002|Hunter TOH

You two were friends, which in itself was unacceptable. This, moreover, was completely untrue.

The Hunter, the Golden Guardian, led you, the wild witch—his best friend—into the deepest depths of the forest. It was a common occurrence when the two of you spent time together: he led and you followed, or vice versa.

This time, as always, Hunter would follow you to the ends of the earth if you asked him to.

The forest was dimly lit by moonlight and hanging lanterns, as a hunter would say, "a lucky escape."

Hunter, without realizing it, was head over heels in love with you. You were kind and sweet, and carried yourself with a grace that seemed to draw him in. "Like a siren," he told himself, enveloping you in a sweet embrace of trust that he knew would get him into trouble if Belos ever found out.

He prayed to Titan every night that you would be as far away from Belos's deadly grip as possible.

Hunter laughed as you blinked in surprise; deep in this forest, there was a makeshift stage where all sorts of creatures were dancing and singing. It was strange, to say the least: Hunter, a man for whom fun and entertainment were a luxury and an alien concept, was leading you to a cheerful place. Quiet.

It was so sweet.

Hunter, suddenly plucking up courage, took your hand. When you let him, he carefully turned you around, a hesitant, awkward movement.

"Good little girl," Hunter sings, "always picked fights with me."

"You know I'm bad, but you spend the night with me - what do you want from my world? You're a good little girl."

"bad little boy," you sing, "that's how you act. I really don't believe you're that kind of guy. And if you are, then why do you want to hang out with me?"

Hunter fell silent, holding his breath. A silly, almost shy smile appeared on his lips.