I slogged behind Luz and King with the sack of potions slung over my shoulders until we finally made it into town. Bonesborough, as I suspected, was filled with multiple creatures that I once thought to only exist in the realm of fantasy. But there were some similarities to my world, like — and I swear — a chilidog cart.

"You know it's rude to stare," King told me.

"I know, but… I can't get over just how out of place I feel here." I told the little demon.

"Hey, if you live here long enough, you get used to it."

"So, Luz, where are we stopping first?" I looked over at the apprentice; her nose buried deep in the book I gave her last night. I increased my pace to walk beside her, and my eyes widened in surprise to see she read just about a quarter of the entire story. King and I stopped in our tracks when we spotted the traffic light in front turn red, but Luz kept walking! I grabbed the witch's hood as a caterpillar the size of a bus trampled down the road and pulled her back onto the sidewalk before it crushed her. I folded my arms. "You know, you shouldn't read while walking."

"Sorry." Luz apologized with a blush.

"Since I got your attention, now, I have some questions for you."

"Shoot."

"Okay, I may be wrong, but the language that you and your moms sometimes speak kind of sounds like Spanish. Is that a native language here?"

"No, it's not." Luz chuckled. "It's a funny story. Before I was born, my dad wanted to ask my mom on a date, and so he bought some poems from Eda to win her over. But the poems were in Spanish. So, he had to buy a book on how to speak the language from her, too." She shook her head. "Long story short, it worked, and they both made it a hobby to learn the language when they got together. Then Mami taught me when I was old enough, and then taught Eda when they got married."

"So, where is your dad? If you don't mind me asking."

Luz's chipper attitude faded. "I never knew my dad; he passed away when I was only a baby."

"Oh, I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…"

"Hey, it's alright; you didn't know." Luz gave me a small smile. "Besides, with how both Mami and Eda talk about him, he sounded like a cool guy."

"I'm sure he was." There was an uncomfortably long, awkward silence. "So… I see you're enjoying the book."

"Oh yeah, I love it. And y' know, while I was reading this, I started thinking that maybe you're here for a reason."

I gave her a confused look. "A reason?"

"What if you," The apprentice dramatically pointed at me, "Amity Blight, average teen, actually have..." She tapped her fingers against the book's hardcover, mimicking a drumroll, "A predetermined path of greatness! Just like Azura!"

I busted out with laughter, holding my stomach. "I'm… I'm sorry, but I don't remember Azura's path to greatness involving her delivering snake oil?"

"Today, you're delivering packages, but tomorrow you'll be earning the respect of everyone on the Boiling Isles with your eventual magical prowess."

Again, still not interested in learning magic. "C'mon, do you believe that cliché to be true? If anything, I just wound up here by being at the wrong place at the wrong time; nothing special about it."

"Oh, you wanna talk about clichés?" Luz snickered. "Let's address your mysteriously withdrawn, "I act like I don't care, but I secretly do" attitude. Y'know what that makes you? A tsundere."

I stuck my finger in her face. "Call me that again, and I spoil what happens at the end."

Luz gasped and held the book close to her chest. "I'm sorry! Have mercy!"

"Hey, can we get a move on already?" An impatient King asked, tapping his foot. "The sooner we get out of this despairing cesspool of a town, the sooner I can go back to getting some shut-eye."

"We're coming!" I shouted as we crossed the street. "So, where are we stopping first?"

Luz pulled out a piece of paper with a list of customers and addresses. "According to this, our first stop is to a castle owned by some guy named Nevareth Adegast."

"Castles always belong to big whack-jobs; when we find it, just kick the potions inside and get outta there." The little demon kept walking, not paying attention to where he was going and walked right into a wall. "Ow! Who put that wall there?"

Luz and I looked up and saw that King didn't just walk into a wall, but the wall of a castle. "I think this is the place." We walked to the large doors, and I saw a doorbell on the side; pressing it created a low, buzzing sound. "Excuse me; we have some snake oil for a Nevareth Adegast!" The castle's doors opened, revealing a beautifully lit room inside, filled with bookcases, fine furniture, and the oddities that you would expect to find in a fantasy castle.

"Hello, there." A strong yet warm voice said. Walking down a staircase that led to a library above, was a young man around seventeen with smooth blue hair and a star-spangled robe. His robe opened just enough to expose surprisingly toned pecs and abs. "I was in my oscillarium, reading the stars. And who might you two be, with beautiful eyes full of wonder?"

I heard Luz make a noise; when I looked at her, she was practically drooling at the sight of him; whispering, "And I thought guys this hot only existed in fiction."

I rolled my eyes before telling the young man, "Hi, we're delivering some potions for Eda, the Owl Lady. Are you Nevareth?"

"I am." He replied with a bow before descending the last steps and sitting on a chair. "Nevareth Adegast, Teenage Wizard Extraordinaire; thank you very much, fair maiden. And dareth I say, I sense something unique about you. Please, won't you join me for tea?"

"Hey, let's scram already," King told Luz and me. "It's just a guy in his jim-jams, and look!" He pointed at his feet, revealing he was in sandals. "You remember what Eda told us about… his kind."

"I almost forgot; I have scones, too," Nevareth said as he pointed at a plate of the pastries on a nearby table.

"Scones!" King excitedly rushed over them on all fours, ignoring everything he said earlier.

"We'd love some tea." A still enamored Luz joined in just as quickly.

I felt my stomach rumble, remembering I didn't have breakfast yet. "Hmm… sure, why not." Besides, if this guy's trouble, I can count on Luz to protect me… hopefully.

I took a seat next to the still infatuated Luz and across Nevareth, with King standing on the table. The wizard cast a spell to pour our tea and give us each some scones. I took a sip of the tea. "Wow, this's good."

"I am flattered," Nevareth said.

I looked around the house and saw he had shelves stocked with all kinds of elixirs. "Do you sell potions, too?"

"Yes, I run a small business."

"Oh yeah, well, you should run a small business of more scones..." King paused, trying to think of something witty. "Into my mouth." He chuckled and snatched more pastries

"Though I'm surprised to see two young ladies here, it was my understanding that Eda delivered potions herself."

"Usually, but we're helping her today; I'm her top apprentice, with some sick skills." Luz bragged, trying to impress him.

Nevareth looked at me. "And what about you?"

Putting my tea down, I asked, "Me?"

"I sense something deeply troubles you."

"No, nothing's bothering me... Well, something is... It's kinda a long story, and you seem like a busy person."

"Yeah, cuz, your food is gone, and so are we," King said, as he pulled at Luz's and my legs.

"It's alright, you can trust me," Nevareth said as he continued to stare into my eyes.

So, you're stuck on the Boiling Isles with no way home? I heard the wizard say, but his mouth didn't move. Wait… is he in my head? So, you followed the Owl Lady's palisman into the woods and ended up here, away from your family. The brother and sister you miss dearly. He is in my head! I tried to look away from him, but my head wouldn't move; I wanted to scream for Luz and King to help me, but it was like my mouth was sewn shut. He was reading off my thoughts, and I couldn't stop him.

He read aloud how we started a prison break to get King's crown back, and how I'm stuck in the Demon Realm until Eda fixes the key. As well as how I'm stuck having to deliver potions for the Owl Lady while avoiding all the creatures that want to eat me alive. This is quite an exciting tale; you also have my sympathies. But you know, Eda's key isn't the only portal that can take you home.

Did I hear that correctly? There's another portal out of the Demon Realm! Ugh. My head suddenly started pounding. Why does it hurt so much? Let me tell you, young human, about a legend as old as the Isles itself. Once every generation, when the stars align, a portal would open to the Human Realm, allowing those from both sides to cross. This portal is known as the Celestial Rift. The Celestial Rift? I can sense your desire. You wish to find the Rift and return home to your family. And I am willing to offer my assistance and take you there.

Nevareth blinked, and I felt like I was about to pass out. "Amity!" Luz shouted, grabbing my shoulders before I fell out of the chair. "Are you alright? You don't look so good."

"L… Luz…" I looked at the girl as I rubbed my forehead, wanting to tell her… warn her about… but… It's like my mind just went blank.

Nevareth drew a circle, and a glass of water appeared in his hand and gave it to me. "Drink this."

"Th… thank you." I took it and guzzled it all down before letting out a huff. "I don't know what happened; I just started getting a headache."

"C'mon, let's finish our deliveries and head home; I'll have Mami check you out, make sure you didn't catch a bug," Luz said as she helped me up and kept me steady; glancing at the wizard. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"No need to thank me," Nevareth said. "Enjoy the rest of your day."

King scurried ahead of us as Luz aided in walking me to the door. But I still can't shake the feeling that I'm supposed to tell her something important about Nevareth... The portal will open tonight; I will wait by the edge of the forest for when you make your decision. That is... if you want to see your family again.

Kikimora sat alone in her chambers, lit by a single candle, as she filled out one sheet out of a large stack of paperwork. She stamped the Emperor's seal of approval to provide the Construction Coven with funding for new equipment. The little red demon folded the form into an envelope then whistled; a bat flew over to pick up and deliver it. She took the following form and began to fill it out but stopped once she sensed her presence in the room. "May I help you, Master of Curses?" She apathetically asked, tapping her fingers against the desk.

Odalia Witherbane slithered out of the shadows and stood before the Emperor's assistant, being one of those witches who wants all the power in the room; for things to unfold how she wants them to. If creeping out of the shadows like a night creature was the green-haired witch's attempt to gain control through intimidation, it did not work on the demon. "Hello, Kiki." Odalia greeted with put-on civility. "I wanted to ask you about your investigation into The Owl Lady's newly acquired human pet and how it fairs."

She did not answer Odalia's question right away and went back to filling out her paperwork. Aside from her unwavering loyalty to Emperor Belos, Kiki's other strength is that she's an excellent multi-tasker, hence why he trusts her with so much. But in her eyes, Witherbane's concerns were not worth putting a shred of effort into; unless it was ordered so by her true master. She stamped a seal of approval, folded the form into an envelope, and whistled for another bat to deliver before taking the next sheet. Seeing Odalia was still there, the little demon huffed. "If you really must know, my agent reported to me already. He is working on the human as we speak; we'll know all it knows soon enough."

"But why put faith in a creature that could betray you on a whim, when one of our Coven's strongest has plenty of curses for… loosening tongues?"

Kiki whistled for another bat, and it snatched the envelope. "I would send you, but I believe you don't need a reminder of what happened last time you tried to go after someone related to the Owl Lady." Odalia placed a hand on the masked part of her face, the disdain she had for Eda was visible in her eyes. "But if you wish for her to finish what she started years ago... Then go loosen those tongues." Kikimora stamped a seal of approval onto the finished form, enveloped it, and whistled for another bat.

"While we're on the subject of the Owl Lady, I want to discuss her sister."

Kiki filled out another sheet, not glancing at Odalia as she let out another huff. "And what do you wish to discuss about Lilith?"

"Oh, Lilith Clawthorne can be the topic of hundreds of discussions amongst the members of the Emperor's Coven. Though, I am curious; why does our Emperor continue allowing her to wander our halls, despite all her previous failures at capturing Eda."

Kiki puts her pen down, still not giving the witch the attention she wanted. "What is this about, Odalia?"

"It's about Lilith's competence as our leader, our face. Our Emperor entrusted her with the simple tasks of bringing the Owl Lady to justice and has yet to accomplish it. Belos should've thrown her out long ago; yet, he decides now is the time to threaten her with banishment."

"And that threat is what will motivate her. The Clawthorne's didn't grow up in a life of luxury like you or Alador. Lilith had to claw her way to get to where she is now. When threatened with losing all of that she has gained is when she'll be at her most dutiful. She'll complete her task, one way or another."

"Oh, but I do not share the same faith in her as our Emperor. I am more than certain she will fail in the end." Odalida smirked with certainty in her statement.

"The Day of Unity is still some time away, so, we will see. Now, unless there is anything else that you wish to discuss, I have work to do."

"I do enjoy our chats Kiki." The Master of Curses said before she bowed and slid back into the shadows.

The Emperor's assistant picked up her pen and resumed her work. "I really should start locking my door."

After a long day of delivering potions, we finally returned to the Owl House, just as Eda and Camila finished making dinner and setting the table. Camila gave me a check-up after Luz had explained what happened at Nevareth's castle. There was nothing about me that was physically wrong, according to her. But I still felt drained, and that something was wrong with my head, but Camila reassured that it's probably nothing a nice hot meal won't fix.

We're having what looked like a chicken and vegetable dish; at least, I hoped it was. Luz was telling her moms about the day we had and about Nevareth, and how "hot" he is; Camila found the whole thing adorable. "Mija's first crush."

"Wait, a moment," Eda interjected. "Hot, rich, and a wonderful personality?" She listed off with her fingers. "Are you sure you didn't detect any illusion spells around the area?"

"No, why?" Luz asked.

"Because there's no way that a person like that could exist on the Boiling Isles, not without an ulterior motive anyway." She explained her reasoning as if she were speaking from experience. "And besides, wizards are the worst."

I tuned out their conversation as I picked at my barely touched food with my fork. The portal will open tonight; I will wait by the edge of the forest for when you make your decision. That is... if you want to see your family again. "Amity," Camila spoke up, snapping me back to reality.

"Is everything okay? You haven't touched your roasted basan."

"Well, if she's not gonna have it…" King began as he climbed up the table, but a blue aura surrounded him, and couldn't move.

"No, demonio malo," Camila said as she levitated the little furball away.

"Eda, can I ask you something?" I asked the Owl Lady.

"If it's about the key, I'll tell you again; I'm working on it as fast as I can." She replied.

"No, I… are you sure the key is the only way for me to get home?"

"The key's how I've "acquired" my goods from the Human Realm."

"I know that, but are you sure that it's the only portal between the Demon Realm and my world?"

"If there were another portal between worlds out there, I would've found it years ago and exploit the heck out of it." She chuckled before becoming serious again. "And I would've sent you home by now."

How do I know if Eda's telling me the whole truth like she didn't tell me everything during our heist for King's crown? What if Eda's also lying about fixing the key? What if I can't trust her? What if I can't trust any of them? Wait, why would I think that? Luz and Camila haven't… "Ugh." The pounding in my head's back!

"Are you alright?" Luz asked me with concern.

I pushed my chair back and stood up, apologizing to everyone before leaving for the living room, "I'm sorry. I'm just not hungry right now."

I sat on the couch, trying to gather my thoughts. So, you followed the Owl Lady's palisman into the woods and ended up here, away from your family. Those words and voices continued to play in my head. But you know, Eda's key isn't the only portal that can take you home. Just block them out, Amity! Once every generation, when the stars align, a portal would open to the Human Realm. What if Eda is telling me the truth? This portal is known as the Celestial Rift. But what if she isn't? You wish to find the Rift and return home to your family. Tears began to form in my eyes. I will wait by the edge of the forest, for when you make your decision. I've only been here for two days, but… That is... if you want to see your family again. I miss them, Ed, Em, Horace… even Mother and Father… I want to see them.

I wiped the salt-water drops from my eyes and made my decision, grabbing my bag and heading to the front door. I cracked it open ever so slightly so as not to wake Hooty, stepping outside, and gently closed the door as the bird-tube thing hooted with each snore.

"Ugh." Another headache, but it went away as quickly as it came. Maybe this isn't a good idea. Perhaps I should just… Or maybe I'll feel better when I'm back home, in my bed, with the people who love me. I made my decision. I will find Nevareth at the edge of the forest; he'll take me to the Celestial Rift, and I'll leave the Demon Realm forever.