The following day on the way to Hexside, Luz and Amity were walking along through the woods, when they bumped into none other than Edric.
"Oh, hi, you two", Edric said.
"Edric", Luz said, "long time no see."
"Yeah", Edric said, "you too."
Amity noticed some sadness in the tone of her former adoptive brother's voice.
"What's wrong, Ed", Amity asked, "and where's Em?"
"Mom's forbade us to walk to school with each other", Edric said.
"Why would she do something like that", Amity asked.
"Because she and Dad are relying on me to make them look good", Emira's voice said.
Luz and Amity turned and saw Emira standing behind them wearing an Abominations Track Hexside uniform rather than her Illusions Track uniform.
"When you were living with us, Mom and Dad were hoping you would uphold the Blight name and become successful", Emira said, "now that you're gone, I'm their only hope for an ideal Blight."
"They said that us spending time together will hinder with Emira's chances of success, so they've been doing everything in their power to keep us apart", Edric said, "they even put her in the Abominations Track so we couldn't be together in school."
"And so far, that has not gone well, because I am terrible with abominations", Emira said.
"How bad are you", Amity asked.
"Remember how Willow did when she was in the Abominations Track", Emira asked.
"That bad, huh", Amity asked.
"Worse", Emira said.
Luz and Amity were shocked to hear that.
"But we're not letting those evil parents of ours stop us from spending time together as siblings", Emira said, "every now and then we go out and have some fun together."
"That's right", Edric said, "nothing can tear apart a pair this inseparable."
"We're glad to hear that", Luz said.
"But we still have to be careful", Emira said, "if Mom and Dad catch us, we're as good as toast."
"Don't worry, guys", Amity said, "you're secret's safe with us."
"Thanks, Mittens", Edric said.
"Even though you're not our sister anymore, it's great to know you still have our backs", Emira said.
"You guys would do the same for me", Amity said.
"You are so right", Edric said.
"Well, come on, Ed", Emira said, "we'd better get going, or we'll be late for school."
"You're right, Em", Edric said, "see you girls later."
"Bye", Amity said.
"Goodbye", Luz said.
Once Edric and Emira had left, Luz and Amity secretly went on their way.
"And we'd better get going too", Amity said, "even though we're going to Hexside in secret, I'd still like to be on time."
"Alright", Luz said, "if we have to."
At the end of the day, Luz and Amity had finished all their classes, and were making their way to the Secret Room of Shortcuts' exit, when Amity decided to say something to Luz.
"You know, Luz", Amity said, "I think I may try and learn about different kinds of magic tomorrow."
"You will", Luz asked.
"Sure", Amity said, "it might be a good idea to expand my knowledge of magic beyond Abominations."
"Oh, definitely", Luz said, "you and I are gonna have so much fun together."
As the couple continued to walk along, Willow and Gus called out to them from the Detention Track classroom's secret door.
"Hey, you two", Willow said.
"Willow, Gus", Luz said, "nice to see you."
"What's up, guys", Amity asked.
"We made some new friends today", Gus said.
"New friends", Luz asked, "that's nice."
"How'd you like to meet them", Willow asked.
"I'm not sure about that", Amity said, "how do we know we can trust them to know we're here?"
"Don't worry about that", Willow said, "they won't tell anyone about your secret, right, Clover?"
At that moment, a large bee flew over to Clover and landed on her shoulder, and Amity noticed something about it.
"Is that a palisman", Amity asked.
"It sure is", Willow said.
A blue chameleon then climbed up Gus' leg and made its way into his hand.
"And this is my palisman, Figment", Gus said.
"Where did you guys get them", Luz asked.
"I can answer that", a voice said.
The others turned and saw Principal Bump standing at the entrance to the Detention Track classroom, and Luz and Amity were alarmed by his presence.
"Principal Bump", Luz said, "we can explain..."
"No need, Willow and Gus told me everything", Principal Bump said.
"He got suspicious and asked us what was going on, and Gus spilled the beans", Willow said.
"I'm sorry", Gus said, "he managed to break me down!"
"You two have nothing to worry about, because I will allow you to continue your secret Hexside education in this room", Principal Bump said.
"You will", Luz asked.
"Of course", Principal Bump said, "truth be told, it's not as exciting here without you."
"Aww", Luz said, "thanks, Princy-B."
"Please don't call me that", Principal Bump said.
"Of course", Luz said.
"Anyways, back to the palismen", Principal Bump said, "I decided that today was the right time for the students to take an important step in their education of magic: receiving their staffs and meeting their palismen."
"Wow", Amity said, "I've been waiting a long time to get my own palisman."
"Where'd you get the palismen, anyway", Luz asked.
"Witch staffs are traditionally carved from the branch of an old palistrom tree, but sadly, palistrom trees are becoming more rare, and the ones left are under heavy guard", Principal Bump said, "however, thanks to a little help from the Owl Lady, we put together palisman adoption day."
Luz and Amity were surprised to hear that.
"Mom helped with this", Amity asked.
"Yes", Principal Bump said, "a few days ago, I asked her if she knew of any ways to obtain a staff besides palistrom wood, and she told me about how the Bat Queen cares for palismen that have been discarded by their owners..."
"And the Bat Queen gave you palismen for the students to adopt", Luz said.
"That's right", Principal Bump said, "they're all outside waiting for the both of you."
"You mean you're going to let us get our own palismen", Amity asked.
"That's right", Principal Bump said, "I would hate for you two to miss out on such an exciting event."
"Oh, wow", Luz said, "what do we have to do?"
"It's simple", Principal Bump said, "all you have to do is kneel down before the palismen and state your deepest wishes, and your palisman will choose you."
"I said that I want to be strong and wise to protect everyone I love, and also that if anyone gets in my way, they'll feel the sting of defeat", Willow said.
"And I said I want to become an ambassador to the human realm and re-establish contact with the giraffes", Gus said.
"Those are some pretty good dreams", Luz said.
"Now then, the palismen are all in a nest on the grudgby field", Principal Bump said.
"Well, what are we waiting for", Amity asked, "come on Luz, let's go get our witch's staffs!"
"Right behind you", Luz said.
Amity and Luz hurried down the hall, but Luz stopped so she could ask Principal Bump a question.
"Say, Principal Bump", Luz said, "do you have a palisman?"
"Why, yes", Principal Bump said, "in fact, I showed him off to the other students."
Then, with a snap of his fingers, the imp-like creature on Principal Bump's head floated off, revealing Bump's long, black hair and scarred left eye, and formed a staff that he took hold of.
"This is Frewin", Principal Bump said, "many palismen serve unique functions, and in his case, he helps me see better."
"Oh my Titan", Luz said, "that's so cool."
"Hey, Luz", Amity shouted, "what's keeping you?"
"Sorry, Amity", Luz shouted, "be right there!"
Luz hurried off to catch up to Amity, and when she did, the two went out to the grudgby field and found the palismen in their nest.
"These must be the palismen", Luz said.
"Wow", Amity said, "there are so many of them."
Luz then noticed a cardinal palisman hop out of the nest and try to get away, but she caught it.
"Oh, no you don't", Luz said, "I don't think you should be trying to escape."
She brought the cardinal back to the nest and set it back inside.
"There you go", Luz said, "you little rascal."
"So, Bump said to just kneel down and state your deepest wishes, right", Amity asked.
"I think so", Luz said.
"Okay", Amity said, "here goes nothing."
Amity got down on her knees and looked at the palismen.
"I want to embrace my life away from the Blight family and live the life I choose to live", Amity said.
A white cat palisman walked over to Amity and turned into a staff that landed in her hands.
"Whoa", Amity said, "my very own palisman."
"Ooh, my turn", Luz said.
Luz walked over to the nest and knelt down.
"I want to be a witch", Luz said.
Luz waited for a palisman to choose her, but nothing happened.
"Uh, probably just takes a little longer 'cause I'm human", Luz said.
"I don't know, Luz", Amity said, "your dream is kind of vague."
"What do you mean", Luz asked.
"Well, there are many kinds of witches", Amity said, "maybe you should be a little more specific."
"How so", Luz asked.
"Well, what do you want to accomplish with your magic", Amity asked.
"Right now, I'm hoping to find a way home to my Mom", Luz said.
"Will you still train to be a witch in the human realm", Amity asked.
"I don't know", Luz said, "I guess I never thought that far ahead."
Luz began to worry, much to Amity's concern.
"Poor Luz", Amity thought, "she doesn't know what she wants to do."
Meanwhile, at the Emperor's Castle, Emperor Belos was in his throne room speaking to Kikimora.
"So it turns out that not only was Raine Whispers a traitor, but also that they were leading a rebellion against me", Belos said, "and now they're at large."
"That's terrible", Kikimora said.
"Yes", Belos said, "with one of our nine coven heads gone, we may face a great obstacle in my plans for the Day of Unity."
"And we're still no closer to capturing the human", Kikimora said.
"Indeed", Belos said, "but luckily, we're getting help from someone to achieve that goal."
"Who is it", Kikimora asked.
"Let's just say they're an old friend", Belos said.
"Very well", Kikimora said.
Kikimora left the throne room, and something came to Belos' mind.
"I wonder where the Golden Guard is", Belos said.
Somewhere else in the castle, the Golden Guard was walking through the halls thinking to himself.
"I wonder what my uncle wants Luz for", the Golden Guard said, "what role does a human have in the Day of Unity?"
The Golden Guard walked by a peculiar room and noticed that the door was slightly open, and he began to get curious.
"He normally keeps this door locked", the Golden Guard said, "maybe I'll find some answers in here."
The Golden Guard went into the room and turned on the light, and found that it was a study of some sort.
"Okay", the Golden Guard said, "time to start looking."
The Golden Guard noticed the white dress with a gold trim that Belos had made for Luz on display in a glass case and took a look at it.
"I see he added a few extra features to the dress", the Golden Guard said, "why did he make it for the human, anyway?"
The Golden Guard walked over to a bookshelf and inspected it.
"Maybe there's a clue in one of these books", the Golden Guard said.
The Golden Guard opened the book and looked through it, and he noticed something peculiar about it.
"This is history book for the Boiling Isles", the Golden Guard said, "and it looks like he's underlined certain parts in it."
The Golden Guard looked at more books, and he saw that they all had similar features.
"Why would someone like the Emperor have notes on the history of the Boiling Isles", the Golden Guard asked, "what's more is that many of them seem to be about his history ruling the Isles."
The Golden Guard looked in the direction of Belos' desk and thought of something.
"Maybe I'll find something in there", the Golden Guard said.
The Golden Guard opened one of the drawers and found a book written by a man named Philip Wittebane titled "Journey Through the Realm of Demons."
"The Realm of Demons", Hunter asked, "that name resembles that of the Demon Realm an awful lot."
He then found another book that was dusty looked like it was hundreds of years old.
"Looks like a diary of some sort", the Golden Guard said.
The Golden Guard wiped away some of the dust, and saw, on the cover of the book, was the name "Philip Wittebane."
"This is the same guy who wrote that book", the Golden Guard said, "I wonder what he's got written down here."
He opened the diary and turned it to a page and read its contents, which said:
Entry One: May 21...I think. My Name is Philip Wittebane. And I have found myself in a world so horrid, yet so fantastic, few minds could have dreamt it. If only those at home could see what I have, and perhaps they shall. For the more I learn about this realm, the more I am certain I can harness its strange powers to return home. Today, I begin recording my journey home to create a portal back to the Human Realm.
The Golden Guard was amazed by what he had just read.
"Looks like Luz wasn't the first human on the Boiling Isles", the Golden Guard said, "but why does my uncle have his diary and that other book he wrote?"
The Golden Guard looked deeper into the drawer and saw yet another book inside it.
"I wonder what this one is", the Golden Guard said.
He pulled the book out and saw that it looked like a scrapbook that was titled "Precious Memories."
"Precious Memories, huh", the Golden Guard asked, "I wonder what kind of memories are in here."
But before he could open the book, he heard the sound of his uncle's voice.
"Curious, are we", Belos asked.
The Golden Guard looked up in alarm to find Belos looking down on him.
"I've told you that this room is off limits unless you have been summoned here to speak with me", Belos said.
"I-I'm sorry", the Golden Guard said, "I..."
"Spare me your excuses", Belos said, "why were you snooping around in here?"
"Well, you see", the Golden Guard said, "I was just..."
"This room houses many secrets that are never to be learned by anyone", Belos said, "and now..."
But before he could finish his sentence, he began to groan in pain, much to the Golden Guard's concern.
"Uh-oh", the Golden Guard said.
The Golden Guard ran away, and Belos turned into a sludge monster and began punching the walls of the room a few times before turning back to normal, and the Golden Guard returned with a witch's staff and handed it to Belos, who proceeded to break the palisman attached to it and absorb its magic.
"I need more", Belos said.
"That was the last from our reserves", the Golden Guard said, "the palistrom wood has been overharvested."
Belos angrily turned away.
"I was hoping to live long enough to see my plans for the Day of Unity become a reality", Belos said, "but now, it looks like I might not make it that long."
"Uncle, let me help", the Golden Guard said, "we can make more palismen."
"No", Belos said, "I have a much better idea."
"What is it", the Golden Guard asked.
"I overheard a scout telling his friend that his son received a palisman from Hexside today", Belos said, "I want you go go over there and see what you can find."
Neither of them were aware that Kikimora was listening from the other side of the door.
"Hexside", the Golden Guard asked.
"That's right", Belos said, "if they do have palismen there, I want you to bring every last one of them to me."
"Of course, Uncle", the Golden Guard said, "you can rely on me."
Kikimora ran away from the door as the Golden Guard exited the room, and the latter began thinking to himself.
"Sounds like that close call made him forget about being mad at me for digging around", the Golden Guard said, "but I can't shake the feeling that there's stuff he's not telling me."
At the Owl House, Amity was petting her new cat palisman, and Eda walked over to her.
"Well, well", Eda said, "looks like my daughter got a palisman of her own."
"That's right", Amity said, "her name's Ghost."
"Nice name", Eda said.
Owlbert then flew over to Ghost and perched atop of her head, and she looked up at him and smiled.
"Hey, would you look at that", Eda said, "it looks like she's already getting along with my palisman."
"Aww", Amity said, "how sweet."
Then, they both heard Luz's voice from upstairs.
"I stayed her because I wanted to learn, magic, right", Luz asked, "I wanted to be a witch and learn magic like Eda and Azura, but what does that even mean?"
"Is Luz alright", Eda asked.
"No", Amity said, "none of the palismen at school chose her as their master because she's not sure what she wants to do besides go back to the Human Realm."
Concerned, Eda went upstairs and listened to what Luz was saying.
"I read stories about this", Luz said, "the main character always has to return home and then what, did I expect to be a witch back in Connecticut?"
Outside, King walked past Eda.
"Hey, Eda", King said, "what are you..."
Eda shushed King and went back to listening.
"I guess I wouldn't want to be my palisman either", Luz said.
Eda then got an idea and went downstairs.
"Hey, where are you going", King asked.
Downstairs, Amity was sitting on the couch with Ghost in her lap, when Eda approached her.
"Hey, kid", Eda said, "you wanna come with me and King somewhere?"
"Where are we going", Amity asked.
"I got an idea to make Luz feel better about not getting chosen by a palisman", Eda said, "and we could use all the help we can get for it."
"Sure", Amity said, "if it's for Luz."
"Great", Eda said, "grab your staff and come with me."
Amity attached Ghost to her staff and followed Eda, and upstairs, Luz was lying sadly on her sleeping bag, when the cardinal palisman from school came out from her book bag, much to her surprise.
"It's you", Luz said, "did you come here for me?"
The cardinal responded by hopping around her room.
"No, of course not", Luz said, "come on little dude, I'll take you back to your nest."
Luz grabbed her witch's wool cloak and put it on, and she soon arrived at the Hexside grudgby field with the cardinal, and she saw a force field surrounding the palisman nest.
"How are we supposed to get through this", Luz asked.
The cardinal pressed his head against the force field, causing it to disappear.
"Ooh, palisman powers", Luz said, "neat."
She opened the door to the palisman shelter that was in the nest to let the cardinal inside, and the other palismen looked at her in surprise, and after a moment of thinking, Luz went inside the nest and closed the door behind her.
"Alright, I'm not leaving here until I figure out what my future is and one of you becomes my palisman", Luz said.
Luz sat down with all the palismen and began thinking.
"What if I use my powers to become a popular magician back in the Human Realm", Luz said.
She then thought of something that was wrong with that idea.
"No, I'm horrible at card tricks", Luz said.
After thinking some more, she came up with another idea.
"What if I stay on the Boiling Isles and become a rugged bounty hunter", Luz said.
She soon realized there was something wrong with that idea, too.
"No, I'm too loveable", Luz said.
Luz brainstormed possible ideas for her goals for a long time, and soon, she began to get sleepy.
"What if I open a magic pet shop, but it's password protected", Luz said.
Luz turned to the cardinal.
"The password is 'you're a little angel'", Luz said.
The cardinal chirped in response, and suddenly, Luz felt the shelter shake, so she opened the door to see what the commotion was.
"Hey", Luz said, "we're a little busy in..."
She was shocked to find that the shelter had been lifted up off the ground.
"Here", Luz asked.
Luz looked up and saw an airship carrying the shelter, and went back inside and closed the door.
"I think we're being kidnapped", Luz said.
The palismen all began to shiver in fear.
"Don't worry", Luz said, "I'll figure this out."
Luz drew a plant glyph in on the floor and tapped it, causing a vine to grow up to the top of the shelter, and she climbed up it and then climbed up to the airship, where she found none other than the Golden Guard piloting it while whistling a tune that happened to be the theme song for The Owl House.
"Ugh, him again", Luz said.
Luz snuck up behind him with a fire glyph she had drawn on a leaf she picked from the vine and slapped it on his back.
"Huh", the Golden Guard asked.
Once the fire glyph activated, the Golden Guard was rocketed off the ship and flew away into the distance.
"He'll be fine", Luz said, "now how do I land this thing?"
Luz began to look around for a way to land the airship.
"Oh, you just pull that chord above your head", the Golden Guard's voice said.
"Oh, thank you", Luz said.
She the realized who she had heard and saw the Golden Guard lying on the dashboard.
"Hiii", the Golden Guard said.
He used his staff to magically send Luz to the back of the airship and tie her up.
"Hey", Luz said.
"Good to see you again, Luz", the Golden Guard said, "my, what a treat this is."
"Why are you stealing palismen, Golden Guard", Luz asked.
"Frankly", the Golden Guard said.
He teleported himself over to Luz.
"You should be more concerned about yourself", the Golden Guard said, "not only do I have the palismen, I also have you, and Belos will reward me greatly for bringing you to him."
"Did he finally tell you what he wants me for", Luz asked.
"No", the Golden Guard said, "not really."
"Wow", Luz said, "you call yourself his right-hand man when he's keeping secrets from you?"
"He's not keeping secrets from me", the Golden Guard said.
"Then why hasn't he told you why he wants me", Luz asked.
"Well", the Golden Guard said, "it's probably because..."
He then became annoyed of Luz.
"Just shut up, already", the Golden Guard said, "we'll be at the Emperor's Castle soon."
The Golden Guard went back to steering the ship, and Luz noticed that she had made some marks on the floor with her feet and got an idea.
"Say", Luz said, "how did you get back on the ship so fast?"
As she asked her question, she drew an ice glyph on the ship's floor.
"Staff", the Golden Guard said.
"Cool", Luz said.
Then, she tapped the glyph with her foot, and ice spikes grew up from the floor and hit the Golden Guard's staff, sending it flying off the ship.
"No", the Golden Guard shouted.
He then turned to Luz, who had a smug look on her face.
"Ohoho", the Golden Guard said, "human, it'll take more than that to thwart my mission."
Suddenly, a large creature flew by and landed on the airship.
"What is that", Luz asked.
"A hand dragon", the Golden Guard asked, "what's going on?"
The hand dragon proceeded to rip the airship's balloon, causing it to fall from the sky, and Luz and the Golden Guard screamed in terror as they began to plummet down to the ground, and a while later, the latter regained consciousness and found the cardinal palisman pecking at her ropes.
"Li'l Rascal", Luz asked.
At last, Luz was freed from her ropes.
"Oh, thank you", Luz said.
She then felt her head in pain.
"Oh, my head", Luz said.
Luz then noticed the Golden Guard's staff lying on the ground and grasped it in her hands, and then heard a groaning and noticed the Golden Guard himself nearby, but before she could investigate him, she heard someone's voice coming from nearby.
"Kikimora, ma'am, we found the palismen", the voice said, "they seem rattled, but unharmed."
Luz looked from behind a rock and saw an Emperor's Coven captain speaking to Kikimora.
"Very good, captain", Kikimora said, "return to the city and prepare for travel."
"Is it true, ma'am", the captain asked, "is the Golden Guard really..."
"This is all that remains", Kikimora said.
She held up the Golden Guard's mask, and the captain gasped in reaction to seeing it.
"Such a horrible accident", Kikimora said, "probably caused by the incompetent pilot."
"I'll alert the castle", the captain said, "scouts, to Latissa!"
The captain led her group of Emperor's Coven scouts away, and once they were gone, Kikimora blew a whistle, and the hand dragon walked up to her.
"Excellent work, my pet", Kikimora said, "now, find the rest of him and have yourself a nice little snack."
Kikimora held up the Golden Guard's mask, and the hand dragon ate it.
"I'll call you when it's time to begin phase two of our plan", Kikimora said.
Luz watched the scene take place with concern and looked back at the Golden Guard, and the cardinal, known by her as Li'l Rascal, let out a chirp.
"Don't worry", Luz said, "I won't leave him."
Luz picked up Li'l Rascal and set him on her shoulder, and as she made her way over to the Golden Guard, she was surprised to see what he looked like without his mask: fair complexion, ash-blonde hair, and a gap in his teeth.
"This is the Golden Guard", Luz asked, "it looks like he could be a student at Hexside."
Luz leaned in closer to him, and then proceeded to slap him in the face.
"Wake up", Luz said.
Startled, the Golden Guard woke up, and he noticed Luz next to him.
"You", the Golden Guard said.
Luz put her hand over his mouth.
"Listen, you're a bad person, and I do not like you", Luz said, "however, Kikimora is trying to kill you, and unfortunately, I'm too nice to let that happen."
She then removed her hand from the Golden Guard's mouth and found it covered in spit.
"Are you licking my hand", Luz asked.
She began wiping her hand on the Golden Guard's face.
"I'm trying to help you", Luz said.
The Golden Guard then put his hand on Luz's face.
"Why should I believe you", the Golden Guard asked.
The two began bickering, until they heard the sound of the hand dragon approaching, and when it arrived, it found only the Golden Guard's cloak was there, which it proceeded to eat while Luz and the Golden Guard watched, and the two ran away into a nearby town called Latissa.
"Hoo, man", Luz said, "Kikimora must hate you."
Luz looked around at her surroundings, and was amazed by her surroundings.
"Whoa, I haven't been outside Bonesborough that much", Luz said, "Latissa is so cool."
Luz noticed the Golden Guard walking away somewhere.
"Wait, where are you going", Luz asked.
She quickly ran over to him.
"Hey man, I just saved your life", Luz said, "the least you could do is tell me your name."
The Golden Guard responded by glaring angrily at her, and Luz saw where they had arrived.
"Uh-oh", Luz said.
It was the local Emperor's Coven headquarters, and the Golden Guard went up to some coven members who were nearby.
"Scouts, direct me to your communications room", the Golden Guard said, "I need to contact the castle immediately."
He lifted his glove away and showed them the mark of the Emperor's Coven on his arm, but they didn't think it was real.
"Cute", one of the coven members said, "I didn't know kids your age are still into temporary tattoos."
"Yeah", another coven member said, "show us your badge number."
"I am your superior, and I can prove it", the Golden Guard said, "staff."
He then noticed that Luz had her hood over her head and was pretending to be an old lady, using the Golden Guard's staff as a cane.
"Staff", Luz asked, "this is no staff, this is my cane."
"How could you do something like try and pass a sweet old lady's cane off as a staff", the first coven member asked.
"That's no old lady", the Golden Guard said, "that's the human the Emperor is after."
"Yeah, and I'm Dracula", the second coven member said.
"Go home, kid", the first coven member said, "it's too late for you to be outside."
The coven members walked away, and the Golden Guard stood there angrily, as Luz, who was still pretending to be an old lady, walked over to him.
"Don't worry", Luz said, "I'll just take my grandson home and..."
The Golden Guard turned towards Luz, his face looking quite red, and she became concerned.
"Uh-oh", Luz said.
She quickly ran away from the Golden Guard as he went after her, and after running through town for a while, she stopped in an alleyway and began drawing in the dirt, and finished just as the Golden Guard had caught up to her.
"Ice glyph", Luz said.
Luz tapped on the ice glyph she had drawn and a pillar of ice came up from the ground and launched her onto the top of a building, and she looked down and saw the Golden Guard just standing there.
"Don't you know any levitation spells", Luz asked, "what are you just standing there for, G.G.?"
"G.G.", the Golden Guard asked, "never heard that one before."
The two looked at each other in silence until the Golden Guard looked away, and Luz looked at his staff, which she was still holding.
"Are you powerless without this", Luz asked.
The Golden Guard just walked away in silence, and the proceeded to leap onto different objects to get to the top of the building, and when he got there, he dodged blasts of magic Luz fired at him using his staff.
"Back off", Luz said, "or else!"
"Or else what, you'll blast me to bits", the Golden Guard asked, "nah, you're too nice for that, and I know you can't fly away either because then you'll be leaving behind your precious palismen."
Luz realized that the Golden Guard was right.
"You don't tend to think things through, do you, human", Hunter asked.
As Luz stood there nervously, the hand dragon flew over them and landed at the Emperor's Coven headquarters, where Kikimora was waiting with the palismen's shelter.
"So Kikimora was after my catch", the Golden Guard said.
"Seems like neither of us want her to win right now", Luz said, "so, let's work together to take back those palismen."
"Then what", Hunter asked, "you think I'll just let you walk away with them?"
"Maybe you won't have a choice", Luz said, "I'm more formidable than you think."
Luz spun the Golden Guard's staff around a few times, but she hit herself on the head with it and almost dropped it over the edge.
"I doubt that", the Golden Guard said, "but fine, a truce till then."
Luz extended her hand towards the Golden Guard.
"Truce", Luz said.
But before he could shake her hand, she pulled it away from him.
"Too slow", Luz said.
Luz ran away, much to the Golden Guard's annoyance.
"Let's get this over with", the Golden Guard said.
In the yard of the coven headquarters, Kikimora was getting ready to depart with the palismen, and the Golden Guard climbed up the building with something in a bag and found Luz drawing two connected glyphs on the wall.
"I've never seen magic like this", the Golden Guard said, "what will it do?"
"Well, we don't want to spook Kikimora's steed because it might drop the nest and hurt the palismen", Luz said, "so, using these fire and ice spells, I can command the glyphs to produce a thick mist."
"And the sleeping nettles", the Golden Guard asked.
The Golden Guard pulled some potted flowers out of his bag.
"They're essential", Luz said, "combined with the magic mist, it'll create..."
"A sleep-inducing smoke, forcing Kikimora to land", the Golden Guard said.
Luz looked at the Golden Guard with curiosity.
"Oh, um, I read a similar spell the book From Bones to Earth", the Golden Guard said.
"A study of wild magic", Luz said, "Eda once pickpocketed the guy who wrote it."
"I've never seen glyphs before", the Golden Guard said, "but it seems very similar to the elemental magic practiced in the Savage Ages."
"Really", Luz asked.
"Actually", the Golden Guard said, "not many people know this, but..."
He then stopped talking as something occurred to him.
"No, nonono, this stuff is restricted for a reason", the Golden Guard said, "you should forget about it before you're hurt."
"You know, other than Lilith, I've never spoken to someone inside the Emperor's Coven", Luz said, "what made you want to join?"
The Golden Guard let out a sad sigh.
"You were right before, I am a powerless witch, and so were a lot of my ancestors", the Golden Guard said, "I never thought I'd have a future in a world like this, but then, Belos found me and gave me a staff with artificial magic, and told me that the Titan had big plans for me."
"At least you have your future figured out now", Luz said.
"At least you're likely to have better luck figuring out yours", the Golden Guard said, "Belos has a role for you to play in the Day of Unity, and I don't have a clue what it is."
"So why are you helping him", Luz asked.
"What", the Golden Guard asked.
"If you don't know what his intentions are, why are you helping him with achieving them", Luz asked.
"Did you not hear the story of my life", the Golden Guard asked, "I have a duty to serve him after everything he did for me."
"That sounds a lot like blind loyalty to me", Luz said, "sometimes, you have to stop and ask yourself if the cause you're fighting for is really a just cause."
The Golden Guard just stood there in silence, and Li'l Rascal, who had been with Luz the whole time, hopped towards him.
"Hey", the Golden Guard said, "stop, get away from me!"
"He's just being friendly", Luz said.
"I don't care", the Golden Guard said, "these things are made from wild magic, it's dangerous."
"And does he seem dangerous to you", Luz asked.
The Golden Guard looked down at Li'l Rascal, and the three of them heard Kikimora's hand dragon and saw it taking off.
"Masks on", Luz said.
Luz and the Golden Guard put bandana masks over their mouths to protect them from the mist and hurried over to the glyphs.
"Once they're surrounded by the smoke, we'll need to stay close to see where they land", Luz said.
The Golden Guard nodded in agreement, and Luz offered him his staff back, much to his surprise.
"Are you sure", the Golden Guard asked.
"Just take it", Luz said.
The Golden Guard took his staff back, and he and Luz saw the hand dragon take off, which signaled Luz to activate the glyphs, and as mist filled the air, she got on the Golden Guard's staff with him and flew after the dragon, with Li'l Rascal flying along with them, and Kikimora and the dragon began to get sleepy.
"I think it's working", the Golden Guard said.
Luz activated a light glyph to lead Kikimora in their direction, and the dragon followed them down towards the ground.
"Stop", Kikimora said.
The dragon then landed on the ground and fell asleep, causing Kikimora to fall off its back, and Luz and the Golden Guard landed on the ground.
"The palismen", Luz said.
Luz removed her mask and hurried over to the shelter to see if they were okay.
"Hello, babies", Luz said, "oh, you guys look so cold and scared."
Luz took off her cloak and put it over them.
"Here, make sure you share", Luz said, "now stay stay in here, and we'll get you home safe and..."
She then turned around and saw the Golden Guard threatening her with his staff.
"Right, I didn't think this through again", Luz said.
Luz shut the shelter door and faced the Golden Guard.
"So, you're really going to hand all these innocent little guys over to Belos, even though we both know what he does with them", Luz said, "I thought you might be a good guy, maybe even someone who could redeem himself, but you're not my friend, you're just the Golden Guard."
The Golden Guard felt hurt by Luz's words, so he stood down and removed his mask.
"My name is Hunter", the Golden Guard said.
Kikimora drowsily got up and looked at Luz and the Golden Guard (or Hunter, as he had revealed to Luz), but she couldn't see either one of them properly.
"I can't tell who those two are, but it looks like they're trying to rescue the palismen", Kikimora said, "not what I had in mind."
Kikimora fell back asleep, and Luz picked up her whistle, which had fallen off of her when she landed, and climbed onto the hand dragon and sat down in its saddle.
"Hey, good thingy", Luz said, "Boiling Isles will never stop surprising me."
She then turned to Hunter, who was still on the ground.
"You know, it's not too late to switch sides if you want to", Luz said, "we make a pretty good team, don't you think?"
Hunter said nothing and looked away, and Luz took that as a no.
"Oh", Luz said, "okay, then."
Luz blew Kikimora's whistle, and the hand dragon woke up and flew away with the palismen, and Hunter watched them leave.
"I better get out of here before Kiki wakes up", Hunter said.
Hunter got on his staff and flew away, and Kikimora came to her senses and woke up.
"This didn't go how I planned at all", Kikimora said, "but at least the palismen are safe."
After dropping the palismen off at Hexside, and also leaving the hand dragon there, Luz returned to the Owl House and laid down on her sleeping bag, then looked at a picture of her with Camila.
"Everyone got one except me, Mom", Luz said, "maybe I wasn't meant to be here."
At that moment, the window opened, and Luz saw Eda standing on it.
"Eda", Luz said.
"I thought I'd find you here", Eda said.
King climbed through the window.
"We could've used the door", King said.
Luz noticed that Eda and King were both a mess.
"What did you get into", Luz asked.
"We just ran a little errand", Eda said.
"And by that, we robbed the Bonesborough Garden Club", King said.
"The Garden Club", Luz said, "what did you steal from there?"
"Oh, just a little something for you", Eda said, "bring in the wood, Amity!"
Amity, who was about as much a mess as Eda and King, walked in carrying a small, blue log.
"Here you go, Luz", Amity said, "it's palistrom wood."
Luz was surprised to hear that.
"Palistrom wood", Luz asked, "but I thought this was super rare."
"We felt bad that none of the palismen at school chose you, so we stole this for you to carve your own palisman", Eda said.
"I don't know what to say", Luz said.
"No pressure", Eda said, "but whenever you know what you want, we'll start carving."
"If it's okay, I'd like some time to think", Luz said, "it's hard to picture a future without seeing my mom."
"No rush, kiddo", Eda said, "just know, whatever you need from us, we got you."
"Thanks", Luz said.
Luz put the palistrom wood in her summer camp bag.
"Now, come on", Amity said, "we better get ready for school."
"Okay", Luz said, "and then I have to tell you guys all about the craziest adventure I had while you were out."
"You went on an adventure while we were gone", Eda asked.
"Why am I not surprised", King asked.
Back at the Emperor's Castle, Hunter was kneeled before Belos, who was quite annoyed with him.
"So, you return with nothing", Belos said, "is this the thanks I get for taking you in?"
"Of course not", Hunter said, "I want to help, and if you told me how wild magic did this to you, I might be able to find..."
Belos responded by summoning a tendril that barely missed Hunter's face.
"My apologies, I spoke out of turn", Hunter said, "it won't happen again."
"These outbursts are painful, and so is watching you fail", Belos said, "I know you can do better, Hunter."
In the halls of the castle, Kikimora was walking around feeling distressed about something.
"Time's running out", Kikimora said, "if he doesn't turn up soon, I may have no choice but to supplant the Emperor myself."
She then heard someone leaving the throne room, and was very surprised to see that it was Hunter.
"Golden Guard", Kikimora asked, "you're alive?"
Kikimora quickly realized what she had said and re-phrased her words.
"I mean, I heard about the crash in Latissa", Kikimora said.
"Luckily, some travelers picked me up out of the wreckage, so I'm actually doing great", Hunter said, "how about you, did you get a good night's sleep?"
As Hunter walked away, Kikimora began thinking to herself about something that had occurred to her, and over in his room, Hunter lied down on his bed and thought to himself.
"My uncle won't tell me about his curse or why he needs Luz for the Day of Unity, and all that stuff I found in that room of his raises all kinds of questions about him", Hunter said, "it's like he's trying to hide something, but what could it be?"
He then heard a chirping noise, and saw Li'l Rascal on his windowsil.
"A palisman", Hunter said.
Hunter grabbed Li'l Rascal, but after looking at him for a moment, he recognized him and let him go.
"Oh, sorry", Hunter said, "you shouldn't be here, it'd be bad if Belos saw you."
Li'l Rascal chirped and turned into a staff, and then landed in Hunter's hands.
"Oh", Hunter said, "I was not expecting that."
As Hunter looked at his new witch's staff, he remembered something Luz said to him back in Latissa.
"Sometimes, you have to stop and ask yourself if the cause you're fighting for is really a just cause", Hunter said.