Tragedy (A Golden Guard/Hunter x Reader)

Chapter 16 • Uncertainty

I stand in Luz's room, still in my pajamas, a cup of apple blood in hand. She stares in the terrarium I gave her, looking desperately at the echo mouse inside.

"Oh, little echo mouse. You ate the diary that can get me home. Can't you cough up a teeny bit?" She sighs, a sad expression on her face.

King walks up to the tank carrying a teddy bear. "Just squeeze it out!" He does exactly that to the poor stuffed animal in his hands. It's head pops off.

"Just be patient, Luz. It'll take some time for the little guy to get comfortable." I say, swirling the contents of my cup.

"I know." Luz groans. She squishes her face on the glass. "Tell me your secrets."

Before I can say anything about the slightly concerning behavior, Eda walks in. She wears a black blazer over her normal clothes. I tilt my head at this.

"Hey, knucklehead. You're gonna be late for school." She informs Luz. Luz doesn't even acknowledge Eda's existence. "Alright. I guess you won't be getting a magic staff with your classmates." Eda shrugs.

Luz perks up, changing into her school uniform inhumanly fast. She races to the door, now extremely antsy. She throws the door open, jogging in place excitedly. I follow Eda downstairs.

"She's getting a staff today?" I ask curiously, setting my mug down.

"That's the plan." Eda winks at me.

"Can I come?"

"I dunno, Y/n. That sounds at little extreme. I would feel better if you just stayed here." Eda gives me a worried look.

"Please, Eda? This is a big deal for Luz! I wanna be there to see it." I plead.

"Yeah, come on, Eda!" Luz adds. "Everyone will be focused on getting their palismen, so no one will even notice Y/n's there."

Eda purses her lips, giving it a lot of thought. "Okay." She finally sighs. "But, you're covering your face, and staying by me."

"Thank you, Eda!" I rush upstairs to change.

I pull off my pajamas, and slip on a clean outfit. Looping my cat mask behind my ears, I grab Dux and rush back downstairs. Eda and Luz are already outside. I pull the door shut, and mount my staff.

"Okay, lets go! We gotta fly!" Luz urges.

• • •

We land in front of the school. Luz hops off of Eda's staff.

"You head inside." Eda instructs. "Y/n and I will meet you on the grudgby field."

Luz gives us a thumbs up and rushes inside. Eda and I fly around the side of the school, to the field. A giant wooden carrier is sat in the middle, surrounded by a small fence. Principle Bump is already waiting for the kids to arrive. I slow down, hesitating. What if he recognizes me, and turns me in? Was this really worth the risk? Eda sees my hesitation, and slows down to my speed.

"Don't worry about Bump." She says. "He hasn't turned me in, so I'm sure he won't turn you in either."

I chew the inside of my cheek, debating. I decide to follow through, wanting to be here for Luz. We land and Bump looks at me curiously.

"Eda, who's this?" He asks, pointing a long, slender finger at me.

"This is..." Eda pauses. "She's my kid." She finally says, confidently.

My eyes widen, looking at Eda in disbelief. She's never called me her kid before. I can't help the smile that pulls at my lips.

"You have a kid?" Bump asks, clearly surprised. "Wait a minute." He squints at me. "You look familiar."