"Tate! How are you? Have you eating well? I swear if-"

"Grandma Gwen, please." Said Tate tiredly to his crystal ball

"But you're still so thin!" Said Gwendolyn across the crystal ball "maybe you should go with me on some of my adventures. The trials i go through to cure your aunt did give quite the bit of muscle." She continued showing her one of her biceps to her grandson.

Tate visibly cringed at the sight before Dell decided to stop her.

"Gwendolyn, give him some space." Said Dell happily with a chuckle. "So, how's everything. Tell me all you can."

"Well, i guess I'll start with friends. Like i have this friend called Hunter. He's a nice person, but has no clue as to what proper friendship is like. I've had him read children's books about friendship so he wouldn't try some of his more...eccentric...things." said Tate with a shiver

Dell let out a smile before Tate continued. As the conversation went on, Tate remembered more and more what today was.

'Today, Eda will be caught by the emperor's coven.' Tate thought to himself as he smiled to his grandfather.

It felt like betrayal. Even while knowing that Belos NEEDS them alive and moving. It felt horrible, not because he was attached to his aunt or anything, it was because of his grandfather.

He was the only person in Tate's family that he actually considers family. Gwendolyn just scared him or ticked him off, she was too forceful.

It felt more awful knowing that even if he did nothing, Dell would not be angry at him in the slightest.

"Also, I've finished a new version of the bracelet for your arm. If it works...maybe we can...carve something together? I heard you were a palisman carver and...hehe." Said Tate, scratching the back of his neck as he felt slightly embarrassed at his proposition.

Dell's expression, however, brightened upon hearing that "I can't wait to do it."

knock knock*

"That's my que. See you later." Said Tate happily with a bright smile.

"See you soon"

Tate shut the crystal ball off before opening his room's door to reveal a scout.

They came to tell Tate that Kikimora requires his presence.

It was...less serious than it sounded.

xxXxx

"Silver Scout, do you know why i called you here?"

Tate, who was in his Silver Scout costume, took a pause before asking "Does it have to do with the approaching school trip from Hexside, Kiki?"

Kikimora was surprised, but tried not to show it "you're...well informed."

'Of course, why wouldn't i remember this cursed episode.' Tate thought to himself calmly as Kikimora continued after clearing her throat.

"Yes, it is our job to guide the witches of tomorrow and as you are well known among them; you're to accompany me during the tour...also, wear your shield. It helps put on a good show."

Tate rolled his eyes at the last part, not that Kikimora could see it, before nodding. "Very well, Kiki."

xxXxx

"A school trip?" Asked Mir raising a brow. "That's why you look so worried?"

Tate frowned as he put on a fancy black and white colored shield. It didn't help much in combat so he never really used it, but it does look cool.

"It's...complicated." Said Tate avoiding eye contact.

"What's complicated about giving a tour to a bunch of kids?"

"Mir, please drop the subject." Said Tate in a threatening tone, causing Mir to go silent. "I'm not in the mood."

Tate took a deep breath and flopped onto his bed. Every time he thought about the petrification he became more anxious.

Nothing bad was going to happen, so why did he care so much?! He didn't NEED to feel guilty. His grandpa would be worried for a bit, yes, but nothing bad will actually happen! Sure, things did change ONCE before. But that was...because of him.

Tate took a deep breath. Finally making his decision.

'We'll deal with it when get there.'

xxXxx

"Children of Hexside." Said Kikimora calmly "Emperor Belos welcomes you to his castle. We're honoured by visits from-"

"*gasp* Oh my gosh! It's the silver scout!" One of the students exclaimed excitedly.

It wasn't long before the students crowded Tate, asking him questions.

This, however, upset Kikimora a lot. To be ignored so easily. But Tate didn't care. It was her who asked him to go with her. Perhaps she was hoping to flaunt her position over him in front of some children.

Kikimora cleared her throat loudly, getting the attention of everyone again.

"You'll all be joining covens soon and some of you may be lucky enough to find home here in the mighty emperor's coven" said Kikimora calmly, getting happy and hopeful murmurs from the students "you are the future of the isles. My job is to teach you its past."

And with that, they entered the castle...starting one of the most boring few minutes of Tate's life.

The only fun thing about it was a single moment where he glanced at Luz before never doing it again. Something she definitely noticed from the squeak she let out.

Then, his mother appeared after her failed attempt at capturing his aunt.

Tate struggled to keep in his laughter as Kikimora did her best to indirectly embarrass Lilith.

"Ah! Make way for Lilith Clawthorne." Said Kikimora as she had everyone take a step back, away from Lilith's path. "And if I'm not mistaken, she's on her way to meet the emperor right now. Wish her luck everyone."

All the students gave Lilith a "good luck, Miss Lilith." Meanwhile, Tate just stared silently...earning an angry glare from Lilith.

"Come along, children." Said Kikimora as she took the students with her to view the rest of the castle. "You too, Silver Scout."

Tate nodded and obediently followed Kikimora with the students, ignoring Luz following Lilith entirely.

The rest of the tour went without a hitch, if your like Tate and can't bother with three of thr students actually being illusions.

"*sigh* finally." Said Tate as he made it to his room, but he struggled to open the door knowing what's going to happen in a minute. "Ugh."

"Tate!" It was Hunter in his GG costume and it looked like he was in a good mood.

"Hunter? What are you doing here?" Asked Tate feeling a little happy his friend is here.

"Well, i learned from the *ahem* books you gave that friends help cheer you up...i think...and i thought you'd be bummed out from staying with Kiki all day." Said Hunter cheerfully as he held his staff

Tate chuckled happily before speaking. "Thanks, i needed that. So, what ELSE did you learn?"

Hunter paused for a second, realizing what Tate was alluding to before clearing his throat. "And i learned that dragging your friend to a dangerous duel over a pit of spikes is not a good expression of friendship...especially when your friend can't fly...even if they're protecting themselves using magic."

"Good. Just don't get cheesy with it." Said Tate with a smirk under his mask as he put his arm over Hunter's shoulder causing him to laugh. "You already have the color."

Sadly, the joy was stopped by the sound of a crash that reverberated around the castle. Tate instantly knew who it was, but Hunter was thankfully very nonchalant about it.

"Huh? I wonder who that could be?" He said tilting his head.

"You're not worried?" Asked Tate curiously

"Who's stupid enough to attack the emperor's castle?" Replied Hunter with a shrug causing Tate to nod.

'A bunch of future friends.' Tate thought silently

"Well, since i read a book of your recommendation, you should read something i recommend." Said Hunter happily before noticing that Tate completely zoned out. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine...what was that about a book?"

"Oh you're gonna love it! It's a story called 'Ruler's Reach' and-"

xxXxx

"Lilith has invited the Owl Lady to a duel!" It was a Steve and he was full of energy.

"Did you really come barging in just for that?" Asked Hunter with a frown

"Well, uhh, i thought that since... you know? It's the silver scout's mother fighting his aunt. It's family business and all so, i thought he'd be interested."

Hunter was about to berate Steve for bothering them with that, but Tate spoke out first.

"Take me there."

Hunter was shocked. Why would Tate care about that fight? One was a criminal and the other doesn't even have the decency to acknowledge her own son.

"What?" He asked in confusion.

"I want to see that fight." Said Tate calmly. "Take me there."

Hunter, seeing nothing too wrong with watching the duel, begrudingly decided to go with his friend after dropping the Ruler's Reach book on his bookshelf.

"H-hey! Wait for me!" Said Hunter as Tate and Steve began leaving.

"You sure?" Asked Tate raising a brow under his mask

"Of course! Besides, it's a good opportunity to study wild ma- i mean, the enemy."

Tate and Steve looked at each other for one second before they both shrugged. Tate gestured for Hunter to follow and they headed towards the duel.

They sadly didn't get the premium seats as the emperor was there. So, they had to stick to watching it with the scouts.

And it was horrifying.

Things happened exactly as the show, the fight was much more impressive in person though.

Only one thing was really different and it was Tate himself.

Watching the duel was...stressful for him. Anxiety that he could've messed everything up and guilt that he was letting all of this happen ate him up during every second.

Not to mention the amount of disgust at actually seeing Lilith do what she did that made his stomach churn. It was nauseating. She cursed Eda, insulted her, helped chase her into isolation, kidnapped her student to use as bait and a shield so she can send her sister to a life she'd clearly hate.

Disgust, anxiety, anger.

And all those feelings exploded during the end of the duel, when Luz was just one tiny accident away from being impaled through the chest by a large spike.

Tate couldn't handle it. 'What if she actually dies?' He thought anxiously to the point that he began shaking. 'What if Eda can't pull her enough?'

Suddenly, be it his magic or his his body's instincts, the vivid image and sound of what COULD happen to Luz appeared in his mind with ALL ITS GORY DETAILS.

And so, not being able to take it anymore, he quickly broke through a window and clung to the outside walls using magic.

He threw the shield Kikimora forced him to wear like a boomerang after injecting it with magic. It flew all the way to Luz and took her like a flying platform to the ground opposite the castle before returning back to its owner.

Tate went back into castle quietly panting and shaking in a panic.

"Tate! Why did you- Tate?" Asked Hunter in concernas he approached Tate

"I-i'm fine! I just need to take a breather." Tate stopped Hunter immediately and began heading to his room.

As Hunter saw Tate leave, he was about to go follow him. Before he could do that, a scout stopped him.

"You should probably give him some space."

"Does this happen often?" Asked Hunter worriedly

"It's happens when he sees blood." Said the scout calmly

"Yeah, he doesn't stomach it very well." Said another scout "always gags at even small amounts. He must've really thought about what could've happened to that kid."

Hunter looked...very confused even under his mask.

"Yeah, it's kinda weird for a guy who fights with a sword to not handle blood. Kinda gives you a sense of respect for what he does, you know?." Said the scout with a shrug

Hunter could only frown as Tate got farther and farther away."

xxXxx

"Blergh!" Tate puked into a bucket before flopping onto his bed and tightly hugging his pillow as he shivered

"Kid! What's going on?" Asked Mir in concern from the bookshelf.

Tate didn't answer and instead hugged his pillow tighter.

'I HAVE to make sure they make it out' thought Tate in a silent panic. 'If they don't make it out it'll all be my fault!'

Tate racked his brain for any solution, any way he could help without getting on Belos's bad side.

'If i don't do this, I'd never be able to look him in the eyes agai- that's it!' Tate sprung out of his bed with newfound determination

"Aargh! Kid, you're scaring me!" Said Mir in surprise as Tate desperately looked for something in his desk's drawer.

It was the bracelet for Dell's arm.

Tate had figured out a way to know when Belos was watching a long time ago, so he knew Belos didn't know about this bracelet. No one knew or would know about it except Dell, Gwendolyn, Mir and possibly Malphas, the head librarian, but he was on Tate's side so he wouldn't tell.

Tate ripped the string apart and took the bracelet's gems to give them a new purpose.

'Sorry, Grandpa Dell. You're just gonna have to wait a little longer.'

xxXxx

"You really hit a new low, didn't you? I'm sure the owl lady will LOVE being with you after this."

"Shut it. You don't know anything. She's my sister." replied Lilith with a frown "and you're just a child...an unwanted one at that."

Tate approached Lilith in the throne room with a calm demeanor, ignoring the angry owl beast in the room.

"Maybe i am" said Tate with a shrug as he glared at Lilith. "But you? You're a monster and that duel proved it."

"Your interference was unnecessary, i had it under control, the human would not have been harmed" said Lilith with clear displeasure.

"And if she was?" Asked Tate with a frown under his mask.

It took Lilith a few seconds to answer. "To be great, you have to make sacrifices." She said as she glared at Tate, quoting Belos of all people.

"Was your 'sister' one of those sacrifices?" Asked Tate with hostility as some of his anger boiled to surface of his mind.

Lilith flinched when she heard those wordsand Tate asked another question.

"Was it worth it?" Lilith looked angered by this question, however, before she could do anything to reply, the owl beast broke out of its bindings and started breaking things causing Lilith's attention to shift.

"Ugh, Eda! Stop that this instant!" Demanded Lilith as the owl beast began ripping apart a tapestry of Belos. After finally catching up to the beast, she drew a large magic circle to trap the owl beast inside a blue bubble. The owl beast, not taking it's new cage kindly, glared at Lilith. "Don't look at me like that, this is for your own good. Emperor Belos will heal your curse-"

"That you put on her." Tate interjected

Lilith growled at Tate with a side glance before the owl beast blew a raspberry at her.

"I will not fall prey to your childish games." Said Lilith before she showed a mocking face to Eda.

Tate sighed and looked towards the door of the throne room before it was suddenly opened and several scouts came in with Kikimora right after.

"All kneel before Emperor Belos." Said Kikimora calmly

Lilith and Tate both kneeled immediately as the Emperor walked into the room menacingly before the owl beast burst out of its bubble and attacked the emperor.

"Edalyn, no!" Lilith cried out before Belos defeated the beast and restrained it with ease.

Tate didn't react whatsoever, there was no need to. This is one of the scenes where his existence was left out and it was for the best.

Tate watched as the emperor completely destroyed all of Lilith's hopes and dreams in less than a minute.

He would've to glare at her if the emperor didn't order him to transport the partially healed owl lady, who was begging Lilith to stop Belos from getting Luz, to her cage.

"Lilith!" Eda pleaded again as she was pulled out of the room.

"I doubt she'll answer your cries." Said Tate calmly

"...it's you." Said Eda in surprise. "You were the one who helped Luz...why did you do that?"

"...you already lost at that point. There was no reason to keep the human in harm's way." Said Tate, trying to keep it as cold as possible

"Huh? I don't suppose you could do it again." Said Eda dejectedly

"I'm afraid not. But from what i can tell..." said Tate as he secretly snuck a certain gem into Eda's feathers. "She looks like she probably has some good friends. I doubt she'll be alone."

Eda didn't answer as Tate chained her up for the petrification ceremony.

"If it's any consolation, i think you're much better person than your sister...auntie." said Tate with a small chuckle. "Good luck."

In return, Eda let out a small laugh. "You're a weird kid."

Tate didn't reply and instead gave her a wave as he left the room. Thankfully, she didn't notice the stone or its effect.

All he could do now...was wait.

xxXxx

Everyone's thoughts during the petrification of Eda was...unexpected, aside from Lilith and King entering the cage with Eda, something was very odd.

'Why is it so slow?' Everyone asked themselves or even other people.

Even Belos himself was mildly surprised before merely chalking it up to Eda's anti magical curse and...he wasn't particularly wrong.

The spell inside the gem Tate put on Eda was one that replicated the effect of Eda's Requiem on a smaller scale.

The gem on its own could never hold a spell powerful enough to slow the petrification, but it didn't need to; it only needed to activate the curse and it would do its work.

"Huh? That's anti-climatic." Said Hunter narrowing his eyes under his mask as he watched the ceremony on a crystal ball.

"What do you think is the cause?" Asked Tate cheerfully. It felt bad to trick his friend, but it was better than the alternative.

"Maybe it's her curse." Said Hunter cheerfully as he crafted his own theories. "Perhaps the petrification beam is attacked by the curse when it gets in her body."

"Huh? That's interesting- oh, they're escaping." Said Tate calmly.

"What?! C'mon we need to go!" Said Hunter in a hurry as he began leaving while pulling Tate with him

"W-wait! At least let me put this shield down! It's really uncomfortable!" Said Tate in surprise to which Hunter allowed.

After taking off his shield, Tate was once again pulled away by Hunter to meet the emperor...

There, they only heard one sentence and one gesture.

"Don't worry, Kiki, we'll keep an eye on the inhabitants of the owl house." Belos said as he nodded to Hunter to which he nodded back.

'Welcome, season 2'

And Tate didn't know that, after she escaped, Eda found the mysterious glowing rock inside her hair and wondered about its existence.

xxXxx

Tell me how i did. Leave a review.

Toodles.