I have the honor to be Chapter 4 So Proud of You, an owl house fanfic

Chapter Summary: Everything. Everything was for this moment. A daughter once abandoned, a mother twice betrayed, and an emperor thrice sated. The Boiling Isles trembles as the nights grow long and the days grow short, yet something stirs within the very depths of the castle's catacombs. A heart beats.

Author's Notes:

Hey, everyone. Its been a while. Life has been hectic and it got in the way of this work but here it is. Here is the long awaited chapter for this story and let me tell you right now that it is a long one. 77 pages worth of writing.

I can tell you right now that the next chapter won't nearly be as long. I just got so absorbed into working on this chapter in order to make this right, hopefully.

So, by all means, read it however you like. Fast or slow. All at once or savouring it. You waited this long for it.

Thank you all for waiting so long and reading this.

The Boiling Isles was quiet, eerily so. There were no mad ravings of dialect from the downtown market district or chatter from passerby. There were no chittering of creatures and insects that make the surrounding forests and crevices their home. There was only the soft echo of footsteps that could be heard from the several streets and alleyways that dot the districts. It was if the whole island was holding its collective breath, waiting for something to cut the cord holding back the tension and release this agonizing weight.

To those that look up to the sky for a sense ease of comfort, they would find themselves disappointed and filled with a sense of foreboding as dark clouds choke the light out of the sky. It was if the sun was afraid, hiding behind the veil of rumbling clouds and bringing forth an encroaching darkness. The acrid smell of acid rain lightly hangs in the air as the sky darkens into a near pitch-black, causing the remaining witches that still remain on the streets to desperately rush for shelter.

There's a storm coming.

With a mighty flash of lightning, the clouds overhead begin to rumble and roil in the sky like the maddening laughter of the deranged. The rumbling noise forces many creatures far and wide to scatter and cower away into many hideaways to await the coming deluge of acid. Witches begin to cast their magics, creating the barriers that were a common sight on these days. However, that didn't stop many witches to look out wistfully from their orange cage, contemplating about the things that clog their mind and the whims of life.

There was one such a witch that had a lot on her mind, looking outward from her balcony and looking past the developing orange barrier surrounding her house to stare at the rolling sky. She lays hunched along the wooden railing of the balcony, careful not to jostle the many potted plants around her. They writhe and curl around her affectionately, giving thanks and comfort to their loving matron as she sighs, using her finger to rub a nearby flower's petal. She feels a passing gust of wind make its way through the barrier and rush through her home, causing many of her plants to sway to the rhythm of the wind. The wind's gentle caress was soothing but it did nothing to relieve the sense of unease she has built within her mind.

To those that know her, she was Willow Park, a student of Hexside and a proud daughter to two doting fathers. Her turquoise-blue hair dance to the flowing wind but there was no mirth to be had for her own body. Her eyes, normally gleaming with a luster like polished jade, were dull with trouble as she continues to stare absently to the sky as she thinks. The source of her trouble? Ask any student in Hexside about it and they would say that it was because she recently transferred into the Plant track due to her recent stunt at the school. They would whisper behind her back. saying that she has big shoes to fill, or it was just an elaborate plan. They were all wrong though, as Willow has something else in her mind. All thoughts turn to the mysterious stranger known only by the name of Luz.

Much like many things on the Boiling Isles, Luz appeared out of nowhere like magic and bringing forth a whirlwind of chaos to those around her. When Willow first met her, it was downright surprising as she was not expecting someone to leap out of the woods, jumping into the fray like some type of noble warrior ready for battle. She was even more surprised when the strange girl brazenly confronted Amity Blight, the cold-hearted witch of Hexside and her friend-turned-foe. At the time, she thought the girl was brave or simply foolish to step in. After all, none would dare trifle with one of the Blights lest they face the consequence, whether it be from the mischievous twins, Amity herself, or through the machinations of Alador or Odalia Blight. She herself ought to know, as for some unexplained reason, Amity severed all contact with her and began to become cold. Distant.

Before, she thought that she can keep up with the constant belittlement brought upon by Amity. She thought that she was the better person, not trying to give into Amity's goading.

She thought wrong.

Little by little, as the tide erodes stone, so too did Amity's words wear away her will over the years, causing her to become more frustrated than she could ever realize. This rage, this monumental anger threatened to spill out from her like an unrelenting flood. But Willow held strong, but only just. She bottled up all her anger, all her sorrow deep within her, hiding this waking beast so that she can try to at least continue her life in a peace. For a time, it worked, but she can still feel the vestiges of that rage creep within her. It was a miracle that her self-control lasted this long but she felt it slipping, cracking under the immense pressures that were Amity and, at the time, the threat of failure in the Abomination's track. She thought that the talk with Amity in the clearing would be the end of it but imagine her surprise when the golden-eyed girl fled in the face of Luz.

Willow snorted at the memory, she remembered being flabbergasted at the sight as she never seen Amity act like that at all, not even when they were still kids. The pristine image that Amity cultivated was shattered by Luz's arrival, breaking her normally cool composure. Willow remembered turning towards Luz to thank the brave girl for what she done, but Willow stopped. She looked at Luz, her face slightly obscured as Luz was turned away, and notices something odd. Something felt off about the wild-looking girl covered in twigs, dirt, and grass. There was something familiar about the girl, like she met her before. She shook her head; the thought was preposterous.

When Willow finally greeted the girl, Luz didn't initially respond, the girl's face blank like she was lost in her own thoughts. Willow thought it was more to surprise than anything, seeing as the situation had a drastic shift in tone. It took a second greeting and a gentle poke on the girl's shoulder to finally get her attention. Although, with that one sudden touch, Luz immediately jumped back in surprise with Willow herself following in suit. With a small noise, Luz took several steps back, clutching her hood like a lifeline. It took a few moments for the excitement to settle down from the shock and by then, both eyes meet. Brown meeting green. It was like a flick of a switch, the girl's personality drastically flipping from a once fiery anger and a stuttered shock to a now friendlier demeanor.

Willow chuckles at the memory. The girl, Luz as she so finally introduced shortly afterwards, was a strange but funny person, someone that Willow thought would never expect to meet. She didn't recognize her name or style of dress for anything native to the Boiling Isles, and Luz's frantic mannerisms and words she used when she was introducing herself was something to behold. Quite frankly, Willow though that she, Luz, was a recent transferee from a neighbouring city or perhaps from one of the far-off neighbouring islands as the gossip that would sprout from this one individual would be vast.

That latter theory slowly solidified itself when the both of them travelled to one of the hallmarks of the Boiling Isles, the Hexside School of Magic and Demonics. Willow brought Luz there both as a sign of good faith and as an apology for getting Luz wrapped up in the mess with Amity. Hearing the girl's astonished and wondrous cheers of joy when she, Willow, explained the history of the school both marked Luz in Willow's mind as a possible stranger to the Isles and as a nice companion to be around.

It was in this conversation that it became readily apparent that Luz's mind was as sharp as a steel blade that was only matched by her eagerness to learn. She began asking questions, none too invasive but still rather probing. During their trek towards the school, she eagerly and rapidly asked many questions that unfortunately, Willow couldn't get to them all and many more she soon forgot afterwards. Although, some questions were lodged in her mind, as if her mind didn't want to forget.

What kind of magics are there?

What's the Coven system?

Who established it?

Who is the Emperor?

Soon, when they nearly reached the school, her questions took on a more personal note, asking Willow why she was out in the middle of the woods with a wheelbarrow full of purple sludge. Perhaps it was because of the openness of Luz's personality or the crippling need for outside assurance that she told Luz of her plight. She told the girl that she was nearly failing the Abominations track even with the constant effort she put forth to correct it. This project was her last chance to make it right and to make her parents proud; she couldn't fail this assignment.

Luz, through her compassionate heart, decided to concoct a plan to aid Willow, one relying on deception and performance to deceive others that she has successfully performed an abomination summon. Looking back, Willow should have found it quite strange that Luz didn't simply incorporate any magic in the plan; no illusion magic to make a glamour or even a bestial companion to act in either one's stead. While witches do indeed need to be resourceful, Willow has not often seen witches her age neglect using their magic to solve a problem. Stranger still when they finally arrived at the school; nobody could've predicted what happened except for the Titan itself.

Throughout their entire escapade of their daring plan, from its fruitful start to its near-disastrous end with the rampaging plant monster, she did not see any inkling of Luz casting magic. She also observed that Luz had the peculiar habit of keeping a hood over her head, perhaps a stylistic or cultural choice?

No matter the journey, Willow couldn't deny the outcome. A switch to the Plants track from that awful Abominations track, and making a new friend in the progress? She couldn't ask for more. After that affair in the school, Willow was delighted to see Luz any chance she got. From seeing her fight in the Covention, or even hanging out and performing a Moonlight Conjuring with her, it was a joy to be around her. It was also nice to see Luz's long, frayed hair tamed and cut. It made her look less wild looking and allowed her brown eyes to stand out more from behind her glasses.

Then something happened.

Willow doesn't know what or how, but sometime after the Moonlight Conjuring, something happened to Luz. It was only once on a bright day in the marketplace that she saw her wandering the roads as if lost. At first, Willow didn't recognize her, but after getting a second look, the wayward girl was definitely Luz.

She looked terrible. Even if she was far away, Willow can see her eyes sunken behind ever darkening eyebags, scratches and bruises littering any patches of exposed skin on her body, and her once pristine, barber cut hair was slowly returning to the wild hair from before. Her face was also slightly gaunt, as if she wasn't eating properly, and she was walking with a slight limp, favoring her right side. The spark inside Luz was dimmed, but what caused it remains a mystery to Willow.

FiZtZ

The sound instantly grinds Willow's musings to a halt. She rushes to her feet, nearly knocking over the several potted plants around her as she looks up towards the source of the sound. She gasps as the orange acid rain barrier was shuddering, as if it were weakening.

"DAD! POPS!" She turns and shouts behind her from her perch. From above, a thick rumbling of thunder begins to emerge, and a steady wind has taken to appear amidst these tides of uncertainty.

"Yes, sweetie?" Her dad answers from below, "Is something wrong?"

"Something's wrong with the barrier. I think its failing!"

"WHAT!?" A different voice answers back; her pops. A set of heavy footsteps pound against the flooring of her home as no doubt he runs outside to check the barrier. She turns back towards her perch and eyes the barrier, noticing that the glow was shimmering in and out of existence.

Other noises draw her attention away from the ailing shelter. From the corner of her eye, she can see other witches do the same, shouting and screaming toward another as the conjured barriers propped up everywhere were failing.

KRA-KOOM

A deafening crack of thunder silences the hearts and voices of the chattering witches, including Willow herself. She looks up and her eyes widen as before her eyes, the barrier recedes completely and with it, the shuddering of storm clouds.

"BOILING RAIN!" She hears one witch scream. As if the words were a summoning spell, the clouds begin the deluge, the sounds of lightning and thunder accompanying the oncoming storm of boiling rain.

Witches and demons alike scream and shout in terror as they run to find a suitable shelter from the rain. The scampering of feet and the slamming of doors accompany the sharp hisses of pain and agony from the sting of the boiling rain.

Willow was no different, immediately rushing away from the balcony and into the shelter of her room, for how long it could withstand the acidic onslaught. However, in all her haste, she neglected to retrieve the many potted plants that dot the balcony, plants that she raised, grew, and cared for.

'Can't leave them behind!' Was the only thought echoing in Willow's mind as she bravely, or foolishly, rushes back to the balcony to get her plants to safety. She outstretches her arms and hands to get the nearest plant, her fingertips nearly grazing the item before she feels it.

Splish…

"Huh?" She flinches back into her room in confusion, assured that her hand was hit by the acidic bite of the boiling rain. However, as she looks at the back of her hand to check what happened, she sees a droplet of a near clear solution splayed out harmlessly on her skin, cool to the touch.

"What the…?" Confusion, curiosity, and wonder swirled in Willow's mind as she turns her head towards the balcony, not knowing what was happening. Outside, instead of the slow decay she expected from the constant hammering of boiling rain, there was the soft pitter patter of droplets harmlessly splashing off the surface of the balcony. Her plants were also faring even better than before as with each droplet of this clear rain hitting their leaves, they wriggle and dance as if the water were giving them life.

Silently, Willow, step by step, walks slowly out onto her balcony, hearing the splash of water hitting her boot from the growing puddle of this clear rain. Willow raises her head and closes her eyes, letting the water wash over here body as the rain continues to fall, curiosity now controlling her mind. She feels…cold, a chill that she hasn't felt before from the rainfalls that she experienced in her life. But it wasn't uncomfortable for her, far from it. It was pleasant, like the gentle touch of her dad caressing her cheek when she was a young child. She stood there, silently, as she takes in this new experience, oblivious to the world around here as she lets this cold rain envelope her entire body.

"Willow? Willow are you alright? Are you inside? Willow?" The voice of her dad and pops shout from within the house but the girl was too entranced by this new sensation to answer. Soon, the rumbling of footsteps can be heard as to answer the silence and in mere moments, Willow's door to her room swings open to herald the appearance of her parents. Her pops was first to enter, followed by her dad, lamp in hand to light the encroaching darkness.

"Willow?" One of them asks before both parents' eyes land on Willow and widen in alarm.

"WILLOW! Get out from there this instant! You're going to get hurt!" Shouts her pops, near hysteria in his tone. He rushes towards the balcony with Willow's dad following closely behind, arms outstretched in a grabbing motion. However, both stopped in their tracks when Willow turned to face them, eyes open and a gentle smile on her face.

"Dad, pops, it's okay. I'm fine, look!" She twirls around under the rainfall and wind, bold to the surprise of her parents. She twirls and laughs in a giddy dance as the droplets falling off and around her catch the light from her dad's lamp. It was like she was wreathed in a cloak of starlight, dancing against the midnight sky. She was beautiful but most importantly of all, unafraid.

"Willow?" The confusion evident in her dad's voice. "How are you…?" As he raises his hand to get his daughter, he too feels the cold caress of the rain, causing him to recoil in shock.

"Are you alright?" Asks her pops.

"I'm fine," Her dad answers back, "Its just…I was surprised."

"Surprised? Surprised by what?"

"This rain…" Hand in hand, her dad brings her pops to the balcony so they too can be wreathed in the rain. Slowly, as they step into balcony with their daughter in front of them, the rain slowly falls onto their faces and their bodies with a gentle chill creeping into their very bones.

They are shocked silent, mouths agape at the situation before them. Unbeknownst to them, the street around them creeps again with life as one by one, doors and windows open with witches and demons alike staring into the dark sky. They too feel the cool touch of this rain with murmurs of wonder and astonishment gracing their lips. From across the entire island, the denizens of the Boiling Isles witness a never-before-seen phenomenon, one that will grace the history books in the near future. The Day of the Gentle Rain they will call it. But for now, the Isles was quietly celebrating this miraculous event for they will never know when this will happen again.

All except for one place.

In the distance of the city lies a menacing looking castle where if one could see past the veil of darkness and shadow summoned by the rain, one could see a faint green glow emanate from the lower windows.

And if one's hearing was good enough, one could hear a once strong beat weaken ever so slightly.

"Again."

Inside the thick stone walls of the Emperor's castle and hidden away from prying eyes save for one lies three individuals within a training room filled with a wide variety of weapons and wooden targets. One individual, cloaked in a regal gold-trimmed white cloak and wearing an imposing golden mask, stares intently with his brilliant blue eyes at the other two individuals on the training field before his feet. One of the two, a woman with straight navy hair with cold, cyan eyes and wearing a long grey dress that touches the ground, expertly meets blow for blow with her staff the strikes of the other individual, a girl no more than 14 years old.

In stark contrast to the cool collectiveness of the woman, the girl was breathing heavily, and her face was nearly caked in sweat. The girl is Luz but at the same time, it wasn't for she has seen better days. She was dressed in a simple but dirtied white training uniform with any areas exposed from the cloth littered with dirt and healing bruises. Her hair was no better, her once cut and pristine hair was now turning slightly long and ragged with flecks of dirt soiling it. Her brown eyes that once held the shine of stars looked weary with exhaustion as dark bags develop under them, and her glasses lay scratched. But her eyes still hold the drive to fight against her opponent. In her hands she wields a weapon mirroring her opponent, a wooden training staff which was heavy as it was versatile.

She staggers back from the last clash with her opponent and takes as much breath as she can before she launches herself back at her opponent once more. Her muscles scream in protest, but her mind pushes her forward, the need to become stronger far more powerful than the cries of her body. Her body was getting stronger, she could feel it nearly everyday since she was brought here and begun her training. Her lithe physique was small but deceptive as everyday, her muscles become more refined, and her movements become more agile with every step. However, this was still not enough for her, not after what was done.

As such, she returns to a martial dance designed for poise and precision, relying on her nimble footwork and precise strikes to take down her opponent. She falls into a rhythm and so to does her opponent, for they both have repeated this dance many times, her opponent moreso. The steps may differ, the rhythm may change, but the dance remains the same at the end.

Duck.

Dodge.

Parry.

Stri-

THWACK!

"Agh!" The girl clutches her hand as the pain radiates from the blow, letting go of her wooden staff in the process and causing the staff to clatter along the floor. She hisses as she looks up from her hand and sees the cold, emotionless eyes of one Lilith Clawthorne. Lilith's eyes were as cold as tempered steel and just as demanding, forcing Luz to ready herself once more.

"Again."

Parry.

Block.

Sidestep.

Roll.

Stri-

THWACK!

"Rrrh…" Luz was struck once more, this time on the side of her right arm as she swung too wide when she left her roll. She keeps her grip on her staff, however, and without further prodding, takes a defensive stance against Lilith's own. Luz grits her teeth and steels her mind, but there was a voice speaking the smallest of whispers, telling her that this wasn't enough. That she was still weak. She pushes those thoughts aside, knowing that she can prove them wrong but there is still a part of her that thinks otherwise. That she was still that little girl whisked away from her mother's arms, helpless in the face of someone truly vile.

But she must be patient. Her anger must be tempered like steel within a forge and by then, she will be ready. She must be.

The first step will be to train, train, and train some more.

"Again."

Sidestep.

Block

Parry

Duck

Jab

Roll

Block

Parry

Lung-

THWACK!

"Woah!" She falls to the ground, hard, as Lilith deftly maneuvers herself past Luz's attack and striking Luz's exposed legs. Luz fumbles, closes her eyes, grabs her head as it thrums in immense pain. Coupled with the growing exhaustion on her mind, any attempt to open her eyes or stand causes a massive wave of nausea to wash over her. She could almost feel the bile leave her mouth, but she swallows it back along with her pride; this was no time to wallow in despair.

This may have been her tenth loss in a row for today, but she can find solace in the fact that she lasted longer than before. She was just this close to hitting her that it was infuriating to think about.

"Again."

"That will be enough for today, Lilith."

The third individual steps forth from where he stood watching, coming closer between the two and allowing Luz to see more clearly more of the tall and built figure that was cloaked in the shadow of the room. The cold yet authoritative voice coming from him causes Luz to shiver and stand up straighter while Lilith pauses. His words were like a frosty chill enveloping the body but held with enough poise and restraint that they demand attention and respect.

Lilith turns her head towards the figure and a perplexed look on her face, says, "My lord, are you sure? There is still much for her to train for today."

"I believe that she has been tossed around enough for today, Lilith. I shall take her in early for her training with me."

Electric blue eyes shift from eyes of cold cyan to a weary brown, emotionless in intent and masking their mind. Luz looks away, not wanting to look directly to what was the closest thing to royalty and divinity that she would ever meet in her life.

Emperor Belos, an enigmatic and regal figure that is the reigning ruler of the Boiling Isles. Luz owes him so much after what he did for her when they first met. Saving her from that horrendous monster, Kikimora, giving her food and shelter, and training her in the ways of the Isles so that she can defend herself and to avoid repeating events from so long ago.

It has been quite some time since she was put into their care within the castle, a few weeks if she can remember correctly but if she was honest to herself, it felt quite shorter. Ever since she started her training with Lilith, the head of the Emperor's Coven and the Right Hand of Belos, the days seemed to blur so easily together. In the mornings, it was always some type of lesson regarding the history and culture of the Boiling Isles where in the afternoons, Lilith would train and spar Luz with whatever weapon the lady deems fit to use. Her magic studies in the evenings, however, were left to the personal tutelage of the Emperor himself.

The Emperor is as firm in his lessons and teachings as is his rule over the Isles, expecting due diligence and dedication towards the arcane secrets. Belos knows that she was a human lacking the quintessential bile sac needed to cast magic but that hasn't stopped him in finding other ways. Namely, the glyphs that Luz has accrued. Luz first showed her vast collection of glyphs found within her artbook when they began their first lesson together and from there, Belos was intrigued.

During their time together, Belos would charge Luz to learn what her glyphs can do as it was a travesty that so many were unknown to her and to him. He would also make her memorize them, write them, find ways to modify them as to only use what was given without experimentation is a travesty to the arcane arts. She agreed with what he said but there was one small mistake.

These glyphs weren't completely unknown to her.

She may not be able to draw them accurately or draw them quickly enough but lately, in some level, she knows what her glyphs can do. At least, the ones that she personally drew and not the ones that…that monster drew. She knows that when she glances at the glyphs drawn structure, there is a flicker of an image in her mind on what the glyph could do but it was hard to see, like it was underneath a wall of fog. Some were easier to see such as the Light glyph, but others were harder to determine.

She doesn't know why it was like this. Back home on Earth, she would take a few moments to recall how the glyph appeared and what it did, but it was only a guess at best. Dreams can be fickle and while she was imaginative, she did not know if these glyphs' effects were true. It was not until the incident in the Owl House with that monstrous creature and her light glyph that perhaps her dreams were a clue.

For a brief time after that incident, she tried experimenting with other glyphs during her outing with Eda in the Covention and found that the glyphs closely followed how they appeared with only a slight deviation. Yet, it was not until when Belos took her under his care that everything magical related came crashing back. It was like a switch, but at a cost. Her recollection of the glyph was near instant but now with an added veil of fog. It was frustrating seeing glyphs she knew for a long time nearly hidden by the machinations of her mind. It also doesn't help that shortly after leaving the Owl House, her nightly dreams were now being plagued with nightmarish beings and terrors cloaked in shadow with open mouths in a silent scream. They force her to wake up from her rest constantly, compounding the exhaustion weighing heavily on her.

Maybe she should bring this up to Belos? She hasn't told him how she acquired these glyphs but maybe he can help? From what she was told from her lessons from Lilith, Belos is the Speaker of the Titan's Will and perhaps he or the Titan can gather insight as to why this is happening to her?

"Luz."

The direct tone from Belos captures Luz's attention immediately and forces her to stand straighter from where she stood. She takes a small glance towards the two before she immediately stiffens when she locks eyes with Belos who was still staring at her. She must have missed something as from the corner of her eye, she can see a wary look on Lilith's face with her grip on her training staff tightening slightly. Luz gulps, this doesn't seem good.

Belos' eyes linger for a brief moment more before he taps the butt of his staff on the ground, grabbing both Luz and Lilith's attention. He turns towards Lilith and says curtly, "It seems that you've exhausted her more than you anticipated. I believe that I shall take her from here, Lilith."

Lilith bows deeply at the words, "My apologies, my lord. This won't happen again. Please, feel free to take her from here."

Belos nods, "Good. See to it that you will." He then turns his attention to a weary looking Luz who slightly jumps at the intense look in his eyes, "Come along now, Luz, we have much to cover today. Change out of your training gear quickly so that we can proceed."

Luz bows in mimicry of Lilith, "Yes, Belos, sir. Right away." Luz scurries away towards the changing room, putting away her training staff in the weapons rack along the way before she quickly changes into a simple brown t-shirt and a long blue pencil skirt. She shakes off a dull headache when she leaves the room, no doubt a sign of her exhaustion.

When she exits, she sees Belos nod and gestures towards the exit, "Let us proceed to your arcane studies, Luz. We have much to cover today."

"Yes, sir." Luz walks closely behind Belos as they leave with her eyes staring onto white cloak on Belos' back to focus. As she walks, she does not notice the lingering look on Lilith's eyes trailing on her form, one filled with caution.

The clacking of shoes hitting the stone floor were the only company to the silent walk through the maze-like halls of the castle. It was a journey, yes, to get to their training area but it was worth it.

After a few long moments, Belos stops in front of an ornate door glowing in a yellow hue, causing Luz to grin and start walking forward.

"We are here, Luz." Belos announces and with a rapping of his staff on the door, the door swings open, revealing a room filled to the brim with instruments befit for a learned scholar. Scrolls of parchment, alchemical instruments, desks, and a lone orb swirling with a purple haze fill the room.

Like clockwork, Luz takes her spot at her desk marked with carvings and worn with use before she is handed a thick stack of parchment accompanied with a feather pen and inkwell. She raises her hand to take the pen before she was stopped suddenly by Belos.

"Before we begin, Luz," He says with his eyes reflecting the stern, taciturn nature obtained during his ruling, "You have something else to do."

Luz perks up, curious yet cautious, "I…thought you wanted me to work on studying the spells from the Pyromancy school today? To find better applications for my glyphs?" She stands as Belos beckons her over to the lone orb in the room, puzzlement etched on her tired features as she stands side by side with the Emperor.

"The orb, sir?" She points to the orb with its contents swirling in wait and turns her head to meet Belos, "I thought that we were to practice Divination magic from the Oracle coven next week? And how can I work with it? I don't have any glyphs that relate to Divination at all yet."

"An orb is not only a means to divine the future, Luz. Now come, place your hands onto the orb." Cautiously, Luz takes her hands and places them onto the orb, recoiling slightly as she expected a cool touch from the smooth surface and not the warm embrace emanating from it. She hears Belos mutter words under his breath and taps his staff onto the orb, an incantation no doubt as the purple haze begins to swirl inside of it.

"Tell me, Luz," Belos moves carefully and deliberately, each step filled with regality and authority. He takes his place directly in front of Luz. his cobalt blue eyes staring directly at the tired girl, and continues, "What do you think of your stay within the castle?"

"Sir?" Confused at the words, Luz raises an eyebrow at the stoic Emperor.

"It is what I say, Luz. What do you think of your stay within the castle? Have you found it to your liking?" Belos states with no change to his voice or demeanor. Luz pauses, her hands still on the orb as she thinks as to what she will say.

"I…," Luz starts, her voice unsure for a moment before it is reinforced with the steel of her will, "I've found it quite eye opening, sir. I quite like living here. Away from the world behind walls of stone. It actually reminds me of when I was back home with my…" Luz stops, her voice losing its strength. Images flash in her mind that were then accompanied with a dull ache that she slowly becoming accustomed to. Unknown to her, the orb below her glows a faint green amidst the purple.

"Is something the matter, Luz?" Belos' voice took an unexpected turn. There were tones of empathy and concern layered within his even voice. To her surprise, Luz sees Belos kneel to her height, making it much easier to see eye to eye. "Is something troubling you?"

Luz looks uncertain, hesitant to share, "No, sir, not at all. Like you said, it must be the training and all. Not that I am not grateful for it, I been learning so much and-," However, a small wave of exhaustion hits her, forcing her to stop. Her vision dances into shadowy waves as the exhaustion makes her sluggish and unsteady on her feet. Just as sudden it has appeared, it soon resolves, allowing her to steady herself onto her feet and clear her mind. However, not before Belos was able to see everything with his unyielding eyes.

"You're tired." Belos states bluntly, his words voicing a truth than a question with his voice showing no compromise, "Far more tired than you should be for one such as your age. What is troubling you?"

Luz opens her mouth briefly before closing it, unsure as to whether she should reveal the nightmarish horrors that plague her dreams or the dull aches that wrack her bones. She bites her lip, her eyes darting aside and briefly breaking contact with Belos before recentering with a renewed vigour. If she cannot tell Belos, the man responsible for allowing this generosity, about these troubling things, then who can she turn too?

In her mind, A brief flicker of a warm, familiar, but distant smile causes her to flinch in pain, forcing her to instinctively push it back in the furthest recesses. She grits her teeth; this has to stop, now. In her hands, the divination orb glows brighter unbeknownst to Luz, the light still faint but noticeable. Yet, the green haze begins to slowly overtake the purple, choking the purple light's existence from the object.

"I…I haven't been getting much rest, sir," Belos remains composed, but his eyes turn inquisitive, causing Luz to continue, "A few days since I've come to live here, I've been having these nightmares each and every night. At first, they weren't that bad but eventually, they were so…abhorrent, terrible." Luz shivers at the thought of one of her recent nightmarish monstrosities, a creature veiled in shadow with cries that still haunt her in the waking realm.

"I've tried my best to shake off these feelings, sir, as I thought that this was just a fleeting thing. But they just keep coming and coming, and I didn't want to trouble you about it because this was so-"

"Childish?" Luz pauses as Belos kneels down beside her and places a hand on her shoulder. Luz stares shocked, unused to such a gesture from the normally taciturn individual. He says gently, "Luz, it is not something to be disregarded if it affects you this greatly. I can reassure you that what you're experiencing I can and will be able to aid you from your plight."

Luz feels a warmth pool in her chest and cheeks, flustered that the Emperor would be this caring to her, a stranger. "Thank you, sir," She manages to say, "You've been so generous of me with everything. From rescuing me and allowing me to stay here, I really can't thank you enough."

"Well, you can thank me by telling me what else afflicts you, Luz, because I can sense that something else is plaguing your mind."

"Yes, actually. I've been meaning to ask you later but I think now's a good time as any."

"Truly? What, pray tell, have you hidden from me?"

"Well," Luz pauses, trying to think of the right words to explain these vestiges of something that flash in her mind. They feel like memories, her memories, but they feel foreign as if they were once removed or locked away. After a few brief moments, Luz finally speaks, "I've been getting these weird flashbacks every once in a while, as if my mind is telling me something that I don't know. They started ever since I've returned to the Isles, and they happen randomly. Sometimes they happen when I meet someone or when I think of something, but when they do appear, I get a splitting headache and I feel terrible afterwards."

"The funny thing is that they look like memories, memories that I would have, but they aren't. I don't remember experiencing anything those flashes have shown me doing so something must have happened. Especially since you've helped reveal the truth of my old memories. Does this sound like something that you can fix?"

"Hmm…," Luz can only look inquisitively at Belos who is now locked deep in thought and gathering items around the room once Luz has finished her account. He constantly murmurs something under his breath, something that Luz cannot hear, with his eyes darting left and right as if worried or startled, a rare sight upon a normally stoic demeanor.

Eventually, his movements stop before an alchemical set, his arms filled with outlandish ingredients that Luz cannot describe. Quickly with expert movements, Belos begins to make something from this group of ingredients.

"I am glad that you are comfortable enough to tell me this, Luz," Belos finally says amidst the clanging of metal and alchemical ingredients, "For this is a dangerous condition indeed."

Luz gulps, worried at the serios tone brought upon her words, "What do you mean?"

"You're experiencing a memory rapture, an ailment caused by the improper alteration of a person's memories. It is a rare condition as magic manipulating the mind is a dangerous and forbidden feat to perform for even the slightest miscalculation risks altering the person forever." As he speaks, the pile of ingredients that he gathered around the room becomes smaller as he breaks them down and places them into the intricate tools before him.

"There are reasons why I have these laws and covens instituted, Luz, so that none may recklessly entertain such thoughts. Unfortunately, we have the occasional interloper who dares such a feat, but fortunately, there are remedies for it."

"Really?" Luz watches in amazement as steam hisses from the colourful boiling liquids as Belos adds something to the mixture through an open port. The colour swirls and changes, never being one colour for long.

"Yes, Luz. For even if a memory rapture is caused by the alteration of memories, splicing or adding memories for example, certain potions have been documented to relieve the effects brought upon the condition." As he says that, he grabs a small vial beside the alchemical tools and pours the now kaleidoscopic mixture within it. He waits a few moments to allow the mixture to cool down before he raises the vial towards a very confused, and skeptical, looking Luz.

"Here, Luz. This should provide the remedy that you seek. After you drink this, you will no longer have nothing to fear from having your mind attacked by these obtrusive thoughts."

Luz looks inquisitively at the mixture, her eyes scanning the colourful brew, "Really? Is this thing even safe to drink?"

Belos nods, "I can assure you that this mixture is safe for you to consume, and you have nothing to fear. I make no mistakes. One thing that I would like to mention is that after you have drunk this drink, keep your hands onto the orb for I can help channel my magics to aid in the remedy."

After hearing those words, Luz gives a nod towards Belos before she takes the vial and quickly consumes its contents. She almost retches from the near rancid taste but forces herself to keep it down. If this was the only way to rid her from the memory raptures, then so be it.

Near instantly, the daggerlike sensation she has on the back of her head becomes dulled to a soothing wave, finally allowing her to think peacefully. Luz breathes a sigh of relief, reveling in the return of her senses. However, something else sends a shiver down her spine as she continues to hold onto the orb. She feels her arms grow weaker, but they are locked against the orb, and her body feels feverish with heat.

"Do not fret, Luz," She hears Belos say but it sounds distant and distorted through a haze. "Remain in your position holding onto the orb and allow me to do the rest."

She hears Belos chant something, but she can't hear it. Its as if the world has been muted and dulled. The colour almost washes away from her sight, and she can barely feel the warmth provided by the orb she is holding.

"By the way, Luz," Belos voice echoes all around her, as if resonating in her mind. She shivers and hears unrestrained, as if her body was not her own. Her body shakes as Belos' words continue to echo around her, "Have you kept in contact with anyone besides myself or Lilith during your stay?"

She shakes her head in a dull motion, acting like a zombie void of emotion or self-control. "What a shame, Luz, because I heard from a little whisper that you've met someone very special to me. Tell me, have you met someone by the name of Edalyn Clawthorne? Or perhaps you are more familiar with the name, Eda?"

Luz nods.

"Oh, that is delightful to hear! Although, did you know that Eda is far more connected your past than you realize? Such as being deeply connected with that blasphemous traitor, Kikimora?"

Luz shakes her head, firmly with a venomous look on her face.

"Well, that simply won't do. After all, I did promise to help you," Belos conjures from his staff a small white orb, crackling with energy. "I've done this once before if you recall, in the veils of your dreams, correct? However, I did not expect that your mind carries still so many secrets to you. Therefore, I've augmented the original spell to aid in this plight." Luz slowly raises a hand to touch the bright orb, but it was snatched away wordlessly by Belos who shakes his head disapprovingly.

"Ahh, ahh, ahh, don't be so hasty. It is not good manners to greedily accept such matters without recompense. Perhaps a deal, then? I give you the means to investigate memories you've once thought lost while you tell me exactly where she lives for, I hear that you've took shelter there. Remember, she must've cooperated with those filthy bandits who caused you so much sorrow."

"So, Luz Noceda, do we have a deal?"

TAP

The pitter patter of sullen footsteps fills the wooden void of the secluded Owl house. From within the recesses of the normally raucous domain, an unsettling quiet pervades it. No arguments, no merriment, not even any remarks from its avian ward make any attempts to remove the immense weight hanging in the atmosphere. Its only two denizens, one a tall grey-haired woman with tired golden eyes and the other, an anxious skull-faced demon, lay in deep conversion in the living room.

"Ugh…," The grey-haired woman, one Eda Clawthrone, sighs and sinks deeper into her cushioned seat, nursing a mug filled with the warm, heavily spiced brew of Apple blood between her lips. She takes a heavy gulp before placing the mug onto the table beside her with a small clack, rubbing the bridge of her in frustration.

"What am I to do, King?" She mumbles towards her worried companion. A grimace forms on her face as she softly continues, "What am I to do?"

"Eda, you can't keep pushing yourself like this!" Exclaims King, the skull-faced demon. The normally goofy creature set aside all pleasantries to rectify his friend's woes. He scampers towards her side and tries to reason with her, "You've been at this for nearly a month now! Don't you think you need to rest a bit?"

Eda sighs deeply, as if she has heard this plead many times before, "I know, King, but every time I try to, I get this nagging in my head that I'll find her, y'know? Her and Kikimora. Just where on the Isles are they?"

King taps his foot, and a look of worry covers his face, as if dreading what he has to say, "Eda, you have to realize that it has been almost a month since we've seen them. For all we know, they could have…y'know…"

"And that's why something's been bugging me," Eda grabs her mug again and points towards King, "Luz's too smart to go into this wild new world alone on purpose and Kikimora's too skilled to be jumped by some alleyway lowlife. The kid's also scrappy enough with her attitude that she would have been a dead give-away in the city. Something must've happened to them, but I don't know what." Eda takes another swig of her Apple blood and sighs, "Just what am I missing?"

"I don't know but you have to take care of yourself, Eda. Don't you remember your curse?"

"How can I forget?" Eda rubs the gemstone on her chest, wincing at the memories of beastly roars and flashes of talons, "Its not like I can be separated with this thing and the elixirs haven't been as effective lately. Its like I'm being stuck between two impossible scenarios right now, King. Should I find Luz and Kikimora or find a way to remove this Titan-forsaken curse before I turn completely?"

"I…," King visibily deflates, eyes down and small tears pooling on his eyes, "I don't know. I miss Luz but I don't want to see you hurt like this. We've been through a lot together and I…," King briefly looks away, his head towards the cushions of the sofa. Eda does not see King's face, but she can see something trail down the side of his face.

"You're someone that I care about, Eda. I don't want you to leave me too." His voice was quiet, different than what he normally sounds. A look of shock is worn on Eda's face as she processes those words, the first she has ever heard something like that. A small smile then blooms on her face, not one out of mischievousness but one made from compassion.

"Hey, now's not the time to be gloomy like that!" A glimmer shines from her eyes as Eda nudges King's back with her elbows, "We've faced greater odds before! Besides, who do you think you're talking too?"

King then looks up a bit, not making eye contact with Eda still, but a small smile matching Eda's was etched on his face. He mumbles, "The most powerful witch of the Boiling Isles?"

"Heh, exactly!" Eda gives another playful tap onto King, "We've survived a lot of impossible scenarios ever since we met so what's another one to us?"

King then perks ups, his dour mood completely shifting, "Speaking of impossible scenarios, I can't believe the rain we've had a few days ago! I mean, can you believe it? Rain that's cold and doesn't burn you? It was so weird but awesome!"

Eda raises an eyebrow, "I don't remember you being that excited, King." A cheshire-like grin develops on her face as she raises an eyebrow at King, "In fact, weren't you the one that says, and I quote: Please for the love of Titan, get the barrier back up, I don't want to be a cooked King!"

"HEY!" King fumes, pointing an accusatory finger at Eda, "I did not say that! I don't remember saying that at all!"

A happy snort escapes Eda and points lazily back with her mug, "Sure you did, King. And the next thing you'll say is that you did not squeal when you got splashed by the rain when you stuck your head out of the window?"

"Ooooooh, why I oughta!" King leaps onto Eda's back and playfully scampers around her body, forcing Eda to stand up from her seat.

"Hey, hey! I'm not taking passengers for this ride, King! Get your own ride!" Eda laughs as she tries to, unsuccessfully, get King off her back who in turn as trying his best to stay on as long as possible.

For the first time in many days and nights, the heavy weight and lull that hung the air of the Owl House was momentarily replaced with the infectious cries of laughter and joy from two close friends. It was a brief respite, but a necessary one, for there was a lightness in Eda's heart that allowed herself to push forward, if only for one more step.

"Alright, alright, you win this round, King." Eda says in faux defeat, "But if you plan on hitchhiking back there, then you better hang on for your life cause we're flying fast today. How about we get some food tonight!"

"HA HA!" King pumps his arms in the air, his voice filled with excitement. "The king craves for his delicious food! Onwards, minion!"

"Hey, don't push it, King. I could just leave you here by yourself while could get some sweet, sweet food." King stuck his tongue out towards Eda but remained perfectly still on Eda's back, gripping tightly onto the fabric of her dress.

"I see someone's now cooperative. Now, lets get going before it gets too late, or the market would be swarming with guards. Owlbert should be outside with Hooty so let's get going." King giggles in response but Eda pays it no heed. Rather, Eda takes a few steps forward before a thought occurs.

'That's odd.' Eda takes a few more steps forward towards the exit of the living room, not hearing the words of the nearby King, 'Hooty's being awfully quiet right now. Normally that ghastly bird would've been making some type of noise or barge himself in here by now.'

"Hey, King, did Hooty say anything about doing something today? I haven't heard any of his screeches for a while." Eda turns her head towards King, curious to see if she can glean some unknown knowledge, but she was only met with the same befuddlement as her.

"I don't think so?" King scratched his chin, "I don't remember him saying anything about doing stuff today. Maybe he's just sleeping?"

"Well, that won't be the first he's done that. Now let's get going, my stomach's been grumbling, and I want something hot filling my gullet!"

CREAK

Just as soon as Eda's excited footsteps resume, so too does it quickly falter as they hear the front door of their home creak loudly open. Eda and King share a quick, worried glance; the door never opens by itself, not without at least Hooty's say-so.

Eda steps forward cautiously, her focus now honed to a razor's edge to this potential threat. She feels King's grip tighten slowly, the anticipation making him more nervous by the second. With a hand raised to prepare for spell casting, Eda quickly leaps through the living room doorway to the main hallway leading to the door, determined to end this matter quickly. However, all pre-established thoughts ceased to exist once she finally sees the thing causing this situation.

"Luz?" Eda says quietly under her breath. She ca about Luz n barely believe her eyes but there she was, but she looked so different than what she remembered last time.

To be blunt, Luz looked terrible as if the life was sucked out of her. When Eda looks at her, she sees that Luz's body looks malnourished but honed with a fine edge, her muscles looked lean yet firm as if she was fighting everyday. Her clothes we're scratched and torn all over, as well as dirtied and stained. Eda's stomach turns when she sees splotches of purple skin dotting the once unblemished skin. The girl's hair was long and unkempt, covering her eyes and frayed with lack of care.

"Woah, woah! Easy there." Eda remarks when Luz tries to walk into the house. She takes a few steps forward, but her legs buckle, nearly causing her to fall onto the ground before Eda rushes over and catches her. Eda can feel King suck in a breath once both get a closer look at her, and thoughts run rampant within her mind.

'Oh, by the Titan, what happened to you, Luz?' She nearly cradles Luz in her arms, careful in her touch as if she was holding fragile glass. Luz's breath was shallow but stable yet that does not ease Eda's mind.

"Kid, what in the Titan's name happened? And where were you? Wasn't Ki-, erm, Hecate watching after you? Where is she?" Luz makes no sounds; she only wraps her arms around Eda gently to ease into the quiet.

"Ah…, you must be too tired right now. Let's get you looked at better when you get further inside." Eda then glances to King, a determined look matched by King's worried gaze, "Hecate shouldn't be far behind if Luz is here. Try looking around the area, King, but don't stray too far, going to need you here when Luz gets better."

King's eyes darts from Eda to Luz to the door and then back to Eda, unease filling in his eyes. "A-Alright but you better make sure she gets better so the three of us and Hecate get some food later. You promised already earlier."

Eda lets out a small chuckle, "Alright, alright, I get it. Now get going." Without a moment's delay, King jumps off Eda's body and makes his way towards the doorway, but a recognizable voice stops him in his tracks.

"Oh, I don't think that will be necessary, demon." With barely a second, King was wrapped from head to toe with golden cloth, immobilizing and gagging him. He tries to scream, but his voice was muffled and unclear.

"King!" Eda cries out but her focus was then directed to the glowing staff in front of her that was crackling with magical power. She raises her head, but she knows only one person who would dare wield such a staff.

"Belos…," She says with vitriol and disgust dripping from her voice, "What are you doing here?"

"You and I both know why I am here, Edalyn." His cobalt eyes shine with a disturbing glow within the shadows of the doorway and in his hands, the staff's head glows brighter. He grips the staff tighter before he remarks, "It is only a matter of when you will give it to me. Now tell me, where is the Portal Key?"

"And before you say anything childish, know that whatever you say will have dire consequences. So, think carefully about what you will say. After all, there is a child in your midst." Eda's hold on Luz tightens, slightly shifting the girl so that Luz was covered against Belos. Eda tries to think of some type of witty comeback or plan, but her mind only repeats a single phrase: Keep Luz safe.

"Alright. Alright, you can lower that staff of yours. I'll give you the key but leave the kid out of this, she has nothing to do with this." Belos remains silent as Eda raises a hand, conjuring the portal key from within an orange magic circle, and gives it to Belos.

With one smooth motion, Belos retrieves it from Eda's hand and inspects it, front to back. A few precious seconds pass before he gives a nod of satisfaction and pockets the key within his cloak. His staff is removed from her face and subsides with the power it held only moments before, its harsh light dimming until it fades to nothing.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Edalyn. Luz, if you will."

"Wha-," Eda could only process Luz's grip becoming tighter and feeling something being placed on her back befo-

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

A blood curdling cry erupts from Eda as lightning courses inside her, feeling pain that she has not experienced before. It was like feeling a thousand needles piercing all around her, digging their way into her like a starved beast. Her very core burns with a star's fire as the lightning rampages without pause, caring naught for her charred throat. With everything that she is experiencing, she could not process that Luz let go of her and took position beside Belos, much to the horror of King.

The effect lasts for a few more agonizing seconds before it ends, leaving Eda a crumpled heap on the floor, alive, but barely breathing and conscious. She feels something, or someone, hoist her up to her feet by the arms, concealed guards she thinks, until her face was grasped by metallic hands and was forced to see the cruel eyes of Belos.

"If you were thinking that you would walk free from here, then you are delusional. Did you really think that I would keep you here free from my grasp, a living paradox to what my rule stands for? I don't think so."

"L-Luz…" Eda weakly musters to say, confusion filling her voice. She can hear Belos softly chuckle once he hears the words and steps away, leaving her head to hang limp before he brings Luz closer to the entrapped Eda.

"Now that's surprising, you concerned for a human. How gracious and noble of you. However, I don't think she shares the same thinking. What do you say, Luz?" When Eda hears his voice mention Luz, Eda musters enough strength to raise her head but was stunned silent to see the hate-filled expression on her face.

"Li…ar." Luz's voice was quiet as a ghost, yet it burns hot with a malevolence a child her age should not have. Eda tries to say something, but she chokes on her words in her throat.

"Really? Do you have nothing to say to her? How utterly pathetic of you. Don't you have anything to say to the victim of your own mistakes?"

"W-What?" She turns her head towards Belos, confused by his words. However, it only took a few moments for her mind to catch on. Her eyes widen in realization and snaps her head towards Luz. She carefully examines Luz's face and notices that Luz's normally brown eyes are dull with life and seemingly glow with a green tint.

"Belos, what have you done? Don't you know how dangerous it is for her to drink that?" Her words fall on deaf ears as her mouth is immediately gagged with the same golden cloth that traps King.

"Now, now, there will be no more of your lies today." He then snaps his fingers, summoning to his side more of the Emperor's Guard to his side. "Luz and I have much prepare for my plans to bear fruit and your poisoned words are nothing but kindling for your punishment."

"But that will come with time, as will the end of your life. But for now, your life is useful to me, and I intend to make sure you suffer." Eda tries resist but her body is too weak to muster the strength needed to move. She can feel herself move out of the house against her will, nearly missing the silent forms of Hooty and Owlbert laying on the ground.

"Now, lets get you and your companions acquainted with the home you will be living in for the rest of your miserable life." Eda could only watch as Belos, Luz, and the members of the Emperor's Guard instantly teleport to the damp corridors of the castle.

She can feel her consciousness ebb away, fading like the night sky in the face of the dawn. There was one face that was now burned in her mind, and it was the mindless, lifeless stare of Luz standing beside a stoic Emperor Belos.

What is Death? A simple question but one that has garnered much attention within the scholarly circles and thinkers. Is it the loss of responsive activity? Is it the loss of feeling?

What comes after Death? Yet another question that has left more questions than answers. Is it a silence that comes after the cacophony of life? Is there some type of afterlife awaiting the departed after a life lived?

Is there a fate worse than Death? Yes.

This Death brings an unending nightmare to those of the waking realm, conjuring forth an eternal darkness that bubbles forth hidden secrets, vices, and fears.

This Death clouds the mind, disrupts the senses, and fills the lungs with the feeling of sharp needles and blades, yet it keeps the person alive far beyond natural means. There is no decay, only the stale sense of life to prolong suffering.

This Death encompasses an entombment of stone and fear heralded by a green light sent from it's messengers, the three sisters.

This Death begins with a traitor, a female demon cloaked in regret, scars, and missed chances, and it ends nowhere, for her punishment is for eternity and only silenced by mercy. Yet that mercy will never come, for it brings the finality of Death, a silence unfit to those who stand against the radiance of the Emperor.

So, for now, the demon screams in an unheard voice, experiencing nightmares, Death, again and again for all eternity. For that is all that she deserves.

Today, her nightmare brings her back to a place she never wanted to return to, the Conformatorium, her prison for years for a choice that she will never regret. Kikimora sees herself within the cage she lived in for so long, a cruel irony, but one that leaves no room for weakness.

The realm within her mind twists and morphs like clay in the palm of a hand, creating a vile parody of her cell with formless shades made of shadow. The shades twist and turn, trying to change themselves into malignant caricatures of people she once knew. People she met. People she killed. They form far beyond the mind's eye and attempt to break her. They always do.

"Why did you leave, Kikimora?" One shade speaks in a warped and demented manner, its voice echoing chaotically within the wall's boundaries. "Why did you leave us here to rot?" She remembers this one, someone Belos wanted gone. She was young. Foolish. Blind.

"What did I ever do to you?!" Another one shouts, speaking in a different voice warped by echoes and the cries of the departed. "I was just trying to live." A flicker of a memory, but she still remembers. She was on the hunt for someone; there was too much destruction, too many crying souls.

"Where's my mommy?" Why didn't she stop it?

"You lied to me…" This shade was manifested clearer than the rest. Average in stature, the shadows forming it firmly construct a distinctive figure, and its voice is clear of the haze and distortion of time. All the shades around it slowly disappear into unseen walls, leaving Kikimora alone with this shade, the one that she fears the most.

I tried telling you, but I couldn't.

"Let me through."

But I feared what you would do when I told you. I feared for myself, a coward's price.

"Is this what you wanted to show me?"

Now, look what I have done. So much suffering, so much pain. I wanted you to live and be free, Luz. Free from the memories and free from the path I've carved. But look what I have done to you.

"Well, can you tell me what she's like?"

When I first saw you after so long, I thought you were a revenant, an apparition chosen to haunt me for the blood and sins that stains my soul. But after spending the little time I had with you, I had something else to fear.

"We're here."

Even if we're not of the same blood nor the same world, I could see it. The fire that burns inside you, that drive to seek knowledge, your passion. I see myself in you, and I'm scared.

"Mama?"

How can I be someone that I could never be?

The shade opens its mouth, revealing a black void of nothingness that begins to suck the world into it. Kikimora is forced to join and watch as the world around her shifts and changes into another familiar room, one that brings memories of hard beatings and near endless sparring. She expects to see herself, then a young demon, training to be the Emperor's hand. But that was not what she sees.

She sees Luz breathing heavily and caked in sweat and blood battling, no, training with, a face she has yet to see after her escape from her cell. Lilith Clawthorne, the once second-in-command of the Emperor's Coven and now, it's leader. If this was any other circumstance, she would've been proud of the woman. She knew long ago that it was the woman's dream to one day ascend to the top of the coven's ranks. Instead, she sees Lilith relentlessly train Luz the same way Kikimora trained, pushing the girl to her utmost limits, and morphing her into a deadly tool.

She thinks that this would be the end but no, for there was never an end to the misery. Once the training has stopped, Kikimora can feel a deathly chill wash over her as she sees how worn Luz looks. Luz doesn't look like the same girl she left behind. Luz looks lost, haunted by something but what?

The scene shifts again, the space shuddering and shaking the room away before revealing the personal study of Belos and the room where Kikimora's worries could only grow. Belos is teaching Luz magic, something she should've done much sooner or faster, and further shaping the girl into a deadly individual, skilled in both body and mind. But it was only when Kikimora sees the orb and a vial filled with a colourful liquid that she feels her fear grip her tightly.

No…, no, no, why? Do you know what you've done, Belos? Oh, Luz, I'm sorry that I can't be there, you shouldn't have this done to you…

The surroundings fade to black, but she doesn't notice the change as she is too wrapped in her own faults and fears to realize it. She can feel her grip on reality slip, sinking further into the never-ending darkness that houses things that she dares not describe.

It is here that she remembers for it is difficult to forget the near-decade long experience within that damnable cell. She remembers the blood curdling screams as she endures the Warden's cruel mind day after day. She remembers the flames as they ate away her flesh and sight, all in defiance of the beloved, Emperor. She remembers the honeyed words, 'Tell me where the human girl is, and you will be set free'.

But she remembers why she did it. The bubbling laughter of a child. A happy smile and eyes filled with such wonder that they shouldn't have experienced the things they did. She remembers those honeyed words and answers, 'I will endure a thousand pains over and over again before I do so.'

Everything suddenly stops, the memories, the aches, the screams. From within the deepest pits of shadow, a small glimmering light shines softly against the gloom, dissipating the shades that lingered there.

"I say that you've suffered enough, Ms. Kikimora." A gentle voice speaks out from the light. It was soothing to hear, like a tender melody in the spring's breeze. Kikimora wouldn't dare hope, but there she was, seeing for herself the torment she underwent slowly being dispelled by an ever-growing light.

As the light comes closer, she swears that this was another hallucination or shade brought upon by this punishment, another guise to torment her for she sees someone that she wouldn't dare want to meet again. A female shade of someone that started everything.

I failed you…I failed to keep your promise…I failed to keep Luz safe…

"You did what you could." The gentle voice of the shade says, her words reverberating with a certain power. Her form was near-lifelike, her presence almost real as if she was alive. How could she not, as Kikimora has burned this image in her mind forever. "You tried your best and you kept her safe for as long as you can. Though, it seems that fate has other ideas."

You should be angry at me…I caused so much pain…

"There is only so much anger that can be held before it becomes all-consuming, Kikimora. You've made mistakes, yes, but they can be corrected. Fixed."

How?

"In time. But for now, I give you a brief reprieve. A small mercy that a certain being wants you to have." The shade waves her hand, causing the room around her to light up as if lit by torch lit fire and filling the void with quiet music akin to a soothing lullaby. Kikimora can feel her grasp on her consciousness fade but not in the same way as before. It feels like a gentle pull to sleep rather than the sudden jerk she has become near-accustomed too.

I…I don't deserve this. Thank you, Camilla.

Camilla smiles, "No, thank you as there is still much for you to do. But for now, rest and may the Titan guide you."

Camilla fades away, leaving Kikimora to delve farther into this tender slumber. Kikimora does not question why the woman was like this, and how Camilla knows of the Titan. She does not question if this shade was another hallucination or trick. She was far too exhausted to remain wary, for she has experienced much in this unending nightmare.

For now, she listens to the siren-like sounds of the distant lullaby, a strange, ethereal, and melodic tone. And for the first time in forever, she sleeps without worry and fear.

She sleeps in peace.

Hurts…. It hurts…

In the quiet hours of the morning, Luz lays on her bed clutching her head tightly with both her hands. She rustles from left to right, sweat dripping from her brow and the smooth fabric of her blanket turning into a twisted jail as her mind tears itself apart. It feels like her mind is gnawing on itself. She grits her teeth as she screams into her pillow, wishing for it to go away.

It has been 5 days since she came back from the Owl House. For 5 days, this pain has been happening. Every day, every morning ever since she came back from that place. It was hard to remember that afternoon. It wasn't the haze that she grew up with during her time on Earth in her home but rather an iron-clad wall blocking the memory from view. All that she could remember was Eda saying something and the next, Belos beside the fallen witch.

A small part of her felt relieved that day when she saw Eda on the ground. She remembers Belos telling her…something about Eda. Something related to her past as a child stolen away from her home. Luz sucks in a breath as a sharp new pain blossoms deep within her mind. She should've known better. Why is it that this happens when she tries to remember that day?

And the feeling when she saw Eda on the ground helpless and defenseless, it wasn't what she wanted. After what Belos has told her and the drink he gave her to reveal her hidden memories, she should have felt elated, proud even that a filthy traitor like Eda was gone from her life. Except, that wasn't what happened. Luz felt nothing but horror.

Another stab of mental fury arose again as she hisses in pain. The door to her room creaks open before she hears it slam against the stone wall with a might thrak! She can hear the rapid clack of heels against stone come closer to her bedside. She can hear someone say something in an urgent voice, but it was muffled against her own cries.

Brief flashes of pouring rain…Something warm holding her close…Whispers…

Answers

Luz feels something holding her down as an unknown liquid was forced down her screaming throat. The liquid tasted near rancid with it stinking of rotten eggs and meats. The further it went down her throat, the more she can feel its slimy and thick texture take hold, as if choking her.

She lurches forward, coughing. She feels something pressed against her hands and, feeling it to be a cloth, covered her mouth and retched into it. To her own surprise, her mind began to settle and become at ease. The pain that plagued her was nothing more was a small numbing sensation.

"Are you alright, my dear?" Luz looks up to see, to her surprise, Lilith on her bedside, staff in one hand and the other holding a small, clear flask containing the remnants of a green liquid. Gone was the strict and commanding tone Luz has grown accustomed to over her stay in the castle. Lilith's voice was soft and soothing, reassuring but fragile. There was a slight crack in her voice as she says, "I…I heard cries from your room, and you didn't answer the door."

Luz coughs, getting the feeling out of her throat before she can respond, "I'm alright now, Ms. Lilith. It was just a small headache. Thank you." From the nearby bedside table, she grabs her glasses and places them on her weary face. The world sharpens, allowing to her to see Lilith clearly. It was an odd sight to see after training beside the woman for so long. Her grey and white garments of the Emperor's Coven was replaced with a navy-blue dress. The dress was neatly pressed and forgone of wrinkles. It looked like she hasn't worn it for ages.

Luz then turns her attention to the unknown vial in Lilith's hand, ignoring the concerned look Lilith gave to her, "Ms. Lilith, what did you give me anyway? It…helped a lot, actually. My head feels a lot better."

"Oh, this?" Lilith raises the flask to Luz's eye level, swirling the flask around, "Its an elixir that I've been developing over the years. Simply put, its supposed to heal the mind and body, but mainly working with maladies like curses. I wasn't sure if it would work on you, given your physiology, but it seems you're alright."

"Yes, it seems so." Luz gives a few tentative stretches and finds herself feeling better than she was over the past few days. Luz gives a tentative look at the woman, "Are we to practice again today, Ms. Lilith?"

Lilith shakes her head, "After what I've seen today, you need your rest. And after what you've accomplished over the past few days, you've earned it."

Luz feels something twist in her stomach, but she ignores it, offering instead to stand up defiantly and say, "No, it's fine, Ms. Lilith. I feel more than okay to do something!"

"Luz," Lilith sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose, "This is not for debate. You need you're rest. I'm sure that if I explain this to Lord Belos, he will not mind you missing a day's training."

"But-"

KNOCK KNOCK

A knock on Luz's door cuts both of them off. Surprised, Lilith recovers first and, falling back to her authoritative voice, says "Yes, what is it?'

"Forgive my intrusion, Captain!" Shouted an Emperor's Coven Guard from behind the wooden door. There was a certain edge and strain in his voice that caught the attention of both Luz and Lilith. "I have an urgent message from Bonesborough and a message from Lord Belos!"

At the mention of his name, Lilith noticeably stiffens and responds, "I see. One moment." Before Luz could even move, Lilith turns around and says to her, "Stay here." There is a finality to her tone that leaves no room for discussion as the leader of the Emperor's Coven makes her way out of Luz's room. The door slams behind the imposing figure, leaving Luz to wonder what is happening.

Naturally, after having a few seconds pass, a war was brewing within Luz's mind. To stay put like the good student she is or to listen to what is happening? No contest for the anxious girl, her curiosity wins over. Luz carefully makes her towards the door and presses her ear against the door. She can hear hushed whispers between Lilith and the Guard. They're speaking rapidly with their words being muffled by the thick wood and stone. However, if she strains her ears enough, she can catch a word or two.

"…, it's true! … received reports … widespread decline … magic! Some witches … reported … barely cast …!"

"… verified …?"

"Yes, …! Eye-witnesses …!"

"This is terrible …. Have … signs … basilisks …?"

"No, …! Whatever it is, … not … good."

"Indeed. I … information … contained. … don't want … spread … further …. We don't … start … panic."

"Yes, Captain!"

"Also, … our lord, Belos, have to say?"

"He … bring … human on your patrol to Bonesborough. Said something about her training."

With the growing volume of their voices, Luz quickly makes her way back to her bed. Just in time too, as the door slams open with Lilith at the forefront, face stern. Luz tries her best to feign ignorance as Lilith dismisses the guard, giving a small huff as he leaves.

"It appears that you're wish has been granted." Lilith draws a spell circle in the air and conjures the signature white mask of the Emperor's Coven and gives it to Luz, "Lord Belos wants you to join me on my patrol again. Make sure you stick close to me, Luz. Today will be different than before."

Luz nods, takes the mask, and puts it on her face. She then places an illusion glyph on herself, making her ears appear elongated and her teeth sprout fangs. She goes to her closet and gets her patrol gear, a loaned white cloak of the Emperor's Guard and her satchel filled with some basic glyphs for emergencies. During her preparations to leave, a small feeling of doubt crawls up within her, but she quashes it down. What does she have to doubt?

…Everything…

Bonesborough was quiet.

Gone was the chatter that made up the morning markets and the busy life of workers. Now, a heavy air permeated the surroundings with tension so thick that one could cut it like a knife. It put Luz on edge to see the sector like this. Anywhere she looked, empty stalls and closed windows filled her vision without a soul in sight except for herself and Lilith.

"Stay close to me, Luz." Lilith reminds her. Luz snaps herself out of her own thinking; she must have zoned herself out too much and was a few steps behind Lilith. Luz quickens her pace and manages to make it beside the serious woman. After only a few moments of silence, Luz looks around and after seeing that there is still no one else around, she turns her head to Lilith and chances a conversation.

"Hey, Ms. Lilith, may I ask you a question?"

"What is it, Luz?" Lilith's voice was clipped. Harsh. Not directed towards her, though. At least, that's what Luz wants to think. Luz can see that the same worry was in Lilith's eyes as they dart quickly to side to side.

"Why's it so empty? I don't think I've ever seen this place so…quiet before."

"That's…," The pause in Lilith's words grabs Luz's attention. Luz can her mentor's teeth clenched to the side, as if wanting to say something. "I don't know either, Luz. But be alert, I don't like this quiet as much as you do."

"Yes, Ms. Lilith." She turns her head forward and tries to keep her focus but another question pops in her head, "Ms. Lilith, why did you have that elixir on you? I didn't think you brewed your own potions."

Lilith gives a small chuckle, a brief reprieve from the quiet, "You don't get to be the leader of the Emperor's Coven without dabbling in every school of magic. I'm proficient enough in creating my own potions. Though," Her hardened face softens a bit, "I wasn't as good as my sister."

"Your sister? That's Eda, right?" Luz notices the Lilith's grip on her staff tighten so she goes silent.

"…Yes," Lilith softly speaks. There was a tenderness in her voice that catches Luz off guard. It was like before when Luz saw Lilith by her bedside. It was like the woman was scared. But of what? "I was actually going to go visit her today, but I chanced upon you before I was able to."

"Oh." Luz rubs her left side, frowning behind her mask. "Sorry, I didn't mean to get in your way."

"Now, don't be like that. I can always visit her after this."

"If you say so." After that, Luz and Lilith were able to walk in a comfortable silence, keeping watch as the emptiness of the town felt like it was expanding. They passed their way through a street flanked by a variety of houses before they hear shouting in the distance. No, not shouting. Yelling. Voices held with fire in their words.

With only a look was shared between the two before Luz and Lilith began running towards the noise. It took them only a few minutes before they were met with a large crowd of witches and demons in one of the main market districts, angrily yelling about something. It was indiscernible from the many layers of voices that combined into one.

"EMPEROR'S COVEN!" One yells from within the ground and as one, the group turns their heads towards the two. Soon enough, the horde descends upon Luz and Lilith, yelling, pointing, shouting, snarling. The crowd stood a steps away from the duo, giving them room to breathe and speak but it was daunting to see. The crowd was so big, Luz couldn't even see the end. From shoulder to shoulder, the crowd fit the street, leaving the only exit where Luz and Lilith entered.

"Everyone, calm down!" Lilith orders, asserting her authority in her voice. She straightens herself, making herself look more dignified. "What is wrong?"

"WE WANT ANSWERS!" A witch shouts. The crowd shouts with approval, asking their own, similar, questions.

"ALL OF US HAVE HAD OUR MAGIC WEAKEN! SOME OF US CAN'T EVEN CAST A SINGLE SPELL! HAVE THERE BEEN BASILIKS AROUND HERE?" Another witch soon follows. Luz can see a wave of fear ripple through the crowd from the mere mention of a basilisk. Others soon turned that fear into anger.

"WHAT HAVE THE EMPEROR'S COVEN DONE TO HELP US?" A demon shouts from within the crowd.

Lilith slams the butt of her staff onto the cobblestone, trying to maintain order and their attention, "I understand your worries, but we have the situation handled. I can assure you; you all have nothing to fear."

"LIES!" Shouted someone within the crowd and from there, a single object flew out from the crowd and almost hit Lilith if she did not deftly dodge it. Alas, that action unlocked the crowd's thinly veiled restraint.

"Who-" That was all that she can say before she was cut off by unrestrained tide of the crowd crashing down upon the two of them. Luz only had a few moments to think before she was brutally separated from Lilith and knocked down by several bodies shouting at the woman to answer their questions. Her mask was knocked off her face and the people were too close for her to get the glyphs stored in her satchel. It was painful; being surrounded by a sea of shouts and steps that stomped nowhere but down, threatening to cause injury to Luz.

Something, or someone, grabbed her wrist, yanking her free from the shouting tide. Luz was on her feet before she realized, stumbling as she went, and that she was being led away from the crowd and Lilith. She can see the worried face of Lilith being hounded by scared folk while in the distance, shouts of another kind were closing in. Reinforcements from the Emperor's Coven.

"C'mon, Luz!" A familiar voice cried out to her, breaking Luz of her thoughts. She turned her head to see-

Brown hair…Golden eyes…Laughing…Playing….

"Catch me if you can, Luz!"

"Amity?" Luz's eyes widen incredulously. She winces a bit, feeling a faint throb course through her head. "W-What are you doing here?"

"No time for that now! We have to get out of here!" Gone was the girl Luz met in that forest. That abrasive, sharp yet meek girl that spoke sharply towards Willow was now replaced with a golden-eyed warhead of determination and focus. They weaved their way through alleyways and roads before they stopped far away from the commotion, surrounded by crates and barrels.

"Alright, that should be far enough." Amity says tiredly, huffing between breathes. The girl hunches over and rests her palms on her knees, trying to get as much as possible. Luz warily watches her, choosing to rest herself on a wall and stare the cyan-haired girl down.

"Why did you help me there? I don't remember asking you for help." Luz crosses her arms, annoyance on her face, "And last I checked, I don't remember you being so friendly like towards Willow so why me?"

Luz meet Willow! She's my best friend!

"You're welcome too." Amity tries to recompose herself, but Luz can still see her body shuddering from the lack of oxygen. "Look, I think we need to talk."

"About what exactly?" Amity winces at the sharp comeback. "I hardly know you and your introduction wasn't really a stellar one, what with Willow and your verbal abuse. And I haven't really seen you since our fight in the Covention. Look," Luz turns her back towards Amity, stealing a glance before she speaks, "I appreciate that you helped me there, but I have to get back to where Lilith is right now. For all I know, she's got it all sorted out and freaking out trying to find me. Goodbye, Amity."

"Luz, wait!" A hand firmly grasps her shoulder and turns her around. Luz stares in bewilderment as Amity looks at her as if desperate, "Do you not remember me at all?"

"No, I-AGH!" A sharp, ringing pain strikes her mind suddenly. She instantly falls to her knees as she closes her eyes tightly and seethes in pain with one hand clutching her head while the other leans on the wall.

"W-Woah! Luz, you alright? Ah, is this what Willow was talking about?" The last part Luz was barely able to hear, not with her mind becoming an echo chamber of voices and strain.

Lilith's elixir must have worn off. That was what she concluded between the brief moments of clarity. It…It was too much! Her mind is under assault with images-no, memories- as they flood into her mindscape one after another.

She sees herself as a young girl playing in a courtyard surrounded by auburn trees. She can see herself being happy, laughing as she chases around two girls, a younger Amity and Willow her mind supplies. 'This…This can't be right. I didn't see this when Lord Belos unlocked my memories. What is going on?'

She can feel her mind split. It was like a tidal wave of migraines rolled into one. Something inside of her snapped, as if a barrier inside her broke and releasing these images, making her confused. What was real? What was fake?

"Luz?" Amity's voice was distorted, sounding near yet distant. When Luz tries to open her eyes, she sees two images of Amity in front of her. One present. One past. Both were looking at her with their warm, golden eyes filled with concern.

"Amity?"

Everything went black.

"Hey, c'mon! It's time to wake up already!"

"Huh?" Kikimora opens her eyes and was nearly blinded by the bright rays of sunlight streaming from an open window. She rubs her eyes and sits up, too tired to move from her comfortable bed.

'Was it always so bright?' She thinks as she tries to rub the exhaustion from her face.

"Hey!" A voice calls from her side, a familiar one. She turns to see who it was, and her breath almost hitches in her throat. She sees an impatient looking Luz tapping her wrist with her finger. Luz is dressed in what appears to be her usual casual clothes of a brown t-shirt and a matching skirt with her glasses snug on the bridge of her nose covering her irked eyes. "Don't tell me that you're still in bed after everything we talked about! Did you seriously forget what today it is?"

"I…," Kikimora pauses, her mind drawing a blank to whatever Luz is referring to, "I'm sorry, Luz, but I can't seem to remember. I must still be too tired." But why was she so tired? Her body aches and her mind dull, but it doesn't seem like it was from sleep.

Luz let's out an exasperated sigh, "Seriously? We've been planning this for weeks and you can't remember? Even Eda and King remembered, and they never remember stuff that doesn't usually benefit them."

"I'm afraid that I still don't know what you mean Luz. Can you please explain?"

"Fine…," The girl says in a tone too sarcastic for her own good, "We've planned to visit town and go to the riverside to meet with Willow and the others for your birthday!"

Kikimora is taken aback, "My…birthday?"

At that, Luz immediately perks up, her eyes shining with excitement. She immediately hops onto the side of Kikimora's bed and exclaims, "Yeah, your birthday! You almost never celebrate your birthday, but you wanted something different for this year!"

"This year?" Puzzled, Kikimora looks to Luz carefully, scanning the gir- no, woman's face. She notices subtle differences in her face, sharper, less baby fat on her cheeks than before. Kikimora rubs her eyes, not sure whether to believe her eyes or not.

"Forgive me, Luz, but I must be very tired today. How old are you again?"

Luz lets out a small huff, "I'm 20 years old but are you sure you're feeling well? Have you been taking your medicine like the doctor prescribed?"

Kikimora takes a moment to respond, careful to in her words, "Oh, I think I must've forgotten to take them then. Do you mind getting them for me, Luz? I don't want to delay this celebration anytime sooner."

Luz nods her head, jumping off Kikimora's bed in excitement, "Sure thing, Mom! Be right back!"

Mom?

Something shatters in the Kikimora's mind, her mind heavy with an abnormal weight. She clutches her head, unsure of what's happening?

I…I'm not Luz's mother. I've no right to…What is this?

The room around her peels away into a murky shadow, leaving Kikimora's consciousness to be alone in the maddening void. She tries looking around, but it feels like she was restrained with chains, unable to move her sight beyond where she was.

That…That wasn't real, shouldn't be real. How did that happen?

"I'm afraid that the infernal magics that have bound you have found a new way to try corrupting you, despite my efforts." A soothing voice says in the twilight expanses of her mind. From the corner of Kikimora' eye, she sees the same glimmering light from before appearing and creeping closer to her, revealing the life-like shade of Luz's true mother, Camila Noceda.

What…How…You're back?

"Hello to you again, Kikimora. It has been some time since we've last met." Camilla, in all her radiance, moved towards the front of her, a small smile on her face with empathy in her eyes. After her regenerative rest that one miraculous time, her exhaustion-riddled mind was now clear and able to fully comprehend just what was in front of her. Yet, she still couldn't believe her eyes.

Camilla Noceda, mother of Luz. She looks exactly what she looks like when Kikimora last saw the poor woman, and the one that she saw Luz grow into. Kikimora can see the resemblance now that Luz was older, especially with that ghastly new trick this torment provided. And the way Camilla moves, the way she speaks, it was far too life-like for the shades Kikimora has previously seen.

You…You're not supposed to be real…

"I'm afraid I am, my dear." A frown graces Camilla's face, weariness beginning to dawn on her, "I am a shade, a simple memory of once was, yet I am real, a passing soul trapped within the boundaries. I was chosen to help you, Kikimora, and I hope you accept."

"Here, this should help you to speak. It is better to speak eye to eye rather than to continue like this." Camilla raises her hand, and a blinding light radiates from her palm. Kikimora can hear the sound of glass shattering, and Kikimora can feel the mental restraints on her ease ever so slightly. And from there, that small window of opportunity allowed Kikimora to barely manifest within her mindscape.

Kikimora slumps down to her knees, massaging her burned neck as she sputters out weak coughs. It feels like a weight was lifted off her chest and her body reinvigorated with lost energy; however small it was. She cranes her head to Camilla and in a weak voice says, "Thank you."

Camilla smiles but she shakes her head, "I am not the one who you should be thanking. I couldn't do this without them."

Kikimora stares in puzzlement as she looks curiously at Camilla, "Them? Who are you referring to?"

"I believe you already know. I already mentioned them before, have I not?"

Kikimora stands up and thinks quickly, trying to remember any instances or mentions of someone during Camilla's brief appearances. Her mind, thinking quickly, remembers the last thing Camilla mentioned when the shade first appeared, and her eyes widen in realization.

"The Titan?" She says quietly, not believing the words she was uttering. The room shudders around her as she says its name, anticipating something.

"Yes, and the Titan wishes to speak to you once more." A familiar sensation runs through Kikimora's body as something begins to manifest within the depths of her mind. Rising from the dark like an aged phoenix, a gigantic, ancient skull emerges from the inky black, its heigh towering over both Kikimora and Camilla with its size.

She gulps, balling her hands into fists to focus. It was not fear that she feels but anticipation and anxiousness. It has been some time since she has last spoken to the being, but she can still feel the anger and frustration from her last confrontation with the Titan. Now, trapped, and helpless in her mind, she feels vulnerable to the Titan's will.

kiki…mora…

All thoughts of ruin and fear pause from the single word. Was this the same Titan, one with such a meek voice? Kikimora could not hold in her disbelief after the mere whisper the Titan uttered when compared to the authoritative and booming voice of yore. She carefully inspects the being for anything wrong now that fear no longer ruled her mind, and it doesn't take long to see.

"My word, what has been done to you?"

While true, the Titan was an ancient being, by no means should its manifested form be this…destroyed. The skull was crumbling before her, the edges slowly turning into flecks of sand, and the littering patches of moss were decaying into rot. And what once was a bright flame in its eyes was now mere sparks struggling to survive.

wea…kened…much…gone…

With every word spoken, the Titan's eyes dim bit by bit, as if speaking burns its very life essence.

"Weakened? How?" Kikimora was bewildered. How can the Titan be growing weaker?

"I believe you already know the answer to that question, Ms. Kikimora." The demon turns her head towards Camilla, surprised that this woman would be the one to give such an insight. "One that proclaims himself as a ruler and a fraud."

"Belos?" Kikimora says incredulously, "But how?"

gre…edy…ignore…ant…

A flicker of a memory appears in front of Kikimora, one where Belos can be seen raising his hand and an eerie green glow can be seen being drawn towards the extended hand.

"What is he doing?" Kikimora asks, worry beset in her eyes. Something stirs in her stomach, knowing that whatever Belos is doing, he is doing something that has terrible consequences.

dra…in…

"In his hopes to gain more power, he is blinded as to what he is doing." Camilla says, her eyes glowing with the same fiery light of the Titan's eye as if tapping into a reservoir of knowledge. Kikimora does not miss that Camilla speaks the moment the Titan's voice fades. "He thinks that what he is doing would benefit the Isles but, in his hubris, he will only seek ruin."

"What is he doing that requires this much power?"

un…ite…

"The pretender seeks to unite both my world and your world, Ms. Kikimora, so that he can expand his reach and rule both worlds."

Kikimora, surprised at the statement, could only ask, "Uniting both worlds? How can that be done? No magic on the Isles can do such a thing."

s…tol…en…

"Nothing known to the Isles perhaps, but in his lust for power, it appears that he has stumbled upon knowledge that should have stayed buried. It requires a grand ritual, one that requires great power and two other components. Both of which, you are tied to."

Kikimora gulps, unsure as to what will happen, "And what are they?"

"First is something that can cross the realms. The Isles' portal keys are the perfect ingredient. And the other…,"

Luz…

Kikimora's heart sinks as she hears the Titan utters those words, "That…that doesn't make any sense?! Why her? Why Luz?"

"Because he needs the blood of someone from the other realm to bind both realms together. The more time the other person has spent in the realm that was not their own, the more potent the binding would be." Camilla looks away from Kikimora, "Luz was the unfortunate candidate for this. I died too early for it to have a major effect"

Kikimora looks down at her feet, her hands clenched tightly in a fist in anguish and anger. She mutters lowly, "Then all that time raising her, helping her, guiding her, was to ultimately kill her? Was everything I did for nothing?"

"Do you truly believe that?" The words were tenderly spoken but there was something behind Camilla's voice, a wrath that could rouse the meekest of mountains to erupt, ripping Kikimora was ripped from her melancholy. She stares in wonder as Camilla's eyes were filled with an uncharacteristic fervour, "You gave her a life that I could not have. Do not let this be seen as something shameful."

"I…," Kikimora could not bare it any longer and broke eye contact. Camilla's words are true, but they merely ring hollow to someone filled with guilt and grief. But those words, Kikimora can feel something stir within herself. Something warm born from these cold depths. Perhaps that it can be a salve to this wound?

"Is there something that can be done to help?" Kikimora says swiftly, not wanting to dwell on this any further. Yet, Camilla shakes her head.

"Not today, no. The Titan needs to preserve its strength for the future for there are still things needed to be down that require its aid. But as for you, Ms. Kikimora, you only need to rest, for you play a critical role in all of this."

"Be at peace." With those final words, the Titan's mouth opens and much like before, albeit weaker, Kikimora was sucked into the void now bereft of any lingering memories. Now, only a feeling of gentle solitude awaits as she soon drifts into another trance empty of shades or punishment.

Her only thoughts were of Luz, and a hope that she is going to be okay.

When Luz opens her eyes, she does not see the red sky of the Boiling Isles. There were no stone walls. No cobblestone paths. No, around her was a familiar dirt path surrounded by gnarled trees underneath a cold, night sky. She tries to move but she does not feel her body obey. She feels herself shudder.

"Don't worry, Luz. We are just going on a little field trip, don't worry."

A voice catches her off guard. Luz can feel herself move unwillingly, turning to see a familiar face.

Kikimora?

It was the demon, there was no doubt about it. Yet, there was no scarred flesh on her neck and face, allowing her to see two jasper-coloured eyes that looked at Luz lovingly.

Is…Is this a dream? Or a reality?

Kikimora asks her something and Luz's mouth moves to respond, yet she could not hear it. She could feel her mouth move but no voice left it. It was a surreal experience. Although, it feels like she has seen this before.

Then something clicks in her head, and she realizes what this is. Her heart hardens. This is the memory Lord Belos showed that one night. The night that Kikimora trie to steal her away. The murderer. The traitor.

Luz tries to will her body to move but it still doesn't obey. In the distance, she can see a faint red glow behind Kikimora in the far-off horizon. No doubt that was the fire that set the castle ablaze. It was like what Lord Belos told, where Kikimora goes, destruction follows.

"Mama," Luz surprises herself when she hears her own voice albeit younger and ripe with vulnerability. She can feel her stomach churn at the word she said. Mama. That should have been reserved for someone that actually cared. "Why are we running away from the castle?"

"Because there are bad people coming for us, Luz, and I need you to be safe."

Safe from the bandits you mean. You wanted to steal me away for…something? Why can't I remember that part?

"Bad people? Did we do anything wrong? I can say sorry!" No, don't say sorry! Not to her! Not after everything she's done to us!

"No, Luz, no." Kikimora presses her forehead against Luz, surprising the girl with such a tender gesture. "We didn't do anything wrong. We just need to get away."

This…This shouldn't be right. Belos…He said…What did he say?

"To where?"

"To your home." A warmth stirs in Luz's cold chest. This was not the Kikimora she was led to believe from the memories she received from Belos. These words felt…genuine. Real.

"Now, Kikimora," A chill runs through Luz's spine as she sees Belos emerge from the shadows behind a stone marker, her mother's grave her mind supplied. To Luz or perhaps younger Luz, Belos looked like the embodiment of horror, a monster beneath a silver cloak and gilded mask. Around him, the shadows bent and twist away from him as a sickening green miasma exudes from both him and his staff. Luz watches as the few steps he takes, the land shudders and withers, as if he was draining away the life of the land, "How predictable. Did you really think that you can take her from me?"

He wants to take me? But…That doesn't make sense! He told me…He told me…

It was like her whole world was broken. The scenery around her blurs as she witnesses the one-sided fight of Kikimora trying to fend off Belos and later, Lilith. Lilith here looks a lot less tired but her focus and drive was still there. Luz can see in Lilith's eyes tear up as the fight continues. Why tears?

The battle halts when both Kikimora and Luz are launched from the forest and into the grave marker of Luz's mother. Luz can feel panic grow within her, both past and present. Kikimora looks so broken and defeated lying against the grave marker. But even after everything thrown at the demon, Kikimora continues to smile at Luz, reassuring the little girl is alright.

That reassurance turned horror when Luz sees Belos and Lilith approaching them in the distance, and what Kikimora does next. A black wave erupts from behind her, from Kikimora, slamming itself onto them. She can see them be launched too far away to react to anything the duo can do but time is of the essence. Especially since Luz can feel the shallow breathing of her guardian on her neck.

Luz turns around and she gasps as she sees the familiar scarred flesh carved into Kikimora's hands. She can feel and hear herself saying something and Kikimora responding, but Luz can't hear any of it above the roaring beating of her own heart and her realization.

I've been lied to. I've been tricked.

If these are her memories, her true memories, then what did Belos do to her?

…Poison…Mockery…

A voice not her own quietly says in the distance. For the first time since this happened, Luz breaks away from her memories to turn towards the sound, seeing a familiar decaying skull.

"It's you…" Luz says quietly. An astral form of her present self separates from her young body and makes her way to the skull who looks worse for wear than before. "Is this you're doing? Is this what you wanted to show me?"

…Yes…and…No…

"Okay," Feeling that she would further feel confused if she pursued this train of thought, she turns her attention to her younger self and Kikimora. "Then why were my memories hidden? Why was it done."

…Watch…

Luz watches and witnesses the moments between herself and Kikimora. From this distance, she can't hear what the demon was saying but she can see something emerge from the stone marker. Luz gasps as she sees the stone golem emerge from the rock like water. Her "mother" on Earth. From there, she witnesses a blue light emanate from Kikimora before her entire world went black.

Memory…Erasure…Spell…

Luz's heart leaps out from her throat as the words from the skull startle her. She turns around and looks at the skulls quizzically. "A memory erasure spell? On me? But why?"

To…Protect…You…

"To protect me?" Luz sits down, finding that she can seat herself perfectly fine in her empty mind. "I…guess it was to make it harder for me to return to the Isles or something. Or save me from the grief of knowng that I left behind Kikimora." Luz darkly chuckles and says under her breath, "I guess I am a little troublemaker if I wound myself back here again." Luz looks up from her pondering and looks at the Titan and asks, "I know you're the one responsible for sending me back, and from stopping me from returning. Why did you do that?"

To…save…the…Isles…

To…save…me…

"Woah…" Luz was stunned at the admission, "That's…That's going to be a lot to take in. I'm not sure how I can even do that. How can one orphan save this place if I can't even help the people around her. Heck, I'm pretty sure that this puts me on a one-way trip on fighting Belos."

Find…the…Owl…Train…Yourself…

Images float by her, ones showing a decrepit-looking Eda caged with a worn-out King. Luz is not sure how long ago they were held captive, but the situation doesn't look to bright.

"Alright, find and, probably, break out Eda at the right time. But to train myself? I hope you mean keep training with Ms. Lilith, but I can't keep any promises if she gets to worn out by me. Belos, though…, Well, I'll figure something out." Luz stands up and does a couple stretches. For the first in what felt like forever, she feels whole.

"Well, Operation: Save the Entire Boiling Isles is a go. But how do I get out of here?" Luz looks around for an exit before realizing the skull has opened its mouth where a light is emanating. Luz deadpans at the sight, "Of course it would be something like that. Well, no time like the present." She readies herself to jump in but a thought occurs, stopping herself in her tracks, "Wait, what's you name? Or do you have a name? I'm not sure what to call you aside from skull."

Titan

"Luz!" Luz opens her eyes and lurches forward in surprise, dizzy and nauseous but her head is free from strain. She looks around confused and realizes quickly that instead of a stone alleyway, she was laying on a comfortable bed in a room that wasn't the castle. "Thank the Titan you're awake! You were crying out in pain, and I was there, and I had to get help and-"

"Amity, breathe. You're going to scare, Luz." Two very familiar voices catch her attention and notices two witches at her bedside that, if she recalls correctly, shouldn't be near each other at all.

"Amity? Willow?" Luz rubs her eyes just to make sure that this wasn't a dream or something that the Titan showed her. Oh, right. She was speaking to the actual Titan of the Isles this entire time and now she has to save it. '…That's going to be another thing I have to unpack later.' She shifts her body towards the two witches, clearly seeing some tension flow out of there body, "What happened and why is Amity near you, Willow? I thought you hated her guts?"

Willow spoke first, clearly the more level headed of the two, "Well, after you collapsed, Amity decided that she had the bright idea of bringing you here in my room. Imagine my surprise when I see you flailing around in pain. You gave us more than enough heart attacks." As Willow says this, Luz looks around and indeed, this is a room for a witch knowing Plant magic. Books on horticulture, plant species, and the like were on the bookshelf and several potted plants were on a balcony railing.

"As for that last part, well, Amity and I started talking," Luz didn't miss the pointed look Willow gave Amity with Amity rubbing the side of her arm in discomfort, "And we started to fix some burnt bridges. Granted, some things will take a while longer to fix but," A soft smile grows on Willlow's face, "I think we can make it work."

"Huh." Luz was dumbfounded at the explanation. "You two are handling this pretty well. I thought this would involve a lot more yelling."

"Oh there was at the beginning," Amity shrunk from Willow's admission, "But Amity was very adamant and persuasive about it. She also had some interesting things she said about you."

The tips of Amity's ears turned red with embarrassment, "Willow! I thought we agreed to not bring this up!"

"You're not the one who barged into my room and says you've found our childhood friend! If it even is her. I didn't even recognize her. Are sure its her?"

"Yes! Well, no. Maybe? I don't know!" Amity stumbles over her own words. "She says she doesn't remember me, us! Us. I meant to us. But she looks so alike when we were younger, can't you see, Willow?"

"Amity-"

"I remember you."

The room quiets as both witches turn their heads towards Luz, eyes wide open in shock. A melancholic smile was worn on Luz's face as she remembers days long past. In her head, she recalls ringing laughter and tired giggles from play. "I remember both of you. I remember that we played in the caste's courtyard and pranking the guards there. I remember seeing you, Amity, help get Willow from the carriage cause she was having trouble getting off. And I remember wanting to meet you again one day."

Luz wipes a tear from her eyes, "Well, I guess I'm back. Who missed me?" Luz did not expect Amity to crash into her and hug the daylights out of her, but she won't complain. Much. Willow wasn't too far off either as she joins the hug misty eyed. To Luz, this felt nostalgic, like another piece of an unfinished puzzle was found. It felt nice.

"Alright, alright, that's enough or we'll be like this for who knows how long." The witches let go, still misty-eyed but willing to listen to Luz. "Now that's done, I have to head back to the castle for some unfinished business."

"What? Amity shouted, "But you just woke up from collapsing! Isn't it too dangerous to move?"

"Normally, yes, but I feel better than ever. Look!" To demonstrate, Luz got off the bed and paced around the room to the worry of both Amity and Willow. Her body felt fit and the fugue of exhaustion she's been experiencing previously was lifted. She felt entirely refreshed and ready for the next step. "Besides, Ms. Lilith is probably still looking for me and it won't be good for the both of you if she finds me here. She might think you kept me hostage!"

"Okay," Now it was Willow who spoke up, "But aside from that, why are you in a hurry? What do you need to do?"

"Oh, you know, breaking out a super important criminal who's actually one of my mentors who I sort of heled imprison. Classic witch stuff. How hard can it be?"

Alright so maybe breaking Eda out would be a little more difficult than she once thought.

After she finally returned to the castle, Luz got an earful from a very dishevelled Lilith, telling the girl to not leave her side again. Luz was also barred from leaving the castle for the next few days as well as having a guard detail on her for the days she spends inside. A part of Luz felt guilty for what happened to Lilith but something inside her whispered that the woman deserved it. She quashed that thought like the rest of them. Luz already had enough whispers going through her head. She doesn't need ones that what to curse someone else. Well, except maybe Belos.

Speaking of Belos, it was becoming increasingly difficult for Luz to feign ignorance when she is within his presence. Keeping the façade of being an obedient servant was already difficult enough but finding ways to avoid drinking that elixir he brings was another thing entirely. Luz had to somehow feign drinking it as he watches while acting under his influence. Luz can only hope that she fooled him as she was running out of hiding spots for dumping that disgusting elixir.

Luckily, it seems that she would catch a break soon. Belos deemed it that Luz was punished enough was allowed to go where she pleases, only if she were to notify either himself or Lilith where she was going first. Naturally, she accepted the privilege gracefully and asked Lilith immediately for a chance to see Eda.

"Absolutely not!" Safe to say, it went as well as she expected.

"But Ms. Lilith, I can be of help to you!" Luz tries to pour as much sincerity into her voice and hopes for the best. Luz knows that Eda is a sore spot for Lilith but if her plan was to succeed and actually have a chance, Luz needs to convince Lilith.

"Luz, I appreciate your spirit in this, but this is official Coven business now and it falls under my jurisdiction to make sure that anyone unnecessary stays far away from her. Eda is far more dangerous than you realize!"

"But," Luz stresses the word, making Lilith raise an eyebrow, "I'm not someone unnecessary. I've lived with her and got close to her. She might let her guard down and say something that we can use against her because it doesn't seem that she is being cooperative to you, Ms. Lilith." Luz can see Lilith want to retort but Belos raises a hand, drawing both of their attention.

"Luz raises a good point, Lilith." His voice was chilling to the bone. It was easy to notice the annoyance hidden beneath his voice. "Your interrogations of Edayln Clawthorne have been lackluster, despite your excuses. We're already pressed for time as it is, and I will not tolerate more failures like this. See to it that Luz is brought to Edalyn safely but leave another guard with her."

Lilith gulps and bows before she loses anymore tact, "As you wish, Lord Belos. Come along, Luz." She quickly turns around and heads towards the exit with determination in her step. She motions for Luz to follow and soon, the girl follows beside her in step.

It was not until they were far away from the throne room that Luz dares to ask the question, "So, what do the both of you need from Eda anyway? I thought we already have everything we needed from her."

Lilith lets out a frustrated growl, making Luz shrink from the agitation, "We thought as such but leave it to Edalyn to try to pull a con right under the Emperor's nose. She was able to swap her portal key with a fake one at the last second, concealing the fake under a heavy layer of illusion magic that our Lord Belos couldn't detect. We don't know how she did it but nevertheless, we need that portal key."

"So, that's where I come in, right? I have to convince her to reveal where the real thing is?"

"That's correct. Argh, she makes me so frustrated. Why can't she see we're trying to help? Doesn't she realize that anymore of her antics would get her executed?"

Luz gulps, imagining several unsavoury ways that Belos would dispose of Eda. She shakes her head. She doesn't need these thoughts to cloud her judgement. She already knows that Eda is in a bad situation and for all she knows, King and Owlbert are with the witch alive. Luz can only hope that luck is on her side because she is going to need it.

"We're here." The two of them stop in front of an ominous doorway flanked by two guards. Lilith points to one and says, "Escort her to our prisoner but keep your distance when you arrive. Only allow her to speak."

The guard salutes, "Yes, Captain." Soon enough, the entrance to what Luz hopes is a prison opens. Inside, there were lit torches illuminating the shadowed halls but from where Luz stood, she can barely make out what was inside.

The guard in front of her wasted no time and made their way inside with Luz quickly following. Once both went past the threshold, the entrance closed behind them, leaving only Luz with her thoughts and the guard.

It was a certified labyrinth inside where Eda was kept. Luz would have surely lost herself in the identical torch-lit corridors were it not for the guard. However, the horrors of this prison were not yet known to her until they passed a room marked with a statue of three maidens holding their hands in prayer.

Luz's eyes widen and her stomach twists to what she sees. Various forms of statues, twisting in fear, anger, regret. They looked too lifelike to be chiseled by hand.

She risks it, "Are these…?"

"Yep. Anyone who breaks the law too severely gets punished like this. Good riddance, I say." The guard answers back, almost too gleefully. The guard then points at another statue and Luz's breath hitches. "That's our finest catch yet. I believe you know her."

"Y-Yeah, I do." It was Kikimora, tired and defeated. The demon was on her knees, her expression in disbelief. Luz's eyes catch something glimmering in the torchlight and as she steps closer, her stomach twists as she sees Kikimora holding her necklace tightly. Was this what Luz wanted when she was brought under Belos' wing? She wanted Kikimora to be punished at first but was this necessary?

Was Kikimora thinking of her before she died?

"Yep. Can you believe it? Used to be one of the Emperor's finest. Sent out on all sorts of missions but now? She'll barely make it as a garden statue."

"Can I have one moment?" Luz surprises herself when she says that. The guard looks at her confused and shrugs, leaving the room to allow Luz to be with herself and Kikimora.

Luz turns to the statue and struggles to find the right words to say. She sighs, settling for a simple, "Hey." She sits down cross-legged with plays with her fingers, eyes downcast. Here is the woman who raised her when her mother, Camila died. Here is the woman who sacrificed herself for Luz time and again. And what did Luz do but disgrace Kikimora's actions.

"I'm sorry…," Luz speaks softly. "I'm not sure you can hear me but I'm sorry. I said some mean things to you, thinking that I was in the right but big surprise, I'm not. Now I can't take it back." The flames of the torchlight crackle in the background like laughter. "I was selfish. Stupid. But now I have a chance to make things right. I know this sounds crazy, but I spoke to the Titan! THE Titan! And it told me to save the Isles and Eda!"

Luz rubs the back of her neck once her quiet excitement settles down, "You would probably not approve saying it's too dangerous but its something I have to do. Consider it payback for all the good things you did to me." Looking both ways to make sure she was completely alone, Luz stands up and kisses the forehead of Kikimora.

"Please watch over me, Mo-Kikimora. I'll see you soon."

It took a bit to get going again but Luz followed in step. It took only a few more minutes before they reached a reinforced door surrounded by enchanted wards. "Alright, listen. I'm going to let you in but no funny business, you understand?" Luz nods. "Good. Now, if anything happens in there, just yell as loud as you can, and I'll come in and stop her. Good luck." With a tap of their staff, the door to Eda's room opens and Luz can see a figure behind the bars lying down with their head down towards the floor as if resting. On their wrists and ankles, a familiar shackle that used to be worn by a certain maroon demon could be found, barring them from casting magic. That must be Eda. She then notices two smaller forms near Eda, one motionless and one whining. Owlbert and King. Luz gulps as she steps in by herself, steeling her nerves.

Much like before, the moment she steps into the room, the door behind her closes and Eda snorts. "Again, Lily? I thought I told you that I ain't going to tell you anything. Now piss off before I send you back with a couple of migraines."

"Well, how about a human from another realm?"

Eda's head immediately shot up in disbelief. "Luz?" Both Luz and Eda walk closer to the bars where they can clearly see each other. Luz couldn't help but flinch when she sees Eda covered in bruises and scuffs. Eda, on the other hand, was staring oddly into her eyes, looking for something before she gives a crooked smile.

"Good to see you again, kid. You doing good?"

Luz couldn't help but give a small chuckle, "I'm doing better now. My heads feeling a lot better."

"I see." Eda peers into her eyes again. Probing for something. Behind Eda, Luz can see King stir awake, opening his eyes wearily before widening quickly when he sees her.

"Ah! Eda, get back! She'll hurt you again!" King tries to desperately drag Eda away from the bars, leaving Luz to be confused and concerned.

"Wait, what? What did I do? You guys have to fill me in here cause I've been having memory problems and only recently getting that fixed." A flicker of a memory is brought back but it was hard to recall what they were referring to.

"King, we talked about this." Eda lifted King by the scruff of this neck with ease, "I already told what happened to her. She wasn't in control of herself."

"Eda, what did I do to you guys? I didn't do anything bad, did I?"

"Well," Eda rubs the back of her neck, "Let's just say you gave us quite a shock when you appeared with Belos. Tell me, did he make you drink something before you went to us?"

Luz nods, frowning as she remembers the deceitful liquid, "Yeah, I remember. It was some type of liquid that shone brightly like a crystal. Only drank it once but it gave me a terrible headache afterwards."

Eda sighs, "That's what I feared. Luz, what you drank was a memory thrall draught. Very dangerous, and very expensive. Supposed to make the recipient dumb enough to listen to whatever the witch has to say. Get the right ingredients and you can even rewrite one's memories. Couple more of those and you would have been a good little soldier for Belos."

"Ohhhh," A look of understanding crosses her face. "Was that why I kept having those headaches?"

"Alright, now that sounds like the side effects of having a memory erasure spell on you. I have a feeling you know that is?" Kikimora's face flashes in Luz's mind and nods. "Good, that saves some time. Now, do you mind telling us why you're here or you're just here to see our ugly mugs."

Luz purses her lips, unsure how to say it. She takes a few moments to carefully word her piece before she spouts it out, "They want me to convince you to get the real portal key. Something about it being important to their plans."

Eda snorts again but this time with a lot more vitriol, "Ha, servers them right if they can't tell a half-baked illusion spell. I still can't believe they fell for it too. It would have been a perfect escape plan if someone didn't decide to be a turncoat for a day." Luz could only give a sheepish grin at that. "But, sorry, Luz, I can't give it to you. You know how important it is and if I can keep it away from them, the more annoyed they'll be and screw up more."

"As much as I want to agree with you, I think you might have pushed it too far. Belos seems close to executing you and finding it himself." At the word, execute, Eda and King flinch. "But Lilith seems determined to talk things out. That's why they sent me, hoping to get at least something!"

"Well, now that's some bad news to get." King shudders in fear but Eda tries to calm him down. "I'm still not giving the portal key unless I can get these two out of here before me. They don't deserve to share whatever it is they want to do to me." Eda points to King and Owlbert, and Luz nods at the witch's decision.

"I know. That's why I have a plan to get you all out of here. Well, more like a skeleton of a plan but a plan nonetheless!"

Eda raises an eyebrow at that, "Luz, you're not inspiring much confidence here."

"Look, I know this sounds too stupid or incredulous to be true, but it is!" Luz's voice goes down to a whisper as she says the next part, "I don't even know how but the Titan itself spoke to me in my head telling me to rescue you guys!"

"Alright now that does sound crazy. But at this point, I'll take it." Eda's smile turns feral as a mischievous glint comes into her eyes.

"Alright, kid. What's the plan?"

Belos looks carefully at Luz as the young girl spars with Lilith in the training room. It was a brutal dance: strikes, parries, dodges, and feints. Currently, Luz was moving quickly against Lilith, expertly using her wooden staff to pressure Lilith into being defensive. A sliver of satisfaction makes its way through his heart. It was his distinct pleasure seeing the young girl flourish these past few weeks. From her studies and research with her glyph magic and her martial arts training, she is flourishing with no signs of stopping. Yet, he wouldn't say that Luz was as proficient as Lilith, but she can hold her own long enough to be a threat.

However, she has been an asset to his plans. Admittedly, he had his doubts whether Luz would be able to trick the Owl Lady in revealing where the original portal key is located. It is to his utter shame and a blow to his pride that he was tricked by a childish ploy; illusion magic, feh, a parlor trick. But imagine his surprise when Luz came back with information regarding its location. Eda didn't have it, no. Luz didn't have it either. The information was brought bit by bit, all in exchange for allowing Eda's paltry companions to be better fed and rested. A reasonable trade for his designs.

It was not until a week ago until they finally received enough information as to where the portal key was found that Belos' plans began in earnest. He had to hasten his plans from the setbacks, but he is confident that the Day of Unity will occur. Everyday, his rituals and conjurations bring forth power from the Titan to aid him in his duty in uniting both realms.

'Although,' Belos carefully eyes Luz as the girl rolls under a swipe from Lilith. While the girl's drive was admirable, there was something off putting because of it. She was pushing herself. Day in, day out, it was not uncommon to see Luz either seclude herself to her study or practice in the training room with her staff. Belos was not blind that this drive occurred when the girl spoke with Edayln. No. His instincts tell him otherwise. Was it earlier?

He contemplates further. 'No matter. As long as she remains under my control, she will be my pawn.'

"Yield!" A shout interrupts his musings, and he lets a small smile creep onto his face behind the mask. To his greatest pleasure, he sees Luz standing over Lilith with the tip of her staff pointed at Lilith's throat, Lilith's first loss. Both women are breathing heavily and they show no sign of backing down. A perfect endpoint.

"That's enough." Belos taps the butt of his staff to signal the end of training, "You have done well, Luz. I am proud to say you have exceeded my expectations." Luz nods at the compliment as Lilith gets up. "You will have no more training for the rest of the day. You are dismissed, Luz." Luz bows and takes her leave, leaving behind a wary Lilith and a stoic Belos.

"She's getting strong." Lilith speaks up after getting her bearings, "I didn't expect her to be so fierce."

"That is only natural for her upbringing, Lilith. Do you have anymore doubt in her character?"

Lilith hesitantly shakes her head, "No, my lord, but I cannot help the feeling that something is amiss. I'm positive that Edalyn convinced her of something, I'm sure of it!"

Belos narrows his eyes and waves his hand in dismissal, "You fret over nothing, Lilith. Luz will not so easily be persuaded by a woman who she sees as an aid to her tragedy. And even if you're accursed sister has done something, I am more than capable of quashing it. Am I understood, Lilith?"

"Yes, my lord." Lilith pauses, clearly thinking of something before she speaks up, "And my lord, we received an urgent report from the city. There's more cases of them."

"Hmm," Belos grumbles in annoyance, "I see. More cases of magical atrophy and not a shred of evidence as to what's causing it." Belos taps his staff on the ground, signalling Lilith's full attention, "Have the guard make sure that they are cared for. After the Day of Unity has occurred, I am sure that they will have their magic return. Now, go!" Lilith salutes and runs off, leaving Belos to his thoughts.

'Magical atrophy…How strange that we have more witches and demons lacking in their magical power.' Belos ponders as he exits the training room and moves towards the throne room. 'Any victims we found showed no deterioration of the bile sac. No signs of malady either. We've already ruled out Basilisks. Their species has been culled many times over.'

"No matter, all is pointless when the Day of Unity occurs." It takes him barely any time to cross the hallways and enter the throne room. Above him, the beating heart of the Titan resounds in a rhythmic echo as Belos conjures a spell circle, summoning the portal key to his hands.

"It is time to continue the ritual. Glory be to the Titan!" Belos slams his taff onto the stone floor, creating a large spell circle encircling him. Soon, he begins to chant with staff and portal key in hand as the room itself shudders. The Titan's heart beats loudly in response to the ritual as streams of green energy flow out of the heart and into the spell circle.

"Hear me, Titan! Together, we will unite the broken halves! Soon, we shall have a new, united world!"

The heart only beats.

BA-DUMP

BA-Dump

Ba-Dump

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Her hands shiver in anticipation. She clenches them. It doesn't stop it.

Today's the day.

Today's the day where everything either works and everyone gets to go home free. Or it fails and she dies. Luz gulps.

She looks at the mirror in her room. It was hard to believe that this was the same girl who came to the Isles about, what? 2-3 months ago? Before her lies a witch ready for battle. She is dressed simply yet effectively; a silver cloak that was a gift from Lilith from Luz's results in training, a sturdy yet flexible shirt, and blue pants with deep pockets, perfect for storing spare glyphs. Underneath this veneer of clothing, the results of her daily spars with Lilith shown. Her body lean yet firm that hides the strength of a lioness and the speed of cheetah. Her brown eyes sparked with a tempered fury hidden behind an unassuming pair of glasses.

She clutches to her side her trusty satchel, a replacement for her old schoolbag. In it was the Pandora's Box of her studies in the glyphs and through the guidance of the Titan. It was almost terrifying or awe-inspiring the number of glyphs she can remember and draw now that the fog within her mid dissipated. Earth, wind, fire, and water. Conjuration, transformation, illusion, and enchantment. All this power at her fingertips. She hopes that it will be enough. If not, she carries with herself a wooden staff, a weapon she is most familiar with.

She can't help but feel nervous. All of a sudden, Belos announces that the Day of Unity is at hand, and he wants to mark this occasion with the execution of Edalyn Clawthorne. All members of the Emperor's Coven are to be present and in the throne room to witness the grand occasion, Luz included. She had hoped that this wouldn't had to happen so suddenly, but fate isn't that kind.

Luckily, Luz was able to convince Lilith to let her go see Eda under the pretense to see her off one last time. Of course, Luz had to be under guard as per protocol. Not that it mattered.

Luz looks out her window and sees that the morning sun has yet to rise. Good, it's time for her to leave. Taking one last look at everything to double check if she was missing anything, she steps outside her room to see her escort waiting for her.

'Huh, two guards this time. Ms. Lilith must be paranoid.' Wordlessly, the two guards lead the way, one in front and one at the end with Luz in the middle. They walked with a brisk pace towards what Luz calls the dungeon, no doubt that the guards want to get this over with to end this babysitting.

It doesn't take long for Luz to reach the dungeon. From there, her heart quickens as more guards join her detail. 4 guards in total and all armed with their staffs. 'This might be a bit trickier than I thought.' Thinks Luz as she enters the dungeon. She brings her staff and satchel closer to her, trying to calm herself down.

They all stop briefly in front of Kikimora's statues. The guards mocked it and made their way, making obscene gestures or brought curses to the petrified demon's name. Luz, however, stopped briefly in front of the statue and made a quick prayer to her, holding to the necklace in Kikimora's hand as she does so.

'Please watch over me.' Luz soon rejoins the guards, feeling a little more assured than before. In her palms, she can still feel the leftover warmth of the necklace flow into her, reminding her of the golem's resilience. She'll need it.

They soon reach the door to Eda's cell and Luz curses in her head. 2 more guards by her door. 'Alright, I might be in over my head.' The guards to Eda's cell open the door and allow Luz and the other 4 guards to follow her in. From there, she can see Eda laying with her back against the wall with a roguish smile. Behind her legs, King watches wearily, holding the still form of Owlbert for comfort.

"Hello, boys and girls. What's the good news? You letting me free?"

"Eda the Owl lady," Guard 1 says. His low voice was complemented with a wide build as he continues to say, "You are hereby sentenced to death by petrification with no appeal."

Luz can see King flinch at the words, but Eda's smile only grew wider, "For little old me? Well, aren't I special? Say, when does this whole thing start anyhow?"

"When the human gets to say her piece before you get sent off to die." Guard 2 sneers, clearly relishing at the upcoming event. This one was a demon, lithe and dangerous with her horns and claws that protrude from her uniform.

Guards 3 and 4 offer nothing to say. Guard 3 is a lanky witch with navy blue hair. Her thin frame and nervous disposition made Luz question why she was guarding the entrance to the dungeon. Guard 4, like Guard 2, was a demon but with ears like a bat and talons that can cut quick. Guards 5 and 6, the ones outside the cell right now, were hard to tell from the darkness and torchlight. And in the center of all this was Luz staring directly at Eda trying to calm down. To her left, Guards 1 and 2. To her right, Guards 3 and 4. Behind her, Guards 5 and 6. She takes a deep breath.

"Oh really?" Eda's gold tooth flashes under the torchlight. Luz's grip on her staff tightens to an iron grip. She can hear her heart ready to burst out of her chest and run away. She steels her nerves. "What does she have to say."

"This." With a quick thrust to the neck and hard thwack to the side of the head, Guard 1 crumples to the floor like sand. Guard 2 quickly joins her comrade to the realm of dreams as Luz lands a swift kick to her temple which is soon followed with an overhead strike to her head.

"What are you doing!?" Guard 4 yells behind her, the panic and confusion filling the demon's voice from her quick dispatching of the two guards. Luz spins around and manages to deftly duck a compressed blade of wind rushing at her from the staff of Guard 3. Grimacing, Luz grabs a glyph from her satchel and throws it at Guard 3. The paper glyph glows and crumples into itself, revealing a burning ball of fire that zips its way into Guard 3. Hit. Knocked down. Still conscious.

Guard 4 snarls and rushes Luz, brandishing both his staff and claws to strike her. A bead of sweat runs down Luz's face as she can see the sharp gleam of the Guard's talon reflect off the torchlight. Luz quickly brings her staff to guard and grunts when Guard 4's weight comes crashing down on her.

"Argh!" He yells, his yellow eyes burning deep against Luz's own. "We shouldn't have trusted you! Not to a filthy human!" Guard 4 quickly spins a spell circle from his free hand and Luz jerks her head away as an icicle nearly crashes into her.

"What's going on in there?" Shouts a guard from outside and soon the door Luz came in from was opening and Luz audibly curses. She doesn't have enough time. Luz breaks her deadlock with Guard 4 and attempts to swing at him, only to miss when the demon leaps to the air, brandishing his wings. However, Luz immediately places a glyph on the floor and a stone pillar shoots out from under him and slams him into the ceiling, knocking the air out of his system.

Soon enough, both Guards 5 and 6 rush in and see Luz, Guard 3, and the other fallen guards.

"What the-!"

"STOP HER!" Guard 3 hysterically cries as the lanky witch launches a barrage of lightning at Luz. The human girl tries to dodge but winces when one of the bolts clips the side of her left arm. Luz quickly pays her back when she throws her own lightning glyph at her, this time paired with a plant glyph to ensnare and shock her unconscious.

That victory was short lived when Guard 5 tackles her into the wall, knocking the air out of her lungs.

"Not so tough now, are ya?" He sneers. Guard 5 had pinned Luz to the wall, making it difficult for Luz to get her glyphs stored in her satchel. "I don't know what possessed you to turn traitor, but you made a terrible mistake." Looking behind Guard 5, Luz can see Guard 6 conjure his scroll, no doubt about to report to Lilith about what transpired. That can't happen.

Luz quickly thinks on what to do and realizes that Guard 5 made the rookie mistake of having his arms being too close to her mouth.

"ARGH!" Luz quickly drops to the ground as Guard 5 clutches his arm in pure agony. "YOU'RE GOING TO-!" He was caught off when his gravity shifts and he is slammed into the wall, leaving behind cracked stone.

Luz stands back up and sees Guard 6 with complete fear in his eyes. "We need hel-!" He was caught off by a complete encasement of ice. When Luz walks over, she stomps on the scroll still chattering with alarmed voices and takes a deep breath. Step 1 complete.

A drawn-out whistle from Eda catches her attention. Eda's eyes were as wide as dinner plates and King had stars in his eyes. "Holy smokes, kid. Just what were they feeding ya?"

"Oh, y'know," Even after that harrowing experience, Luz flushed from the embarrassment, "Stuff. Now let's get you out of here." From deep within her satchel, she takes out a large number of glyphs primed with the same spell that they nearly spill out from her grasp. She places them all on the door to Eda's cell and she gives a crazy smile."

"You might want to stand back!"

"We need hel-!" Lilith curses as she rushes out of her room. That was the scroll from one of Eda's cell guards. Something must have happened during the transfer!

She brings out her scroll and sends out an emergency notice, "To all Emperor's Coven guards, there is an emergency in the lower dungeon with prisoner, Edalyn Clawthorne. Threat level unknown. Head there immediately!" She soon drops her scroll and runs as fast as she can. Of course, Edalyn would do something so drastic today. She can't help but bring as much chaos as possible.

She turns a corner, and she sees several guards leaving their rooms in various states of dress, clearly caught off guard by the announcement. None of them expected something like this to happen. They all thought that they will be rewarded with the fruits of their labour.

'No need to panic.' Lilith chides herself. 'You need to think clearly. Who could have done this?' Lilith doesn't rule out the possibility that Eda would have planned something ahead of time. But she has to think of the bigger picture. Who else was there?

That scraggly little demon? No, he shouldn't pose a large enough threat.

Eda's palisman. No, with the shackles on, Eda wouldn't be able to cast her magic at all so she wouldn't be able to get the aid of her companion. Still, maybe it was unwise to leave it there.

Luz-

"Luz!" Lilith snarls as she realizes her mistake. Eda must have tricked Luz into helping her sister escape. That's why that girl wanted to be with her today. She quickly gets scroll and says, "To all guards! The human is-!"

KA-BOOOOM

Lilith is knocked off balance as a large explosion rumbled below her. She curses and runs quickly, forgetting in her distress what she was about to say in her rush. Dozens of guards rush past her as they all make their way towards the dungeon. It was chaos. Fear was on all of their faces as they did not want to know what made that noise. Halfway to the dungeon, Lilith sees from the corner of her eye a small flicker of silver cloth. She pays it no heed. She'll deal with that guard's cowardice later.

Lilith soon finds herself at the entrance and sees a group of guards nursing their injuries with some guards staying to mend their wounds. They all looked terrible, sporting slash marks across their bodies. Some other guards around her poured into the dungeon, paying no heed to their injured comrades.

"Status report." She asks to any one of them, "What's going on and what happened here?"

"It's the prisoner!" One guard grunts out, "She escaped her cell and turned into some type of Owl beast! We managed to get away but some of our own are still in there!"

Lilith curses as haunting images of her childhood come to the fore of her mind, "Did anyone see what happened to the escort detail and Luz?"

"The human? No sight of her or the escort. Must've buzzed off already."

"Tsk," Lilith clicked her tongue, "I want some squadrons finding Luz. The rest, on me!"

"Yes, Captain!"

SCREEEEEEEECH

Lilith's heart clenches as she can hear the familiar tormented cry of the Owl beast deep within the dungeon. Belos' orders echo in her mind, warning Lilith that if her sister somehow breaks out of her cell, she must defeat her. Lilith gulps. Time to face her past.

Ba-Dump

Kikimora stirs. No nightmares disturbed her rest, but dreams eluded her. Her rest peaceful, but strange. Conscious, but not quite. It was hard to tell if this is reality, her mind, or a blend of the two. Yet, she cannot deny that something else has come forth. She hears something in the distance.

Ba-Dump

It's getting closer. She tries to move, but she can't. She tries to open her eyes, but they don't listen.

Ba-Dump

The sound, the heartbeat, it's right next to her. She should be afraid, afraid that this is another cruel punishment meant to break her. But she doesn't feel it, she doesn't feel the fear or dread. She can only feel the warmth wrapping around her like a blanket, making her descend deeper in this trance-like state.

From there, something awoke in her. She sees something unlike any other dream or sight that she has had before. A memory. A memory not of her own but of the land itself. She sees the Isles in a state that pre-dates anything that recorded history has to offer. Animals known to be extinct were roaming the wide-open plains of the land, free of civilization as she knew it. Vegetation grew as far as the eye can see, bearing bizarre and rare varieties of plants that were near unheard of. The sky and sea glisten like jewels in the face of the radiant sun.

It was beautiful.

But the memory did not stop there. The memory flickers and brings forth something odd. In front of her, a feline-like creature emerges from the depths of a nearby cave, wearing a wooden mask shaped like a skull. The creature stops and raises its head, staring straight into Kikimora's eyes with its eyes of blazing gold. The creature then leaves back into the cave, but not before summoning forth orbs of light from its tail and a wall of stone for the cave's entrance with an ease unheard of. It was if the elements were bent to their will.

The scene flickers once more, revealing a demon twice Kikimora's height with horns jutting from its head curling towards its jaws and skin matching the colour of aged bark. Strangely, it bore the same mask as before with its eyes the same gold colour.

Then the scene shifts to reveal a witch. Then an owl, a hydra, a cyclops, and many more flicker seamlessly between one creature to the next. No matter the creature, all bore the same wooden mask. All bore the same golden eyes that radiated power. All wielded an awe-inspiring control of the magical elements, even creatures that shouldn't have been able to cast magic in the first place. But what does it all mean?

However, the scene drastically changes to one where she sees Luz within the confines of Belos' castle, running towards somewhere. Luz looks worn and ragged, the dark rings under her eyes and scratches over her body tell many tales that Kikimora doesn't want to know. Yet, Luz's eyes were determined, filled with what looks like rage or focus. Kikimora's eyes are then drawn towards Luz's satchel, one that is filled to the brim with glyphs both known and unknown to Kikimora.

When Luz turns an all too familiar corner, Kikimora's hearts sinks as she realizes what Luz is going to do. Luz is going to fight the Emperor, and there is nothing that Kikimora can do to stop her.

The trance soon ends, and Kikimora awakes, bearing more questions than answers. However, she could not ponder these thoughts any further when she sees the spirit of Camilla materialize into view, along with the Titan.

"I trust you had a peaceful rest, Ms. Kikimora?" Camilla's voice was filled with concern, but Kikimora's ears can hear something else in it. A tinge of fear. Beside the spirit, the skull of the Titan shudders, looking worse for wear than before.

"Yes and no," Replies Kikimora, "I had the strangest dream. Or was it a dream? It felt like the images that the Titan has given me before. But that doesn't concern me when I saw Luz foolishly decide to march to the Emperor and fight him," She focuses her attention on Camilla, noticing that her spirit looks fainter than before. She doesn't say anything and continues, "Both of you don't appear here unless its for something. What have you come to discuss?"

Camilla pauses, looking unsure. She turns her head towards the Titan's skull and seems to tense for a moment. Kikimora notices that Camilla's eyes glow once more with the Titan's light before saying, "Before I say anything further, may I ask you something, Ms. Kikimora?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"Did this dream of yours have creatures wearing wooden masks?"

Kikimora nodded, "Yes, several of them. It was an odd assortment too. I saw witches, demons, and some animals. Is there something that I should know, Camilla?"

Camilla flinches once she hears those words and takes a moment to speak. Worry begins to worm itself into Kikimora as she sees Camilla's face morph into regret, unsure on what to do except wait for what Camilla says.

"The Titan has a way to break you free from this imprisonment and allow you to help Luz." Worry turned to shock. Shock then turned to excitement within Kikimora as she waits with bated breath for whatever Camilla has to say next. "The Titan can reverse the petrification and free you by bestowing its remaining strength, imbuing you with magic forgotten by time. You'll become the Titan's chosen, a Soothsayer. The first in many generations. And if today passes, the last."

This seems powerful, too powerful for anyone to ever achieve in their lifetime. Instead of rejoicing, Kikimora is hesitant, unsure that being given this much strength is a wise idea. And she knows what happens to those who lust for such a power. She tries to distract herself from these thoughts, saying "A Soothsayer? I never heard of such a thing. Who, or what, are they? And what do you mean the first and the last?"

Camilla's eyes glow harshly with the knowledge bestowed upon her by the titan. The spirit then speaks, clear and uninhibited, "A Soothsayer is someone chosen by the Titan to protect and nourish the Boiling Isles. Whether they be animal or witch, they are charged to ensure that life prospers and that nothing would bring harm onto these lands."

"In the past, they would use their magics to provide food if there was too little to spare. To cease conflicts with single wave. To grow life from the very roots of the land. Civilizations used to regard them with awe and respect."

Kikimora notices the glow dim from Camilla's eyes, much like the fire that burns so little within the Titan. She walks up to Camilla, and asks the question she fears the most, already knowing what was about to happen, "What happened to them, Camilla?"

Camilla's face turns sullen, confirming the fears Kikimora had, "In time, awe turned to fear. Fear turned to jealously. Jealously turned to lust. Many coveted the power Soothsayers had and sought to steal it through any means necessary. Capture. Torture. Pillage. Murder. The land that the Soothsayers swore to protect were now against them. One by one, like the stars in the night, the Soothsayers were extinguished with any memory of their existence lost to time. Those who sought their destruction for power found nothing."

Kikimora balls her hands into fists and clutches them tightly. One side of her mind cannot help but notice how similar that story was to her own, how Kikimora once served Belos for power but now, it turned into nothing for him, at least. However, Kikimora cannot shake the feeling that something else was missing. "What price is to be paid, Camilla? Something this powerful cannot be simply given without due recompense."

Camilla nods, sadly and slowly, "There is. You see, those chosen have their lifeforce intertwined with the Titan. They risk losing their consciousness and forever be transformed into husks of their former selves. And for you, it gets more dangerous as Belos' actions have stolen much of the Titan's strength, leaving only a fragment to be used that may be corrupted or leached. You may find yourself reverting back to normal once its all over, Kikimora, and things may be…different."

"I…see." Should she do this? Kikimora's thoughts are filled with many scenarios and questions, trying to reason the best course of action. Kikimora remains silent for what feels like hours before giving her answer.

"I accept."

Camilla grimly nods, "Then let's begin." Beside the spirit, in front of the crumbling skull of the Titan, manifests a magnificent pyre hosting a flame burning an eerie silvery white. Kikimora stands in awe as the fire seems to pull her in.

"Once you are ready, please step inside the flame. And Kikimora," The demon turns and sees Camilla smiling at her with a determined look in her eye. Kikimora's heart skips a beat as she has seen that exact look before. Camilla gives one last nod before saying, "Please, keep my daughter safe. And please tell Luz that her mother is so proud of her."

"I will. For you and me, both." Camilla smiles as she fades away, leaving only Kikimora with the crackling fire and the ancient skull of the Titan. Kikimora sighs as she turns towards the Titan with a heavy heart.

"So, this is it then." Kikimora rubs the scars on her arms, feeling their unmistakable ruggedness, "I suppose I have to thank you for doing this. Even after everything you did before with trapping Luz in this world, you must've had your reasons, even if I don't have to like them."

The Titan stays silent, letting the crackling of the fire fill her mindscape. For once, Kikimora lets herself be still in this silence, steeling herself for what's to come next. She soon feels herself clutching something warm in her hand, something that shouldn't have been there at all. When she opens her hand, she is puzzled to see Luz's crystal necklace in her hand, radiant with light and thrumming with a comforting warmth.

"How did it…?"

…ca…ta..lyst…

The weakened words catch Kikimora attention. The corner of her mouth raises slightly as a knowing look dons her face, albeit a tad forlorn as her eyes sag at the familiar crystal. "I see, a ritual of this caliber requires a medium to focus. I suppose something that bound one's life with memories of their old life for another. A life of servitude. How ironic." She glides her thumb over the crystal, feeling the smooth surface tickling her skin, keeping the sensation to memory.

"Let's begin then." She puts the necklace around her neck and with one hand, grasps it. With an unheard word, the crystal's light intensifies as rays of light bleed out of her hand. In front of her, the Titan's skull shakes and shivers as Kikimora can feel something ethereal tether onto herself. Her eyes, one jasper and one pearl, once under the influence of a parasitic emerald were now bleeding into a humble gold entwined with fire. Hand in hand do the ebbing embers of the Titan's eyes burn anew, raising from their burnt husks and erupting into great pillars of flame.

In her head, Kikimora can hear a melody come into existence of her mind. It sounded ancient. Primordial. The fires of the pyre raise itself higher and flicker as if dancing to the tune. Soon after, a choir of voices rises from the open mouth of the Titan and speak with a unified voice of valor.

TIME

The beginning note of one's life that composes an uncharted melody. Actions become the verses. Decisions become the chorus. Life becomes the penultimate performance to an audience young and old, near and far.

PAST

Kikimora can see everything she's done before flicker past her in a distinct blur. Her time as a terrified demon trying to live. Her time as Belos' feared right hand, executing his will. Her time as in her prison suffering for her actions. Her time as a mother of a lost child.

PRESENT

She see's what is happening right now. Or perhaps what will happen immediately? Eda fighting against Lilith, weary, tired but not without spirit. She sees Luz fighting with a ferocity that can melt stone, but it pains Kikimora to see her fighting Belos. She sees herself, in a dark, decrepit dungeon petrified with other statues afflicted with the same stone shell of petrification.

FUTURE

She sees what could've been. She sees her herself living with Luz somewhere along the coasts of the Boiling Isles. Or is it the waters of Earth she sees? She doesn't know. They're older, the both of them. Luz is taller, her hair vibrant and tied into a ponytail, and her body the image of a healthy young woman. She hears a young voice call out from somewhere, but Kikimora can't tell who it is.

This future may not be true anymore, but she'll be damned if she cannot let Luz have a bright future.

CHOICE

Is there really a choice?

LIFE

Farewell, Kikimora…

"Farewell, Titan. May we meet again." The mindscape around her begins to crack as lines of brilliant light begin to shine radiantly amongst the shadows of consciousness. The grand pyre stands lit with a ghostly white flame, flickering from an unseen wind. Taking a deep breath, she closes her eyes and steps forward into the flame, letting the fire consume her. There was no pain or suffering. Only peace.

As Kikimora is engulfed into the fire, though it is unseen, the Titan's skull begins to dissolve within the mindscape, crumbling into dust from the top down. As it dissolves, the dust swirls and descends into the pyre, like a moth to a flame. The flame grows higher and burns brighter with each piece of dust, with it soon encompassing the near-limitless mindscape once the last of the Titan's skull enters the pyre. More cracks begin to emerge along the unseen walls of the consciousness as the seething inferno intensifies in strength.

In the world of the living, none could see the subtle glow of light begin to emit within a damp, secretive room of the castle. If one were in this room and see the light, they would think that it was just a simple torch light or a conjured wisp of a bored guard. However, this light was no herald of such. Instead, this light stems from the crystal necklace held in the hand of one imprisoned traitor to the crown, the light undeterred and unfettered from its stone prison. As if hearing an unknown call, the light begins to strengthen, glowing brighter and scattering into different arrays of colours into the dark room.

And as it shines, the stature begins to crack.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

In front of her, the gilded doors of the throne room stand with an eerie glimmer. Behind her, she can hear the faint shouts and cries of the Emperor's Coven. She hopes that they haven't caught on already on what she has done.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

She closes her eyes and remembers what Belos has done to her. To Eda. To Kikimora. To everyone that he has harmed in his arrogance and pride.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

She opens her eyes and adjusts her glasses. She clenches her staff and adjusts her satchel.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

She enters the throne room. To her amazement, it was all but empty. No guards, no surrounding crowd. There was only her, the beating heart of what Luz knows as the Titan, and the lone figure sitting regally on his throne.

"Luz Noceda," She shivers at the way her name rolls of his tongue, "Welcome to this grand ceremony to this auspicious day for at last, the Day of Unity is at hand. Come," He sits up from his throne and conjures a seat beside him, "Join me for we will usher in a new era."

His blue eyes, even from this distance, felt like they bore right into her. He was watching. Waiting. Seeing if that perfect little servant was still his. "No."

Belos does not speak for several moments until he says, "Would you care to repeat that, Luz Noceda." His words were laced with venom and warning. Luz can see Belos step down from his throne, but it feels like his presence grew larger, more threatening.

"No." Repeats Luz, now pointing her staff in front of her, "I will never join you."

"Do you not remember what I did for you?" His voice was sweet as saccharine. Sweet as the deals the devil signs. "Did you forget who gave you all this? Who gave you your memories?"

"You gave me only lies!"

"Nonsense!" Belos slams his staff to the ground and a magnificent shockwave almost knocks Luz off her feet. "I gave you what you wanted, Luz. Memories of your past that would best serve you."

"I think you mean that only serves you. I'll never forget what you did. The lies you fed to me. The things you made me do. At least I was able to get it all back, thanks to the Titan."

"DO NOT DARE CLAIM THAT YOU HEAR THE TITAN!" Belos' shout catches Luz off guard. This was the first time she has ever heard Belos so…unhinged.

Belos breathes in heavily and regains his composure. He raises his staff's head at her and snarls, "If you will not aid me than you will die. The ritual cares not if an outsider's blood comes from the living or the dead. Only that it flows with influence from its new home."

"I will stop you!"

"Foolish words, for a human."

Luz only had a few moments to react to the ice shards flying at her face at breakneck speeds. She ducks, barely missing them as one scrapes the tip of her nose. When she reorients herself, she is soon met with an onslaught of fire and lightning that she forces her to roll under, singeing her cloak in the process.

"Is this all you had to offer? I expected more from a student of Lilith's tutelage." Belos mocks from his position. "I am disappointed." With a raising of his staff, Belos wills the growth of plants from underneath Luz, nearly trapping her in a sarcophagus of vine and throne.

"Really?" Luz pants and grabs a set of glyphs from her satchel. Illusion. Clone. Mist. She places all three on her and soon, multiple copies of Luz Noceda appear on the field. "Then I'll show you what I can do!"

Belos growls and launches a wide shockwave towards the horde of clones. Some were able to dodge but others were eviscerated in half but what came out was a thick mist and quickly obscured the field. Belos was instantly on his guard. He knows that the human girl was resourceful and will find a way to strike him unawares. If he tries to clear away the mist, he knows that Luz would capitalize on that opening.

'Then let's force it!' Belos spins his staff around him and conjures yet another blast of air. Belos' eyes widen when the blast didn't disturb the air but instead, rebound back to him. He quickly raises a yellow shield that absorbs most of the attack's energy, but the blow still makes him stumble.

"Ha, not so high and mighty now!" Luz emerges from the mist and raises two tags. Abomination. Stone. Soon, a giant soldier of stone emerges from the ground that was twice the height of the lowly Emperor and wielding an axe made of stone. With a roar, the abomination charges at the Emperor and swings at him, striking his weakened shield.

Thud, thud, thud goes the axe as it bounces off the shield. The abomination goes for another mighty swing before it is blasted into pieces by Belos with a water geyser conjured beneath it.

Luz doesn't give up. Reaching into her satchel, she tries to combine 5 glyphs all at once, a dangerous prospect due to the high chance of backfire. Wind. Lightning. Construct: Ball. Explosion. Tracking. She quickly lays it on the ground in front of her and out comes a ball of volatile plasma crackling with barely restrained energy. She quickly enters a baseball stance and swings, striking plasma ball with a tremendous force that sends it rocketing towards Belos.

The plasma ball strikes true, piercing Belos' shield and exploding in a bright light, the trace energy arcing and running wild into the stone. Luz for sure thought that Belos couldn't survive something like that until the dust settles and sees the hunched form of Belos glaring hatefully at her.

"My turn." Belos says. Out from the throne room's shadows, a tangible horde of shadow beasts rush toward her from all sides. Luz tries to place a protective glyph but she was interrupted by a chunk of stone slamming into her arm, curtesy of Belos. Luz cries out in pain as her arm throbs. She can barely move it.

In no time, the shadow beasts are upon her and Luz desperately tries to fight them off with her staff but as soon as she defeats one, three more take there place. They bite, claw, slash, pick at her and Luz could only swat her away. Desperately, she draws a glyph from one of her pant pockets and slams it into the nearest beast, creating a wave of water from within the beast and thinning the horde.

Acting quickly, Luz grabs three glyphs and places two on the ground, mirror and rebound, and one on her staff, light. Soon, her staff radiates with a harsh light that makes the shadows shy away and from the ground emerges mirror-like objects that are shaped like bumpers. With an expert throw, she hurls her staff like a javelin, striking a beast that soon bursts into light. The staff then ricochets off a bumper, bouncing into another beast, and another. Soon the last of the horde is gone and opens her hand to catch her staff.

However, a gout of flame strikes it midair, burning it to cinders. Luz quickly turns to Belos and sees a wave of sharp stone come her way. She tries to dodge but her left leg was not so lucky. Luz lets out a cry as the spell strikes true, leaving behind a nasty gash. She quickly applies a healing glyph on it, but she has to roll away to avoid the pouncing of a phantasmal beast that soon disappears.

"Surrender, Luz. You are outmatched!" Belos cries out. "I promise you that I will still spare your miserable life if you surrender now."

"Like Hell I will." Luz stands up defiantly, much to her body's protest. "I don't believe for a second what you're offering. C'mon," Luz scrounges into her satchel and grabs a handful of glyphs, "If you want me, come take me."

"Pity." Belos renews his assault and Luz's mind goes blank as she lets her instincts and training take over.

Duck

Dodge

Weave

Strike

Retreat

Roll

Strike

Block

Get up

Dodge

Strike

Fall

Rise

Fall

GET UP

Luz barely manages to avoid being crushed by a falling stone tablet before she answers back with a firebolt glyph. Belos parries it easily.

"Face it, Luz. You're no match for me."

"Says who!" Luz shouts back. Beast: Bird. Fire. Lightning. Ice. A flock of elemental birds emerge from the ground and crash into Belos who lets out a grunt of pain. Luz makes a mad dash towards the Emperor, thinking that if she can close the distance, she can stop him from casting his long range spells. Maybe, she has a chance.

Illusion. Invisibility. Clone. Everywhere, clones of Luz blink in and out of existence, making it hard for Belos to determine where the real one was located.

Belos lets out a roar and around him, a pulse of his shout bursts outward. Some of the clones were dissipated but not enough were gone to deduce where the girl went.

A singular cry soon came out as the clones disappear in a cloud of disorienting smoke, preventing him from seeing Luz run up to him from his left and draw 5 glyphs.

Creation: Sword. Sealing. Enchantment: Strength. Enchantment: Strength. Enchantment: Strength.

With a mighty, desperate cry, Luz draws a wickedly sharp and curved sword from the ground itself and without losing speed, takes one, magnificent swing.

It swings true.

Belos gasps in pain as he clutches his chest in agony. The sword made its mark deeply into his chest as Luz can see something akin to blood ooze out of him.

Luz was breathing heavily but she could barely contain her excitement. Did she really do it? Did she win?

That train of thought was immediately dashed as a blue glow began to grow from his staff.

"Wha-?"

"I will not be denied!" His roars of wrath reverberate throughout the broken halls of the gilded throne room, the echoes matched in time with the thundering beats of the Titan's heart. With a grand sweep of his staff, a mounting wave of blue energy burst into existence and slamming into the exhausted form of Luz, knocking her clean off her feet and landing farther away on her back. Luz tries to get up, but she can't, her body too much in agony to respond.

With a low growl, Belos' blue eyes gleam with a radiant intensity as he steps forward from where he stood. Arcs of blue lightning begin ripple across his entire body, coalescing into a hazardous coat of protection in which he immerses himself into. The room shuddered with each step towards Luz's crumpled form as if the very stones were afraid of the being that lays before them.

"This farce has gone too long, Luz Noceda!" Belos shouts behind his cracked mask with portions of it chipped away with each passing step, revealing a broken and gaunt form twisted with irritation. Luz tries to scramble away, ignoring the pain that arose from suddenly getting up, but with a simple raising of his staff, Belos summoned solid stone bindings that erupted from the ground. They swirl around Luz's form like leaves to the wind, following her every movement. Without a single word, Belos slams the butt of his staff to the ground, forcing the bindings to entrap Luz, causing her to stumble and fall onto the ground. She struggles, flailing uselessly against the stone with a frenzied energy while Belos calmly walks up to her downed form. Stopping just in front of Luz, Belos sneers and draws from the insides of his dirtied cloak a ceremonial silver dagger gleaming in a pale light.

"You have lost," The bindings raise Luz from the ground, bringing her face to face to Belos' looming form. With a simple flourish of his blade, Belos places the tip of his dagger to Luz's chin, forcing her to still. He raises the blade, forcing Luz to stare into his blue eyes as he speaks, "This little gamble of yours? I do not know what you had hoped to gain but you have failed whilst I have won." Blue eyes spark with lightning momentarily as he leans closer to Luz who he finds to be staring at him unwaveringly.

"Just where has this self-assured confidence come from?" Questions Belos with a slight tilt of his knife, drawing a small bead of blood from Luz, "Did you honestly believe that you would succeed in defeating me, Luz? That is foolish, even for you." Belos leers at her and grips his knife tightly, "No matter. You coming to me has made my life easier for a change. I've awaited far too long for the perfect specimen to arrive, and I can wait no longer. You will be the catalyst to merge both our realms and bring forth beautiful chaos and magic into a realm far too pitiful to deserve it. With the knowledge I've accrued from Kikimora and the power I will gain from the ritual, nothing will stop me from spreading my peace to all! A pity that you will not live to see it."

Luz levels a hard glare at Belos as she spits defiantly at him, staying silent as Belos slightly recoils in mild disgust.

"Defiant to the end, are we now, Luz Noceda?" Belos mocks the spittle from the vestiges of his mask and levels a hardened glare at the girl, accentuated with the rumbling tide of magic building in his irises that were only held at bay with tempered patience, "Know that in your final moments that you chose futility instead of acceptance." Belos scoffs, "How ironic that you choose to perform the same act of defiance as your late caretaker. You two were truly more alike than I thought. If you were not so important to my plans, then I would have made an example out of you. But no matter, spend your precious little moments struggling in vain." He turns and with a thud of his staff, conjures a simple flat stone table etched with intricate carvings inlaid into the sides.

With an unspoken word, the bindings move Luz on top of the table and restrains her there, leaving only her head and a small patch where her heart was located exposed to the air. Luz can only watch with a creeping dread as Belos appears to her left side where her heart lays, a menacing smile donned on the visible parts of his face from where his mask used to be. From where she was laying, she could not see the engraved markings begin to glow eerily with a green light as Belos mutters an undiscernible chant under his breath. As he chants, he raises his dagger with a deliberate slowness, allowing it to reflect its eerie light upon Luz, making her feel terror pooling in her chest. With one final shout, he announces with a grandiose voice, "For the Day of Unity!" And plunges his dagger towards Luz who has closed her eyes in acceptance, awaiting the killing blow.

S-H-U-D-D-E-R

The room quakes with an overwhelming force unseen until know, rivalling even the power summoned from Belos himself. The trembling knocks Belos off kilter so that the knife runs askew and shatters upon the thick stone bindings holding Luz, leaving only a small shard the size of a nail on the now-empty hilt. The glow that was illuminating from the table ceases to exist, shuddering away.

"NO!" Belos curses as he clutches the remains of his dagger close to his chest. With a snarl, he tosses aside his broken tool and looks outward, clutching his staff in a taut grip. The orb mounted atop the machine-like device crackles with a red surging energy, bringing forth a ring of fire encircling the object.

"How irritating," Belos says with a restrained fury, "I thought I ordered Lilith that I was not to be disturbed too greatly when she began her fight with her wretched sister. Too think that it would escalate that greatly and almost cause my greatest achievement to end with failure." He then turns to Luz, raising his staff above her chest as the fiery ring around the orb expands and surrounds her entire body.

"Congratulations, Luz Noceda," Belos states with an eerie calm, "It appears that you will not be given a quick death. No, you will suffer, much like Kikimora before you." His grip on his staff tightens as the glow of the fire turns incandescent, raising the surrounding temperature to a boil. Several tendrils of fire then seep out from the ring and begin to strike Luz in a macabre rhythm, causing the girl to flinch in pain with each searing blow.

"Goodbye, Luz Noceda." With a final push of will, the flames fully descend onto Luz, completely intending to immolate the restrained girl alive. However, just before the first tendril strikes Luz's exposed face, the flame sputters like a cough, its embers flickering from the flame's outline before ceasing to exist.

"What!" Belos could only stare in befuddlement and anger as his magic quickly dissipated into nothing, leaving only cold stone and a grateful Luz. Belos tries to conjure another fiery ring, but something was wrong. A wave of dizziness swiftly overtakes his focus as he sways from side to side from the nausea, his vision spinning from the onslaught of this sickness. He then clutches his heart. feeling a spike of pain perforating it with perfect precision. From there came an unusual heat radiating from his chest, spreading from his chest to his arms and legs.

"What is happening?" Belos says weakly, leaning onto his staff like a cane from a miser. It takes all his will to stay standing as he growls under his breath, "What foul magic dares to assail me so?" He raises a hand towards the Titan's heart, fully intending to draw upon the energy that still remains dormant in it to recover from this decrepit state. But he does not feel the cooling caress of ancient magic flow through his fingertips. Not anymore. He only feels the cool air.

"What is this…?" Belos raises his head weakly, his blue eyes gazing at the thudding green heart of the Titan. But, with widening eyes, he stands shock still as he observes something that should not be even possible.

BADUMP

BADump

Ba…Dump

Ba…

…

The Titan's heart stops, the thundering beats resounds in the throne room no more. As if its silence was a catalyst, the air in the throne room thickens with the musk of necrosis, heavily weighing down the room with its intolerable stench.

"No…," Like a lost child, Belos decrepitly walks towards the heart with each clack of his staff resounding on the stone floor in pale mockery of the once-powerful beats of the Titan. As he reaches towards his throne, he looks frantically all over the heart with mania in his once-calm eyes, darting side to side as if inspecting the heart.

"No, this shouldn't be possible. You are the most powerful being of this realm!" Belos then begins to raise his staff to cast his spells but there was nothing that can be done; nothing was conjured or summoned.

"I am the speaker of your will. I am the Emperor, the one destined to rule all the realms," Belos rambles, "You cannot be dead, I did not declare it so. You are still needed in my plans, and you WILL live once more! Do you understand?" As if answering his cries, the walls behind the heart begin to rumble, forming several cracks deep into the stone.

"Yes, YES!" Belos cries out, raising his arms in joyous celebration, "Come bring forth your majesty, O' Titan! Death is no obstacle to you, and together we shall-"

BOOM

The wall explodes with great force, knocking Belos far away and into the opposing wall, cutting him off from his preaching. From where the wall used to stand, the sound of footsteps can be heard as a figure rises from the dust and crumbling stone. Under the dusty veil, the figure stops where the mighty golden throne used to be, standing directly below the Titan's heart.

With a wave of a raised hand topped with a yellow ring of magic, the figure releases the stone bindings from Luz, the blocks of stone sinking back into the floor like water and leaving no trace that it ever existed. Luz quickly took advantage of this gift and swiftly removed herself from the table, leaping from her spot to get as far away from it as possible. Deciding instantly that whoever unbound her was far safer to be around with than the deranged tyrant, Luz rapidly makes her way towards the figure, mouth slightly open to say her thanks to the stranger. However, she stops when she reaches the base of the throne's steps. Any sound she intended on making was quickly silenced but what she saw as the veil of dust parted, allowing Luz to determine who it was.

"What the…?" Luz mutters in awe, wide-eyed at the impossibility. It was Kikimora, standing with an unwavering focus like a figure of legend. The demon stands with a radiant glow amid the darkened room, arms crossed with righteous fury burning behind her eyes. Beneath her arms, Luz can see something shine like a star twinkling in the darkened sky and giving off an aura of safety and protection.

When Kikimora opens her mouth to speak, Luz shudders as it was not her voice that came out of her mouth.

"BELOS!"

It was not her voice but at the same time, it was. There were notes of her original voice laid into this archaic song, but she was not alone as her voice was joined in a cacophonous choir. There was something old, something ancient and primordial that speaks with an authority held that Luz can only describe as mythical. Both voices harmonize perfectly with each other, forging a voice filled with absolute power where each word causes the room to tremble in anticipation.

"I have returned!"

As if her words were a spark to kindling, the Titan's heart, once dormant, now beats with renewed life. With each passing beat, the ailing heart gradually changes from a dark green to a deep maroon, thudding like crashing thunder. With each pulse, the heart radiates a force that dwarfs its previous incarnation in sound and strength, forcing the throne room to be at the mercy of its unrestrained vigour. Where once the smell of death hung stagnant in the air was replaced with the nostalgic brine of the ocean, the scent of salt and water washing over the room like a fresh spring-breeze.

To Luz, it was like a breath of fresh air flowing through her system, reinvigorating her, and eliminating the exhaustion that weighed on her shoulder like a guillotine. When she takes a deep breath, her mind harkens back to simpler times, where she would look outside her bedside window on Earth and see the morning sun rise over the glittering ocean. Her heart yearns for it, but she steels her resolve, knowing that so long Belos is a threat, she will never be far from his reach. She turns around to ready herself, hand poised to grab one of her many pre-prepared glyphs from her damaged satchel, but she stops, giving a pause at the strangeness of what she sees.

It was Belos, but there was something wrong with him as he rises from the stone crater that appeared when he landed from the blast. He struggles to his feet, leaning onto his near-broken staff like a crutch. He sways like reeds to the wind, eyes stark in anger but unfocused, and with each breath he takes, he shudders and coughs as if the very air was poison. He was a fair distance away from both Kikimora and herself, but Luz can clearly see that he was in great pain. However, whether it was from sheer anger or ignorance, Belos stands ready against Kikimora and Luz as a creeping darkness begins to take hold of him, eating away at his legs.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?" The calm dulcet voice of the Emperor was gone. Now, frothing at the mouth with the bloodshot eyes of madness, screams the rabid voice of a crazed man. He strikes the butt of his staff on the ground and through sheer force of will, a swirling vortex of orange flame springs to existence, winding around Belos' hunched form like a coiled viper. He points his staff towards Kikimora, whose radiant form was near blinding, and shouts at her, "Release whatever curse you've laid upon me, Kikimora, and I will think to spare your life!"

FOOLISH BELOS

The ground quakes with an unimaginable force that nearly knocks both Luz and Belos of their feet. Kikimora stood unaffected by the sudden shaking, however, but she had no indication that she was the one that spoke.

"What parlor trick is this, Kikimora?" Belos demands, "Do you think that a mere voice can defeat me?"

Kikimora shakes her head. She opens her mouth to speak but this time, her voice was her own, "How far you have fallen to not recognize the hand that once fed you, Belos. Receive your just desserts for what you've done to us."

Belos growls and narrows his eyes into slits, causing the wreathing flames around him to glow brighter, "If you have time to answer me in riddles than you can answer me this: How are you even alive, Kikimora? I thought that I've had you petrified?"

She closes her eyes, breathing in to steady herself before she speaks, "I was. It was a living death that will haunt me for the rest of my days; I wish that fate upon no one, not even you, Belos." The glow around Kikimora will then turn into a haze as she raises a hand wrapped with several magical rings. She opens her eyes and looks at Belos who stands undeterred by her gesture. She raises her voice as it is joined once again in harmony, "But I have been saved by what you've left to fester and corrupt, Belos. I have been released from my stone prison to end your false reign!" Elemental pyres would then begin to manifest, whirling around Kikimora threateningly to match Belos in his challenge. Earth, wind, fire, and water; raw forces of nature bow to her unrelenting will, writhing in wait for her command. Even vines creep from the underlying stone, droplets of ooze will seep from the ceiling like blood, and a discordant hymn will ring throughout like a death knell. Judgement has come.

In the height of the pillar's glory, a light would soon begin to manifest upon Kikimora's face, piecing itself together to resemble an ancient skull mask etched with intricate carvings along its border. She stares down Belos with her visage stoked with the flames of vengeance; her eyes are like molten amber, her body thrumming with power, and with one voice, shouts to the very stars themselves.

"I am Kikimora, chosen Soothsayer of the Isles, Speaker of the Ancients! I am not the first nor will I be the last. I speak with one voice, the voice you've become deafened to through your own misdeeds. Hear me, O Belos, for I speak with the Voice of the Titan!"

Time seemed to stop in the chamber, silence taking hold after the declaration. It was suffocating to hear, as if her words ripped away the very air in the room. It was a moment's peace, however, as with a guttural battle cry, Belos jettisons the flame around him towards Kikimora with such contempt as if he were spurned by her words. Through his blinding rage, however, he ignores Luz.

She remains near Kikimora and stands shocked from the revelations revealed in the room. She yells in her mind to move away from the strike, but she remains motionless, fear gripping her mind as she feels the encroaching heat of the flaming stream move towards her. She raises her arms to foolishly protect herself, her panic not letting her think to grab the many glyphs from her satchel. However, before the flame can strike, Kikimora waves her arm and wills forth a wall of water to move in front of both her and Luz. An explosion of steam erupts from the clash, revealing both unharmed from the blast and angering Belos further.

"Luz, it brings me joy to see you once again." Kikimora says softly. Her voice was quiet with no echo from before. This is the Kikimora Luz knows and not the voice of an Ancient's avatar. The demon's gaze held firm towards a seething Belos, sparing no glance towards Luz as the fallen king who wastes no time in conjuring another stream of flame with greater intensity. As Kikimora blocks the strike with another wall of water, she continues, "But you must go. This is no place for you to be."

"But I can help! I can fight!" Luz challenges Kikimora, turning her back to Belos, "I have glyphs to-"

"Has Lilith taught you nothing? First rule when fighting an enemy," Kikimora says curtly as to chastise Luz, "Never turn your back against them."

"Wha-" Luz whirls around and takes many steps back towards the throne as she stares in horror at the many stones littered along the steps of the throne. It was clear to Luz that these stones were aimed at both of them but something unseen must have stopped them.

"This is life or death, Luz. One careless mistake like that will be our downfall." Kikimora warns as she steps forward in front of Luz. With Kikimora's back facing Luz, she gives an errant sigh and says, "But I know how stubborn you are. If you are so keen to remain, then stay behind me."

"Don't have to tell me twice." Luz moves so that she stands directly behind Kikimora. She takes and primes some glyphs from her satchel, readying herself for a fight.

"Are you ready, Luz?" Kikimora asks as she wills the elements to her side.

Luz gulps. "I'm ready as I can be."

"Then so be it!" Kikimora's voice is joined in harmony once more as her cries are answered with the screeching wails of the elements. Wave after wave of attacks come down onto Belos without mercy like the torrential rain, forcing Belos to dodge and weave through each blast.

"You DARE speak such nonsense and lies, Kikimora!" Belos shouts, unrestrained anger fully on display as he answers back with both words and magic, "Only I have been the arbiter of the Titan's will! Only I am the one who speaks with the Titan's voice! YOU are only a mere charlatan!"

"A charlatan?" Kikimora asks with a quirked eyebrow. A small smirk adorns her face behind her skull mask as she replies, "But Belos, this is no mystical charade for I TRULY wield His Will. How else would I be able to be released from the inescapable prison? How else would I wield magic so pure after my exposure to necromantic taint? How else, Belos?"

Belos seethes as he summons a cloud of lightning orbs into existence, each one crackling with concentrated blue electrical energy. With a wave of his staff, he scatters them into the air before with a single command, launches the barrage towards the duo. Each orb zips through the air with erratic motions like blinking stars for several moments before crashing down onto the ground. Dust clouds covers the area as he gnashes his teeth and growls, "I will not be denied by some pompous upstart! If you are what you claim, something that I LOATHE with my entire being, then I will sacrifice your heart, Kikimora! I will sacrifice your entire being to call back the Titan to my side and hear his voice once more."

"Then once that is done," He continues as with the strike of his staff, a thunderous wave of earth and stone comes crashing forth towards Kikimora and Luz, "That stray of yours? She will remain as my conduit for her home realm, acting as a bridge so that both our realms become interconnected, merged if you will. I will bring my peace, my ways, to her realm and many more to come!"

"Then you're as senile as you are power-hungry." From the dust cloud, creeping vines, thick with strength and dark green with vitality, rapidly launch themselves towards a surprised Belos who manages to barely evade the assault. However, before he can take a breath, the vines explode into several brown seed pods, littering the entire damaged battlefield. They soon dig into the stone and manifest, with unnatural swiftness, monstrous green plants lined with razor sharp teeth that salivate with unending hunger. They gnash and bite with reckless ferocity at Belos, frequently biting other plants that got in their way and taking away great swathes of matter with it. With luck, he could traverse this labyrinth of death with ease.

Belos was not so lucky.

Belos, with all his martial might, could not dodge forever. His fight with Luz, the unnatural sickness that took hold of him, and finally, the initial strikes with his duel with Kikimora has left its mark. With one simple misstep, one of the plants greedily takes a bite on Belos' right side, taking both cloth and flesh with it.

"ARGH!" Belos screams out in pain as the plant rips away from himself, leaving behind ravaged flesh that bleeds out viscous, green blood. He places a hand to his side, glowing with yellow light to stem the tide of blood as well as sew back muscle and tissue back into one. He spares no glance to the snapping maws of death as he launches a wave of fire from his feet, incinerating all the plants in the area. From the haze of pain, he swears that he hears the light crinkling of paper coming from the distance just as a heavy fog descends upon the field. He tries to disperse it through wind magic, but it was not dispersing against the force.

"Look at what has become of you, Belos." Kikimora's voice comes from the dense fog, echoing all around Belos as he whirls around madly trying to pinpoint the source. "How far have you offered yourself that you end of like this?"

"What I did was for the Titan, and for the Isles!" Belos roars in challenge, sending forth a hail of dagger-like ice towards the fog, "You've been in my retinue the longest out of everyone, Kikimora! You've seen the strife that once ran through these lands! You know what I had to do!"

"Then why send me to Earth all those times?" Light footsteps treading on stone catch Belos' attention, causing him to turn and launch a bolt of fire at the area. The fire rushes into the fog and explodes, illuminating the fog for a brief moment but there was no one there.

"If the humans are so content to let violence rule their land then they are unfit to rule themselves. I will bring them salvation!"

"You speak as if you are a Benevolent God, but can you look at yourself now and say that you play the part?"

Belos opens his mouth to speak but a necrotic rot begins to bubble in his lungs, forcing him to cough violently. He clutches his chest as he is forced to his knees, feeling the weakness crawl through his arms and leg. He wipes his mouth to clear the bile but by doing so, he sees both his green blood stain his hands and an encroaching dark decay take hold.

"Do you remember what I did to try and stop you all those years ago?" Through the pain, the crinkling of paper could be heard once more as towers of stone begin to surround Belos. Ignoring the pain in his lungs and arms, he tries to escape but he stumbles to the floor. He looks down desperately to see ethereal skeletal hands glowing with cerulean light grasp his ankles, trapping him like an animal. From where these hands grasp him, the same rot takes place, withering the flesh.

"Do you feel the rot take hold of you, Belos?"Kikimora's voice echoes in the thickening fog, her voice wraithlike and haunting. The sounds of footsteps come from all around the area and Belos tries to follow the sounds but there were too many to count.

"Do you feel the corruption slowly creep up your body? The dulling of your senses? The gradual loss of response?" A soft, dissonant hymn plays within the fog, masking the sound of several glyphs being activated at once. One by one, orange whisps of fire begin to rise from the ground, flickering with haunted light and illuminating the shadows that accompanied the fog.

"And that needle-like pain you feel? That is what I felt every day in that forsaken cell, counting the minutes so that the pain wouldn't overtake my mind. How does it feel, Belos, that the very magic that eroded me now befalls you?"

Belos spits on the floor, spitting out a glob of green blood before uttering, "You dare cast such a magic when you act as His vessel?" He tries to stand up, but he stumbles once more as the skeletal hand's grip tightens like a vice. After his attempt to stand, all the floating flaming orbs descend rapidly onto his vulnerable form and strike in turn, leaving Belos to writhe in pain.

"It is Death magic in its purest form, Belos. Not the vile parody that pervaded the Isles after so long. It will not harm me. However," In a wisp of smoke, Kikimora appears before Belos, her skull mask glowing eerily in the fog. From the corner of his eye, Belos can see Luz take position behind one of the many stone towers that surrounded all of them, an unknown glyph primed in her hand ready to be activated at a moment's notice. Belos turns his head to look Kikimora in the eye as she slightly tilts her head to inspect him, "You finally admit that I am His chosen? It is a pity that it took this long for you to accept it."

"I accept NOTHING!" Spittle flies from Belos mouth as he rises to rest on one knee. Luz gets ready to activate the glyph but Kikimora raises a hand to stop her. Behind the skull mask, Kikimora raises an eyebrow, interested as to what the fallen emperor would say.

"You say that I am the one at fault?" Belos' eyes harden as he curls his free hand into a fist. "You belittle me for my actions but what of you? You think that you yourself are free from depravity?" He flicks his chin towards the form of Kikimora and narrows his eyes, "Look at you. You toy with my life like a child's plaything. Am I even speaking to Kikimora right now or am I speaking to a thrall of the Titan?"

Kikimora matches Belos' narrowed eyes with a stern gaze, "I am only a vessel for the Titan, Belos. I am no thrall nor zealot like you."

Belos scoffs, "That remains to be seen. You do not understand the power you may wield but I do." He brazenly raises an open hand, "You are like a tribute to the pyre, Kikimora. I have walked this path before and has seen His actions, His deeds. What will happen to you in the next year? The next decade? When will the Titan cast you aside to find someone more suitable? Submit yourself to me, Kikimora, and I will guarantee you a place in our ascension."

"You talk greatly for a dead man walking." Kikimora will then grab onto Belos' face, gripping tightly with an otherworldly strength. Belos will try to grip onto Kikimora's arm but the necrotic rot has proceeded in such a way that both of his arms are entirely covered with darkness, greatly weakening them. Malnourished fingers barely touch Kikimora's arm before they fall to his side. Kikimora ignores the effort and proceeds.

"My life's candle may have been extinguished, but the Titan has sought to make me burn once more. In exchange, I enact His will to see you deposed."

Belos looks deep in thought before a moment of realization strikes him, "Oh. OH." Even in his precarious position, he closes his eyes and proceeds to laugh, "Heh. Heheheh. Ha-ha!" Even with the rot coming close to his neck and stomach, even with Kikimora holding him by the face and with Luz ready to apply the glyph, he still laughs. "HAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, Kikimora, what have you done?"

Kikimora glowers, "Enough."

"Haha! Enough? Oh, do you not know what will happen to you afterwards? Here, let me help you." Before Kikimora and Luz can react, Belos barely manages to swiftly conjure a small black magic circle with his finger, bringing forth a black energy that erodes his fingertip to the bone. It looked like it would destabilize, the energy twitching and crackling with concentrated power. Belos, through his newfound madness, looked like his control over the spell would fail. However, his will was enough. The energy coalesced into a single black dagger, wisps of smoke exuding off its blade, and is launched directly at Luz.

"Catch."

Swift as the wind, Kikimora lets go of Belos and moves in front of the magic dagger, taking it in the shoulder in her attempts to stop it from hitting Luz.

"Urgh!" Kikimora grunts in pain, closing her eyes as her body attempts to disperse the necromantic energies surging through her system from the black dagger. For the briefest of moments, her skull mask and haze of light flickers and in its place, a familiar green glow would begin to stir. The visage re-manifests but that brief moment was all that was needed for Belos to laugh even harder.

"HAHAHA! Do you see what I mean?" Belos massages his chin and grins manically. "Your actions blind you. Do you want to tell your ward what will happen, Kikimora?"

Luz gives a curious glance at the silent demon, worry filling her eyes as she asks, "What does he mean?"

Kikimora shakes her head and steels her gaze at the owned Belos, "He means nothing, Luz. I'll…be fine."

"Heh, your pause speaks volumes, Kikimora. Care to-"

"Silence." Belos gurgles in pain as Kikimora grips his face tightly. His eyes turn wide when a bright blue glow begins to emit from her hand.

"No, NO! What are you-"

"For the corruption of the Titan and your actions against the Isles, I sentence you, Belos, to the punishment of memory." Belos tries to beg for mercy, but his words fall on deaf ears as the glow turns into a harsh, luminescent glare and a blaring pain begins to assault his mind.

"You will forget what you are, what you did, and live without purpose. You will not be granted a warrior's death, nay. You will become hollow and die without knowing who you once were." The blue glare covers Belos' entire body, forcing him to writhe in pain as the magic assaults the very core of his being. Luz could only watchin both fascination and horror as a spirit begins to manifest above Kikimora and Belos.

"And any who witness you, who see you live worthlessly, they won't see Belos, once-emperor of the Boiling Isles. They will see a haze, a wisp of a witch. You will become nothing." Belos shouts a thunderous roar as the blue glare darkens. Veins a crystal blue appear on his person, creating a vast network that course with the very magic flowing in him. Kikimora's eyes glow as she utters one, final saying.

"Goodbye, Belos."

Luz shuts her eyes as the room erupts in a bright light. Luz can hear Belos release a final scream that echoes amongst the stones of the throne room, causing her to shudder at the chilling voice. Soon after, a ghostly force explodes from Belos, knocking the fog away and causing Luz to hold on tightly to the nearby stone tower or else she would have been knocked off her feet. When the wind finally settles and the light dims, Luz opens her eyes to see the unconscious form of Belos laying haphazardly on the floor. Most of his form was covered with the inky black afflicted by Kikimora, stopping only near the base of his neck. His breathing matched the state of his body; ragged and barely alive. When she looks, she sees Kikimora breathing heavily with her arm still outstretched. The glow that once surrounded the demon slowly dimmed into nothingness and the skull mask that adorned her face faded away, revealing a face filled with exhaustion and satisfaction.

"It…is done…" Kikimora says tiredly, lowering her arm as she wavers on her feet. No longer does her voice echo with power. Now, it holds the voice of Kikimora the demon. She nearly crumples to her feet before Luz rushes over, steadying the weary demon.

"Is…that…you, Luz?" Kikimora asks tiredly, her eyes glassy at the effort. The demon's arms slump as a wave of tiredness washes over her.

"Yeah, I'm here. Are you going to be okay?" Luz asks worriedly. She takes a cautious look at Belos, "Did…Did we win?"

"Yes, Luz. He won't bother anyone anymore." Kikimora then begins to trudge towards the throne room's entrance with Luz in tow, "Come, Luz. This is no place for us anymore. Let's go home."

Luz keeps pace with Kikimora, her hands still on the demon's shoulder to keep Kikimora steady. She spares one last glance on the downed form of Belos and says, "Is it alright for us to leave him here? Won't someone find him?"

"He will be no threat to anyone, Luz. Not what after I have done to him. Let us leave this place; I am tired…" Kikimora's tone was firm and fair, leaving no opening for discussion. Reluctantly, Luz keeps herself silent and slowly moves forward towards the door. However, something stops them.

Thank you…

A soft and mellow voice whispers gently passed Luz's ears, like a message to the wind. Luz looks around, wondering who could've said it. She turns to ask Kikimora what that was, but the demon looks lost in thought, stoic in her visage. Luz did not want to disturb Kikimora, so she turns her eyes elsewhere, soon landing on the beating heart of the Titan. No longer did it ring with the thunderous charge of battle. Now, the beats were serene; slow and methodical as if it were at rest. With each passing beat, the vestiges of their battle begin to crumble away to ash; the stone towers deteriorate, the leaves darken, the waters recede, and the flames sputter.

The gilded room that used to hold a magnificent radiance was now reduced to a normal, plain room. Where there was once death, life appears. Where there was chaos, order endured. And where there was destruction, harmony sprouted anew. Luz felt something stir in her chest as she stares outward, but she turns away, the want to return to the Owl House stronger than the want to remain here.

So, she walks with Kikimora side by side, each step making them come closer to safe haven. It was not until that they nearly reached the end of the grand hallway that Kikimora lifts Luz's hand of her shoulder and waves the girl off.

"I just need to catch my breath. Go ahead and check if there are any guards waiting for us ahead."

"Okay…," Luz says worriedly. She runs ahead a bit before she turns back and says, "I'll be quick so don't worry. I'll be back in a jiffy."

Kikimora nods tiredly, allowing Luz to scamper off to scout the path ahead. Once she sees Luz turn the corner, Kikimora lets out a weary sigh and lays on the wall, her side feeling the cold stone seep her skin. She looks at her hands; scarred and deformed with the coiling tendrils of her past wickedness, but they were free.

'How long has it been since I've been free?' She raises her hand to the necklace thumbs the crystal shard that lays on unharmed twine. The shard glows for just a moment from the touch before it fades away back into the recesses of the reflective crystal. She looks to the nearby window, seeing the bright orange glow of the sun shine radiantly onto the hallway with the sky free from clouds. There were no screams or yells, no piercing wails of the dying or battle cries, only the subtle songs of creatures making merry.

'It seems the battle outside has stopped. I wonder if both of the Clawthornes are alright?' She raises a hand to one of the rays and relishes in the gentle warmth that crawls up her skin.

'Was the day always this beautiful?' In her mind, she can hear the lullaby of the waves calling her to sleep from afar, her eyes heavy with fatigue. A comforting wind begins to blow, wrapping around her like a blanket as she slowly slides down the wall in silence. It was not until she hears the telltale signs of footsteps that she rouses herself from her short rest.

"The coast's clear!" Luz's voice rings clear like a clarion call, causing Kikimora to stand up before the girl arrives. Kikimora was able to steady herself before Luz turns the corner and rushes up to her, greedily grabbing her hand and tugging her away.

"No sign of any guard anywhere!" Luz says excitedly, shooting her arms up animatedly in the air, "It was like POOF and they were gone! Good for us then, we can just stroll on out of here!"

"That's…good…" Kikimora's heart throbs, causing her to stumble just a bit. Luz catches and steadies her, worry replacing the excitement in her eyes.

"Are you sure that you are fine?" Luz asks gently, her hold matching her voice.

"I'll be fine, Luz. Let's just keep going, we're almost there, aren't we?" Kikimora slightly turns her head towards Luz with a kindly smile who returns with an excited nod.

"Yeah!" Thrill returns to her voice. "We're almost there! C'mon, we gotta go!"

Kikimora lets out a soft chuckle, "There's no rush in leaving, the exit isn't going anywhere. Let's go home, Luz."

"Yeah!"

Together, they walk through the once-hallowed halls of the castle with a light ease in their step. From stairwell to stairwell, they descend, hope filling their hearts of what's to come. The intense and oppressive atmosphere that once weighed heavily within these halls was replaced with the jovial laughter of a demon and a human. It was not until they reach the main floor of the castle that Luz broke into a run, leaving Kikimora behind and rushes towards the open entrance of the castle.

"Yes! We're almost out!" Luz pumps her arms up as she runs with a wide smile on her face. Light shines down like a radiant spotlight onto Luz, as she laughs, "I think I see Eda on the other side of the bridge! C'mon, let's go!"

A small smile rises from the corner of her lips as she walks slowly, "I'm coming, I'm coming. Did nobody tell you to rush your elders?" As she walks towards a laughing Luz, a creeping chill rides up her spine as if somebody walked on her grave.

I am owed. I am sorry…

Kikimora pauses, feeling something rush out of her very soul. She looks at her hands, trembling with dread, as she then looks down at her legs. Her heart stops from what she can see.

'I…I thought I had more time…'

"Luz." She calls out quietly, her voice nearly shaking at the effort.

"Yeah?" Luz turns back, confusion on her face as she sees Kikimora not moving. Luz, in her rush to get away from the castle, created a large gap between the two, forcing her to yell back, "What are you standing around there for? It's time to go!"

"Yes, indeed." Kikimora sighs, closing her eyes as she clutches the necklace around her neck. "It's time to go…"

"What do you me-" Luz's breath hitches as realization dawns on her face.

"No…," Luz takes a few steps forward, her eyes wide in sheer disbelief, "No, no, no, no, no!" Every word was punctuated with the heavy thud of footsteps as she makes her way back to Kikimora who was standing with an uncanny stillness. Once she finally reaches Kikimora, Luz could only watch in dread as an ethereal green glow has slowly begun creeping up her legs, turning them to stone.

"Luz…," Kikimora tries to say, her voice as soft as a meadow's breeze. Her eyes, one of jasper and one of glass, both reflect a serene grace that comes only once in life. Her face, once battle-hardened and scarred with numerous trials, have steadily begun to soften at the notion of her duty being done. "Please…" Luz cuts Kikimora off by shaking her head rapidly with tears threatening to fall down her dirtied face.

"This can't be happening… You can't do this to me, to us! We won, didn't we?" Luz collapses down to her knees, her trembling hands clutching onto Kikimora like a lifeline. Her eyes look desperately at Kikimora and filled with disbelief as she tries and fails to say something, sputtering in her attempts, "T-Then w-why…h-how…?"

"Oh…Luz…," Kikimora says soothingly to Luz, her voice remaining calm in the face of the girl's panic. Using her waning strength, she tenderly brushes her hand through Luz's hair, causing the girl to collapse into her warm touch, "Forgive me, I didn't want to do this to you."

"D-Did Belos do something to you?" Luz briefly let's go of Kikimora, frantically searching through her satchel for something to draw with, "I-I c-could get a healing glyph! That should-"

"Luz…" Luz stops her hectic searching only when she feels a certain weight wrap itself around her neck. She looks down; her heart skips a beat when she sees the familiar loop of string tied to a now radiant gem shimmering with several lights like twinkling stars under the night sky. She looks up with tears freely falling down her eyes as Kikimora looks at her lovingly, a melancholic smile on the demon's lips.

"I'm sorry, but there is nothing left for you to do." Kikimora gently says, raising a curled talon to stroke Luz's cheek and brushing away a strand of hair covering her brown eyes. Luz sobs as she shakes her head once again in disbelief, her face racked with pain as she tries to reject what Kikimora implied.

"B-But why? You said you would be fine! Are you going to leave me behind too!?" Luz tries to say but what came out were only anguished cries and sobs. But to Kikimora, it was clear as day as to what Luz has said.

"This gift was temporary at best, Luz," Kikimora began to explain but she can feel her energy being sapped away. She can feel the petrification return closer and closer, making her words a struggle to say but she pushes on, putting on a brave face for Luz, "The Titan could only do so much with how much Belos had corrupted him. He was greatly weakened but he gave me the greatest blessing I could have in this moment," Kikimora rubs the tears away from Luz's eyes, "To see my daughter once again after I lost her."

At the mention of the word "daughter", Luz recoils from Kikimora, her reddened eyes wide as she tries to make sense of the admittance, "B-But I hurt you…I made you get hurt by Belos! I don't deserve to be called that!"

"Luz…," Luz slightly flinches when Kikimora raises a hand at her but was surprised when the demon merely brings her closer for a warm embrace, weakly wrapping scarred arms across her body. Kikimora's voice was faint, but Luz can feel the warmth of her breath fall past her neck, giving Luz a sense of closeness that she hasn't felt in years. With a shaky breath, Kikimora proclaims, "I forgive you, Luz. I do not blame you for doing what you did. I can only blame myself for not telling you sooner."

Luz grabs onto the back of Kikimora's shoulders, feeling her will to retort or break from her embrace failing as she lets the emotions flow, "H-How can you forgive me? I did so many bad things to you…"

"Luz, listen to what I have to say. This is my first and only lesson to you," Kikimora's tone was firm and fair, causing Luz's mind to become clear with the intent to remember everything she has to say. With a clear voice, Kikimora says, "There will be times where we make mistakes. There will be times that the things we've done turn out to be wrong. There will be times where we have to make the most impossible of decisions. They may make you fall. They may make you hurt and cry and curse the day, but that is okay. Because there will always be a tomorrow to settle things right. We just need to make the first step."

Luz was struggling to say something, but she can't seem to find the words. She can only hold onto Kikimora for as long as she can; to remember the warmth, the love, and the memory of her.

It was the same for Kikimora, her eyes closed in respite as she holds on to the one person left in this world that she considers her family. She wants this moment to last forever. Alas, fate was cruel. Kikimora can feel the petrification clawing up her chest, almost reaching the base of her arms. It was getting harder to breathe but she can't show weakness. Not now. Not in front of Luz. She wanted the last thing she experiences to be with her daughter.

So, she does the first thing that comes to mind.

With a pleasant smile, Kikimora gives a loving kiss to Luz on the top of her head, letting herself indulge in the pleasant feeling of Luz's soft hair, and says the words she means to say, "I'm so proud of you, Luz."

Luz's hold onto Kikimora only grows tighter as the girl couldn't speak a word. She could only let her tears and cries be her only answer. Kikimora's embrace slowly weakens, gradually letting go of Luz until they fall to her now petrified sides. Luz tries to tighten her embrace, but Kikimora shakes her head, causing the girl to lean away.

"Its time for me to go, Luz. I'm sorry that I couldn't stay longer." She can feel the last of her arms fully turn to stone as the petrification begins to climb up her neck. But she will not falter. She looks straight at Luz with no fear and no hesitation, and gives a smile, "Live well for me, Luz Noceda. Live well, my daughter."

Yet to Kikimora's surprise, Luz defiantly shakes her head quickly. She lets go of Kikimora and raises her body to sit straight with tears still staining her eyes. There was no sadness or grief left in her eyes. No, there was a fire set ablaze in those brown irises, one filled with determination. With one clear, resolute voice, she says, "I will find a way to turn you back. I promise!"

Kikimora gives a warm smile, "I expected nothing less from you."

She can feel her head slowly enclose in stone with the world and its colours beginning to dull as the sound of the castle's hollow ambiance begin to quiet. However, with one last defiant push of her will, she says one last final message.

"I love you, Luz."

With one final ethereal green flash, Kikimora fully turns to stone, deadened to the world around her. In her final moments, she was not able to witness Luz wrap her in the tightest embrace the girl can do. With tears freely flowing down Luz's face, she says the words she wishes she could have said sooner.

"I love you too, Mom…"

Author's Notes:

The next chapter is the epilogue and I can only hope that this chapter wasn't too messy or jarring for you all.

Please let me know what you thought of the chapter. Whether you liked it or disliked it, its all fine by me. I like reading your comments and it puts a smile on my face looking back at the previous ones.

Still, until next time!