The group of rebels had managed to get far away from the ruins of the Conformatorium, and were all together somewhere in the woods.
"Well, that went well", Gus said.
"Yes it did", Luz said, "great work everyone, you were all amazing."
"Thanks, Luz", Skara said, "but we couldn't have done it without your leadership."
"Yeah", Amelia said, "you're the one who planned everything out."
"They're right", Eda said, "you did a pretty good job leading them."
Luz blushed in response to all the praise she was receiving.
"Awe", Luz said, "thanks, everyone."
Then, she felt a hand touch her shoulder, and turned around to find Amity behind her.
"I knew you'd come and rescue us", Amity said.
"Of course I would", Luz said, "I couldn't let the people closest to me get turned into statues, especially my awesome girlfriend."
Amity's face went red, and after looking at each other for a moment, the two girlfriends shared a kiss.
"I'm not sure what's going to happen next", Luz said, "but whatever it is, do you promise you'll be there by my side for it?"
"Yes, Luz", Amity said, "I promise."
"Thank you", Luz said.
In another part of the area, Eda noticed Raine talking to the other BATs, and decided to talk to them.
"You know", Eda said, "I was surprised to see you again."
"You were", Raine asked.
"Yeah", Eda said, "what made you decide to join the fight?"
"Well, I can definitely tell you that me being there wasn't a coincidence", Raine said, "I overheard Luz talking to everyone about her plan and decided to follow them so I could free the others and then join the fight."
"And we're glad she did", Katya said, "it was getting boring in that cell."
"You can say that again", Derwin said.
"Well, it's good to know you're okay, Raine", Eda said, "I've been worried about you ever since you went into hiding."
"You worried about me", Raine asked.
"Yes", Eda said, "it felt so good seeing you after so many years."
"It felt good seeing you again too", Raine said.
"I loved spending time with you again", Eda said, "I didn't want it to end."
"I see", Raine said, "well, maybe we can pick up where we left off."
"What do you mean", Eda asked.
"It looks to like you all are planning to put an end to the Emperor and his ambitions", Raine said, "what do you say to a little help from someone who has experience in that kind of work?"
"We'll help too", Amber said.
"Really", Eda asked.
"Sure", Raine said, "if you'll have us, that is."
"Rainestorm", Eda said, "I'd be happy to."
"Really", Raine asked.
"Sure", Eda said, "I'll talk to Luz and see what she thinks."
"Thank you, Eda", Raine said.
"Anything for you", Eda said.
Eda walked away, and Raine began to think about something else.
"And maybe I should also consider picking up where Eda and I left off on our love as well", Raine thought.
Elsewhere, Luz was walking around, and she noticed Hunter, whose clothes had been returned to him, sitting on a rock with Li'l Rascal on his shoulder.
"Looks like something's bothering Hunter", Luz thought, "maybe I should go check on him."
Luz walked over to Hunter, and he looked up at her.
"Hey, Hunter", Luz said, "good to see you again."
"Yeah", Hunter said, "you too."
"How are you feeling", Luz asked.
"Fine, I guess", Hunter said.
"It looks like that cardinal from the palisman rescue chose you as his master", Luz said.
"I was as surprised as you are when he chose me", Hunter said, "at first I wasn't sure, but after a bonding with him, I got more and more attached to him, and..."
"You began thinking of him as a friend", Luz said.
"That's right", Hunter said, "but what I still don't understand is of all the witches in the Boiling Isles he could've chosen as his master, why'd he choose me?"
"Maybe he saw something in you that no one else did", Luz said.
"Yeah, maybe", Hunter said.
"But whatever the reason, it's that bond between the two of you that led to you being here with us", Luz said.
"I guess so", Hunter said, "you know, I've actually been suspicious of Belos for a while now."
"You have", Luz asked.
"Yes", Hunter said, "there are so many secrets that man is hiding besides the reason he needs you for the Day of Unity."
"Such as", Luz asked.
"His curse", Hunter said.
"Emperor Belos is cursed", Luz asked.
"That's right", Hunter said, "he claims that wild magic was what caused it, but I don't know more than that."
"That would explain his hatred of wild magic", Luz said.
"The only thing that can keep the curse at bay is the essence of palismen", Hunter said, "that's why he ordered me to bring all those palismen at Hexside to him."
"I see", Luz said.
"But I don't think that's the biggest secret he's keeping", Hunter said, "there's something else."
"What is it", Luz asked.
Hunter told Luz about all the stuff she had found in Belos' room.
"Wow", Luz said, "sounds like that was a pretty big discovery."
"It was", Hunter said, "and it's making me question everything I know."
At that moment, Eda, Lilith, and Amity walked over to the two.
"What's going on over here", Eda asked.
"Don't mind us", Luz said, "we're just having a conversation."
"Talking to the amazing Golden Guard, I see", Lilith said.
"Hello, Lilith", Hunter said.
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen", Lilith said, "to think you were once Emperor Belos' most trusted ally, and now you're nothing but a traitor."
"Don't be a smart ass", Hunter said, "my story's almost the same as yours."
"He's got a point", Eda said, "you betrayed Belos to try and save me."
"I see", Lilith said, "well played, Golden Brat."
"So, what are you guys talking about", Amity asked.
"Hunter was just telling me some of the stuff he learned about Emperor Belos", Luz said.
"What kind of stuff", Eda asked.
"Some strange books he found in Belos' room", Luz said, "including a diary belonging to a human named Philip Whittebane."
"What would a human's diary be doing in the Boiling Isles", Amity asked.
"I don't know", Hunter said, "but based on what I read, it looks like he was the first human on the Boiling Isles, and also the one who created the portal."
"Huh", Eda said, "I always wondered who made that thing."
"And there was one more book I found titled 'Precious Memories'", Hunter said, "but Belos caught me before I could read it."
"Precious Memories", Luz asked, "what kind of memories could he have in that book?"
"I don't know", Hunter said, "but what I do know is that I may not have known my uncle as well as I thought I did."
Everyone was surprised by that sudden revelation.
"Emperor Belos is your uncle", Luz asked.
"He never told me you were his nephew", Lilith said.
"I call him my uncle, but I don't know how distant our relationship is", Hunter said, "though, I'm beginning to doubt that the two of us are actually related."
"This is all really strange", Amity said, "but not as strange as his obsession with Luz."
"Yeah", Eda said, "what is the role he wants you to play when the Boiling Isles become part of the human realm?"
"Who knows", Luz said, "but when he spoke to me, it sounded like he wanted me to join his cause."
"I've got a feeling there's more to it than that", Hunter said.
"You might be right", Luz said, "he told me that I'd learn the answers to questions that I've asked for a long time."
"You're not going to join him, are you", Amity asked.
"No", Luz said, "I've made my choice."
Luz walked forward and looked out into the distance.
"I'm going to fight against Belos and put an end to him and his plans once and for all", Luz said, "and then, when this is all over, I'll try and find a way back home to my Mom."
"And we'll help you every step of the way", Eda said.
"All of us", Amity said.
"Thanks, you guys", Luz said, "you have no idea what this means to me."
Eda, Lilith, and Amity got together in a group hug with Luz, and she looked at Hunter, who was still sitting on the rock.
"What are you just sitting there for", Luz asked, "get in the group hug with us!"
"Me", Hunter asked.
"I don't see any other guys named Hunter here", Luz said.
"Well, alright", Hunter said, "if you insist."
Hunter walked over to the group and joined them in the group hug.
"This feels weird", Hunter said.
"You get used to it", Eda said.
At last, the five friends separated, and Luz began to think to herself.
"I doubt Belos took his defeat very lightly", Luz said, "I wonder what he's up to now."
In the portal room of the Emperor's castle, various Emperor's Coven members were working on the portal, and near the door, Kikimora was speaking to herself about something.
"It's hard to believe that diminutive creature is really him", Kikimora said, "but my master says that he is the one, so he must be the one who will save us all."
At that moment, Belos entered the room, and Kikimora turned towards him in attention.
"Emperor Belos", Kikimora said, "I'm pleased to report that construction of the portal is almost complete."
"Wonderful, Kiki", Belos said, "at least something's starting to go right for us."
Belos walked away from Kikimora and went over to Odalia and Alador, who were both helping with construction of the portal.
"Odalia, Alador", Belos said, "there's something I need to discuss with you."
"What is it, my lord", Odalia asked.
"During the battle against Luz and her newfound forces, I couldn't help but notice your latest creation fighting against your former daughter", Belos said.
"You mean our Abomaton 2.0", Odalia asked.
"Yes", Belos said, "up until it was melted by your biological children, it performed remarkably well."
"Thank you", Alador said, "I've spent years coming up with a new kind of abomination warrior, at at long last, my efforts have borne fruit."
"Indeed", Belos said, "now, here is what I would like to discuss with you."
Belos clapped his hands.
"Steve", Belos said, "the payment."
Steve walked into the room carrying a heavy chest, and then set it on the ground and opened it up, revealing it to be full of snails, much to the amazement of the Blight parents.
"My word", Odalia said.
Alador took a handful of snails from the chest and rubbed the golden coins against his face.
"This feels so good", Alador said.
"What are you giving us all this money for", Odalia asked.
"As I said, the Abomaton you unleased during the battle peaked my interest", Belos said, "so, I wish to purchase every single one that you have, and will also fund for research and development to make them stronger."
"W-We'd be honored, Emperor Belos", Odalia said, "isn't that right, dear?"
"Yes", Alador said, "very honored."
"I should hope so", Belos said, "I don't like the idea of my subjects raising a private army."
Belos walked away, and Odalia and Alador looked at each other.
"Raising a private army", Odalia asked.
"Yes", Alador said, "why didn't we think of that?"
Odalia hit her husband on the shoulder, and Belos walked up to the portal and took a good look at it.
"A new era will soon begin on the Boiling Isles", Belos said, "and Luz will be at the head of it once I have her in my hands again."
Belos took out a photo and looked at it.
"I always think to myself what could've been", Belos said, "and wonder if things could've gone differently."
The photo was of a young woman who bore a striking resemblance to Camila.
This is not the end, but rather just the beginning.
AN: Well, there you have it, folks. My fourth Owl House chapter story is finally complete. I gotta say, it was hard work writing this story, especially with school going on. But in the end, I finally managed to complete it, and I'm quite satisfied with the end result. As for the next story, I'm sorry to tell you that you might have to wait a while for it, as I'll be busy with school, as well as projects for other categories. However, I do plan on writing an Owl House oneshot at some point that serves as a sort of prelude for the next story. One more thing, I hope that I've given you all enough clues to get a good idea for what Belos wants Luz for and why. Well, that's about all I have to say. Thank you all for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the story.