Hey!

Back with Part 2 of "The Intruders" chapter.

First, I'll remind all of you that I DO NOT OWN Jujutsu Kaisen/Sorcery Fight OR The Owl House. Those glories belong to their creators Gege Akutami & Dana Terrace

Without further ado, I present the latest chapter.


Chapter 5: The Intruders, Part 2

Back inside the house, having disobeying Kugisaki's order to stay outside the building, Luz and King were bracing themselves with "armor". In there case though, rubber gloves, pillows & band aids. Luz armed herself with a hockey stick for a weapon and the short demon grabbed his stuffed rabbit, Francois.

As the two made their way up the stairs, with Luz's phone on flashlight mode, they were hoping to see or hear any signs of Eda, Itadori or Kugisaki. They made it to Eda's room to see it slightly thrashed and the shattered window that the creature came in towards. Both of them were scared to see the nest/bed they laid Eda on had no witch in it.

Luz: Oh my gosh, Eda!

King: She got snaggle-backed.

Eda's disappearance left their thoughts as soon as a voice caught them by surprise.

?: What the hell?

Luz & King: Ah! (Luz and King hug and turn around to the voice)

To their relief, it was only Kugisaki.

Kugisaki: I told you two to stay outside.

King: The King of Demons obeys no one!

(Kugisaki angrily stares at King)

King: Ah! Scary Face! (Hides behind Luz)

Luz: Look, we're sorry for coming in, but we can't just do nothing. Eda's gone!

Kugisaki walked over to Eda's nest and confirmed what Luz & King said about Eda disappearing. She also noticed how thrashed the room is. However, one thing perplexed her.

Kugisaki: Something's not right. There's definite signs of some sort of struggle. But, if whatever snuck in here really attacked the witch, how come there's no blood?

Luz and King just stayed behind by the sorcerer as she examined the scene. Luz was standing behind Kugisaki and King was sitting against the wall. Bad move on King's end though. He didn't realize that coming through the wall was a pair of scary looking hands with long & pointy black nails.

King: WEH!

Both Luz and Kugisaki turned around to see King being lifted up by his head. The thing holding him up, a hairy looking creature with long hairless arms and legs, a big mouth & teeth, and two eyes poking out its head with three holes at the top of its head.

Luz didn't know what to think of this creature. In all her time living in the Demon Realm, she hasn't seen anything like it. Kugisaki on the other hand, knew what it was as soon as she sensed a certain aura from it.

Kugisaki: Luz get behind me! It's a curse!

Luz quickly did what she was told.

Luz: How did it get in here? What about the barrier?

Kugisaki: It must have phased its way through the barrier. That witch made it to keep boiling rain and demons out. It doesn't apply to curses.

After explaining that to Luz, Nobara readied her hammer to attack. However, the curse pointed a finger at the base of King's neck. This resulted in Kugisaki hesitating as she learned something about this spirit.

Kugisaki: He's holding him hostage?! This curse…. Can think!


Back at Jujutsu High, with the boiling rain pouring outside, Gojo and Fushiguro continued talking about Itadori & Kugisaki. Gojo currently shared what he figured what the two first-years would be up against.

Gojo: It's not just the level nor is it about cursed energy. Cunning! A curse that has intelligence often sprouts from a ruthless choice. A choice between life and death!


Back with Kugisaki, Luz, King and the curse, Luz was scared, but wondering why Kugisaki was hesitating saving King. If she could see the look on Kugisaki's face, she'd think otherwise.

Luz: Nobara, what are you doing?! King needs you!

The sorcerer knew that, but has never been in a hostage situation before. She didn't know whether to stop and think of another way to save King or to just go for it and risk King's life.

Kugisaki: Crap, crap CRAP! This curse isn't even that tough. It's a Grade 4. Maybe even a Lower Grade 3 at Best! And it understands that! It's taking King hostage because it knows that. I gotta be calm! If I die, King and Luz have no hope. But if King dies, mine and Luz's chances of survival won't be affected. I have to be rational. This job is about doing what's best for humanity. I have to survive!

Kugisaki wanted to be rational. It was best to just forget King and do what's best for herself and Luz, her fellow human. But if that was true, her hand holding her hammer wouldn't be shaking.

Even though she didn't know him very well, and despite him not being human, King is still a living being. And given how small he is, a pretty young one at that.

While King was being held captive, he could see the looks on both Luz and Nobara's faces. Luz was worried way more than she was when they learned Eda is missing. Nobara tried to look fierce, but King could see sweat coming off her forehead, trying to figure out what to do. He saw that she had a hammer ready to use on this curse, but was surprised that she wasn't using it right now. Is it because she's worried about hurting King too?

Over with Luz, she focused on King. Making sure that the curse's knife like nail wasn't getting any closer to King's neck. She slightly glanced at Kugisaki, wondering why she wasn't doing anything. Luz said to King before they re-entered the house that if a curse showed up, she and King would let Kugisaki and Yuji take care of it. But with King captured by a curse and Kugisaki forced to take the reigns and taking so much time deciding what to do, Luz panicked more than she already was. Did the Latina misplace her trust?

Weighing in all of her options, the sorcerer made her decision.

(Kugisaki drops her hammer, nails & work belt)

(Kugisaki raises her arms up)

Kugisaki: I got nothing. Let the demon go. I'm such an idiot!

Both Luz and King were surprised by the sorcerer's action. Given how bold and brash Nobara was, they figured she was confident enough to take on any challenge. But from their perspective, it seemed like she had just given up. Was she 100% certain the curse would just let King go? Is she taking a gamble?

The curse responded by grinning and NOT lightening its grip on King's head.

Kugisaki, realizing her gamble wouldn't end as she hoped for, felt pissed.

Kugisaki: Guh….. I knew it wouldn't be that easy.

Although he didn't want to move to much closer to the curse's nail, King was frustrated.

King: Seriously? What the heck!

For Luz, she seemed a little heart-broken.

Luz: Nobara…

The sorcerer looked down as she felt the disappointment from Luz, King and herself as well. When she figured the curse would finish them all off, she said some final words for herself.

Kugisaki: I wish….. I could've seen Saori one last time.

Just when all hope seemed lost…

SMASH

Everyone's eyes widened, including the curse, as they noticed a fist smash through the wall just next to the curse itself. A voice from the other side of the wall made all of them realize it was the other sorcerer, Yuji Itadori.

Itadori: Huh? Did I miss?

After that, Itadori forced himself through the wall and was ready for some action.

The curse, although shocked, was about to slit King's neck. Too bad for it though, Yuji was quick and used his Slaughter Demon blade to slice through the curse's arm. The arm left the curse's body and the hand around King's head finally let the demon go. Yuji caught King in his arms.

Itadori: You okay King?

King was too impressed by Yuji's brute strength before answering the question.

King: Yeah, I'm good.

Quickly, the curse ran from Itadori, dashed past Nobara and Luz and jumped through the already broken window.

Itadori: He's getting away!

Both Luz and King worried that if that creature escaped, then they would have more than that first creature they saw at the door to worry about. It had no problem using one of them as a hostage, what's stopping it from doing it again when given the chance. Luckily for them, Kugisaki won't give it that chance.

Kugisaki: Get back here! Itadori! Give me that arm!

Itadori, Luz and King turned to look at the severed arm that the pink-haired teen cut off earlier from the curse. As Yuji tossed her the arm, their curiosity grew more when the female sorcerer pulled out what looked like a doll and placed it on top of the arm.

Itadori: A straw doll? Creepy.

Luz: What are you doing?

Everyone would get an answer soon enough.

(Kugisaki pulls out a nail and imbues it with cursed energy. Kugisaki readies her hammer right behind the floating nail.)

Kugisaki: Straw Doll Technique! RESONANCE!

(Kugisaki slams the nail with the hammer as it pierces both the doll and the curses arm)

Curse: GA! AHHHH! AGH!

Luz and King ran to the window to see the source of the shrieks of pain. To their surprise, it was the curse that just tried to escape. Except, it had nails through its body and it quickly turned into ashes.

Unsure of what they just saw, they turned back to Kugisaki, certain that she was the one who just finished off the curse. Soon, it changed into another argument between her and Itadori.

Kugisaki: See! I told you it was dangerous to go alone!

Itadori: Huh? You never said that!

Kugisaki: You were already going at it before I warned you!

Itadori: I didn't hear you complain when we split up in the woods!

Kugisaki: Yes I… Wait, didn't I?

Kugisaki: Besides. What the heck are ya eating that you can bust through a wall?!

Itadori: It's not like it was a cement wall!

Kugisaki: Not the point! It's still impossible.

Luz and King decided to step in.

Luz: Hey, hi. Uh, not to interrupt this "discussion" between you two, but, what the heck was that?! Did you do voodoo or something?

Kugisaki: Sort of. My technique involves creating a link through my cursed energy using my strawdoll or nails and a part of the curse to cause damage to said curse.

Luz, although still confused about cursed energy, began to understand Kugisaki's power. Especially when comparing it to voodoo, a practice Luz HAS heard of. The demon on the other hand.

King: I don't really know what you did, but as long as that thing is gone, I'm not complaining.

Unfortunately, their troubles aren't over yet.

SHRIEKS

King: AH!

Kugisaki: Don't relax yet. That curse I just exorcised isn't the same one from earlier by Hooty.

Luz: How do you know that?

Kugisaki: The cursed energy. This one had cursed energy similar to any curse. The one from earlier though, had a very unique and different cursed energy. It's still in this house.

While King and Luz gulped, Itadori was nervous, but ready to face whatever it was. Luz was more worried though about the whereabouts of her mentor.

Luz: But what about Eda? We have to at least make sure she's okay.

Kugisaki: Itadori, you were chasing after that thing first. Did you find Eda anywhere?

Itadori: No. When I jumped in through the window, it had already got away. I tried to look for Eda, but I couldn't find her while I was looking around this floor.

Kugisaki: In that case, (Looks at Luz and King) we need to get you two back outside and away from that curse.

Luz and King were quick to refuse.

Luz: I'm not leaving until I know Eda is safe.

King: Yeah, and I'm not leaving until I see that demon up close.

(Luz looks at King)

King: Oh, and making sure Eda is safe.

Kugisaki was frustrated and figured she could use Itadori to drag them outside since his strength could easily let him do so. However, she didn't want to leave Luz and King in the hands of Itadori, someone with less Jujutsu experience, in case the they ran into that creature.

Kugisaki: (Sighs) Fine. King, if you want to see that "demon" so badly, then you're coming with me. But you are to stay on my shoulder the whole time. Got it?

The demon would rather go "demon hunting" with Luz, but, if he wanted to teach Luz what he knew about demons, it would be best if he got a closer look at the creature to know exactly what it was before teaching Luz. Even though he was hesitant to trust Kugisaki after she "gave up" saving him when that curse captured him, he figured being with her would be as good a chance he got at seeing the monster, considering how she took care of that curse from earlier.

King: Ok fine. But if you're gonna kill that thing, at least let me get a good look at it before you do.

Nobara knew that at this point, it was better to just say yes instead of arguing. Even if King is cute, he can be stubborn.

Kugisaki: Fine. Itadori, you look after Luz and try to find the witch. Once you two find her, I want you leave the house, but still stay within the forcefield.

Itadori: Right.

Luz wasn't sure if leaving King with Nobara was such a good idea given the hostage situation earlier. But so long as King doesn't separate from the sorcerer, he should be fine. She's also fine working with Yuji since she gets along better with him than Nobara.

Luz: Okay.

King hopped on Kugisaki's shoulder and the four of them left Eda's room and walked down the hall. As the hall divided into two paths, Yuji and Luz walked down one while Nobara, with King on her shoulder, walked down the other.


As she was walking, keeping her guard up in case she sensed any curses, Kugisaki could feel great distance between her and King even though he was on top of her shoulder.

Kugisaki: Look, if you're mad about what happened earlier with that curse-

King: Me? Mad? Nooooo. Why would I be mad about being captured by some gross looking thing and having someone who deals with curses just give up in trying to save me?

Kugisaki: I didn't give up! I just….. have never been in that situation before. The curses I've dealt with before could barely tell up from down. I've never encountered one that actually knew what it was doing.

King slowly began to understand the predicament she went through earlier. She simply never experienced something like that before. Heck, maybe if King noticed that curse sooner, he wouldn't have gotten captured. Of course, King being himself, said differently from what he felt.

King: Well, Yuji did get me away from that thing and you finished it off. So as long as you don't let it happen again, I grant you mercy.

Kugisaki continued walking, but inside, she smiled a bit. Despite only knowing him for a few hours, she could see that he was thankful. In just a few seconds though, that inner smile would change as soon as she felt a creeping feeling.

(Kugisaki stops walking before they approach a corner.)

Kugisaki: (Whispers to King) Hey, don't let go of my shoulder.

King: (Whispers) Why? Do you hear something? Is it that demon that attacked Hooty?

Kugisaki: No. But it's definitely giving off cursed energy.

Walking out of the corner is a creature that's walking on all fours. As if taking the shape of a big lizard, it had no head, but all it had for a face was a big eyeball and mouth….. on what looks like its back.

Curse: Keeeys…where…. are my… keys?

Clearly it was a curse. King was creeped out by it and Kugisaki readied herself with her hammer and a few nails. The curse leaned its face towards the two to make contact with its one eye. Kugisaki immediately imbued cursed energy into the nails, ready to strike.

Until…..

Kugisaki felt an unusual presence that she recognized right away. The same creature from before was quickly approaching behind her and King, ready to strike.

There was a curse right in front of her and an unknown being quickly making its way towards her from behind.

Kugisaki: Damn, it'll be seconds before that thing jumps at me from behind. Meanwhile (Looks at the lizard curse) I've got this bastard to deal with.

She doubted she could handle two enemies at the same time approaching from different directions AND make sure King was okay. But in a second, she had an idea.

Kugisaki: King, I'm sorry, but relax your grip on me.

King: Huh? What are you-

(Kugisaki throws King off her shoulder and into the hallway the curse crawled out of)

King: AHHH!

While the curse eyed King above it, it should've paid attention to the Jujutsu sorcerer instead.

WHACK

Kugisaki quickly got next to the curse and whacked it on its head/face with her hammer. The curse fumbled and Kugisaki quickly impaled its hands and into the wooden floor with two of her nails.

Kugisaki: That'll hold him down for a while. He won't be able to move so long as my curse energy keeps coursing through the nails. Now…

Kugisaki looks to see King land in the hallway the curse just walked out from. She then turns her head slightly to see what she was expecting. Although still covered in shadow, she recognized the same shape and energy as the creature from before. The creature was just over Kugisaki with the intent to attack. Kugisaki quickly drew out more nails and was ready to run them through this beast.

Kugisaki: Gotcha! No way you can dodge me this close up you creepy ass thing!

Before she struck her nails, she got a good look at the face of the monster. What she saw caused her to widen her eyes.

Kugisaki: Y-You're-

SMACK

(The beast uses one of its hands to backhand Kugisaki right at the side of her head, causing her to fly a couple feet away from King before tumbling over the ground.)

King: Nobara!

King quickly scampered to the girl who just saved him. He looked over to her and sees she has been knocked out. He showed concern and was worried if she was ok.

King: Nobara? Nobara wake up!

SHRIEKS

King directed his gaze towards the source of that shriek. It was the monster that they were all looking for. King was worried that the beast would make its way over to him and the knocked out sorcerer. However, what he saw next surprised him. Instead of coming over to them, the beast focused on the curse that Kugisaki trapped earlier.

King: What the?

The creature then lunges at the curse and begins scratching and biting at the apparition. While it was, it was taking pieces of the curse, putting them in its mouth and swallowing it down.

King: Wait, it's…. eating the curse?

Although he was confused, King realized this was the only chance he got to get him and Kugisaki to safety. It's the least he could do, considering what she did to save him from both beings earlier.

King put his arms under Kugisaki's arms and with all his little strength, pulled her down the hall and away from sight. King noticed an empty door and opened it up to see its just a closet. He pulled Kugisaki in it and closed the door with her still inside, hoping to hide her from the monster. Now, he had to think of what to do next.

King: Ok King, even though you can conquer any demon, whatever that is more than you can handle. You need help.

King scampered away from the closet and called for help.

King: Luz! Yuji! We got a problem, Nobara is knocked out!

To his surprise, he couldn't hear any response from either Luz or Yuji.

King: Luz? Yuji? Why aren't you answering? (Gasps) That thing got them!

King could feel chills up his spine as he notice a shadow passed by him down the hall. Even though it just knocked out Kugisaki, he refused to let it get away, so he chased it down.

King: You craven beast! Give me back my boo-boo buddies!

King turns a corner to see a door close. King realized that it was the same closet he left Kugisaki in.

King: (Gasps) Nobara!

Just outside of that door is a shoe. Luz's shoe.

King: Luz?

(King opens the closet)

As he scanned the room, he noticed Nobara was missing.

King: Oh no.

He then notice something hiding behind the coats. Although scared, he approached it.

King: There's nowhere for you to run.

(Opens the coats)

To his surprise, he finds a pink creature with a spikey turtle-like shell that was just about his height, short. It also had its hands on its head, eyes closed and shaking with fear. Based on appearance, King knew what it was.

King: Snaggleback? Wow! You are a lot shorter in person.

Snaggleback: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just needed a place to hide from the rain. And apparently, cursed spirits too. Those things give me the creeps.

King: Then why did you break down our door, knock Nobara out cold, and take Luz & Yuji? That's not cool man. Bad Snaggleback!

Snaggleback: I didn't do any of that stuff. I snuck in through a window just now.

The demon lord was confused by the shelled demon's explanation.

King: Huh? Well, if it wasn't you, then what…..

(CRASH)

(A shadowy arm grabs the Snaggleback through a hole in the ceiling)

Snaggleback: Oh no, A Twist!

(Banging on Door)

(King shrieks)

King turned around to see the door creak open and the same shadowy creature he and everyone saw before. If the Snaggleback was just trying to hide, then what was this thing? A cursed spirit? A demon he's never seen before? Whatever it was, he probably wouldn't get a chance to find out.

(Monster Snarls and spits out the Snagglebacks shell.)

(Monster Roars)

King: Oh my…

(The creature approaches King)

King: Stay back. Hey, hey. I'm the King of Demons, okay? And as such, I demand you to barf my friends back up.

The beast was ready to slash King with its sharp claws. But before it could…

(A figure tackles the beast into the wall)

King was surprised until he recognizes the person that bravely did the feat, a teenage boy with pink hair.

King: Yuji!

Itadori: King, RUN!

King quickly did as he was told and bolted out of the closet and into the hallway. As he was running, Yuji noticed the creature getting back up.

Itadori: As much as I want to take this thing out, I have to make sure King is completely out of harms way.

Yuji got away from the beast with lighting speed and quickly caught up to King and scoop him up in his arms.

Itadori: Hold on!

The teenager ran as fast as he could through the halls to make sure the beast would lose track. Once he was certain that he bought himself some time, he ran to a certain destination.

Itadori ran into a room as soon as he did, someone else was quick to close the door behind them so the monster wouldn't see them. When the monsters footsteps were out of hearing range, Itadori turned around with King in his arms so the little demon could see who helped them out, his other boo-boo buddy.

King: Luz?

Luz: King. Oh, I'm so glad you're safe. Thanks for finding him Yuji.

Itadori: No problem. Of course, we might have a problem if that thing finds us here.

King looked around and saw that they were back in Eda's room. He also noticed Kugisaki was also in the room, but still knocked out, with elastic wrap tied around the top of her head.

King: Nobara.

Itadori: Don't worry, she's still breathing. She's just knocked out. We applied some first aid to her.

King: Oh, good. Wait (Looks at Luz & Yuji), where did you two go?

Luz: We couldn't find Eda anywhere. We heard something going on upstairs so we ran back up and found Nobara in a closet. So we ran here to make sure she was ok. I also tripped and lost my shoe. (Looks at the shoe King was holding) But it looks like you found it.

King and Itadori notice a piece of paper stuck on Luz's foot.

King: Wait, what's that? (Takes the paper off Luz's foot)

The demon then read what was on the paper.

King: "KEEPS THE CURSE AT BAY"?

Itadori: Curse? Wait, what keeps it at bay?

King gasped in realization.

King: The Elixir!

He pulls out a tag from his collar and realizes that the paper on Luz's foot was the other half of the tag from Eda's elixir bottle.

King: "AN ELIXIR A DAY KEEPS THE CURSE AT BAY."

Luz: Curse? Wait, what are you trying to say.

Itadori: Wait, so, Eda drinks that stuff… to keep curse spirits away from her? Like a repellent?

King: No. It's not that. I was wrong the whole time. Nobara was right the whole time, it's not a demon. But It's not a cursed spirit either. That creature is….

SMASH

Everyone gasped as a clawed hand smashed its way through the door and eventually, the creature itself made itself through. Once it did, everyone got a good look at the beast. It had darkish gray fur/feathers over its body with dark wings and feet with sharp nails similar to a bird's talons. It's ears were pointed and had black-colored eyes with pointed ears and a mouth with sharp teeth. What really surprised the humans was the beasts facial structure and a very familiar looking gem on its chest.

Luz & Itadori: EDA?!

The beastly form of the witch made its way towards them with the intention to strike. Itadori, now realizing it was Eda stood up with his arms out to block her from Luz and King. He didn't realize the creature he tackled and hit was the witch he befriended.

Luz raised her arms up in fear. She failed to notice her phone fell out of her pocket and resulted in the flashlight going off. This caused the monstrous Eda to cover her eyes in pain from the light.

Realizing they had an opening, Yuji looked at Luz and tilted his head towards the little wall with flower pots on it. Luz nodded in agreement and grabbed King while Yuji picked up Kugisaki and made their way up and over the wall.

Once Eda could see it again, it roared and once again looked for her prey. It peaked over the wall, unaware that Luz, King, Itadori & the unconscious Kugisaki were right below her head.

Itadori: Damn it. I can't fight Eda without hurting her. But if I don't do something, she'll hurt Luz, Kugisaki and King.

While the vessel didn't know what to do, Luz used a tin can next to her and threw it away from her in an attempt to mislead Eda.

(Eda Roars)

Luz's quick thinking worked as Eda took the bait and ran towards the sound and away from them. Both she and Yuji checked to see if she was gone.

Luz: Oh man. Did you see her eyes? They were like….. AHHH. What happened to her?

King: Don't you see? The elixir I gave you doesn't give Eda powers. It prevents her from turning into that thing.

Itadori: So then, when she turns into that thing, she… becomes a curse? That must be why Kugisaki said the cursed energy she sensed earlier wasn't one she's faced before. It's because it's cursed energy… from a witch.

Yuji realized that in a way, Eda is suffering similarly to him. As he's going through being a vessel for the deranged cursed spirit, Sukuna, Eda is going through the same thing, only with a predatory owl curse spirit.

King: She's turned into a nightmare and it's all my fault. I'm so sorry guys. I just wanted you guys to be into demons like you're into magic (Looks at Luz) or curses (Looks at Yuji). I don't have many friends, and no one even pays that much attention to me. I thought maybe if I taught you, finally someone would care about creatures like me.

Luz: Well, we're just going to have to finish the lesson.

King: Huh?

Luz: You're just going to have to teach us about demons once we turn Eda back.

King: But, Eda's become a curse. I don't know anything about curses.

Luz: I don't either. (Looks at Itadori) So Yuji, you're going to have to teach us how to beat Eda.

Itadori: Huh? Woah hold on. I'm just as new to curses as you guys are.

Luz: But you've encountered curses before right?

Itadori: This is different though. I can't punch, kick or use this blade (takes out Slaughter Demon) without seriously hurting Eda.

Both Luz and King understood why Yuji was hesitant in this situation. None of them want to hurt Eda. But they couldn't just leave her as she was.

Just then, King thought back to when Eda seemed to be in pain from earlier before he, Luz and Yuji got away from her.

King: Wait, Eda had black eyes.

Itadori: So?

King: So, demons like that are usually very sensitive to light.

Itadori realized what King was saying.

Itadori: That's it! Luz, your phone. The flash from it earlier blinded Eda.

King: Yeah! Luz, if you use that rectangle, maybe we can stun Eda long enough to change her back without hurting her.

Luz liked the idea, but she wouldn't be able to do the job.

Luz: I can't. My camera's all blasted.

King: Yuji, you're a human. Don't you have one of those rectangles.

Itadori: Yeah, (reaches into his pocket) let me…

As he searched his pockets, the male human realized his phone wasn't in there. He realized it when he must have lost it. During his latest physical encounter with the Owl Lady/Beast.

Itadori: Damn it. I think it must have slipped out of my pocket when I tackled Eda earlier in the hallway.

(Luz and King sigh)

(King looks at Kugisaki)

King: What about her (Points to Kugisaki)?

Luz walked over to the knocked out girl and checked her pockets to see if she had a phone on her. The Latina looked excited when she felt a rectangle. But that happiness was short lived when she took it out and realized Eda's attack hurt more than Kugisaki's head.

(Luz shows Yuji and King a damaged phone).

King: Oh come on!

Although frustrated, the demon had another idea.

King: What about that light spell?

Luz: (Sighs) You both saw me. I can't draw circles in the air. (Looks at her phone) Not like Eda.

Luz looks back at the video she recorded of Eda's lesson about casting spells. As the video was showing static, Luz gasped as she notices a symbol right where Eda was casting the spell circle. Looking over her shoulder, both Itadori and King noticed it too.

Itadori: What is that? That symbol?

Luz: It's some sort of pattern within the spell circle.

Luz picked a leaf off of a plant on the shelf and used the pen to trace that symbol onto the leaf.

Luz: There. (Taps the symbol)

What happened next surprised all three of them. The leaf Luz drew on formed into a ball of light and Luz gently picked it up with her hand.

Luz: It's beautiful.

Itadori: You… you did it.

Luz: Oh my gosh. I just did magic. I just did magic. I just did magic!

Luz was quick to celebrate, but King and Itadori quickly silenced her. They didn't want to get Eda the Owl Beast's attention again.

King: Shh! We're not gonna stop anything with something that small.

(Eda Screeching)

King: What do we do now?

Luz: I think I know how to get Eda back. Will you guys help me? Yuji? Boo-boo buddy?

When Luz asked that, Itadori thought back to his grandfathers last words before passing. How could he say no?

Itadori: (Nods) You can count on it.

King: Hmm. I'm kind of over that nickname. But okay.

(All three fist bump each other)


Back inside the living room, the feral Eda sniffed around, looking for its next meal. Although it didn't smell anything worthwhile, it did hear something that quickly caught her attention.

(Pen clicking)

King: Oh, what lovely thing do we have here? It's just so dang shiny. Oh my. Oh dear.

King tosses the pen over to Itadori who was casually standing right next to him.

Itadori: Look at it. It sparkles, shimmers and shines. It would be great for anybody's nest.

The beast just stared at the glowing end of the pen. Fascinated and idolizing by the sparkling shine it gives, it must have it.

(Eda shrieks and lunges towards King)

King leads Eda down the hall and quickly turns a corner where the Owl beast slips on paper and old books like an oil slick in a movie.

As she was about to regain her footing, she looked above and saw Luz on a ladder drop a sheet over her, obstructing her view.

Luz: I'm sorry, Eda, but it's for your own good.

On the wall behind Luz was a drawing of the same glyph she drew earlier, only it was much bigger. When Luz completed the glyph, she slapped it, resulting in a massive light that caused the beast to be blinded and shrieking.


A pair of golden colored eyes have woken up. Eda quickly rises from her nest and sees the end of a straw in her mouth. A rather long straw. On the other end of the straw was another bottle of elixir, that looked nearly empty. Eda turns her head to see she wasn't completely back to normal, with her gem still dark, left eye black, left ear more pointed and feathers in her hair. She quickly finished up the elixir and was now back to her original self.

Eda: What happened. Oh, I have the worst headache. My body's all sore and my mouth tastes like roadkill.

Itadori: You feeling better Eda?

Eda turns her head and saw the new jujutsu sorcerer look at her with concern.

Eda: Yuji? How did I- (Gags) Uh oh. You might want to back up kid.

Itadori did what she said and knew that if she looked sick and asked someone to backup, it would mean one thing.

(Eda vomits)

What Eda throws up looks like an owl pellet. As Itadori looked slightly grossed out, the pellet opens up like an egg and the snaggleback is freed, but a little traumatized.

Snaggleback: I'm just gonna lie here for a minute.

Eda: (Looks at the elixir bottle) I was looking for this.

King: Actually, we found an extra one in your closet.

Eda: King? King, you stole my elixir? I ought to break every bone in your….

King: Shhh. Over there (King points to Luz)

Eda sees Luz focused on drawing something as a couple light balls float above her. She witnesses her apprentice finish drawing what looks like a glyph on a piece of paper and tapping it to form another light ball.

Eda: Wow. How is she doing that?

King: I don't know, but she did it all on her own. But hey, I kind of messed a bunch of things up back there and I just wanted to say I'm sorry.

Eda: Well you better be. I got a long list of disgusting chores with your name on it. But it's not entirely your fault. (Luz walks over to Eda) I haven't been completely honest with you guys.

?: You can say that again.

Eda, Itadori, King and Luz turn to the other side of the room and see Kugisaki has sitting against the wall, but woken up from her knockout.

Itadori: Kugisaki! You're okay.

Luz & King: Nobara!

Even though they were happy, Kugisaki still wasn't at 100% yet.

Kugisaki: Ah! Shut up! My ears are still ringing over here!

Itadori, Luz & King: Sorry.

Kugisaki: (Looks over at Eda) But before I got knocked out cold, I sensed cursed energy that was very unusual. And when I saw the curse's face and that gem there, I realized it was you. So, do you care to tell us why you've got a cursed spirit in ya?

Eda: (Sighs) I was about to tell you if you'll let me.

Kugisaki kept quiet as she was waiting to hear the Owl Lady's explanation.

Eda: (Sighs) When I was younger, I was cursed. I don't know exactly how it happened. All I know is that if I don't take my elixir…. Well, that's why people called me the Owl Lady.

When Itadori heard Eda explaining how her elixir keeps the Owl Beast spirit from emerging, he was curious if something like that could help him keep Sukuna repressed. But the more he thought about it, Eda's Owl Beast form seemed like it was at equal level to the curses he encountered before. Could an elixir like Eda's really suppress the "king of curses"?

Eda: No one likes having a curse, but if you take the right steps, it's manageable.

Although Eda told everyone her problem and how she's managed it, there was still one big question on everyone's mind, especially Itadori.

Itadori: But, if you're putting up with a cursed spirit in you, why haven't you gone to Jujutsu High to have it exorcised?

Luz: Yeah. If Jujutsu sorcerers deal with curses on a daily basis, why haven't you gone to them right away?

Eda: I did!

Everyone in the room was surprised by those words. If Eda really did go to Jujutsu High, why is it that she still has a curse on her? With shadows covering her eyes, the witch hesitated for what felt like minutes before she decided to continue.

Eda: Look, I'm sorry to bum you all out like this, but the way I see it, there are only 3 outcomes for those that deal with curses (Raises 3 fingers). One, you end up with scars. Whether its on your body or upstairs (points to her head).

As the witch pointed to her head, it gave everyone an indication that the Owl Lady has been traumatized thanks to her curse. They don't know how exactly, but they figured it was best not to pry her for details.

Eda: Two, you end up crazy.

King wasn't sure what to make of what she just said.

King: Uh, "crazy" in a good way? Like, brave and reckless?

(Eda shakes her head)

As Eda shook her head, she thought about someone she once knew who used to be fine. Later on however, they ended up doing something insane to the point that they weren't the same person anymore.

She snapped out of her thoughts and explained the last possible fate for someone involved with curses.

Eda: Finally, there's number three… you end up dead.

Luz and King gulped at the last possible fate for a Jujutsu sorcerer. Kugisaki and Itadori on the other hand, silently understood the fate's and found it possible that it could end like that for them. Yuji especially, considering his delayed execution.

Eda: Right now, I'm on the first one and I'd prefer to keep it that way.

Back at Luz, she was still confused. Eda's not a Jujutsu sorcerer. She's a witch that wound up with a curse inhabiting her body. So why not let Jujutsu sorcerers take care of it?

Luz: But, wait. You said you did go to Jujutsu High to have your curse exorcised. So why do you still have it?

(Shadows cover Eda's eyes)

Eda: Because, I would have lost a lot more than my curse if I went to them.

The teens & King all widened their eyes as they realized what Eda meant. Itadori especially. He is currently a vessel to the most dangerous cursed spirit in existence and was to be executed as soon as he eats all of Ryomen Sukuna's fingers. In his eyes, Eda is the vessel to a dangerous Owl spirit. Although he doubted hers was as dangerous as Sukuna, her fate could be similar to his.

Itadori: Don't tell me…

King: Eda, are you saying….

Luz: They'd go so far as to kill you just to kill the owl beast?

Eda: Pretty much. At least that's what those old geezers that run the Jujutsu world think. Ever since I found out what would happen, I wanted nothing to do with jujutsu sorcerers and would rather manage my curse through the elixirs.

Itadori then began to understand why Eda didn't trust the Jujutsu community. He thought back to Gojo's dislike of the elders, claiming they were "cowards". It can only be understandable that Eda would have similar thoughts, considering those at the top wanted to take "the easy way" out of ridding Eda's curse.

Eda: But lucky for me, (looks at Itadori & Kugisaki) your principal managed to pull some strings and managed to get those old bones off my back so long as I stay out of Jujutsu affairs and keep drinking my elixirs.

Itadori: Principal Yaga did that?

Eda: Yep. If it wasn't for him, I'd have Sorcerers trying to off me as much as I have cops trying to arrest me.

Luz wasn't sure what to think about all of this. It was already shocking enough to know Eda is cursed. But now, she's learning that curses aren't the only thing that are dangerous, but apparently, so are Jujutsu Sorcerers. She then looked over to Kugisaki. Although Luz was relieved that the sorcerer is better, she still hasn't forgotten when King was captured and Kugisaki didn't know what to do. She learned that not all Jujutsu Sorcerers are reliable. Even though she gets along with Yuji better, does that mean he would have to make tough choices too?

Luz: Yuji, if Eda gets like this again, will you….. have to…..

Itadori saw what Luz would ask. If was in this situation again, and there were no elixirs around, would he have to make a tough decision and take Eda's life?

Eda: That's enough kid.

Luz: Eda?

Eda: If Yuji wanted to, he would have used that blade he had to off me right away. Also, I don't know everything that happened, but that chick there (looks at Kugisaki) seemed hesitant to kill me as soon as she put the pieces together. My point is, those two may be studying to be sorcerers, but they're not heartless.

King soon joined in at the defense.

King: Yeah and besides, If Nobara there didn't throw me out of the way, Eda and that curse might have snacked on me. I mean, I'm certain I'm delicious, but I don't want them to know that. And because of her (Points to Nobara) they won't have to.

Luz then looked back to the other teen girl and smiled. Luz was now grateful to Nobara for saving King from danger.

King then remembered something from earlier involving Eda's beast form.

King: Oh yeah, so does your beast there eat curses? You were munching on one earlier.

The humans then looked over to Eda in curiosity over what the demon just proclaimed.

Eda: Yeah, it does. I don't know why exactly, but I think its in it for the cursed energy. Now that I think about it, no wonder I feel like my stomach's full of garbage.

Itadori and Kugisaki stared at each other after hearing that new info. They mentally agreed that as soon as they get back to Jujutsu High, they have A LOT of questions for Gojo.

Luz showed concern for her mentor.

Luz: So are you okay?

Eda: There's nothing for you to worry about. It's all under control. And as long as no one steals my elixir, King, Then I'm fine. But hey, look at this. A human doing magic. Good on you kid.

Luz: I had some encouragement from a great teacher. (Looks at King)

King: Oh, you.

Luz: (Looks at Itadori) And from a great friend too.

Itadori: No problem.

Hooty: Hey, HEY! Is anyone there? Hello? Hoot. I'm on the floor. It's cold!

Kugisaki: Dammit, my heads ringing again.

King: That voice. That horrific voice.

Hooty: Also, I feel like there's holes in my insides. Are there any holes in here?

Yuji suddenly realized that Hooty was referring to the walls he punched and tackled through to stop curses and Eda.

Itadori: (Bows) Sorry Hooty! I'll help however I can.

(Itadori runs downstairs)

Luz: We'll take care of him. You stay in bed. Come on, you goopy fella (Picks up Snaggleback). We'll set you free now.

Snaggleback: Oh wow, I think my tail was digested.

Once everyone left her room, Eda sighed with relief, lied back down and closed her eyes, hoping to get a good rest.


Eda finds herself in an empty void and in front of her is a wooden door.

Eda: No, not this memory again.

(The door opens)

On the other side of the door is a bright white void and in it is a shadowy figure distorting its shape and had two white circles for eyes. Although Eda doesn't recognize it, she had a pretty good idea who it was.

Eda: You! You're the one who cursed me aren't you? Who are you? Who are you?!

Suddenly the door and the figure behind it vanished.

Eda: Huh?

As Eda questioned the whereabouts of the door and the person in it, she felt something off. As if she could sense that danger was approaching her and fast.

(A figure leaped towards Eda with what looked like a sword-like weapon in its hands)

(Eda looks behind her and jumps out of the attackers way)

Eda: Oh yeah, how can I forget you? The one who tried to kill me.

(The attacker runs towards Eda and Eda ran towards her attacker. Not afraid to fight, Eda runs right through them and they quickly fade away)

When the attacker vanished from Eda's sight, another silhouette emerge. Unlike the previous two however, Eda couldn't feel anything sinister or mysterious about this one. Although its shape kept distorting, Eda could feel a sense of innocence from it. Innocence that seemed nostalgic for the Owl Lady.

Eda: Wait. You're-

Before Eda could fully identify the figure, another shadowy person was behind the innocent one. In contrast with the innocent one though, this one had eyes. Red ones. Meaning that this one was just as evil and strange as the previous two.

Eda: No. NO! Stay Away! Stay away from her!


Eda rises up quickly and sees that she's back in her room with dozens of Luz's light spells floating above her.

The Owl Lady sighed in relief having to wake up from that dream, but wipes her face to see not sweat from her forehead, but tears from her eyes.


Back downstairs, Luz is busy patching up Hooty with bandages all over the claw marks Eda left on him.

Luz: Welcome to the Boo-Boo Buddy club, Hooty.

Hooty: Finally, I get to be a part of something.

Over on the couch, King was jotting down notes as he was listening to Snaggleback explain what it went through while he got eaten by Eda.

Snaggleback: And then she had teeth in her stomach. Teeth in her stomach! Can you believe that?

King: Oh, yeah. This will make a great addition to my demon book.

Snaggleback: That book is filled with so many interesting things. Like this. (Opens up the "Snaggleback chapter") I'm one of the strongest demons on the Boiling Isles, huh?

King: Yeah, I'm gonna have to edit that.

Snaggleback: Oh…


Scene!

That takes care of "The Intruder".

As you can see, there will be more about Eda's past then just how she obtained the Owl Beast curse. Of course, you'll have to wait later on to find out about it. Feel free to come up with theories.

Also, I decided to have Eda's Owl Beast feed off of cursed energy from other curses. Weak curses though. Sort of like a "Predator and Prey" situation.

There were some parts of it that I rushed, but I hope it was enough for you to enjoy.

Any questions, concerns or comments? Feel free to leave a review.

Next Chapter, Gojo and the first years are hired to look over the Boiling Isles "Covention" for any curses around the area. Along the way, they meet Luz's friends, other witches and someone with a special connection to Eda.

See you next time on "Witches, Sorcerers & Curses".