Up at the top of the Knee, Paxton and Hunter had finally managed to hike all the way up there, and the two of them were sitting on the ground enjoying the view of the Titan's body.
"That's quite a view, don't you think", Paxton asked.
"It sure is", Hunter said.
"I'm glad you wanted to go on this hike with me", Paxton said, "spending time with you brings me joy in ways you couldn't even imagine."
"I'm happy I could make you feel that way", Hunter said.
Hunter decided that now was as good a time as any to ask Paxton a question he'd been meaning to ask him for a while now.
"Hey, Dad", Hunter said, "can I ask you something?"
"Sure, son", Paxton said, "you can ask me anything."
"What's your history with Edalyn Clawthorne like", Hunter asked.
Paxton was surprised to hear Hunter bring Eda's name up.
"Did you say Edalyn Clawthorne", Paxton asked.
"That's right", Hunter said, "what was your relationship with her like?"
"We had a very nice relationship", Paxton said, "we spent many years together as a couple and were very happy with one another."
"So far so good", Hunter thought.
"Until the night came when she revealed he true colors", Paxton said.
Hunter became worried when he heard his dad say that.
"She transformed into a giant owl-like beast and attacked me", Paxton said, "she told me before that she had never transformed into it again after her first transformation at the Emperor's Coven tryouts, but I could tell that she hadn't told me the truth."
"So what happened then", Hunter asked.
"I told her it was over", Paxton said, "that our love was no more."
"Oh", Hunter said, "I see."
"Tell me", Paxton said, "what made this question come to your mind?"
After hearing Paxton's story, Hunter wasn't sure he wanted to tell him that he was currently living with Eda.
"I've heard that she has a history with you, so I thought I'd see if the rumors were true or not", Hunter said.
"I see", Paxton said, "well, now you know."
"That's right, I do", Hunter said.
Hunter looked at his watch and saw that is was almost 5:00.
"Well, it's been fun, but I should really be going now", Hunter said.
"Alright", Paxton said, "I hope we can see each other again soon."
"Me too", Hunter said.
Then, an idea popped into his head.
"Actually", Hunter said, "I think I might have an idea."
"What is it", Paxton asked.
"The Coven Day Parade is coming up this weekend", Hunter said, "maybe we could meet up then and watch the parade together."
"The Coven Day Parade", Paxton asked, "trust me Hunt, I'll be there."
"Great", Hunter said, "I can't wait."
Hunter got on his staff and flew away, and Paxton took a look over the Isles.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world", Paxton said.
A few days later, Eda and the kids arrived in the streets of Bonesborough so they could watch the parade.
"Here we are", Eda said, "this looks like a pretty good spot."
"I can't wait to see the parade", Luz said, "it sounds so cool."
"Trust me, it is", Amity said, "the Coven Day Parade is truly a sight to behold."
"Please, I'm pretty sure it was just a way to please Belos back when he was ruling over the Isles", Eda said.
"That's not true", Hunter said, "the Coven Day Parade is a celebration that commemorates the establishment of the Coven system and allows people to see how amazing the nine main covens are."
"And I'm sure the Coven system is worth celebrating now, considering all the changes Lilith's made to it", Luz said.
"That's right", Amity said, "like giving witches a choice for whether or not they want to join a coven and developing a new coven seal that only dims your ability to do other kinds of magic instead of just sealing it all away."
"Okay, so maybe the Coven system isn't as bad as it was before", Eda said, "but I still don't think it's my style."
"Fair enough", Luz said.
At that moment, a masked figure walked over to the group, and when they turned around to face it, the figure took off its mask and revealed themself as Lilith.
"Hi, guys", Lilith said.
"Lilith", Luz asked, "what are you doing here?"
"Shouldn't you be overseeing the parade, or something like that", Eda asked.
"Actually, I had something I wanted to ask you concerning that", Lilith said, "I wanted to know if you'd be interested in taking a look at the floats."
"Really", Amity asked, "that'd be so cool!"
"Can we, Eda", Luz asked, "can we?"
"Sure, I guess so", Eda said.
"Wonderful", Lilith said, "follow me."
Eda and the kids followed Lilith, and soon, they found themselves right outside the entrance to Bonesborough, where the floats for all the different covens were in a line ready to go through town.
"Wow", Luz said, "these are some pretty fancy floats you got here."
"Thank you", Lilith said, "the floats for the Coven Day Parade have always been grand, but this year, I'd say that the nine covens have out-done themselves."
"It sure looks that way", Hunter said, "can we walk around to get a good look at all the floats?"
"Go right ahead", Lilith said.
Luz, Amity, and Hunter began walking down the road to look at all the floats that would be in the parade, and as the latter walked by the float for the Illusion Coven, he heard a familiar female voice call out to him.
"Yoo-hoo", the voice said.
Hunter looked at the float and found that the voice belonged to Emira, who was standing on it with Edric.
"Emira", Hunter said, "good to see you again."
"You too", Emira said, "I haven't seen you since you saved my life at school not too long ago."
"It was nothing", Hunter said, "just doing what I could to make sure the monster didn't kill anyone."
"By the way, I never got a chance to thank you for saving my twin sister", Edric said, "if only she followed my lead when the monster came running towards us."
"Your lead was running away like a coward", Emira said.
"I wasn't running away", Edric said, "I was making a strategic withdraw to plan out what I would do to stop the monster."
"Right", Emira said.
Edric went red in the face with embarrassment.
"I'm still glad I was able to help", Hunter said.
At that moment, the leader of the Illusion Coven walked over to the twins.
"Come on kids, hurry up", the Illusion Leader said, "the parade's going to start any minute now."
"Yes sir", Emira said.
Then, he noticed Hunter standing in front of the float.
"Well, well, the Golden Guard", the Illusion Leader said, "though, I guess that's not your title anymore."
"That's right", Hunter said, "now I'm just Hunter."
"Right, of course", the Illusion Leader said.
"It's good to see you again", Hunter said.
"You too", the Illusion Leader said, "I head all about what you did at Hexside to save my niece from that horrible beast."
One of the things the Illusion Leader said to Hunter had caught the latter by surprise.
"Hold on", Hunter said, "did you say niece?"
"That's right", the Illusion Leader said, "I'm Emira and Edric's uncle."
"He took us in after our parents died in the war", Emira said, "our Mom was his sister."
"I see", Hunter said, "I never knew that."
"Well, now you do", the Illusion Leader said, "and on another note, I'd like to make you an offer."
"What kind of offer", Hunter asked.
"As thanks for saving my niece's life, I'd like to invite you to ride on top of the Illusion Coven float with us in the parade", the Illusion Leader said, "what do you say to that?"
"Really", Hunter asked.
"Of course", the Illusion Leader said, "an act such as that is worthy of a big reward."
"Well, okay", Hunter said, "if you insist."
"Wonderful", the Illusion Leader said.
Hunter followed him and the twins up to the top of the float, and they began getting themselves ready for the parade.
"Maybe this'll be fun", Hunter thought.
Soon, the parade was underway, and all the floats were traveling down the streets accompanied by marching bands and balloons, and Luz, Amity, and Eda were standing in the crowd wondering where Hunter was.
"I can't see Hunter anywhere", Luz said, "where could he have gone?"
"I thought he'd just gone ahead without us once he finished looking at all the floats, but he doesn't seem to be anywhere in this crowd", Eda said, "I hope he's no too far away."
"Look", Amity said, "there he is!"
The three of them looked up at the float for the Illusion Coven and saw Hunter standing on top of it and waving hello to everyone alongside the Illusion Leader, Edric, and Emira, who happened to be standing right next to him.
"What's he doing up there", Luz asked.
"I don't know", Eda said, "but it looks like my son might've found himself a girlfriend."
"Your what", Amity asked.
Eda quickly realized what she had said and scrambled to come up with a response.
"What I mean by that is Hunter feels like a son to me", Eda said, "you know, since we've gotten so close to one another."
"Oh", Amity said, "well, I guess that makes sense."
Back on the float, as Hunter waved hello to the crowd, he looked carefully among the people in it to see if he could find Paxton anywhere.
"I really hope Dad's here", Hunter thought, "I can't wait to see what he thinks of me being up here."
Then, without any warning, Emira held Hunter's hand, and when he felt her touch him, he looked and saw what she was doing and blushed brightly.
"I am so glad I chose to ride on this float", Hunter thought, "how could it get any better then this?"
At that moment, Hunter looked over at a building and noticed something suspicious in one of its windows, and as he got a better look at it, he noticed a witch holding a crossbow, and was quickly able to figure out what was about to happen, so he let go of Emira's hand and made a beeline for the Illusion Leader.
"Look out", Hunter shouted.
The witch in the building fired the crossbow, and Hunter managed to push the Illusion Leader out of the way just in time to save him from getting hit by the arrow, much to the surprise of the crowd, and after that, the whole parade stopped.
"Damn it", the witch said, "I almost had him."
Once he felt sure it was safe, Hunter stood back up, followed by the Illusion Leader.
"What was that all about", the Illusion Leader asked.
He then noticed the arrow stuck in a part of the float and was able to get a good idea for what happened.
"Did someone try to assassinate me", the Illusion Leader asked.
"Looks like it", Emira said, "and Hunter just saved your life."
"He sure did", the Illusion Leader said, "he's a real Good Samaritan."
"And don't look now, but it looks like we've got some more assassins on our hands", Edric said.
There were more witches jumping out from all kinds of places and boarding the different floats for all the Covens, and Hunter was able to recognize who they were.
"It's the True Magic Coven", Hunter said.
Then, on the float Lilith and the Emperor's Coven were riding on, the Master of Undivision appeared in a flash of magic.
"Hello, Emperor Lilith", the Master said, "so good to finally make your acquaintance."
"That mask", Lilith said, "so, you're the Master of Undivision."
"That's right", the Master said, "I believe you're already familiar with my organization, the True Magic Coven."
"That I am", Lilith said, "it's a group of murderers and scoundrels who are willing to sink so low as to use children as test subjects in your twisted experiments."
"Ah, but there's more to my group than there appears to be", the Master said, "allow me to explain."
He walked over to a microphone on the float for Lilith to speak out of, and he addressed everyone in the crowd.
"Witches and demons of the Boiling Isles", the Master said, "you see me and my group as monsters who want to destroy your way of life for the sake of our ideals, but the truth is, we are trying to destroy the order of the world for the sake of salvation."
"Salvation", Lilith asked, "what are you talking about?"
"This Coven System is a system that has brought disharmony to the way of life on the Boiling Isles", the Master said, "for years, it has resulted in the division between witches on the Isles and has made each one think their coven it better than all the rest, but I plan on putting a stop to this."
Everyone in the crowd listened on.
"Once I've torn down this miserable system of yours, I'm going to bring about a new age of magic on the Isles", the Master said, "one where there is no magic from any of the nine covens and only the standard spells that are cast by witches, which is what I believe is true magic."
"You're insane", Lilith said.
"Perhaps that's what you see me as now", the Master said, "but once I'm done, the people of the Isles will see me as their savior."
"We'll see about that", Lilith said.
Lilith made a spell circle and sent a series of fireballs towards the Master, but he managed to generate a magical shield to protect him from them, and pretty soon, a fight began to break out between the True Magic Coven and the witches of the other nine covens, and there were even fights against the Master's goons going on in the crowd, especially in the part of it where Luz, Amity, and Eda were.
"Just like old times, right, guys", Luz asked.
Eda summoned her staff and used it to knock a True Magic goon in the head.
"You said it", Eda said.
Luz made spell circles and attacked the goons with all kinds of different spells.
"Man", Luz said, "I'm having a blast right now thanks to my witch's heart."
"Easy, Luz", Amity said, "leave some for me."
Amity summoned an abomination that picked up some goons and caught them in a headlock, and on the Illusion Coven float, Hunter was helping to fight off the goons that were attacking it, and he noticed one who was quietly approaching Emira with a knife in his hand while she was occupied fighting another goon.
"Oh no", Hunter said.
Emira defeated the goon she was fighting and turned around to find the other goon about to stab her, but Hunter used a plant glyph to grab the knife out of his hands using a vine, then used an ice glyph to make a pillar of ice that knocked the goon off of the float.
"That was close", Emira said, "thanks, Hunter."
"Anytime", Hunter said.
Nearby, Edric set a goon's cape on fire using a fire spell, and then made his way over to Hunter.
"I think we can handle things from here", Edric said, "you should probably go and help your friends from the Owl House."
"Are you sure", Hunter asked.
"Edric's right, we've got this under control", Emira said, "now go!"
"Alright", Hunter said, "if you say so."
Hunter hurried away to join the battle elsewhere, and the twins and their uncle watched him go.
"What a man", Emira said.
"He's got my blessing", the Illusion Leader said, "especially after he saved me from getting hit by that arrow."
Meanwhile, Lilith was trying her best to hold her own against the Master, but it was apparent that she was starting to get tired.
"Had enough, my dear Emperor", the Master asked.
"Are you kidding me", Lilith asked, "I'm only getting started!"
"Your form is sloppy, your spell casts are rushed, and you're starting to get more desperate with your maneuvers", the Master said, "in summary, you've just about had it."
"Lily may be down for the count", a voice said.
The Master turned around and found Eda standing behind him with her staff.
"But I've still got plenty of fight left in me", Eda said.
The Master was very surprised to see her.
"Well, well, Edalyn Clawthorne", the Master said.
"How do you know my name", Eda asked.
"I know a lot more about you than just your name", the Master said, "after all, we did spend a few years together."
"Are you one of my ex-boyfriends", Eda asked.
"I'm more than that, actually", the Master said, "much, much more."
"What's that supposed to mean", Eda asked.
"I used to think that our days together were some of the happiest days of my life", the Master said, "but all that changed the night you revealed your true nature as a witch with a beastly curse."
Eda's eyes went wide with shock after he said that.
"To think it's been 15 years since we said goodbye", the Master said, "and now here we are all those years later about to engage in a fight against each another."
Eda was able to figure out who was underneath that stone mask, and she now had a look of pure anger on her face.
"You", Eda said, "I'll kill you, not just for what you're trying to do to the Isles, but also for what you did to me!"
"Are you sure you're up for the challenge", the Master asked, "maybe you ought let your Owl Beast friend come out and take care of the killing."
That comment was enough to send Eda charging towards the Master in fury, her staff in hand ready to cast a powerful spell on him, but he warped out of her way right before she reached him, then appeared behind her and cast an electricity spell that shocked her and made her fall to the ground.
"Honestly Edalyn, I would've expected more from you after you got cured of your curse", the Master said.
"Oh, please", Eda said, "this isn't even the full extent of my power."
Eda stood back up and cast a fire spell, but the Master teleported out of the way, and as he reappeared in another spot, Eda made an ice spell that caused a spike made of ice to grow up from the ground behind him and stab him in the back, then proceeded to send some fireballs towards him before finally using an electricity spell on him, causing the Master to feel an intense amount of pain as he finally fell to the ground.
"All this time, I was fine with just pretending I never even met you and moving on", Eda said, "but now that I've met you again, killing you is going to be really satisfying."
But before Eda could actually do anything of the sort, a member of the True Magic Coven fired his crossbow at her in an attempt to save his leader, and the arrow pierced right into her chest, much to the shock of Luz, Amity, Lilith, and Hunter, who had just finished defeating some other members and witnessed it.
"Eda", Hunter said, "no!"
The Master managed to stand himself back up on his feet and looked down at Eda's wounded body.
"So much for finishing me off", the Master said, "now the tables have turned, for it is I who will finish you off!"
"Wanna bet", Hunter's voice asked.
Hunter ran up to the Master with his staff and hit him in the head with it, which caused part of the Master's stone mask to break off, revealing his right eye, which was dark magenta.
"Come on and fight me", Hunter said, "I'll tear you apart for everything you've done."
The two witches stared at each other in the eyes, until finally, the Master spoke.
"No", the Master said, "we are done here."
He turned to his remaining allies who hadn't been taken out in the fight.
"All units, retreat", the Master said, "we have done all that we can here."
The coven members responded by leaving the area as quickly as they could, and Hunter ran towards the Master to try and attack him with his staff one more time, but the latter managed to teleport away in time, leaving Hunter angered over it.
"Damn you, Master of Undivision", Hunter said, "you can't hide from me forever!"
Luz and Amity then hurried onto the float and walked over to Eda, who was still lying unconscious on the ground.
"It looks like this arrow hit Eda in a pretty bad spot", Luz said.
"Mom", Amity asked, "are you okay?"
"Step aside", the leader of the Healing Coven said, "let me have a look."
The Healing Leader looked over Eda to see how badly she was hurt, and once she was done, she pulled the arrow out and put a healing patch over the wound.
"The arrow didn't pierce too deeply into her body, so she should be alright", the Healing Leader said, "but she's going to need some rest."
"Okay", Amity said, "thank you, Ma'am."
"No problem", the Healing Leader said.
"I'd better go around with the Emperor's Coven and make sure no one else was seriously hurt in the attack", Lilith said.
"Okay", Luz said, "I guess we'll go home now."
Luz and Amity picked Eda up and carried her away, and Hunter followed them, still angry over what the Master of Undivision had done.
"First he conducts experiments on my father, then he does the same to those students and ends up killing them, and now he almost kills the closest thing to a mother I've got", Hunter said, "I hope he's ready for our next encounter, because when it comes, I'm going to kill him."
Meanwhile, in a cabin somewhere in the woods, Paxton was in a study room of some kind looking through some papers he had laid out on his desk, and near him was a picture of him with Hunter that he had taken the day the spent time together in the park, and when he looked at it, he let out a sigh.
"Hunter's got himself involved in something I was really hoping he'd stay out of", Paxton said, "perhaps the time's finally come to tell him everything."
