"It's been a long while, old friend."
The man had a similar accent to Belos, only more gruff. He wore a typical set of commoner robes, but that wasn't what Hunter noticed first. What he noticed first was the ash blonde hair tied into a bun at the back, with that one strand of hair that always sprung free. He had a full beard only a shade darker than his hair, and eyes as blue as Luz's description of the human sea.
Flapjack was perched on his finger, chirping happily.
The man turned around; he was missing his right eye, a thick scar over a pupil stained grey. He looked at Flapjack longingly, before raising his hand and letting him fly off into the air.
"You figured it out quicker than the others."
Hunter barely noticed when Flapjack landed on his shoulder.
"You're Belos' old friend, aren't you?"
The man sighed. "He still describes me like that, eh? Thought he'd think better of family."
Hunter's eyes widened. "Family? You're his… you're the brother in the paintings…"
The man smiled. "Caleb Wittebane. The pleasure's mine."
"Caleb… that was the alias Flapjack told me to use."
Caleb smirked. "He always was sentimental."
"You're the one I was based off, right?" Hunter asked.
"Yes," Caleb muttered. "Phillip killed me, but I perished in body alone. Now I'm trapped here, in the Deathtouched Dream. You might think that he simply wanted me back, but that's not true. He just needed someone he could pass off as family.
"It hurts so much every time another Guard arrives in my realm, because I know that Phillip will kill them before they can make a difference. That's how it's always been, but you… you're different.
"You broke free in record time, and not only that, but my loyal companion saw you as worthy."
"What are you saying?"
Caleb walked towards Hunter and laid a hand on his shoulder. "What I'm saying is that you will be the last Golden Guard. You must be. This is the reckoning, if Phillip's dynasty doesn't crumble now, his plan will come to pass."
"Why now?" Hunter asked. "Why me?"
"Because you have help." Caleb stood up and looked away. "None of the others did. But just so you know… don't go denigrating the girl. You may have elf ears, but aside from that, you're as human as she is." Caked poked his own round ear.
Hunter didn't know what an elf was, so he assumed it was human slang for witches.
"But what if I can't help them? What if I end up like the others?"
Caleb paused for a second, his brilliant blue eyes glistening in the sunlight.
"That is a risk we all must take, my boy. There is never the comfort of safety on the path to success. The sooner you understand that, the better."
Hunter looked at his hands suddenly. They were fading away, slowly and gradually.
"Looks like they're pulling you out." Caleb looked back at them. "So long, old friend, and good luck to you, Hunter.
"I hope you're the last of them."
Just thought this would be a cool oneshot to write. I was a bit disappointed that Hunter didn't even get mentioned in the newest episode, so I hope we catch up with him again soon.
