A high effort shit post based off of this post I saw a while back and tagged Hunter core.
(Click image for better quality)
Imagine an AU where Belos is imprisoned after Titan Luz defeats him rather than killed.
Then one day Hunter comes to visit him in his prison and he asks if Belos ever thought he could have been happy with him.
And (and I know this would be OOC for him) Belos can't bring himself to answer. He would gladly say no just to make Hunter feel bad, or maybe even say yes to manipulate him, but he actually finds himself lost for words.
Hmmm, this is outside of what you asked but I wonder if Belos did have any sort of love for Hunter.
It’s already stated that Belos created Hunter as a toddler. It’s still unconfirmed if he made any other baby grimwalkers. I’m also pretty sure it was confirmed that he experimented on grimwalkers too, so not every grimwalker was a Golden Guard. So I’m going to assume all the previous Golden Guards where older teens to adults. I wonder if he had any attachment to Hunter, I mean he was around since he was basically a baby. It’s hard to imagine not having some fondness for something like that but again this is Belos.
I see different thoughts on why Belos created the grimwalkers, some say it was Belos way of justifying himself and reliving the betrayal over and over, it was genuinely to get an ideal version of Caleb, to have a new brother to take care of him, ect. I genuinely wonder if Belos ever loved a grimwalker, maybe the early ones but that was hundreds of years ago and that’s still a maybe.
He hallucinates Caleb looking down on him, disappointed. He knows subconsciously that what he doing is wrong but he’s too far deep into his delusion that he’s saving mankind from these sinful witches.
In the end they are just tools, an uncanny replacement for the brother he murdered and never got over.
But at the same time he did express disappointment at Hunter not lasting, the collector also question why he didn’t kill Hunter when he had the chance to after eclipse lake which is odd if Hunter is so replaceable. That he genuinely believed that Hunter would stay in line and be his most loyal one.
Actually now that I think about it, Hunter never betrayed Belos explicitly. He only rebelled in small ways like studying wild magic, making friends and having a palismen which Lilith also had. Hunter only nearly got killed because he found out the truth but Belos never gave him the chance to plead for mercy or the option to come back. Who knows if Hunter would have gone back if he was given the chance, Belos could have at least attempted to manipulate him to believing what he saw was fake or something.
He says their betrayals hurt but never shows it. While I do think the grimwalkers are set for failure since the start, he might have had hope that Hunter would have lasted since this one he actually raised this one and the fact that Hunter was actually loyal and devoted to him. It hurts how much this kid loves him.
Idk if the other grimwalkers were tricked to believing Belos was their family or something but Hunter loved him like a father figure and wanted his approval so badly and Belos knew this.
To your hypothetical, imprisoned Belos Au are interesting but something you don’t see often. I think he would spend a lot of time pondering, praying and wondering what if’s. Considering there’s not much to do when you’re locked up. He allowed himself to live in ignorance and hate for so long, was it even worth it? Could have he been happy in a place like the boiling isles? What if he never killed Caleb? What if he never left the human realm? What if he never made a daring spell? Why did he make coven again? What if he gave which kind a chance…? What if he never abused his grimwalkers? It all too crazy and he’s spiraling.
Hunter visits one day despite being told it not a good idea. But how could he not? Despite being abused and hurt in unfathomable ways by him, he still loves him in sick way. He was his only family for so long, that man who kept him isolated. He still fantasizes about being fussed over and loved by Belos, still has ‘fond’ memories of him. So to Belos surprise, the Grimwalker he once killed and abused is now sitting in front of him, ready to chat.
They talk for a bit, Hunter tells him a bit about the outside word and the changes made. He isn’t aggressive or confrontational, he couldn’t be even if he wanted to. Belos stays silent, unsure of what to say. Most grimwalkers expressed hatred before death, yet this one who he actually once killed was chatting with him like it was a normal day. Hunter is terrified but he keeps chatting, pretending this is fine. Belos tries to make his own comments and redirect the conversations but can’t. He lost for words because he’s in a situation not even he foresaw. He expected rage, ridicule or even tears but not this. Hunter was talking to him like he was still family.
I imagine Hunter, in his ill mind, still thinking of Belos as family. Still someone he wants to love despite everything. That he often thinks of him even on good days.
Soon Hunter asks that question if Belos could have ever been happy with him, if he ever loved him. Hunter believes that answer is no, he was already marked for the slaughter with that sigil, a dead man walking. Even if he wants that answer so badly to be yes.
And Belos can’t answer because he’s already thought of this. Could he have been happy with Hunter? Was he fond of Hunter? Was Hunter just a replacement? Was he a good replacement? Could he have loved him outside of being a replacement? Was there any love for the child he raised?
He could say no and hurt Hunter, the ‘love’ was always conditional, he was just a tool, was meant to be dead, ect. (But that might drive Hunter away and Belos is lonely)
He could say yes and give Hunter false hope, manipulate him, make him take pity, revive that old loyalty, ect. (He could get caught in this monitored state and get his only loyal companion ripped away)
But he can’t answer because he doesn’t know. It’s been so long since he had loved. He hated for far too long, he got rid of any chance to love. Was it possible to be happy with Hunter? Just him being Hunter and not some tool or replacement?
Idk this concept is good, I genuinely wonder what would have happened if Belos did actually love Hunter. I don’t think he does or ever did, he was just upset that his tools broke faster than he thought it would but it’s an interesting thought. I think if Belos and Hunter did start to bond in this Au, everything would be bittersweet in the worse ways.
I love you
I wonder if he ever said those words. If he ever said it back. Likely no.
I’ve had these two in my head for a bit. I must confess their relationship in the show is something that has intrigued me like no other and is something I seek in the fandom. In my time in consuming media, specifically cartoons, you often see unhealthy or abusive relationships. It’s fairly common now. But Belos and Hunter will always be the most visceral to me.
Hunter seeking comfort in Belos will always be the best angst. Hunter is my favorite character but in a way so is Belos. I have a love hate relationship with that hag.
A morbid cycle tbh, also first ToonSquid animation!
Hollow Mind alternative
Loosely connected drawings (might be fleshed out in the future as a mini comic)
If Hunter had been more willing to stay be Belos side
Hunter has a kill count cuz I said so
Alcoholic Belos real!?
Belos and his right hand man
Gave Hunter a bigger cloak…almost like it was meant for an adult
Also thank you for the support on my last post! Check out my other socials if you want to.
[Image description: painted digital art of Hunter and Belos from The Owl House, both wearing their masks. Hunter stands in the front, seen from the shoulders up in a hooded white cloak that's slightly baggy on him. Belos looms at his side, both of them lit by red light. End description.]
@yourlocalsonia2 do I even need to say anything :|
Philip Wittebane in Elsewhere and Elsewhen is a sad pathetic wet little meow meow. Emperor Belos is a sad pathetic wet little babygirl. Kid Philip is a feral gremlin with attachment issues. Monster Belos is a feral gremlin with anger issues. Does this make sense to anyone but me.
-
*Meanwhile in the theraprism*
Absolute solver: so how did you guys end up here?
Bill: defeated by some kids a thousand years ago
Belos & the core: ditto
Absolute solver: …by any chance did they have a weird girl, an idiot or a trained soldier?
Eyeball trio:…
The core: you have got to be kidding us
Belos:*sigh* titan why
Bill: do weird uncles count?
*During king’s tide*
Belos: I thought I killed you
Collector: my murder was greatly exaggerated
Boscha: so you’re telling me that little fuzzball is a titan *points towards king chasing a bug*
Luz: yep
Boscha: and you gained the powers of a titan to use against Belos
Luz: that’s right
Boscha: and you both befriend the literal demigod that took over the isles
Luz: pretty much
Boscha:…..
Boscha: should I be afraid
King: very much so *munches on bug*
//TOH SPOILERS
omg ok so like what the fuck happened??? DANA??? anyways look at him 🤭🤭 the scene came on and i was like omfg i have to draw him
Everyone’s talking about the cut Lumity kiss from ‘Reaching Out’ or the emotionally crushing moments when it comes to the TOH storyboards…
BUT WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THIS???
LMAO THIS IS SO FUNNY-
(Storyboard by King Pecora)
Belos is such a well written villain. His lore is one of the reasons I really love the show, yet I hate him with my whole heart. He’s just so interesting idk
Silly doodles Of the Wittebane Bros I did earlier
I’ve seen seen people talk about how one of the reasons Belos looks ever so slightly off is that his humanoid form doesn’t have those white eye circles that the other characters have.
I initially assumed that he was the only characters with his feature, but when I was rewatching the episode 8, I saw this.
Basically, the feeling you get when in a book or TV show at a villain's home. Some examples are Belos's castle from The Owl House or Gabriel Agreste's Mansion from Miraculous Ladybug
"Hunter isn't trying hard enough to be redeemed"
"He betrayed Amity 2 times"
"Hunter still needs help but not from Amity".
Hmm...I DISAGREE!!
So about Hunter "Not trying hard enough", he actually did try,2 times to be exact, and guess what happened those 2 times...
And not only that but the fact that he opened up to Luz in "Hunting Palismen"
Only for her to share his identity to the world! And not only that, she called him a "bad but sad boi" and now Eda's teasing him! (Not to mention he's a coven head so if someone knew they'll-)(What happens if rumors got out of Hunter using wild magic? Belos don’t kil-)
Imagine trusting someone, and then realizing they wanna be your friend, and you now have a friend! And then that friend goes out to share ALL YOUR SECRETS TO ALL OF HER 10 CLOSEST FRIENDS! (That was not what Luz was trying to do but that's likely to be what Hunter was thinking) Won't you, have some trust issues after that?
I've already explained the manipulation scene, but I'll say it here anyway.
"Come back with results or else...you can figure out the rest" -Hunter (Eclipse lake)
"Come back with results or else...we're done" -Amity (Eclipse lake)
That red arrow CLEARLY means turn back
Those 2 charts mean results cuz you put results on a chart
And the bat and the sad cat means Luz (aka, the bat) leaving Amity (aka, the cat)
And who would think of just spinning it around right? Hunter doesn't know "Human culture". He was most likely projecting himself onto Amity without knowing it.
Why didn't he accept Amity's offer?
First thing, he did accept it (or want to) but then he saw the key, and ooohohoho, all those thoughts just went straight away. Why?
Option A (for Amity), is just a chance game (This is Hunter's perspective btw) he could choose it just for the CHANCE of maybe finding someone that would actually care for him. Since Amity said, quote:
"But there are people out there that won't make you feel worthless, you just...have to let yourself met them."
(So Hunter needs to wait until he can find someone like that?)
Option B (for Belos), get the key, there's a 100% chance he will be happy. Belos cares for him. And if he just gives Belos the key then and there, there won't be any waiting needed! Belos is right there and he loves him!
And option A (Amity) has some flaws too, The Owl Lady absolutely hates him, and (as shown in the earlier scenes) ignores him even when he tried to help her! Luz hates him now for trying to steal the Paslismen, and she just called him a "Bad but sad boy". They even teased him about his lack of magic! And he only met them for like an hour. Plus, all the good interactions with them are only like- three minutes or at MOST 15 minutes (cuz of interruptions like Kikimora and the key).
Belos on the other hand loves him! He's important to Belos, and unlike the others, Belos would never say anything about him being "Powerless". Even though he IS still hungry for eye drops and Hunter does have some...But Belos adopted him, and he's been living his whole life with Belos. Why would he chose The owl gang after Belos has cared him for all his life and they- just insult him and say some words of encouragement? And he doesn't even know why Belos is dangerous (and is planning to harvest his teeth to the Titian! (joke)).
And it is hard (saying from personal experience), Very hard, to cut off an abusive person- it's just not that that easy as, POW, done. And even more so in Hunter's case since he's a "Powerless witch" and could never survive on his own/without a home. (Have you seen how DANGEROUS this place is? The fairies can eat your skin! Hunter "no magik boi" won't stand a chance!).
And he also acted out of instinct, (aka Golden guard side) and he wasn't thinking properly since he just had a mental breakdown and was using the things that he's known before (aka teleportation, the hand...not to mention he was using a different staff but was so desperate he somehow knew how to use it-), I mean seriously- Hunter you could have just levitated it away!
Someone needs to give him some good interactions (for a few hours at least) and teach him about how bad Belos is. And Eda needs to stop bullying Hunter, because (According to Newton's law) you can only push at something as much as it can resist your push, so in the end, you'll have this barely supported Hunter that just moves out of the way when the actually good interactions come. (And most of the owl crew probably doesn't even know that Belos is manipulating Hunter and thinks that Hunter is the guy that's being bad)
So if these kinds of bad interactions continue, Hunter may never be redeemed...(Unless if Rascal comes in but...there's Belos(Honestly that bird is the only thing that's keeping him happy and is the only good relationship he ever had!))(Not to mention, Belos is also the only other good relationship he had) because if he thinks that "friends" are only meant to hurt him and make him sad...he won't want any friends. And if these continue, we'll lose Hunter, and all we'll have left is a brainwashed and Belosy Golden guard...
And I'm scared that that's what gonna happen since most of the owl crew probably doesn't even know that Belos is manipulating Hunter and thinks that Hunter is the guy that's being bad...and Hunter's gonna think that they're bad ones, until it's too late...
Can I get a round of reblogs? Cuz I spent like, 3 days on this...
Hunter and Belos speedpaint
This is Kinda weird but a worked hard on it
I'm back with my art shsh
More of (my I guess) Philip AU (Idk how to name it)