Calm the Waters
Luz starts fighting back using her glyphs, but she doesn't want to hurt Hunter. Belos can tell she's going easy on him and uses this to his advantage.
"You're not even trying right now. What? Afraid you'll hurt him?" Belos asked.
Luz's friends and family come over to help her fight back.
Belos notices this and continues to taunt her.
"See this is why you're so useful Luz, you're so desperate to help people, you'll even risk your life to save this Grimwalker who's clearly a lost cause." Belos said.
"He's not a lost cause and he doesn't deserve to be treated like this. He has a good heart and has worked so hard to change. He's finally proud of who he is. Please just let him go." Luz replied.
Belos smirks, using Luz's vulnerability and empathy for the people she cares about against her.
"Maybe you're right, he is still useful. He definitely gives me an advantage in this fight. And because of you I'm finally reunited with Caleb and we can finish our work as witch hunters. Starting with them!" Belos said.
Belos strikes at Amity, Willow, and Gus, but Amity blocks it. Then they all fly towards him on their palismen and strike.
Amity, Willow, and Gus use their magic of plants, illusions, and abominations. Belos is able to block most of their attacks easily, so Vee steps in and tries to drain his power by absorbing it.
Just when they think it's working, Belos strikes at Vee but Amity grabs her and pulls her out of the way just in time. They try to fight back again, but Belos strikes and they all fall to the other side of the lake.
Luz watches helplessly, realizing fighting might not work against Belos. Then Flapjack changes into a staff and she uses it, speeding towards Hunter and trying to appeal to his heart. She hugs him, hoping it will be enough to help him break free.
"I know you can hear me Hunter, fight him off!" Luz said.
It doesn't work. Belos gets angrier and throws Luz off of him.
Before Luz lands in the water, Amity builds a bridge of vines to catch her just in time.
Luz lies there, feeling defeated. She wishes she could do more to help, but knows she's only human and has her limits with magic. She's starting to lose hope again. Then she looks up and sees a horrific sight.
After saying goodbye to Evelyn, Belos cracks Flapjack. Tears in her eyes, Luz watches as the wounded cardinal flies back to her.
"Flapjack!" Luz yelled.
Luz holds the frail bird in her hands and tries to reassure him.
"Flapjack, you'll be okay." Luz said.
Luz looks up and watches with fear as Hunter finally takes a stand against Belos.
"You know what I'd like, Belos? I'd like to leave the Emperor's Coven and never step foot in the throne room again. I'd like to study wild magic and learn how to carve palismen. I'd like to attend Hexside as a regular student and play flier derby with my friends. But most of all, I'd like to make sure you never hurt anyone again!" Hunter said.
Hunter throws the vial of Titan blood into the lake. Then Belos takes control again, forcing him to jump into the water.
Luz gives Flapjack to Willow and looks into the water.
Suddenly, Belos's hand pops out of the water and grabs Luz, pulling her down with him.
Amity reaches out her hand, but it's too late. Both Hunter and Luz are going under fast.
Camila immediately jumps in the water to save them both.
Under the dark blue depths of the murky water, Luz tries to fight back but it's no use. She looks at Hunter as they both sink, hoping for some miracle.
Suddenly, Belos lets go of Luz as Hunter loses consciousness. She tries to swim towards him but she's too weak, water filling her lungs as the world around her starts to become hazy.
Luz starts fading in and out of consciousness, her body screaming for help while her mind is ready to give up. With no sound and darkness all around her, Luz starts to think drowning might be a peaceful way to go.
Luz drifts away from Hunter, falling deeper and deeper down.
Suddenly, Luz sees her Mom grab Hunter from far away as she swims back to the surface with him.
Luz smiles and lets herself fall deeper into the darkness. Knowing her friends and family are safe, she no longer fights for herself, choosing to let go.
Finally, all of this pain will stop. Maybe this is why I've been having those nightmares about drowning. In a strange karmic way, everything's coming back full circle…
The world around Luz fades to black as she loses consciousness.
Suddenly, Camila grabs Luz and swims to the surface. She's not going to let any of her kids lose their lives tonight, not while she's around to protect them.
Once they get to the surface, Camila lies Luz down gently. She notices Belos is gone and has opened a portal.
Camila looks at Hunter, relieved he's awake and moving again and hoping they can save Luz too.
"Hunter, what happened? Did you all use magic to save him?" Camila asked.
Everyone looks sad, tears in their eyes since Hunter was saved by someone they can't bring back.
Hunter sits up slowly, then looks at Luz disheartened.
"Flapjack gave his life to save me. I'm so sorry, Camila." Hunter replied.
Camila's expression turns from hope to fear in an instant. She grabs Luz's cold hand and checks her pulse, frozen with tears in her eyes when she feels nothing.
"No…Luz, you're going to be okay. Someone call a doctor. Now!" Camila said.
Vee gets out her cell phone and starts dialing, but stops when Amity runs over to Luz.
Amity draws spell circles over Luz, trying to use healing magic she learned from her sister Emira. Then she looks around at everyone's sad and hopeless faces and gets frustrated.
"Come on, we can't just give up on Luz. She never gives up on anyone and now she needs our help. Please Luz, we need you...Please wake up." Amity said.
Suddenly, Luz wakes up. She looks around confused as she watches herself and all of her friends and family surrounding her.
Luz looks down at her hands and realizes she's transparent, an iridescent refraction of light.
"What's going on? Did I die? Am I a ghost now?" Luz asked.
Suddenly, Luz hears a familiar voice, one that sends chills down her spine.
"Hi there Luz the human!" The Collector said.
Luz turns around and is shocked and confused to see The Collector.
"What are you doing here?" Luz asked.
The Collector smiles, happy to explain.
"I'm here to help you. I stopped you from letting go of your life and now you're here. So go back to your physical body so we can start the game." The Collector said.
"What game? And why did you save me?" Luz asked.
The Collector smirks, gleefully aware of what's to come as they enjoy watching it all play out.
"Oh you'll find out about the game soon enough. I saved you because you're a big part of it and I can't let you cheat fate by dying. That's no fun. Don't you want to play the hero?" The Collector asked.
Luz looks back at her friends and family. She may not value her own life at the moment, but she does care about protecting the people she loves.
"Okay Collector. I'll go back, but just know I'll be fighting to save everyone on The Boiling Isles. Your game is over." Luz said.
The Collector can tell how serious Luz is and they can't wait.
"I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait for you to finally join the game! See you soon!" The Collector replied.
The Collector disappears and Luz starts walking back to her body. She stands over herself and takes a deep breath, connecting with the part of her that wants to live. Then she fades away, coming back to herself.
Suddenly, Luz wakes up. Jolting to a sitting position as she gasps for air.
"Luz, oh thank goodness you're okay. Take slow deep breaths, in and out." Camila said.
Luz does what her Mom says and breathes, calming herself down as she slowly gains control of her body again.
Amity sits by Luz's side, giving her space to breathe. Then Luz looks at Amity with a tired smile, opening up her arms.
Amity smiles, hugging Luz tight, beyond relieved she survived.
"Luz, you're okay. I was so worried we lost you." Amity said.
Luz slowly stands up and starts walking towards the portal while everyone else follows.
"Yeah, me too. I think The Collector saved me. I don't know, maybe it was all a dream, but it all felt so real. They said something about a game and how I play a big part in it. That's why they brought me back." Luz replied.
Hunter steps in and speaks up, Luz notices his eyes changed to a hazel color just like hers and wonders what happened.
"You're alive. That's what matters. And, if you're part of their game, at least that was reason enough for them to save you. So let's play to win, for Flapjack." Hunter said.
Luz puts the pieces together and realizes Flapjack must have saved Hunter's life by giving his own.
"For Flapjack." Luz replied.
With that, Willow, Gus, and Hunter all walk into the portal together.
Amity stands by Luz's side while she looks at the portal forebodingly.
"Luz, I know things are scary and I don't know what the future holds. But it would be so cool if you were a part of that." Amity said.
"Of course. I'm not hiding or running away this time, I promise. See you on the other side." Luz replied.
Amity gives Luz a kiss on the cheek, then heads into the portal.
Vee says goodbye to Camila, handing her the bat and letting her know she'll cover for them while they're gone.
Then Camila walks by Luz's side, letting her know she's not going to let her go back without her Mama by her side.
"Are you ready?" Camila asked.
"Are you? I'm not sure what we'll see on the other side." Luz replied.
Camila looks at Luz's Azura hat and smiles.
"Then we don't want to leave unprepared." Camila said.
Luz picks up her witch hat, putting it on and regaining that sense of confidence again.
"A good witch always has to have her hat." Camila said.
Luz smiles, taking her Mom's hand and walking with her into the portal.
Then the portal disappears.
Luz takes a deep breath, opening her eyes to the new world around her. Things have changed and the road ahead will be challenging, but with her friends and family by her side, she'll never give up.
The beginning of the end is upon them, and together, they'll fight to make the world a better place.
The End