Thirty minutes have gone by and both Maxwell, Luz and King were walking around the night market, keeping close to each other. It looked like the market place they often go to but it was different. People working there at certain hours of the night and many of the people looked like they were trying to keep what they do a secret from anyone who could catch anything illegal happening there.
"I've never been to the night market before. It looks so different." said Luz looking around with her eyes shifting around.
"Neither have I but King did inform us to be careful of pick pockets." said Maxwell remembering.
"Just avoid interacting with anyone here and we should be alright." warned King.
They walked down one corner and stopped. King was looking around to see which stand was the right one they should go to but he remained next to them.
"So far, not a lot of them look like what we're looking for. You sure Morton didn't say who to find?" said King curiously.
"From what I saw in his mind. I didn't see who, he just told me who. No names, he just told me he's neutral and very secretive. He's kept his identity a secret from the Emperor and his coven. All I know is it's a man." Maxwell informed.
As they were about to walk, they turned to see a cloaked and hooded figure coming towards them as it stopped three feet away from them.
"Hey there, you lot look like you could be interested in some fine diamonds and gold." came the figure's deep and raspy voice.
"Back off." warned Maxwell mimicking a deep and gruff male's voice.
"Are you sure your not interested in a pretty piece of jewelry for that special someone? Your little girl looks like she could do good with some bling to impress a boy." said the male figure looking at Luz.
Maxwell reached out and took hold of the male figure by the front of his clothing, pulling him towards his face as the hood slipped off and revealed the male's face. The male looked to be a pale faced orc. Maxwell had a very serious look on his face.
"Back off, asshole! Unless you can help us find someone we're looking for, than beat it!" said Maxwell harshly. "You leave my niece alone or I'll kick your ass!"
"Alright, alright! I'll leave your little girl alone." said the male orc looking intimidated. "But if your needing help looking for someone, than I'm your guy."
"Give us one reason why we should trust and listen to you." argued Maxwell.
"Because I know every single person who does business in the night time market. Those who are new here think of me as a guide." said the male orc looking as though he was trying to appeal to his better nature.
They looked at him with silence but Maxwell released his hand from the orc. He let out a sigh of relief but dusted the orc off with one free hand.
"If you lead us into a trap or lie. If anything happens to my niece." warned Maxwell.
"I promise I won't do any of that." said the orc trying to reassure them.
They looked around and back at the male orc. Maxwell pulled the orc close to them and whispered to him what they were looking for but he was keeping it very secretive about a few details. A wide eyed look of surprise came over the orc's face after Maxwell pulled away.
"If your looking for that, than you'll be looking for someone by the name of Braxius." the orc told them in a whisper.
"Where is he?" said Maxwell whispering back.
"He's over there. That stand with the shiny silver ball hanging above it." said the orc pointing it out.
They looked over in the direction the orc pointed at and saw the stand. It had what looked like a disco ball hanging above it. They looked back at the orc.
"You better not be wrong about this. My niece and I are very close, and her little friend is one of her best friends. I don't want any harm coming to them. That's why I'm in papa bear mode here. Also, stay away from drugs and alcohol, no smoking ether. You got it?" said Maxwell showing some subtle compassion.
"I'll keep that in mind, sir." said the orc looking confused.
"Alright, as you were." said Maxwell calmly.
Maxwell, Luz and King walked off as the orc male pulled his hood back up and walked off as well. Maxwell let out a sigh.
"I really didn't like doing that but that guy could've been someone we didn't want to tango with." said Maxwell in his normal voice.
"You had him shaking in his boots." said King looking thrilled.
Luz smiled and briefly hugged Maxwell as they made it to the stand that the orc male had told them about. The person who ran the stand looked as though he was playing old fashioned disco music on a radio he had on him.
"Sir, could you help us?" called Luz. "Are you Braxius?"
The person than turned the radio off as he was probably a tall man who was wearing black, he wore a metal mask that covered most of his face but not his mouth area. He looked like he had a small beard and mustache. He had a deep but soothing voice.
"Are you here for an appointment, young lady?" asked Braxius.
"No, we're just here for business reasons." said Luz kindly.
"I usually have people do business with me if they make an appointment, well, most of the time that is." said Braxius.
"Than maybe you could help us?" said Maxwell mimicking the deep and gruff male's voice he did earlier.
Braxius looked at them with interest but he also looked as though Maxwell's disguised form was a bit intimidating.
"Okay. Sir, is this little girl with you?" asked Braxius.
"She's my niece. This little guy is her best friend. I'm her uncle." said Maxwell.
Maxwell motioned him to come closer with his hand. Braxius leaned in closer to him and listened.
"I'm looking for something that is able to cure any and all curses. Someone we know has been cursed for a while and we see the curse is getting worse as time passes. The elixir that our friend is using works but it's starting to show it might not work on our friend's curse anymore as time passes. Do you have anything that can work on a curse that becomes too strong for anything that people use elixirs on them for?" said Maxwell talking to him through his mind.
Braxius's eyes through his mask looked surprised but also intrigued.
"Just so you know. I can tell if your lying." Maxwell told him through his mind.
"What sort of curse are we talking about?" Braxius whispered.
"The curse is same as the curse of the owl lady." said Maxwell through his mind to him.
Braxius's eyes looked wide from shock and he looked around to make sure no one else was listening to them or seeing them. To their luck, they were alright in that. He looked back at the three.
"I got something but it's a potion. A very simple but very powerful and strong brew. I should tell you that it's been considered experimental but we've tested it out before and it works. But it will only last a month on those who take it." said Braxius explaining it to them.
Hearing this made Maxwell's heart feel like it was jumping rope for double dutch. He knew he really wanted to remove Eda's curse permanently but if a potion could keep her curse at bay for a whole month? Than that could by them some time for Eda. He was thinking of Eda and how she'd feel if she would have her curse kept at bay for a whole month, he could imagine how happy she'd be, even if it was for a whole month, he felt that could give them some time to help Eda with her curse till they could find a way to remove the curse forever. He let out a sigh and tried to remain stoic.
"I'll take it." said Maxwell breaking the silence.
"Before I do, I should tell you that in order for it to work on the person who uses it. If they take any other elixirs for their curse, than they have to wait till the current elixir is showing signs of wearing off. If they take it while an elixir is still in their system, than it won't work." Braxius explained.
"Understood." said Maxwell out loud. "How much for it?"
"Since your new to this or a new customer that is, I'm offering to let you have it for free this time. With all my customers, I give them a free trial of anything I sell when ever they're coming to me for the first time. But if they come to me a second time or more is when I start charging. I'd normall charge at least twenty-five snails for this but since your shopping here for the first time. It's free of charge." explained Braxius.
Maxwell nearly fainted from hearing this. He wrapped an arm around the masked man and hugged him in one arm. His voice shook as he shed a tear from how much of a miracle this felt to him. This left Braxius to be taken-aback a bit.
"Thank the lord for you." whispered Maxwell in a shaky voice.
Maxwell removed his arm from him and pulled himself back. Braxius pulled out a small bag that had the potion in it. He gave it to Maxwell and as he took it, he wiped a tear from his eye.
"Forgive me, I'm just very grateful." said Maxwell calming down.
"Nothing to worry about. But you should know, since my identity is unknown to the Emperor and his coven. You should tell no one of our business but if you are to tell anyone, than only tell the one your giving the potion to. But no one else." warned Braxius.
"You have our word, Braxy." said Luz with a salute.
"I like this girl. She's sweet and adorable. I'd love to pinch her cheeks but only family should do that. Strangers that do it, they'd probably get knocked out by their folks." said Braxius as if knowing what he shouldn't do.
"Oh your sweet." said Luz giggling and blushing.
"Thank you, if anyone asks. You were just giving a potion to someone to cure food poisoning." said Maxwell.
Braxius nodded and that's when Maxwell, King and Luz walked off while keeping close to each other.
"That wasn't so bad." said King.
"I can't believe it. We're actually going to make this work." said Maxwell in his normal voice as he looked shocked with joy.
"It might only last a month but it's better than nothing. It was really kind of him to offer it to you for free this time." said Luz with a grin.
Maxwell was just about to raise a fist in the air to show off a victory dance but just as his arm and hand raised up, that's when a large gryphon flew by and grabbed hold of the bag he was holding, pulling it out from his grip. They saw it flying away.
"Oh hell no." growled Maxwell.
Their chances of helping Eda with her curse was flying away but Maxwell had an idea in mind.
"I got an idea on how get it back. We've come too far to give up now." said Maxwell looking determined.
Luz and King wondered what Maxwell had in mind but they got their answer when he snapped his fingers twice and gently tapped his hand once on his own stomach, than Luz and King's stomach.
"Jiki atatchimento." said Maxwell quickly.
Without warning, Luz's body acted like a magnet to metal as her back was magnetized to Maxwell's stomach and King's body did the same as his back magnetized to Luz's stomach. They were looking like they were being carried around like a baby in a baby carrier that was attached to someone's shirt. Maxwell formed a huge pair of black wings on his back and the wings flapped once and he started to fly into the air as fast as he could towards the gryphon. He was catching up to the gryphon while Luz was looking excited that she was flying in the air this way.
"This is so cool." called Luz looking thrilled.
"Hang on tight! If we're lucky, we don't have to make that gryphon end up like a turkey on thanksgiving, roasted." called Maxwell.
He flew towards the gryphon and tried to reach for the bag but the gryphon had a death grip on it.
"Can't you rip the bag out of it's grasp?" suggested Luz.
"No, it'll rip the bag open and risk the potion falling to the ground." called Maxwell.
Maxwell suddenly had an idea but he knew that this one would be risky.
"Cover your ears." instructed Maxwell.
Luz and King covered their ears as they knew not to question Maxwell right now. Maxwell let out a scream so loud that it was at sonic levels and the gryphon screeched out loud, trying to keep it's flight pattern straight but was struggling.
"Wow! That's loud." called Luz.
The gryphon had tried to keep it's focus but lost it's grip on the bag. They saw the bag falling towards the forest and Maxwell flew towards it as fast as he could but the bag seemed to be falling faster as it landed somewhere in the forest they saw but they heard no landing. After he stopped screaming was when Maxwell suddenly flew gently down to the ground and as he landed on his feet, that's when he snapped his fingers and both Luz and King detached from each other and from Maxwell.
"That was so cool. But I know now is not the time." said Luz.
They turned to see Maxwell as the potion he used on himself wore off and he shifted back into his original and true appearance. His hair, skin, height, body type, every part of his disguised form shifted back to his original and true form. He was back to looking human. They turned towards the forest as they walked down the path that lead inside it.
"Maxie, have you ever been in a forest before?" asked King curiously.
"Once, but technically, it was more of a corn field on a farm that one of my classes had taken a field trip to. We were learning about agriculture that day." Maxwell told them.
"So technically, no." said King getting technical.
"You got it." said Maxwell sadly.
They walked down a trail that was leading them somewhere. Luz on one hand was familair with the path so she lead the way.
"Maxie, I remember being here before so just let me lead the way." said Luz kindly instructing.
"You've met the bat queen? Madame Yi Yi." said Maxwell.
They stopped and looked at Maxwell with surprise. How did Maxwell know about the bat queen? They could only guess.
"I have to confess. I heard of her but read your mind through your memories and I'll admit, it was rude of me to do that but when delving into someone's mind. I tend to see a bit more than intended sometimes." Maxwell confessed. "I'm sorry I did that."
"Well, I agree it is a bit rude to delve into someone's mind a lot but at least your apologizing for it. Curiosity is not a bad thing but we can talk about a lot about things you want to know through our lips. Only use your mind reading for when you have to." Luz kindly suggested.
"Yes Luz." said Maxwell being submissive.
Luz took hold of Maxwell's hand but just as they were about to walk off, they heard some squeaking sounds that were animal like. Maxwell and King saw where the sounds came from and when Luz turned to see who or what it was, she smiled to see that it was three young bat children that are the bat queen's children.
"They're here children, are they?" asked Maxwell looking alert.
"Yep, we babysat them before. They so cute." said Luz with a grin.
Luz was about to reach her hand out to them but Maxwell intervened by stepping in front of her and letting go of her hand.
"Wait, I got an idea on how to approach this." suggested Maxwell. "Please, can I try this out?"
Luz could see that Maxwell was determined but also looking out for them. She nodded and let Maxwell take the lead. Maxwell turned to the three bat children.
"Children, we need to see your mama. We need to talk to her about something. I know you probably are not much of a fan of us right now but we have to talk to your mama." Maxwell spoke to them in a soft tone.
Maxwell reached inside his pocket and pulled out what looked like an apple and he tossed it up into the air and once it was about to fall back down, he quickly used his hand to slice at it like a knife and he grabbed it, holding three large apple slices. He gently tossed one to each one of them. The three bat children showed an eager grin and went for them. Each one of them devoured an apple slice of their own and felt satisfied to each a juicy apple. Luz and King smiled from seeing how Maxwell was handling this.
"Ohhh Maxie, you have a way with kids." said Luz looking adored by this.
"I'm not completely good with kids, but some of them I have an understanding with. Just depends on the kid." Maxwell confessed.
The three bat children looked towards them with a peaceful expression as Maxwell, King and Luz looked back.
"Children, these two are my friends, they're good people and so am I. Can you take us to your mama?" Maxwell softly asked.
The three bat children looked at each other and back at them, they started to walk off but one of them waved one of their bat wings to signal them. Maxwell, Luz and King followed them. As they walked and followed, they could hear their own foot steps making crunching sounds.
"Maxie, how did you know they liked apple slices?" asked King curiously.
"Lets just say I talked to Eda about her opinion on babysitting and she told me her experience with babysitting the bat queen's kids. She didn't go into too much detail but she told me they sure do love apple slices." explained Maxwell.
They continued to follow the three bat children and they lead them to the nest that they live in and where the bat queen lives with them. They didn't see the bat queen anywhere. They looked towards the three bat children who were showing a sign of trust towards them.
"Hey cuties, where's your mama?" asked Luz kindly.
They looked at Luz and shrugged their wings as they looked clueless. They didn't know where she was at.
"Do you know when she'll be back?" asked Luz.
The three little bat younglings were making motions with their wings as if to tell them how long it'll be till their mother is back. They seem to understand they meant she'll be back shortly. They looked up and they saw the bag that they had hanging by a branch of a tree. The branch was large, thick and strong as it looked like it was tied up to the branch but it was a couple of inches above the center of the nest. Maxwell felt happy to see where the bag was but he turned to Luz.
"Luz, is the bat queen kind to you?" asked Maxwell curiously.
"Well, things were not so good between us at first but she warmed up to me thanks to Owlbert showing he cares about me." answered Luz.
They could see that Maxwell was trying not to give into to fear or his shyness which Luz placed her hand on his chest.
"Are you afraid of the bat queen?" asked Luz.
"Right now, the potion in that bag is the only way we can help Eda with her curse and if it gets destroyed, than it's going to break my heart. That, and we don't have much time before Eda senses something is up. I already didn't like having to lie to Eda and if I were to go up there and grab the bag while I got caught, than Madame Yi Yi will think I'm a thief and rip me to shreds. I don't want her angry at me but at the same time we need that bag now." explained Maxwell.
Luz and King could tell that Maxwell was a little afraid but he was also showing that he wanted to get the bat queen's permission to get the bag back by getting her blessing. They knew he wanted to do this peacefully.
"Maxie, we know your afraid of the bat queen but if we tell her the truth, she'll understand." said Luz reassuring him.
"I hope so." said Maxwell.
"What if she doesn't comply?" said King looking worried.
"We'll think of something." said Maxwell looking determined.
They knew that they had to get that bag back but also had to be sure they didn't anger the bat queen. They knew that they didn't have much time since they snuck out and Eda could find out what they're doing. Maxwell was also thinking of an idea that could make things easier and faster but he knew it probably wouldn't work but he had to try something.
"Madame Yi Yi." Maxwell called out.
They saw no response but Maxwell knew that their time was running out. He looked towards the kids and back at the bag and back at the three little bat children. He let out a sigh. He walked forwards a bit as he reached the center of the lair and stopped, he knew that they couldn't be out there for too long or they'd risk Eda finding out what they're up to. He really didn't want to anger the bat queen and he really didn't want to anger Eda ether. He turned around to face Luz, King and the three bat children.
"Maxie, why don't I get it." suggested Luz.
"Bad idea. How irate would you think she'd be if I was to go up there and snatch the bag? I don't want to anger her but I also know we need that bag. I want to help Eda but at the same time, I really don't want to anger the bat queen. She'll think I'm a thief if I go up there to grab it. What am I suppose to do?" said Maxwell confused for a solution.
"Why don't you ask her." came a female's voice.
The female's voice sounded like it had a thick eastern European accent. There was a gust of wind and a loud thud from behind Maxwell along with a towering shadow above him from at least three feet away. Maxwell had a very wide eyed expression on his face as his mind and heart was being filled with fear and alarm. Luz and King were surprised and shocked to see her at this moment as her large appearance was always startling at first.
"She's right behind me, isn't she?" said Maxwell.
Luz and King nodded. Maxwell didn't move, he was too afraid to turn around.
"Another human? But this one is male." came Yi Yi's voice. "Turn around and face me."
Maxwell had an idea in mind, despite that he was terrified. He breathed a sigh and in one swift move, he turned around and bowed in front of her as he had sat on one knee with one leg sitting up, his head bowing.
"Venim in pace! Venim in pace!" Maxwell spoke quickly.
The bat queen was taken-aback by this reaction but she still looked like she had a strict expression on her face.
"Am venit pentru asistență, permisiune și binecuvântare." Maxwell spoke again.
Luz and King were surprised at how bilingual Maxwell appears to be and the bat queen seem to understand the language he spoke to her.
"Ridică-te, băiețel uman." said Yi Yi.
Maxwell slowly rised up and stood up straight, looking up at her as he sees she is a giant head with an Asian characteristics and long greasy black hair. She has bat wings, fangs and talons. She had a human head with legs connected to her. She had black lips, and red eyes. Maxwell was shaking a bit from fear of her.
"Your here for a reason?" said Yi Yi staring him down.
"Madame Yi Yi, the bat queen. The wealthiest demon on the Boiling Isles, once a palisman to a giant thousands of years ago yet the giant abandoned you. You have no memory of who this giant is that was once your owner, your the guardian of other abandoned, discarded and forgotten palisman. You got three cute little kids and you'd do anything to keep them safe, protected and cared for. You, Luz and her friends befriended each other after a brutal trial which Luz appealed to your better nature and now she's become your friend and wants to help you too when you need it." said Maxwell.
This was a surprised to the bat queen. She expected him to know a little bit about her from what other people have said and talked about but she didn't expect a human male like Maxwell to know all of this about her when they've never met nor knew each other existed till now. She looked right at him with slight alarm.
"How is it your?" she began.
"Your mind isn't a closed book. But I know reading your mind is incrediby rude of me and I apologize for that." said Maxwell kindly.
The bat queen was looking as though she could sense that something about Maxwell was up. She didn't know if he was kissing up or if he was telling the truth.
"Bat queen, he's with me." called Luz.
She looked up and saw Luz, a small smile spreading across her large face.
"I see you've brought the sweet, innocent human girl. She got a big heart." said Yi Yi kindly.
"Luz can do no wrong." Maxwell stated. "We're here for a reason, but I'm afraid I need to get your permission for it. I only go inside someone else's home unless I got their permission first."
The bat queen looked right at Maxwell as she had her smile change back to stoic. She was looking serious.
"I'm listening." Yi Yi stated.
Maxwell let out a sigh.
"That small bag you got hanging over there. It belongs to us. It's got something inside it that we really need. Or at least someone we know needs it. We had to get it from the night time market as it was the only way to get it at the time." explained Maxwell.
As she listened to Maxwell, she was aware that something was inside the bag but she sensed something wasn't right at first.
"Who are you getting this for?" asked Yi Yi curiously.
"Eda, it's for Eda." said Maxwell softly.
"How do I know your not lying? I trust little human girl with big heart, but you, something looks fishy." said Yi Yi firmly.
"I beg of you. Eda really needs it." Maxwell kindly begged.
Luz, King and the three bat children walked towards them as they see that they may need to intervene. The bat queen was not trusting Maxwell as she sensed he was lying or hiding something.
"Are you telling me the truth? For all I know, that bag could have something dangerous inside and you'd use it to attack me or my babies." Yi Yi scolded.
"I would never harm a lady or children." said Maxwell starting to get frantic.
"Unless you prove to me that your telling the truth, your not going anywhere near the nest to get the bag." said Yi Yi sharply.
"You don't understand." Maxwell replied.
Maxwell looked as though he was about to break down. He felt the results of him helping Eda was being ripped away from him in a foul swoop.
"What's there to understand?" said Yi Yi in a huff.
"She'll die without it!" shouted Maxwell.
The bat queen suddenly felt a sense of shock go straight to her mind and heart as Maxwell fell to his knees, he was close to breaking down in tears, ready to start bawling.
"Wait, what?" said Yi Yi taken-aback.
"That bag has a potion that'll help Eda with her curse, the elixir she's using is going to stop working soon and that potion in that bag is her only chance, we're desperate, these people are all I've got, I can't go back to the human realm or I'll be good as dead. If you don't give it back to us than you're going to responsible for someone's death. You don't want that over your head." Maxwell pleaded.
Without warning, the three bat children rushed to Maxwell's side and looked up at their own mother with a look of disapproval. They were squeaking and screeching at her as if talking to her in the language of the bats. The bat queen was shocked to see this. She saw her own children sticking up for Maxwell, a human child. She saw her own children begin to go up and hug Maxwell, Luz and King, patting Maxwell on his back to console him, one of them hugged King and another would even hug Luz from her leg. After doing so, the three bat children walked up to their own mother and looked as though they were reading her the riot act for the sake of Maxwell, Luz and King.
"You've warmed up to the human male? As you did with little human girl and her friend?" said Yi Yi shocked.
The three bat children nodded. Maxwell looked up and couldn't believe that three little children were taking his side along with his friends. The bat queen looked at Maxwell, seeing his face was stained with tears. Seeing the desperate look on his face nearly broke her heart.
"Bat queen, he's telling the truth." Luz reassured.
The bat queen looked at both Luz and Maxwell, than she had her face go from shock to pity.
"Little human boy. My children speak highly of you and your friends. I see you've given them one of their favorite treats. Tell me, why you do this for owl lady?" asked Yi Yi curiously.
Maxwell managed to pull himself together enough to get up on his feet and look her in the face.
"Back at home, I had nothing. I had no one. Life was horrible for me. I took off because I knew that if I stayed, it would be a death sentence. The way I stumbled upon this world was only through luck, sheer dumb luck. Eda, Luz and King had rescued me from death, so many times. They're the first people who treated me with any love, I'm actually making friends in this world, I can't lose them. They're all I've got." explained Maxwell.
Hearing this was probably able to break anyone's heart but the bat queen was feeling pity for him as if she knew how he felt.
"You speak out of love for these people. Such tenderness yet you do this for another reason for owl lady." said Yi Yi softly.
"I fell in love. I'm in love with Eda, she given me my first kiss, just like Luz and King and Luz's friends, they've forgiven me for any other time I messed up, they've shown me love, they understood me, held me when I was terrified, encouraged me when I was feeling depressed, they've made me laugh when I felt down, picked me up when I was down. They supported me and did so much for me, it was more than my dad ever did for me. I want to help Eda, she doesn't deserve to be cursed, I think I may know who cursed her and I want to remove the curse from Eda. I'd do anything for her, I could never disobey her, I want to help her, regardless if she told me no or if she told me it's too dangerous. I still want to help her. Wouldn't you do anything for your kids?" explained Maxwell.
The bat queen was stunned, she had no idea that a human like Maxwell had fallen in love with Eda, from what he told her, she couldn't believe it but she understood he was right about something. She nodded.
"How much do you love this woman? Even the little human girl and her friends?" asked Yi Yi.
As Maxwell wiped the tears from his face and his eyes. He had a look of determination on his face.
"As muri pentru ei." said Maxwell.
The bat queen looked as though hearing this could have her fall to her knees. She extended her wing out to Maxwell and placed it on his shoulder as if to show her trust and compassion towards him.
"You must really love Eda to do this for her and you must really love these friends of yours, they must really love you to help you in this." said Yi Yi.
Luz took hold of Maxwell's hand and King hugged around Maxwell's leg. This was proof to the bat queen that they really meant what they've said.
"Little human boy, forgive me for how harsh I was. If you've gained the respect, support and trust of my children, as your friends have, than you have mine." said Yi Yi kindly.
Maxwell felt a huge relief wash over him like he was being warmed up in cold weather conditions. He came forwards and hugged the bat queen as his face pressed against her cheek.
"Thank the lord for you. Thank the lord." said Maxwell relieved.
The bat queen allowed him to hug her as she knew he had to let it out. After the hugging stopped, that's when the bat queen flew up to grab the bag and flew back to the ground, giving it back to Maxwell. As he took it, he felt like a huge weight was lifted off him.
"Madame Yi Yi, even though Luz has told you that if you ever want to find out the truth about who your owner was or where this person is or anything. If Luz and her friends are wanting to help you when you want to learn the truth, than I'm in." said Maxwell kindly. "Your kids, they're as beautiful as their mother."
A blushing smile appeared on the bat queen's face and she went in to plant a big lipped kiss to Maxwell's cheeks, causing him to blush wide eyed and she even gave a soft kiss to Luz's cheeks, causing her to chuckle, she even kissed King's forehead, causing him to blush and giggle.
"Such kindness in your hearts. You do know that trying to remove a curse is going to be dangerous." said Yi Yi kindly warning them.
"We do, but we'd do it for Eda." said Luz understanding it.
"Thanks for giving us the bag back. How did it end up here?" asked Maxwell curiously.
"I caught it in the air before it would land on the ground." answered Yi Yi. "I made sure that nothing was broken."
"I'm grateful." said Maxwell.
The bat queen smiled and kissed Maxwell, Luz and King one last time as they walked away, they all waved good bye to each other. As Maxwell, Luz and King walked down the path, Luz and King would hug Maxwell, each one giving him a kiss to his cheeks, even if Luz had to hold King in her arms in order to do so. Maxwell was blushing a lot.
"I think she's warmed up to you, just like her babies." said Luz with a giggle.
"You think so?" said Maxwell with a hiccup.
"With her kissing you and how her kids warmed up to you just like they did us, I think you melted her heart." said King encouraging him.
Maxwell's heart was beating happily. He finally had the one thing to help Eda with her curse and was one step closer. He suddenly realized that the time they've been gone had caught up with him.
"Don't mean to cut this short but we got to get back. If Eda finds out we snuck out, than she'll be madder than the Bruce Banner when he turns into the hulk." said Maxwell reminding them.
"But even if we run there, we'll never make it on foot." said King.
Maxwell suddenly had an idea as they've stopped.
"Hold onto me guys. I know a faster way." instructed Maxwell.
Luz and King nodded and obeyed. Luz would wrap her arms around Maxwell and King would wrap his arms around Maxwell's leg. They held onto him and they teleported as they disappeared in a puff of gold smoke. It felt like they were flying but once they reappeared at the house, they reappeared in a puff of gold smoke on top of the rooftop from the tower. They released their arms from each other and opened the door to the tower rooftop. As they closed it, they walked down the stairs, turned one way down the hallway, made it up the stairs to the second floor and walked inside Luz's bedroom as they closed the door.
"Hey you little rascals? Everything okay up there?" came Eda's voice.
"We got to work fast." said Luz.
They heard Eda's foot steps coming and Maxwell gave the bag to Luz, she placed it inside her backpack and the three of them sat down near Luz's sleeping bag. Luz pulled Maxwell in her arms and placed her hand on his stomach, she started to rub his belly as if to relax him. She winked at him with a grin and Maxwell seem to catch on as he would lay his head on her shoulder, pretending that he was getting sleepy. King was about to go towards the door but Eda knocked on the door, opening the door to walk in.
"Everything okay up here? It's been really quiet up here." asked Eda.
"Eda, not so loud. He's falling asleep." said King in a hushed tone.
Eda looked up and saw that Maxwell's eyes were slowly blinking as his head was slowly nodding off. She saw Luz rubbing his belly and holding him in her arms. She giggled at the sight.
"The little champ was out like a light. He's cute when he's alseep." said Luz softly.
"You guys look like you got a dirty little secret." joked Eda.
Luz and King looked towards her as they tried not to freak out and remain calm under pressure. Than Eda chuckled.
"I'm just messing you guys." said Eda laughing. "Luz, you guys sure your alright?"
"Maxie and I started talking about our hobbies and related to a few of them, but than later on, he just got sleepy and he passed right out." lied Luz with a grin.
Eda looked right at them and even King. She sensed something was possibly up but she brushed it off as she knew it was probably late to get into the subject. She came in and gave them an affectionate head patting with a grin.
"He is rather cute when he's asleep. Even you look cute when your asleep, Luz." said Eda kindly. "But while you two sleep in here for now, you might want to make sure there's a bit of distance. Just in case Maxie ends up floating in the air in the morning."
"I'll do that." said Luz.
Eda reached out to briefly tickle Luz's stomach which caused her to chuckle and squirm.
"Your ticklish." giggled Eda.
As Eda was walking towards the door and about to leave the room, she turned towards them.
"You guys sleep tight. Kiss and make up now." joked Eda.
"Wait, what?" said Luz blushing.
"Just messing with you." said Eda chuckling. "Good night, you guys."
"Night." said Luz and King.
As Eda closed the door. They all let out a sigh or relief.
"That was close." said King relieved.
They turned to Maxwell as he was wide awake for now.
"Guys, do you think Eda will like me back?" asked Maxwell curiously.
"After what your going to do for her? There's no way she'd shoot down now." Luz reassured kindly.
"I really wanted to remove the curse permanently, but so far, that potion will last a month. I just hope that'll by her some time long enough for us to find a way to get the curse removed completely." said Maxwell hopefully.
"Well, even if it's a temporary solution, a temporary one is better than nothing." said King kindly.
Maxwell did agree with them yet he was still wondering how to tell Eda how he felt.
"How would I tell her? How would tell Eda how I feel?" asked Maxwell.
"Just be honest with her. That's always a good way to start." suggested King.
"What if I'm too afraid to tell her? I don't how to start off with it." said Maxwell looking hopeful for a solution from them.
They were thinking of an idea or more and they knew that there was one thing that he showed confidence in himself from.
"Maxie, what's the one thing that you had confidence from? Even before you met us." asked Luz.
Maxwell was thinking and he remembered. The times he did a musical performance with them male teenage wizards at the market place, the musical performance he did at Hexside when he showed who was possibly more popular, the song he briefly played and sang out to on the tower rooftop, the song he rapped out to when he was defending Eda, Luz and everyone at Hexside when they knocked that vampire around.
"It was music. Even back at home, that's what gave me a confidence boost but back than, it was hardly for working up the courage to do what you guys helped me to do. With you guys encouraging and supporting me, I felt like I can do anything, even when the music inspires me." said Maxwell breaking the silence.
"Well, than there ya go, big boy. Use music to serenade Eda." advised King.
Maxwell nodded and pulled them in for a hug as he felt so grateful for their help. They hugged him back. They started to feel sleepy and knew it was time for bed.
"Guys, thanks for helping me through this. I haven't had anyone do so much for me since my mother." said Maxwell softly.
"Anything for our Maxie waxie." said Luz and King.
He blushed and they began to lay down on the soft sleeping bag while Luz laid Maxwell on his back to the sleeping bag, she got up on top of Maxwell to lay on top of him while King would sleep at the foot of the sleeping bag.
"Luz, will you hold me?" asked Maxwell.
She nodded and wrapped her arms around Maxwell, she laid her head against his chest. Luz looked up and planted her soft lips to Maxwell's lips. This got him to go wide eyed with his heart racing a bit. She held the kiss to his lips for a minute or more and eventually pulled her soft lips off his in a little pop. Maxwell blushed and fell asleep.
"Dulces sueños, chico grande." whispered Luz.
As they were fast asleep. That night, Maxwell was having a dream about how he would win Eda's heart. He would be confessing his feelings to her, telling her what he did to help her and what he went through in order to do so. He would imagine that Eda was surprised but as happy as she's ever been, resulting in her pulling him in for a big kiss to her lips, resulting in them making out. He smiled as he dreamed this. He knew that thanks to Luz, King, Owlbert and Hooty, their encouragement and their help, he was one step closer to helping Eda.
