Amity POV

It hadn't taken anyone much time at all to gather what they needed. After Hunter's revelation that Belos was keeping a human locked up in a secret prison under the throne room, no one wasted any time in getting ready to leave.

There were only records of 3 humans having ever come to the Demon Realm. Two had arrived together as well, with one having died long ago and the other having turned themselves into a monster, and took command of the entire isles. And the third, who arrived alone, had been missing for 7 years.

Amity was certain that no other human could be held captive. After all, the Portal Door was in Eda's possession. If any human had come through, they would have known. So, that meant that the human that Belos held captive... was Luz.

Her Luz.

Amity was in her room gearing up. Everyone knew this was going to be dangerous. After a few hours of discussing plans, everyone separated to gather their equipment. Their plan was not super well thought out. It was kind of rushed. But Amity didn't care. Luz. Luz. Luz. Luz. was the only thought that was going through her head.

Their plan was simple really. All 11 of them were going to raid the castle. Using stealth and guile, they would sneak all the way into the throne room, then once there, would quickly subdue Belos before he even had a chance to react. Then, they would blow the floor open if they had to, pull Luz from the hidden prison, and make an escape.

They wanted to kill the mad tyrant, but they knew that would have to wait. He was too powerful. And even if Luz claimed that her spell prevented Belos from harming everyone, they couldn't take any chances. To ensure Luz was safely freed, they just needed to make sure that Belos was out of the picture entirely.

However, the Emperor's Coven guards... They would be a problem. So, everyone geared up. Amity had decided to wear some light armor. All enchanted to aid her. She wore shoulder pads, elbow pads, knee pads, and ankle braces. Each enchanted to reduce strain and pain in those joints. She knew they would be doing a lot of running. And had a feeling she may need to break through some doors. So, ensuring that her joints could handle the experience was her priority. The last thing she needed was for her legs to give out and be unable to run properly.

As she exited her room, she looked over at everyone who was also returning to the living room. Most wore different forms of armor, or had bags of equipment on them. Her father had his abomination cask worn on his rear hip. Readily available to provide any abomination jelly that he would need.

Eda had turned into her harpy form, and was wearing a bandolier of potions and had a few packs of glyphs on her. She held Owlbert tightly in her grasp. While her magic was lost, the staff still allowed her to have better control over her glyphs. And, she had found that she could use the latent energy in her staff to fuel her own actions. Rather than casting spells, she just simply would replenish her own energy sources to ensure she would not tire out.

Lilith was wearing her old coven head outfit, using the large cloak to conceal the large number of potions and glyphs she was carrying. Her staff held tight in her hand. This time, Lilith and Eda had not split the curse. So, Lilith was still a full mage. Powerful, and able to make quite a scene. Yet having backup equipment was never bad. And, since potions and glyphs didn't drain bile, she could use those to help her extend the amount of time that she could stay in the fight.

Willow had created a set of armor around herself out of plants. A mass of vines, thorns and tree bark covered her body. If Amity didn't know better, she would have just thought Willow as a large pant demon. Willow had found a way to make herself this armor without using her magic up. Something about commanding plants that she grew long ago. Amity wouldn't even pretend to understand it. Plants were not her strong suit.

Gus looked like himself, but Amity knew it was just a trick. He wore enchanted armor under the illusion covering him. The armor made him resistant to most attacks, and could withstand physical weapons. He would use the armor to protect himself, so that he could pour all his focus into powerful illusions that would help confuse and distract their enemies.

Hunter looked the least prepared, but Amity knew that wasn't true. He didn't need the aid that the others did. In these 7 long years, Hunter had continued to act as the Golden Guard. He distanced himself from Belos, but was still highly trusted in the Emperor's Coven. And as such, he could use an assortment of tricks by pretending to be on the coven's side, before turning on them. He was the perfect sleeper/double agent.

The twins had finally shown up as well. However, they were not engaging in the main fight. The two of them had been assigned to cover their escape. They were to make sure that the route the group had chosen to leave the castle would be clear, and that once outside, transportation was ready. Edric and Emira had become quite the wild witches, and had mastered several forms of magic each.

Edric had learned potions, and beast keeping. His help was immense in creating their reserves, and for obtaining several beasts to help them move long distances quickly. Easily able to tame even the most vicious of Slitherbeasts to aid him when he needed it.

Emira on the other hand, had gone to learn healing and bardic magic. Which was quite the help, considering that no one else in their troup had known either. Save for Eda, who knew some bardic magic. (However, her curse stopped her from using it). Emira had taken a supportive role. Deciding she liked helping others.

And it totally wasn't because she had been trying to impress a certain healing track witch back in school, to whom she was now engaged. It had no influence on her decisions at all. Nope.

King wore no armor, he was just his normal self. Over the years, he had practiced his shout, and had made quite some progress. It was a destructive force, and one that was very reliable. He seemed to have no limit to how much he could do. Amity had theorized that it was due to the powerful magic of titan blood that ran through the tiny demon's veins.

Lastly, Hooty had detached himself from The Owl House, and moved into his "Porta-Hooty" anchor. Amity was very glad to have been out of the room when that occurred, shivering to herself at just the thought. However, Amity had come to learn that the horrifying owl tube was quite the adversary in combate. Able to defend The Owl House all by himself against 40 or more guards, without really even breaking a sweat.

They were going to need all the help they could get to raid the castle and storm the throne room.

As everyone looked around, Eda and Lilith took the opportunity to pass out a small pack of glyphs to each person that could use them. (King and Hooty being the only two that couldn't).

"We don't know how long we will be fighting for, and we need everyone to get in and out safely. So, use these glyphs when you can to help conserve your magic. You all know how they work, so I am not going over it. Just be careful." Eda stated, giving everyone a once over. "I did not count on any deaths today either. So if you die, I am not burying you. If you want a proper funeral, then you better come back alive today, and save your death for another time." She started with a wink.

That got a couple chuckles out of the group, and helped ease the tension in the room. Amity turned, and was the first one out the door, quickly mounting her staff, as everyone else did the same.

Amity looked around to her friends Family around her, and smiled. Looking down to her Palisman, she reached out and stroked Ghost's head.

"Come on girl, let's go save Luz."

~3 hours later~

Amity leaned against a wall inside the castle, holding her breath to ensure that the invisibility glyph held to her chest didn't end. She watched as a coven guard walked past her, not even looking in her direction. She began to move, and rounded the corner, finally letting her breath out. Sweat beaded on her forehead.

Their plans had not gone quite right. Apparently, Belos had implemented a new rotation to the guards schedule, that neither Lilith nor Hunter had anticipated. And that meant that all their plans for sneaking between guards rotations had been rendered irrelevant. Instead, their group had split up. Each had a handful of invisibility glyphs, and each person was on their own to make it to the throne room.

This was decided, because Amity had pointed out that a group of 9 people trying to sneak through the halls of a heavily guarded castle was a lot easier to spot, than 9 people separated out.

While Amity knew she was right, it didn't stop her from regretting speaking up. She wished she had some company as backup, in the event she made a mistake. Being alone made things much harder. Left a lot less room for error.

However, as Amity heard more footsteps approaching, she quickly took a breath, pressing the glyph to her chest, and activated it again, moving towards the next door she would head through.

She knew she was getting close to the throne room. The others should already be there, or nearly there. She was late. In one spot where she hid waiting for a guard to pass, they had stopped to answer a call on their scroll. She had waited too long before using one of her invisibility glyphs to sneak past.

She approached the hall that would lead to the large throne room doors, and could see everyone waiting for her. They all were just out of sight of the door, and Amity instantly saw why. There were ten guards all blocking the door off. Lilith and Hunter had assured the group that there would be no more than 3 guards. Both looked infuriated at their mistake.

Amity approached where the group was hiding just out of sight. She could see Gus was maintaining an illusion spell, though for what she did not know. That changed however, when she entered the perimeter of the group and suddenly could hear their voices. Ah, a muffle spell. Smart

Amity looked to where Eda was lecturing Lilith, angry at her for being wrong about the number of guards. As Hunter tried to stand up for Lilith, Eda pointed a finger at him, telling him to shut up, and that she would deal with him later. Hunter only shrunk back, whatever he had been trying to say cut off.

Amity took a deep breath, her invisibility spell finally dispelling, and startled a few people in the group. "Sorry I am late. Got stuck and had to be careful."

Willow nodded at her, along with many other faces in the group. Her father looked concerned, but said nothing as he turned back to peeking around the corner at the 10 guards. He scratched at his jaw. "Mittens, come here. I need help." He stated, motioning her over.

Amity peaked around the corner too next to her dad, looking at the guards. "What do you need me to do?" She asked, her mind racing as she started coming up with ways to get around these guards.

"Nothing really. I have that under control. I just wanted to talk to you and update you on the plan." He said softly, whispering to her. Amity turned a confused eye to her father, prompting him to continue.

"These guards are going to be a problem. Hunter recognized several of them. They are part of Belos's private guard. Apparently, they only guard the door like this when Belos is in a private meeting. So, what that means, is that we are going to have to split the group in half. Some of us stay and keep these guards occupied, and the rest head after Luz." He informed her.

Amity sucked in a breath, biting at her lip. "Okay, who is staying out, and who is going in?" She asked, worrying that she wouldn't be allowed to rescue Luz.

Her father seemed to notice her expression and let out a soft chuckle. "Don't worry. You will be going to save your friend. Here is the plan. Hunter believes that the 'meeting' Belos is in, is with Luz. Normally, some of his private guards are in the room with him during an important coven meeting. But for all 10 of them to be outside the door, Hunter believes it's so none of them see what he is doing." Her father said, rubbing his jaw again.

"So, that means that at the moment, the throne room is probably empty. So, instead of trying to overwhelm and surprise Belos in an all out frontal push, I voiced a different idea that everyone seemed to agree with." He took a deep breath, putting a hand on Amity's shoulder. "You, Eda and King will go in. The rest of us will stay out here. When we fight these guards, they will sound an alarm. We need people out here to hold off the army that will be approaching us."

Amity gawked at her fathers idea. Just three of us versus belos? And only one who can actually cast magic? How was this a good idea?! She wondered silently. Luckily, her father was still explaining.

"Belos is most likely alone. No guards. And he isn't expecting anyone to follow him at all. That should mean that he won't be on guard. Lastly, he should be distracted too. Interrogating your friend. So, that means that he will most likely have no defensive or protective spells on him either. Even a child could probably hit him right now, so long as he didn't notice them." Her father continued.

"You are a powerful wild witch. So, it will be up to you, to take down Belos." He said, his voice laced with worry. He looked at Amity, expression serious.

"You are not to try and kill him. We know his magic makes him very hard to kill, and he can heal himself without issue. So, no matter how strong you are, you can't kill him alone. Instead, you need to knock him out" Her father stated, looking Amity straight in the eye.

"Put him to sleep, get Luz, and get out. Nothing else. If you try anything else, he may wake up, and then all is lost." Then, her father got very quiet, and Amity noticed that maybe for the first time in her entire life, she saw tears in her fathers eyes. "And I can not lose one of my children."

Her father took a deep breath. "That's why I wanted Ed and Em outside the castle. I wanted you out there too, but I know that keeping you from your girlfriend like that would have been like trying to tame a hungry Woolyjag with my eyes closed, and covered in seasonings." he chuckled, though there was no joy behind it. Amity smiled at him in turn.

"Don't worry. I won't do anything stupid. I only want to make sure Luz is safe. I don't care about the Emperor." She promised, with a big smile, hugging her dad. However, he only blew out a breath of air, as he pressed his lips to the top of her head.

"I know. Normally, I would believe you. But... We know for certain that he has been hurting Luz." He said, his voice soft. He flinched when he felt Amity stiffen in his arms.

"What do you mean?" She asked, her voice suddenly shaking.

He sighed, his expression dark. "Listen. Listen very closely. It's almost too quiet here. I don't think anyone but myself and Hunter actually noticed, and I don't intend to point it out. That would just cause problems."

"How do you know that Hunter knows?" Amity asked, looking to the ex golden guard with confusion.

"Because... Every time I hear it, I can see Hunter flinching." He said softly. He placed a hand on Amity's shoulder. "Now, listen. You aren't going to like it..." He said somberly.

Amity closed her eyes, and strained her ears, trying to find what her father was talking about. She cast a small spell, one she had learned from the one oracle class she took. It was one that enhanced your senses. Made your eyes see things closer; Made your nose able to pick up on the slightest scents. And made your ears able to hear a bird walking from miles away.

Amity flinched as everything around her got louder. Her own breathing was almost deafening, but still listened. Then she felt her entire body lock up as she heard it. Her heart nearly stopped. Her face paled. She listened again, and sure enough, when the sound echoed to her ears, she saw Hunter flinch.

The sound was something that was both familiar and foreign at the same time. Something she only heard once before. The day her entire life was turned upside down. In her mind, she could see the past again. The bright pink light shining in the sky, Luz's body showing cracks of pink light and energy, before a loud bang, and pick glitter showered around them.

The sounds Luz made that day, her screams of agony, still haunted Amity's dreams now, 7 years later. Still kept her awake at night and brought tears to her eyes. And hearing something like that again, she felt the warm fluid stream down her cheeks. A high pitched shriek of pain, that she knew all too well.

Luz, screaming in agony.