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Today had been a good day, Hunter thought, walking through the castle back to his room.
Hunter had made his own decisions and not only made new friends, but protected them as well, and, unlike his uncle, Darius had praised him for it. He had also promised to keep Flapjack, currently sitting in his hair, a secret. He adjusted his cloak as he thought about what happened. Maybe he would take Darius up on that sewing lesson.
He liked Darius. He was high strung, and at first seemed uncaring and filled with abhorrence towards him, but as Hunter had learned, that was far from the truth.
The sound of Flapjack chirping shook him from his thoughts and made him look up, finally realising where he was.
The throne room.
And it wasn't empty.
Belos sat, head in his hands, looking tired and upset.
No no no no no nononoono-
Hunter had been walking on autopilot as he processed his day and had managed to land himself in the worst position possible, with Flapjack sitting on his head clear as day, and Hunter's excursion leaving him empty handed.
Hunter was scared, but he figured he had seen it all by now.
He was wrong.
“What are you doing here, Hunter?” Belos said without looking up, his tone unplaceable.
“I- Um-,” Hunter was crashing and burning.
“If you’re here to give me a report on your mission today, then you're too late.”
Hunter's chest tightened.
“Darius told me you did a great job gaining recruits.” Belos said, looking up at him with a genuine smile.
That smile didn't last. After all, it was hard to miss the bright red cardinal.
“Hunter. What is that.”
“Its- I- Its not what it looks like I promise.”
“It looks like I need to make a new one.” Belos said with a sigh.
Belos suddenly stood, his dark, tentacle like cursed limbs erupted from him and lunged toward Hunter without warning.
Hunter could take the hits. He could take whatever Belos gave, but what he couldn't take was Flapjack getting hurt.
Hunter grabbed Flapjack and darted out of the way, hiding behind one of the mechanical tubes surrounding the throne.
“Hunter!” Belos boomed, “That, Thing, isn't worth your measly attempt at protection. Wild magic killed our family, and if you don't hand it over now, I’ll just have to add to the body count.”
Belos had threatened him many times. It hardly fazed Hunter anymore. Belos had beaten him to the brink of death on many occasions, Hunter had quickly learned not to fear what happened to him. He now only feared what could happen to the people he cared about, like Willow, and Steve. Titan, even the Human girl he feared for. What he feared for most in the moment however, was Flapjack.
Belos had gone quiet, sending his mind reeling with adrenaline, not knowing when he’d need to run, and Flapjack's added panic didn't help. The Cardinal had been silent since entering the throne room, but chose the worst possible time to panickingly break the silence.
As soon as the sound hit Belos's ears, a cursed arm shot through the machinery Hunter was hiding behind and managed to stab through Hunter's left arm. Hunter was used to pain after years of abuse, yet still whimpered more than he’d like to admit, especially when the cursed arm retracted and left a small hole in his arm, which immediately started spewing blood. Hunter knew he didn't have long, with Belos’s temper and Hunters blood loss. He wasn't too far from the door, but Belos was quick and merciless with his attacks. There wasn't much else he could do, so he made the impulsive decision.
Hunter bolted.
He was at the threshold of the doorway before he felt Belos’s arm wrap around his leg, but before Belos could heave him back, Hunter threw Flapjack out the door and managed to slam it shut before letting Belos drag him across the floor back to him.
Hunter had gotten Flapjack out, the only person in the room he loved. He couldnt care less what happened to himself now.
Hunter awoke in his room, body sore and pain riddled. He didn't even remember how he got there or what Belos had done to him, it was hard to pinpoint pain when it was everywhere.
He shot up when he remembered Flapjack.
Hunter's breathing hitched.
Oh Titan, where was he?!
He had to find Flapjack
He had to find Flapjack.
He had to find Flapjack.
His mind raced, and yet was united by the need to find Flapjack before his panic took full hold over him.
He stood up, ignoring the pounding in his head and the dark spots in his vision and sprinted out of his room.
His mind screamed at him to find Flapjack as he ran his way through the castle, only stopping when he recognized Darius’s room.
Darius could help.
Right?
After what Belos had done with him, he wasn't sure about anything anymore, but part of him still held onto what happened yesterday.
Hunter knocked on the door.
After a few moments, he heard shuffling and the door being unlocked.
Darius looked annoyed, but the second he took everything in, he looked beyond concerned. Hunter was confused. What was the problem? It wasn't uncommon for Hunter to knock on his door, often asking for advice on dealing with the other coven heads.
“Little Prince, . . . Titan what happened?” Darius asked softley.
“Darius, have you seen Flapjack?!?’” Hunter asked, ingoring his question.
“You're, . . Oh my Titan just come inside.”
Darius opened the door and invited him in. Hunter had never been in his room, It was large, while only having an entry living room and a bedroom, it looked cushy and expensive, and extremely well put together.
Darius led him to a couch or “chez lounge” as Darius would correct him. Hunter sat down and watched as Darius walked into his bedroom and came out with something that made his mind calm.
Flapjack.
Darius handed Flapjack to Hunter before crouching at eye level, with sympathy in his eyes.
Hunter's attention was mainly focused on flapjack as he placed him on his shoulder gently, acting as if he was the most important thing in the world.
“Hunter, can you tell me what happened?” Darius asked.
Why was he being so gentle?
“I just accidentally walked into the throne room with Flapjack. Belos punished me accordingly.”
“You didn't deserve this Little Prince”
“Deserve what?”
“Hunter, half your ear is gone and you're covered in scratches.”
“What?”
Hunter reached for his ears, feeling that one of them was torn in half.
How had he not noticed?
“Hunter please, let me help patch you up, I won’t tell a soul. I just want to help.”
Its not like he had much of a choice, he wasnt in the best shape, and he wanted to stay in the fight. He had people to protect.
“All right, as long as you dont tell Belos.”
“I promise.”
So Darius got started.
He had Hunter lay on the chez lounge, made sure he was comfortable before begrudgingly asking if Hunter would be able to remove his tunic so he could tend to the damage.
Hunter agreed. He really didn’t necessarily want to, but if he didnt, Titan only knew how bad it could get.
Darius gasped once he saw the damage.
Deep scratches covered his arms, with a large puncture wound through one of them, not to mention his torn ear and bruises on his neck.
Darius wanted to murder Belos. Titan knows how much he wanted to. Right now though, he's got a battered kid that needs his help.
Darius knew needed to get these wounds disinfected and fast, and he needed to stop the bleeding, and he needed to bandage it all up, Hunter might even need stitches. Titan there was so much to do and so much blood. It was a miracle the kid even made it this far.
Darius knew he would need help if he wanted to do this right.
“Little Prince, I'm going to call in Raine. They’ll help, and they won't say a word to Belos. Okay?”
“Okay.” Hunter said shakily.
Darius sent a little abomination to Raines room, hoping he hadn't snuck out again, and ran to grab a disinfectant potion.
When he returned, Hunter's eyes were closed.
Not a good sign.
“Hunter? Are you alright Little Prince?”
Hunter's eyes opened slightly and he managed a groan in response.
It was better than nothing.
Darius used a cloth to apply disinfectant, staring with the big wounds. As he did so, his door slammed open and he heard a gasp.
“Tell me this wasn't Belos.” Raine whispered.
“Who else?” Darius said, only half listening.
“How can I help?”
“I need to disinfect all this before patching it up.”
Raine sat beside him on the floor, not saying anything as they began to help clean up everything.
“I'm sorry for bothering you guys.” Hunter said, voice breaking halfway.
“Hey, hey, you're not bothering us kid.” Raine said softly.
Poor Hunter.
He didn't deserve this
Hunter managed to remain conscious until they began to bandage him up. He couldn't help it. He was just so exhausted.
Darius didn't try to wake him. The worst was over, His Little Prince could rest now.