Sup, I rewrote multiple chapters, I'd suggest reading those again because they're polished in some areas that I wasn't happy with and added details and writing, but still you don't need to. The only chapter I'd really suggest rereading is Chap 6 because I wrote in a scene of Belos giving Luz an important plot device.
It's just the first part of that chapter, now ONWARDS TO GLORY
Luz's Moving Hassel
Part 1
"Princess, just void this damn contract or something, I'm so bored in this mirror." The Mirror Demon, also known as Zul or Kopiere to some.
Luz groaned and put down the journal she was writing in and looked at the mirror with annoyance, sitting up from her bed.
"And why the heck would I do that?" She asked Zul, giving her a questioning look, "You nearly took my body and conquered the Isles!" She reminded. "And you were being really creepy with Amity too!"
"Now, that's in the past, Princess. Titan, it's like you don't think Demons can change…" Zul said, crossing her arms with a huff.
"It was a week ago!" Luz yelled at her.
"I don't see your point,"
"Oh be quiet, I'm thinking on how to make it up to Amity…" Luz said, stroking her chin and writing ideas down in her journal.
"Demon sports? No no, I don't feel like breaking my neck…" She remembered how her father described some of the physical activities got really physical and violent.
Ripping out the page and crumbling it. She tossed it away from her. A monstrous trashcan caught it in its mouth and gulped it down with a loud belch.
"Glad to see that the trashcan working." Someone said.
Looking up from her journal, she saw her parents entering her room.
Luz was glad to see her father back to normal, him looking like a politician had to be the secret nightmare she never knew she had. Also seeing her mother looking normal once again, in the white Empress dress and golden fixtures. More like, her new normal, anyway.
Camila often found all the added gold unnecessary to her image, as she was cooped up in the castle most of the time but Belos always pushed for her to wear it, often commenting that such a beautiful Empress such as her deserved more than what he could provide.
"Mama! Dad!" Luz closed her journal as she looked up at them. "What's up?" She asked as her parents came into the room, Camila sitting on the edge of her bed while Belos stayed standing.
"Luz, Mija, me and your father are going out for the weekend. We are needed on a diplomatic meeting in Left Foot." Camila said as she nudged Belos, "Right, dear?"
Belos cleared his throat as he summoned a chair to sit down in.
"Yes, that's right. While we're gone, we need you to make sure to keep everything in check…" His hand glowed red and Luz's journal floated into his hand, a pen (that suspiciously resembled flesh) appeared in his hand and began to write something down.
"And I was thinking, while we're gone, that you may be compelled to study magic. As you spent the entire week with your lessons and while we're proud that you're so diligent with your studies, but you should take the day off today." He floated her journal back to her.
"The Moonlight Conjuring is soon to happen, and I thought that you'd perhaps enjoy participating in the event with your friends. That's the incantation I wrote down in your journal."
Luz read the incantation in her journal.
"Moonlight, we call, we sing.
Moonlight, take this chance.
Moonlight, come tie the string.
Moonlight, start the dance!"
Luz looked up Belos, confusion prevalent in her eyes and expression.
"Wait, hold on, we obviously skipped a few chapters here," Luz said, "First of all, what even is the Moonlight Conjuring?"
"Ah, forgive me, My Little Light. I often forget you weren't raised here," He waved his hand, it glowed red, and an illusion of the Moon appeared before them, "Once a year, A celestial alignment with the moon happens, maximizing the Moons Magical Influence. Because of this, some spells are much more powerful and easier to cast." He tapped her journal, specifically at the Incantation, "Particularly, this Conjuration Spell." He then laughed at a thought.
"Back in my day, Moonlight Conjurations were used to animate ancient battle golems for nighttime raids. Now, groups of teenagers and even kids simply animate dolls and other things to life with the powerful magic," He sighed, "Oh how the times have changed…"
"But…" Luz stroked her chin in thought, "But why this spell? Is it hard to cast?"
"Not for me, no," He pointed at an Azura figurine on Luz's nightstand, and it was covered in a red glow before it came to life and started to walk around the nightstand, "It just that the spell requires… A certain amount of control that most single witches don't possess."
Luz watched with sparkles in her eyes, as the figurine moved around the room, seemingly exploring it.
"Woah… What do you mean by that…?" She asked, never taking her eyes off the figurine.
"I mean, that, to animate something requires an incredibly powerful witch. Such as I," He pointed at Luz's other Hecate figurine and made it also walk around the room. The two figures saw each other and began to clash. "But to make it obey your command, one must be a truly refined witch, of skill and knowledge." He said, looking, Luz could see his fingers twitching and moving, puppeteering the figurines.
"The Moonlight Conjuring incantation allows for less-skilled witches to focus their magic enough to have the animated thing obey them. I'm sure with enough practice, my dear, you won't need the moonlight either to animate things." Belos said before standing up.
"Make sure, however, when you commit the ritual that it is those you trust. If you and the others are out of sync, problems may arise with the casting or even the spell," Belos said to her before snapping his fingers. The figurines then climbed back onto their pedestals and got into their original positions before becoming stationary once again.
Luz then stood up straight in front of Belos and saluted.
"You can count on me, Dad! I won't let you down!" She promised with a bright smile, literal stars in her eyes.
"Oh wait, where do I do this?" Luz asked her father.
"Your friend's house or maybe even the Owl House or even the woods. Anywhere is acceptable."
Luz nodded, writing that down in her journal.
"Got it…" She said, "Anything else?"
Belos stroked his chin in thought before snapping his fingers and the three mysterious bird masked witches dropped down from the ceiling.
"AH!" Luz shouted in surprise, jumping back at their sudden appearance, "What are you guys?! The ANBU!?" She shouted before standing straight again and looking at the ceiling. "Wait, how long were you guys up there? Is it uncomfortable to stay up there like that for hours? Is that why there are rafters all over the castle and-"
"Luz," Belos called, getting her attention again, "I will be taking them with me, as they are the current Royal Guard for your mother and me," He said as the three all silently nodded before disappearing, one in a cloud of flowers, the other in a poof of flames and the last in a flash of light.
Camila then crouched in front of Luz.
"Mija, this is your first night alone on the Isles without us nearby, so do not cause any trouble, entiendes?" She asked, placing a hand on Luz's shoulder. "Cause te juro que te golpearé contra el suelo if I come back to something broken."
Luz felt a few beads of sweat drip down her neck before she laughed nervously and smiled again, she knew better than incur her mother's wrath.
"You can trust me, Mami!" She said, giving Camila a thumbs up in conformation, "I swear on my royal name-"
"Don't do that," Belos said.
"I swear on my name!" She corrected, "That nothing will be broken or out of place!" Luz said, saluting once more in a very soldier manner.
Belos laughed lightly before clearing his throat.
"There is one more thing, my little light," It was now his turn to crouch in front of Luz, he stared directly into Luz's Hazel eyes with his own blue orbs.
"Lady Fera of the Beast Coven is currently renovating her entire beast pen, to fit more beasts, unsurprisingly," He began, "That means that many of her beasts are locked up in the dungeon down below," He explained, "That means that you are not allowed in the dungeon under any circumstances, understand? Do not even think about going in there or anywhere near it else your very life could be at risk! Those very same beasts tear flesh from bone and can shred witches into ribbons in seconds! Why, I remember one even peeled- Ow!" He stopped his rant, rubbing his head as the Empress had smacked him over the head.
"I think that she gets the idea, dear," Camila said as she looked down at him with a deadpan expression.
Belos laughed slightly before clearing his throat.
"Right… Just stay away from the lower levels of the dungeon and barricade yourself inside our living area if something goes amiss, understand?" He asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm also glad to see you wearing that medallion I made you." He said, poking the golden symbol hanging from her neck.
Luz looked down at it and before smiling brightly up at her father.
"Yeah! Of course, I would! You made it for me… Along with…" Luz then went through her nightstand and pulled out the triclops teddy bear. "This!" She said with a laugh.
Belos was honestly shocked to see it again… It's been so long since he gave that plush to her…
"I found it in one of my bags, from the Human world," She said as she put the triclops teddy bear on the nightstand next to the Azura figurine, "I was scared that I had lost it…"
Belos smiled and placed a hand on Luz's head.
"You continue to warm my heart in more ways than I think is possible, my little light," He said softly before standing up and turning to Camila, "I believe the driver is currently getting impatient from waiting for us," He said as he crossed his arms.
Camila nodded and leaned forward, kissing Luz's forehead.
"We're going, stay safe, Mija. We love you," She said softly, hugging Luz before they both left Luz's room.
Luz waited for the click of her door closing before silently laughing to herself.
"This is great!" She said, rubbing her hands together as a plan began to form in her head… Was it a good one?
She was going to find out.
-In the hallway-
Camila carefully closed the door before sighing.
"Good excuse. Diplomatic meeting. Couldn't have thought of something better myself," Belos said with a laugh, "I still don't understand why we needed to lie to Luz about us spending a weekend at a log cabin to relax?" He asked.
"Because, I know Luz, and I know that she would've wanted to come with us," She said, leaning against him as she held his hand as they began to walk down the hall, "And I would very much enjoy some alone time, away from the castle. You also need to experience an actual vacation."
"I've experienced vacations before," He defended.
"Torturing wild witches does not count as a vacation."
"…" He was silent, "You are no fun," He said with a laugh, kissing her on the cheek as they left their living area.
-Meanwhile-
Willow Park, recently transferred to the Plant Track and best gardener in all of Hexside, was currently greatly distracted in her last class of the day.
Everyone honestly was, especially after finding out that they were all in an Illusion spell for the better part of the day. It left everyone with groggy aftereffects of the spell and was just trying to relax. Even after an entire week.
Everyone was also trying to distinct the fake memories from the real ones.
Willow for example, on "Earth", was adopted from an orphanage by her dads… That wasn't right, on the Isles, the way same-sex couples had kids was through high-level magic from the Healing Coven and magic from both or one of her parents.
It usually led to kids who had either high magic or none at all… She was incredibly lucky, for a while, her Fathers thought she was magicless. Alas, she was just a late bloomer.
How ironic, that she and Amity couldn't be friends anymore because of this…
Even after showing off that she certainly did have magic, Amity still refused to acknowledge her as anything other than half-a-witch Willow…
"Ms. Park?" The teacher called out, "I know it's been a hard week for everyone but please focus,"
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Cyclamen," Willow apologized as she focused back into the class or at least tried. Her mind wandered yet again.
Now about those memories…
She remembered a lot of her life on Earth, it was quickly becoming a breeze in the wind but there was a certain thing that she did remember vividly. Like how she ran an entire Gardening club at Hexside, even though there wasn't one in Hexside.
Willow remembered a rather distinct conversation between her, Gus, and Luz at Lunchtime. It stood out to her more than the others she may have had during that illusion.
Where in, Luz seemingly revealed to her and Gus that she was Princess of the Boiling Isles and was actually from Earth! Next in line to the throne! THE EMPRESS!
And yet…
Was it a real conversation though?
Maybe she only imagined it, Luz was really trying really hard to break Willow and Gus out of the Illusion, after all, but nothing seemed to work until she saw a talking fox and Luz's proclamation of being Royalty…
The thought of it all being true ran through Willow's mind like a wildfire.
Like, if it really was true that she was royalty, it means that she's related to the Emperor… That would explain Emperor Belos being at Hexside and why she wasn't petrified the minute saw her… Also why she was transferred to the Plant Track in the first place…
Maybe… Bump had some royal influence in his decision from a certain Princess?
That could certainly have been a possibility…
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Ah yes, the school scream bell.
"Alright class, same deal as yesterday, no homework yet. Enjoy your weekend and try to come back on your A-game. Dismissed. Willow, a word before you go, please." Mrs. Cyclamen said as the class filed out in droves.
Willow gathered her things and went to her teacher's desk.
"Yes, Mrs. Cyclamen? Is it about me spacing out in class?" Willow asked.
"No, no, everyone has been doing that lately, you aren't at fault here. I wanted to talk to you about something that happened in that… Human's Illusion world…" She said, folding her hands on the desk.
Willow was intrigued, she nodded.
"What about?" She asked.
"You see," She began, "Here at Hexside, things such as extracurriculars aren't such a main focus here but they are allowed and even encouraged, as you know," She said as she drew a spell circle and made a watering can appear, she used it to water the many plants on her desk.
"I know," Willow said before leaning forward, "You don't need to water your Bougainvillea, ma'am, they're drought flowers."
"Ah that's what I'm looking for," She said with a laugh as she put down the watering can, "Willow, in that illusionary world, I remember that you were Head of the Gardening club and your skills were unmatched, so I was wondering if you'd like to make that illusion a reality."
Willows's eyes widened at the thought of running a gardening club…
"I…" She pursed her lips, "What would I even do?"
"Well you and other Plant track students would make bouquets, decorations for school events and I hear a rumor that the Emperor's Coven is going to be holding a flower competition for an important ball that is to come, Maybe Hexside could win that competition, who knows… But those are only rumors… Please, Willow, think about it, I'd be more than happy to hold the spot for you as I wait for your answer. Have a nice day," Mrs. Cyclamen said.
"Alright, thank you miss, I'll think on it," Willow said as she left the classroom and met with Gus, smiling at him as they discussed the upcoming Moonlight Conjuring tonight, she could see Amity discussing their own plans for tonight.
That is… Until…
Amity felt her scroll vibrate, she shushed her "friend" group down as she summoned it and looked at the contact.
The little color in her face drained away when she saw that it was Luz, or "Princess" as she so properly named it.
"Princess, huh?" Boscha asked, looking over her shoulder and laughing, "Who could that be?" She teased.
"Shut up Boscha!" Amity said quickly, blushing bright red, "I- I need to take this… Or I'll be committing treason..." She mumbled the last part before stepping away from her friend group and answering the call.
"Luz? What do you want?" She asked silently.
Boscha heard the Name, Luz.
She recognized it, she put everyone in an illusion for an entire day last week until The Illusions Coven Head broke them free… At least that was the story that was spread around. No way a human has magic, it was impossible, after all. Especially that much magic to put the entire Isles under.
So why was Amity even talking to a nuisance like her?
Boscha, being the naturally nosy person she was, listened in, using a small spell to enhance her hearing and listen in on the other end of the conversation.
"I'm hosting a Conjuring tonight!" Luz said cheerfully.
"And? So is everyone on the Isle's and their mothers. Why should I care?" Amity said, leaning against the lockers and looking at her black nails bored of this conversation already.
"Because… Well, I was wondering… If maybe you'd like to come?" Luz asked, she sounded nervous at the question.
Amity's eyes showed shock… Was she… Was the Princess really still trying to get her to be her friend?
Luz's persistence… It made her feel… Well, in short, it felt off to her, in all honesty…
It gave her a weird, unfamiliar feeling… Even after all the things she's said to her… Hell, she even tried to seal away her magic for bumping into her at the Covention…
Thinking back on that, Amity cringed at her own actions… But why? She never felt bad before…
"I… Hmm… I don't know… I already have other plans with some other… "friends" I guess if you want to call them that…" Amity said.
"Please, Ames!"
"Don't call me that!" Amity said quickly.
"Please, Amity," She corrected, "It'll be fun, and I promise that no weird or dangerous hijinks will ensue, I promise!" Luz repeated, urging Amity to consider, "It'll be fun, and I'll even show you around the Owl House if you want!"
Amity herself seemed to be deep in thought.
Boscha's eyes, all three of them, widened.
'She wouldn't dream to ditch us for that annoying Human… Would she…?' She thought to herself, why did the idea make her feel bad… Sad even…
No! She was better than that, better than to get sad over something like this…
Anger, however, was an acceptable emotion…
Finally, Amity answered.
"Fine, Luz, I guess I do still owe you one for saving my life during the Witch's Duel the other week," She said with an annoyed sigh.
"Cool! I'll pick you up later at your place! Byyeeeeee- Click!" Luz abruptly hung up.
Amity sent away her scroll and walked back to her clique.
"Bad news guys, we're canceling the conjuring at my place tonight," Amity delivered the bad news, crossing her arms.
Everyone complained and groaned before dispersing away, leaving to get going home but Boscha remained. She looked angry.
"Don't think I didn't hear all of that conversation, Blight," Boscha said, wasting no time in her confrontation, staring Amity down.
"And?" Amity challenged, staring back at Boscha with an equally hard expression, "What of it?"
"What so great about this… This Human that you would cancel OUR conjuring to go be with her at her conjuring instead!?" Boscha said, waving her arms in the air, "We've been doing this for years! Since we were kids! You, me, Skara and Amelia! That's how it's always been!" She said, stepping close to her.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you have a thing for humans and that you have a crush on-"
Suddenly, Amity reached out and grabbed Boscha by her shirt, pulling her close and staring into Boscha's gray eyes with her own, much more fierce golden eyes.
"Maybe, I didn't hear you right, Havenstar," Amity said, an Abomination rose from the ground behind her, towering behind her threateningly, "Because, to me, it sounds like what I'm hearing is that a weak witch like you is telling me who I should make my connections with, especially when said Human has more magic than you'll ever have… Isn't that right, Havenstar?" Amity said, bringing up private topics.
Boscha's eyes widened at Amity's words, she gritted her teeth, clenching her fist.
"Keep your damn voice down, Blight," Boscha hissed, grabbing Amity's wrist, squeezing it tightly while her other hand prepared a fireball, bringing it close to Amity's face, "Or you'll end up be regretting it…"
Amity looked at the orange fire and scoffed.
"Please, like those flames could ever burn anyone, especially me," Amity said before dropping Boscha onto the floor of the school hallway, "Keep testing me, Boscha, I've culled my friend's list once and I'll do it again," She said before stepping over Boscha and looking down at her.
"And let's make one more thing certainly clear, I have no feelings whatsoever for the Human, she could get eaten by a Snaggleback in the Boiling Rains for all I care…" She said, sending away the Abomination and walking away, leaving Hexside for the day.
Boscha gritted her teeth and stood up, dusting herself off.
"What in Titans' name is her Problem…" She hissed as she then looked around, seeing a staring crowd, "WELL?" She shouted and all the students quickly dispersed.
Boscha looked at her hands, clenching them into a tight fist.
"I'm not weak… I'm not…" She whispered to herself before grabbing her bag off the floor and storming away.
Gus watched the entire scene with great interest.
"Woah… Who do you think that fight was about?" He asked, looking at Willow.
Willow looked annoyed and slightly hurt with Amity's words, having heard some of their argument.
"Hm… I don't know, it just sounds like Amity being Amity…" She said before looking down at Gus, "Let's go to the market and see if we can find Luz, get our minds off the conjuring," She said with a reassuring smile.
"Yeah!" He yelled before dashing away.
Willow smiled and followed after him, not wanting to get left behind.
-Meanwhile/Later-
"What do you mean you won't have any more elixir till next week?!" Eda shouted, shaking Morton vigorously.
Morton got out of her clutches and nearly stumbled on his back.
"Because Eda!" He stabilized himself before continuing, he presented her with the scroll of her elixir, "Your elixir is already difficult enough to make and takes me an entire week to make just one batch for you in the first place!" He put on a pair of glasses to read the ingredient list, "And besides, most of these ingredients are imports, that I won't have till Thursday," He then looked back at Eda.
"Why did you wait until now to re-up anyways?" He asked.
"I'm THE infamous and wanted Owl lady!" She yelled,
"Weren't those Wanted charges dropped?" Morton asked but he was promptly ignored.
"And as the Owl Lady, I get busy!" She said.
"Yeah, busy playing Hexem Hold 'em! She's obsessed with it!" King shouted from a public bench.
"I am not!" She shouted back.
"You're playing it right now!" He shouted, pointing out that she was subconsciously playing the game at Morton's stand.
"Am I winning?" She asked with a laugh.
Morton rolled his eyes before he shuffled the cards back into a deck and handed it back to Eda.
"You know, I wouldn't suggest this to anyone but if you need your elixir that badly… Well, you can try your luck later this evening…" He whispered, eyes looking for any Emperor Coven guards that may be around.
"In the Night Market?" Eda said, realizing what he was suggesting.
While the Night Market itself wasn't illegal, the mention/suggestion surely was.
Belos had hoped to shut the entire operation down but it seemed that the entire market was enchanted and constantly moving around Bonesborough. Very unpredictable clientele as well, high risk to the citizens of Bonesborough to just attack. So the temporary solution is to have undercover guards strewn about the entire Night Market and arrest high targets of risk and danger.
"There's a guy with a stand… Goes by the name "Grimm Hammer". If anyone has what you're looking for, it's him."
Eda contemplated her options.
Either go into an illegal market with shady people, risk getting arrested and apprehended, or turn into the Owl Beast and risk never turning back, thus turning into an Urban Legend and then stuffed as a hunting trophy.
"Thanks, Morton, I'll keep that in mind and-"
"Eda!" Luz shouted, suddenly appearing, "I'm having a Moonlight Conjuring! Can I please borrow the Owl House?"
"Forget it kid, not tonight. I'm going out." Eda said walking and grabbing King, "And King's coming with, so he can't watch you guys either."
"Why would he be able to watch me?" Luz asked.
"Cause he's like seventy-five," Eda said simply.
"YOU'RE SEVENTY-FIVE!?" Luz shouted, taking King, and staring him down, "But you're so small…"
"Demons age differently, Luz," King said before Eda took him back, "If anything, I'm still considered a child to most demons." He said as Eda held him like a baby, he almost instantly passed out.
"I wonder why," Eda said sarcastically with a playful eye-roll before looking at Luz, "Yeah but sorry kid, I won't be home. Just do it at your place, it is a castle after all, isn't it?" She asked, "Much nicer than my place, for sure, I'm sure that you and your friends would love it."
"But Eda, they can't know that I'm the Princess, yet! They'll tell everyone!" Luz urged her to reconsider her decision.
"Kid, if they're really your friends, they would know to keep a secret as important as this one, now if you need me, I must prepare for tonight's illegal activities…" She said simply, giggling with a mischievous laugh, before disappearing into the crowd.
"I didn't hear that," Luz said before sighing and stroking her chin in thought.
'Hmmmmm… Maybe Willow and Gus can be trusted…. I mean, I don't see a reason I shouldn't." She said before turning around and being face to face with Willow and Gus.
"Ah!" She shouted in surprise, falling on her back, she quickly got up and cleared her throat, "I wasn't scared."
Willow smiled at her and crossed her arms.
"How surprising of a Princess to get scared so easily," Willow attempted.
Luz was seen patting herself down of the dust.
"Yeah, it's not my fault people keep sneaking up on me every second and- Wait a minute…" Luz paused, a loading wheel spinning inside her head before her brain put the pieces of Willow's sentence.
"I uh, what are you talking about, Willow?" She said, crossing her arms and not daring to meet her eyes. A mistake that Luz needed to rectify if she was going to be Empress any time soon… Such an obvious tell…
"Luz, I remember the conversation we had in the illusion world," Willow began, "It was quite hard to forget it, hearing that Belos has a daughter and-" Suddenly Luz placed a hand on Willow's mouth.
"Keep. Your. Voice. Down." Luz said, actually being serious for once. They didn't even know that Luz was capable of being serious… Luz was seen looking around, looking for someone. She then sighed in relief.
"Alright… Aright! Fine! Come on," Luz then pulled the pair of friends away from the market they currently were in.
"What? Where are we-"
"Somewhere quiet…" Luz said in a low tone that silenced them and their questions.
Now, for all the friends knew, Emperor Belos was known for his presence alone being able to stop people in their tracks, that Emperor Belos was a ruthless leader that would much sooner petrify and kill people who dared to disturb the peace he has created in the Boiling Isles, his unmatched power that singlehandedly won battles at times.
So you can understand when Willow and Gus assumed that they were about to meet their maker in the coming moments, with Luz's uncharacteristically cold and serious tone and also the fact that she was effortlessly pulling them along even though Luz herself has said that she has "weak nerd arms".
They even attempted to break free, but Luz's hold was absolute. They were trapped.
"Why is she so strong…" Gus whispered, trying to pry his arm away.
"I don't know but keep your guard up for anything…" Willow said as she contemplated casting a spell to attack Luz but realized If she were truly Belos' daughter, then Luz would probably see it coming and easily counter her spell…
'Has she been hiding her true strength this whole time…? What if she's acting as a spy for her father to find out who opposes him…? Or maybe she was working an operation on the Owl Lady?' Willow's brain kept racking with possibilities on who Luz could've really been.
She was too deep in her thoughts to now notice that she and Gus were brought to the middle of a field of grass before being let go.
Luz took a deep breath as she took a few paces forward and was looking away from them, looking at the trees.
"So…" Luz began, "Now you know the truth…" She said silently.
Willow stood protectively in front of Gus, getting ready for anything.
"Yeah… We do…" Willow said, her heart racing. What could Luz be planning to do to them…? Replace them with clones? It sounded ridiculous but changelings were a thing on the Isles, after all. Maybe Luz brought them out here to kill and dispose of the bodies without all the watchful eyes of the Market.
No, no… Luz was too good of a person, she would never hurt them, or anyone…
Maybe they were overreacting…
Luz suddenly turned around, a shadow casting over her eyes. She had a frown about her with crossed arms and an intimidating aura about her.
'Oh, Titan this is what psychological warfare feels like…' Willow thought, sweating.
They couldn't tell but Luz was staring at them, it felt like she was staring through them and directly into her soul…
Gus finally cracked under the pressure.
"PLEASE DON'T KILL US! WE WON'T TELL ANYONE I SWEAR!" Gus said, dropping to his knees in tears, "I JUST WANT TO BE COVEN HEAD OF THE ILLUSION COVEN PLEEEASE!"
"Gus!" Willow said, "At least die with dignity…" She said, looking downcast.
Luz's seemingly cold demeanor cracked down the middle, the shadow leaving her eyes as she looked extremely worried.
"W- Woah, Gus, Willow calm down, you guys aren't going to die for finding out!" She said quickly, waving her hands, wanting to defuse their fears.
Gus sniffed and wiped away his tears.
"R- really?" He asked to which Luz nodded vigorously, he got back to his feet, dusting himself down, "Cool, almost lost my cool back there," He said.
"Wait, then why were you acting so menacing back there in the market? And wanting to be "Someplace quiet" then?" She asked.
"Yeah! And what was it with that wicked strength!?" Gus added, "I thought you were dragging us to our graves!"
"B- Because we were in the middle of the market, discussing literal national secrets! I was just trying to be serious to get you guys to understand that I wasn't kidding and- and I'm sorry that I don't know my own strength sometimes…!" She said before pointing, "Why did you guys think I was going to kill you!?"
"Cause Emperor Belos is your Dad apparently! He once tossed a Wild Witch into a pit of Sewer Gators for pranking a guard!" Willow said, pointing back at her, "We didn't know if we should be scared of you either!"
"Guys, please," Luz said with a sigh, hugging herself as she looked off to the side before back at Willow.
It was obvious that Willows's words hurt her somewhat, as this was one of her fears, being treated differently for being the Princess to a tyrant.
"Y- You guys don't need to be scared of me hurting you guys, I swear… You guys are some of my first friends…" She said softly before continuing, wiping a few stray tears from her eyes.
"Listen, you're not going to die for knowing the truth, I swear it on my own name as Noceda-Belos, and I can only ask you both to keep it a secret, please! No one is supposed to actually know yet… Please don't tell anyone…" She pleaded.
Willow and Gus weren't sure what to believe, Belos was an uncaring and cold ruler who used force and power to keep the peace… But here was his supposed daughter practically begging for them to keep a secret and looking defenseless and vulnerable to even the slightest winds…
Ugh, they felt like horrible people after putting Luz in such a position, a kind soul like her didn't deserve that…
Willow stepped forward first, placing a comforting hand on Luz's shoulder.
"Luz, we're sorry for assuming the worst, which was very… Ignorant of us, to say the least… Of course, we won't tell anyone about you or your status, you're our friend after all…" Willow said as Gus came forward next.
"Y- Yeah!" He yelled, "We'll hold your secret till the day we… "kick the bucket", as Humans say! We'd be happy to do so! As long as we don't get petrified!" He said. "We won't get turned to stone, if it gets out, right?"
"Gus!" Willow scolded.
"These are good questions!" He defended himself.
"Pffft," They heard Luz, before she blew out into full-on laughter, tears still going down her eyes, only slightly.
Luz suddenly grabbed both of them and grappled them into a tight hug, squeezing them greatly.
"You guys really are the best friends any Princess could ask for!" Luz shouted, holding them tightly.
Willow wheezed and coughed.
"Air…" She whispered.
Luz's face flushed with embarrassment before she released the pair.
"Geez… I thought you had nerd arms…" Willow said, coughing slightly before clearing her throat, "It feels like my Dad's just crushed me…"
"Oh, that!" Luz said, before flexing her arms, actually showing off forming muscles, "I have no clue! Ever since I used some magic muscle enhancing technique, I haven't been able to turn it off! Here watch this!" Luz then went over to a tree and wrapped her arms around the trunk.
"Luz, what are you planning?" Willow asked, wary of her plans.
"I'm pretty sure that I can rip this tree out of the ground," She said but before she could even attempt, Willow had pulled her away from the innocent tree.
"Let's leave the tree alone, we don't need to see your magic at work," Willow said, patting the tree before turning to Luz.
"Aw, man…" Gus whispered, wanting to see the feat of strength, like in those human comic books he's read.
Luz laughed nervously before taking a breath and suddenly laying on the ground and looking at the sky.
"Gosh, it feels great to hide being a Princess to fewer people I know… I hate lying…" She said before noticing, "The Moon! It's rising into place!" Luz suddenly remembered her goal for today. To experience a Moonlight Conjuring with her friends and maybe even get Amity and Willow to be on better terms with each other!
Luz knew she probably shouldn't pry into old wounds and let sleeping dogs lie…
But she couldn't help it!
Luz wanted to help at all cost, and she'd be damned to the Abyss of the Spirit Realm before she gave up on her goal!
"Guys!" Luz said, looking at Willow and Gus, "How would you guys like to have a Moonlight Conjuring with me!?" She asked.
Gus gasped with stars in his eyes.
"Really!?" He asked with wonder, "We've never had one before!"
"Really?" Luz asked, shocked at the thought that they've never had one, "Why not?"
"Well, anyone who's anyone knows that you need at least three witches for the Ritual," Willow said, holding up a book about the Moonlight Conjuring, having actually summoned it.
"Oh yeah, I remember, my dad told me about it this morning," Luz said, stroking her chin in thought, "Well, don't worry about that! You have more than enough people to perform the ritual! I promise that tonight will be absolutely amazing! I swear it on my name!" She said with a confident smile.
"As good as all that sounds, and really, it sounds awesome…! Where are we going to have it? Gus's parents work late, and my Dads are going out tonight…" She said.
Luz thought on it…
Eda and the Owl House wasn't an option, she wasn't going to be home, and Eda wouldn't lend her the house for something like this… Maybe… She didn't push too hard on that subject, she now realized.
Suddenly, she remembered a few crucial details.
Her parents! They weren't going to be at the Castle tonight or the entire weekend and she does remember… Her father never said anything about not having people over to the castle…
'Besides,' Luz thought, 'Willow, Gus, and even Amity already knows the truth about me being a Princess and already swore they'd never say anything… So it should be fine!' She thought before smiling.
"We can do it at…" Luz took a dramatic pause, "The Castle!" She yelled, placing her fist on her hips like she was a superhero.
The pair of friends' jaws dropped at the mention of even going inside the castle.
"Really!?" Gus said amazed, "The only time most people enter the Castle is on field trips, if they're a part of the Emperor's Coven, or if they're being arrested!"
"Are you sure that we can come inside?" Willow asked, wanting to be cautious. She needed to remind herself that it was Belos in charge of the place, not Luz. "Would your parents be alright with us being in their home?"
"Don't worry about Mom and Dad," Luz said, waving her hand dismissively, "They're out on important business, they're gone the entire weekend, so I got the entire castle to myself!" She said with a proud smile.
"Well… As long as you won't get in trouble, then let's do it!" Willow said.
With that, their plans were cemented in stone and nothing could stop them! Absolutely nothing could go wrong…
Hopefully…
Hey, sorry to cut the chapter here, I didn't want you guys to wait much longer for a new chapter, and with me cutting it into parts, the chapter won't be super congested and packed. Also gives me more time to properly set up shenanigans
Till next time friends, have a nice night/evening!
Don't forget to review and let me know what you thought!
