Chapter 1
A dream come true.
It was the lie Amity told herself as she walked down the red carpet towards emperor Belos's throne. Though she kept her gaze low she felt the eyes of the court nerve racking. And partly she couldn't blame them. A new golden guard was always seen as a tremendous occasion. But one not of the royal family? A thought like this sounded impossible and yet here she was. The golden guard uniform was uncomfortable (thankfully she hadn't gotten the mask, yet), though a guard had told her she'd get used to it. As if he would know she thought. And amongst the eyes of the coven heads, her mentor, and Belos looking down on her from his throne. She could feel her mother's intensely. She wasn't sure if it was due to the purple pendant around her or just her general disdain towards her. Amity kneeled at the footsteps of Belos's throne. She looked up gazing into the black voids of his mask. Intimidation was an alien feeling to Amity. She made people feel intimidated sure and she never felt intimidated by her mother, more so compliant. However, his presence, his status, his power, Amity could feel her heart rate slowly pick up as Belos walked from his throne towering over her. Amity's body tensed from the quick movement of Belos's staff so close to her face. The crackle of energy near her ear and warmth protruding from it made her body shiver.
"Amity Blight," he spoke. It was reassuring and calm, but Amity notice it was laced with something else. Anger? Fear? She wasn't sure. All she knew was it was raw. "Through your dedication in your academics and in your victory against Luz the human girl in the witch's duel, I see you're not only a prime candidate for the emperor's coven, but the newest golden guard."
Amity gulped at the praise, swallowing back the fear she had bubbling in her chest. Come on Amity say something! You can't just sit here quietly!
T-thank you, Emperor Belos. I work to serve the emperor's coven."
"Very well. Upon this day, I, Emperor Belos, voice of the titan and lord of the Boiling Isles offer you Amity Blight the highest honor imaginable in this realm. To serve not only me, but those around you as the golden guard. To protect the innocent and push for peace in the act of combat. Do you agree?"
Every muscle in her body told Amity to run away. Say no and run. To where? She had no idea, but she knew she didn't truly belong here with them. She still couldn't erase the look of fear on Luz's face before her abomination fist came crashing into her and the wall. The crack of her body and the gasps of the crowd still haunted her dreams. Though her mentor, Lilith, assured her that drinking tea made by Terra would help calm her nerves. After that day she gained the epithet 'false witch slayer.' It didn't surprise her when Willow refused to even look at her. She couldn't blame her either.
"I do, Emperor Belos."
"Very well. Upon this day," he bellowed. "Amity Blight will be the new golden guard for the emperor's coven!"
Amity hadn't received the triumphant cheers she imagined that would come from joining the emperor's coven. Just eyes glaring down at her. She rose from the ground and stood by Belos who placed a hand on her shoulder.
"The titan sees bright things in your future, young Blight."
"T-thank you, Emperor Belos."
"Oh, Amity," he chuckled. "You're the new golden guard, practically family. Please, just call me Belos."