A/N:

Hello, everyone! Deepest apologies for the hiatus. No burnout this time, I just took a bit of time for self-care…And prepping for a trip! I went down to see my BF, Had such a great time, Ily Crow. 3.

I also want to give my thanks to all of my readers. I just checked, as of 8/4 - I hit over 10k cumulative views. (5k on AO3, 5k on FF, and like…200 on Wattpad lol.) That is so amazing to me. I've officially eclipsed my last TOH fic not just in word count (lmao) but in view count too.

I'm so happy, so amazed, and so thankful. I will see this project through to the end, and I basically already know how the next 3 chapters are gonna go.

Enough sappy stuff. You know exactly what's going to happen in this chapter, why even sugar-coat it? :3c

(Content warning for graphic violence and all that fun stuff.)

Phillip sat down under the trunk of one of the Forearm Forest's many trees. He was on his way to Carpal City, but a long trek had left his body exhausted and aching. So he took a bit of a break - intending to write another diary entry, but instead quickly fell asleep.

His sleep lasted only a few minutes, unfortunately. He was woken up by a nearby rustling sound. It made him shoot up to his feet, expecting it to be another damned Ratcoon rummaging through his few supplies. But no, it seemed the rustling was from a bit deeper in the forest. Probably another forest critter, but it was best to check. Who knew what nasties could be lurking.

He couldn't believe his eyes when, in the distance he saw a familiar figure. He pinched himself, expecting it to be a dream. But no!

It was…Caleb…

Holding hands with a witch?!

…Nightmares are dreams, too.

No, no, there- there HAD to be some solid explanation. That witch had kept Caleb hostage, and was forcing him to make 'human knickknacks.'! Or…Something to that effect!

Swiftly, he turned around and grabbed his bag. Running off, trying his hardest not to be seen by that horrid witch. He knew there was no way he could defeat her one on one - while he had become decently handy with glyphs and glyph combinations, any witch worth their salt would wipe the floor with him.

He needed to find a way to become stronger, fast. He had no time to train, his brother needed his help now!

Scratching his chin, he began to search his memories for any potential trump card he might've picked up during his travels. When he landed on that one mystical vision he had after the beaker of Eclipse Lake water exploded.

It was a being, covered head to toe in Glyphs. Perhaps…What the Titan's spirit looked like? But that wasn't really important right now. But it gave Phillip idea. To carve glyphs into his own body! If successful, he could control the land's magic directly. Unfiltered by glyphs or bile sacs.

For lack of a better option, this was the best route. He stopped in the mouth of a small cave, pulling a small zig-zag knife out of his bag. Illuminated by the light of the setting sun, he plunged the knife in and began to carve.

This would turn out to be the worst possible decision he could've made. It backfired spectacularly, and almost immediately. Aside from the obvious pain of cutting up his own skin - once he was finished, the glyphs began to glow bright white and burn hotter than hellfire.

His flesh began to rapidly decay, melting into a foul green sludge. Bubbling and writhing, before the pile of indescribably horrid liquid recoalesced into a beast that tangentially resembled Phillip. It broke not only his body, but his mind - all that was left was pure beastly instinct.

Caleb was the only thing on it's mind. It shambled back through the forest towards Bonesborough - Fatefully crossing paths with the couple.

"What is that!?" Evelyn screeched, as the monster came up over the horizon. Barely illuminated by the setting sun. Caleb stepped forward, initially intending to protect his bridge - but the glimmer of the golden sigil on the beast's coat pocket gave him pause. He recognized that coat - it was his coat…That he'd left back in the human realm.

Cautiously stepping forward, he asked "Phillip…Is that you?"

"Calebbb…" The beast moaned.

"It is you!" Caleb said. He just knew it in his heart. "Don't worry, Pip, We're here." As he said this, he stepped forward - and wrapped the beast in a hug.

Even though Phillip's mind was nearly gone, It still brought a tear to his eye.

–

Caleb and Evelyn brought the beast into their home. One that Caleb had hand-built. It was a small log cabin, but it was enough for them. They came to the deduction that he must be cursed, somehow - and with that knowledge in hand, she went to Bonesborough.

After a thorough examination by the town's top minds - they determined that his body had become nothing but pure unkempt magic. They were able to craft a special medicine made from the essence of Palistrom wood, with the wood's Keratin providing structure for the magic to form into a complete entity.

It worked. It was a temporary solution, though - his body needed a continuous source of Keratin if he hoped to maintain his human form. It was a band-aid, but- One that helped him come back together.

–

"Pip, are you alright?" Caleb asked as Phillip returned to his former state.

His breath was heavy, his emotions all felt as if they were on overdrive. His eyes darted around the room, settling on Evelyn. "You…" He muttered, as he tried to stand up.

"Yeaaa…" Evelyn said whilst rolling her eyes. "Sorry I lied to ya."

"Pip, this- is my wife. Her name is Evelyn." Caleb said, after taking a deep breath.

"Married?" Phillip repeated, his eyes wide. He didn't believe it, it must be a lie.

Evelyn walked up to her husband, and whispered into his ear - "Do you think we should tell him…About the baby?"

Caleb swiftly shook his head. "No, not yet." whispering in return. Turning back to Pip, he kept speaking. "We run a small business, where I make 'Human' junk for her to sell off. I know this must be a lot to take in, just- take a deep breath." He opened his arms, ready to embrace his little brother.

But Phillip did not reciprocate the gesture, instead - running away. Out the door.

"Pip!" Caleb called, trying to follow his little brother. But Phillip immediately disappeared into the cloak of night.

Taking a deep breath and shaking his head, Caleb turned back to Evelyn. "He's…Probably having a really rough time right now…" He grumbled. His wife put her hands on his shoulders, trying to comfort him - "It's alright, he'll come around. You did." They both shared a laugh.

With that, they grabbed a lantern and began to search the forest.

–

Phillip had hidden in the same small cave. He heard that horrid Witch's voice calling his name, clearly singing a siren song he would NOT fall for. Right there, in the dirt was the same knife he used to carve his own flesh. It was then that he knew it was now or never.

The only way he was going to free Caleb was to kill Evelyn - or die trying. He grabbed said knife, and held it behind his back as he returned in the direction of their home.

On the way, some part of his mind began to wonder. What if his brainwashing was more…Subtle? What if she'd tricked him into believing it was actual love? The thought curled his stomach. He saw how happy Caleb looked while introducing Evelyn - Phillip didn't want to do this. He knew how much it would hurt Caleb. But it was necessary to save his soul.

He'd understand. In time.

–

Caleb and Evelyn stood, hand in hand, at the entrance of their home. Eve hung the lantern up on the hook - They'd looked in the forest, but, t was so dark that they couldn't see anything.

Thankfully, it seemed that Phillip had found his way back! "Oh, Pip, there you are!" Caleb happily peeped, as he saw his little brother's figure approaching in the darkness. "You had us worried."

Phillip said nothing, simply walking closer with his hands clasped behind his back. Stopping a few steps in front of the horrid witch, he brandished his knife high - intending to go right for the heart. Make it quick, make it easy. But she somehow managed to dodge.

His right hand, already in motion, smashed the lantern - which caused his coat to catch alight. He tore it off, but- the fire spread and began to spread across the cabin.

Caleb was shocked by his little brother's actions, grabbing a knife out of his back pocket - one he used for whittling, but it was all the self defense he had on. Pleading - "Phillip, Please! Don't do this!"

This didn't deter a hellbent Phillip, who once again tried to lunge at Evelyn - but Caleb stepped in front. Absorbing the blow for her.

Time seemed to slow as Phillip realized what had just happened. His knife slid so easily into Caleb's chest. All the life and color drained from his face, as he fell to the floor.

Like the coward he was, Phillip ran - Evelyn tried to give chase, blasting a variety of spells in his direction. But he once again disappeared into the cloak of night.

There wasn't even a hope to save Caleb, as the flames consumed his body. Phillip had unleashed hellfire, consuming everything the couple had built. Every possession and every memory.

The guilty stopped once again in the same damned accursed cave, pulling himself into a fetal position and beginning to weep.

Phillip Wittebane died that day, and out of his remnants was born Emperor Belos.