The overall review of
Halldis Peletier
Known as The General Halldis
Fandom: The Owl House
OС creator: @tuumcleander
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❝ Sun, keeper of flame
Breaker of day,
I gave you my sword, my heart and my faith ❞
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> Halldis Peletier is an antagonistic character in The Owl House. Former General and Head of the Emperor's Coven, commanding the Coven Scouts.Unwaveringly close and loyal to Emperor Belos, Halldis remains so until the truth is revealed on the Day of Unity. Captured by the Collector along with the other coven heads, she's later jailed as Belos' accomplice, only to escape in the aftermath.
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Character information:
Full name: Halldis Peletier
Age: Mid-to-late 40s
- sun: aquarius
- moon: capricorn
- ascendant: scorpio
- mercury: cancer
Height: 5'9'' (175 cm)
Gender: Female
Species: Witch
Occupation: Emperor’s Coven leader (last one)
Fugitive (post-canon)
Coven: Emperor's Coven, surprisingly
Tracks: Potions (formerly)
Home: Unidentified Sunken Island, Demon Realm (formerly)
Boiling Islands
Emperor’s Castle (formerly)
???
Background information:
> First appearance: "Agony of a Witch" (cameo)
"Follies at the Coven Day Parade" (debut)
> Latest appearance: "Watching and Dreaming"
Contents (Scrollpoints):
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1. Appearance
2. Personality
3. Mental Vulnerabilities/Dislikes
6. Childhood
7. Dynamics with other characters
9. Links
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Appearance:
post canon | season 2
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> A scar bisects Halldis's right eye, another slashes across her right cheek. The first dates from her childhood, the second from her time with the Coven, as are the scars that mark her forearms.> Halldis' hair is entirely white — lashes and brows included — except for the lower portion, dyed a light brown, a ritualistic habit retained from her youth.> Her skin is pale, a shade darker than her hair, and her head is crowned with white, goat-like horns.> Salient features: A sharp nose, high cheekbones, and thin lips.> Left eye color: brown.> Build: wiry, rangy.> Voice: calm, firm, and dry, devoid of emotion, with a faint, rustling undercurrent.
Yet, occasionally, a subtle, almost impish daring flickers in her words—so fleeting, anyone else would dismiss it as fancy.> Mannerisms: Halldis's face, reflecting her temperament, is rather inexpressive, mostly serious. Moreover, age has inexorably etched the lines of her phlegmatic nature upon it. However, her character is more nuanced than simple phlegmatism would suggest — one only needs to observe her more closely.
She maintains a relatively calm demeanor while on duty.Her movements are characteristically sharp and abrupt, marked by a quick, almost hurried gait. She involuntarily flinches and grows irritated if approached from the side of her blind eye.
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Personality:
Halldis is not one for emotional displays, either giving or receiving. Her considerable patience makes her a good listener. A dedicated, if stubborn, worker with perfectionist tendencies, she is loyal, responsible, practical, and level-headed. Excellently manages her own workload and that of her subordinates. Halldis maintains a calm demeanor and keeps her impulses in check. Detail-oriented to a fault, she thrives on order and intellectual stimulation. Though usually quiet, she won't hesitate to lecture those under her supervision if they fail to meet her standards.Although Halldis dislikes being controlled, she has learned to navigate the complexities of authority, preferring to wield influence subtly, behind the scenes (she dreads public speaking). Halldis is fiercely protective of her privacy and extremely selective when it comes to trust. Those few who earn it will find her affection demonstrated through actions rather than words. Romantic interest, a rarer occurrence, is expressed through subtle physical touch with its own unique nuances.She draws a sharp distinction between her inner circle and the outside world, which often results in a lack of empathy for those she considers outsiders.
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❝ Change? No, not exactly. But I think all of us at some point imagine what our lives might have been had we been something else ❞
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Halldis has always felt a strong affinity for the Plant Coven and its associated magic. However, she chose the Potion Coven, viewing it as a more neutral and fundamental path. This decision is characteristic of Halldis, who tends to prioritize practicality over personal preference.But Halldis also yearned for more: more control, better career prospects, and broader opportunities to explore magic. She wasn't content to limit herself to a single discipline. Driven by a need for order and classification, she ultimately chose the Emperor's Coven. Its structured environment satisfied her compulsive desire for hard work, meticulous planning, and organization.Halldis wanted to join the Emperor's Coven since her school days, so she never carved a palisman. She felt it would be too cruel given the Coven's restrictions. Moreover, even as a child, the prospect of responsibility for another life had intimidated her. That's why she doesn't use a palisman staff.
Halldis' mindscape
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Mental Vulnerabilities/Dislikes:
> Fear of Loss of Control: Halldis is terrified of losing her job — the order, the schedule, the stability it represents. A relentless, gnawing hunger for fulfillment through her work drives her, a hunger she constantly tries to satiate. The mere thought of stopping induces panic. She intuitively senses that any cessation of work will allow all her suppressed emotions and unresolved issues to catch up and overwhelm her. She rationalizes her increasing detachment from her family (and anyone she considers close) as a result of her demanding work schedule, unwilling to "waste" time on domestic matters. This same justification satisfies the casual acquaintances in her life. Once a need is met , Halldis’ interest in maintaining the relationship evaporates.> Aversion to Public Speaking: Halldis loathes public speaking because she abhors being ignored. Her monotone voice and flat delivery make it difficult for an uninterested party to listen to her. She dislikes speaking at length and strives to convey her thoughts as concisely as possible. She might allow herself to think aloud only if her interlocutor is genuinely attentive. However, she finds it challenging to maintain this restraint when reprimanding subordinates, often launching into lengthy lectures despite her efforts to be brief.> Disdain for Emotional Displays: Halldis disapproves of excessive displays of emotion from her colleagues, considering such behavior unprofessional and inappropriate in the workplace.
❝ In the future, could you please refrain from emoting too much on duty? Reports are best delivered without the accompanying dramatic reenactments. ❞
> Culinary Aversion: Halldis dislikes cooking, is unskilled at it, and has no desire to learn. She finds the process unappealing, although she is capable of preparing something simple by meticulously following a recipe like a set of instructions.> Sensitivity to Sunlight: Halldis sneezes in sunlight and still experiences phantom pains in her right eye when exposed to bright light. Therefore, she strongly prefers subdued lighting. Having spent her childhood in the Knee, hot weather is also alien and uncomfortable to her.> A Touch of Disquiet: Halldis feels uneasy near the sea. It's not a paralyzing fear, but rather a faint prickle of discomfort in her chest.
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Magical Abilities:
Halldis has dedicated her life to honing her craft, becoming proficient in several disciplines:> Fire Magic | Ice Magic | Plant Magic
> Potion Making & Healing Magic: Primarily rooted in her extensive knowledge of herbology.
> Teleportation
> Force Field Generation
> Pain Sharing Spell: A spell Halldis discovered while her cataloguing magical knowledge stored within the Castle's archives. It remains etched in her memory because of her utter rejection of the concept,
❝ I would never use this ❞
Like all witches, Halldis draws her magic from her bile sac, the most common source of magic used on the Boiling Isles.
However, there are nuances. A "Titan Particle", derived from her native island, is a consistent genetic trait of Halldis's people. This physiological distinction sets her apart from the witches of the Boiling Isles.Her bile sac functions like a miniature reactor, producing, among other things, a specific enzyme I call a "Titan Particle". This enzyme was crucial for the survival of the inhabitants of the Sunken Island. Halldis' native island is far older than the Boiling Isles and significantly less saturated with magic. Consequently, the local race—while largely similar to witches (as magic also stems from human origin on the Boiling Isles)—developed additional compensatory genetic changes.Halldis appears virtually identical to the witches of the Boiling Isles, though her blood, due to the presence of the "Titan Particle" enzyme, has a distinct violet hue.Her adoptive mother chose to keep the unusual blood color a secret, partly out of fear for Halldis's safety and partly from a desire for her child to be perceived as "normal". She taught Halldis to downplay and conceal this "peculiarity," which, in her early years, instilled a sense of shame.Occasionally, Halldis evokes an unsettling "uncanny valley".
effect, though this is often dismissed as overactive imaginations.For instance, her blood is too diluted to activate the portal. However, she can utilize it to enhance potions and alchemical concoctions for plants. Her magic manifested slightly earlier than is typical, though its potency eventually aligned with her peers. Halldis sometimes struggles to contain and control her powers, which conditioned the development of her psyche later on. She works with her sleeves rolled up, finding that this allows her to more precisely sense, calculate, and channel her magic, minimizing interference. Consequently, her arms are covered in scars.
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art by ✘RooMie✘ on VK
Physical Weaknesses:
> Missing eye: Halldis's depth perception is severely compromised, especially given that she lost the eye on the same side as her dominant hand. She struggles with close-up tasks like pouring liquids or threading a needle.To compensate for her unilateral vision loss, her remaining eye has developed a central fixation to maintain balance. This gives the impression that her head is perpetually turned to the side even when she's looking straight ahead.
However, having lived with this for the majority of her life, she has adapted remarkably well to the challenges.Though the eye remains in its socket, it's still susceptible to pain. Glares from reflective surfaces trigger sharp, inexplicable pangs that relentlessly wear down her endurance. Sudden shifts in light levels can temporarily blind her and induce migraines. On the other hand, in low-light conditions, her vision surpasses that of the average witch, almost resembling night vision.> Coordination on the battlefield: Halldis avoids ranged combat due to her impaired depth perception, which makes aiming difficult. She prefers close-quarters fighting whenever possible. However, she diligently dedicates several hours each day to practicing her ranged attacks, tirelessly honing this crucial skill that she knows requires constant maintenance.
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Childhood:
> Early childhood
art by KURE
Halldis wasn't born on the Boiling Isles. Her first breaths, belonged to another archipelago, a cluster of islands similarly born from the bones of a fallen Titan. These islands were home to an another kind of witches, marked by the presence of "Titan Particle", as I've explained before.The Demon Realm, a chaotic tapestry woven with the potent energy of Titan's blood, is no stranger to cataclysm. Natural disasters are a brutal rhythm in its existence. And that rhythm, one terrible day, struck Halldis's home. The islands, her whole world, began to sink, swallowed by the churning sea. Amidst the chaos, tiny Halldis, lost and terrified, fell into a portal. It spat her out, alone and bewildered, onto the shores of the Boiling Isles.
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> Childhood/Adolescence
Discovered alone and frightened in the woods near Bonesborough, the small witch was quickly taken in by a new family. Over time, the hazy memories of her previous life faded, sinking into the depths of her subconscious, only occasionally flickering in her dreams.Outwardly, her new family appeared comfortable and ordinary. Her father belonged to the Construction Coven, her mother to the Illusion Coven. They lived a life of modest means, but beneath the surface, a current of secrets ran deep. As Halldis grew, these secrets – kept between her parents, from each other, and even from her – began to suffocate her. The constant whispers of "Don't tell Father", "Don't tell Mother", and the web of pervasive lies created a stifling atmosphere. Halldis was constantly admonished to blend in, to remain silent, invisible. While her mother made attempts at affection, Halldis increasingly felt a sense of unease, a subtle recoil in her touch.Due to her unique physiology, Halldis's magic manifested early, and as a child, she struggled to control its raw power. Her relationship with her adoptive mother, the only mother she'd ever known, was fraught with unspoken tension. While there was no outright abuse, her mother harbored a secret fear of Halldis, a fear she never truly overcame. Unable to bridge the emotional gap, she never fully embraced Halldis as her own, clinging instead to a gnawing sense of guilt. An unsettling uncanny valley effect permeated their interactions, a disquieting feeling that would continue to shape Halldis's life.
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❝ The night sky above Bonesborough shimmered with thousands of stars. Halldis and her mother sat on the porch of their house, wrapped in a warm blanket. "Look", Mother whispered, and with a wave of her hand, a huge, luminous flower blossomed above their heads, its petals shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. Halldis watched, mesmerized, as the flower slowly rotated, scattering sparks of magical light around them. Then, fish appeared, swimming in the air, their scales glittering like precious stones. Halldis laughed, reaching out to try and catch them. In that moment, smiling with her daughter, Mother seemed to Halldis the most beautiful and magical being in the world. And the fear that usually lurked in the depths of her eyes vanished, replaced by warmth and tenderness. ❞
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The Story of the Eye Scar
One fateful day, her mother witnessed another one of Halldis's uncontrolled magical outbursts. A "Mom, watch this!" demonstration involving a plant with razor-sharp, keeled leaves went horribly wrong. As the plant raged out of control, her mother instinctively shielded herself, inadvertently causing the thorny vines to lash out at Halldis, leaving a permanent scar. This incident solidified the unspoken divide between them. Her mother's guilt intensified, while Halldis, already feeling like an outsider, was further alienated. The scar became a physical manifestation of their emotional distance, a constant reminder that she remained, and perhaps always would, a stranger in her own home.
inner small Halldis
art by KURE
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❝ Little Halldis woke with a cry, her heart pounding, tears streaming down her face. The nightmare, a cacophony of whispers and rustling sounds, still clung to the edges of her consciousness. Her mother, a light sleeper, was instantly there, scooping her up into a tight embrace. "Hush, it's alright", she murmured, stroking Halldis's hair. The warmth of her mother's body, the erratic beat of her heart, the gentle rocking motion, slowly soothed the terror clawing at Halldis's soul. In those arms, she felt safe, protected. Fear gradually receded, replaced by a sense of calm and security. In that moment, her mother's embrace was the whole world.Years later, as an adult, the memory resurfaced, but warped and distorted. The childhood sense of security had evaporated, leaving a bitter residue. She now recalled the tension in her mother's embrace, the stiffness of her body, as if she herself were grappling with some inner fear – perhaps a fear of the very nightmares that plagued her child. In that gesture, seemingly full of love, Halldis now saw only awkwardness, a barely concealed desire to pull away. The realization stung, leaving a hollowness in its wake, a coldness that settled over her. The warmth of those embraces had been an illusion. And yet, her childhood had been stable enough, physically and materially secure. She couldn't ask for more than that, could she? ❞
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As a teenager, Halldis transferred from St. Epiderm to Hexside School of Magic and Demonics, leaving behind her childhood experiments with magic and immersing herself in her studies.
high school years
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Halldis joined the Emperor's Coven. Away from home, she thrived, pouring her energy into training and building her future career.
years
went
by
Halldis performed her duties with precision, efficiency, and unwavering diligence. She shunned the spotlight, preferring to adhere to a strict routine and steadily climb the ranks. Praise was received with a cool detachment; while she acknowledged her own efforts, public recognition left her with a sense of unease and vulnerability.
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Dynamics with other characters:
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Halldis primarily judges others based on their effectiveness within the Emperor's Coven, placing a high value on professionalism.
> Eda: Halldis sees Eda primarily as a criminal who causes significant problems for the Isles, despite not being inherently more powerful than coven-trained witches. Eda's existence and behavior reinforce the negative association between wild magic (which Halldis feels an inexplicable pull towards) and criminality, worsening the situation for wild witches.> Lilith: Halldis believes Lilith, easily swayed by fear and admiration, doesn't belong in the Emperor's Coven. She sees Lilith's repeated mission failures as unacceptable for a coven head. Therefore, Lilith's departure is considered beneficial. From Lilith's perspective, their relationship is rooted in rivalry. Later, having witnessed Halldis's unwavering loyalty and interactions with the Emperor, Lilith develops the theory that Halldis knows the true meaning of the Day of Unity. She presents this theory to Eda and Luz.> Kikimora: Halldis holds a less critical view of Kikimora (especially compared to Lilith) due to her prioritization of work. However, the incident in the "Follies at the Coven Day Parade" episode significantly damaged Halldis's opinion of her.> Darius: Halldis dislikes Darius because of his treatment of Hunter. Recognizing the personal nature of this animosity, she attempts to maintain professionalism, though her disapproval is sometimes evident. Darius, as the leader of the opposition against Belos, interprets this disapproval through the lens of his paranoia as suspicion towards his plans, leading him to be even more secretive.
> Hunter: That standard doesn't apply to Hunter, whom she views as a child. Halldis acts as a trusted adult figure for him. As Halldis becomes more interested in the Emperor's personality and, consequently, the nature of his curse, she turns to Hunter as her primary source of information. This shared, secretive goal of finding a cure for Hunter fosters trust and strengthens their bond. Halldis isn't one to express care verbally, but she demonstrates it by patiently listening, offering occasional awkward hugs. A sense of responsibility awakens within her for this child who shouldn't have grown up in the oppressive environment of the Emperor's Coven. She might cover for him in front of the Emperor, but will later scold him privately.
> Belos:
❝ - Well, General Peletier, aren't you pleased?
- I am grateful for your generosity, Emperor Belos. ❞
Halldis's first distinct impression after her promotion, when she began to observe the Emperor's behavior more closely, is divided into rational and emotional components.Rationally, Halldis respects Belos as a ruler and a powerful "witch". She approves of the coven system and believes that structure and order are paramount. While she doesn't entirely agree with Belos's treatment of wild witches, she understands the potential danger of uncontrolled wild magic in the hands of many. Therefore, she carries out all orders resolutely and without question.Emotionally, however, his tendency towards excessive mannerisms with his subordinates subconsciously irritate her and grate on her nerves. Unmoved by praise herself, she quickly notices how eager for the Emperor's attention his other familiars are. Halldis herself gives no cause for doubt, prioritizing loyalty and the efficient execution of her duties.
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Narrative function:
> Before the first season:
Following Halldis's promotion, she is granted a private audience with Emperor Belos. Afterward, the Collector alerts Belos to Halldis's connection to the Titans, sensing a "Titan particle" within her. Since Titan's Blood is the most crucial resource for Belos at this time, he begins to study Halldis's blood himself. They meet in a secluded, mechanically hidden cave, equipped as a laboratory.Belos's goals are:
1) to preserve blood samples without losing their magical properties (as the blood coagulates, its potency diminishes)
2) to synthesize Titan's Blood from hersInitially, he draws blood conventionally, but later resorts to extracting it from her bone marrow, closer to the "epicenter". Halldis has little choice but to comply with the Emperor's demands. The idea of discovering her true self tantalized her, sparking a burning curiosity to explore. Belos studies her blood until the "Eclipse Lake" episode, hoping to use it to activate the portal. While keeping Halldis close isn't ideal, as his usual methods of control are ineffective against her, he can’t afford to let such a valuable source of Titan's Blood go.
> Belos and Halldis's interaction arc::
Duration: 2-3 years
Basis: Prolonged contact during the study of Halldis's blood.Belos's initial interest is twofold: first, he is intrigued by Halldis's physiology, and second, by the mystery surrounding her origins. He also finds her indifference to his compliments unusual and noteworthy.Following this, Belos begins to observe other facets of Halldis's character. She stands in stark contrast to his other subordinates: she doesn't engage in flattery, remains unmoved by his compliments and praise, and treats him with a dry respect, but without any trace of awe or fear.In reality, this contrast exists solely because the interaction between Belos and Halldis is born of necessity. Under normal circumstances, witches similar to her would not get so close to the Emperor, as their independent nature makes them inconvenient and difficult for him to control.
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❝ The quill scratched across the parchment, Belos's sharp strokes reflecting his focus on the research data laid before him. General Halldis, her presence a quiet strength in the room, leaned closer, her gaze thoughtfully following the Emperor's hand. Without a word, she reached out, her fingers plucking a pencil from the scattered implements on the table. With a few precise additions to Belos's notes, she murmured a low, concise explanation of her reasoning. It becomes clear she had long planned to interject this thought, carefully honing it in her mind.A flicker of irritation, swiftly suppressed, danced beneath Belos's mask. The audacity of her interruption, the casual appropriation of his work – it rankled. His facade, however, remained impeccably smooth. He forced himself to listen, the words filtering through the initial wave of displeasure. As Halldis spoke, a grudging acknowledgement began to form within him. She was right, of course. Her additions clarified and strengthened his conclusions, continuing the stalled thought. He would never admit it aloud, though. The mask, the image of infallible authority, must be maintained at all costs. He merely offered a curt nod, the slightest incline of his masked head, before returning to his writing ❞
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Belos's observations of Halldis's character are only possible due to their shared involvement in the "research project"; their interaction is a product of their forced collaboration. His growing interest and grudging respect (for her intellect and resilience, not as a witch, certainly) are further complicated by the overwhelming anticipation of the Day of Unity. Given more time, Halldis would have likely met the same fate as other witches, but the impending deadline forces his hand.
The affection that blossoms within Halldis, an affection she desperately refuses to acknowledge or understand, is drawn to the fleeting glimpses of the scholar and researcher within Belos, not the Emperor. This nascent affection unnervingly tickles her subconscious, a disquieting whisper amidst the noise of her own denial.
> First appearance: "Agony of a Witch" (cameo)
"Follies at the Coven Day Parade" (debut)
In this episode, Halldis stands in for Terra, acting as Kikimora's protector (Terra has other episodes to reveal her identity, so it's fine).Halldis stalks and attacks Luz and Amity, but their skirmish is brief, ending once Halldis accomplishes her goal. After retrieving Kikimora, Halldis delivers the Emperor's message and then rejoins her for the parade, remaining masked throughout the entire episode.This is the first time Luz and Halldis have met face-to-face. Luz's only prior knowledge of Halldis comes from Lilith, who described her unfavorably.
"Hollow Mind"
The scene comes into view: a memory, depicting one of Belos's most successful experiments on Halldis. Inner Pip darted into the frame, snatching a vial of the remarkably stable blood sample – one that lasted longer than the others before eventually clotting. Within the memory, Luz and Hunter become witnesses to a conversation between Halldis and Belos.
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❝ Halldis, pale but composed, lay on the research cot. Belos, his masked face hovering above her, seemed almost… animated. The initial success of the blood experiment had loosened his tongue, a rare occurrence.
“Curiosity compels me to ask” Halldis’s voice, though weakened, held a thread of steel. “Why this fixation on the Human Realm?”Belos paused, his single visible eye flickering within the shadow of his mask.“A necessary undertaking”, he stated, his voice echoing oddly in the confines of the cave. “A… restoration of balance”.His words were carefully chosen, deliberately ambiguous. He offered no further explanation, turning back to the vials of her blood, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.
“Balance” she echoed, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. “Indeed. A purging of the…unnecessary”. The subtle shift in her expression, the glint of something ruthless in her eyes, gave Belos a flicker of grim satisfaction. The silence that settled between them vibrated with a shared, unspoken purpose, a terrifying harmony built on a foundation of devastating misconception. ❞
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Hunter: At this point, Hunter clings to this dialogue as further proof for Luz that his uncle is innocent. Halldis's presence there inspires confidence in him.Luz: For Luz, this further confirms Lilith's theory that Halldis is privy to and complicit in Belos's true plans.Then the canonical plot of "Hollow Mind" happens.
Consequences of "Hollow Mind"
In the aftermath, Hunter immediately seeks out Halldis, his words tumbling over each other as he reveals Belos's true nature (though he omits the grimwalker part). The revelation cracks Halldis's composure. She can't bring herself to abandon everything and trust Hunter implicitly, yet she recognizes his sincerity. After a painful internal struggle, Halldis chooses to remain at the castle, keeping the Golden Guard's visit from the Emperor.Hunter is deeply hurt by Halldis's refusal, convinced it's a result of Belos's manipulation. Despite this, he's forced to retreat, acutely aware of his own powerlessness in the situation. When Halldis asks where he intends to go, Hunter fabricates a safe haven, but doesn't disclose its location when she shows no inclination to join him. They part on strained terms, not to cross paths again for quite some time. Left alone, Hunter grapples with a troubling thought: if Luz was right about Belos, could she also be right about Halldis?
✔ Halldis' promotion to the Leader of the Emperor's Coven
✔ Halldis' personal investigation:
1. Her first priority was to access the archives and delve deeper into Belos's ascension to power. She was severely pressed for time, swamped with new responsibilities leading up to the Day of Unity.2. She searched for any record of humans on the Boiling Isles. The most telling discovery was Philip's empty diary.This merely confirmed the existence of a man named Philip Wittebane, but nothing more. Any other physical evidence had been destroyed or lost. Still, she was capable of putting two and two together. Halldis could believe that Belos was Philip, that he was human, and a particularly nasty piece of work at that. But the notion that he was planning mass genocide?Halldis remained in limbo, unable to obtain any further information, right up until the Day of Unity itself.
"King's Tide"
Belos was about to perform the grand gesture — the removal of Halldis' sigil, a symbolic elevation to his side, a journey to the Human Realm. Belos needed her blood, he needed to show a real witch, an evidence there was an another world. But from her he expected gratitude, unwavering loyalty, nothing less. She was a true soldier and, after all, hadn’t he been so merciful?
Halldis unwittingly witnesses a conversation between Luz and Belos. Then, having been un-petrified, she's one of the first turned into a puppet by the Collector.
> Latest appearance: "Watching and Dreaming"
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Links:
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> Playlists:
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"‘How Petty’"
The bridge was narrow as a knife's edge. Halldis' measured footsteps cut through the silence while hollow echoes bounced off the walls of the Titan's skull like trapped spirits. She had just completed her perimeter check of the square, inspecting row upon row of Abomatrons. They were meant for security, yes - but why so many? No one had consulted her about this.A week ago, she'd prepared the scout rotation schedule for the festival. Belos had merely remarked, cryptically: "That's already handled." "Handled," it turned out, meant iron sentinels. Why hadn't he warned her? The unanswered question hung between them, sharp and uncomfortable."General! A momentous day, is it not...?"Belos' voice dripped honeyed venom. His smirk radiated smug satisfaction but no surprise at her early arrival."My lord," she began, deference laced with steel, "why such excessive security? These measures weren't approved.""This is the most important day, Halldis. We've marched toward it since the Empire's founding. I won't tolerate interference."The pieces clicked. A puzzle forming an image she refused to examine. Hunter's warnings about genocide. The diaries. Abomatrons encircling the square. This resembled not a celebration but battle preparations."Are we expecting an attack?" her gaze never wavered, each word a precision strike,"Should I alert the people?"Silence thickened like storm-laden air."Traitors walk among us. One can never be too cautious. But I spared our guards from festival distractions by entrusting the task to robots. For you, however, I have a different assignment."Halldis arched an eyebrow, but didn't get a chance to ask. Belos continued:"Sit."She obeyed mechanically. He pulled on a glove."Your hand.""Why?" Her palm trembled but didn't retreat."You shall receive a great honor," Belos said, gently taking her slender palm," To accompany me through the human realm."He covered her wrist with the gloved hand, his gesture almost like a blessing. White-hot pain flared. When he withdrew, the coven sigil had vanished - her skin now blank parchment. Belos looked satisfied."Such loyalty deserves reward," he murmured, removing the glove.Halldis’ eyes turned glacial. Thoughts thrashed like caged beasts. Belos’s ascent to power was an ancient, tangled thing - roots buried so deep they vanished into myth. She had long accepted that his aims diverged from his public proclamations. But this?
His veracious designs had always danced just beyond comprehension, half-seen shapes in fog. Now every fractured truth she'd gathered coalesced into one impossible revelation - a genocide so artless it bordered on farce. This from the witch who wielded reason like a scalpel? The puzzle was complete, yet the image revolted reason."Then why are you leaving?""My mission here is complete," Belos replied. "The Boiling Isles have no further need of me."His answer was clipped, yet it made no more sense to Halldis than before."And what exactly was this mission? Do you mean to relinquish power after the Day of Unity?" She drew her hand to her chest, fingers flexing taut before relaxing, her gaze sharp beneath lowered brows."The Day of Unity," Belos smiled faintly, "is my final labor. Beyond it, all becomes… irrelevant."His eyes held hers, expectant—as if willing her to piece together the unsaid.Halldis frowned and rose from the chair, her composure fraying at the edges. Her lips pressed into a bloodless line. Of course she could guess his meaning. But only because of Hunter’s warnings, because of the hints she’d ignored for so long.
Once, those fragments had been enough. Now, with her fate hinging on the Emperor’s designs, his vagueness was no longer tolerable."That isn’t an answer." A shadow flickered across her typically impassive face.His gaze frosted over."I've never questioned your cleverness, Halldis. Don't make me start now.""I've never questioned your motives either, my lord." Each word a thrown dagger."You've been my most faithful ally." He spoke slowly, as if reminding both her and himself why he tolerated this insubordination. "I expect that to continue."She tilted her head, studying his dead eyes."I'm no longer certain I stand before the same Lord Belos I swore fealty to.""Does my attire disturb you?" He gestured at his blue coat."What? No." She glanced at his informal robes. "What does clothing have to do with it?" she asked rhetorically."Then where do these doubts come from?" One of Belos' brows lowered while the other remained raised."You're evading answers." Halldis said, feeling increasingly manipulated. Her professionalism was slipping."And if I answer, what will you do with that truth?" Warning edged his tone.The truth, she realized, would be bitter."I want to know what awaits me."Belos smiled suddenly - patronizing, almost soothing."I'm offering you a chance. Few are so fortunate.""Your generosity overwhelms me, but I decline." Her lips twisted in disgust. "So the Day of Unity is an extermination."A pause. In that moment of silence, he studied her face carefully. Finally, as if deciding what she needed to hear, he spoke slowly:"Beyond loyalty, I always valued your pragmatism.""Pragmatism doesn't mean helping you destroy the empire I helped build.""You've already helped. The end comes regardless. Now you choose only your own survival.""Is that a threat?" Halldis stepped forward."A simple fact." Belos smirked, sizing her up.Her sharp exhale filled the silence. Fists clenched involuntarily"So either I go with you, or I join the witches in the square?""See? You understand perfectly," Belos said, nodding slowly in satisfaction."All this effort... for some pathetic genocide," she muttered, the corners of her mouth pulling down in disgust. Her jaw clenched tight, tendons flickering along her sharp cheekbones. "And this is your grand design?""Did you expect something more?" He arched an eyebrow, his smirk more amused than cruel."How... petty," she spat, the words dripping with venomous contempt."I exist not to meet expectations." Belos's face became a mask, all traces of life draining away. His next words were hollow. "I have a mission. Nothing else matters.""A mission to destroy the Isles? And why is that so important?"But no answer came. The door to the hall opened, and Kikimora entered with an Abomatron. A containment sphere hovered beside her, restraining someone inside.“Emperor, congratulations on this momentous day!...”That was the final straw. Halldis turned sharply, refusing Belos another glance, and marched toward the exit, her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms. Her cloak billowed like the wing of an enraged bird, her footsteps echoing sharply off the walls.“...I come bearing a gift. You have been looking for a Golden Guard and here he is!”Halldis froze, her heart seizing in icy dread. The thought that Hunter had been captured knocked the breath from her lungs.And in that moment, Belos raised his hand."Pity. I believed you wiser."Stone crept up her legs, shackling movement. Frost burned through her veins. Halldis jerked her head up, glaring at Belos with pure disdain, and scoffed. Within moments, she couldn't move at all.The petrification stopped at her waist, immobilizing her legs and arms up to the elbows."But your departure was never part of my design."