𓈒ㅤ𑁯 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 - 𝙏𝙊𝙃 🍂 ! ˚ യ

In the Boiling Isles, you were not ordinary children.

They were the Emperor's "nephews".

Raised within the castle. Trained without natural magic. Dependent on artificial staffs to channel power.

Always observed, always evaluated.

You escaped first.

It wasn't an accident.
He wasn't impulsive.
It was a choice.

And the one who helped you maintain that choice was none other than Lady Owl herself, Eda Clawthorne.

Since then, you lived far from the castle, far from the orders, far from that all-judging gaze.

But the Emperor does not forget what he considers his own.

Hunter receives the order in the throne room.

He doesn't protest.
No doubt.
It doesn't tremble.

But his grip on the artificial cane is barely tightened.

"Bring her back," Belos says in that voice that admits no failure.

It's not a request...it's a mission.

And Hunter never fails missions.

He finds her at dusk, on the rooftops of Bonesborough.

The wind stirs its cloak, you had already felt it, you knew that sooner or later it would come.

Hunter lands in front of you with practiced precision. The artificial staff glows faintly before going out; he doesn't raise his weapon.

But it doesn't keep it either.

"I knew you were here," he says firmly. "The Emperor wants you to return."

The wind is blowing stronger.

"You don't have to complicate things...if you go back on your own...it will be easier."

His shoulders are tense; he doesn't want to fight, but he will if he has to.

'—Eda can't protect you from everything.'

It's not a threat, it's concern in disguise.

"The castle... is where we belong."

He's asking you to come back to him; he's giving you time.

"—Don't force me to obey the order."

For the first time, his voice as your brother.