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“We need a safer way to subdue the wild witches! And because of your recent failure," Belos sighed, snapping his fingers for the guards to grab Hunter, "You, my dear boy, will be my test subject.”
Pain radiated from the small prick in his neck, made by some sort of experimental drug Belos had created to help him in his conquest against the wild witches of the boiling isles.
“Shit-” hunter hissed out through clenched teeth as he tripped through the door to his sleeping quarters, tears slowly blurring his vision as he crashed to the ground in his room. whatever belos gave him- whatever drug he created- it hurt.
His breath hitched as he fought off the slowly impending doom of crying. Hunter couldn't handle this right now. He couldn't. What will Belos think about his inability to take the punishments he’s given? It was his fault after all, his fault that he failed to get the titans blood. It was his fault that he wasn't as good as he needed to be. He deserved what came after his mistakes. He deserved all the pain, the hits and the kicks, the scars and the words. He deserved all of it, because he wasn't good enough. But Titan- the words Belos used.
He could still hear Belos’ voice echoing through his skull like a mantra as he repeated all of his failures and mistakes straight back at him. He could practically feel the lilt in the older man's voice as he listed a punishment for the younger- gaining some sort of sick pleasure from seeing the fear in Hunter’s eyes when he realized the agony he would have to endure. Hunter could feel all of the phantom pains from years of torture- (of beatings and fights and 'punishments' alike) rise to the surface of his skin. His scars felt burning to the touch, sharp pain shooting down his spine everytime the marred skin touched anything. He brushed the scar on his cheek-
And then he was back. Back there. Hunter was only 9 years old, having finally gone on his first mission. He needed to capture a simple criminal, and had failed spectacularly, not even getting close to finishing the objective he was given; and returning home with a fresh scar spanning across his cheek. You could practically see the steam coming out Belos’ ears when he heard how horribly hunter had performed. But even then- his uncle showed him kindness. He reprimanded him, and it was nothing like the recent treatment. belos was a good man after all, he was doing what was best for the isles. And hunter was just making stupid mistakes. That's why.
“Hunter, my boy,” oh- huh? Hunter didn’t remember this part? “You know what we talked about. What would happen if you failed.” a figure loomed over him, swallowing him in a shadow.
No- that's not how it was supposed to go. Belos slapped him (for the first time) and he was fine. Belos would never hurt him, right? That's.. That's what happened. It was. Hunter was sure of it.
“I think you need…” Belos trailed off, holding the boy’s face in his hand, “... A reminder.”
wait. wait- fuck-
Belos quickly slashed across the young boy's face.
It was too much. Hunter finally let out an agonizing wail, clawing at his face as he felt the burn of a ‘new’ wound. Every nerve in his body was electrified as he collapsed, sending another rolling wave of pain throughout his body. He gasped- chest heaving, when he realized something extremely crucial.
He couldn't breathe. He couldn't- shit-
Every sharp inhale panicked him more, when he could only feel the burn of oxygen deprived lungs and not the smooth, cool air he knew was around him.
Writhing on the ground, his body hit the furniture spread around his too-small room as he tried to do anything to just get rid of the hurt, the stabbing, fiery pain.
“HElp-” he wheezed out, using the last air in his lungs, “PleaS-,” Hunter choked as a wave of the most excruciating pain he had ever felt rushed through his body, the drug swinging into full effect.
He could feel every molecule of his being ripping itself apart and putting itself back together, his bones creaking and splintering under the weight of the skin surrounding them- he cold feel everything.
A bloodcurdling scream ripped itself out of his throat, and all he could do was scream louder when his vocal chords felt like they were getting torn apart, fast and brutal.
He felt something grab his arm, trying to pull it away from his face. Hunter startled at the new presence, kicking and screaming when their touch put his boiling blood alight with flames.
And finally, his eyes rolled back into his head, and he was finally free.