Loved -- Golden Guard

Chapter 7

TW: None

For days, Eda had been going out every day to try and find the medicine they needed for Hunter's infection, and every day she only inched slightly closer.

Today, however, she returned with great news.

"Guess who got an address!" She gave Luz and Hunter finger guns. Hunter was sitting on the couch with Luz on the floor, they were reading two separate books on magic and sharing ideas and theories.

"Really??" Luz jumped to her feet, grinning.

"Finally!" Hunter said with a smile of his own.

"The lead I got yesterday wasn't a complete dead end this time! I explained everything, threatened him a bit, showed him Harpy Eda and then he gave me an address!" Eda presented a small paper that had been folded twice and had a house address on it.

"Hey- I know that address!" Hunter grabbed the paper and reread it to be sure. "That's the leader of the healing coven's address."

"Ah shit."

Hunter ran his hands through his hair, unable to focus on the book he had in hand. Eda, Luz, King and Amity (who had been suspicious but accepting of his presence) had gone to meet with the coven leader and try to get their hands on the medicine.

Over the past week, Hunter's symptoms had only gotten worse. He wasn't able to stand since he got so dizzy, he could barely keep food down and for the past day or so he'd had a fever.

He'd kept busy by reading and exchanging theories about wild magic with Luz, but he was genuinely terrified.

If Eda, Luz and the others didn't get those antibiotics within a week, there's a very low chance he'll be able to just fight it off.

If they didn't come back with that medicine, he would die.

Without warning, the door slammed open (earning a small "ow!" from Hooty) and Eda in harpy form came in carrying Amity and Luz over each shoulder.

"What happened? Are they okay? Did you get the medicine?" Hunter resists the urge to stand.

"Oh they're fine, fucker had sleeping nettle blow darts and they both got hit. King was too small a target I'm assuming and I got hit like a solid four times with no effect!" Eda gloated, setting Luz and Amity down on the opposite end of the couch from Hunter.

"So, everyone's fine but..." Hunter cracked his knuckles and chewed on the inside of his lip.

"We got it! King, get your ass over here!" The small demon scampered over and handed him a carefully wrapped box.

A wave of relief washed over Hunter. A majority of the anxiety that had been building up inside of him since he got here dissipated.

"Fucking finally..." he whispered, leaning his head back against the arm rest and closing his eyes.

"Alright, I'm gonna go find the cotton balls and then we can put it on! Don't die or anything in the meantime," Eda gave a mock salute before heading up the stairs and to the bathroom.

Before long, she had applied the medicine (which, unsurprisingly, burned) and layed on the floor, doing her best to convince "the owl beast" or whatever she'd called it to let her return to normal.

The relief Hunter felt was immeasurable, but even so other worries grew. He wasn't here for help. He was here on a mission. He refused to return empty handed.

He would not fail.

But...

Luz and Eda trusted him. They trusted that he was here for help and a new home. If he followed through with this mission, he'd permanently break that trust and be getting them killed.

But if he didn't he'd have to return to Belos with nothing. He'd be proving he's a failure once again.

Or he could stay here. He could be honest with Eda and Luz about why he really came here and tell them that he regretted it and wanted to stay...

No. That isn't an option. The easiest option was always the worst and always turned out the worst. The hardest option was always rewarding and correct, without fail.

Hunter was here on a mission, and he would not fail.