Chapter Text
Hunter weaved through the trees of the forest near the Emperor's Castle, his palisman gliding from branch to branch above him as it followed. He was staring ahead with an empty gaze, tightly grasping the broken key in his hand. His mind numb except for the Blight's act of kindness replaying in his head. The act that he almost took until he saw that key. The act that he tossed aside as he attacked her and threatened her loved one. The act that he wants to play off as a lie yet feels was genuine. He gripped the key tighter. It made him think. Think in in a way he's never thought before. Think in a way that he knew as wrong and weak.
Hunter felt a gentle weight on his shoulder and heard a twitter which snapped him back into reality. He focused his vision to see the gates to the castle and noticed that Rascal, his palisman, had landed on his shoulder to alert him of it. He slowed down with a sigh. Hunter forgot that sneaking in was going to be harder than sneaking out. "You're gonna have to stay hidden now, okay?" he told Rascal who buried himself in his cloak as they approached the gate.
"Halt!" a guard shouted from the left while the one on the right prepared their staff. "State your business."
Hunter straightened his posture and stated, "I'm returning from a mission." He then took off a glove and pulled up his sleeve to reveal his seal from the emperor's coven. "Now let me in."
The guard speaking looked at their coworker, who shrugged. "I'm going to need a badge number" they told Him.
He grumbled something under his breath. "The emperor will not be pleased if you keep him waiting. Let. Me. In." he said sternly. "Don't make me force you." He hoped that they'd back off so he didn't have to risk revealing Rascal.
They sighed. "What's your name, then?"
He hesitated. "Hunter" he told them. "Just get Steve. He'll know me."
They turned around and told the other guard to keep an eye on him before slipping through the gates and away.
Hunter leaned against a tree, starting to rethink the whole secret identity thing as the guard literally did not take their eyes off him. He looked towards the castle which he could barely see above the wall, wondering if Steve was even back by now.
•••
The sun was setting by the time they returned. A soldier burst through the gates and got down on one knee before Hunter, apologizing for the situation. He recognized the voice as Steve's but simply nodded before striding past him and towards the castle. He had wasted enough time as it is.
As Hunter turned towards the throne room, he suddenly made eye contact with Kikimora, who must've just finished talking with Belos as her gaze was more conceited than normal (despite Hunter not thinking that was possible). She started to speak but Hunter couldn't be bothered as he nudged by her. He barely noticed her furious muttering as he stood in front of the door and looked at the key one last time. His heart stopped. There was almost nothing left of the titan's blood. Barely two drops.
He stood there in disbelief for what had to be a few minutes before clenching his hand around it and taking a deep breath as he only hoped that it would be enough. He knocked at the door. “Come in” he heard then proceeded to enter.
Belos raised his head from it’s resting position and stood up. Hunter could tell he was in a bad mood. Probably thanks to Kikimora. But there was no backing out now. “I found something for you, my liege” he told him a held out the key with a bow. The emperor froze for a second before stepping over and gingerly taking the key from his hands. Hunter put his hands behind his back and held his breath, awaiting his reaction.
He looked at it for less than a second before his gaze locked onto Hunter as Belos growled through his mask. His heart stopped once again. Oh no.
Belos grabbed the teenager by the neck, the gauntlet like a cold vice against his skin as he tried to gasp. “I protected you, I fed you, I RAISED you as a PRODIGY!! And THIS is how you repay me?!” he shouted as he held the broken key to the side. Hunter’s wide eyes turned soft from shame before Belos raised him from the ground.
“You broke the KEY!! You BROKE the LAST THING I NEEDED for the day of unity!!! The portal’s USELEES!! As are-“ he suddenly stopped and dropped Hunter on the floor with a groan and stumbled. Hunter gasped for air and held his neck as he sat up then froze. Belos’s figure contorted and was soon consumed by a mud like substance. He developed claws and fangs along with a gaping mouth, all made from a dripping sludge.
Hunter wanted to run, but his body was frozen stiff. So, he sat there in terror as the creature looked at him with its glowing blue eyes. “GET. OUT.” it roared as it started to approach him. He scrambled to his feet and out the door, not paying attention to the concerned guards lining the hall as he ran into his room and slammed the door. He then locked it behind him and stared at it.
Hunter tried to process what had happened but the sound of his thumping heart and ragged breathing was all that filled his head.
A moment later, he felt something on his shoulder and he flinched and spun his head to see little Rascal as he chirped with a look of concern towards Hunter.
He looked forward again then sank to the ground against the end of his bed and buried his face in his knees and arms as he started crying.