Chapter Twenty-One
King groaned and blinked his eyes open to meet the sound of roaring waves. He flicked his eyes back and forth before sitting up and looking around. He was … on a flat piece of something smooth and white out in the middle of the Boiling Sea.
"What the …?"
The ground began to tremble beneath his feet, but not like an earthquake. It was more … like a sigh through a massive nose. King froze and glanced to the side before slowly turning his head to find a missive pair of eye sockets gaping at him. Then eyelids opened to reveal equally massive eyes the color of a setting sun.
HELLO, SON.
King had to lower his head and brace his stance to keep from being knocked over by the sheer force of the words, and even so his feet slid backwards a few inches. When the wave of force had passed, he looked up and widened his focus to see the huge shape of a skull capped with long, pointed horns. Horns identical to his own.
"Dad?" he asked in disbelief. The massive skull remained silent, all the answer that was needed. King lowered his head and felt his eyes burn with tears. "This is a dream, isn't it?"
IT IS, the Titan admitted. BUT THAT MAKES IT NO LESS REAL, SON.
"Why am I here?" King asked, deciding to bury the swell of complicated emotions that facing what may or may not be his father called up.
YOU HAVE BEGUN TO UNDERSTAND THE PATH BEHIND YOU, the Titan said. YOU HAVE BEGUN TO SCRATCH THE SURFACE OF YOUR STRENGTH. THE STRENGTH THAT LETS ME REACH OUT TO YOU, EVEN IN DEATH.
"So you … really are dead?"
MY BODY IS DEAD AND DECAYING, SON. BUT THE WILL AND SPIRIT REMAIN.
"So why are … you here?" King asked hesitantly.
FOR MANY REASONS. THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL … TO APOLOGIZE TO YOU, MY SON.
"… What?" King asked.
I STROVE TO PROTECT YOU FROM THE COLLECTOR AND HER CULT, BUT I LEFT YOU BEHIND. IN TRYING TO PROTECT YOU, I FAILED TO PREPARE YOU. AND SO I FAILED YOU AS A FATHER.
"You did what you thought was right," King weakly protested.
THIS MAKES IT NO LESS OF A FAILURE. AND SO I AM HERE NOW TO OFFER WHAT LITTLE AID I MAY.
"What aid?" King asked. "Is it about the Collector?"
THE CHILD OF THE STARS. NEITHER WITCH NOR DEMON, AS ANCIENT AS OUR OWN KIND. TRAPPED BY SO MANY OF US AS SHE SOUGHT TO COLLECT US AS WELL, THOUGH NEVER ABLE TO. AND SHE HAS ALLIED HERSELF WITH THE AGED HUMAN.
King's eyes widened and a question that had sunk to the bottom of his mind came up. "Is he- Is … Is Belos really working for you?"
The Titan heaved a great sigh before answering.
I HAVE SPOKEN TO HIM BEFORE. I BELIEVED HE COULD UNIFY AND PROTECT YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THE DEMONS AND WITCHES WHO POURED FORTH FROM THE FLESH OF MY FLESH. AND YET HE WAS NEVER MY FIRST HOPE. NOT EVEN THE SECOND …
"First?" King prodded. "Second?"
YOU WERE MY FIRST, SON. BUT YOUR EGG REMAINED UNHATCHED AS CHAOS WAS WROUGHT UPON MY BODY. AND SO I HAD HOPED TO FIND A CHAMPION. AND I DID, A HUMAN. BUT NOT YOUR BELOS. HIS NAME … WAS CALEB.
"Caleb Wittebane," King said in realization. "Hunter's ancestor. Eda and Lilith's ancestor."
FATE IS EVEN GREATER THAN I, SON. AND IT BROUGHT YOU TO HIS PROGENY. YOU, MY SON, HAVE BEEN ADOPTED AS THE SON OF MY CHAMPION'S HEIR. THIS IS NO COINCIDENCE.
"But Caleb died …" King said, recalling Luz and Hunter's story about Belos's memories. "So you … you chose Philip as a backup."
A WRETCHED MISTAKE. HE WAS, AND IS, A MONSTROSITY. HE WHO THOUGHT TO BRING PEACE WITH PAIN AND DEATH. HE WHO CARES MORE FOR HIS OWN GLORY THAN THE ISLES. MY SECOND GREAT FAILURE. NO … THIRD.
"Caleb was the second," King realized.
ONE THAT IS IN THE MIDST OF REDEMPTION. THE SPIRIT OF HIS FUTURE IS BEING REALIZED WITH THE BOY AND HIS LOVE. AND WITH YOUR NEW MOTHER RAISING YOU, ONLY ONE TRUE FAILURE REMAINS TO BE RESOLVED.
"Belos and the Collector," King said.
SO YOUNG AND YET SO WISE, the Titan seemed to chuckle, the sound like islands grinding against one another. THE FALSE PROPHET IS A DEADLY FOE, BUT THE COLLECTOR EVEN MORE SO. BE WARY, MY SON. TRUST IN YOUR FAMILY THAT HAS FOUND YOU, FOR THEY WILL NOT LEAD YOU ASTRAY. AND YOUR NAME WILL PROTECT YOU FROM SHE WHO WOULD DO HARM.
A crack of thunder drew King's attention to thunderheads that were closing in with impossible speed, lightning dancing within them.
OUR TIME IS AT A CLOSE. REMEMBER TO TRUST YOURSELF AND YOUR FRIENDS, MY SON. I KNOW YOU WILL PREVAIL.
A massive wave rose up to try and sweep King away …!
King shrieked as he awoke, the force of it decimating the top of the tree he'd been facing. The wood fell back towards him and he winced and curled in on himself … but nothing hit him. He looked up and found Hunter standing over him, Lil Rascal in his staff form slowing to a halt from a spin that had turned the branches to dust.
"You okay, King?" Hunter asked, his eyes wide with adrenaline that highlighted the bags that faintly remained beneath them.
"Uhm, yeah. Thanks," King said. He stood up and hugged Hunter's leg, curling into the contact as his thoughts raced. "Actually, Hunter … can you wake up the family? There's … something I need to tell all of you. Oh, and Tarak, too."
It took the better part of a half hour to gather everyone a sufficient distance from the clearing for privacy and for King to tell everyone what he had learned about himself, as well as his dream about his dad. Luz, Hooty, and Tarak supported the tale, though they too were shocked at King's dream.
"I can't believe you had a Titan under your roof this whole time," Lilith said amazedly. "I've had eye-scream with a god!" she giggled.
"Sweet Flea, he's not a god," Gwen admonished faintly.
"He's a Clawthorne and your nephew," Eda added.
"Of course," Lilith said primly, then smiled. "I'm a god's aunt!"
"Lily," Dell said, rising with his cane, a faint grunt, and the popping of joints, "why don't we take a walk? I do hope you're not too old for some fatherly advice."
"Is she gonna be okay?" Hunter asked, years of dealing with a smart old man who wanted to "help" him rearing in the back of his mind. Gwen placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled sadly.
"I think Dell wants to head off any issues of Lilith's before they unnerve King anymore than they have already," she said, glancing at King who was staring after Lilith with a shell-shocked look.
"Can't believe I actually wanted that kind of stuff," King shivered.
"Aw, character development!" Luz cooed, nuzzling King with her cheek.
"That sounds like a story on its own," Tarak chuckled.
"I wouldn't get too comfortable, Trapper," Eda said darkly, then rattling hisses echoed through the clearing as Eda took on her harpy form. She growled and grabbed Tarak by the front of his robe to lift him bodily into the air. "You've got ten seconds to prove to me that you're not leading your buddies here for King," she snarled.
"I'm not! I swear!" Tarak shouted in frightened shock.
"I said prove it!" Eda snapped.
"What would be ample proof, Owl Lady?" he asked, reining in his panic to think clearly. "Tell me that. In my experience, protective mothers are rarely logical."
"Eda," Gwen said, putting a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Might I offer a suggestion?" Eda glared, but nodded. "An everlasting oath," Gwen offered. "One that Tarak here swears that he has no dark intentions towards King."
Eda thought about it before letting Tarak drop to the ground. "Would you do the honors, Ma?" she asked.
When Eda reverted back to her normal form and Tarak stood and brushed himself off, they held out hands and Gwen traced the spell. "I swear that I have no ill intent toward King, yourself, or any of your family," Tarak intoned. The circle dispersed and the magic seeped into their clasped hands.
"The oath is sealed," Gwen announced.
"Alright, fine," Eda said. "But I've got my eyes on you," she added, pointing her fingers to her eyes and then to Tarak.
"Just like a protective mother," Tarak said with a nod. "And as such, I will require your permission to begin training King to protect himself."
As Tarak spoke to Eda about weapons training, Luz glanced backward to find Amber from the BATs approaching, a mouse with half of its tail missing and a curved notch in its ear riding on her shoulder. "Hey, Luz," Amber chirped. "Hi, King."
"Hiya," King greeted from Luz's shoulder.
"Hey," Luz said. "I'm not sure we were ever officially introduced."
"Me neither," Amber said, eyes twinkling. "I'm Amber," she held out a hand for Luz to shake, which she did. "And this," she said, shifting her shoulder to show her palisman, "is Alston. Isn't he cute?"
"So cute!" Luz agreed, waggling her fingers at Alston's who twitched his nose adorably and waved back with his tiny mouse hands.
"C'mon," Amber said, taking Luz by the arm, "let's go meet the others." She pulled Luz along to find the other two BATs and the two former scouts in a circle comparing palismen.
"Hey, guys," Amber said, "I got 'em!"
"Sup, Luz and King?" Steve asked with a wave. On his shoulder sat a large palisman shaped like a bearded monkey with three faces, a severe crack over the scalp of its middle face. "Come to join the palisman party? Lilith said you carved one last night, Luz."
"Uh, yeah, I guess," Luz replied, just a little bit awkward since yesterday had been the only interaction she'd had with Steve besides a brief introduction at Lilith's party.
"The glaze is still drying," King explained. "But they should be ready soon."
"Who's this?" Luz indicated the monkey.
"Meet Rafiki," Steve said. "He's one of the oldest of the Bat Queen's bunch. Said he'd much prefer a witch with a little age on him rather than a witchling." Rafiki grunted and nodded in affirmation.
"And you guys are Derwin and Katya, right?" Luz asked, pointing to the BATs in turn.
"That's us," Derwin confirmed.
"Nice to see you again, skull guy and cat lady," Katya said with a wink and fanged grin.
"Wait …" Luz said, then a memory resurfaced and she gasped. "You! You're the fanfic writer from the Conformatorium!"
"Hold up, you just figured that out?" King asked incredulously.
"Kinda insulted it took you so long to realize," Katya teased, as they had briefly met again after the Coven Day Parade. Granted, neither had been in a position to reminisce after that crazy, discouraging night.
Luz squealed and ambushed her with a hug before reason reasserted itself and she backed off. "Sorry! I just- I'm so happy you're okay! And you got a palisman, too!"
"You mean Herc?" Katya asked, lifting her wrist that the rhinoceros beetle was clinging to. "Nah, he's a family heirloom. I've had him since I was sixteen."
"Oh, cool!" Luz said, eyes shining. She looked at Derwin. "And you're Raine's star pupil, right?"
"That's what they say, at least," Derwin said modestly. "And this is Dahl," he introduced, removing a palisman from his belt pouch that resembled an orca with a scratch along the side of her face.
"Aw, a little killer whale," Luz cooed. Then she looked at Severine. "I don't think we've actually met, though."
"I'm Severine," the Cevitine demon said. "I, uh, was actually part of the Hexside raid that Hunter might have told you about?"
Oh, he'd told everyone last night. He'd told them all about the scouts and the split-personality coven head who had invaded the school, only to be beaten back by all of her friends and sent running with their tails — metaphorical or literal — between their legs. She'd been so proud of her friends! Scared for them, too, of course, but so proud!
"Hey, if Hunter trusts you," Luz said honestly, then grinned. "He also said you defected in the most awesome way possible!"
"Oh, it wasn't that big a deal," Severine blushed.
"Really? Because Hunter's tale told it differently," Steve teased suppostively, elbowing Severine in the side.
"She-demon, that was the way to burn a bridge!" King crowed.
"This is Terra, by the way," Severine said, revealing a fist-sized palisman carved like a turtle. "She's kind of shy."
And like some unheard cue, all of the adopted palismen hopped from their partners and formed their staffs, each of the witches and demons grabbing them from the air in perfect concert, as if on sheer muscle memory.
Eberwolf approached and grunted and growled in his language, which Steve seemed to pick up just fine. "Whelp, duty calls, everyone," he chuckled. "They've finally got a working plan."
Everyone gathered together around a stone table that Steve and Severine had built the night before for the final briefing.
"Okay, folks," Raine said, acting as the voice of the leadership, "we've got twenty-four hours until the Day of Unity begins."
"And two worlds are merged into an apocalypse," Darius said gravely.
"To merge two realms with the pooled magic of living people," Lilith said, crunching the numbers on her fingers. "This would no doubt have casualties."
"At this point, we doubt Belos cares," Raine said. "Thanks to Luz and Hunter, we know that he's been planning this for centuries. What are a few thousand deaths to a person with that kind of lifespan?"
"And then there's the Collector," Gwendolyn added, her hands tightening. "When I was a girl, they told us stories about her to caution us from trying to experiment with magic too early."
"Fear the dark Collector, she comes in deepest night," chanted Dell. "She swoops and steals and snatches, and takes you far from sight. She pokes and prods and looks close to learn all that she can. So don't try spells too early or you'll be next in hand."
"How pleasant," Derwin noted dryly.
"We can handle the Collector later," Raine said. "According to Tarak, she's still trapped. So our main priority is saving the people by stopping the Merging Spell. The main power of the spell is drawn from everyone with a coven sigil," they lifted their wrist to illustrate, "and then channeled and focused through the nine main coven heads. From there, the spell is meant to pierce a hole between the realms and then widen it until the rift becomes too large to close properly."
"I thought only Titan Blood could open portals," Luz piped up.
"Technically, it's the power of the Titan that opens the portals," Darius said. "Titan's Blood is the most raw and powerful resource to attain such a thing. But with collective power drawn from a few hundred thousand witches and demons seems to be sufficient to make it happen."
"Can't we just hide one of you?" Lilith asked.
"Not after the debut of the BATs," Raine said regretfully.
"Belos has ensured we each have … replacements," Darius revealed. "And after a talk with Lady Feronia, Raine believes each of our apprentices are in that line."
The Owl House residents gasped and thought of Willow, Amity, and Emira.
"Which means we need to disrupt the ceremony directly," Darius said decisively. "When the ceremony begins, Raine, Eber and I can launch a direct assault on the coven heads from within."
"A two-on-one battle?" Severine asked. "That's suicide, even for all of you."
"That's why it won't only be us," Raine said. "Our surprise attack — supported by Ms. Park and both Ms. Blights — will also be a signal for the rest of you and others to attack the pavilion. Considering the strength of that collective force, we can remove the loyal coven heads and flee until the eclipse passes."
"What others?" Tarak asked.
"Those who will be unhindered by coven sigils," Raine said with a faint grin.
"Wild witches?" Dell asked.
"No," Raine said. "The students of Hexside."
"You're sending children into this?!" Gwen asked. "Raine, you can't be serious!"
"Mrs. Clawthorne, please," Darius said. "These children were able to fight off coven scouts. And we've had Hunter here," he gestured at the witchling, "asking around for volunteers. Each of them knows what is at stake, for themselves and the Isles."
"They can't-!" Gwen started, but stilled when Dell placed hand on her elbow.
"Sweetheart, we don't have many options. Early as it is, perhaps it's time to trust in the next generation to save their home." Gwen's mouth tightened with distaste, but she didn't voice any more objections.
"We'll need time to organize the attack force, but you all have your initial orders. So do what you need to prepare," Raine ordered. "Practice, rest, bond with your palismen," they glanced at Luz and winked at that. "Some of you will have small missions to support tomorrow, but until then, do what you will. Dismissed."
After everyone had dispersed, Luz found herself at the edge of the forest looking out over the plains around Bonesborough. King sat beside her in companionable silence.
"Worried about Amity?" King asked.
"Yeah," Luz admitted. "But then, I'm worried about Willow and Hunter, and everyone else, too."
"There you two are," Eda called, carrying something wrapped in a witch's wool cloak. She wrapped the cloak around Luz's shoulders, clearly the repair job of her original after her trip into the Realm Between had done a number on it. She revealed another, smaller cloak and folded it over King's frame, too.
"There's also this. The coat's finally dry," Eda said, revealing Luz's dormant palisman carved into an egg.
"Yes," Luz said delightedly, though with far less force and more awe than her usual fare.
"I gotta ask," Eda said, "out of all the cute crazy stuff you could have carved, from tarantulas to tapirs … why an egg?"
"I got to choose my path as a witch from the start," Luz explained. "And I wanted them to have that same kind of choice." She smiled. "Until then, I'm willing to be as patient as it takes."
"Big change from when we all first met, eh, Luz?" King jeered lightly.
"Well, try to sing or play them music," Eda advised. "They can hear you."
"I love you already," Luz said happily, kissing the wooden egg.
They all stood in silence until Eda joked, "Whew, what a plan those knuckleheads came up with, huh?"
"We'll all be okay in the end … right?" Luz asked.
"Nothing's guaranteed, Luz," Eda said solemnly. "In battle or out, we're never sure if it's our last day or not." She scoffed. "That's why we spend our days with those we love, you know?"
"I love you guys, too," Luz smiled.
"And your friends and girlfriend," Eda noted wryly. "I was a teen once; I know you're thinking about her."
"I didn't say-" Luz protested.
"You didn't have to. And frankly, I can't think of anyone I'd rather see covering your back today."
"Don't talk like this is the end!" King said harshly. "It won't be! We'll all get through this and live happily ever after when Belos is gone and Luz builds a portal." He hugged their legs between them, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "If I ever make a command that is followed, it better be that one!"
"You're right, King," Eda said, scooping him up onto her shoulder and drawing Luz close. "We'll see each other when this is all over. After all, we've got Luz the Human and King the Titan leading the efforts. Legends in the making!"
"Not to mention Eda the Owl Lady," Luz added.
"A legend in the present, and the greatest of them all!" King cheered.
"Until this is all over, we'll all protect each other," Eda said, pulling Luz and King's hoods up. "You'll see."
"Eda," Raine said, making themself known with a smile, "they're here."
A shadow passed over the sun as blurs on staffs raced into the woods from the direction of Bonesborough, and Luz smiled widely as she realized who they were.
As soon as they touched down in the clearing Darius had messaged to Amity, her head shot up like a hound catching a scent. Willow stifled a giggle as Luz came barreling in and the two ran to meet each other in a twirling hug that ended in a loving kiss.
Their first kiss? Willow wasn't sure. And then Luz said something odd and the two devolved into blushing, giggling messes.
"Those two are so sappy," Hunter said into Willow's ear, and she laughed and turned to face him. Only to be swept up in her own lifting, twirling hug that ended in a kiss. Then Willow turned the tables and twirled Hunter by his waist, much to his confused delight.
"I'm so happy you're okay," Willow whispered, holding his face in her hands.
"Me?" Hunter asked softly, gripping her waist. "You're the coven head apprentice. Are you okay with everything going on?" He winced. "Darius is with us, and so Amity's about as safe as possible. But you-"
"I'm fine so far," Willow said, drawing him closer to rest their foreheads together. "Lady Feronia gave me the day off to rest up for the ceremony."
"I'm sure," Hunter drolled. "If she knew what we were up to-"
"She has an idea," Willow revealed. "She and Raine had a talk yesterday. She's not with us, but she's not going to rat us out."
Hunter held her close by the hips. "I wish you didn't have to do this," he whispered harshly.
"The fate of the Isles is at stake, Hunter," Willow said, gently but firmly. "And if I can turn the tide … why would I refuse?"
Hunter sighed through his nose and kissed Willow's lips again before hugging her tightly, an embrace that she warmly welcomed and returned.
"As much as I hate to break up the moment," Darius commented, approaching with Luz, Amity, and Gus behind him, "I have a request for you five."
"A request?" Willow asked.
"A mission, if you prefer," Darius clarified. "One that should make the operation tomorrow quite a bit easier."
The five known by some as the Hexsquad all traded glances.
"We're listening," Luz smirked.
Chapter twenty-one is here! And it incorporates aspects of the first half of "Clouds on the Horizon," preparing for the follow-up.
*Writing the Titan has been on my to-do list for AGES, and I've tried to drop hints of it. I had a blast making it finally happen!
*Alston named for the actual singing mouse called "Alston's singing mouse" from Central America. Derwin's is named for the fact that killer whales are actually dolphins; my brother suggested "Willy" and while I didn't go through with it, it deserves an honorable mention. Severine's is named after terrapins, and the strength of earth. Finally, Steve's palisman is seen in "Escape of the Palisman" and is named after the "Lion King" character - his name means "friend" in Swahili; it was my brothers suggestion. (He has the same palisman in my Steve/Katya mature series, but with a different name.)*It was really fun devising that lullaby about the Collector, which was heavily influenced by stories of Baba Yaga in Eastern European folklore. Let me know if it was spooky enough!
*A tapir is an animal with a short elephant's trunk and a black and white body split down the middle - they inspired the Japanese creature dream-eating the Baku. I figured that's weird enough for Luz. *I also preserved as much as I could of the Owl family's balcony scene - it's just a wonderful moment!
*I tried to do some justice to the Lumity kiss as a cute scene, but by now in my work they've long since had their first kiss so it's not as big a deal. And, as unpopular as this opinion may be, I'm starting to really get tired of the overlong hype for that one, brief scene. No offense to anyone who adores that scene, I just think it got a little too much focus in a plot-heavy episode.
As always, thanks so much for reading! Leave a review if possible! Ans may your own works be as fun to read as to write!