Chapter 7 – Age of violence

1998

"I heard you specifically requested me to interrogate you. Why?" Lilith sat at the table in the interrogation room, a masked man in front of her, cuffed to the table. "And why did no one take off your mask?"

"I have a proposal, Officer Lilith. My mask is not important." The man's voice sounded calm, soothing even.

"A proposal for me?" Confusion appeared on her face and she heard the man hum in confirmation. "I'm not a crooked cop. Get someone else." She stood up and turned around to leave, but the masked man spoke again.

"I can give you magic, Lilith." She froze in the spot at his words, her brow furrowed in confusion again.

"Magic… doesn't exist." The words came out of her mouth with hesitation as she turned around to face the man again.

"We both know that's not true." He drew a circle with his right index finger and she suddenly felt her body get heavy, so she went to sit again, panting as if she had been running for a while.

"You…" She gulped loudly, feeling like she had been exercising for at least half an hour. "What did you just do?"

"Just a party trick. Nothing much. I made you heavier for a few seconds. I used some magic to change gravity in this room just enough for you to feel compelled to sit again and listen to what I came here to propose. Maybe I overdid it. I apologize. I forgot that, even though you're a witch, you have no magic to boost your body's defenses." Taking deep breaths to calm herself, she started to feel afraid of the man in front of her and how casually he basically told her she could have died right there if he had wanted.

"Do you want me to get you out of here?" Cold sweat started to run down her spine as her breathing got faster.

"No need." He drew a circle again and the handcuffs were suddenly gone. "I'm here because I want to, like I said."

"What do you want me to do, then?" The man stood up and walked towards her. She wanted to move and run away as she saw him getting closer, but her fear had paralyzed her.

"It's a simple task and you will get a benefit from that too." When he finally got close to her, he stopped and put a hand on her head, patting it lightly. "You see, I know many things. I'm almost omniscient." He took away his hand and then turned around. "I know how destiny set you aside to favor someone less deserving and, honestly, it made me feel sad."

"What are you talking about? Officer… Detective Blight deserved the promotion." She spoke, her voice breaking in fear almost at each word.

"I'm not talking about him. You made a silly mistake on the case and he didn't. That was fair." He turned to look at her again, sending shivers down her spine. "I'm talking about your magic." She opened her eyes in realization and surprise, a thing he seemed to notice. "You were supposed to get it, not your sister. You're the real talent, the one with a bigger heart. It made me tear up when I found out about that. Sadly, I wasn't here to correct that mistake. But, now I'm here." He caressed her cheek, making her flinch at the touch.

2021

"Guys, we have a location!" Viney slammed the door open as soon as they got to the troublemaker's lair.

"We found something too. 143, Knee Street." Jerbo said, checking up on his gear to make sure he was ready to move.

"We actually got 358, Head avenue." Luz said, now confused and unsure of which one would be right.

"That's a problem, they're on opposite sides of the city. It will take us a long time to check both." At Jerbo's words, the Latina looked at all of them, trying to think of something, but her brain was just not cooperating as it should, stress blocking her mind.

"Then we will split up." Viney said after a couple of seconds of silence, making everyone look at her. "Werewolf and Abomination will go to the knee and I will take the owl lady with me to the head. It's further away but it will be easy for us to get there with Puddles. We will contact each other once we're there and then again once we find the woman we're looking for." Everyone nodded with a determined look and started to move, not wanting to waste even one second.

And with her heart beating faster than ever, she got on the griffin, praying to get there quick and thinking about how she would kick Raventhorn's ass even if she had to die in the process.

2015

"Alright, kid, time for a break!" Eda shouted to Luz, who was on the other side of the tennis court.

They both sat together at a bench next to the court, panting heavily and sweating a lot. She took a water bottle from a cooler next to her and opened it. King jumped to the bench too and found a seat on the Latina's thighs as said girl started petting him.

"So…" She turned to look at the teenager who spoke with nervousness, arching a brow but not saying anything. "Will you come to my party this weekend?" The kid was suddenly shining with happiness as a huge smile appeared on her face, making her chuckle.

"I'm not sure, kid. Your mom has told me about quinceañera parties and it doesn't sound like a place for an old hag like me." Luz's smile suddenly disappeared and was replaced with a sad expression on her face, making her feel guilty. "But…" She took a deep breath and then sighed, knowing that, just like she had never been able to say no to Camilia, the same thing was starting to happen with the teenager. "If you really want me to be there, I guess I can show up for a couple hours." The smile on the Latina came back even wider and she couldn't help but feel a strange warmth in her chest.

"Yes! Thank you! I'm actually turning sixteen though. And don't worry, I don't have many friends… or any… so, it will actually be a small party." She could feel the sadness Luz tried to hide with her happy tone and couldn't help but put a hand on her shoulder, bringing her closer to her.

"Good. Those are the best parties." In a swift movement, the teenager was hugging her tightly, making her feel that warmth again.

"Of course I'm going too. I can't miss an opportunity to make more subjects for my kingdom." The Latina scratched the demon's belly softly and started talking to him as she just watched, immersed in her thoughts.

Nowadays, as she kept training the girl, she felt a lot of things she never thought she would. The worst of them was guilt. And she didn't feel guilty for the spell that, ultimately, brought the girl to this world, but she felt guilty that she hadn't had the guts to tell Camilia about it and maybe get to know the kid better since she was a baby. After all, and even thought she hid it, Luz was still her daughter and, lately, she had been enjoying their time together as much as she had enjoyed her time with Camilia.

2021

"Griffin, we're here already. We will go in and check the place." Jerbo spoke to the little scroll floating in the air in front of him and, once he had a confirmation that her friend had gotten the message, he made the scroll disappear and looked at the dog witch beside him, both nodding, knowing what they had to do. They casted a spell quickly, getting ready to go in and fight in case they needed to.

Once he was covered in the dirt that made his abomination and Barkus had changed his appearance, they both went inside, carefully looking around to see if there was any sign of danger.

"Please, come in. I have been waiting for you." They heard a man's voice echoing through the place, coming from the second floor and they started walking towards the stairs carefully, looking around to see if there was someone else behind them.

Once they were on the second floor, they could see a man sitting in an old, rusty metal chair. He was wearing a mask and gave off an aura that made both of them shiver, as if their bodies were telling them to leave.

"Where's the woman?" He managed to ask through the weird thing he felt, distorting his voice to try and scare the man.

"Safe. The owl lady will find her soon. Although, I've got to say, I'm disappointed I can only meet two of you today. I expected the little pigeon to be with you. I wanted to have a conversation, but I guess you will have to carry my message to her."

1998

"What do you mean? Why do you care? Who are you?" Lilith asked the man, feeling more uneasy with each second that passed; the room felt as if it was shrinking too.

"I am the emperor and I care because I hate injustice." He went back to sit on the chair where he had been before as she tried to steady her breathing. "I want to create a new world where nothing like that happens again. A world full of magic, where humans and demons can really live peacefully together. It will be a beautiful world."

"How?" Even though she had a lot of questions that was the only one she could voice.

"By rejoining the demon realm with our realm, of course." She furrowed her brow in disbelief.

"The demon realm doesn't exist. That's a story witches tell their kids to make them eat their vegetables." The man chuckled lightly and then stood up again.

"I thought so too, until I found myself on said realm, breaking bread with the creatures I thought were nothing but fantasy." He opened his arms dramatically as his tone changed from a peaceful one to pure anger. "And I found out about the greatest injustice to ever exist! Humans! Conquering and killing the demons that wanted to help them!" He smacked the table, making her flinch in fear as he kept ranting. "They even captured the witches and kept them here, in their filthy realm, making them hide their magic, burning those who dared to disobey!" He took a deep breath and then sat again. "I wish only to bring justice and, in the way, create a world of peace. Yet, I don't want to do this by myself. I want to find more people like you; people with a kind heart who have endured injustice and want to change the world."

2021

"Cami…" Eda started speaking, her head down in shame. "I'm sorry. For everything."

"He sent me money. Every month for eighteen years I received a check from him. Was that a lie too?" Camilia's voice was raspy after crying and she spoke almost in a whisper.

"Yes. I sent those. Remember the first month I doubled the amount? Well, if you think about it, it was right after my toys started to sell better." She heard a giggle that made her raise her head and look at the Latina, sitting on the floor and still tied up by the hands.

"I hated that Hooty plushy. The way the real one talks is horrible, but that toy's voice was hell." They both laughed a little at that as the nurse started to get closer to her on her knees.

"I know. I don't get how kids wanted it so much, but it was good for business." Camilia stopped beside her and sat, resting her head on the wall. "Are you mad at me?"

"For making me have an unplanned baby and making my life even more difficult?" She gulped at her words, guilt making her heart sink. "I'm not mad." She looked at her with surprise and confusion, as if she hadn't been able to hear well. "I love Luz. Sure, it was hard, but I love her more than anything. I was also an accident. I mean, not a magical one, but an accident still, and my parents loved me too. Even if you hadn't use that spell, I could have gotten pregnant from another man and end up in the same situation. And you at least sent money; some guys don't."

"I'm still sorry, though. That night when we did it, I thought you loved me the same way I loved you… still love you. I thought we would be together forever and… I made a really stupid thing." She lowered her head again. Even though Camilia's words made her feel good, they couldn't wash away the guilt she felt.

"I did love you, Eda. The same way you loved me." Her heart jumped in her chest as she looked at the nurse again, ready to ask a lot of questions, but got stopped by her. "You never knew my parents (que en paz descansen)*. They were strict and fearful of god. I always knew I was bisexual, but I was always scared to tell them. I wanted to please them too. I loved them a lot. I wanted to have a family the same way they wanted me to. In the end, I wasn't happy with that and I got dumped by the guy I thought got me pregnant. And to make things worse, forced myself to get away from you because I was afraid I wouldn't be strong enough and I would end up doing something that I could regret…again"

"You said you left to take care of Luz."

"It was true, but not the whole truth. Even after the years had passed, I never contacted you again because I was afraid of what could happen. After my parents passed away, I felt like it would be very awkward between us."

"It sure wasn't awkward when you asked me to train her, though." Her comment made both woman laugh for a couple seconds.

"I was willing to put aside my feelings if it meant that my daughter would be safer when doing her hero stuff."

"You're a very good mother."

"And maybe, if I hadn't been so stupid, you would have been a great mother too. I never saw Luz happier than when she started training with you." She looked at the Latina with a tender smile, as if thanking her for being so forgiving.

"I was happier too. I knew I couldn't tell her, but she's a sweet kid and she's so much like you." The nurse smiled softly too, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.

"Now that I think about it, she's like you too; reckless, childish, stubborn and strong. I should have known there was no way that wimp was her father." A snort came out of her mouth by hearing that.

"I always told you he was no good." Camilia sighed.

"And I knew, but my parents approved of him and I was a coward." They both giggled.

"We can't tell Luz, right?" Her guilt returned quickly, making her look at the floor again.

"I'm not sure. I don't know how she will react but…" She looked at the nurse from the corner of her eye. "That man is still out there, and he knows. If she finds out because of him and not from us…"

"Then, we should get ready for the most awkward conversation we've had in our lives." They both sighed in unison as the Latina nodded slowly.

"I am the Emperor and I have a proposal for you." The man said with his usual calm voice, staying still on his place.

"We don't have time to hear it." Jerbo answered with his voice still distorted.

"As I told you before: Edalyn is safe and the new owl lady is on her way to get her back. I assume she's with your other partner." He stood up from the chair and put her arms behind his back. "Now, please, give me a few minutes of your time." He looked at Barkus who also looked at him with an arched brow and then he nodded, followed by a nod from the werewolf.

"Fine." The masked man took a step forward, making them flinch again, getting ready to fight.

"Easy now." He put a hand up, signaling them to stop. "I just want to have the three of you by my side while I accomplish my dream. And, before you ask, my dream is simple: I want to bring the demon realm to this world again, like how things used to be thousands of years ago."

"Raventhorn works with you?" Jerbo asked, remembering that the one who kidnapped the woman was not him, but the owl lady's archenemy.

"She works for me. She has the same dream I have; a peaceful, magical world." The masked man sat down again and Jerbo could have sworn he heard him pant.

"And you need to sell drugs to accomplish that?" He asked, accusingly.

"I need a lot of funds and that is the easiest way, yes. A little bit of evil to wake the good of the world. There's no light without darkness, my children." The Emperor stood up again, his arms behind his back like before.

"We won't join you in your crimes." The villain sighed in disappointment.

"That's a pity. I know you're masters at the magic you've chosen to control. I've heard the little pigeon is the greatest magical healer that has lived. But I understand and applaud your conviction. I will just ask you to step aside then, because, if you dare to interfere with my business again, I will have to hurt you all, and I don't enjoy violence." They both stood ready to fight again as soon as they heard him.

"Stop that crap. We are going to take you to the police right now." As soon as the words came out of his mouth, the Emperor drew a circle in the air, making him freeze on his place.

"It's a pity you're not as smart as I expected." The dirt that covered him started to fall to the floor and a huge pressure trapped him in the spot, making his whole body ache and his lungs felt like they were not getting any air. "I guess this message can be sent by just one of you." With a lot of effort, he managed to turn his head and look at Barkus, who was back into his dog form and appeared to be in the same situation he was. "The one who actually talks, to avoid misunderstandings." The masked man drew another circle and he stopped feeling the pressure on his body, falling to the floor, panting heavily.

The words the Emperor had said were finally processed by his brain and he quickly turned to look at Barkus again, just in time to see what looked like a wave of air hit him from the ceiling, making him fall to the floor too while he screamed in pain.

"Stop!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, feeling tears of fear and pain pooling on his eyes.

"You will learn not to defy me." He could hear the sound of bones cracking as his friend screamed in agony until another wave hit him. The floor cracked under the pressure, creating a crater as if an asteroid had fallen there, but in the middle there was only Barkus, suffering from the spell casted against him. After that, there was only a yelp and then silence. "I don't take pleasure on killing, but I won't have my plans delayed again by 'heroes' that don't know what they're doing." He turned to look at the man, tears falling down his cheeks and pain all over his body. "Carry my message to the pigeon. I don't want to be disturbed again." And, with a flick of his wrist, the man was gone.

*Que en paz descansen: May they rest in peace.

Hey! So, There are a lot of notes for this chaper.

1) I kinda' made it clear that Lilith was the one on Raventhorn's costume, but there were some of you who thought it might have been Odalia (for a plot twist or something) so, on this chapter, we finally learn it is Lilith (you had too much faith in me, but I'm not that good with plot twists). Also, I said we would learn more about Lilith starting on chapter 9 or so, but we're already learning things, right? Well, I meant we would learn more about her as a character and not just her involvement on the story. But yeah, Lilith is Raventhorn and she has a pretty good reason for that.

2) Gravity magic? Yes. Is it extremely broken? Yes. Will there be a further explanation of it to make it work in order to defeat Bellos? Absolutely. I kinda' used Fujitora's (from One Piece) power for him because I loved that admiral and it is also so broken that even thinking about how someone could defeat it is really hard, but I already have some thoughts so, don't worry.

3) One of the things I want to get into the story (and I already started with Camilia's parents) is the duality of love. As you know, in real life we are very complex beings. There can't be hate if there was never love and things like that. Basically, what I want to explain is how, sometimes, parents (and people) do things they think are right for their children when, in reality, they're hurting their children without realizing it or because they think a little bit of hurt helps you grow. That is the point I wanted to make here with Camilia; your parents might love you a lot but, they might also hurt you without knowing and it doesn't mean they're bad parents because, just like everyone, they're constantly learning and one mistake doesn't define them or their personalities.

4) And lastly, what I hinted back on chapter 4: Someone died. Yes, this is that kind of story and someone else is going to die (but it will take a long while to get there). Now, you might think that killing Barkus was a minor thing but, as you will see in the future, it will have immense consecuences for the plot.

And well, that's it for now. As I said last chapter: the reason I posted two chapters this week is because I don't think I'll be able to post a new one next week since I'm moving to a new place so, I won't be seeing you until (at least) next sunday.

I hope you're liking the story so far!