A/N:

Not much to update since the last chapter. Though, I will apologize if a few bits in this chapter and the next few feel rushed. I had like, one really good idea but had to sort of cobble the ground around it to work. But hey, nothing's perfect. I'm doing this for fun, anyway.

—-

Phillip entered his room, before sitting down at his desk. His back hunched, he swiftly wrote out a diary entry. A small smile plastered on his face.

"Entry 7.5. The dawn of Scabuary 15th.

I'll write up a more full account of what has been going on soon, but - I'm just giddy with excitement and I need to express it somewhere!

I think we've done it. A cure for petrification! After many long nights of experimenting and theorizing, we found a formula that works."

'We' referring to he and Lilith.

"Well, at least - it seems to. It works on insects and mice, but - nothing further. We don't know if it affects brain function, or… Even works on witches.

I am hopeful, though. I just can't wait until the morning. I'm running the first proper test tonight.

Hunter, I'll see you soon. I hope you'll like Samuel."

–

Hunter was back at his home, preparing to lay in bed. That was, until the bell in the corner of the room rang - the one he'd set up to alert him if his uncle wrote in his diary.

He'd recently read all the back-entries in the diary, and nothing seemed overtly suspicious. Just all… Mushy.

He wouldn't let himself be deceived, though. He was Belos' right hand man for yearsss, wise to all the little tricks. Even if it wasn't an act now - Hunter thought that it was going to become one soon! Since Phillip had gotten all his memories back - that pure insanity was likely not far behind.

Who was 'Samuel' though?

Had to be alert. He'll go and do a quick web-search…

–

Phillip rode through the isles, deep into the Titan's Skull. A place that most witches didn't explore, and those who did inevitably got lost. Except for Phillip. He still had the entire layout tattooed in his mind - including a variety of caves.

With Currant's help, he pricked his finger - and with his blood, drew the glyph combination that caused a wall to shift, allowing entrance. Right underneath the place where he'd built his portal back to the human realm, long since abandoned after it's only use.

It was a horrid sight. One that made the conscience in Phillip drop to it's knees and weep. Lining the ground were skeletons of 15 fully-formed Grimwalkers…and nearly a hundred more that never made it that far.

Grimwalkers were fussy things. Rare ingredients, combined with being exceptionally difficult to grow, topped off by how they often went and bloody died on you.

Phillip had to choke back the bile in his throat. Memories of each one in burnt his mind. All innocent beings, with their own thoughts, feelings, and personalities. But he'd only ever seen them as Caleb surrogates. Almost literally - considering one of the ingredients forced him to desecrate his brother's body.

Perhaps he could tidy this place up a bit…Show some respect for those he never did before.

Not right now. As much as he'd hated himself, he…He needed to keep moving. He had a reason that he was here - not just to grieve.

–

Results weren't exactly plentiful. Some places had passing mentions of a story that sounded interesting, but no elaboration. Until, eventually, The combination of 'Belos + Petrification + Samuel' yielded results.

It brought up a couple mentions of a…A Crab? What?

Clicking on the result, it turned out to be an acronym.

"Citizen Resistance Against Belos!"

Silly. But it made him laugh a bit.

Wait, against Belos? Resistances were unheard of, goodness knows he quashed a few before his change of heart, but…

Samuel… He was the leader. And a former…

Golden Guard?!

'At the time, Belos hadn't become the Emperor. He was merely a preacher. Samuel was the name of his nephew, who he'd called a 'Golden Guard.' But after 5 years of faithful service, He turned against Belos. Samuel said he'd simply gotten sick of the want-to-be Emperor's tyranny.

Belos' power had risen considerably, to the point that his former Guard's attempted revolt was met with tremendous resistance from his followers. But still, Samuel managed to rally citizens from various towns that'd recently been destroyed by Wild Witches - and attempted to lay siege to his Caravan.

Belos was nowhere to be seen, but Samuel disappeared the next morning. The next time he was seen, was as a petrified statue. Paraded in front of the rebels, and said that this is what would happen if they didn't repent. It was the will of the titan, after all.'

What? That…That just left him SO confused! W-why was Belos reviving another golden guard?! Was Samuel brainwashed?! Or - was Belos making another Grimwalker and reusing the name?!

Hunter panicked. Calling up Amity, three times until she picked up. "Who is this and what do you want?" She grumbled, having only just gone to bed.

"Amity! Please, this is urgent! Is Phillip still at home?" Hunter pleaded, panic in his voice.

"Hunter?" Amity squeaked. She felt the hair raise back on her neck, due to how downright scared Hunter sounded. "Y-yea, I think he is, but- I'll check."

"Alright." Hunter replied, but Amity didn't hear - since she'd already put the receiver down. She was making a break for it, running up to Phillip's room…

The door was open. He was gone.

A minute later, she returned to the phone. Out of breath, equally panicked. "He's- he's gone! Last I saw, he was with Lilith, a-and…"

"He's planning something, I know it!" Hunter gripped his hand into a tight fist. "In his diary, he said that he'd be 'seeing me soon!'"

Perhaps it was just the context, but it sounded equally as sinister to Amity. "Hunter, get over here as fast as you can. I'll wake up my parents, and call Luz as well. We won't let him hurt you. I promise."

"I'll see you soon." Hunter nodded. Still in his pajamas, grabbing Waffles and just - booking it to Blight Manor as fast as he could. Jumping at every shadow and specter, until he reached the safety of his family.

Alador was slightly grumbly, but Darius didn't hesitate. He was ready to put Phillip back in the ground.

–

Phillip pulled the small vial of goop out of his pocket, and sloppily slathered the contents onto the petrified Golden Guard. Time seemed to freeze, but the statue began to emanate a soft-glow from each crack and crevice. A glow that became a flashbang, one that made Phillip have to shield his eyes from.

A cracking sound, like a bone being broken, resonated through the thick tunnel walls.

It took a minute for Phillip's eyes and ears to recover, but when he did…

"What…Happened…?" Said Samuel, on his hands and knees. His chest felt like it was on fire, last he remembered he was in a duel - and now, he was…here?! Where was here?!

"Please, take a deep breath. Samuel…It's good to see you." Phillip said, with a smile. Crouching down and offering his hand.