Chapter 45: Hollow Mind
Part 1
Christa: Luz. Luz wake up. Luz?
Luz: Huh, what?
Luz wakes up as Christa looked down at her. She sat up and saw they were in some kind of dark gallery, with many portraits of Emperor Belos. She looked around at some of them. One that caught her eye was the portrait of him vanquishing Eda in her owl beast form and she also saw herself with King and Lilith who also looked scared. Even the title of the portrait was labeled " Triumph Over Wild Magic."
Christa: Luz, where are we?
Hunter: You two know exactly where we are.
They turned around and saw Hunter.
Hunter: You got us trapped in the Emperor's mind!
Luz: What?
Earlier that same day.
Hunter was in his room, sleeping as he began to dream. He was in black void, looking around confused but then he saw Christa.
Hunter: Red? Hey Red!
Christa turned to him, but she didn't look happy to see him.
Christa: What do you want?
Hunter: I just...I haven't seen you in a while and wanted to see you.
Christa: I was just fine until I saw you.
Hunter: Look I know you're still mad, but if you just listen...
Hunter placed his hand on her shoulder, but Christa snapped as lighting formed on her hand.
Christa: Don't touch me!
Christa shot lightning at his head again. At the same exact spot as before. Hunter held his head. He looked up and Christa was growing huge as her white aura power was resonating.
Christa: I told you I never wanted to see you again!
Hunter: Red, wait please I just want to talk. I'm sorry for what I did.
Christa: You're sorry? You really think I would go back to you? Why would I or anyone love someone like you. You're a liar, a jerk, a traitor and a thief! I hate you!
Hunter: Red...Christa come on you don't really think that of me.
Christa: Why don't you do everyone a favor and kill yourself!
Christa formed a large spell circle and more electrical power was forming and fired it right at him.
Hunter: No, no please! Christa!
Hunter wakes up breathing heavily. He was fine, but it was scary nightmare. He covered his face as Flapjack flew up to him and landed on his hair chirping.
Hunter: I'm fine, it's just...it was just horrifying.
Flapjack chirps.
Hunter: Yes it was her again.
Flapjack replies with a chirp.
Hunter: I don't know how to face her. I want to but I don't know how considering how much she hates me now.
Flapjack replies with a chirp
Hunter: I know you miss her but what can I do?
Flapjack replies with a chirp.
Hunter: I doubt she cooled down by now.
Hunter then grunted as he felt the pain in his chest again. He fell off his bed holding his chest as he hurried to the counter and took one of the pills that Dr. Cushing perscripted to him. He took one and the pain went away. Flapjack approached him and chirpped to see if he was okay
Hunter: I'm alright. Let's just go.
Later
Hunter was walking through the halls of the castle about to go out to patrol. But then he saw Darius standing and looking a photo. Darius was just looking at until he was startled by Hunter who came from behind.
Hunter: Hey Darius what are you looking at?
Darius: AAAAAH!
Darius dopped the photo as he held onto his chest breathing heavily.
Darius: Don't sneak up on me like that!
Hunter: Sorry it's just, you looked a bit distracted.
Hunter then looked down and saw the photo. It was on old picture of a younger Darius with his arm wrapped around Alice.
Hunter: Wait, is that the witch who helped me save my teamates?
Darius snatches his photo off the ground.
Darius: Didn't anyone teach you not to snoop?
Hunter: Oh sorry but if you don't mind me asking, you two seemed to know each other. Who was she?
Darius: I told you, she was the one that got away.
Hunter however didn't seem to understand as Darius rolled his eyes.
Darius: ( groans) I suppose you want to know more. Very well. Alice Jinx Blight was my ex girlfriend. She was my best friend in Hexside along with Alador though the latter we don't speak anymore after a certain incident which I'd rather not talk about. But Alice was so smart and feisty. She was very skilled with abomination magic and let me tell you she was one hell of woman. As we grew up we started dating. But we also had our own set goals. She wanted be head of her long running family buisness and I wanted to be Head Witch. We worked our way up and we even trained together. I taught her every skill I knew. She was everything to me. She was my Black Rose.
Hunter: You really loved her didn't you? What happened then?
Darius: Well... as we grew, so did our relationship. But to me, being Head Witch was my main goal and I only wanted that. Alice she wanted to start a family with me. But...I wasn't exactly committed to do so. I felt I wasn't up to that. I didn't want kids. Things started to decline with us and finally we broke up and went our separate ways. We rarely see each other now a days and even though I still care about her sometimes I wonder if she still thinks about me. Take my advice and try to understand what is truly important and not squander your chances.
Hunter looked up at him and the last part got to him. He never told Darius about Christa but was he referecning about him and her? But then Hipporit enters.
Hipporit: Darius.
Darius: Captain Hipporit.
Hipporit: May I speak to you in private. Oh and Golden Guard, shouldn't you be off on your patrol?
Hunter: Oh yes captain. I should get going. Shadam had a vision of villains wanting to invade Belos's mind. But I won't allow it. Oh and thank you for the advice Darius.
Hunter leaves as Darius looks Hipporit. He gives him a nod as he nods to him back.
We now cut to the two now meeting up with Raine and Eberwolf at the top of the castle.
Darius: Well, look who's back.
Raine: Darius? You of all people are in on this?
Darius: Tell you the truth I always found this whole Day of Unity to be a bit uh...iffy. I mean I don't buy what Belos is saying. Plus...
Darius looks down.
Darius: I know he had something to do with the disappearnce of the previous Golden Guard.
Hipporit: Hmm, that's right. You looked up to him I remember.
Darius: I will get to the bottom of this and if Belos actually killed him. I will avenge him.
Raine: So is everyone here?
Hipporit: Not yet.
Hipporit went to a wall and pushed the tiles in a specific pattern. Then it opened up into a passage way and another hooded figure came out, he took off the hood and it was Mr. Hirata.
Mr. Hirata: Good Evening.
Raine: Mr. Hirata? Our old school teacher?
Hipporit: You should know that Akihiko joined the Emperor's Coven several years back until resigning and going back to teaching.
Raine: But why do you want to join?
Mr. Hirata: I was involved with a series of experiments. For some reason, Emperor Belos was interested with preshistoric demons, mainly basilisks. I don't know why he was so interested. But seeing how some of them are.
Then he began to remember Vee.
Mr. Hirata: Some were so scared, innocent and gentle.
But then he remembered the basilisk that attacked Hexside a while back.
Mr. Hirata: But some were hostile. The attack at Hexside. I never told anyone about it, but that happened because of me. Because I along with Cushing were playing God. All those students were hurt because of me. I want to fix what I've done and I will help anyway I can.
Hipporit: Alright, let's discuss the plan.
Hipporit opened up a large sheet of paper with blueprints as everyone gathered around.
Hipporit: We've been stuck on what the Day of Unity really is and what Belos is really planning. There's only one way to find out now. We're going to have to enter his mind.
Darius: If I may, should we still go on with this. I think Hunter is on to us.
Eberwolf growls in agreement.
Darius: Don't you think we should hold this off for a little while longer?
Raine: We don't have a little while longer. The Day of Unity is soon and we need to know the plan as soon as possible if we want to prepare for it.
Mr. Hirata: But if we want to do this, we'll have to do it in this area here in town.
Darius: Why over there though, why not right here and now?
Hipporit: If we do it here, Shadam will sense at such a close range, investigate and our cover is blown.
Mr. Hirata: I know a discrete area.
Hipporit: Okay, we wait till dark when things settle down here and everyone else is resting. That's when we go.
Raine: Wait before we go on we need a team name.
Darius: A name.
Raine: Oh I got it. We are now the Covens against the throne. Aka, the Cats.
Raine makes a cat hissing noise.
Darius: That is the stupidest name I have ever heard. I'm not calling ourselves that.
Raine: All in favor?
Eberwolf and Mr. Hirata raises their hands up.
Darius: Oh come on you can't be serious. Tell them Hipporit.
But then he noticed his hand was up too.
Darius: What? You too?
Hipporit: You must admit it does have nice ring to it.
Darius: Ugh, let's just get this over with.
Meanwhile
We cut to Luz, Christa, her palisman Howl, King and Eda at the night market. Eda wanted to take Luz's witches wool cape for repairs but while they were there also started looking around for someone with a pentagram and skull tattoo who can take them Temperor.
Luz: There's so many around here. How are we supposed to know who has a tattoo working for Temperor?
Eda: Raine said they usually mingle in the night market. But before we get to that.
The group stopped by what looked like a tailor shop, but appeared to be closed as Eda started knocking on the door.
Eda: Hello? Prim? Did you get into the Night Juice again? ( singy-songy) Hello?
Christa: Maybe she's out to lunch.
Eda: No way she can't be. ( knocking) Prim, I know your in there.
While Eda kept checking, King contacted Luz through a walkie talkie.
King: Is this thing on? Demon King to Luzura and Demona, you copy?
Luz turns to her left to and calls out to King.
Luz: Sure do!
Christa: Loud and clear King.
King pops out from a tub filled with skulls that was just behind them.
King: ( In a low voice) Use the walkie!
Luz: Oh, uh, right. ( uses walkie talkie) 10-4, Demon King. Luzura here.
Christa: And Demona with Echo, Delta, Alfa. What's your 20? Over.
King: Uh, oh. Uh... Hable más lento, por favor. (Speak more slowly please.)
Luz: Aw, you remembered your lesson. But that wasn't Spanish, buddy. I read you loud and clear! Over.
Eda: Hey, Prim!
Eda bangs on the glass panel again. Someone finally opens the door.
Eda: Ah, there you are. I need more witch's wool. I got a kid with cold shoulders and a knack for gettin' into trouble.
Prim: The shop is closed, Eda. I've... finally decided to join a coven.
Prim shows Eda and Luz an Oracle Coven sigil on her wrist, much to Eda's dismay.
Prim: Emperor Belos says wild witches celebrate destruction and... pain.
Eda: I mean, I know I can be... abrasive, but-
Prim: He also says that the Titan punishes those who aid wild witches. I can't have you here.
Prim shuts the door. Luz glances over at Eda, then becomes angry. She went up to the door and started banging on it.
Luz: Well, what does he know?! Belos is a liar. He just wants power! And I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that he can't speak to the Titan!
The crowd in the area gasped as they whispered and gossiped.
Christa: Luz quiet down you're bringing too much attention to us.
Eda: Yeah don't worry about me kiddo. It's you that needs to be careful.
Luz: But people should know who Belos really is!
Eda: And who is he, really?
Luz: I...well...Christa knows who he is.
Christa: I can barely remember him Luz. He only recently popped in my mind but I can't remember what he did.
Eda: Listen, Belos has been Emperor for 50 years. Everyone is used to this. No one's gonna risk change unless you have proof that he's up to something.
Eda notices that Luz is looking dejected.
Eda: ( lightly punches her arm) Hey come don't be like that. How about we focus now on looking for Temperor. I'm sure there's a few respectable criminals that will talk.
Eda walks into the crowd as people kept whispering and looking at her.
Luz: I hate seeing people look at Eda that way. But how can I prove he's actually evil? It feels so obvious, but no one believes me! No one answers my letters! I don't know what to do!
King: No one wants to think they've wasted their life following the wrong person.
Christa: I'm sure it would be a huge turn for everyone. Believe me, I don't remember what he did. All I can I remember seeing him, brought a tingle down to my spine.
King: You just gotta find something big to change their minds.
King walks away to follow Eda. Luz looks down thoughtfully.
Christa: King's right. You just got to find proof.
Luz: But how can I find that something?
Christa: Well, only thing I can think of is jogging my memory.
Luz: I guess. But what can we do.
Luz suddenly notices something and gasps.
Christa: What?
Luz points out not far away from her, Hunter running into an alley.
Christa: Hunter?
Luz: Perfect timing.
Christa: What are you thinking?
Luz: Isn't it obvious? Hunter knows what he's really planning.
Christa: You want to ask him?! Do you really think if you ask him he just going to say " Oh sure I'll tell! After all it's not like I'm Belos's nephew and would just spill the beans."
Luz: We won't know if we try and he might know something about Temperor.
Christa: You can go. I'm not going anywhere near that jerk.
Luz: Okay, you don't have to come. I'll be back.
Luz runs off after him. Howl nudged at Christa and let out a small growl.
Christa: I'm not going Howl. I made it clear I never wanted to see him again. You remember what he did.
Howl responds to her with another growl.
Christa: What if she get's hurt. Oh, I didn't think that.
But that's when Christa felt the pulse within her body again. Everything around her went silent as the pulse in her beated again.
Christa: What? This again?
Ginga: Go...
Christa: ( gasps) Ginga? How are you here?
Ginga: Follow her...
Christa: What?
Ginga: You must know...You must know your destiny...Go...
Suddenly things went back to normal and Christa turned and saw Luz still running. She didn't want to see Hunter again, but Ginga seemed to be luring her to something.
Christa: ( groans) This better be important and just to make sure she's safe. Luz wait for me! Come on Howl!
Christa runs after Luz as Howl follows.
We cut to Hunter following five hooded figures, which unknown to him were Hipporit, Raine, Darius, Eberwolf and Mr. Hirata. As he followed them, Luz was following him as Christa tried to catch up.
We now see the rebels preparing the spell. Eberwolf drew a large circle on the ground. Raine played the flute to add more more spell circles. Mr. Hirata had a test tube and mixed a liquid into it. He placed it on the ground as Darius formed his arm into an abomination hammer and was about to smash it.
Hunter: Halt!
But then he stopped as they saw Hunter has caught them.
Hunter: For crimes against the Emperor, you are all under arrest!
Luz: Hunter!
Luz pounces up on Hunter from behind, causing both of them to crash into the ground.
Luz: Hey! Can I bug you with a few questions?
Hunter: What? Human?!
Raine proceeds to start playing their flute and create a smokescreen.
Hunter: No, no, no! Stop! I forbid you to flee!
By the time the smoke disperses, the group was all gone. Hunter groans in frustration, then turns around and takes of his mask.
Luz: Oh, uh sorry!
Hunter: Geez! What is with you!?
Christa: Luz!
Hunter's frustrated look disappeared when he heard Christa's voice. She finally caught up to her as she started breathing heavily.
Christa: I-I decided to come.
Christa gasps when she saw Hunter and glared at him.
Christa: You.
Hunter: Red, uh...
But then Hunter accidentally steps onto something and breaks it, causing it to start glowing. He glances downwards and notices that he had stepped on a neon yellow vial. The liquid flashes brightly.
Luz: Uh... what's that?
Christa: What's going on?
The circles Luz, Christa and Hunter are standing in start flashing brightly, causing them to cry out in shock. The light then wraps them up and shoots up into the night sky, creating a firework. Scene cuts to Hunter's witch's staff falling to the ground, but it then transforms to Flapjack as he lands next to Hunter's mask. Howl finally made it to the scene, but saw he was too late. He looked over at Flapjack who was looking down at the broken glass pieces sadly and he looked at Howl as he let out a mournful howl.
We now go back to the present to the three of them in the mindscape.
Hunter: So let me get this straight. You chased me down, ruined my mission and got us trapped here...
Luz: Well technically you got us trapped. You stepped on that vial.
Hunter: Whatever! You did this so you could prove that my uncle is evil? And you thought I would help?
Hunter starts laughing.
Christa: Told you he wouldn't be any help. Why would someone like him help anyway?
Hunters stops laughing.
Hunter: Hey come on Red, that's cold.
Christa looks away from him and ignores him.
Luz: Well now that I'm in his mind, I can learn the truth for myself. Weird though. I've been in Willow's mind once, and it had more, uh, trees.
Hunter: Eh, makes sense. Mindscapes reflect the individual. I've read a lot about this subject.
Hunter suddenly notices something and gasps. He walks towards it.
Hunter: Whoa, look at this memory!
Scene cuts to a painting depicting Belos guiding people away from a burning town. The trio approaches it.
Hunter: You know, unfettered wild magic wiped out our family. Everyone knew too much and got themselves hurt. That's why Belos took in the survivors, and dedicated his life to making the Coven System! (runs towards another painting) That's why he's so well-liked!
Hunter stops next to a painting depicting people happily reaching out their hands towards Belos, who is holding a glowing floating orb with his left hand.
Hunter: Our sigils protect us from ourselves, and make the Titan happy.
Hunter notices another painting to his left and gasps, then walks towards it.
Hunter: Oh Red check this one out! This is when I inherited my staff! You know, I'm the youngest scout to become Golden Guard.
Christa again ignores him and looks away. Hunter frowns and looks back at the painting.
Hunter: You know I never found out what happened to the previous one. Huh, why does Darius look so sad here?
Luz looked back at the first painting she saw as Christa followed her. But then they heard the sound of a child crying. The looked and saw what looked like a child with a wooden mask similar to Belos's sitting behind a pillar sobbing. He notices Luz and Christa and immediately stands up, frightened by their presence.
Luz, Christa and Hunter: ( hesitently) Belos?
They all spoke at the same time, much to Luz and Christa's surprise. The child figure turns around and runs away.
Luz turns around and notices a dark figure resembling Belos approaching them.
Hunter: Emperor, you're here! ( kneels down) We beg for your assistance to return to the physical world, so that I may capture your enemies! And so she can ruin someone else's day.
The dark figure stops in front of Hunter. The child figure emerges from behind it and shakes his head and hands at the trio desperately. Luz looks at him with a puzzled expression when suddenly, the dark figure roars and starts transforming, revealing multiple glowing eyes on its body while also screeching.
Luz: Hunter! Watch out!
Christa: Luz wait!
Luz rushes to the front of Hunter and Christa follows after her. She takes out some fire glyphs from her pocket and Christa formed some fire of her own to fight off this monstrous version of Belos. This creates an explosion with blasts strong enough to send everyone flying backwards.
Luz, Christa and Hunter roll on the floor then crash through a wall, falling down a dark void. Luz takes out a hover glyph from her pocket, grabs onto Hunter and he grabbed onto Christa, then activates it before they hit the ground. They manage to come to a halt near the ground, but the paper then disintegrates, causing them to crash into the ground face-first. The trio sit up, as Luz rubs her head in pain.
Hunter: You uh...you okay Red?
Christa( pulls her arm away and replies sharply) Fine. Where are we now?
Luz looks up to see the hole they came through just now disappears.
Luz: We must be in the Emperor's real mind.
The trio stands up and finds themselves in a strange place filled with dead trees and more paintings. Some paintings can be seen on the tree trunks and some were torn up.
Hunter: What do you mean the Emperor's real mind? That gallery-
Luz: Was made of all the lies he tells. He's not who you think he is.
Hunter notices an abandoned palisman on the ground and picks it up. The palisman then disintegrates in his hand. Hunter clutches his hand, then stands up.
Hunter: We're probably being punished because you provoked his inner self.
Christa: Don't go blaming Luz on this! She didn't do nothing!
Hunter: Oh, so you aren't completely ignoring me.
Christa: Shut up okay?! If you ask me, you're uncle wants to kill us two, or probably just me.
Hunter: Why would he want you though?
Christa: If I fully remembered what, it's none of your concern.
Luz: I think we should be more concerned about him following us with a thousand glowing eyeballs!
Hunter: (mockingly) Oh, no! Eyeballs! You're so easy to scare.
The two looks at Hunter with an irritated expression on her face. Eda's voice suddenly comes out from Luz's walkie-talkie.
Eda: Boo!
Hunter: ( startled) Ahh!
Christa: Yeah, who's easy to scare now?
Luz takes out her walkie-talkie.
Eda: Luz, Chrissy where are you? Oh, wait. Hey, blondie, your friend wants to talk to you.
Hunter: What?
Flapjack's chirp comes out from Luz's walkie-talkie. Hunter immediately grabs it from Luz's hand.
Hunter: Flapjack! Are you okay? Have they hurt you?
Luz snatches the walkie-talkie from Hunter's hands.
Luz: Give me that! So, Eda. We may kinda sorta be trapped in, uh... the Emperor's mind.
Eda: ( gasps) How in the world did you- No, we don't have time for that. Has the Inner Belos spotted you yet?
Luz: Yes, but we were able to get away... with help. Can there be two inner selves?
Eda: No. But I have heard of strong emotions materializing. Just stay safe. If you're devoured in his mindscape-
Hunter: ( freaking out) We'll be trapped! Dragged down into his subconscious forever. I... told you I read about this stuff.
Christa: Shush!
King: Well, we're gonna get you guys out! We'll make a return spell as fast as we can! And Christa, Howl is reallly worried about you.
Christa: ( takes walkie talkie) Howl! If you're there. Just hang on. I will be back, I promise you.
Howl resonds with a growl.
Eda: Just don't lose the walkie-talkie. It's our only connection to you.
Luz: You got it, Owl Lady. Over and out.
Hunter: Wait!
Hunter snatches the walkie-talkie from Luz's hand.
Hunter: I'll be home soon, Flapjack. Stay safe.
Flapjack chirps.
Hunter: ( whispers) I-I love you too. Over and out.
Eda and King: Aww!
Hunter ends the transmission and throws the walkie-talkie back to a grinning Luz.
Christa: Well, glad to see you actually do care about others than yourself.
Hunter: Of course I do. I'm not a monster.
Christa: Really, because that's not what I've witnessed in the past.
Hunter: Are you really just going bring up everything bad I did.
Luz: You guys stop. Listen.
They heard a rustling sound. They look towards the source of sound and see the child figure from before emerging from behind a tree
Luz: It's you! Kid Belos!
Hunter: What?
Luz and Christa walks towards Kid Belos and kneels down to talk to him.
Luz: Thank you for helping us before.
Christa: You don't seem as scary as your inner self.
Suddenly, from somewhere above, Inner Belos screeches, which surprises Luz and Kid Belos. He covers his ears, then runs towards Christa and grabs her arm.
Christa: I'm confused, how are there two inner selves again?
Luz: If strong emotions can take form, maybe he's the Emperor's... I don't know, sense of guilt?
Christa: So what, it's like a split personality disorder thing?
Luz: Probably.
Hunter: ( laughs) What? Belos has never done anything worthy of feeling guilt. It's obviously his... uh, sense of innocence. His pure intentions!
Christa: Innocence? Really?
Luz: Well whichever it is, I think he can help us stay safe. ( whispers to Kid Belos) And maybe you can show us who Belos really is.
Kid Belos nods.
Hunter: What was that?
From somewhere above, Inner Belos screeches again. Kid Belos grabs Luz's arm and drags her away.
Luz: No time! Let's go, go, go!
Hunter runs after the the three. Kid Belos leads them to a painting and jumps through it. Luz prepares to follow suit.
Hunter: Wait! You're just gonna invade his memories? That's sacrilege!
Somewhere above, Inner Belos screeches again.
Luz: You want to die out here?
Luz grabs Hunter's arm and drags him towards thepainting. They all fall into the painting together.
We cut back to Eda, King, Howl and Flapjack making it back to the Owl House. They enter inside and saw Lilith on the couch.
Eda: Hooty, I need you to lock down the house. Windows shut, curtains drawn, absolutely zero distractions. King, go grab all the textbooks you can find.
Lilith: Edalyn what's going on? Where are the girls?
Eda: They're trapped in Belos's mind.
Lilith: What?! How?!
Eda: There's no time to explain. Right now we have to get them out.
Lilith: Right, but this will be tough without magic.
Eda: We might need back up then.
Eda gets the phone and makes a call.
Alice: Hello?
Eda: Alice it's me!
Alice: Eda, are you okay?
Eda: Girls are in Belos's mind I we might need your help. Are you able to help.
Alice: I'm on my way.
Alice hangs up.
Eda: Hooty chop chop. Do not let anyone in here unless it's Alice.
Hooty: Yes Ma'am!
Eda: Right now let's just do what we can.
Hooty locks down the house.
We cut back Luz, Christa and Hunter. They had just went through the painting, but they weren't in the memory but instead some black void.
Luz: Wait, is this the memory?
Christa: It's pretty empty for one.
Hunter: Well it's so obvious. Because the gallery we're at isn't is actual mind. So these are just uh...well uh...defect memories.
Christa: Uh, what's that?
( Queue Gh1dorah cheat from Godzilla nes)
They looked up and saw a giant white face. More like and emoticon with neutral look. Above it was text of a question and two large yes and no signs. Another odd thing about the area was that there was music playing in the background, it was rather weird and goofy song. Kid Belos went up to it and pointed to it.
Luz: What is this?
Hunter: I think...I think it's security questions to answer before accessing the memory. Welp we can't do this, let's go.
Luz: Not yet.
Hunter: Oh come on. You really want to tamper with his mind.
Kid Belos kept pointing at the question.
Luz: Well I guess he want's us to answer.
Suddenly alight shined on Luz and she was forced up to the questions.
Christa: Luz.
Luz: I'm okay. Just nervous. Like what if I get anything wrong.
Christa: I'm right here behind you.
Luz: ( sighs) Okay let's do this.
Luz read the first question
Do you like wild magic?
Luz: Uh, yes?
She chose yes and the face automatically changed to a happy face. The expression stayed like that for ten seconds and then went back to neutral and showed the next question.
Are you afraid?
Luz: Yes.
Face reacts with a surprised look.
Are you over 18?
Luz: No.
Face reacts with a cyclops face, with the neutral look but one eye.
Do birds have teeth?
Luz: No.
Face reacts with a lovestruck face.
Is the sun hot?
Luz: Yes.
Face reacts with an annoyed look.
Does the moon rotate?
Luz: Yes.
Face reacts with sad face.
Do you like hurting people?
Luz: No.
Face reacts with an angry look. Freaked out a moment seeing that she got someting wrong. But face went back to normal. Nothing happened, so it seemed there were no right or wrong answers here.
Is the Emperor good?
Luz: No.
Face reacts with a grinning look.
Do you like dogs?
Luz: Yes.
Face reacts with a confused look
Does your dog like the Emperor?
Luz: Uh, no.
Face reacts with a guilty look.
Have you ever been molested by a family member?
Luz: No.
Face reacts with a confused look.
Do some criminals deserve to be executed?
Luz: No.
Face reacts with innocent look. With that the quiz ends the area begins to take form into the memory.
Luz: Okay that was...really the most uncomfortable thing I had to do. This quiz had no boundaries.
Christa: Look we're in the memory now.
Kid Belos ran as the trio chased after him and lead him into the main part of the memory. It looked like they were in the Deadwardian era in an older Bonesborough. The towns people were gathered to a stage and on the stage was Belos, before he was emperor and wore older clothes.
Emperor Belos: Fellow citizens, we are born into chaos. Our lives anger the Titan. My own family has been hurt by the darkness of wild magic.
As he's speaking, a past version of his artificial magic staff sparks and smoke comes out of it, obscuring everything around him, he starts to twirl his staff, clearing the smoke, and ten differently colored lights shine from it.
Emperor Belos: I've been shown the healing light, it shines in ten hues!
The townspeople gasp in delight.
Hunter: ( nudges Luz) See? He's always been helping people.
Explosions suddenly start to go off everywhere around Belos.
Emperor Belos: The wild witches! They have found me, run!
Scene cuts to Luz, Christa and Hunter running to an alleyway nearby, and sees another part of Belos' memory where he is standing in front of a previous Golden Guard scolding him.
Emperor Belos: You incompetent fool! You nearly took my head off with that blast.
Previous guard: I'm sorry, Lord Belos!
Emperor Belos: I'm off to the next town.
Previous guard: Uh, what about... the rest of these?
He takes off a blanket revealing various boxes of unused explosives.
Emperor Belos: Put on a bigger show.
Hunters face turns to a mix of shock and realization. The previous Golden Guard ignites the fuse, then follows Belos into a building. Kid Belos then appears, picks up a bag filled with what sounds to be glass bottles, and jumps through another painting. The three follow suit, and lands outside the memory.
Luz: I knew it! Belos was lying! Wild witches weren't attacking him.
Christa: How could you help someone like that?
Hunter: That was... probably a... special technique to get people to listen to his message. It's... It's for the greater good.
Christa: You call that greater good?!
Luz looks angrily at Hunter for a second before the inner Belos starts to creep out of a memory, reaching towards Luz.
Luz: Ah! He found us!
Kid Belos laughs and jumps into another memory, the trio follow him in. This memory takes place at the top of the Knee, where Belos is standing in front of a group of ten witches and demons. Kid Belos jumps up and grabs a loose rope hanging off one of them before running away.
Hunter: What's the kid doing?
Luz: Shh!
Belos gestures towards a burning city in front of the crowd.
Emperor Belos: Look at what wild magic has done to your city. Now imagine what it's doing to you. A city can rise from the ashes, but a soul...
Belos shakes his head slowly. The crowd becomes uneasy and murmurs among themselves.
Emperor Belos: I can make your magic pure again, as the Titan intended!
A previous Golden Guard, presumably a different one from the last, appears next to Belos, a yellow glow emitting from his finger. The crowd extends their arms outwards, and the previous guard uses his finger to brand a coven sigil onto each of them, representing all ten covens.
Emperor Belos: Welcome, to your new covens!
The witches looks down at the sigil branded onto their wrist. Suddenly, lines start to come out of it, spreading throughout their entire body as they all exlaim in pain and panic. The eyes began to glow and they fell to the ground, becoming unconscious. The previous guard kneels down to one of them to check their pulse.
Previous guard: They're... still alive.
Emperor Belos: Well, we don't kill them. It's not what the Titan wants. Gather the palisman.
The previous guard gathered the staffs and Belos takes one of the palisman to feed on. The previous guard looks down at one of the witches, begins to wonder what he was doing was right or wrong.
The four exit out of the painting.
Luz: You can't deny it now! Belos is trying to hurt people.
Hunter: He was just... perfecting sigil magic! Besides, maybe, he's remembering things wrong. Who knows how mindscapes work?
Christa: You were just saying how you always read into this stuff.
Hunter: ( angrily) Well, maybe I'm an idiot!
Christa: Yeah, the biggest and most dilusional one.
Hunter: You're really not helping Red!
They heard kid Belos laughing and running.
Hunter: You there! Stop!
The three chased after him. But when they tried to he was gone. But ended in a new part of the gallery. This part was different as all the portraits all around, but none looked like Belos.
Luz: Wait, what's this part?
The three of them looked around, confused on this gallery. It seemed like a gallery of two humans. Were they friends or brothers they couldn't tell, but there was one thing strange. Every picture they saw, the same human had his face marked or torn off.
Hunter: Why do all of these have the same person face marked off?
Luz: What does any of this have to do with Belos?
Then they heard a roar. They turned and saw the inner monster Belos finding them and roaring. He was blocking the exit of the hallway came at them, but Christa used her plant magic and tied him down.
Christa: He's blocking the exit!
Hunter: Now where to?
Luz looked around and saw one painting, well one of the few that wasn't destroyed. It showed a precambrian man in some kind of lab looking at someone.
Luz: In here! Hurry!
Christa and Hunter followed her in. Once they entered the memory. They were in the black void and right there was the Face again with another quiz.
Luz: This again.
The light shined this time around Christa as she was forced up to the question.
Christa: AH! Wait, I'm not comfortable with this.
Luz: Just go with it Christa. Remember there's no right or wrong.
Hunter: Yeah, and I'm right here Red!
Christa rolls her eyes in disgust and starts the quiz.
Do you hate racoons?
Christa: No.
Face reacts with a confused look.
Do you like fish?
Christa: No.
Face reacts with a disgust look.
Have you ever broken a bone?
Christa: No.
Face reacts with a smiley face.
Can squirrels fly?
Christa: No.
Face reacts with a gentlemanly look.
Can it spin in all directions?
There was no clarification on what it meant by "it" so Christa just guessed.
Christa: No.
Face reacts with a sad look.
Is it night where you are?
Christa: Yes.
Face reacts with a scared look.
Is green your favorite color?
Christa: No.
Face reacts with a clown face.
Can you stand on your head?
Christa: Yes.
Face reacts with upside down smiley face.
Does it taste good to bite a woman.
Christa: Okay I don't know who came up with this question or this is really Belos's thoughts, but he needs serious help. No.
Face reacts with angry look.
Do you feel blame?
Christa: No.
Face reacts with an upside down look.
Have you ever been raped by someone.
Christa: No
Face reacts with a cute look.
Have you had a hunch about the way you will die?
Christa: No.
Face reacts with an annoyed look. With that the quiz ends and we get to the memory.
Hunter: Wait, what's this?
They looked around the area and it looked like lab, but it was too high tech.
Hunter: This doesn't look like the castle or anything on the Boiling Isles. I don't even think Blight Industries has something like this.
Christa: So what this?
Phillip: You want to what?
Caleb: I told you I want to stay here.
The three turned around and saw two humans. One was wearing a formal attire of what appeared to be Jacobian England high fashion, comprised of a long-sleeved coat with studded tails reaching all the way to his thighs and an upward-facing collar. Underneath his coat was a frilly undershirt, most notably having frilled sleeves. His neck region was further decorated with an equally frilly neck tie. His pants were a pair of breeches tightly fastened around his calves. Finally, he wore a pair of short boots with high heels. He had long brown hair, a beard and blue eyes.
But the other human, he wore a white shirt and brown pants and boots but there was something off about this one. The face was censored. More like there was a black scribble obscuring the face.
Christa: What's wrong with his face.
Hunter: Probably someone Belos really, really wanted to forget.
Luz: Who are they though?
Phillip: Caleb, how can you think of such a thing?
Caleb: Phillip please let me explain.
Luz: Phillip?
Luz took out a picture of a silouhette of Phillip she drew a long while back. She compared it to the man in front of her.
Luz: I don't believe it. That's Phillip Whittebane.
Christa: From the journal?
Hunter: And who's that with him?
Phillip: You want to stay here, after everything that's happened?
Caleb: You don't have to stay here brother. You can go when the portal is finished.
Phillip: You can't do this to me. I spent years looking for you. YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I SACRIFICED!?
Caleb: Phillip calm down. Listen I know you went through hard times at this Boiling Isles place and well it was a bit tough for me here too at first. But the people here are unlike anything back home. They're highly intelligent and civilized. They're not like the witches back home.
Phillip: Civilized or not they're not still witches. We're witch hunters, it's our job to track down and put an end to them.
Luz: Witch hunters?
Caleb: But they're not like this. I'm telling you...
Phillip: You're staying for that priestess aren't you?
Caleb while we couldn't see his face did look down and you could tell that's what it was about.
Phillip: I knew it!
Caleb: Please just listen. We've been through so much together. She found me when I was hurt transported here, she convinced Quan Ata Lachu to let me stay, she showed me around this world, taught me her way of life and helped me carve my palisman. And...after that incedent, Quan Ata Lachu granted us title " The Holders of the Eye." I can't leave her and I can't take her with us. She'll be tortured to death.
Phillip: She should be tortued to death.
Caleb: You don't really mean that.
Phillip: Did you forget. Our parents were killed one night by witches. I lost them but you said you'd be there for me. We worked together, we fought together and now you want to leave me.
Caleb: Dear brother I love you. I really do. With the portal, I'll come visit you.
Phillip: I don't want you to visit! I'm trying to get through to you. That witch is manipulating you. She's brainwashed you!
Caleb: No she hasn't. I love her Caleb.
Phillip stepped back with disgust on his face.
Phillip: Have you gone mad! You're a human! She's a witch!
Caleb: I don't care!
Phillip: You fool! Witches aren't capable of love! They're unholy demons, pawns of the devil himself! What you're doing goes against what we stand for! You're a witch hunter Caleb!
Caleb: Maybe I don't want to be a witch hunter anymore.
Phillip looked at him with disappointment in his eyes.
Phillip: So this is how it ends for us. If you truly devote yourself to this witch, then that makes you a traitor.
Phillip pulled out a dagger and ran at Caleb. He grabbed onto his arm as the two struggled. They kept bumping into equipment in the lab as well as the computers. Phillip ended up hitting a button that was activating some machinery and bulbs. Caleb tried grabbing the dagger, but he accidentally brought down cutting Phillip's arm. He yelled as he fell to his knees, holding his arm.
Caleb: Philiip I'm sorry. Are you okay?
But Phillip responds by stabbing him in the waist. Caleb grunted as he stepped back and held his waist and blood was staining his shirt and dripping to the floor. Phillip got back up and glared at him.
Phillip: You've alligned yourself with them. You're not a man. You're not my brother.
Phillip was about to finish him off. But then he heard somethhing activate. The machinery that they bumped into activated and created a prototype portal that was in an experimental stage. It started off as a floating purple ball but then expanded into portal and was sucking the two in. Calbe grabbed onto rail while Phillip was floating up panicking.
Caleb: Phillip!
Phillip was being sucked in as he screamed and was finally sucked in as the portal closed.
Caleb: Nooo!
Caleb reached up but then slammed his fist to the ground.
Caleb: ( sobbing) Brother. It didn't have to end this way. We all could have lived together. Start a new life here.
Luz: Wow, I had no idea Phillip was this awful.
Christa: Yeah he was way more sophisticated in the journals.
Hunter: This doesn't make sense though. What does any of this have to do with Belos. What is this place?
Luz: They made some reference to the priestess and Quan Ata Lachu and Phillip with his brother. I think...I think this place is somewhere in the Unknown Isles.
Christa: Are you serious?
But then they heard a roar and saw Inner Belos has caught up to them
Luz: Run!
The three of them ran out of the memory as they were now in an narrow hallway. But there were no other paintings.
Hunter: Great! Where do we go now?!
Luz: In there hurry!
Luz saw another painting of what looked like Phillip in the rain. They jumped in and they were now in the woods at night. It was boiling rain but because this was just a memory, they weren't touched or hurt. They saw Philip, sitting in the cave, clenching his fist angrily.
Phillip: Those...those barbarians. Those witches! They took everything away from me. They always have. And Caleb, you traitor. You betrayed humanity, God and me. I swear I will not let this go. I will have my revenge.
?: Not in that state you will.
Phillip: Who said that?
Winds were forming as trio looked around confused. Phillip also looked around as black smoke was forming, in front of Phillip. Finally it took shape into the red eye Enity.
Entity: Greetings Phillip.
To be continued.
Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. Actually I did write the whole retelling of Hollow Mind, but because it's really long I'm dividing it into two parts to give you guys time to read part of it and take a break. Part 2 will be out in another day or two as soon as I'm done proof reading and editing it. I know here it was mainly word for word of the episode with a few new scenes, but next one I promise will be more interesting. If you liked this chapter, be sure to follow, favorite and review. As always, thank you and until next time.