Greetings friends. To quote the great General Douglas MacArthur; "I have returned." Chapter 14 marks the arrival of Young Blood, Old Souls. We have one more chapter for season one. This chapter will be a little on the shorter side, but that's just how it is. Size isn't everything. At least, that's what I keep hearing.
Tonight, Royal and Luz need to rescue Eda while Lilith grapples with the consequences of her decisions. The Sword of Damocles hangs over everyone's neck. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 14: Under the Executioners Axe
To say that Royal was pissed would be an understatement. He was something beyond furious. As soon as he was sure that Luz was unharmed, he immediately searched for a place to vent his anger. The nearby forest had been forced to bear the brunt of his wrath as he burned it all to dust. The Vex tech had been a plant, a decoy, meant to lure him away from Eda. How had he let himself be tricked so easily?
He screamed in pure rage and threw a fireball through yet another tree, immolating it. His entire body was coated in fire. The flames crackled hungrily, leaping across his armor, barely restrained. He paused to draw in a deep breath. He needed to focus.
"Alright," he muttered, "Got that out of my system. What's the plan?"
"I… I don't know," Lancer said, "Short of rolling in there, guns-blazing, I don't think there's anything we can do."
"We have a hostage," Royal said, waving his hands wildly, "Maybe we can negotiate something?"
"Like Belos is going to trade Eda for some random coven guard," Lancer scoffed.
"I don't see you putting forth any ideas!" Royal snapped as his flames flared up, only to instantly simmer back down as the Guardian slumped, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't yell at you."
"You've really grown to care about her, haven't you?"
"I have," Royal admitted, surprising himself, "Eda's a good woman. One I would be proud to fight alongside any day."
"Well, we're not going to get anywhere by just standing around out here," Lancer said, "Let's regroup with the other two and see if they have any ideas." Royal put out his flames and the two walked back inside the Owl House. Hearing voices coming from Luz's room, he walked up the stairs.
"I don't care what Belos is up to," he heard her say, "because today, I am going to save Eda!"
"I agree," he said, entering the doorframe, "Now, any ideas as to how we're going to go about it?" He saw Luz wearing dark blue robes, with the hood down on her back. She clutched a small note, with text that Royal couldn't decipher.
"We need to break Eda out of the Conformatorium," Luz answered, "But first, we need to get in there."
"We can worry about that on the way," Royal said, "Besides, I think I have an idea."
The three armed up and went outside. Royal swung open the door to their side shack, illuminating their prisoner.
"No Owl Lady?" He asked mockingly, "Did the Wild Witch get tired?" He was silenced by Royal slugging him across the face, rendering him unconscious.
"Now we have our bargaining chip."
Lilith's gut felt like it was on fire. The healing magic had stabilized her, she wasn't going to bleed out. Fortunately, the damage done by the bullet was reversible. However, that didn't make it hurt any less. Her gut was wrapped in bandages as Steve supported her. He had pleaded with Lilith to head to the infirmary, but she refuse. Edalyn was going to be healed of her curse and Lilith needed to see it with her own two eyes.
Her sister was still trapped in her beast form, racing around the Emperor's throne room while numerous coven scouts struggled to restrain her. One of them leaped onto her back, only to be bucked off. Groaning in both pain and frustration, Lilith trapped the rampaging beast in a bubble. The Owl Beast glared at her, baring its fangs and growling.
"Don't look at me like that. This is for your own good. Emperor Belos will heal you, and we'll be in his coven together. Isn't that wonderful?" Eda responded by roaring, slamming her face against her confines. Lilith stumbled back in shock, only remaining on her feet thanks to Steve. The door to the throne room swung open behind them and Kikimora entered, flanked by a consort of guards.
"All kneel before Emperor Belos!" She announced, bowing and stepping clear of the door. The Emperor entered, sweeping over the floor with a determined stride. The Owl Beast shrieked and lashed out once more. The bubble shattered and she charged at the Emperor. Lilith reached out to stop her, only to stagger as her wound flared up again. The Owl Beast lunged at Belos. Just as her claws were about to make contact, he vanished and reappeared behind her. He raised a single finger, suspending the beast in the air, and flung her into a wall. While she was dazed, a series of long binds wrapped around her.
"My lord, I apologize for my sister's rash behavior," Lilith begged, "She is still in her cursed form. Once you have healed her, I am certain she will be a powerful asset of the coven." Belos didn't reply, simply summoning his staff. The gem at the tip glowed with magic and he tapped it against the Owl Beast's head. Instantly, the beast's obsidian eyes faded as Eda's golden orbs reemerged.
"Where am I?" She asked, blinking in an attempt to clear her mind, "Wait, dammit, I got captured didn't I?"
"Edalyn Clawthrone, the Owl Lady," Belos drawled, "The Wild Witch of Bonesborough. Accomplice of the Guardian. Mentor to Luz the Human."
"If you touch a single hair on her head, I'll tear you limb from limb and feed you to a Slitherbeast," Eda threatened in a low, dangerous voice.
"I do not intend to harm the Human," Belos dismissed, "I just want the portal she came through."
"Tough," Eda spat, "Cause I ain't telling you anything." She looked around the room, seeing Lilith's bandaged midsection, "Did I do that? Shame I didn't aim a little higher."
"A pity," Belos ignored her, "I suppose I will simply have to ask the Human myself."
"Good luck," Eda scoffed, "The second you try anything, Royal will unleash a whole new world of pain on you." Belos chuckled at the threat before snapping his fingers. A group of guards ran in and dragged Eda away. She cursed at them as they all vanished into the shadows.
"I assume you are taking her to the healing ceremony?" Lillith asked hopefully.
"I will not be healing her," Belos said, his voice as cold as ice. Lilith's heart dropped as the words left his mouth.
"But… you promised," she said weakly.
"Don't be so naive Lilith," Belos chastised, "This is the Titans will. All Wild Witches must be dealt with before the Day of Unity. You understand, don't you?"
"Of course," she said hesitantly.
"Good," Belos said, walking off. He stopped and turned to her, "And one last thing, set the Owl Lady's staff with the rest, she won't be needing it anymore." He snapped his fingers and Owlbert appeared in her hands.
As Belos departed, Kikimora quickly joined him, falling in behind her master.
"My liege, what are we going to do about the Guardian?" She asked, "I do not believe he will stand aside and allow us to petrify his companion."
"Indeed, which is why you are going to disable the protective wards around our Vex research facility. The Guardian will be forced to choose whether he values the life of one Witch or the destruction of his most hated enemy."
"Understood my lord," Kikimora bowed, "I shall notify Sturme and his team at once."
"No," Belos ordered. Kikimora looked up, confusion written on her face as the Emperor continued, "We need to make it look convincing, lest the Guardian realizes he is being played." Realization dawned on Kikimora as she bowed once more and departed. Back in the throne room, Lilith stared at Owlbert's dormant form.
"Ma'am," Steve said gently, "You really need to get to the infirmary." Lilith tightened her grip on Eda's staff.
"Yes, you're right," she conceded, "I shall make my way there at once."
"Do you need any assistance?"
"No, I can make the journey myself," she lied. Steve nodded reluctantly and turned to leave. Before he reached the door, Lilith called out to him.
"Steve, thank you. For everything you have done for me." He saluted her.
"Just doing my duty ma'am."
The streets of Bonesborough were packed as usual. But there was a strange tension resting over the crowds as they went about their business. Several stood off to the side, watching a breaking newsreel. The infamous Owl Lady had been captured and was set to be petrified. No one really knew what to make of this, Eda's antics had been a constant for years. While she may be a thief and a cheat, she wasn't evil. The crowd parted as Royal marched through, dragging an unconscious Witch, followed closely by Luz and King. No one could see his face, but they could feel the murderous intent rolling off the Guardian.
"Please tell me petrification isn't as bad as it sounds?" Luz begged. King grimaced.
"It's one of the worst punishments on the Isles," he explained, "Once the spell is finished, it can't be undone." Royal cursed as Solar Light curled in his fingers. The Crystal Ball changed to a picture of Lilith, looking as smug as always. Without thinking, Royal drew his hand cannon and fired, shattering the Crystal Ball into hundreds of pieces. The crowd scattered at the loud bang, not wanting to draw the ire of the Guardian.
"Lilith," Luz spat, "She cursed Eda. She captured her own sister! If I ever see her again, I'll…" Rather than finish, Luz kicked the crystal shards on the ground.
"Guys, we need to focus on finding Eda," Lancer reminded, "We know she's at the Conformatorium, but I can't get a fix on her exact location."
"How are we supposed to even get into the Conformatorium?" Luz asked. King pointed at Royal, who dropped his hostage and slammed a fist into his open hand, causing a small explosion of flames.
"Yeah, that should work," Luz nodded.
The journey to the Conformatorium was quick, yet painfully silent. There were no friendly jabs, no quick quips, not even a bad pun to lighten the mood. Eventually, the foreboding silhouette of the prison dominated the landscape.
Warden Wrath didn't really ask for much. He ran the Conformatorium well, looked after his son, and occasionally participated in some recreational brawling. Sure, his ventures into romance didn't exactly end well, but it wasn't the worst thing in the world. Right now, he only wanted one thing; to keep the Owl Lady under lock and prevent her from slipping away. He was going to let nothing get in the way. That was why he was personally patrolling the out wall, to catch any intruders himself.
"Sir," one of his guards reported, "Something's approaching the main gate." Wrath peered over the side. As the guard had said, there was a figure drawing near. Wrath's eyebrows raised in surprise as he realized it was the Guardian, along with the Human girl who had broken into the Conformatorium a few months ago. The armored warrior had something slung over his shoulder.
"Destroy them," he ordered. The guards on the walls prepared their spells. Rather than move to defend himself, the Guardian simply dropped his passenger on the ground. Wrath realized it was a coven guard, bruised and beaten.
"Hold your fire," he ordered with a growl, "I'll handle this." With that, he leaped off the walls and slammed into the ground. It cracked under his weight as he towered over the Guardian, who didn't even flinch.
"Well, isn't today my lucky day?" The Warden boasted, "The two most wanted outlaws on the Isles, in my-" He was cut off when Royal surged forward, flying through the air like a comet. He slammed into Wrath, driving him into the Conformatorium's gate. It shattered and the two spilled into the courtyard. When they stopped, Wrath tried to get up, only for the Guardian to plant his boots on his chest. He wrapped a gauntlet around the Wardens collar and raised a Dawnblade to the demon's throat. Luz ran up behind him, freezing the Wardens limbs with her glyphs. Around them, the guards stood down, not willing to try anything while the Warden was in harm's way.
"Where is Eda?" Royal asked slowly, every word dripping with malice.
"I'll never talk!" Wrath said defiantly. Royal dropped the Dawnblade, coating his hand in flames.
"How amusing that you actually believe that to be true," he mused, before tearing off the Warden's mask and grabbing him by the face. Wrath screamed as the Solar Light burned his flesh. He attempted to breathe fire, engulfing the Guardian in a conflagration. Royal was completely unfazed.
"Pain stops anytime you want," Royal said calmly while his companions watched, mildly terrified, "Just tell me what I want to know."
"She's in a holding cell in the dungeon," Wrath pleaded, "First level, section B, you can't miss her! Just, please, I have a son!" Royal shook his head and let go of the Wardens uniform.
"We have our destination," he said, turning to Luz and King, "Let's move." He didn't wait for a response, storming into the Conformatorium.
"I haven't seen him this pissed off in a long time," Lancer muttered, "You two better catch up with him before he does anything rash.
The group tore through the Conformatorium, overpowering everyone in their path. The compound was massive and designed in a manner to ensure one could easily get lost if they didn't know where they were going. However, Royal navigated it with ease. He had found his way through the ever-shifting Vex Domain, a magical prison was nothing.
Eventually, the group found the section they were looking for. Royal kicked down the door easily. The guards looked up in shock. Before they could react, Royal unleashed a burst of Arc Light, blinding them. Acting quickly, Luz activated her glyphs, trapping them in prisons of ice and vines.
"King, you watch the door," Royal instructed. The demon nodded and slipped back outside.
At the back of the dark room was a cage. Luz activated a light glyph, bathing the room in its aura. Crouched in the furthest corner of the cell was the Owl Beast. She growled at the sudden brightness.
"That's the Owl Beast?" Royal muttered. Luz stepped closer to the cage.
"Eda?" She asked. The beast lunged, only stopped by the bars holding her back. Luz held out her orb of light. As the Owl Beast stared into it, her eyes shifted from pitch-black to Eda's usual gold.
"Luz?" She asked wearily, "What are you doing here? Where's Royal?" The Guardian banged his fist to his chest, drawing Eda's attention.
"We're here to save you," Luz said, "Royal, can you rip these bars off?" The Guardian nodded, heating up his hands again.
"No!" Eda shouted, "I don't know how much longer it will be until I succumb to the Owl Beast again, and I'm not going to put you in harm's way."
"We are not leaving you here," Luz protested. Before Eda could respond, Lancer let out a loud beep.
"I hate to add more problems to our plate, but I just picked up a massive reading of Vex tech not far from the castle."
"What? How is that possible?" Royal asked. Lancer shrugged.
"I don't know, usually their signals are cloaked. I guess the Emperor's Coven isn't even trying to hide them anymore. Regardless, this may be our one chance to destroy the Vex."
"I'm not going to abandon Eda," the Exo said firmly.
"Go," Eda spoke up, "This is bigger than me. If it's a choice between my life or my entire world, then it's not really a choice is it?"
"No! I don't leave anyone behind!" Royal protested.
"Royal, you know what you have to do," Lancer said, though it was clear from his tone that he didn't like it either, "What does it mean to be a Guardian?" Royal looked down, remaining silent for a few seconds.
"Devotion," he said, barely louder than a whisper, "Sacrifice. Death."
Eda nodded, "Go, end this." The Guardian nodded reluctantly. As he left, he turned back and offered Eda one last look. With that, he vanished. Eda turned to Luz.
"You've disobeyed me enough today, so listen to me now: Get out of here."
"I'm not leaving you!" Luz shouted through her tears, "It's my fault you got captured!"
"No kid, I've been living outside the law for years. It was bound to catch up with me eventually. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. But you have your own life to lead." A large, taloned claw reached into Eda's mane. She fished out the portal key and activated it, before holding it out to Luz.
"Go home, Luz."
"No," the tears were flowing freely now, "Weirdos have to stick together! We're family!"
"You already have a family. Once you're home, use your magic to destroy the portal. I don't know why Belos wants it, but we can't take any chances." Luz pulled Eda into a hug through the cell bars.
"I love you," she whispered.
"Love you too kiddo."
The moment couldn't last, as a siren began to blare and the ceiling above them opened. Eda pushed Luz back as her cell began to rise.
"Thanks, Luz," Eda said as she rose, "For everything." Her cage reached the top of the room and the Owl Lady vanished from sight. Luz didn't react as someone opened the door behind her and limped in.
"No," Lilith despaired, holding a sleeping King by his collar, "I'm too late." She had arrived at the Conformatorium not long after the group. After a quick interrogation of Wrath, she had unknowingly followed them to Eda's cell. She barely managed to hide from the Guardian as he raced back up to the surface. Now, she was too slow to help her sister.
"You," Luz said slowly, turning to face the Witch, "You did this. You're going to pay!"
"Please," Lilith pleaded, setting her captive aside and putting up her hands placatingly, "I just want to talk." Luz pulled out her paper as she glared at Lilith. Everything had been her fault; the Vex, Eda's curse, and now the petrification. She was going to suffer.
"Talk to the glyph, bitch!"
She slammed the glyphs down and sent a wave of vines at Lilith. Still crippled, she only barely managed to raise a defense. As she cut through the vines with her staff, Luz jumped onto her. Lilith stumbled as her wound became agitated. The two fell through the portal door, tumbling into the Human realm. While Lilith was staggered, Luz quickly rose to one knee and activated a fire glyph. To her shock, the paper disintegrated into dust.
Please, just listen to me," Lilith begged, clutching her gut.
"No! You deserve to be petrified, not Eda!" Luz shouted. Lilith looked down in shame.
"You're right, I deserve to be in Edalyn's place."
"Why did you do it?" Luz asked, lowering her stance.
"When Edalyn and I were younger, we were the best of friends," Lilith explained as Luz stood down, "Being in the Emperor's Coven was my dream. I wanted to work alongside the most powerful Witch in the Isles and make the world a better place. Edalyn wanted to be there with me. But there was a problem, there weren't enough spots available. I knew Edalyn would beat me to it. She was younger than me, but worked twice as hard." Her voice caught in her throat, causing her to trip over her words. Finally finding her voice, she continued.
"Emperor Belos always said; 'To be great, you have to make sacrifices.' So I found a spell to take away her powers. I thought it would just be for a day. I have spent my entire life trying to make up for a mistake I made in a single moment of weakness. I thought the Emperor would heal her, but he was just stringing me along with empty promises. I know how to save Edalyn, but I can't do it alone."
"How do I know I can trust you?" Luz asked warily. Lilith cast a spell circle and Owlbert dropped into her hands. She held him out to Luz, who gladly accepted. The Palisman hooted in greeting, nuzzling Luz.
"Alright Lilith, I don't like your whole…" Luz gestured in the Witches general direction, "but we need your help to save Eda."
"Thank you," the Witch said gratefully. The two stepped back through the portal, with Luz pausing to take one last look around, before returning to the Boiling Isles and deactivating the portal. Lilith led her through a dark chamber to a small platform.
"You can take this up to the stage where they're holding Edalyn," she said.
"Thank you, Lilith," Luz said, "I'm going to make this right. What are you going to do now?"
"I will remain in the coven," she replied, "Nothing like this will ever happen again."
"Hold on," Luz realized, "Why aren't there any guards?" Suddenly, King and Lilith were snatched by thick, red tendrils and dragged into the shadows. The braziers on the sides of the room lit up, illuminating the two. They were suspended from the ceiling, unable to move. On the other side of the room was Belos, sitting on a large throne.
"Lilith," he chastised, as though he was talking to a small child who had tried to swipe a treat before dinner, "You chose the wrong side."
Royal flew through the air, letting his light fuel him. Massive flaming wings stretched from his back as he blazed toward the castle. Lancer sent him a ping and he changed course, dropping directly outside of the facility he had been held at all those weeks ago.
"They didn't change locations?" Lancer wondered, "I don't know if that's stupid or genius." The Ghost paused for a second, "You know, this is most likely a trap, right?"
Royal didn't answer, choosing instead to blast the entrance off its hinges. The door flew back, slamming into a guard. Their companions panicked as Royal stepped through.
"It's the Guardian!" A female guard shouted, "Come on, you know the drill."
"Not him! Anyone but him!" Another one screamed, running down the hall.
"Come on, there's three of us and only one of him."
"It won't matter," the final guard moaned, slumping his shoulders and accepting his fate. Royal thrust out his hands, fingers spread. Bolts of lightning danced around the room, instantly frying two of the coven guards. The one that had elected to run hit a dead end. He turned around, summoning an Abomination to protect him.
"I don't have time for you," Royal muttered, blinking past the golem and blasting a hole through the guard's chest.
Royal continued through the facility, butchering anyone who got in his way. One guard tried to use potions to flood the compound with poison gas. The Exo walked through the toxic cloud, completely unfazed. Eventually, his rampage lead him to a lab, stocked high with Vex tech. Resting on a small pedestal was the Harpy that had started all of this. He channeled his Light into his hand and cast a Nova Bomb into the room. He watched through vengeful eyes as it all disintegrated into nothing.
Sturme panicked as the Guardian closed in. His guards were being butchered and his research destroyed. The Witch hefted a Vex rifle as he waited for the Guardian in his chamber. He had tipped over his desk to serve as cover. Off to the left, the wall was lined with tubes of Radiolaria that he had been researching. As the distant explosions grew closer, he began to shake with fear.
"He draws near," Synegorus said unannounced. Sturme gasped as the weight of the Mind crashed into him.
"Please," he begged, "Help me."
"There is nothing I can do," the Mind said in a perfectly neutral voice, "Our simulations show that you shall endure. Fight well." Synegorus withdrew, leaving Sturme alone. He called out in panic before falling silent as he heard something crash into the door. He fired and a bolt punched through the door. The outside fell silent for a moment and Sturme grew hopeful, only for it to be dashed when the door exploded.
Sturme ducked, barely avoiding the debris. He fired blindly into the doorway. Royal dodged his frantic shots and closed the gap. He delivered a savage punch to Sturme's chest, sending him flying into the back wall. The Witch coughed weakly as the Guardian inspected his fallen weapon.
"A Mythoclast?" He questioned, before turning to the Witch. He pulled his fusion rifle off his back and pointed it to his right.
"I am ending this," he said with a menacing edge, "Here and now." Royal pulled the trigger, charging the weapon. It fired, piercing the containers. They exploded and Radiolarian fluid spilled into the room. Sturme watched as the Guardian torched all his research. He tried to stand up, only to fall onto his back.
"Stop," he begged weakly. Royal looked down at him and drew his hand cannon. He fired three shots into Sturme's chest. The Witch gasped, too weak to scream, and fell limp as the Vex mind-fluid spilled across the ground. Royal watched as the Witch fell still and turned to leave. The entire facility was burning. There would be nothing to salvage. Satisfied that his work was done, Royal departed and took to the sky once more.
Belos regarded Luz with cool eyes through his mask. Luz's grip on Owlbert tightened, she really wished that she still had her gun. She took a hesitant step forward, only for her legs to get caught in more red tendrils that dragged her to the floor.
"Oh no you don't," Belos said calmly as Lilith and King were dragged up to Eda's cage, "I would like to have a word with you."
"Let my friends go!" Luz said forcefully, slamming Owlbert to the ground. The Palisman spread his wings and carried her upwards, out of her binds. As she landed, she tapped the staff again, causing a massive wave of ice to erupt from the ground. It raced toward Belos, halting inches away from his mask.
"Okay," his voice was chilling, "I'll play." He melted into a puddle and reappeared behind Luz. With a flick of his finger, she was sent flying across the room. She slammed into the base of a statue. It cracked, causing the massive axe it was holding to fall. Luz narrowly avoided it as the weapon split the air she had been occupying. As she ran, Belos raised massive fleshy arms made of the same red muck. Acting fast, Luz activated her glyphs, incinerating one and freezing another. She leaped onto Owlberts back and took off, flying through the air. Coming back around, she divebombed Belos, preparing a fire glyph. The ground around him morphed and twisted as he manifested a colossal serpentine creature. The creature charged at Luz, who dove down its throat. Its jaws snapped shut before it exploded in fire. Luz landed on the ground, ready to continue the fight, only for Belos' voice to rattle through her mind.
"What's the matter, Human," he taunted, "I thought you wanted to fight." More tendrils snagged her arms, dragging her down to her hands and knees. She struggled against her binds as Belos emerged from the shadows.
"Had enough?" He taunted once more. Luz smirked and shifted her hand, revealing a primed ice glyph. A pillar of ice shot up and struck the Emperor in the face. He recoiled, clutching his broken mask. A piece landed near Luz and she quickly scooped it up. Belos chuckled.
"I like your spirit," he complimented, sounding sincere. His head snapped around to face her, a single eye glowing blue with power, "But try that again and things won't end well for you." The arms withdrew from Luz and she quickly stood up, holding Owlbert at the ready.
"I am just a humble messenger of the Titan," Belos said, "In the grand scheme of things, the Owl Lady's life is inconsequential. If you want to save your mentor, then give me the portal to the Human Realm."
"But… my home," Luz said weakly. Above her, she could hear Eda scream as the petrification began.
"You probably think we want to invade, but the Titan is not so boarish," Belos lectured, "You will understand soon. After all, the Owl Lady doesn't have much time."
"Fine," Luz yielded. She whispered an apology to her mother and summoned the portal. She collapsed it down into a briefcase and held it out to Belos, who accepted eagerly.
"The Titan will be pleased." With that, Luz got on the pedestal. Belos tapped his staff and it began to lift her.
"Go on then," he said derisively, "Go be a hero."
"I may have lost," Luz spoke up defiantly, "But so have you." She tapped Owlbert. To Belos' shock, the portal exploded as the fire glyphs Luz had placed on it activated. Belos glared at Luz as she finally vanished from sight.
"Well played," he said to the empty room, "I expect nothing less from a Human."
The world above was in chaos. Inside the cage, Eda was shielding King and Lilith from the petrification beam. The crowd below was rioting, whipped up into a frenzy by unknown actors. Luz activated a plant glyph and tore down the stature that was petrifying Eda. As the guards struggled to react, she quickly grabbed Kikimora and placed a fire glyph too her back.
"Let them go," she commanded, "Now!" The demon quickly obeyed and the cage vanished. Luz pushed her aside, running to her friends as Eda struggled to shake off the incomplete spell.
"Eda, are you ok?" Luz asked. Her mentor blinked as she finally freed herself.
"As good as I'll ever be." All around the four, agents of the Emperor's Coven closed in, pointing their staves at the convicts. Eda stretched her wings.
"Let's fly," she called. The others quickly mounted up and Eda took off. The coven scouts fired at them, only to miss as Eda flew through the air like a beam of light. The crowd cheered as they flew away. Kikimora was about to order her troops after them when Belos emerged from beneath the stage.
"My liege," she bowed. Belos ignored her.
"Children of the Isles," he announced, projecting his voice across the area, "The Titan has ordered me to spare the Owl Lady's life. However, her curse will continue to sap her strength. Let this be a lesson to all those who practice Wild Magic."
Eda flew back to the Owl House, touching down in the forest just outside. Her passengers disembarked.
"Don't worry Eda," Luz said, trying to calm herself, "I'll get you some elixir and-"
"I'm afraid no amount of elixir can help her now," Lilith interrupted. She cupped her sister's beastly head in her hands, "I should have done this a long time ago. With this spell declared, let the pain be shared."
A bright glow engulfed the two as magic flowed between them. As the light faded, Eda returned to her normal, bipedal form. Luz and King both ran over, engulfing the Witch in a hug. She yelped in pain as they slammed into her, clutching her gut.
"Oh Titan, what is that?"
"Sorry," Lilith said sheepishly, "I may have forgotten about that."
"Guys," King called nervously, "Something's coming our way!" True to his word, a fireball streaked through the sky toward them. It slammed into the ground, tearing a path through the dirt. The dust faded, revealing Royal, wrapped in flame. He drew to his full height and lunged forward, grabbing Lilith by her throat and holding her in the air. She gasped as he strangled her, feebling prying at his grip.
"You cursed Eda," his voice dripped with hatred, "You brought the Vex to Belos. You nearly killed Luz. I'm going to fucking rip you apart!"
"Royal! Put her down!" Eda shouted. His head snapped to face her.
"Eda?" He asked, dropping Lilith to the ground unceremoniously, "You're alright?"
"For the most part," she confirmed, "Got this crazy pain in my gut."
"Here, let me." He pooled his Light into the ground around him, creating a healing aura. Eda stepped into it and sighed in relief as the pain vanished. Lilith tried to reach out for it, only for Royal to stomp down on her hand. She cried out in pain as Eda placed a hand on Royal's shoulder.
"Easy, she turned against Belos to help us," she said calmingly, "I'm not saying you have to like her, just don't kill her." Royal relented, allowing Lilith to enter the healing rift.
"I deserved that," she admitted. Royal scoffed, turning away from her.
"Can you still do magic?" Luz asked, worried for her mentor. Eda tried to draw a spell circle, only for it to shatter.
"Guess that's a no," Eda commented, "This is gonna be a rough adjustment." Lilith tried as well, only to have a similar outcome.
"It's ok," Luz said, placing a light glyph into Eda's hand, "I can teach you what I know, and what I don't know, we can learn together." She tapped the glyph and Eda watched as it transformed into an orb of light.
"I'd like that," Eda said warmly.
-]We are ready[-
Pyrikaga's thoughts bounced through the Vex Domain. Synegorus heard them and gave permission to begin. The Conflux activated, opening the largest portal yet. A massive horde of Vex began to march into the Knee as a shockwave of force raced outward. Across the Isles, Witches and Demons stumbled under the pressure. Pyrikaga watched in anticipation as its legions left the Vex Domain.
"Into the fray, with my weapons ablaze," it chanted, "I shall express myself through the medium of nuclear fire."
This is the way the world ends. We march towards Zero Hour.
SolarisHez: Oh yeah Wyverns are going to mess stuff up. Vex combat forms are no joke. Stupid chickens. Also, Wavesplitter for DPS? You are a far bolder Guardian than I could ever hope to be.
GodzillaMaster: Royal's armory has been something I struggled with for a while. Initially, I just gave him whatever I wanted. Now, I have a proper explanation. Royal's current wargear is not the same as when he entered the Vex Domain. Over the years, he basically plucked weapons from across time. This is how he carries weapons from the Vault of Glass, Season of Arrivals, and even the Deep Stone Crypt. He built a few of them; his glaive and fusion rifle. And a few others were -]SPOILER[- him -]SPOILER[- who -]SPOILER[- a while ago. Hope that clears it up.
OMAC001: LFG Raid on the Emperor's Castle. Must be 1590, KWTD, and have a mic or get kicked. In all seriousness, I can't have Royal meeting Belos just yet. Don't want to end this story too soon.
mysticalex: I would love to see more Destiny x Owl House crossovers. Or even just more Owl House crossovers in general, most of the ones that exist are with franchises that don't interest me much. If you want to make one then I say go for it. As for advice: don't worry too much about the story appearing to be predictable, it will be to you since you're the one writing it. Also, be mindful of grammar. Nothing kills a reader's interest more than sloppy grammar. Not even spelling or punctuation, make sure you understand proper formatting for sentences and dialogue. Other than that, just make something you think people will want to read, and try not to beat yourself up too much. If someone points out a mistake or flaw, thank them for addressing it and then correct it. We're all just here for fun, aren't we?
"So, in conclusion, Mercury sucks as a vacation spot and should be flung into the sun. Did you get all of that?" Lancer asked. Gus nodded, finishing his notes. He was currently instructing the young Witch on the Human Realm. They were currently talking about the planets of Sol. Willow and Luz sat beside him, with the former listening intently while the Human would occasionally chime in.
"So that covers Mercury, Venus, and Earth," Gus listed, "What's next?" Lancer coughed awkwardly.
"That would be Mars," Luz provided, only for the Ghost to let out a loud whistle.
"NO! We don't talk about that planet!" He shouted frantically, "Not while he's in earshot!"
"Who?" Willow asked. Her question would soon be answered as they heard heavy footsteps tear downstairs. Royal practically flung himself into the room, coming to a stop right before the trio.
"I heard someone mention Mars," he said, "Who's asking about it?" Gus slowly raised a hand.
"That would be me," he said hesitantly. Royal nodded rapidly as his Ghost sighed.
"Please don't do this again," he pleaded, "The jokes gotten so old."
"Relax Lancer," the Guardian said, "I'm just going to share my experiences with the Red Planet. It's a relatively scenic little ball of rust. Lots of old ruins to explore and plenty of aliens to kill."
"Wait, you're actually not going to-"
"And whether we wanted it or not, we've stepped into a war with the Cabal on Mars," Royal interrupted, "So let's get to taking out their command one by one."
"I hate you," Lancer muttered while the kids watched in confusion.
"Valus Ta'aurc," Royal continued, ignoring his Ghost, "From what I can gather, he commands the Siege Dancers from an Imperial Land Tank outside of Rubicon. He's well protected, but with the right fire team, we can punch through his defenses, take this beast out, and break their grip on Freehold." He emphasized his speech by punching the table. Gus continued to scribble on his notepad, not missing a beat.
"Next time you die, I'm leaving your sparkless husk to rust," Lancer threatened bitterly.