Hunter put his stuff in a small bag and slung it over his shoulder. He opened his window and jumped out. He waited a couple seconds before placing his feet against the wall and used it to launch himself towards the ground at an angle that allowed him to roll when he hit the ground. He rolled into a kneeling position and looked at the castle.
"I'll show you I can take him."
He took off, running to the South. At the Owl House, Luz and Eda returned from Hexside.
"I'm really impressed, Kid." Eda said.
"It was nothing." Luz said.
"Luz, you just scored the all time highest score on the entrance exam. The previous score has been around for almost forty years. You're a natural."
Luz smiled.
"Thanks Eda."
"Well you should get to bed, you have a busy day tomorrow." Eda said, "Baby's first day at school. I can't wait to hear about all the destruction you make!"
"Eda, I won't make any destruction… on my first day."
"Alright, up to bed."
Luz smirked and walked upstairs. In the Castle, Belos felt like he had given Hunter enough time to calm down, it has been almost two hours after all. He lightly tapped the door.
"Hunter?"
Nothing.
"Hunter, I just wish to talk."
Still nothing. Belos opened the door and walked it.
"Hunter, I need to-"
Belos saw some stuff missing and the window open. He quickly ran out of the room and over to where Lilith usually is during the evening. He burst into the room and found Lilith beating the rest of the guards at poker.
"And that is a Royal Flush." Lilith said, laying her cards down and taking the large pile of cash, "Eight games in a row."
"Lilith."
Everyone froze and kneeled at the presence of the Emperor.
"Emperor Belos, what do you need?" Lilith asked.
"Golden Guard has left the castle without permission. I fear he's trying to attack an old enemy of mine."
"Certainly this person can't be that bad." Lilith said, "Who could possibly pose a threat to you, you're the most powerful witch on the Isles?"
Belos' eyes started glowing and he leaned down to look at her in the eyes.
"This is the only person that has ever come close to killing me."
Lilith gave a small nod and started to work.
"Everyone, scour the Boiling Isles. He couldn't have gotten far." Lilith said.
"And if he is injured by any of you, you will be punished to the fullest extent of my anger." Belos said.
By this point, Hunter was already half way to BonesBorough. It would take at least half a day for the guards to get there. He looked around the woods a little before stepping on something, causing it to crunch beneath his foot. He looked down and saw a bone. He heard something behind him and quickly turned around. He looked and saw nothing.
"I'm just imagining things." He said.
He heard it again, this time from the side of him.
"I regret leaving my staff at the castle."
He heard the rustling a third time coming from the front of him. He looked around and saw... a cardinal. He looked at it in curiosity and it flew into his hand. He noticed something about it.
"You're a palisman." He wanted to be afraid of it, but couldn't, "My uncle said that magic like you is dangerous, but he also lied to me about my whole life, who knows what else he lied about."
Hunter sat on the ground, allowing the palisman to sit on her shoulder.
"Do you know what it's like to feel alone, without a family, just doing anything that make you feel like you belong?" He asked.
"Yes."
The new voice made Hunter jump. He turned and saw the owner of said voice.
"Bat Queen." Hunter said.
Hunter knew a small bit about the Bat Queen. The main point is, if the Coven leaves her alone, she'll leave them alone. He knew that Belos would do everything in his power to avoid her home.
"I-I-I'm sorry for disturbing your peace, Bat Queen." He said, "I'll leave immediately."
"No, no. Stay. It is dangerous to be alone at night." Bat Queen said, "Creatures roam these woods at night."
Bat Queen got him up and started to usher him into her nest.
"Creatures?"
"Some far more deadly than a witch. Some... witches with more power than they can handle."
In another part of the Isles, a man walked up to a large cage.
"You want your freedom? You want to feed?" He asked the inhabitant, "Then I have a solution that will help us both."
The creature in the cage moved forward, revealing to be a Greater Basilisk. The Basilisk chuckled.
"I'm listening." She said.
The man smiled and explained his plan. He left after she agreed and a group of people showed up.
"Sir, we're sorry that we failed at the Knee. We thought the venom would've killed the Blight girl." One said.
"Do not worry, the pieces are falling into place. Everyone has a roll and Miss Blight will soon learn hers." He said.
In Blight Manor, Amity was turning in bed, sweating profusely. She shot up in bed and held her chest.
"The... the nightmares. They're getting worse." Amity held her stomach in pain and bit back a groan, "W-w-what's happening to me?"
Follow, Favorite, and Review for more.