Disclaimer: I do not own Owl House it is a copy right disney property
Author's note: Hello Everyone, as you may know I have been writing an Owl House fanfic following My OC Aidan son of Eda the owl Lady. Well I had this idea for a new fanfic that will run in tandem with it. This one will follow the events of Season 1 but with a lot of changes. I hope you enjoy and please a leave a comment if you want.
Lilith's Ward Book 1
Chapter 1: A Failed Escape
The Emperor's Coven patrol walked past Mason Fairweather, unaware that the teen was hidden behind a column. The castle of Emperor Belos was dimly-lit by torchlight. Strange tapestries depicting the history of the Emperor's conquests adorned the wall. Mason found them unsettling.
"Okay, let's do this." He ran down the hall and turned a corner. He knew that this path would lead to a window, which would guarantee his liberation from his captors. He made it to the window and unlatched it. The wind howled and a cool breeze nipped at his face. He could taste the promises of the outside world. He was going to be free. He was going home. Mason's round ears perked up when he heard the muttering of two guards having a conversation. He jumped out the window and hung on the edge. He listened to them talk, hoping they would pass soon.
"Hey Phil?" one asked.
"Yes Andy?"
"Is this window supposed to be open?"
Mason took in a deep breath. He fought the urge to let out a cry.Please don't close the window, he thought, picturing them crushing his fingers and sending him down the ravine.
"Just leave it! I'm burning up in this garb."
Mason let out a sigh of relieve. He made his climb back on the ledge of the window and traced a spell circle. To think, he thought, being able to do magic is what got me captured in the first place. Well, now it's going to get me back home. After his magical preparations were completed a pair of illusory wings appeared on each of Mason's arms. He gave a few test flaps to reassure himself. He took one last took down at the spike-filled chasm. One miscalculation and I am toast. Now I wish I paid more attention in class.
Mason breathed in and out repeatedly. "Okay, on the count of three. One–"
"Hey! who is that on the window!?"
"–Three!" Mason jumped out and flapped like his life depended on it… because it kind of did. He was half-way down the ravine, about to be impaled, before a gust of wind saved him, pushing him high into the air. Mason smiled. He let his wings do their job and the sun's warm rays filled him with joy. Finally, I did it. After all the failed escape attempts. I'm finally free. No more Lilith. No more emperor… It's just me and my dad. I hope he can forgive me for not being there.
"Ha ha, wow! Yeah! So long suckers! I am free as a bi– Oh god is that a bird!" A monstrous creature with the body of a lion and the head of a vulture screeched out its war cry, aiming its razor-sharp talons at Mason. "No, no, shit, shit!" Mason panicked, flapping erratically, trying to get away. The beast slammed into Mason, striking at his makeshift wings. Despite Mason's attempts it tore one off completely. He tried to maintain altitude with the futile flapping of a single wing. He descended down into the chasm of death screaming: "Help me suckers!"
This is it. I am going to die. I'm never going to see my dad again. I'll never see any of my friends again. I wish I could see the town of Salem one last time. I guess if I were gonna have a choice in my last words I think I would want them to be: "Screw you Lilith!"
"You rang?" said the playful voice of a woman dressed in black robes. She raised her hand, encasing Mason in a blue sphere that levitated in sky.
Mason watched as the monstrosity flew off into the distance. He turned to find himself face to face with the woman who had been assigned as his teacher. He bore no small amount of hatred for her.
"Now that you've had your daily escape attempt, we can begin your lessons."
"You know you could just let me go and no one would ever believe that I was here. We could part ways now and I'll never bother you again. You must get tired of thwarting these escape attempts as much as I hate planning them."
"Not at all. I actually look forward to what your pitiful mind thinks up," she said, her voice confident and calm.
"Well, can't blame a guy for trying."
"Why would you even want to leave? I mean, you're being given an opportunity that many of this world would die for. I know I would be grateful for the chance to study under the head of the Emperor's Coven."
"Yeah. It's hard to be grateful when you've been held captive for six months."
"Semantics. The emperor told me to train you and I shall do as he commands."
The sphere followed Lilith's staff as it flew off, leading Mason to the training room. The bubble dissipated with a pop, dropping Mason to the floor.
"Now get dressed. It's time to prepare for your daily regimen," Lilith commanded, throwing the boy his magic-proof cloak and training wand.
Mason fastened the clasp to his shirt. It had a witch flying through the sky with a moon in the background, a tourist shirt. It was one of the few things Mason had left from his time in Salem. He did his stretches and warm-ups. "Alright, I'm good. I'm feeling loose… That's something you can relate to, right Lilith?"
"Charming. Now show me your fire magic."
"And what if I don't feel like it?"
Lilith made a few steps toward her student, grabbing the collar of his shirt. "I understand that you're not happy here, but, maybe you would feel more comfortable in actual witch wear. Maybe I should just get rid of anything that's reminiscent of your past life. You know, so you don't have to remember something you can never go back to."
"You can't do that!" It was all I have left of home. I'd rather die than give it up.
"Can't I?"
"Please don't. I'll do whatever you say. Just, don't take away my stuff. It's all I have left."
"Very well. How well you do with your exercises will decide what I do with your human memorabilia."
"Thank you."
"Fire circles now!"
Mason traced three spell circles from which emerged flaming pillars. They were a clean burning flame with a healthy glow.
Lilith nodded and made a few steps toward Mason. "Very good, now abominations!"
Mason groaned and traced a circle summoning a perfect abomination. The purple humanoid made of ooze lumbered in front of Mason. He had an idea. "Abomination Attack!" he commanded.
The creature charged at Lilith who instantly destroyed it. "I will say that your abomination magic is improving. I'll give you a 75 out of 100."
"Yay! I get a passing grade from the great and powerful Lilith."
"Barely. Now let's see how you heal."
"Ouch!" A cut appeared on Mason's hand. It was small but blood leaked out like rain from a barrel. Mason traced a spell circle and the wound closed, leaving a small scar that looked like it had been healed for weeks.
"Very funny. What if I just opened a vein and died? How would your emperor feel about that?"
"I would have to save you before it went that far."
"Anyone ever tell you that you're kind of a bitch?"
"I have been told. Now let's see you do plant magic!"
Mason traced another circle and out of it came a huge plant monster. Its body was like a venus fly-trap and it had six huge thorny vines. It struck at Lilith who dodged and cut it down with another spell.
"73 out of 100, you are improving. I'm so proud." Lilith smirked.
"I don't think that has anything to do with you. So don't feel too good." Mason prepared for her next request, but stopped when he noticed her glaring at him.
"Oh no? You think I'm doing a bad job as a teacher?"
"It's not that you are a bad teacher… I mean, you are, but, that isn't the reason I think that your 'aid' in my education has been minimal. I'm just motivated more by the fact that as soon as I get strong enough I'll be able to leave this nightmare of a place."
"You're assuming that a human like you will ever be able to reach a level that no witch could ever hope to achieve." Lilith summoned her staff and twirled it in the air. She slammed the butt of the rod to the ground with a clang. "But, I'll humor you. How would you like a chance to take your freedom?"
"I'm listening." Mason eyed the witch, trying to suss out if this was another one of her tricks.
"If you win the bet I will let you go, but if I win you stay here forever." She summoned a contract, traced a circle, and placed her hand inside.
"So, you're serious? You must be if you're breaking out the witch pact circle. Fine. I'll beat you and go straight home." Mason took the witch's hand, feeling the power binding them in agreement. He then signed the contract and it disappeared.
"Now, let's begin." Lilith used her staff to summon fire, shooting it toward Mason. Mason managed to dodge, receiving a few singe marks as reward for his quick reflexes.
"So it's a fight huh? Pretty sneaky, but it doesn't mean you'll win." Mason summoned newly innovated spell. He traced a circle from which shot a razor-sharp disk.
Lilith gracefully dodged out of the way. "Is that all you can do, little human?"
"I haven't even gotten started!" Mason used his will to make the disk return to Lilith's position. The witch once again dodged but this time Mason had traced two more; both were about to make impact.
Lilith evaded the spell razors. "This is impressive Mason, but do you think you can maintain control over all three?"
"I will admit this is a bit of a strain, but I think there's room for one more." Mason summoned his fourth spell razor and shot it at Lilith. Using his mind he called the other three to converge, cutting off her escape. The razors made impact but Lilith was not hit. A blue spell barrier had appeared around her, blocking the razors.They didn't even make a dent in that thing!
"My turn." Lilith dispelled the barrier and used her spell circles to summon each of the four elements.
The young human had to try and summon a barrier. He did so but not before he took the brunt of the damage. Enraptured in pain, he fell to his knees. Lilith stepped up to him smirking in victory.
"Do you submit?"
"Not when I have an ace up my sleeve."
"Huh, what are yo–" Lilith felt it and snapped her head to the side, the spell razor disk barely missed her head clipping a few strands of her hair and leaving a small cut on her cheek. "That was very clever but I'm afraid it did not save you from defeat."
"The razor wasn't my ace… it was a distraction!" Mason had already traced another spell circle. It also consisted of the four elements, mimicking Lilith's attack.
Lilith tried to summon her barrier but it was too late. She was too close. The blast pushed the witch back, engulfing her in a bright flash of energy. She crumbled to the ground, her body broken. She could barely move.
Mason rose and wobbled toward her. His legs were like lead. He looked at the fallen witch with that same smirk she had given him. "Do you submit?"
Lilith tried to force herself up but fell back down. "I do," she admitted.
Mason was surprised. Iid I hear her right? She gave up!? He jumped for joy, shouting in excitement. "Yes, I did it. I told you. Now if you would point me to the nearest portal to the human world, I will gladly be out of your hair post-haste."
Lilith cackled in a strained voice, confusing Mason.
"What's so funny? You lost. I'm going home!"
"You're not going anywhere! You are the one who has lost!" She screeched out, still taunting Mason with her laughter.
"What are you talking about? Is this supposed to be a joke?"
Lilith summoned the contract and threw it at Mason. "Read it and see your folly."
Mason looked over the contract and his eyes widened. "No. This isn't fair! I won the fight!"
"But you lost the bet. The contract stipulates that the contest would be a test as to my teaching ability. If you had beaten me in a witch's duel then it would prove that you were thriving under my tutelage and would thus lose the bet."
"You tricked me!" Mason roared, grinding his teeth until his jaw hurt.
"I guess there are few things you have left to learn. Welcome to the Boiling Isles Mason. I think you're going to like it here… considering it's now your home."
Mason collapsed to the ground, his body shaking. He could barely formulate words.
"I think this is where our training ends for today. Get some rest Mason. You'll need it for tomorrow. Your regimen is going to be intensified."
Guards led Mason to his room. As soon as he was inside, he tore it apart. He ripped posters from the wall, turned his table upside down, and struck the wall grunting in rage. Mason calmed himself and sliding into a corner. He cried.
He reached into his pocket for the one thing that gave him solace: a photo from when he was four. There was his father, who had supported him throughout his life. Mason knew he must be worried sick because of his son's absence. There was also his mother, who would laugh at what has happened to Mason. She had always hated him. He was never good enough. And finally he saw his big sister, whose memory brought only pain. "Good night sissy. At least you're in a better place." Mason clenched the photo lovingly until sleep finally overtook him.