The Daily Lives of The Owl Familia: P2:
The Piercing Arrow

Summary: While cleaning their home, Hunter finally asks about the Golden Guard before him

Timeline: Six weeks have passed since the Day of Unity was stopped.

"What was he liked?" Hunter suddenly asked his dad.

Darius stopped his dusting and looked at his adopted son. In young grimwalker's hands was a picture frame, and it didn't take him long to figure out who Hunter was asking about.

He walked up to Hunter and gently took the frame from his son. Darius looked at the picture and smiled a smile that was a strange mix of nostalgia and sadness.

"Arrow's was very much like you, Little Prince," Darius said softly, looking at his son warmly. "But he had his own quirks that marked him as a different person than you."

He took a seat on the couch, and Hunter joined him. Darius looked longingly at the picture, with him as a young man, fresh out of Hexside, standing next to the last Golden Guard. Arrow wasn't wearing his mask and was giving a genuine smile to the camera.

Darius sighed contently and looked at Hunter, a warm smile crossing his face.

"Arrow was a confident man, but he was loyal," He explained nostalgically, "If the records were to be believed, he served the longest under the Golden Guard title. I could only assume that meant he lasted the longest out of the many grimwalkers Philip Wittlebane created."

Hunter blinked and slowly turned his eyes to the picture. He noticed that Arrow appeared to be in his early thirties and shuddered as he remembered the images he saw in Belos's mind. All the pictures of the previous Golden Guards were only a few years older than him, with most being in their early twenties.

Darius saw his son shake and got closer to him. He gently wrapped an arm around Hunter and pulled him close. The former Coven Head waited until he knew Hunter calmed down before continuing.

"As I said, he was confident but also smart. I now believe he somehow learned that my family was against Belos and was discreetly giving me hints, pointing me in the direction that helped me the most. But, he wasn't without his wild side."

Darius paused and looked at the picture. He smiled nostalgically again as he recalled good times with his mentor and chuckled as a memory of a wild night came flooding back to him.

"He could have given Eda Clawthorne a run for her snails in an Appleblood-drinking contest," Darius spoke softly, "He also could charm away witch he wanted, but he always respected them."

"...He sounds like a great guy," Hunter said softly.

"He was," Darius replied, longing, "It's because of him that I am the person I am today and blessed with such a great son."

Hunter smiled bashfully and blushed slightly when Darius looked at him with a warm smile.

"He also sounds like a great mentor," Hunter said appreciatively, "I think I can see why you held him in such regrets."

The smile disappeared from Darius's face, and he sighed hollowly. He pulled Hunter a little closer. Hunter was confused and looked at his father in such a manner.

"I'm afraid my feelings go deeper than just an apprentice respecting his mentor," Darius explained, voice barely above a whisper.

Darius took a moment and looked at the ceiling. He was collecting his thoughts and preparing himself for the next part of his story. Hunter waited patiently for his dad to sort through his thoughts.

"...Due to a series of events, I was at my lowest," Darius spoke after a minute of silence. "I would lash out at anyone who looked in my direction. I didn't care about anything or anyone; all that mattered was making others feel the pain I felt."

Darius let out a bitter sigh and put the picture frame on the table. Hunter looked at the image of the last Golden Guard and then turned his attention to his dad.

"I meant Arrow when I got into a fight with a group of witches. Their numbers overwhelmed me and forced me into a corner. When it looked like my end was near, he appeared; like a storm, he came without warning and easily dispatched the group."

Darius remembered that day well; twelve witches had surrounded him and beat him to the ground. When things looked their worst, the witches were all lifted into the air. Arrow appeared a few seconds later and teleported them to the nearest Coven building to be arrested.

Darius sighed, let the old memory fade, and finished his story. "He told me that he had been watching me for a while and was impressed with my potential. He offered to take me on as his apprentice and focused my magic where it could do some good."

Darius shook his head slightly and laughed an empty laugh.

"I scoffed at the idea and lashed out. I snapped out, spitefully telling him that he was only pitying me and the reason he was offering to help me back to my feet was so he could look good in the eyes of the people. What he said next surprised me."

Darius stared deeply into Hunter's eyes, the eyes he shared with all grimwalkers, as he spoke in a whisper.

"Little prince, I'm not here to help you back to your feet. But if you're willing to learn, I can teach you so you may never fall again. But you must be willing to take the first step."

Hunter felt a shudder go down his spine; something in his father's words moved him.

"What happened next?" the grimwalker asked in awe.

Darius chuckled and said, "He simply left me after that. I did, however, ponder his words for a week. The way he spoke stayed with me, and before I knew it, I was searching for him. When I found him, I expressed my interest in studying under him, and I have never looked back after that time."

Hunter stared at his father awestruck by all he had learned about his predecessor.

"Do you think I would have made him proud?" Hunter suddenly asked uncertainly.

Darius understood the meaning behind his son's words and smiled warmly at him.

"Never compare yourself to your predecessor," the ex-Coven head spoke firmly but warmly, "You had things in common with Arrow, but both of you are different people. But I know this; he would be proud of you because you're not carrying on the legacy he created but because you broke out of the shadows a madman cast you into."

Hunter gave his father a bright smile, happy to hear those words from him. Darius, in turn, returned the smile, glad that his son was with him, and thanked Arrow for everything he did and gave him.

The mood was slightly ruined when Hunter's scroll went off. The grimwalker couldn't but smile sheepishly as he took out his scroll and looked at the message. His brown narrowed as he read, and Darius knew whatever the message it was, it was serious.

"Everything okay?" the ex-head asked calmly.

"...Yeah," Hunter replied sheepishly after a moment and then looked at his dad. "You know Willow, the girl I been seeing for a few weeks?"

Darius nodded, and a teasing grin almost crossed his face.

"Well," Hunter continued sheepishly, "She invited us to have dinner with her dads in a few days."

Darius suddenly remembered one of the Park fathers hitting him with a bat made from Abomination, and only one thought came to mind.

'Titan, Arrow, give me strength.'

(G Corner)

Sorry if I disappointed anyone, but I'm not showing how Hunter and Willow got together; I will leave that up to you to decide. Also, Darius's story will continue in the final entry of the series, so look forward to that.