A/N: So, I have a TON to say about that last chapter, but- since I put my author's notes first, I'll put it here because I don't want to spoil that chapter.
*Clasps hands.*
How's everyone feeling so far?
I fooled you, I'm not just going to write about Phillip, I intend to develop Caleb some more too!
Honestly, I never liked the whole "Caleb is the good twin, Phillip is the bad twin" concept. Too black and white for me, and this story is all about shades of grey. I don't want to get too far into it, because- y'know, we still got so many more chapters to go, but… Let's just say, in my story, some of the things Caleb does rub off on his little brother. :P
Currant let out a distressed sounding "Caw!" After she transformed from staff back to an animal, Because of their emotional bond, she could sense how distressed Phillip was getting. She turned to the rest of the group, and silently pleaded for them to do something.
"I'm okay…" Phillip eventually grunted, grabbing ahold of the window's sill and pulling himself to his feet. Eda and Amity came to his aid, hoisting him up by his shoulders. 'Caw.' Currant squawked, knowing literally best out of anyone he was lying through his teeth.
After resting for a minute on a nearby chair, he had regained enough energy to walk under his own power. His palisman transformed into back into a staff, just in case he needed something to aid with his balance. A good call, because beside his head pounding, he felt strangely dizzy.
Amity looked at Eda, asking "The Owl House isn't as far away as Blight Manor, maybe Phillip should stay there until you feel a bit better?"
"No." Phillip grunted. "I am alright. Let's just…keep going." He didn't want to ask for help. He just grit his teeth and bore it.
Amity shot Eda a worried look. To which Eda rolled her eyes, and grumbled "Jeez, you kidnap someone oneeeeeeee time."
The return trip, to be frank, was slow. Phillip took a while to regain his bearings enough to make any kind of decent pace. By the time they once again reached Blight Manor, the sun was beginning to set.
Eda decided to join them on the return trip, half because she wanted to make sure it wasn't a rouse, and half because she wanted to talk with Amity with Phillip not over their shoulder. Plus, the return trip wasn't going to be nearly as bad, because she could fly on palisman-back.
"I'd best be going to bed, but- I'll continue work in the morning. Have a good evening, you two" Phillip said, in a low voice. Giving a small polite bow, before he headed upstairs for some much needed rest.
As soon as he was out of immediate earshot, Eda crossed her arms and asked "What's up with him?"
"I think another one of his memories might be awakening." Amity said, rubbing her chin. "He had the same symptoms when he first saw Hunter, and a few hours later you said the first picture had developed, right?"
"Unfortunately." Eda said, putting hand-and-hook-hand on her hips. "I'll text Lilith to keep an eye out." She grumbled, rolling her eyes. She was half convinced that he was making it up for sympathy, considering what Lilith and Luz told her about how he pretended to be injured to get them to trust him back during that whole timepool incident.
"But why now, I wonder?" Amity tapped her chin as she spoke.
Eda shrugged. "I don't know, maybe the sight of the Emperor's Coven sigil awakened his memories of being the Emperor, or somethin. Bound to happen sooner or later."
"It's possible, I suppose, but it'd make more sense if his memories came in chronological order." Amity said, giving a shrug. "I suppose we'll just have to wait and see-"
Just as Amity said that, the scroll in Eda's pocket began ringing off the hook. The ringtone? Some girly pop song that was popular when she was back in 8th grade, probably. "Speak of the demon and she doth appear." She grumbled, as she unfurled her scroll. "Hey Lily, what's up?"
"Hi, Edalyn! Hold on a second- how do you turn on the camera again?" Lilith replied, clearly quite confused.
"Just press the green button, the one with a camera on it!" Amity said, jumping in to try and help her cool aunt. Eda just rolled her eyes.
"Oh, Hi Amity! This one?" Lilith asked, and as she did, her camera did appear - but it was backwards. It was facing her wall.
"It's on now, but it's the wrong way. Press the little circle icon." Amity said politely. After that, the camera finally showed Lilith's face.
"Hey, sis." Eda said, with a small smile.
"Eda, Amity, Phillip's second memory has finished developing. Take a look!" Lilith squeaked, as she picked up the photoframe and held it in her arms.
The photo depicted the duo of brothers, holding their first aloft in victory as they stood in front of a burning building. Phillip had a wooden mask on, and was brandishing a pitchfork. In the foreground were other villagers following suit.
Amity let out an uncomfortable sigh, worried about the implications of the photo. She looked back up and to Lilith, and tried to explain. "Yea, I think- We've, uh…" She rubbed her head. The words just weren't coming out properly.
Eda butt in. "We took Bellend up there on a little field trip today, to an abandoned Emperor's Coven outpost in Elbin." She restated.
"For branding gloves! He's trying to reverse-engineer them." Amity raised her index finger.
"Yea, and well, he took one look out of the watchtower's window and keeled over in pain. Few hours later, one of his photos developed. Amity says that nearly the same thing happened the last time.
Amity nodded, "They have to be correlated."
"Well, if you were so sure, why didn't you call me before!" Lilith asked, genuinely concerned.
"We were in the Forearm Forest! I didn't have cell reception." Eda lied, the truth being that she genuinely just didn't think to do it.
Lilith rubbed her forehead and grumbled. "Well, if this happens again, give me a heads up and I'll watch his photos like a gripphon." She said, confidently.
"We will." Amity said, exasperated.
Amity and Eda stared at each other for a moment, before Lilith just spit out what was on everyone's mind. "So, if he's starting to get more memories back, we're going to need someone to talk to him about it."
"I'll give Luz a call." Amity said, with a small smile.
Eda raised an eyebrow. "Why her? Why not you? Doesn't he 'trust' you?" She said, punctuating with finger quotes.
Amity rolled her eyes. "You know I'm not good at all that…Emotional stuff. Luz is." She bit her tongue though, especially about things like his deepest wish and the heart to heart he and Luz had. For the moment that was on a…need to know basis.
"Ugh…" Eda grumbled, slapping her forehead. "So you're telling me it's only a matter of time before he remembers he's the emperor? I'll go start stocking up on Glyph combinations…"
