, Golden Guard, sir. Our newest products await your approval." The boy twin, Edric as Hunter recalled Amity saying, ushered.
"Our Mother is waiting with bated breath down the main hall." The girl, Emira, followed her twin. The two stood back up straight as The Golden Guard passed, and hearing a small snicker Hunter flicked his staff slightly, sending the two 'Hex-me' signs they planted on Steve and Diyanna flying into their faces.
"Thank you both." He gave as he heard the twins struggling to get the papers off. The three of them walked with purpose down the hall, Odalia waiting at the end with her arms folded politely behind her back. When The Golden Guard came to a stop in front of her, she knelt down in a bow.
"Thank you for coming in such short notice. I am sure we will make your time well worth it, however, with our new products that will do great to aid The Emperor's will." The woman started.
"At ease, Lady Odalia." The Golden Guard ordered. It felt weird she was kneeling to him now...she was the mother of one of his best friends, after all. Wait...should he call Amity a 'best' friend? No, focus. Now is not the time. " Let's make this quick, please. I have many duties to tend to today and cannot take too long here."
"Y-yes of course!" Odalia quickly stood, clasping her hands together before turning. " Right this way, my lord."
The Golden Guard and his scouts followed, Hunter keeping his eyes peeled for the real reason he decided to pick up the invitation to come here. Amity was bound to be somewhere nearby, right? Her siblings are here, so she must be as well. If he didn't find her, could he trust the Twins with delivering the note to her? No...he didn't know them well enough. If they held it hostage for some reason against Amity or even turned it over to their parents, his plan would go out the window.
"As you can see we have found ways of making the Abomaton's more durable!" Odalia spoke up, turning as she motioned to a new line of the creatures. " The reports from Eclipse Lake were valuable in our research! To think that poor Kikimora was left defenceless because of our failures!" Steve snorted slightly, Diyanna quickly elbowing him. "I-I am sorry, did I miss on a joke?" Odalia prompted, eyeing over Steve.
"N-no, Ma'am. I was actually at Eclipse Lake when the incident happened. To tell you the truth, I am pretty sure Kikimora fell off her Abomaton and hit her head on a rock." Steven snorted again before wheezing, covering his mouth. Hunter had to bite his lower lips not to laugh as well, he cleared his throat, looking over to the new armored abominations.
"Very impressive, Lady Odalia. I am sure they will do well on future missions." The Golden Guard stated, wondering if Odalia knew her daughter was one of the attackers at Eclipse Lake. He heard Steve still snorting, Diyanna elbowing him again. She reached over, tapping Hunter on the shoulder who turned.
'Can I kick him?' She signed.
"Later, Diyanna. For now we have more products to look over." Hunter smirked to himself before turning back to Odalia, who looked confused for a second before smiling and nodding again. After a good hour of viewing new products, but keeping his eyes peeled for Amity, they were nearing the end of their visit. Normally Hunter would be trying to leave as fast as he could, but the small paper cut he got on his palm from his note was a stinging reminder he needed to find Amity somehow. Even if that meant…
"Now, Lady Odalia, I have seen your twins and you today, but I am curious about where your husband and prodigy daughter are." Hunter was glad he at least had a reason to ask about Amity. She was one of the top students at Hexside for a reason, and was one of Lilith's students. Lilith had made it known to the Blights Amity could have a great future in The Emperor's Coven, so if The Golden Guard was asking, no one would bat an eye.
"Oh, they are just around the corner, actually! Let me go get them for you!" Odalia left before a word could be spoken to her.
"...so she really doesnt know?" Steve leaned over to ask Hunter in a hushed tone.
"Apparently not. But do not mention anything. I rather The Blight Daughter not get in trouble if Belos felt it unneeded." Hunter quietly answered back, turning to face the two more just in case Diyanna wanted to put her input in, but she stayed silent, only rubbing her arm nervously. He could tell that though she wanted to speak, she was paranoid of people watching her and being able to pick up what she was saying.
"Here we are!" Odalia appeared back around the corner, her hands quickly clasping but it was obvious she practically dragged her husband and daughter out of the room they were in. " You have met Alador of course, but may I have the honor of introducing my daughter Amity Blight!" Odalia put a hand on her daughter's back, shoving her forward slightly to The Golden Guard. Hunter smirked as he watched Amity trying her best not to give any hint of already knowing him. He quickly flicked the paper in his glove into his palm before moving it from behind his back to offer a handshake.
"Amity Blight. A pleasure to finally meet you. The last coven head spoke highly of you, and I look forward to seeing if her words hold up." Hunter had the freedom of a mask to give a secret grin at his friend, who took his hand and offered back a shake, her brow furrowing slightly at the feeling of a note being passed to her, before she spoke.
"The Golden Guard. I hope I do not disappoint." She said, a bit dry in her voice, before taking her hand back, hiding the note in her palm as she folded her hands behind her back. Hunter felt a relief release from him, the mission he was on complete.
" We expect good things from you, Lady Amity. Nice to meet your acquaintance. Now, if you excuse us, we have matters we need to attend to."
"O-Oh but of course! Thank you again for your time, my lord! Amity, see they are walked out." Odalia ordered her daughter, who nodded and turned to lead them to the exit in silence. Hunter saw Amity quickly putting the note in her pocket once they were away from her parents, wondering if Steve and Diyanna noticed, hoping they didn't. After they passed the threshold to the outside, the two scouts stepped down the stairs to summon their spears, far away enough now for The Golden Guard to quietly look back to Amity.
"Read it with the others." Hunter whispered to her. Amity furrowed her brow in confusion and some worry, but accepted as The Golden Guard turned to join his soldiers. The three quickly set off back to the Castle, leaving Amity to put her hand into her pocket for the note before looking back inside the factory. Her mother probably knew she was going to leave now, anyway. Amity quickly summoned Ghost, mounted her, and set off to The Owl House.
_AN_
Pay attention to the titles...The last two chapter titles are going to be VERY important :3 Thanks again for reading! In four days the story will come to its end, and a new begins! As always please leave a comment, and I love you!