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Hunter kneeled on the cold stone floor clad in his full Golden Guard uniform, one hand respectfully holding his mask to his chest as he bowed to his Emperor.
Belos had his masked face resting on one hand and was breathing heavily. His health has been getting worse lately, and Hunter can’t help but blame himself. If he had made it back to the castle with the palismen he stole from Hexside, his uncle wouldn’t be as bad off as he is now; He wouldn’t be acting as coldly towards Hunter as he has since that night.
“It seems our luck is improving,” Belos managed between heavy breaths, lifting his head. “There is a small island to the south, well past the knee. I am told there are palistrom trees growing there. A small grove, but enough for our purposes. You will go there and retrieve every last branch.”
Hunter bowed his head lower. “Yes, Emperor Belos,” he said using his full title so as not to anger Belos further. “I will take a group of soldiers with me and not leave a single--”
But the Emperor’s cold voice cut him off. “You will do this alone.”
Hunter raised his head slightly, looking at his uncle questioningly. “My lord?”
“You will take a ship,” he said, voice clipped, “Go to the island. Chop down every tree. Load them. And bring them here,” the anger in his voice grew the more he spoke. “And if you fail me, again--”
Suddenly Hunter was no longer kneeling. He was dangling several feet off the ground, a thick, knarled vine wrapped unwaveringly around his neck, his hands scrambling at the appendage. His eyes widened and he looked at his uncle pleadingly as breathing became more difficult.
“...I will not be happy,” Belos finished in a low voice. He did not put Hunter back down immediately, instead, the empty black eyes of his mask stayed pointed at the boy kicking and choking in mid-air before tossing him, uncaring, to the ground.
Hunter took in deep breaths and held a hand to his throat; it felt bruised and sore. He lifted himself until he was on his knees and looked at his uncle dejectedly, not expecting such harsh treatment.
Whatever Belos saw in his expression only served to anger him further. A thinner, sharper vine sped toward him and slashed his face, just above his brow. “Go!” Belos thundered, voice seeming to echo through Hunter’s skull, and he winced, holding his bleeding head, and scrambled to his feet.
Once out of the throne room, his adrenaline kept him going until he reached the end of the hall, then leaned heavily against the ornate wall, gasping and shaking. If anyone were to come by now, his weakness would be on full display, but he couldn’t help his reaction. His uncle had been angry with him before, furious even, and has left Hunter with more than a few scars; But this seemed worse. The bitter resentment in his voice, the way he let Hunter dangle there, choking...Hunter took deep breaths trying to calm himself as he felt tears well in his eyes.
“Oh my,” said a saccharine voice, “Was the Emperor too hard on you, child?” Hunter jumped, turned his head away from the sound, and frantically rubbed the tears away. Darius inserted himself into Hunter’s view, smiling coyly down at the boy.
Hunter sniffed once and glared up at the older witch. “I’m fine,” he said, voice raspy and throat aching. “And I’m not a kid.”
“No, I suppose not,” Darius said, gaze roving over Hunter’s body. “Such a mature young man, you are.”
His voice was full of amusement, and Hunter bristled at the sound of it. He wanted to leave, to start on his mission, to try and make things right with his uncle, but Darius moved closer, blocking him against the wall.
“Oh, but that must hurt,” Darius said with false sympathy. He placed his hand under Hunter’s chin to raise his head as an arm of abomination goo appeared from under Darus’ cloak and moved a lock of hair away from the cut on Hunter’s forehead. Darius tsked. “You should come with me to my chamber. I’ll make it feel better,” he purred and leered down at Hunter.
The blond quickly batted the hand away. “I said I’m fine!” he barked, heart pounding in his chest. He side-stepped out from between Darius and the wall and stomped down the hallway toward the shipyard.
“Yes, I suppose you are,” he heard Darius murmur behind him. “But I’ll be here if you need me,” he called louder, laughing.
Hunter shuddered, hoping to the Titan that would never happen.