Hunter's Perspective

After helping treat the injured, the gathered group was stuck watching as the Day of Unity slowly came to be. We could attempt to attack, but it was a lot safer to sit and watch. I had gotten comfortable sitting beside Edric, keeping him comfortable in my arms. He was still distressed over seeing his dad in such a vulnerable state. "Are you sure you don't want to smell that balm I have? It's very good at calming." I asked and waved the stick in front of him. He stared at me with tired eyes and watched as I uncapped it. "Sure, I guess." He mumbled and allowed me to hold it close to his nose. He slowly breathed in the calming scent and laid down in my lap. "I just want to take a long, long nap." He sighed and hugged my leg. I stroked his pleasantly smooth green hair and pulled off his glasses so he could get more comfortable. "You can if you want to, I'll protect you." I hummed and rubbed his bony back. He stewed over the idea for a while as his eyes drooped more and more.

"A nap would be good." He said with a sleepy smile. Ruru scampered into my lap beside his head and head-butted him harshly. "Ow-! What was that for-?" Edric exclaimed and sat up, looking at the colorful fox. Ruru tugged on his hand and tried to drag him closer to the entrance. "What is it Ruru? What's going on?" He asked and followed the little fox. I got up and tagged along, curious as to what could've made the spicy little fox so riled up. Rascal hopped off of my shoulder and soared ahead, circling where Ruru had stopped. Ruru was yipping and whining, running around a small white cat. "Isn't that-." "That's Mitten's palisman, why would it be here-?" Edric asked and looked at me. He picked up the scrappy little cat and she mewed, curling up and shivering. "Maybe she's trying to ask us for help?" I suggested as Rascal landed on my shoulder. Rascal got comfortable and nuzzled my cheek. "I think we need to go." He said with increasing worry. "Hey wait, without me?" Emira huffed and took the scared cat from Edric.

Edric glared at her and rolled his honey-glazed eyes. "Come if you wish, but we're going without you." He hissed sourly and got onto his palisman. Without waiting for me, he took off towards the alter where The Day of Unity would occur. I quickly changed Rascal into a staff and flew after him. "Hey wait, wait Edric!" I exclaimed and chased after the angsty young man. He clearly had some beef with his twin sister, and wanted to get away from her. I caught up to him with the help of Rascal's quick flying. "Are you okay?" I asked as I coasted beside him. His irritated eyes were laser focused on the task ahead. I drifted closer to him and reached over, holding his shoulder so it was easier to stay connected. "What's up with you Ed?" I asked in a gentle tone. I didn't want to provoke him anymore, and he needed someone to just be there for him. "It's just- she basically dumped me for better friends, and never really talks to me anymore. And unlike her, I'm not popular. I'm just some silly prankster with no life. But without her I don't even feel like pranking for fun." He explained and lightly petted the fox on his staff. She cooed in response and sniffed his hand.

I let go of his shoulder and sighed. "I'm sorry you feel that way, but I'm sure once this is over I can help you. Or someone can, like your dad." I tried to assure him and stared at the well-dressed boy. Even though he wasn't exactly dapper, he looked comfortable. He sniffled and wiped his eyes, holding his glasses as he did so. "I wish I wasn't so sensitive." He huffed and put his glasses back on. I shrugged and patted his back. "If you were less sensitive, you'd probably end up like my uncle. And no one wants to end up like him." I pointed out, causing him to laugh a little. "That's a funny way to think about it, but you're right." He said with a smile. "I would definitely rather be sensitive than a psycho." He chuckled. I smiled as well and offered my hand to him. He interlocked his pale fingers with mine and pulled me over next to him. "You've made the past few days a lot more bearable for me Hunter." He admitted with a warm smile and glowing eyes.

I leaned on his shoulder and audibly "woah-oh-!"-ed when Rascal wavered under me. "Erm- I'm glad I've been able to make you feel better. I've also felt very comfortable having you around, it's a lot different than my environment in the castle." I said as my mind wandered to those terrifying memories. No way could I relax like this on the job, under Belos' watch. "You've made me realize something Hunter." He told me and supported my lazily laying body with his arm. "Oh yeah?" I responded, hoping he would tell me. "I've realized I'm not very dull or unappealing, I just think other people don't try very hard to understand me. Kind of like how people treat you." Edric observed as we soared over the trees. The cold air made me cling to him more as we went on. But, as I thought about it for a few moments, I started to think the same way. People find it much easier to befriend someone if they don't require care or attention, which I find ridiculous but understandable.

"But how are you so sure we are not the strange ones?" I asked and looked at the confident boy. He simply shrugged and let go of me as we neared the arena of pledged and devoted people. "Everyone's strange, we're just not trying to change the way our strange works for other people." He hummed and began to descend near the edge of the forest. I followed his flying as we landed just before the open area. I guess he's right, I'm just not nearly as sure as he seems to be. As I stared out to the huge gathering of people, I got chills. How could we find the little Blight and the others in this huge group? Were they even in this thick mass of people? I got distracted from my mission seeing Raine up at the top, with Darius and Adrian and those other leaders. "They're up there." I whispered, staring at them with a tearing in my heart. "Hey man, don't lose it on me now. We have to find my sister and her friends." Edric said and tugged on my wrist lightly. "Sorry, sorry." I quickly apologized and followed him as he pulled me towards a bush.

"So, based on everything we're seeing right now, and the fact that Amity left days ago, I'm assuming they're either arrested or hiding somewhere waiting to pounce. I could try to use a tracker spell because Mittens is related to me, but I'll need your help." He suggested, staring at me for my opinion. "Sounds good, I don't know how I can help without magic though." I responded and watched as he pulled up the sleeve on his dark green sweatshirt. "You just have to get me to bleed." He explained, waiting for me to do that somehow. I guess I could bite him, I have fangs. I carefully lowered my head and opened my mouth, trying to figure out how to do this. I lowered one canine into his arm, feeling him a little when my tooth punctured his skin. I slowly tore across his arm to make a big incision before stopping. "Yeah, that's definitely good enough- ow I wish Emira would hurry up-." He hissed and began drawing a spell above the broken, bleeding skin. Once he completed the spell, his bubbling cut lit up and his blood disappeared.

"How does that work?" I asked, not seeing any difference. "Well, now I've enchanted my eyesight to see the blood of my relatives for a little while. That way I can track Mittens down very easily." He explained and rubbed his arm. I'd imagine it still stung, with how my tooth cut into it. "And that's how I know Emira is right behind me." He sighed and winced when she slapped a paper on the back of his head. I didn't even see her show up, I guess I was too distracted. Edric turned around to face her, which showed me the paper. It said "here stands the village idiot". Well that's mean. I took off the paper and tossed it aside so Edric couldn't discover it. "I don't have time for antics- I used a tracker spell, let's go find Amity." Edric huffed and Emira grinned. "Whatever you say." She hummed sarcastically, still holding Amity's cat. Edric didn't bother to respond before looking around. "Well I see Raine's blood up there where they are, and I see my blood, and Emira's blood... Hmm..." He thought out loud, the cogs turning audibly in his mind as we stayed behind that bush.

"I think.. Uhh, I see something." He said and squinted, staring in the direction of the castle. "I think Amity is in the lower levels of the castle." He said and looked at me. "Let's go then." I hummed and looked at Rascal who was sleeping on my shoulder. "Can I ride with you? Rascal is tired." I requested and heard Emira snicker. "Or you could ride with me." He remarked and placed her hands on her hips. I stared for a moment and scratched my pale neck. "Sure, um, I can do that." I mumbled and twitched when Edric grabbed my arm. "He's going to ride with me, don't be a snake." He snapped and pulled me onto Ruru. I nervously fidgeted and hugged him from behind for security. He glared at his sister before setting off behind the low forestry, heading towards the castle. I rubbed his arm and rested my head on his shoulder. He smiled a little and held my hand. "I hope we get to hang out more after this." He said warmly and tensed up when he heard his sister mocking him behind us. At this point I was also annoyed at her antics and snapped my head around towards her.

"Shut up." I snapped coldly and caught her off guard. She crossed her arms and pouted, looking away. Clearly I'm not making a good image for myself in her mind, but I don't care. "Land over there by that overhang." I instructed the fox palisman, slowly gliding over and soaring under the overhang by the base of the castle. I pushed aside some dirt and dust on the wall, revealing a discreet entrance to the lab. I lightly knocked, happy to hear a clicking sound before the door was pulled open. It moved slowly because of how heavy it was, it creaked and groaned for death. "Evening little bro. I saw you coming, but hurry up before we get caught." Daryl said and ushered in all of us. He then closed the door and locked it. "What are you doing Hunter?" He asked and crossed his arms. He was clearly pissed that I had left without telling him and then came back. I innocently smiled and kept my hands behind my back. "Umm, Raine brought me to a safer place so that hopefully the spell for The Day of Unity doesn't happen." I explained and squeaked in surprise when he hugged me tightly. "I was worried about you." He said squeezed me in his arms. I hugged him as well and sighed. I felt bad knowing he had worried about me the whole time.

"I care about you Hunter, I would've protected you too.." He whimpered and refused to let go of me. I rubbed his back and looked up at him. He looked so upset that he might cry, his beautiful blue eyes trembled with worry. "I'm sorry.." i mumbled and wiped away his forming tears. "Can you help protect me now that I'm here?" I asked hopefully, watching as he started to smile sweetly. "Of course." He hummed and kissed my forehead. I hugged him a little longer before letting go, looking over at the twins who seemed concerned about Daryl and his emotional antics. "Well let's go." I said with a new excitement, knowing Daryl was here to help me.