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“Goodbye Evelyn.”
The ends of Hunter’s hands, consumed by Belos’ curse, extended and stabbed through Flapjack. Everyone gasped as they looked on, unable to help Flapjack or stop Belos.
They weren’t strong enough.
As Flapjack’s magical life force began to drain away and Hunter brought him closer, he stopped. His other arm came up and pulled it away, allowing Flapjack to escape and fly over to Luz.
Hunter groaned as he and Belos fought for control over his body. He hit himself and fell to the ground, gasping and managing to get control back.
“You know what I'd like, Belos?” Hunter said, pulling himself up and continuing to try and keep Belos at bay, “I'd like to leave the Emperor's Coven and never step foot in that throne room again. I'd like to study wild magic and learn how to carve palismen. I'd like to attend Hexside as a regular student and play flyer derby with my friends. But most of all, I'd like to make sure you never hurt anyone again!”
Hunter took the vial of Titan’s blood and lifted it up, about to throw it into the water, but paused. He lowered his arm and looked at his hands.
“But, I’ll never get that.” Hunter sighed with a sad chuckle, “I’ll never get what I’d like. Because as long as you’re around, you’ll continue to cling onto what you want me to be, who you want me to be, and never let me be anything else. So, I’d like you to leave. And there’s only one way that can happen.”
Hunter threw the vial of Titan’s blood to the others and dove into the water. He used the cursed arm to extend out and grab whatever he could at the bottom of the water and pull himself down. He could feel Belos trying to fight, trying to get control and get out of the water, but his energy faded as Hunter’s life did.
Stuck at the bottom of the water, Hunter let whatever air was left in his lungs out and let himself drift away.
Camila tried to dive down and save Hunter, but he was too deep and she had to get out. Willow went to summon vines and pull him out, but Camila laid a sad hand on her shoulder, silently telling her that it was no use. He was gone.
Luz held the vial of Titan’s blood in her hands. She stared at it, looking between it and Flapjack. Carefully, she took the cap off the vial and let a few drops fall onto Flapjack. The blood quickly allowed Flapjack to heal, although everyone could see how affected he was by Hunter’s sacrifice.
Luz moved Flapjack to be perched on her shoulder and walked over to the archway of the gravesite. She took the vial and threw it at the keystone, making it shatter and the blood drip onto the ground. The blood dripped onto the ground and created a massive portal.
“You know,” Luz sighed, “I was planning on not going back, on staying in the human realm forever. But, I know I can’t do that. Hunter died because I helped Belos when I went back in time. I have no idea what the Collector is doing, but I can not let anyone else die because of me.”
Camila walked over to Luz and pulled her into a tight hug. Immediately, Luz began crying as she hugged her mom back.
“Mija, I am so proud of you. And after seeing what you’re dealing with, there’s no way I’m letting you go back without me.”
“Really?”
“Of course. You might have been able to take on some Lovecraftian nightmare, but who knows how you’ll handle a godlike child.”
“Thank you mom, so much.”
Everyone gathered the things they had and stepped towards the portal.
“You’ll handle things while I’m gone, Vee?” Camila asked.
“Of course.”
Gus and Willow walked through first, saying brief goodbyes to the human realm. Amity gave Luz a quick kiss then walked in next. Luz stood in front of the portal, scared of what she’d see on the other side.
“Hey, don’t forget this.” Camila said, handing her her Azura hat, “Every good witch needs a hat.”
Luz chuckled and pulled it on as her mom walked through the portal.
“We’re going home Hunter. I’ll…miss you. I’ll take care of Flap for you, don’t worry. Thank you. You were the best big brother I could have asked for.”
Luz wiped away a tear and stepped through the portal.