Loved -- Golden Guard

Chapter 11

TW: Emotional abuse, purposeful self deprivation of sleep, mania, paranoia

So far, his plan was a success. The plant coven was in the process of planting and growing thousands upon thousands of palistrum trees and nothing had gotten in the way yet!

But something always did. Something always messed up his plans and he was ready this time! He barely slept, watching from close by as the garden coven planted and grew the trees, ready to attack at the slightest sign of a threat.

He watched, and if something so much as touched those trees it was dead in seconds. Those trees were for Belos, and anyone or anything else who dared challenge him was dead on charges of treason and attempting to steal resources from the Emperor himself.

But before he knew it, it was finished. Hundreds of witches had worked hard to complete it in only a week and it was finally finished.

Hunter couldn't wait to present it to Belos.

He knocked on the door three times and waited for Belos to allow him inside. Once he did, Hunter took five steps before kneeling into a bow.

"We don't have a meeting, so what do you want, Niece?" Belos asks.

"I asked the plant coven to help me with a project that I oversaw. It's sort of like a gift for you, and it was finished earlier today." Belos offhandedly signaled for Hunter to stand, clearly intrigued.

"Well, what is this gift, or do I have to see it in person?"

"I had thousands of palistrum trees planted and grown within a week so you won't have to worry about needing palismen for a long while!" Hunter announced proudly.

"Marvelous news!" Hunter felt a surge of pride and relief. He was afraid Belos would reject his gift or be unsatisfied with it. "You really took charge and got me a wonderful gift! I'm proud of you for showing responsibility!"

And that was exactly what Hunter had been looking for. Reassurance that he's a good person. Belos wouldn't be proud of him if he was a bad person!!

"Thank you, uncle! I'm glad you like the gift!" Hunter felt high on an indescribable feeling of euphoria. Everything felt like it was spinning and he felt like crying but in a good way!

"Of course." Belos motioned for Hunter to stand up. "The Day of Unity is soon. Are you excited? Or frightened?"

Hunter stood, keeping his eyes wide so they'd dry out and he wouldn't be given the chance to break down crying.

"Excited!" he replied, giving himself no time to think through his responses like usual.

"As am I." Belos stared at Hunter as though contemplating something. "Do I own your body, or your mind?"

Now it was Hunter's turn to stare. He was afraid he might give the wrong answer and the scraps of joy he had gotten from Belos' pride in him would be crushed in seconds.

"Both!!"

"A good answer, though you may only pick one." Hunter's anxiety increased all the more.

"M- my body?" Immediately he regretted his choice. Surely he had picked the wrong one and now Belos hated him. He was wrong and evil and unlovable.

"Dance for me then." Hunter stood almost frozen, trying to figure out if Belos was serious or not.

"Not literally, of course." Hunter let out a silent breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding. "You'll understand in due time, Niece. Not to worry, you'll understand. It's all in due time..."

Hunter now stared awkwardly at the floor, unsure of what to say.

"Dismissed," Belos called out, seemingly... amused.

Hunter paced his room, feeling restless and tired at the same time. He wanted to sleep and never wake up, but he also wanted to do something, anything! He wanted to do more to prove himself, to prove that he was a good person.

Visiting Luz again surely wouldn't get rid of all his work and make him bad again, could it? Visiting her isn't a crime but it still feels like a betrayal so to even it out, he should do something else for Belos if he wants to visit her!

But he shouldn't visit her. He shouldn't even want to. He laid on his bed and pressed his palms into his eyes until he saw colors.

He had one pass to visit Luz or Eda. One. His first visit was spent on capturing them, and his second would be his last.

Before the Day of Unity. And before they'd be petrified, he'd visit and he'd apologize and say goodbye. His apology would mean nothing, of course, they're going to die, but it was worth something to him.