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Hunter hated mirrors. Especially in the human world. They had no magic, no monsters, no shadows or blood. Nothing except the reflection of himself. And he hated it. Looking in them ever since, well, ever since he found out he was a copy of a witch hunter who worked with Belos caused him to panic. The silver surface always showed him a villain, a bloodthirsty man with a taste for killing witches.
But today was different. Hunter wore a costume he’d found in the basement closet that looked good on him. According to Luz, a famous human holiday was coming up. Some day called Halloween where humans celebrated witches? With candy and costumes? Hunter didn’t quite understand the concept.
The mirror showed him… a new version of himself. Sure, he was dressed up for the holiday, but it felt natural, real. Staying in the human world for several months had changed him. Yet, it wasn’t a bad thing. Maybe all witches should take the time to learn about their neighbors across worlds. He’d benefited from the time and knowledge here, even if a part of him missed home.
Flapjack continuously pecked at the wooden floor, pacing back and forth as he’d done for months. Hunter couldn’t get an answer from the bird. Normally, his palisman's tweets could be heard through his ears as words due to their connection. But lately, they were only chirps.
“I look good in this, don’t I?” Hunter asked him, but not expecting an actual answer from the bird. He inspected the yellow and black costume in the mirror. “Even if I’m not sure who I’m supposed to be, I like who I am right now.”
Flapjack glanced at him, and then back at the floor. He pecked at something… sticky or gooey laying on the ground.
Hunter paused, wondering if they hadn’t finished cleaning up all the mud and mold in the old house. He leaned down to inspect it, and hopefully find something to wipe it up with. His finger dipped into it, scooping some up and feeling the sticky, mushy goo all over it.
Wait don’t touch–
But it had been too late. Hunter jumped back from the voice, clear as day in his mind. It wasn’t Belos… but it wasn’t himself either. The goop fell to the floor as he shook it off. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a figure with horns and a glowing set of eyes.
“He’s back!” He gasped. “He’s back… he’s back.” His chest and throat closed, and he couldn’t breathe. Scrambling over his own limbs, Hunter tripped on the way out of the room, stumbling to the door.
He rammed against it, heading outside for some fresh air. He tumbled over the stairs and landed in the grass, flat on his back. He fought back tears unsuccessfully. They filled his eyes, blurring his vision as he sucked in short and fast breaths over and over.
Remember the breathing thing, Hunter? The one Gus taught you? Calm down and count your breaths.
And he did. He’d always been thankful to both Gus and Willow for teaching him how to breathe when he forgot. When the panic was too much, they were always there for him. Inhale… Hunter counted to four on his fingers. Exhale. Count down. Repeat.
Raising his hand to wipe his eyes and nose, he sat up slowly. The voice in his head… it couldn’t be his own thoughts. But it reminded him of himself in a way he couldn’t describe.
Because I am you. Sort of.
“Who are you?” Hunter demanded, needing a concrete answer. No more guessing, no more confusion.
Caleb Wittebane. Your… predecessor. My soul got trapped inside you.
The name sounded familiar. He knew what this meant. Hunter hadn’t expected to speak with the man. What was going on? Why now? And why not to all the other Golden Guard Grimwalkers before him?
“So… you're the person Belos talked about. The one I’m a copy of.” Hunter didn’t need confirmation. He knew it, could feel it. It wasn’t a question, but a fact.
He stood up on shaky legs, staring at the entrance to the house. He wasn’t sure he could go back inside, but Flapjack was still there. And he wanted to protect him. Even if he couldn’t protect himself, Hunter wanted to protect his palisman.
Yes, I’m his older brother, Caleb said. But he neglected to answer any of the other questions running circles in Hunter’s head. It frustrated Hunter, but maybe this voice didn’t know or have answers. Or maybe he did and didn’t want to reveal them or overwhelm him.
Hunter froze, blinking at that information. He hadn’t expected that. A friend or best friend had been his running guess after exiting the Emperor’s mind, but not his own brother. Family ties were strong. They’d kept Hunter conflicted about Belos for so long on the Boiling Isles, about working for him, about proving his loyalty to him and accepting him as family.
But not strong enough. He supposed that’s what had happened.
“I have to help Flapjack,” Hunter said. He didn’t have time to converse with… himself? He shook his head. It wasn’t important.
Rushing inside with all the bravery he could muster, he scooped up his palisman and placed him on the couch. The bird chirped at him.
Flapjack! He’s still alive. After all these years, I never thought I’d get to see Evelyn’s carving again.
Hunter flinched, forgetting about the voice (soul?) in his head. The bird pecked at his ear gently. “Did you know Caleb? Did you know Belos was back? Why haven’t you said anything?” The last part came out as a frustrated yell. He didn’t know what to do, or who to turn to for answers. Or who to trust.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to take it out on you,” Hunter said, glancing back at his Palisman.
At the mention of Caleb, Flapjack perked up, flapping his wings repeatedly and tweeting. This time into words he could hear. “Caleb! Yes. Original owner!”
He’s right. Flapjack was my Palisman. My wife carved him for me as a gift, to officially welcome me to the Boiling Isles.
Wife? Boiling Isles? Palisman? Hunter thought about what that all meant, trying to piece everything together, parts of the story were missing. That was all in the past. It wasn’t important if Belos was still alive.
“We have to stop him! I have to get Luz, she’ll know what to do.” He scooped up the bird gently into his hands and placed him in the small birdcage he’d been using. It stopped him from pecking at the ground and ruining the wood even more.
The chirps increased in frequency, but Hunter ignored them. The cage would keep him safe from Belos, and he would find Luz. “Don’t worry, Flap. If he’s back, I’ll protect you.” He shut the iron door with a squeak. He turned around, heading out the door before doubling over.
His stomach twisted in pain, and a wave of nausea rolled through him. He clutched his arms over his abdomen. His knees hit the grass, dirt and leaves digging into them. Hunter shut his eyes, trying to fight it off when another voice, deeper and familiar, echoed from the depths of his mind.
You… you’re dead. Get out of my way, Caleb! He’s mine.
No. It’s my job to protect him, and you can’t kill me like last time, Philip.
Hunter groaned, collapsing onto the ground as his head pounded. He clutched at his ears, squeezing his eyes tighter. “Will you both shut up!” He screamed, not caring who heard him. Between the nausea and migraine, he wished that someone could hear him out in the middle of the woods.
If only his friends were here, they’d know what to do. They’d know how to help.
As suddenly as the feeling had started, it stopped. Hunter’s limbs and muscles relaxed, melting into the grass. He took some deep breaths, trying to count again. One. Two. Three. Four. Exhale.
When nothing happened, and his mind had gone quiet and pain gone from his body, Hunter pushed up onto his feet. Luz’s house wasn’t far from here. He had to make it back to her place. He raced all the way there, not bothering to stop and look behind him. If he did, he would see the monster chasing him.
Hunter shut and locked the door behind him, sitting down on the couch to catch his breath. He wanted to cry. So much happened all at once, and he didn’t know what to do. Could he even tell Luz? Wouldn’t she call him crazy?
Of course she would! He had been talking to a dead man, some random voice in his head. He was crazy! He raked his fingers through his hair, gripping onto it tightly. He wanted to rip it out in anger, in frustration.
You’re not crazy. I’m sorry for not explaining further, Hunter. That’s my fault.
Hunter rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. He didn’t have to answer a random voice. His mind was his own, and he could ignore it all he wanted. Turning his focus to the TV, he turned it on, only to find the stupid girly witch movie that Luz and Amity had been watching. Ew. Now that was worse than…
He shut it off, and stood up, pacing back and forth. “Fine! Then explain yourself before I shut you out for good. It’s my head, my body. I don’t care who you are.” He stopped, remembering the moment in the mirror a month ago where he’d seen the reflection of what seemed to be himself… but wasn’t. The kid he’d seen had round ears. Human. “That was you, wasn’t it?”
Yes, a memory. A past version of me, when I was your age.
“How are you in my head? And why now? Why not before?” Hunter asked, still pacing in front of the couch. He suppressed the urge to kick the potted plants beside the TV.
I believe my soul has been passed down through all the incarnations of the Golden Guard, but I was… hibernating. All the Grimwalkers have their own emotions and soul, so to speak, but in order to make one, you need the essence of the person. That would be me, my soul. Only upon coming back to the human world, where I was born, did I begin to awaken. I suspect that it’s also because you, Hunter, are the closest to me in appearance and goals. You and I have both fallen in love with witches, and want to stop Philip. I could only awaken in the right body.
Hunter listened, at one point, he stopped pacing, not even realizing it. Caleb answered his questions directly, even if it was a lot to take it. But everything made sense. In order to be a copy of him, the magic caster needed something like the soul of the original. And, it was only natural that he’d awaken in the human realm. None of the other Golden Guards had gotten the chance to come here.
But he had more. Hunter spoke slowly, trying to get all his thoughts across. “Earlier… When I felt terrible, what was going on?”
Philip, or I guess you know him as Belos, is actively trying to take over your body. He leeched in through the goop I tried to warn you about. But, I shoved his soul, his consciousness deep down for now.
“Wait, does that mean he can possess me? Like in those horror movies Luz is always talking about? How do we get rid of him?” Hunter tried to hold back all the terror running though his body. They had to fight him, but if he was all in his head or his body… how…
Unfortunately, yes. Theoretically, he could possess you. But, like I said, he’s weak. My soul is strong enough to hold him off for now. I suggest you find a way to get rid of him. Sadly, I don’t know how. His magic is, as I’m sure you know by now, wild. And powerful.
The rumble of the car engine cut off the rest of Hunter’s questions for Caleb. He raced to the door, peeking his head into the side window to check. Camila’s car. Luz was back! He tried to contain his anxiety. He had to speak with her right away, in private. And pray that she didn’t think he was crazy.
Hunter opened the door after a few seconds, heading down the steps into the chilly October evening air. Camila walked past him, placing her hand on his shoulder gently with a smile. He grimaced back, hoping that was passable. He didn’t want any more questions, and he wasn’t ready to reveal his status as a grimwalker yet. But Luz knew, and she would understand.
“Hunter, what’s wrong?” Luz knew something was up immediately, and only said something after Camila stepped out of earshot. Hunter appreciated that all his friends were so in-tune with each other. And that they cared about each other. They were his family, not by blood, but by bond.
“Belos,” he said, narrowing his eyes. Luz squeaked, but nodded, and he led her into the forest towards the house. Once he knew they were in a private spot, he stopped in front of the shack door. He had to explain what had happened.
Hunter took in a deep breath, willing his legs to stop shaking. He shut his eyes, letting it roll out of his mouth. “Belos is back because I touched this goo thingy and it seeped into my body and now I’m seeing him and hearing him and I’m scared because Caleb says he can possess me and we have to defeat him.” He opened his eyes and exhaled after his rant.
Luz stared at him, her entire expression filled with confusion. “Hunter, slow down. I didn’t understand any of that. What’s going on?”
“I… It’s complicated,” Hunter said. “But basically, Belos is still alive. Somehow he survived the Collector, and is now a bunch of goop. Some of this goop got on me. I think he might be able to control me?” His knees felt weak and he almost collapsed. “I was never this scared as the Golden Guard…”
“Then let’s bring back that masked confidence,” Luz said, picking up a mask. “Maybe it will help you talk easier.” She handed it to him, and he inspected the owl design. Very fitting, and very similar to his old one. He smiled and placed it over his face.
With all his expressions guarded, and his emotions hidden, he found it easier indeed. And he picked up a rake. “I saw him as a monster with horns inside this house. But… I fear that I’ve been contaminated. We need to find a way to get him out of me. Maybe your friends know exorcism spells?”
“Wait, so you’re saying that you think he can possess you?”
Hunter nodded, but he didn’t have time, or know how to explain the whole Caleb thing. It was too complicated, and he struggled to understand it himself. “Yes. Maybe I should stay away from all of you.”
Through the tiny holes in the mask he turned his gaze upon the door to the old shack. The very same door that had once been a portal. “What if I stayed here? There’s plenty of room, and it’ll keep me far away so I can’t hurt you.” Hunter headed into the dark house, thinking about ways to trap himself here. “Until we find a way to get him out of my mind, I shouldn’t be around you.”
“What? No, no. Absolutely not!” Luz rushed in ahead of him, stopping Hunter short. “Even if he could possess you, I’m not letting you isolate yourself even more. It’s not healthy.”
The rake felt heavier in Hunter’s hands, and his eyes fixed upon the hard metal stakes. Sharp and pointy ends, blood dripping down them slowly. The squishy resistance the rake would meet when pressed deep into skin and muscle. The agonizing pain and the cold, drowsy, dizziness of losing consciousness, never to wake. What if the only way to rid Belos of his body…
No. There’s no need to go that far, Hunter. Calm down, please. I’m sure if we both fight him off together, he’ll be forced to leave.
Caleb’s voice shook Hunter from his imagination, and he tried to focus on Luz instead of answering him. If it came down to it, and he had no other choice to protect his friends, his family…
“Are you sure?” Hunter stepped past her, inside the dark room, the wind blowing behind them. “I can stay here, and everyone will be safe. He can’t hurt you if I’m not near you.”
“I’m sure! We’re stronger as a team, Hunter. We’re not afraid of him, and we will find a way to defeat him without hurting you,” Luz said. But could he believe her? He knew she would do her best, but the glyphs didn’t work here. Only the others’ had magic. What could she actually promise him?
Footsteps creaked along the floor in the other room, and whispers fluttered past his ears. Ice filled his lungs, and his hand shook as he rose the rake into the air. “Alright Belos, I know you’re here. Show yourself!” he said with false confidence. Would the answer ring from his head or would he actually rise from the shadows.
Luz followed him, holding a long stick, something called a baseball bat. Hunter still didn’t understand human sports.
You are right, Hunter. I am here. And I’ll take your words as permission to take over. I don’t need Luz or your silly friends anymore. It’s time to be a witch HUNTER now.
Hunter froze, stopping midstep, and Luz bumped into him. The hairs on his neck stood up, goosebumps spreading down his arms and legs. A sharp pain ran through his head, causing his vision to blur and him to cry out.
“Hunter?” Luz asked, reaching for him.
He pushed away from her. “Don’t touch me! He’ll hurt you. He’s here!” Of course, that only made her run towards him as he tried to escape. Hunter pushed through a door he’d never seen before and slammed it behind him, ignoring her pounding. It blended in with the pounding of his head.
He did not give you permission, Philip. Nor did I. And he is not a witch hunter. His name may have been yours to give, but it is his to reclaim.
Caleb, you still defy me? After all these years, all these copies and you’ve finally awakened. Just to betray me again?
Hunter’s knees shook and gave out underneath him, crumpling to the wooden floor with a loud creak. He grit his teeth, grabbing at the sides of his head. His vision spun, and tears started to leak and roll onto his cheeks. He couldn’t do anything, he didn’t know how to stop the pain. How to help Caleb get rid of Belos.
You never understood the humanity of witches. And you never will. I never betrayed you, brother. You betrayed me.
That statement angered Belos, and Hunter knew if he didn’t do anything, he would be possessed right then and there.
“Go away Belos!” Hunter shouted as loud as he could to override the voices, to show them he was in control. He concentrated through the pain on shoving his voice away, of throwing him into the depths of hell where he belonged.
“Hunter!” Luz broke through the door, and knelt by his side. Her worried eyes checked his body for the source of his discomfort and pain, but he knew she would find none. He wasn’t physically hurt.
His migraine faded to a dim but pulsing headache, but his limbs shook with strain from being so tense. Hunter tried to focus on his friend, his real family, but he really wanted to close his eyes and nap. The effort it had taken to withstand the two brothers fighting and to fight against Belos’ anger was more than he’d expected.
You did good. It worked. You should have some peace for a little while. I can hold him off as well. Enjoy some time with your friends, Hunter.
Hunter blinked at Luz, and then smiled wearily. “I’m okay,” he said, struggling to sit up and force the tiredness away.
She hugged him tightly. “You shouldn’t lie to your family. Because that’s what we are now.”
“Family…” Hunter echoed. Even though he’d been thinking of them like that, he didn’t know if they felt the same. The word churned in his head, until his throat and eyes burned with tears. And not from pain. He cried into her, sniffling a few times.
Luz didn’t say anything, letting him cry into her. He slipped off the mask to wipe away the tears, tossing it to the side. It was gross now anyway.
“Let’s go home and get some rest. We’ll figure the Belos stuff out later,” she said once he’d stopped crying and stood up.
And he couldn’t have agreed more.
- - - - - - -
In the end, they kept the whole Belos thing a secret from the others. Hunter didn’t want them to hate him or be afraid of him. And Luz didn’t want them to worry about anything else, given that they were already so far from their homes and families.
But Hunter knew what Amity, Gus, and Willow were keeping from her. The puzzle. The map to the Titan’s blood. The secrets on both sides ate at his insides, and he wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to hold it in.
Halloween arrived. Hunter piled into Camila’s car, squished between Willow, Gus, and Amity. He loved his costume, and had even worn his favorite wolf shirt he’d sewn underneath. The drive to old Gravesfield was uneventful. The others chatted away about… Hunter didn’t know. He stopped paying attention after they’d driven past a statue that took his breath away.
In the split second it took them to pass it, Hunter had spotted his spitting image. The two men pictured there… Caleb and Philip. And he’d lost all focus in the conversation. It blew out the window, along with the chilly night breeze.
Children, teens and adults of all ages ran around the streets in costumes of all sorts. From scary monsters, to ghouls, to witches, to cartoon or movie characters. They each held bags or buckets or pillow cases to carry their candy in. Old Gravesfield was a chaotic mess that almost seemed overwhelming for Hunter. But he had his friends with him. Everything would be alright.
They exited the car, and Camila told them to call for her if they needed anything. Luz stayed behind briefly to chat with her.
“So…let’s keep the puzzle a secret until the time is right. Then we can tell her about the Titan Blood!” Amity squealed, excited that they finally had a lead. Hunter still had his doubts about there being any left, but he could hope.
Mhmhmhm
Hunter tried to keep his reaction off his face. Belos couldn’t be back yet. He thought he’d pushed him away, that Caleb would keep him at bay. He shook his head. Maybe he’d imagined it. “You didn’t hear that, right?” he asked Flapjack.
But his bird shook his head, and Hunter sighed. What was the point in asking anyone anyway, if Belos was inside him. Maybe… maybe they should get to the Titan’s blood as fast as possible. Before he could take over.
But when he glanced over at Amity and Luz, they looked so happy together, to be celebrating the holiday as their favorite characters. And he didn’t want to ruin that right now. So he’d wait. For the right moment, or until he could wait no longer. Hunter headed back towards his friends, ignoring a small prick of pain on his neck.
They walked over to the sign that said: Gravesfield Halloween Hayride. Some vehicle that looked like a car, but wasn’t, sat in front of two large bales of hay next to a wagon. Luz and Amity held hands, helping each other up. Gus helped Willow, and she held out her hand for Hunter.
Hunter’s cheeks heated as he slid his hand into hers and let her pull him onto the hay and then into the wagon. The warmth in his face and ears contrasted the cool air, and he quickly sat down next to Luz instead of Willow. He didn’t want to embarrass himself again in front of her. Not when his stomach did these weird jumps and tumbles, and his heart beat faster or irregularly.
“Our scary story tonight,” Masha began, “Is about the brothers Wittebane. Because nothing is more terrifying than knowledge.” They held up a flashlight to their face as the wagon slowly began to move forward.
Hunter’s muscles tensed and he tried to hide the fear in his face. Did they really have to pick that story to tell? Surely there were plenty of other stories to tell, right? Why this one?
“Wittebane? Isn’t that Belos?” Amity whispered to Luz.
Hunter grimaced, holding back a squeak. Why this? Why now? Why him?
Similar to a puppet show, cardboard props set up along the sides of the wagon trail with lights would serve as visuals to tell the story and set the scene. And Marsha began the tale. “In the early 1600’s, two orphan brothers arrived in Gravesfield.” Two cutouts of very familiar figures fell down from rope attached to some lights. “Their names: Philip, and Caleb.”
“Oh no…” Hunter wanted them to stop. He wanted to get off the ride, to run away. But he was trapped, and his friends would surely see him as crazy for doing so. He had no choice… He had to face his fears.
“Caleb took care of his younger brother, tried to help them fit in with the town and its unsavory practices. So, they became… Witch Hunters.” The words sent a cold shiver down Hunter’s spine, as he was reminded of who exactly he was a copy of. And what his own name represented.
Masha continued on, even if he silently prayed for them to stop. “Local legend has it that the brothers met a real witch from another world!” A cardboard caricature of a witch rolled in above them on rope. “Her name was Evelyn. Caleb was spirited away, hypnotized by her magic and visions of a strange world. He used secret codes to travel between the two worlds.”
The puppets on string continued their movements, showing Hunter image after image of what had happened in the past. The demon realm, magic, and even… Flapjack? Wait, no, that made sense. If what Caleb had said was true… Evelyn had carved Flapjack.
“So Philip set off to save his brother by bringing the witch to justice. But neither were ever seen again! They disappeared into obscurity. Some say Philip saved Caleb, and they had a peaceful life. But others say that he’s still chasing his brother, caught in a vicious cycle never to end!” Masha finished, the wagon beginning to slow down.
Hunter gulped. He had a feeling he knew the answer to the end of the tale. And it wasn’t the first one.
Masha dropped the scary attitude and shrugged. “Sounds like big bro got a hot witch girlfriend and little bro was jealous. But, who knows,” they said.
The wagon finished, and Hunter had never been so grateful to exit a moving vehicle and be able to escape. He jumped out onto the hay, and raced into the nearest building to find the bathroom.
Shoving open the door, Hunter stood in front of the sink. He turned on the faucet, running his hands under the cold water, and splashing it onto his face. The cool droplets sprinkled his cheeks, and refreshed him so he wouldn’t start crying or freaking out in front of everyone. He took several deep breaths before… finally, looking in the mirror.
He’d been afraid of what he’d seen in it. Himself or Belos? For right now, it was himself. And he relaxed a little.
“Was all that true?” Hunter asked, mostly to see if Caleb was still there. If he’d answer him about the story.
The face in the mirror shifted slightly, as if an older, adult version of himself was there. A man perhaps in his late-twenties, with the same hairstyle and facial structure, but completely rounded ears and brown eyes stared back at him.
Sort of. The locals have tarnished the story and added a few things that didn’t actually happen. But the gist of it is true. Caleb replied, the voice in his head, and the face in the reflection smiling gently at him.
“Will you tell me the truth?” Hunter felt like he deserved to know. Had a right to know what the two had been fighting over in his head.
I will. Philip and I used to be close, best friends in fact. I took care of him, taught him how to make toys and churn butter, even survival skills. We did come to this town, and found they were doing many witch trials here. Philip suggested that if we wanted to fit in, that we become witch hunters and join the mobs. I agreed, but… it always seemed to me like they were killing innocent women. Philip was too young and naive to see it.
Caleb paused, his expression in the mirror darker, but he continued anyway.
A beautiful young girl had been setting many of the women who had been found “guilty” and set to hang or burn free, helping them escape, much to the town's horror. One day, I met her, and helped her. It was then I discovered she was a real witch from the Boiling Isles and her name was Evelyn. She wanted me to come with her, and at first I declined, because I had to care for Philip. Phillip was angry with me, but we made up. I told him we should check out this other world. I wanted to learn about magic… but Philip… he never wanted that.
Hunter knew where this was going. The story was similar to what the myth was.
We went to the Demon Realm. I learned about magic and was fascinated by it. I loved it, and Philip did not. We began to argue more and more. I set about making portals to get back home, to travel between the worlds. We split up after an argument. I think it was when I told him about my engagement to Evelyn. I didn’t see much of him after that… until…
Caleb’s expression becomes pained. His eyes show deep fear and grief. I don’t want to talk about this but… Philip tricked me. He captured me to get to Evelyn. She tried to save me with her magic, but Philip outsmarted her and… killed her. Then…
Hunter knew what Caleb’s end was. And he finished for him. “Belos murdered you.”
Yes.
Hunter let that sink in. It wasn’t surprising, but it still hurt. It hurt even more after what he’d discovered in the mindscape. “With you gone, he had nobody. So he made clones of you, just so he could have someone to work for him. Because the real you… would never agree. That’s so sick and twisted.”
A knock echoed on the door, and he knew his time was up. The image of Caleb vanished, and instead his own red eyes stared back at him. He sighed and left the bathroom, heading back to find his friends. A slight pinch of pain ran down his neck. He smacked it. “Stupid bugs,” he muttered.
“Hunter!” Luz said when she spotted him. “There you are. I’m glad you’re right.”
Now was the right time. To tell her about the map to the Titan’s blood. They didn’t have much time. “I’m fine.” He motioned for her to follow him, and he crouched behind the wheels of the wagon.
“So.. I’m not supposed to tell, but there’s this secret puzzle map we found in the shack. There was a code on it and Amity thinks it leads to Titan’s blood,” Hunter said. They had to get to it before Belos did. Even if his friends were mad that he spoiled the surprise.
“Titan blood? Puzzles? Amity? Why didn’t anyone say anything?” Luz asked, exasperated.
“You and your mom have already done so much for us. We wanted to help out too,” Hunter explained. He peaked out from around the wagon to look at the rest of their friends. “It was supposed to be a surprise but…Belos is here.”
“Right. We should get the Titan Blood first. Before something bad happens to you,” Luz replied, peeking out with him to stare at Amity. He could tell that she seemed… conflicted or perhaps even sad about something. Which was strange. He thought Luz and Amity’s relationship was going well. But he didn’t want to ask, when it wasn’t his business.
“Exactly. Hey Flapjack?” Hunter called for his palisman. “Can you get the rebus?”
The bird awoke from his pocket and flew out, staring at him. He gave Hunter this questioning eye, as if judging him. A pang of guilt stabbed at him. But, a wave of anger and jealousy replaced it. His veins boiled, and for the first time he felt hatred towards the Palisman. But he didn’t know why.
“I’ll say that again. Get the rebus !”
Flapjack chirped and flew off quickly. Luz frowned at him and stood up. “Hunter, what the fuck?”
Hunter winced, surprised by her language. Luz rarely cursed, if ever. Especially because Camila didn’t like bad language in her house. “Ah, sorry! I… don’t know what came over me.” He frowned. He didn’t feel a bad headache or anything. No fighting and no signs of possession. He hadn’t even heard Belos in his head. Only Caleb. And he knew Caleb wouldn’t do anything to harm any of them.
Flapjack returned with the scroll of the Rebus and Hunter grasped it, anticipation and excitement building in him. An almost giddy feeling washed over him and he grinned as he ran away from his friends with Luz and towards the forest.
A sharp and sudden pain pricked at his finger, where his cut had been. He ripped off the band-aid to find… the goop. “What the…” he trailed, confused. He knew that Belos was in his body, but no signs of possession. Maybe it didn’t mean anything. Caleb would protect him, he’d promised.
Luz glanced at him. But then Hunter’s gut urged him forward before she could say anything. The Titan’s blood wasn’t far. They had to be close, he could feel it. His legs pulled him further away from her. He couldn’t stop running. All he knew was that he had to get there. To the Titan’s blood. Before Belos.
He ran. And ran. Until he got to a cemetery surrounded by a deep pond. Hunter stopped, and screamed as burning pain ran through his entire arm. He lifted it up, shakily and noticed a growing line of green spreading across light flesh. Belos.
“Caleb help!” He cried, falling to his knees. He was terrified. Had Belos been slowly and subtly taking over for a while now? Was that why he hated Flapjack? And wanted to get the Blood and get away from Luz?
I’m afraid Caleb can’t help you anymore. It’s time. Goodbye, Hunter.
With those words, a forceful and painful shove sent his consciousness tumbling down. At first he lost control of his limbs, and then his senses, and then… everything else. Until he was left in complete darkness in the back of his own mind. He felt miniscule, sad, and cold. Everything was black.
A figure emerged slowly from the nothingness, glowing in a faint, transparent mist. A person Hunter had seen in the mirror. Caleb. His soul, his consciousness.
“What happened to you? I thought you could keep him from controlling me,” Hunter asked him, crossing his arms. Caleb hadn’t betrayed him had he? Would he do such a thing? What about his friends, would they be okay? His eyes burned with tears but he tried to hold them back.
“I thought I could too. I’m sorry, Hunter. He’s grown stronger the past few days. And… he surprised me. Rather than take you all at once by force, or fight me, he slipped into your consciousness without you realizing. He’s been doing that since you shoved him down.” Caleb said, his voice echoing in the empty darkness around them.
The tears fought their way up to his eyes, as the reality of the situation set in deeper. Belos… his former family, had taken over his body and was probably hurting or fighting his friends right now. How was he supposed to take over again? How would he ever look at his friends again, knowing that he’d hurt them, even if it was Belos controlling him?
Hunter cried. He couldn’t stop himself. He sank down on his knees in the middle of the darkness and sobbed. There was no coming back from this was there? He’d seen the bones, the skeletons. He was going to die, wasn’t he?
“Caleb… we’re going to die, aren’t we? And there won’t be any more copies,” he forced out, sniffling.
A gentle warm hand touched his shoulder. “It’s not over yet, so don’t give up hope. You can still fight him. This body is made for you, meant for your soul and not his. But you have to believe, you have to want to fight, to save your friends, your family. They need you right now, not him.”
Even with the comfort, Hunter couldn’t be hopeful. “You don’t understand,” he said, pulling away from the touch. “I’ve never had a break. It’s always one bad thing after another. I’m always being hurt, or traumatized, and I don’t have any time to heal or time to spend with my family. I haven’t even had time to… to admit I like Willow. I don’t even know if she’d like me, now that I’ve hurt her…” Hunter gulped, brushing the tears from his eyes only for more to replace them. “When can I be happy? When can I go a few days without having another panic attack? When can I go a few days without being attacked or possessed or manipulated?”
Caleb must have let him rant, but the next thing he knew, warm arms enveloped him in a hug. “You and I have never had easy lives. But you are strong, Hunter. More than you think. The past few months you’ve had moments of happiness. You’ve grown up, into yourself. And you aren’t alone anymore. Your friends care about you,” he said.
Hunter sniffled, and accepted the hug. He needed all the support he could get, even if it was from basically an older version of himself.
“You know, I thought Evelyn wouldn’t love me because I was human. I was wrong. There’s no real difference between witches and humans aside from the ears and magic. When I admitted to Evelyn she simply laughed and said ‘I thought I made it obvious how much I love you, you dork’ and that was it. So don’t be afraid of telling Willow you like her when all this is over. You have faced bigger threats and fears than that.”
Hunter wiped his tears away completely, and pulled away. He thought about Caleb’s words. It was true. Ever since he’d bonded with the Emerald Entrails at Hexide, he’d begun to feel more like himself. He’d grown into the person he was supposed to be. Not human or witch, but still a person with emotions and personality. He loved his time in the Human Realm, learning about their lifestyle, and having a mother he’d never known he needed. Camila provided them with so much care and love, and he considered her family now. Even the silly traditions like the costumes and the books and the hayride were fun. Hunter especially loved the wolves on the shirt he’d sewn.
“How do I take control again?” Hunter asked.
Caleb smiled. “You don’t need my help anymore, silly. You’ve got this. Just do what you did last time.”
Didn’t need his help? Hunter thought he did, but then again, Caleb already helped him feel better, more sure of himself. Maybe that’s all the push he needed.
Hunter took a deep breath, determination and hope filling his chest. He could do this. He had to. For his friends. He concentrated, focusing on trying to regain some semblance of consciousness. Somewhere out of the dark, somewhere where he could see his friends, or at the very least, know what was going on. Even if he didn’t control his body yet, he needed to wake up and sense things.
Taste. The first sense to return to his consciousness. A hint of metallic, likely from blood, and swamp water, from being near the graveyard pond. So Belos had been fighting, clearly.
Smell. Stinky pond water and dirt. Not a good combination.
Hearing. Sounds of pained grunts and cries from his friends, farther away than he’d expected. Maybe across the pond?
Touch. Someone’s arms wrapped tight around him, squeezing and trying to keep him trapped.
Sight. Luz. It was Luz and she was trying to get his attention.
“I know you can hear me, Hunter. Fight him!” She said, desperation in her voice. She didn’t want to hurt his body, and he could tell. He didn’t want to hurt them either.
I’m trying, Hunter wanted to respond, but he had no control over his body yet. He couldn’t lift his tongue or open his mouth to say anything. He couldn’t even wink or do anything to suggest that he could hear her. He was stuck behind Belos.
So it pained him deeply when Belos took his long, stretchy arms and grabbed Luz, flipping her off him, and tossing her directly towards the water. Luckily, Hunter noticed that Amity cast magic so that some roots caught her fall.
Flapjack transformed into a bird once again, and pecked at his… horns? Since when did Hunter have horns? Or… well, Belos did, but only on his mask. Was that so deeply ingrained into Belos that he’d manifested horns on the top of Hunter’s head somehow?
Belos snatched Flapjack and Hunter’s heart and emotions lurched immediately. NO! No no no no. Hunter had to take control. He had to figure it out, and fast.
Memories of Belos taking all the Palismen and snapping them in half like they were breadsticks. He would suck up their energy, their life and very souls. Every time he’d seen him do it, it pained and saddened him behind the Golden Guard mask.
“That’s right. Wouldn’t want me to harm your precious Palisman, right Hunter? And yes, I do know it’s you trying to take control. You won’t get it ,” Belos said, his grip on the squirming and desperately tweeting bird steady.
Hunter would not let Belos kill Flapjack. His Palisman didn’t deserve the same fate as the rest of the others. The ones he should have stopped or hidden from Belos since the very beginning. Flapjack and Hunter had a bond, one that also extended to Caleb.
Hunter had grown to love his Palisman, and his friends so dearly that now was his chance. He wasn’t going to back down from this fight. He would win it, and he would save everyone. So Hunter concentrated, calming down and focusing on gaining control back over his body. He started with his toes, willing them to become his. He wiggled them, and they responded.
But Belos wasn’t going to give him that time.
“ Then again, I don’t care what you want. So, Goodbye Evelyn .” Belos squeezed, hard. The sharpness of his claws stabbed straight into the bird.
“NO!” Hunter shouted, and instantly swiped control of his arms to stop before Flapjack died instantly. His arm shook, pain running through it as he groaned. Belos was still there, fighting his control, causing the migraine and nausea to return at full force.
He let go of his Palisman.
DON’T YOU DARE. Give me back control, Hunter.
Never! This is my body. Those are MY friends, and that is MY Palisman. YOU do NOT get to hurt anyone again.
Hunter stumbled forward, grunting and struggling to maintain control. Belos took his right arm, reaching out towards Flapjack and Luz. His left leg staggered in front of him, controlled by Belos to try to get the others, but Hunter wouldn’t let him. With his right arm, he punched himself in the face, physically trying to force the Emperor out of his body and mind.
His cheek stung from the contact, and he fell forward, onto his knees with a groan.
I will not have you ruining my plans once again. I AM A WITCH HUNTER. I named you so you would never forget who you really are.
I am not a witch hunter. I am a hunter in a pack of wolves. I am a wolf and my name is full of honor, and my friends are my pack. I will protect them like a hunter would. I am stronger than you, Belos.
With that, Hunter forced Belos out of control. He reclaimed his name, his title. It was no longer related to him.
“You know what I’d like, Belos?” Hunter countered his earlier statement, this time outloud with his own voice. He’d gotten his own mouth and tongue back, able to speak his mind. “I’d like to leave the Emperor's coven. I have no need for them, I have my own pack now. I’d like to study wild magic and learn how to carve Palisman. I’d like to go to Hexide as a regular witch, no more Golden Guard.”
He crawled forward each time he repeated the phrase, grabbing the vial of Titan’s blood. He sat at the edge of the bank of the pond and raised his hand. His throat burned, tears ready to spill from his anger and emotions.
“But most of all, I’d like to make sure you NEVER hurt anyone, ever again!” Hunter shouted and threw the Titan’s blood with all his force he could muster into the water.
“ NO! ” Belos screamed and at once Hunter was shoved right back into the darkness of his mind.
But this time… he didn’t see Caleb, and he couldn’t wake up. Even when he felt the presence of Belos leave his body, everything remained black.
Hunter was dead.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
A soothing, golden warm light shining brighter than the sun appeared before him. It was shaped in the form of a bird. Not just any bird. Flapjack. His Palisman flew around him, tweeting at him. “ I love you. Goodbye and take care, Hunter.”
And Hunter woke up. He blinked, seeing the image of a red bird in his mind, eyes smiling down upon him before it disappeared. Groaning, his senses slowly came back to him. His body was wet, and cold, clothes sticking to his skin tightly. His head laid in a warm lap, the faces of his family surrounding him.
Hunter blinked again, more details showing up. They all had tears on their cheeks, eyes red from crying, especially Willow, who’s lap he rested in.
“Hey… guys,” he said, softly, his throat sore and raspy as if he’d been sick. “Is everyone okay?”
“Hunter,” Willow gasped, pulling him closer to her. “I was so worried that you…”
“I’m fine. But what about everyone else?” he said, burning heat spreading across his face.
Gus glanced at him, tears in his eyes, and grief written on his face. “Actually, Flapjack…”
Hunter shook his head, eyes filling with water and blurring his vision. His chest hurt and he gripped at the wet shirt. “Don’t. I know.” And he did. He’d seen him and heard him in his very last moments. And all he could hope was that Flapjack could find peace with Caleb, that they were both resting.
He suspected when Belos left his body, Caleb had too. He couldn’t feel the other soul anymore inside him, nor his emotions or memories, but Hunter wouldn’t forget him. Caleb had done so much to help him and support him.
Camila hovered over him like the proper worried mother hen she was. “Sit up slowly, dear. Careful now. Does anything hurt?”
Hunter did as instructed, his entire body weak but not in pain. Willow helped guide him up, her arms wrapped around him still, and right before he completely sat up, he felt her press a kiss into his cheek. His entire body flushed and he tried not to let his reaction show, especially in front of Camila.
“I’m fine, just tired,” he said instead, grateful that it was darker outside and for the water to cool him down.
Luz and Amity were having a conversation about Belos and the Collector, but Hunter was too worn out from his fight and his death to pay attention. Instead he turned to face Willow, and returned the kiss to her cheek, with a smile. His way of admitting that he too cared about her, and liked her.
Willow blushed and smiled at him, taking his hand, and helping him stand up. They headed towards the portal that Belos had created together. “Let’s fight back,” Hunter said, walking up to Luz. “We have to beat him, you have to defeat him. Please… for Flapjack.”
Luz stared at him, eyes watering, but she nodded, agreeing with him. “For Flapjack.”
Hunter let go of Willow's hand, hesitating right in front of the portal. It swirled with rainbows and sparkled like the galaxy itself. He liked the human world and all it had to offer. But he wasn’t Caleb, he wasn’t exactly Human. And the Demon Realm, with all his new friends and family, was his home.
“Let’s go home, Flap.”