Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: Emperor's Game (Part 2)

"THEN WHY WERE YOU SO EASY TO CURSE!?"

"It's my power, kid. And before you showed up, I spent my whole life wasting it."

"We'll find a cure, just don't leave us!"

"Please, no!"

"You're gonna go far…I just…wish I could've watched."

"Go back to your world. This one is ours."

"Hey, um, where's Eda?"

W̷̱̳̫̗̠̱̾̃͝a̶̩͓̙͕̅̾k̜̄͋ē̶̘͎̦̈́̿͒ ̝̱̦̩ṳ̴̄̍̃͘͝ṕ̴͓̥̹̩̼͋,̶̰̟͕̱̽̑͊ ̷̧̼̒͠F̴̡͙̩̙͑̚lí̢̘͔̝̣͗͐̔n̵͊͂̒ͅt̴͚̋!̴̙͖͖͉͉̀̈́

Flint's eyes shot open. He breathed heavily as he tried to calm himself down. He lay still as the bleariness cleared from his eyes, allowing him to look around. The surface beneath him crackled a bit as he moved, as he realized he had not fallen asleep in his sleeping bag. The ceiling above him was different. From what he could gather, it seemed that he was in Eda's nest in her room.

Noticing an unfamiliar weight on him, Flint's eyes drifted down to see an arm draped across his chest, as he realized that he was still in his Hexside uniform. He followed the arm to see Luz, clung to his left side as she slept.

Flint's brow furrowed. He didn't remember falling asleep, let alone sleeping next to Luz. The last thing he remembered was coming home and King asked where-

Oh, right. Eda…

The events of yesterday flooded his mind, causing him to frown. He moved to get up, slowly shimmying his arm out from under Luz. His attempt was thwarted when Luz subconsciously clung to him tighter, as he noticed the tear-marks on her face.

Oh Titan it hurt to see her like this.

Flint gathered that it was around 10 or 11 o'clock at this point. Given they hadn't eaten at all on the way home last night, he needed to get breakfast ready.

Flint cast a spell, causing him to substitute himself with a pillow as he got to his feet outside the nest. Hooty must've put them there while they were asleep. Flint inwardly thanked the house demon for the gesture as he exited the room, heading downstairs to an…admittedly awful smell of burnt food, and a somewhat painful sight.

Standing there was Eda, who was currently scrambling to try and redeem the burnt eggs she was trying to make with King on her shoulder.

Noticing his presence, Eda jumped a bit. "Oh! Flint! I didn't hear you come in! Um, breakfast might be a bit late." Eda said nervously.

Flint stared at her for a minute before letting out a tired sigh. "Please, don't do that right now."

Eda sighed as King hopped off her shoulder before the woman's form disappeared in red light. In her place was now an ashamed-looking Zorua.

"I'm sorry. I just- I thought-" Trixx tried to apologize, but Flint crouched down and picked her up, giving her a reassuring hug.

"I know," Flint said as the fox nuzzled into him. "Let's clean this up and I can make us all something, okay?"

Trixx nodded, jumping out of his arms and into her Bosch-a-like form.

King scratched the back of his head. "We tried, but you make it look so easy."

Flint gave a sad smile as he ruffled King's head. "I appreciate the thought."

The three cleaned up Trixx's attempt before Flint got to work making scrambled griffin eggs, trying to guide the fuzzballs so they might succeed in their next attempt. Just as he finished, Luz came down the stairs and into the kitchen, not bothering to change yet. The two friends locked eyes, an entire conversation being held before Flint handed her a plate. Luz nodded in thanks before sitting at the table.

Flint loaded plates for King, Trixx, and himself. There was still some left in the pot and Flint reached for the fifth plate he'd gotten out, only to stop himself. He'd grabbed the fifth plate on instinct for…Eda.

Flint put the extra plate away and sat with the others. The only sounds as they ate were of chewing or their utensils hitting the plate, all of them hungry and none of them willing to talk.

King can be seen reading from a book focused on the history of the Boiling Isles.

"The Boiling Isles, born from the flesh and bones of a fallen Titan. This original magic was so potent, all life on the Isles evolved to wield magic too. For years, we explored those powers freely. Until, a mysterious witch appeared who declared that he, and he alone, could speak to the island. He said that we were using magic all wrong. His teachings took hold, his strength grew, and he became...Emperor Belos. Belos said that mixing magic was wrong, that only he had that right. So he created the coven system. And there, our knowledge was restricted, and our potential sealed away. Those who resist are called wild witches, and they face harsh punishment. Emperor Belos has since retreated into his castle. There are whispers that say he's planning something big." King said, narrating the book to Luz, Flint, and Trixx(true form) as they all sat in the humans' room. The two humans had finally gotten changed before they asked King if he had more information about Belos.

"I wonder if catching Eda was part of his big plan. What do you guys think?" King asked.

Luz sat on the windowsill as she stared at the cloak in her hands, while Flint sat on his sleeping bag with his eyes closed and his arms and legs crossed. Both of them were deep in thought.

Luz's face hardened as she donned her cloak. "I don't care what Belos is up to...because we're gonna save Eda!" Luz declared, walking past the three and out of the room.

Flint opened his eyes with a matching resolve, his body wisping away into a stream of fire in the air before resolidifying at the entrance on his feet, following Luz to their destination: the armory.

Eda had collected many weapons, enough to fill up the walls of an entire room. She had made sure the two knew about it, in case they needed to arm themselves. And today would be that day.

Trixx and King arrived at the doorway behind them, King still holding the book.

"Guys, what are you doing?" Trixx asked worriedly.

"It's simple really. We're going to stop the ceremony, kick the Emperor's butt, and find a cure for Eda." Flint said simply as he and Luz browsed the weapons. Luz eventually decided on a dagger shaped like a lightning bolt. Oddly enough, it looked the same as the one in one of Hunter's reflections back at the carnival.

"Haven't you been listening to me? He's the Emperor! He's the most powerful witch alive!" King cried out. He was worried about his friends.

"No, he's not," Flint said, staring at a katana that sat on the wall. He picked up the blade, sheathing it before attaching it to his left side. "These covens are merely a way for him to control the people, to make them unable to fight back."

Luz nodded. "Flint's right. There's something off about this Belos guy. Especially after what I saw in the castle." There was no way breaking a palisman and absorbing them was normal!

Luz crouched next to King and Trixx. "You have to understand. Eda is in this situation because of us. We went after some dumb hat that apparently wouldn't have even worked anyway. We have to make it up to her."

"Um, but you said she lost her magic. If she's the Owl Beast now…won't that mean she isn't even Eda now?" Trixx asked.

"We'll find a way to bring her back, we have to. Eda gave us so much…it's time to return the favor." Flint stated.

"Well then, I'm going too," King demanded.

Trixx nodded. "Me too!"

Luz pursed her lips. "Look…"

"Me and Eda don't always see eye-to-eye, but I do consider her family. I want her back as much as you do." King said.

"If it weren't for Eda, you wouldn't be here. And if it weren't for you, I wouldn't exist." Trixx gave her reasoning.

Luz, King, and Flint all murmured in agreement. Trixx had a really good reason.

"Alright. Then we've got no time to lose!" Luz declared, running out of the room with King on her tail, throwing his book to the ground.

Trixx went to chase after them, but Flint stopped her.

"Trixx, a moment?"

Trixx looked at him confused. "What is it?"

Flint scooped her up, letting her onto his shoulder. "There's something I need you to do for me."

Trixx tilted her head in confusion.

In the castle's throne room, Lilith…could be having a better time, honestly.

Beast Eda runs around the room from Lilith, causing chaos and destroying part of the room. So, you know…Eda, but with feathers.

"Eda, stop that this instant!" Lilith chastised, chasing her from one side of the room to the other as Beast Eda tore apart and chewed on one of the hanging tapestries of Belos.

Lilith put Beast Eda in a bubble as she did with the humans, with Beast Eda screeching at her as she fixed her hair. " Don't look at me like that. This is for your own good. Emperor Belos will heal you, and we'll be in his coven together. Isn't that wonderful?"

Beast Eda then did the most mature thing possible in her situation…and blew a raspberry at Lilith. Like I said: Eda, but with feathers.

This angered Lilith, as she looked away and crossed her arms with a huff. "I will not fall prey to your childish games," Lilith said…before eventually sticking her tongue out and making a stupid taunt toward her transformed sister. Yep. Those two are definitely related.

The sound of the door to the room opening catches their attention. Six coven guards enter in formation to the sides as Kikimora enters.

"All kneel before Emperor Belos!" Kikimora declares, before moving out of the way and bowing herself.

Lilith kneels as a pair of glowing blue eyes approach from the darkness, eventually revealing Emperor Belos, with the Golden Guard following behind him to his side.

Beast Eda shrieks and bursts out of the bubble, running towards Belos to attack.

"Eda, no!" Lilith cried out in warning.

Belos vanishes before Beast Eda can pounce him, then rises from the ground behind her like a phantom, before flinging her against a wall with red magic. Beast Eda falls to the ground as glowing red ropes appear to hold her down. He only raised a single finger to do so.

Lilith runs between Beast Eda and Belos, putting her hands together and bowing. "My Lord, I apologize for my sister's rash behavior. She is still in her cursed form. Once you've healed her, as promised, I am sure she will become a useful asset to the coven!" Lilith said with high hope.

Emperor Belos doesn't say a word as he raises his hand. In a moment, an ornate mechanical staff shifts into his hand, ejecting a glowing red orb as it lit up with energy. Magic radiated from the staff, bolting through the air and striking her in the head, causing her to screech until the energy faded, and Belos began to lower the arm.

"Ah. Where am I? What is this? Aw crap, I got caught." Eda said, her body still in her beast form, but her consciousness seemingly brought to the forefront.

"Edalyn Clawthorne, the infamous Owl Lady, the wild witch of Bonesborough. Mentor of Luz the Human and…Flint." Emperor Belos stated, finally speaking as he walked up to her and crouched in her face.

Eda growled. "You stay away from them, or so help me, Titan..."

Emperor Belos chuckled condescendingly. "You've got it all wrong. The human is safe, for now. I just want the portal she came through."

Eda snorted. "Tough, 'cause I ain't telling you nothing!" Eda said defiantly.

Emperor Belos rose to full attention, glancing at the Golden Guard. "Search her."

The Golden Guard nodded, walking over and digging through the woman's hair.

"Hey! Watch it, punk!" Eda said fearfully.

After a bit, and digging out many questionable items from her hair, the Golden Guard stepped back. "She must not have it." Golden Guard said, causing Eda to blink in confusion.

"Ugh, pity. Although I suppose I could ask your students." Emperor Belos stated, snapping his fingers. In an instant, two guards run in and begin to drag Eda away.

"Wait! Don't touch them! Lilith, don't let him hurt them! Lilith!" Eda begged as she was dragged off.

Lilith watched before turning back to Belos. "Ah, taking her to the healing ceremony?"

"I will not be healing her." Emperor Belos revealed.

Lilith froze in shock. 'Wait, what?'

"But, you, promised me," Lilith said desperately.

"Don't be so naïve, Lilith. This is the Titan's will." Emperor Belos stated, raising his hand to a tapestry on the ceiling. "All wild witches must be dealt with before the Day of Unity. You understand, don't you?"

Lilith was filled with dread. Flint was right all along. "Of course..."

"Good. Oh, one more thing." Emperor Belos began, snapping his fingers causing an inactive Owlbert and the bottom half of Eda's staff to appear in Lilith's hands. "Destroy the Owl Lady's staff. She won't be needing it anymore."

"Now then, run along to your duties, I must speak to my Golden Guard privately." Emperor Belos dismissed her. Seeing she had no choice, Lilith left the room, leaving the Emperor and Golden Guard alone.

"Hunter."

The Golden Guard froze as he bowed to Belos. "Yes, Emperor Belos?"

"Might I ask where you acquired those gloves?" Belos questioned him.

"I was able to acquire one from one of the humans, Flint. I had noticed the Owl House residents entering the carnival one day as I was patrolling Bonesborough, so I hid my uniform to follow them undercover. I was able to gather information from him, including about his 'Glyph Grafters' as he called them. There was an altercation that I had gotten involved in later with them that caused him to lose one of them, and while they were distracted, I managed to swipe it before leaving. I got some assistance to remake my gloves to be like them. I thought it would help in case my staff was taken from me again." The Golden Guard explained, removing his mask.

The Emperor was silent for a while before he let out a hum. "I am impressed."

Hunter's eyes widened as he looked back up at him.

"The boy stole your previous staff, but you managed to covertly do the same, integrating his own equipment for yourself. No small feat." Emperor Belos praised.

Hunter smiled with joy. "Thank you, uncle."

The Emperor nodded. "Yes. Now then, I have some things to attend to before the ceremony. You are dismissed." The Emperor informed.

Hunter nodded, placing the mask back on his face. "Yes, Emperor Belos." The Golden Guard saluted before exiting the throne room.

Now left to himself, the masked ruler clenched the staff in his hand.

"Hehehehe. You're maaaaaaddd." A childish voice echoed throughout the room.

Along the geometry of the ground, a freely moving shadow, moved around. It propped itself against the wall, taking the form of a humanoid being. They seemingly wore a hood and had a white line running down the middle of their body, leading up to their face which was split with the appearance of a crescent moon beneath a hood.

"Hello, Collector." The Emperor greeted.

"Man, that kid was really testing you, wasn't he?" the now-named Collector taunted.

"I wasn't lying though."

The Collector blinked, surprised by this response as he looked at Belos in confusion. "Huh?"

"I'll admit, I'm not pleased with this development. However, that doesn't mean I'm not impressed. I will likely need to keep a closer eye on him though." The Emperor stated as he began to head for the door.

The Collector stared at him briefly before shrugging, moving so his shadowy visage would appear lying across the throne. "Okay, but there's something I wanna know. You need those palisman thingies right? Yet you let the lady keep hers. Why?" The Collector asked.

Belos paused with his hand just before the door. His mind jumped back to the day Lilith had joined his coven. She'd held her palisman gingerly as she held it up to him for him to take. It was a common standard for most who joined his coven, requiring that they must forfeit their palisman to him. It was a ploy, of course, so that he could sustain himself and hold off the others. But for a brief moment, the look in her eyes as she prepared to sacrifice her palisman to him...they reminded him of him.

At the end of the day, Caleb was their ancestor, and there was nothing he could do about that. So, he let her keep her palisman, at least for the moment.

"I have my reasons," Belos answered, before leaving the room. He needed to prepare. After all...

Lilith was about to betray him.

The remaining Owl House residents hid in the shadows and alleys of the town, making sure to keep out of sight of any coven guards. Nearby were a bunch of crystal balls playing a news broadcast. Luz and Flint, with King and Trixx on their respective shoulders, walked up behind a crowd gathered to watch the broadcast.

"Perry Porter coming to you live from outside the Emperor's Castle. Edalyn Clawthorne, known commonly as 'Eda the Owl Lady', has been captured and has been brought before the Emperor." The man on the projection stated before the perspective changed to Kikimora at a press conference stand.

"For the crime of attacking a coven leader and refusing to join a coven, Edalyn Clawthorne's body shall be petrified in stone! Today, sundown, at the Conformatorium." Kikimora announced.

"Today is a grave day for Bonesborough." Perry Porter stated grimly before the newscast switched to show a graveyard of petrified witches, all having been turned to stone.

The crowd around them began to disperse, murmuring to one another about the sudden development. Flint found it oddly comforting. Even with her being a criminal in many ways, even though she had caused great chaos…everyone around seemed to come to the same conclusion. Eda didn't deserve this. Deep down, Eda wasn't a bad person, far from it. And it seemed that everyone else agreed with that notion, to an extent.

"Please tell me that's not as bad as it sounds," Luz asked, looking at King.

"Petrification is only done to the worst criminals, and once the spell is complete, it can't be reversed," King explained grimly.

"It can't be reversed?" Trixx asked with dread, as Flint reached up to stroke her mane to comfort her.

The newscast faded to show a picture of Lilith. All four were displeased at the sight, but none moreso than Luz and Flint. They had been there in person to learn what she'd done, how Eda's curse was all because of her.

Flint picked up the crystal ball, holding it in his hand and glaring hatefully at the image. "All of this. All of Eda's suffering, all the elixir…" The crystal ball cracked under his vice grip on it. "It's all her fault! She'd better pray to the Titan that I don't get my hands on her. She will get no mercy from me." Flint said maliciously, his hand lighting up with ominous dark violet flames as he closed his fist, shattering the ball in his hand.

"Flint, calm down. We need to think about saving Eda first!" King worriedly.

Flint huffed, snuffing the flames out.

"King's right, but how will we get to the Conformatorium in time?" Luz asked.

"What if Flint carried us as he flies?" Trixx suggested.

Flint shook his head. "I can't afford to waste energy trying to focus for that long while carrying all of you. You and King aren't very heavy, and admittedly Luz isn't either, but my strength can only go so far for so long." Flint stated. He may have gotten stronger as a whole, but he still had limits, not to mention the long night they had just getting back to the house not even a day ago yet.

King smiles. "I think I have just the right idea then."

"How the hell did that work?" Flint said bluntly.

"Just don't question it," Luz said tiredly.

"It's kinda disappointing how stupidly easy this was," Trixx added.

"If it makes you feel any better, I'm surprised how well that worked," King stated.

The four were now in a paddy wagon being transported to the Conformatorium. What did the group do to get taken in, you ask?

They stepped on the grass. In front of a 'DO NOT STEP ON GRASS' sign. What do you know, apparently the ultimate weakness of gamers got them arrested.

I reiterate Flint's previous questions: What the hell is in the water?

The four look out the back as they enter the Conformatiorium grounds, passing by statues of wild witches with their names on their pedestals. Two guards were notably moving an empty one into place, one bearing 'EDALYN CLAWTHORNE' on it.

"There's not gonna be a new statue going up today. Right, Luz? Luz?" King asked. They passed a poster of Lilith's recruitment poster, causing the girl to growl.

The paddy wagon continues on, entering the Conformatorium building, passing under a banner saying 'PETRIFICATION TODAY AT SUNDOWN' before the gate closes behind them. Inside, the paddy wagon backs into a docking station.

"Sir, the Owl Lady's human students and pets have been apprehended." The guard drawing the paddy wagon announces.

Warden Wrath steps forth with another guard beside him. "Very good. Ah, Luz and Flint the human. How I've waited to see you again. Now I'll have my revenge and you'll have front row seats to Eda's demise." Warden Wrath stated, stepping up to the wagon doors to open them.

Wrath doesn't expect the sudden bombardment of branches ejecting at him, sending him back and pinning him to the ground as he screams.

The guard beside him jumps in surprise, watching his boss be sent flying. "Huh?"

The other guard is suddenly surrounded by scarlet energy, lifted off the ground and into the wall to the side with the driver. Flint steps out of the back with Trixx on his shoulder, and his open hand glowing as it faces the sky. He then clenched his fist, causing the walls to soften, as the two sank into the wall with their hands restrained, the wall solidifying as they were left frozen in place.

Warden Wrath shoves away the branches pinning him, only for Luz to slam her foot down, causing him to be ensnared by several pillars of ice. Luz walks up to him with King on her shoulder.

"Where's Eda?" Luz asked.

"She's in the holding cell in the dungeon." Warden Wrath said quickly.

"Give us the directions from here!" Flint demanded, holding a ball of fire threateningly up to him as Luz held up her notepad.

The guard that had driven them there sighed as he watched Wrath spill the directions. "Hey, Steve? Why does this always happen to guys like us?"

Steve sighed. "I don't know, but it's making me wish I wasn't in this coven," Steve said.

After a bit, an audience can be seen gathered in the small courtyard outside.

"Do you really think Eda deserves a petrification?" One asked.

"I don't know. This is all happening so fast." Another responded.

Willow looked around within the crowd, accompanied by two others. "If we know anything about those two, they'll try to save Eda."

Gus pulled down his hood. "And we'll be here to save them when they need us!" Gus declared confidently.

"If we're being we're being honest though? The two of them can probably handle it. I mean, come on, it's Luz and Flint after all." Amity stated with her hood still up, but still looking around worriedly. She had to be there for them if something went wrong.

Willow conceded. "True, but we should still fan out to see if we can find them if we can help."

Gus and Amity nodded in agreement, splitting up in three different directions as they searched for their friends (and in Amity's case: crushes).

Lilith looked out from a window at the scene with a frown, her gaze locking on Amity in particular. Here she was, her sister still managing to outdo her in every way, even when it came to students. Heck, Eda was able to handle two students while being on the run, meanwhile, she couldn't even keep one promising young girl as her student. Flint even defeated a power glyph-boosted Amity after having magic for not even 2 weeks! She couldn't even bring herself to resent Eda for it, it was honestly impressive.

'Why? Why did I have to look for that stupid curse?' Lilith thought bitterly. How different would things have been if she hadn't been so envious?

"Fools! You let the humans escape?! And you gave them directions!?" Kikimora chastised the warden in sheer disbelief.

Lilith took a breath before walking up to them. "Worry not, Kikimora. I shall capture them. After all, their destination is clear." Lilith reassured the gremlin, before walking out of the room.

Flint and Luz dusted their hands off, pleased. Behind them were a bunch of guards, swiftly dealt with, locked in cells as they were trapped in an assortment of ways. Wrapped in vines, encased in ice, a wall of fire, the stone morphed into shackles holding them in place, and one…let's just say he might've been the one having the worst time.

Trixx let out a huff, trotting along the ground pridefully from that one. "I warned you," Trixx said, leaving behind the guard as he groaned, holding himself…let's just say below the belt.

"I don't remember teaching you to target that," Flint frowned, feeling sympathy for the man.

"Eda taught me!" Trixx said cheerfully.

"And that explains it." Flint, Luz, and King sighed in sync, their faces deadpanning as they realized that of course it was Eda.

The four walk away from the scene, running to a padlocked set of double doors.

Luz turned to King and Trixx. "You two watch the door."

King nodded as Trixx jumped, disguising herself as a guard. King scurried up the disguise and hid in the hood while Trixx saluted, turning her back to the two to pretend she was keeping guard.

Luz and Flint shared a nod as Luz then stepped forward and placed her hand down on the lock, freezing it with an ice glyph. The lock breaks apart and the two open the door enough to slip through. As they enter, each of them summons a ball of magic in their left hand; Luz's of light and Flint's of fire.

They go further into the room and see Eda.

Both of them gasped. "Eda? Eda!" They said in worry running up to her.

Hearing the two, Eda turns but reveals that her mind has reverted to the Owl Beast once more as she growls, raising her claws to attack.

"Eda, wait! It's us!" Luz says quickly, as she and Flint both raise their respective balls of magic.

Beast Eda's eyes close. Shaking her head, she reopens them to reveal her normal eyes again. "Luz? Flint?" Eda questioned before her eyes widened. "Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no, no, wh-what are you doing here?" Eda began to panic. What were they thinking coming here?!

"What do you think we're here for? We're here to bust you out of this joint." Flint declared, lighting his right glove up with a fire glyph and planting it on the base of the chain. Fire erupts around his hand for a few moments, but the chain glows blue, and his flames are snuffed out.

"Your magic isn't strong enough for this. You need to leave! Now." Eda said.

Flint glared at the chain, attempting again with both hands only to get the same result.

"But, but we can't! It's our fault you needed to save us. It's our fault you got captured." Luz said, her panic growing as she planted both of her hands on the chain with Flint, only for nothing to happen.

Flint grabs the fireball from the air and squeezes it between his hands, molding it into the shape of a buzzsaw and lowering it onto the chain. It buzzes and causes the chain to flicker rapidly, but eventually, the fire is snuffed again, much to his growing frustration.

Eda grabbed each of them with one hand, lifting them up to look her in the eye. "No. Listen to me. I'm here because of my own actions. I went against Belos' law, and for a while, I was able to get away with it. But…" Eda sighed. "Without magic, I can't do much. I don't regret anything. I lived freely and...I got to meet you two."

"Eda..." Flint said softly.

"But if you stay here, I won't be able to protect you. You need to leave. Now!" Eda stated.

Luz shook her head, eyes watering as she grabbed Eda's retreating hand. "But we're a family! Us weirdos have to stick together, remember?"

Eda sighed, pulling her hands back. "You two have family already. Hell, you have each other. And now I feel awful because somehow I lost the key to the portal door. Which means you two are stuck here. Now because of me, you can't go home." Eda said, looking down in shame. How could she lose the key?!

Luz paled. 'What?! She doesn't have the key?! No, this can't be happening!'

Luz's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of something activating, as Eda and Luz looked past the latter to see the portal door rising from the floor and opening, revealing the forest they had entered from.

"You didn't lose it."

Eda and Luz looked to Flint, as he held the portal key in his hand, his thumb on the button.

"Eda." Flint and Luz said in worry, running up to her, each holding her for a moment.

Flint's hand reached into her hair, digging around until he found what he was looking for, the portal key.

As Eda proceeds to transform into the Owl Beast, Flint puts the key in his pocket before raising his arms.

Eda looked at him in disbelief before smiling, letting out a snort. "Figures you would. Good thing too since they searched me for it."

That raised so many red flags in Flint's mind as he paled. "Wait, why would they be searching for it?"

Eda shook her head. "It doesn't matter. You two go home, and when you're there and safe, destroy the portal door. I don't know why Belos wants it, but we can't take any chances."

Flint and Luz looked from Eda to the door, absently hearing Flint's phone light up with messages from having the door open. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. All this effort, everything they've done. King, Trixx, Willow, Gus, Amity, Eda, they can't just leave them all behind like this. They'd finally found a place where they belonged, and now they might have to give it all up just so they could go home, and without being able to tell their friends they'd never see them again? Why?! Why did the universe have to be so cruel to them?!

Tears poured from their eyes, as they realized there was nothing they could do to save their mentor, the first adult outside their parents to give them a chance. Regrettably, they came close to Eda, wrapping her in a hug.

"I love you, Eda." They both said, desperately clinging to the beastly woman and lightly surprising her by the action.

Eda smiled sadly, returning the gesture. "I love you too, kids," Eda said, barely keeping herself from tears.

A siren blares as a door in the ceiling opens. Eda notices and she begins to panic, quickly pushing the two away from her.

"Luz, Flint, get away!" Eda says quickly.

Just after pushing the two away, the chain around her neck glows blue and transforms into a cage, before the ground beneath Eda begins to rise.

"No! Not yet!" Luz yells out tearfully, running forward and grabbing a hold of the bottom of Eda's claw.

Eda looked at her with a pained expression. "I'm sorry." Eda apologized, pushing Luz off, and letting her fall into Flint's arms. "Goodbye, kids."

"Eda!" Luz cried out desperately, freeing herself from Flint's grip and falling to her knees, watching as the platform completely rose into the ceiling with an air of finality as the siren turned off.

Luz cries into her hand, kneeling between the door to the human realm and where Eda had been just moments before. Flint falls to his knees beside her, slamming his arms to the ground and staying like that without making a sound.

Suddenly they hear the door behind them open.

"Drat!" Lilith said, looking up at the spot Eda had been taken as she held both Trixx and King by the scruff of their necks.

"Let me go!" King demanded.

"Let me bite the shit out of you!" Trixx said angrily, saying a very not Pokémon thing to say.

"I'm too late," Lilith said before turning and looking at Luz and Flint. "At least I found you, humans."

"You," Luz said lowly, the tone causing King and Trixx to stop struggling as they looked at Luz, the girl's fists clenching violently as she got to her feet. "You hurt Eda. You put her in chains." Luz turned, showing a face of pure hatred. "And now, I will take you down!" Luz screams, pulling out multiple spell cards and activating her Grafters simultaneously, creating a cacophony of golden energy that blasted at the one who dared hurt her mentor.

Lilith drops King and Trixx to block Luz's spell with her staff as Luz shoots fire from her shoes, flying her further past and landing a distance behind Lilith.

"I just wanna talk!" Lilith begged.

"Talk to the glyph, bitch!" Luz snarled, stomping the ground with both feet and causing several tendrils of thorny vines to crawl under the floor before rising around Lilith, closing around her to trap her. Lilith broke free of the cage easily with a spin of her staff, but Luz used the distraction to rocket forward onto Lilith, latching on and yanking at the woman's hair.

"Ah, stop! What is wrong with you?" Lilith yelped, backing up as Luz held tight, causing them to walk through the still-open portal door.

"Luz!" King and Trixx cried out, running up to the door and following them through the door.

Flint's open palms began to clench, the stone underneath cracking as his nails dug in, as a dark violet glow began to emanate from his hands.

Luz and Lilith fall off the porch of the decrepit house in the human realm, the same one Luz and Flint had come through so long ago, with King and Trixx following through a second later. Luz gets to her feet first, looking at the forest they landed in as the wind blows her cloak and hair.

Behind her, Lilith stands up, her hands glowing blue.

"Luz, watch out!" King warned her before vines erupted from the ground, pulling him down.

As Luz dives out of the way of Lilith's spell, Trixx dodges Lilith's attempt to trap her and bites her leg.

Luz holds up her open palm toward Lilith. "Fire!" Luz declares, only for her gloves to not light up. Confused, she pulls out a fire glyph card and tries with it, only for the paper to disintegrate in her hands. "What?"

Before she can ponder it further, Lilith tackles Luz with Trixx still biting her leg. "Please, just listen to me!" Lilith requests, pinning Luz down while on her knees.

"No way! You deserve to be petrified! Not Eda!" Luz said angrily.

Lilith's expression softened as she fought with less effort. "You're-"

Lilith was suddenly tackled off of Luz, causing Trixx to finally let go of the woman's leg as Luz caught her, both trying to register what just happened. In the process, King was released from Lilith's trap.

Lilith tumbled across the ground as the figure who attacked her sailed further down the path. Lilith clutched her shoulder in pain, letting go of it briefly to reveal a tear along it and a burn mark in line with the tear.

GRRRRRRRRR

Lilith's body froze in fear at the sound of the growling. She slowly turned to the source, only to see her assailant, Flint.

The boy was low to the ground and on all fours at the moment. His hands were bared like claws and tore into the ground with ease. His gloves bore the same symbol Luz had attempted to use moments ago, but they glowed dimly with a dark violet hue. Fire wisped with the same color from his hands and eyes, and small traces of scarlet sputtered throughout. The way he glared at her reminded her of the Covention, but there was definitely something seriously wrong about that fire.

When it comes to using spells, each person's magic was unique. Lilith's was blue, and Eda's was yellow. The color of the spell was almost like a person's signature, something that belonged only to them (healing magic was weird and didn't apply to the same rules for some reason). But Lilith remembered her previous fight with Flint, and his magic was scarlet. So if someone's magic were to drastically change color, something was verywrong. It meant that Flint was either so enraged that he somehow managed to tap into something like dark magic…

Or something else was using his magic as well.

"W-w-wait! P-please let me e-explain!" Lilith cried out desperately.

The animalistic boy just continued to growl, his hands glowing brighter as the ground around them started to shake. Suddenly, thorny roots nearly black in color erupted from beneath Lilith. Lilith tried to fend them off with a shield, but the roots sliced straight through the shield as if it weren't even there, coiling around her and violently dragging her to the ground on her back, digging her in. She struggled to break free, but her efforts were fruitless.

Flint stomped forward with an air of menace surrounding him. He walked up to Lilith, looming over her as she felt the roots trying to break her as they constricted. He kneeled over her, his teeth on full display and revealing his now-elongated canines.

"Flint! Stop!" Luz cried out, attempting to calm him down. She wanted revenge on Lilith too, but the way he was acting was deeply concerning her.

"She deserves this! She took Eda's life, so now I'm going to take hers!" Flint snarled, his voice radiating with power with every word.

"Any last pathetic words, scum?" Flint said, glaring down at Lilith as he opened his mouth, taking a deep breath as the back of his mouth glowed violet.

Lilith's terror-filled eyes became dull, almost hollow. She couldn't even bring herself to look at her incoming fate. "I do deserve it," Lilith said, accepting her fate.

K̵̮̱̳̖̙̄̓͛̓Ḯ̴̢̱̈́̆̽̚D̴̥͖̃͒̎̐̐͆!̵̨̨̲͈̘̬́ ̷̡̯̫͚̹͓̑̊̿͒S̨͙̲͙̓T̖͂͛O̶̩͇͔̍͌͑͋̇̕P̴̨̛̣͆͒͆̒!̵͚̟́̆̉̿̆

All of a sudden, Flint's fire died out, and the roots holding Lilith loosened.

"Explain," Flint ordered as the others approached.

Lilith let her head rest against the ground beneath her, staring upward sadly as the roots retreated into the ground.

"Lilith. Why did you curse Eda?" Luz asked her own question.

Lilith sighed. "When Edalyn and I were younger, we were the best of friends. No matter what we would do, we'd do it together. Studying, grudgby, and even using pain-splitting spells so we could help each other heal faster." Lilith said with a hint of fondness. Oh, how she wished she could go back to those days.

"So what changed?" Luz asked.

The tiniest of smiles that had been on Lilith's face was decimated by the now-frown. "Being in the Emperor's Coven was my dream. I wanted to work alongside the most powerful witch on the Isles and make the world a better place, and Eda wanted to be with me, but there was a problem…they only had one spot available."

The other four either gasped or looked on in dread.

Lilith brought her legs up, resting her chin atop her knees as her arms wrapped around her legs.

"I knew Edalyn would beat me. She was younger but worked twice as hard. She met me at my level. Emperor Belos always said, 'To be great, you have to make sacrifices.' What would he do in my situation? I knew I couldn't beat her under normal circumstances, so I resorted to less-than-honorable means. I sought my solution in the Night Market, where I found a spell that would take away her powers. I…thought it would only be for a day." Lilith explained, the last bit more quietly.

Lilith unfolded her legs, laying them flat on the ground. "But when tomorrow came…we never even had to duel. As we went to begin the duel…Eda forfeited." Lilith revealed.

The four looked at Lilith in pure shock.

"She…what?" Luz asked, trying to figure out if she heard her right.

Lilith nodded sadly. "She decided covens 'weren't her style'. But as she walked away…she transformed into the Owl Beast for the first time and was shooed off as a monster. In the end, I made my sacrifice for the Emperor, and it was time to receive my 'reward'. Since that day, I've been pursuing Edalyn because if she joined the Emperor's Coven, Emperor Belos told me he would heal her curse." Lilith said.

Lilith's fists clenched and she punched to the ground to her side.

"But he lied to me! After everything I did to try and find a cure! I spent countless hours of my life devoted to freeing her of the curse! THE CURSE THAT I PUT ON HER!" Lilith screamed punching the ground again, even as it stung her hands.

"I RUINED MY SISTER'S LIFE! AND FOR WHAT?! FOR A JOB THAT SHE WOULD'VE HANDED TO ME!" Lilith continued, slamming her fists into the ground hard enough she could swear she felt something breaking in her hands as tears poured from her eyes.

Lilith's strength waned as she slumped. "Do you have any idea what that knowledge does to you? Ruining someone's life all because you f***ed up so badly one time?"

Flint stared at her, an indiscernible look on his face. "Then why didn't you just tell her?"

Lilith let out a crazed laugh. "Are you kidding? 'Hey, Eda! Guess what? That curse you got? I'm the one who gave it to you!'" Lilith sighed, making a large spell circle. "I don't even deserve to look at these."

When the spell was complete, Owlbert and the rest of Eda's staff appeared in her hands and she held them out to the wide-eyed children.

"Owlbert! You're okay." Luz said in relief, quickly taking them into her hand. Owlbert's eyes open and he nuzzles into Luz, letting out a coo before she sets him on her shoulder.

"If I'm being honest, I don't really care what happens to me anymore. All I want now is to save my si-" Lilith pursed her lips. "-to save Edalyn. I know how to rescue her, but I can't do it alone."

Flint stepped up to her, leaning down and getting in the woman's face, staring directly into her eyes. The silent, piercing gaze made Lilith uncomfortable due to his unreadable expression.

After what felt like ages, Flint rose to his full height. "Let me make something clear. I do not trust you. But, I also can tell you aren't lying. So until we free Eda, I am willing to work with you. Be grateful I am a man who believes in second chances."

Flint outstretched his hand to her as she tentatively took it, letting him pull her to her feet with surprising strength as his hand wrapped hers in a vice grip, flaring up her self-inflicted injury.

"But let me make something clear. Do not make me regret my decision. Understood?" Flint warned.

Lilith winced from his grip. "Yes…thank you." Lilith answered. And with that, the boy's hand gave a low green glow, a warmth flowing through her hand as it cycled through her arms, her hands no longer in pain by the time he released her from his grip.

"We should hurry. The petrification process is likely starting soon." Lilith stated, heading back through the still-open portal.

The four begin to head for the door as well, but a breeze makes Flint and Luz look back at the path behind them. It felt odd, how much had happened to them in such a short time.

"Hey, you guys...need a minute?" King asked, having reached the door and looking at the two worriedly.

Luz shook her head, snapping her out of her trance. "No. I'm coming." Luz said, going on ahead.

Flint continued to look at the path though. He couldn't help but shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen. Closing his eyes, Flint took a breath and opened them again. He pulled out his phone and looked at the messages between him and his mother. He looked from the screen to the portal, before turning to Trixx at his feet.

Flint could only hope she'd forgive him.

The sun was setting in the Demon Realm. A number of Emperor's Coven guards were giving the people a show. It had been decades since the last petrification, and this was surely to be a day to remember across the Isles.

"I don't see them anywhere," Willow said from her spot in the crowd.

"Do you think they got caught?" Gus said nervously.

"I doubt it, but we have to hope not," Amity said.

An alarm sounds, drawing the crowd's attention to the cage rising onto a towering platform, holding Eda within it as Kikimora stood beside it. She walks forward and pushes a lever, making a three-headed statue rise from the ground. Eda looks on at the statue, the crackles of power from the machine putting her on edge of her impending fate.

As this happened, Lilith and the Owl residents were walking by towering statues covered in what appeared to be meaty tendrils before stopping in front of a small platform. But as they walked, Flint couldn't help be feel like something was…off.

"You can take this up to the stage where they're holding Edalyn," Lilith informed them.

"Thank you, Lilith. What will you do now?" Luz asked as Flint looked forward into the darkness with a calculative look.

"I will stay in the Emperor's coven, but I will make sure nothing like this ever happens again," Lilith said.

"That's good to hear," Luz said with a small smile.

"Um…guys?" Trixx asked suddenly

Luz looked at Trixx, her expression worried. "What's wrong Trixx?"

"If this is a big event, and this platform leads to the stage…then why are there no guards around?" Trixx asked.

Those words made the whole group's blood run cold, as they realized there was only one reason that would ever happen.

"It's a trap!" Flint screamed, summoning a fireball and shooting it into the darkness ahead of them. The fireball sails through the air…only for it to be suddenly snuffed out.

A red tendril suddenly rises from the ground and wraps itself around Lilith's legs, pulling her down as she screams.

"Lilith!" Luz cried out in panic as another tendril plucked King and Trixx…only for Trixx to burst in a puff of illusion smoke.

"King!" Flint called out frantically.

"What the- What happened to Trixx?!" Luz cried out worriedly.

"I sent her home so she would be safe, but right now we have bigger issues!" Flint said quickly, putting himself on guard, as did Luz.

Lilith and King are dragged up near the ceiling before being suspended on either side of the far wall. Fires ignite below them, flanking a skull-like throne that Belos is sitting in, his staff in his left hand as he rests his head in his right.

"Ah, Lilith. You chose the wrong side." Emperor Belos said with disappointment.

Lilith and King are then pulled upwards, much to the teens' horror. Luz tries to walk forward, but two arms grab her legs. Meanwhile, Flint tries to sprint forward, but tendrils grab him by each limb, forcing him to the ground.

"No!" Both teens cried out.

"Ah puh-puh. I'd actually like to have a word with you, human." Emperor Belos stated, seeming to look more toward Luz as both shot glares at him.

Lilith and King are forced into Eda's cage by two Emperor's Coven members. They both land, kneeling, as the bars close behind them.

Lilith looks up toward Eda. "Hello, Edalyn." Lilith greeted awkwardly.

Eda glares at her as she begins to pace. "Lilith. You hurt Luz. You cursed me. Before anything turns me to stone, I'll tear you apart." Eda said angrily, raising her claws as she attempted to strike her 'sister.'

"No, don't!" King said quickly, jumping between Eda and Lilith, much to the former's surprise. "She was trying to help. She even betrayed the Emperor for you!"

Eda looked at Lilith in shock. "What?"

Lilith looked at Eda guilt-stricken. "If I knew something like this would happen, Edalyn, I-"

Lilith tries to cup Eda's face, but the petrification machine activates, drawing everyone's attention. The machine's eyes begin to glow, first yellow, then green.

In the crowd. Flint and Luz's friends gasp.

"Oh no! It's starting!" Amity said.

"We gotta do something." Willow said.

Nearby, the reporter from earlier began to speak, catching the three's attention and giving them an idea.

"And in a shocking turn of events, head Coven leader Lilith is now in the holding cage. Escorted by what appears to be a deranged cat," Perry Porter said, trying to figure out what the heck King was. A moment later, Gus comes up and pulls on his sleeve. "Augustus? I'm live!" Perry chastised him, quieting his voice to lightly scold the boy.

"Dad, you have to stop!" Gus said.

Willow runs over and grabs Perry's microphone. "Yeah. What's happening to Eda isn't right. She might not always follow the rules, but she hasn't done anything worthy of a petrification!" Willow declared.

"She helped me escape jail." The Eye-Eating Prisoner spoke up from the crowd.

"She helps me stay in business!" Morton also chimed in.

"She helped me love teaching again...after she left." Principal Bump stated. Okay, not exactly the most helpful in this situation, but you really can't blame him.

Amity took the mic from Willow. "It was thanks to her that I made new friends, and reconnected with an old one." Amity said, turning to Willow who smiled fondly. Amity returned the smile and continued. "Someone like that, someone who helps so many people; that doesn't deserve petrification! So you know what I say? I say the Emperor should let Eda go!" Amity declared with conviction.

Willow and Gus pumped their fists into the air. "Let Eda go!"

Soon enough, the crowd was rallied and on their side, everyone pumping their fists in the air as they continued the chant. "Let Eda go! Let Eda go! Let Eda go! Let Eda go!"

"Let my friends go, or else!" Luz threatened.

Owlbert lets out a hoot as Luz slams the butt of Eda's staff into the floor, rocketing out of the grip of the hands holding her down. She lands with a flip and slams the staff down, summoning a row of ice spikes that stops inches away from Belos's mask. At the same time, Flint took a breath before letting out a burst of air, shooting a scarlet fireball from his mouth that struck the throne, inches away from Belos' mask. He didn't flinch from either attack.

"Okay." Belos stated, his body melting in red light from his throne before he suddenly reappeared behind the two, his body sloshing around almost more like an abomination. "I'll play."

Belos lifts a finger, encasing both in red magic before flicking to the side, sending both into the base of a towering statue and causing a crack to run up crack frees the giant two-headed axe held in the statues hand, Luz and Flint to barely dodge to their left and right respectively.

Luz sends a fireblast at spikes of earth, and freezes a giant red hand in a block of ice, before mounting the staff to avoid more earth spikes. Luz pulls the staff around and aims for Belos, her hands alight with fire glyphs. Belos stands immobile as a strange worm-like monster appears around him, charging at her. Luz screams in surprise before cupping her hands together, a condensed fireball in the space between. She throws it into the beast's mouth, and it explodes from the burst of now-uncompressed fire before it can swallow her. She then lands on the ground.

As she does all this, Flint deals with his own obstacle of dodging a coffin-like creation that rose out of the ground, opening up to reveal spikes all across the inside as a meaty tendril wrapped around him, pulling him toward the contraption. Instead, Flint's body bursts with fire, scorching apart the tendrils as he creates another buzzsaw-like object out of the fire, throwing it at the contraption and slicing it cleanly in half diagonally. Meaty humanoid shapes charge at him, dogpiling on top of him only for a blue fire to lace across them. The humanoids begin to freeze solid before Flint's fist punches out the top, the entire structure shattering in response as he gets back to his feet, icy dust falling around him.

"What's wrong? I thought you wanted to fight." Belos mocked the two as they got back-to-back. The Emperor passes by within the shadows of the environment as the two hold their guards, waiting for his next attack.

More arms grab the two's legs and arms, pulling them back down to the ground and pinning Eda's staff.

Emperor Belos then appeared from the shadows in front of Luz. "Had enough?"

Luz just smirks confidently. "Not even close." She says as the back of her hand lights up with an ice glyph, shooting a spike of ice up and catching Belos by surprise, striking him just above the right eye as a chipped piece falls to the ground.

Belos recoils from the attack, turning away quickly after the strike as he lets out a monstrous growl.

Emperor Belos surprisingly chuckles. "I like your spirit." He turns around, revealing his glowing blue eye shining out of the broken half of his mask. "But try that again and things won't end well for you." Belos threatened.

The arms retreat off of Luz, but not Flint. With a grunt, Flint lights himself up and burns away the arms.

Emperor Belos paced in front of them, before walking up to them. "Now, I'm just a humble messenger for the Titan." He was going to ignore the scoff from the boy. "In the grand scheme of things, the Owl Lady's life is inconsequential. But then you showed up. If you want to save your mentor, give me the portal to the human realm."

Luz looked on in horror as Flint growled.

"But...our home," Luz said.

"As if we're gonna let you invade our world!" Flint snarled, throwing his right hand forward with a fireball as he made a spell circle behind his back with his left. Emperor merely shifted his body around where the ball was striking him, otherwise unfazed.

The two suddenly hear Eda screaming from above, sounding more like the Owl Beast than Eda herself.

Emperor Belos chuckled. "Invade? Oh, you poor souls." Belos turned his back to them as he took a few steps away. "The Titan's will is not so boorish. You'll understand soon. Now then, I don't believe the Owl Lady has much time left, so what'll it be you two? Save your mentor, or die with her?"

Beast Eda's screams intensify from above.

Luz and Flint shared a remorseful look. "Alright! You win!" Luz said, as Flint regrettably reached into his pocket, pulling out the portal key and pressing it, before handing it to Luz who discreetly put it in her pocket before Belos could see it. As this happens, the portal door rises from the ground in a display of golden light, in its briefcase form. Luz holds the door closed for a moment.

Luz grabbed Eda's staff as the two got to their feet. Luz reluctantly walks towards Belos and holds out the door. "Here, it's yours."

"The Titan will be pleased," Belos stated, taking the door from her.

Luz's hand lingers on it, not dropping until a few seconds after it's completely out of her grasp. She finally steps on the platform that Lilith had brought them to with Flint, with Luz pulling the hood of the cloak up and hiding her face.

"Go on then. Go be a hero." Belos says, tapping his staff against the ground, making the platform rise.

Luz suddenly starts chuckling, causing Belos some confusion as she turns back with a grin. "Oh, it's not over yet pal."

Before Belos can ponder what she meant by that, he lurches forward suddenly as he feels the door being yanked away from him by an unseen force. He held on tight, confused as to what was happening until a burst of scarlet fire exploded from in front of him, forcing him to step back and let go of the portal…

That was floating in midair.

"Come on, don't tell me you actually thought that was it?"

Luz held her open palm forward from the rising platform, shooting a vine tendril at the space just in front of the door, wrapping around the open space as if there was someone there. A moment later, Flint appeared in a puff of illusion magic where the vine was, wrapped around his waist. Flint had the biggest grin on his face as his counterpart beside Luz puffed out of existence.

Flint held the door in his right hand as a spell circle dissipated above his left. At the same time, Luz tapped the platform with the butt of the staff, a golden glow wrapping around the vine as she yanked it upward.

"Ta ta, f***wad!" Flint taunted, flipping Belos the bird with his right hand and firing a fireball from the glyph lighting up on the back of his hand.

Belos' was forced to jump back from the fireball. He looked up at Flint who fully climbed onto the platform before it reached the top. Emperor Belos growled the whole time.

This would not slide.

Up top, Eda's legs began turning to stone as Luz and Flint appeared between the cage and the petrification machine. Luz runs over toward the cage as Flint summons a katana made of fire and charges at the petrification machine with a roar, slicing it in half and causing it to shut down as he lands on the other side. With the machine shut down, Eda falls to the ground, nearly completely stone.

"Wh-what do we do?!" King asked worriedly.

"The spell wasn't completed! Maybe I can help her fight it!" Lilith says, putting her hands on Eda's wing as she is encased in a blue glow.

Kikimora looked on in shock. "No! What is-YIPE!"

Kikimora yelped as Luz stood right next to her, a fireball summoned above Owlbert and right beside the gremlin's ear.

"Free them, now!" Luz demanded.

Kikimora shrinks in on herself and traces a spell circle, causing the cage to disappear. Luz swings the portal door-briefcase and strikes her in the head, knocking her to the ground before running to Eda.

"Eda! Are you okay?" Luz asked worriedly.

The stone recedes from Eda's body and a moment later, her eyes open. "As good as I can right now," Eda responded.

Flint ran up to them. "That'll have to do because we need to leave! Now!"

All around them, the Emperor's Coven guards close in on them, holding spears in hand. Luz prepares herself for a fight, but Eda flings her and King onto her back.

"Let's fly!" Eda stated as Lilith gets on in front of Luz and King while Flint summons fiery wings. The group takes off as the coven guards throw their spears after them, but none hit them. The crowd cheers as they all fly away.

Then something grabbed Flint's leg.

"Luz!" Flint screamed, as he was pulled back toward the arena.

The scream alerted everyone and they turned back, only to look in horror.

"Flint!" They all screamed.

Flint was dragged back to the stage, flailing as he attempted to free himself to no avail. As he reached the ground, he felt something metal wrap around his throat.

"Where do you think you're going!?"

The entire crowd stopped cheering, looking on in fright as Emperor Belos loomed over the boy, his hand gripping Flint's throat.

Flint tried to free himself, but Belos only tightened his grip. "Ah puh-puh. None of that, or you'll die quicker, boy." Belos chastised, his voice laced with venom. Belos turned to the others, glaring furiously at them. "You lot think you're so clever, trying to deceive me! I will not be denied!" Belos yelled angrily before suddenly calming himself.

"New deal. Give me the portal or the boy dies." Belos demanded.

"D-Don't do it! Just get-"

"You will be silent!" Belos yelled in Flint's face, tightening his grip again, cutting off his oxygen and digging his claws into his throat. Belos turned back. "You have worn my patience out long enough! The portal, or the boy! Now!"

"Stop! Please!" Luz said quickly.

Eda quickly flew over, landing back on the platform. "You can have it, just let him go!" Eda said.

"The portal first! Throw it to me!" Belos demanded, his staff folding in from his left hand as he held it out expectantly.

Luz fumbled the briefcase a bit before chucking it. Belos caught it, letting out a long breath. "Okay! You have it! Now release him!" Luz said.

Graphic violence inbound!

Emperor Belos placed the portal at his side, as he shifted his grip on the boy so both hands were on either side of his head.

The next thing that happened would be something no one would forget.

Play Music: The Man They Called Cayde [0:00 to 1:07]

youtube watch?v=DTl0nrta4qk

SNAP

Everyone watched in horror. Not a sound could be heard outside of the sickening sound of Belos twisting Flint's head around and snapping his neck.

Only a moment after performing the action, Belos released Flint from his grip, letting the boy's body fall to the ground. Everyone watching was left dumbstruck. Did he- Did the Emperor just kill a child?!

Gus bent over, his hand covering his mouth before hurling onto the ground, the scene too much for him to bear. Willow wasn't doing so well either, her body trembling. Amity though, this made everything her mother put herself and her siblings through look almost nice compared to what she just witnessed, as she fell to her knees in despair.

Luz wasn't much better, matching Amity's current position as she looked on at her best friend with tears rolling down her eyes. She clenched her fists. "MURDERER!" Luz screamed.

"Oh please. If anything, he got himself killed." Belos scoffed before turning straight toward the camera."Let this serve as a warning of what happens when you meddle in matters you shouldn't."

CRACK

Madelyn Smith looked at the cracking glass in her hand with a frown.

"Maddie? Is everything okay?" Camilla asked, looking at her friend worried.

Maddie shook her head. "I'm fine," Maddie reassured her guests. She turned to a picture of herself and Flint on a nearby table. "I might just be stressing but…I feel like something horrible just happened."

In a strange, unknown space, Flint could be seen floating in a black reflective pool, his eyes closed.

'What…what happened?' Flint's mind echoed.

"MURDERER!"

'Where am I?'

"Let this serve as a warning of what happens when you meddle in matters you shouldn't."

'Why do I feel so…is this how it feels to be cold?'

"I feel like something horrible just happened."

'Eda…King…Mom…Amity…Luz…I'm sorry…'

"I knew this day would come eventually, but sheesh."

'Wait…who is that?'

"Sorry kid, it isn't quite time yet…or rather it has but…oh for Me's sake. These damn bootstraps."

'What?'

"Your friends still need you, kid. Now, let's stop loafing around and get you back."

"Children of the Isles. Believe me when I say I did not desire to do this. I know not the Titan's goal with this boy's death, but let this show what happens when we deviate from the will of the Titan." Emperor Belos addressed the Isles, stepping forward into the center of the stage.

Eda was nearly feral as Lilith did what she could to hold her back in her rage.

"Titan's will my ass!"

The Emperor's visible eye widened in shock. He twisted his head around so fast that if it weren't for his body's current sludgy mutation, he would've snapped his own neck to turn back and look at Flint. Flint's body was alight with equal amounts of scarlet and violet flames, as his head was still twisted. Flint's hands reached up and grabbed the sides of his head, turning it back into place with a POP. With his head in place, he leveled his glare at Belos, his pupils glowing a bright scarlet as he spat out some blood to the ground.

"…Flint?" Luz and Amity looked up at him, wondering if their minds were playing tricks on them.

The Emperor meanwhile was positively seething. He knew the boy would manage to survive, either that or that unholy demon was a dead ringer for this boy (stupid time pools). But it still didn't make any sense! How was he still alive?! And why did he have two different magicks?!

The fire surrounding Flint pulsed as a song with a style no one from the Isles could recognize felt like it was being sung by the fire itself.

Play Song: Come Back Stronger by No Resolve

youtube watch?v=k7Xm4n8GK9E

I come back stronger.

I come back stronger.

You can't kill me 'cause I come back stronger!

The Emperor steeled himself. It didn't matter. He had the door, and that's all he needed. Belos' staff unfolded from his gauntlet as he pointed at Flint. "Seize him!"

A fire (fire) is burning, the ashes rain down around me (round, round, round).

But now when everything is burning down, down, down (down, down, down).

Around 30 Coven guards ran onto the stage as they made a circle around Flint. Flint stood still as they got into position, half of them pointing their spears forward and the other with spell circles at the ready.

A fire (fire) within me.

The darkness starts to surround me.

But now when everything is burning down, down, down (down, down, down).

Flint simply glanced out the corners of his eyes and smirked. As the 15 with spells ready fired a cacophony of elemental attacks, Flint snapped the fingers of his left hand, a scarlet barrier popping into existence around him and taking the hits. The barrage continued as he stood confidently in the middle, staring straight at Belos the whole time.

I won't quit, I won't give in, won't give up.

I will always be enough.

After a bit, Flint decided he'd had enough and raised his right hand to the sky, a spell circle appearing above it, as the fire across his body receded and condensed into a twister of scarlet and violet fire that drilled skyward through his barrier, leaving his left and right eyes pupils glowing with violet and scarlet flames respectively.

CAAAAWW!/ROOOAAAAARRR!

I come back stronger.

Undefeated from the ashes, I rise.

I come back stronger.

No retreat from the darkness of night.

I won't give in to the monsters pulling me under.

I silenced all my forces within.

I come back stronger.

Towering high above the arena, the twister split in two, separating into two spirit-like entities made of flame. From the scarlet flames spawned the silhouette of a mighty avian. From the violet flames was the shape of a horned beast with bat-like wings, each bellowing out a cry. The constructs then swooped downward, twisting around Flint in a clockwise rotation, flying at and knocking back all the guards that surrounded him.

You can't kill me 'cause I come back stronger!

The constructs then flew behind Flint, the bird to his right and the beast to his left, as he stared down Belos with a smile.

You can't kill me 'cause I come back stronger (stronger)!

Belos glared back at Flint before looking at the space between the two, noticing the portal sitting at an equal distance between them. Flint seemed to notice too as he moved into a running position, his hand on the katana's handle at his side.

A phoenix is rising.

My demons circle around me.

The weaker they are, the harder they fall down, down, down.

(Down, down, down).

I won't quit, I won't give in, won't give up.

I will always be enough.

The two stared each other down before both sprinting forward toward the door. Flint threw his left hand to the side before throwing it forward, the beast avatar flying forward at the Emperor. Belos retaliated by making his staff glow, causing a beast of amalgamated flesh to burst from the ground and collide with the violet fire, making both fade away. Belos then threw his open hand forward, halting Flint in place with telekinesis before throwing him to the boy's left.

I come back stronger.

Undefeated from the ashes, I rise.

I come back stronger.

No retreat from the darkness of night.

By this point, the fire in Flint's eyes was back to his signature scarlet as he threw his hand forward, glowing with a plant glyph as a fire-laced vine tendril shot onto the ground, anchoring him to turn mid-air and to Belos' side. Belos nearly reached the portal, but Flint swooped in from the side, kicking him away before running toward the portal himself.

I won't give in to the monsters pulling me under.

I silenced all my forces within.

I come back stronger.

You can't kill me 'cause I come back stronger!

Flint reached out for the handle only to be struck in the gut by a stone spike, launching him towards Luz and the others. Belos took the opportunity to disappear and reappear beside the portal. He reached down for it, only to be struck by the swooping firebird and knocked away.

If you wanna stop me, you're gonna have to f̷̻̮̾̀̌͌̀͠ͅu̴̞͍͛̄̂̓c̵̢̛̥̩̟͈k̷̡͓͓̜̪̓ͅi̷̥͙̳̣̪̥̍n̛͙̅̽̂͠g̶̨͕̯̾̑̀ kill me!

The construct twisted through the air before flying toward Flint, coiling around him and encasing him in fire, before condensing around his arms like gauntlets. Flint held his hand up, his palm open with a fire glyph glowing. The Glyph Grafter on his hand dissolves to dust, but the symbol remains, firing off a basketball-sized fireball at the Emperor.

What doesn't kill me only makes me stronger!

Reap what you've taken from the dead much longer!

What doesn't kill me only makes me stronger!

Reap what you've taken from the dead much longer!

Belos dodges the fireball before throwing his staff forward, encasing the portal in a crimson glow as he telekinetically pulls it toward him. Flint bursts forward as he unsheathes his katana, the blade sparking at the hilt as it ignites, wrapping it in scarlet fire. Belos releases his hold on the portal as he holds his staff forward, blocking the attack and locking the combatants as they each attempt to overpower the other.

Stronger.

Undefeated from the ashes, I rise.

I come back stronger (stronger).

No retreat from the darkness of night.

I won't give in to the monsters pulling me under.

I silenced all my forces within.

I come back stronger (stronger).

They struggle in their clash before pushing off each other. Belos spins his staff, lighting up with energy before he thrusts it forward at Flint, the energy sparking at the tip and shooting a meter-wide beam of crimson energy at him. Flint prepares for the incoming blast as he spins the katana in his right hand ahead of him, the other end lighting up as a copy of the katana's blade made purely of fire emits from it. Flint spins the now double-ended katana, making it an impromptu shield as the crimson beam strikes it. The Emperor's attack splinters in eight directions going past the rapidly spinning weapon as Flint resists the force of the attack.

You can't kill me 'cause I come back stronger!

You can't kill me 'cause I come back stronger (stronger)!

You can't kill me 'cause I come back stronger (stronger)!

After Belos dissipates his spell and Flint returns his katana to being only one blade, Flint jumps back to his allies while Belos takes a few steps back to recover for a moment. Seeing an opportunity, Belos wraps the portal in his crimson telekinetic grip as Flint recovers. Flint sheathes his blade before throwing his arms forward, creating a spell circle and wrapping the portal in a scarlet glow. Belos is met with resistance as Flint counters his telekinetic grip with one of his own, trying to pull the case toward his outstretched hands.

End Song

Belos grunted as he poured more power into the telekinesis, causing the portal to pull closer to him. Suddenly the case is also wrapped in a blue glow, as Lilith steps up behind Flint to assist, and the boy's hands glow brighter as well, forcing the portal to be pulled about three-fourths of the way to Flint.

The coven guards that had been knocked away earlier managed to recover. Seeing the tug-of-war match going on, they all cast spell circles to wrap it in a rainbow of color, pulling the case back into the middle between the two sides. In retaliation, Eda grabs Lilith by the waist to pull as Luz and King do the same with Flint, the smaller of the two grabbing his leg instead.

"I will have that portal!" Belos yelled angrily.

"Not if we have anything to say about it!" Eda yelled back, her claws digging into the ground as she did what she could to try and help.

Luz looked around, trying to see any way they could win this and get the portal back. Nothing was working, and soon enough, more guards would arrive to win this fight for Belos. She looked at the Glyph Grafters on her hands as she heard the crackle of Flint's fiery gauntlets. With a heavy heart, Luz knew what she had to do.

"Lo siento, Mamá," Luz said softly as a tear rolled down her face. 'I hope you can forgive me.'

Luz let go of Flint and got into a sprint, heading straight for the portal. When she got close, Luz jumped into the air with fire glyphs glowing in her palms. Belos looked on, realizing what the girl was planning too late, as Luz slammed her palms on the portal.

"Flint! Let 'em have it!" Luz screamed, jumping back as the two inscribed glyphs on the portal began to glow.

Flint smirked, releasing his telekinetic hold on the case and letting it rocket through the air toward Belos.

"No!" Belos cried out as he attempted to sidestep from the blast. The portal flew past him, detonating in a plume of fire just behind him, sending himself and the guards flying from the blast.

Belos recovered quickly, shaking his head before turning to the remains of the portal, the largest intact piece being the eye. Belos growled as he turned back to the group, only to find Flint's katana spiraling through the air toward him.

Belos caught the blade in his hands only to now see Flint with his left hand outstretched, his arm encased in fire up to the triceps and his fingers looking more like claws as he bared them. Belos' mind flashed as he recognized the move, he turned his head counterclockwise as Flint's fire claws just missed his face, leaving Flint to slash upward and slice the left horn of his mask off instead.

Belos' hands glow, letting out a shockwave of energy that throws Flint back toward Luz and the others. Flint wasn't done yet though, as the fire around his left arm wove into two whips, grabbing the katana's handle and the antler-like horn and pulling them to him, the katana landing in his left as he smoothly sheaths it while he caught the horn in his right.

Belos glared at the boy. "You cannot beat me."

Flint shrugged. "Don't have to. Blood's in the water now bitch. And the sharks are hungry!" Flint said confidently, a wicked grin plastered on his face.

Belos tilted his head slightly in confusion. During this moment of confusion, Flint shot forth a stream of fire-breath, clouding the stage in a wall of flame. When the flames died down, Flint was gone, as were the others.

Belos looked to the sky to see the Owl House residents flying away into the night. He glared in the direction of them as he glanced around the area, as the murmurs of the crowd grew.

Belos chuckled darkly under his breath. "So that's your angle, hm? Well played."

Luz and the others land in front of the Owl House, as Eda crashes to the ground, out of breath and panting heavily. Luz, Lilith, and King dismounted as Luz quickly went up to Eda's side and Flint landed on the other.

"Don't worry Eda. We'll run and get you some elixir and-"

Lilith's sigh interrupted her, resting a hand on her shoulder and causing Luz to look back at her. "No, human. No amount of elixir can heal her now. Oh, sister." Lilith said, cupping Eda's face and prompting Eda to open her eyes to look at her sister. "I should have done this a long time ago." Lilith pressed her forehead against Eda's with her eyes closed. "With this spell declared, let the pain be shared."

As Lilith cast her spell, a blue circle of light appears around them, causing everyone else to step back. Lilith and Beast Eda glow blue and float. Their gems glow before the light shining from them merges in a brilliant blast of light. Flint watches as Eda's form returns to normal within the epicenter, and Eda returns back to her usual witch form. The light eventually fades as Eda, back to normal, and Lilith land softly on the ground.

"Eda!" Luz and Flint cry out, getting the Clawthorne sisters' attention as they turn to them, revealing Eda's left iris and Lilith's right to have turned gray, as well as a gray streak of hair along Lilith's right side.

All of a sudden Eda is tackled by the combined weight of Luz, Flint, and King as she topples to the ground, laughing in joy.

"Can you still do magic?" Luz asks.

Eda's face scrunches as she lifts her hand above her, tracing a spell circle that unfortunately crumbles after a moment. "That's a no. It'll take some time to get used to this." Eda said with a frown.

Lilith walked up to them and outstretched her hand to help Eda back to her feet. "I feel that I've been weakened as well," Lilith remarked.

"Well, looks like I'm the only one of us left with magic," Flint states with a frown. "We can make some Grafters for you to fill the void," Flint said, a plant glyph glowing in his ungloved hand as plants sprout from the ground to lift himself and Luz back to their feet.

"Speaking of you…" Eda trailed off, before pulling him close. "Don't you ever scare me like that again, you hear me kid?" Eda said with chastising concern. Aw, she does care!

King latched onto his leg with his eyes closed. "You scared me!"

The two noticed Luz walking up to him and let go of him, letting Luz grapple him in a bear hug, tears pouring down her face with a haunted look. "Y-you…you were dead. Do you have any idea how much that hurt to see? Watching him snap your neck like that…"

Luz buried her face in his chest. "I didn't know what I would do. What would I tell Maddie? What was I going to do without-"

Luz was silenced when Flint cupped her chin with his hand, lifting it up so she could look him in the eyes-

Before suddenly planting his lips against hers.

Luz's eyes widen in shock from the action, her mind bouncing between emotions, from sadness to relief to shock. After a few moments, she closed her eyes and leaned into it.

The two then separated before Flint pressed his forehead against hers, the two simply embracing the warmth of each other's presence in the moment.

"I don't understand why or how I'm still here. All I care about is that I am and that I'm here with you." Flint said softly.

Luz's brain was practically short-circuiting at the boy's affection and words. "W-W-What' with this all of a sudden?"

Flint chuckled softly, faintly blushing. "I guess dying, or whatever that was, just helped me realize something. I don't know where I'd be today without you. You're like my North Star, my Starlight guiding me when I need it." Flint said.

Luz's face lit up in a blush to rival Amity's as she buried her face in his chest again. Her mind was pretty much going up in flames from the thoughts rushing through her head as she tried to comprehend his words.

"A-are you s-saying…" Luz trailed off, unable to complete her question as she looked him in the eyes.

"Luz, would you like…to go out with me?" Flint asked a bit shyly.

Flint practically felt the air being shot out of his lungs as Luz tightened her hold on him.

"I-I…I'd like that. A lot." Luz said, equally as shy.

Flint smiled, returning the hug before they separated. Flint offers his hand out to her, and she tentatively holds it, giving it a squeeze.

As this went on, the others were all looking on with a range of reactions. Lilith covered her mouth with both hands in surprise. King was happy for them. And Eda…

"Damn...I owe that plant girl ten snails." Eda lamented.

Lilith looked at Eda, a flabbergasted expression on her face. "Were you...were you betting on whether they'd get together or not?"

"What? No! Of course not! It was obvious they were going to get together at some point." Eda defended. "It was who would have the guts to ask the other out first that we were betting on," Eda corrected.

Luz blushed embarrassedly at Eda's reveal as Flint just chuckled lightheartedly. His laughter was infectious as soon Luz ended up joining in, and eventually all five of them were left laughing.

"Never change Eda. Never change." Flint said fondly.

"I have to ask though, what did you mean about 'sharks'?" Lilith asked curiously.

Flint chuckled. "'If you could make God bleed, people would cease to believe in Him.'"

Lilith, Eda, and King just looked at him in confusion, but a look of recognition was on Luz's face.

"Oh! I get it! It's a quote from this old movie we watched!" Luz said.

Flint pouted. "It was 2010. It's not old."

Luz held her free hand to him with a hushing gesture. "Quiet, I'm defending you."

"Yes, ma'am," Flint responded.

Luz continued. "I remember one of our classes back home talked about it a bit. The person who said it was talking to someone the world had begun treating like he was a god. The man's goal wasn't to kill him but to hurt him. It means that for all that man's power, he was still human. He proved the man wasn't invincible."

Flint nodded. "Exactly. Even though Luz was able to chip his mask-" Flint pulled out the horn he'd broken off in his hand. "I've got this baby and caught him off-guard. We just proved that Belos isn't as in control as everyone thought he was." Flint said with a grin. "People will latch onto that in a heartbeat."

Eda laughed. "Nice one!"

"Anyway, it'll be best to wait until you get the glyphs down first before we give you the gloves. Luz can take care of teaching you the glyphs while I work on the gloves. It'll be easier if I can get them all done in one day, so once we get the materials set up I'll likely coop myself up and get that done in one session. Of course…we need to figure out our money situation. Not having a portal means the supply of Earth wares is kind of limited now." Flint pointed out, tapping his chin in thought.

Eda groaned. "Ah shit, you're right."

"We should perhaps continue discussing this tomorrow. Today's been a long day." Lilith suggested.

Luz nodded before letting out a yawn. "You're right. And both of us didn't get the best of sleep last night considering…" Luz trailed off, all of them knowing what she was referring to.

Eda turned to her sister. "I'll get the spare blankets for you. Come on King." Eda said, with King jumping up onto her and poking out the top of her hair, not unlike Trixx. The three then headed toward the house.

Flint and Luz looked out to the ocean in silence for a moment.

Luz sighed. "I guess we're stuck here now…and it's all my fault," Luz said sadly.

Flint gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You did what you had to. Whatever Belos wanted with that portal, it couldn't have been anything good." Flint denied. "I'm sure there's a way back. That door had to be made somehow, we just need to figure out how."

"But what if we don't? What if we're stuck here forever? What if we never get to see our moms again?" Luz countered, her hand squeezing his as her thoughts began to spiral.

Flint frowned. "None of that," Flint said firmly.

Luz was about to ask what he was talking about, but she saw the firm look in his eyes and stayed quiet as he brushed a lock of her hair out of her face. "Pessimism isn't a good look on you. I know everyone has always been on your case about your boundless optimism, but right now we need it more than ever. You are Luz Noceda! You are a boundless light that pushes back the darkness! Your endless optimism is one of the things I love about you. We will find a way back home. So don't you ever let that light go out, you hear me?"

Luz stared at him in awe. His words resonated within her, making her feel warm inside. What was she thinking?! Of course, they'll find a way back!

Luz smiled, pulling Flint into a hug and snuggling her head against his chest again. "Thanks. I needed that."

Flint returned the hug as the two humans stood there, embracing one another's company.

King's voice could be heard coming to the entrance of the house. "Hey guys, Eda's gonna make us some dinner. What do you want to-" King cut himself off upon seeing the scene before him. He watched with a smile as Eda came up behind him. Eda was about to say something before King shushed her, gesturing to the two as the witch understood what he was inferring. Eda joined King at the door and watched the two teens embrace with a smile on her face.

They would make it through this, she just knew it.

The sun was setting in another realm. In the quaint town of Gravesfield, a figure could be seen walking out of the forest.

They looked down at the note in their hand, reading it once more as they looked around at the houses nearby. The figure was on a mission, one they simply couldn't afford to fail, they'd trusted them to do this, and by golly were they going to get it done!

They'd spent hours before simply marveling at the world around them. Compared to the Isles, it was far more…peaceful. The animals were skittish, and even the few that had been more aggressive were able to be done away with easily. The figure shuddered at that memory. Those talking rats were freaking creepy.

'Good riddance.' The figure thought as they walked down the residential area.

They trekked until they found what they were looking for. They glanced back at the note to double-check the address before walking up to the front door. They then reached out hesitantly to the doorbell and rang it.