The Half-Titan

Eclipse Lake

~Chapter Four - Eclipse Lake~

Hunter

Ever since Podarge and I became friends, we grew closer. We found ourselves spending time together. We would train together and eat meals together. During the weekdays, we would spend time in the either the library or our rooms. I realized we had more in common than I had thought. Like me, they were an outcast. They spent the first years of their life being hidden by their father.

"My father was a full witch. I don't think he was ever ashamed of me. He was the first one to teach me magic and he was never afraid of the power I held. When he was killed, I went searching for my mother. I found she started a new family for herself. One by one our kind either went missing, or they were found dead. Mother took me in only for me to help protect her unborn child. She figured since I was part witch, the enemy would spare me. Which lead me to being alone, protecting my sibling's egg. Then it hatched while I was in a deep hibernation-like sleep. I need to find them. They are the last full blood of our kind so they must have a million questions about us." Podarge explained.

They only explained so much, holding back information about what they were and how long they had been asleep. It caused me to be suspicious of them but seeing the look on their face as they spoke about their past; I decided not to push for answers.

On the weekends we would leave to go on missions together. The last two missions were a success. I was relieved to see Emperor Belos happy each time we succeeded. I was upset to see Podarge unhappy; because every return to the palace meant they failed to find their sibling.

This morning, The Emperor gave Podarge and me a mission. I quickly went to their room to inform them.

I knocked on their door before opening it. "Podarge, The Emperor gave us a mission. We leave at 1:00 PM." I started, "Wait, did you just wake up? Po! I told you all coven members are expected to be up at 6:00 AM, no matter the duties of the day." I complained.

"Wait, what mission?" Podarge asked clearly, they weren't awake. "I'll tell you at breakfast, just get ready." I said before leaving their room. I went to the dining hall to get some food. I sat in the far corner of the hall with my eggs and apple blood. I bounced my knee as I waited for Podarge to appear. After about thirty minutes of waiting, they came through the doors.

"Hello Stranger." They said, taking a seat across from me. "Okay, so the mission requires us to get Titian's Blood from Eclipse Lake. The Emperor needs it to make a new portal key." I explained.

"Wait portal key? There's a portal?" Podarge asked. "Oh right. He found the portal Luz came from. He needs it to travel to the Human Realm, but I'm not sure why he wants to go there. Did you know rain doesn't boil in the Human Realm? At least that's what I've read. Anyway, it took nearly a month to rebuild it. That human blew it up. We don't know where the key is but with Titan's Blood, we can make a new one. And I will fully reclaim my title the witches and demons once feared and respected." I said. I was a little too confident with this mission. That's a lie, more like desperate.

"Sounds like this is more for you than it is for The Emperor." Podarge stated, taking a sip of their drink. "Okay so what if it is? Maybe he trusts me again?" I asked but it sounded more like a rhetorical question.

"Well, I'm going to go. I'll be in my room when we need to leave. Come get me then." I said before leaving the table. Maybe I did want to please my uncle. Was that such a bad idea? He gave me a home, and purpose. It was only fair to give him what he wanted. Even if he gets...physical when I don't. But that's only because I failed, and I will not fail.

I got to my room and took a seat. Trying to figure out a good strategy for this mission. After about an hour, there was a knock at my door. I smiled, knowing it was Podarge coming to get me. I opened the door and was met with. . .Edgar? Confusion filled me as my smile dropped. "For you." He said, handing me a letter. "Hunter, my deepest apologies. You have been switched out with Kikimora for the Operation. Enjoy your weekend mission-free. The Emperor." Disappointment flooded my body. What? Why? Seriously. The disappointment turned to anger. I grabbed my cloak and stormed to the head where I knew The Emperor was spending his time today.