AN: So in my original concept for this chapter, Steve was going to have a slightly larger role in the rescue itself. However, as I wrote, I realized that he really didn't actually do anything in the end. So that left me with two options; find a way to justify his presence, or just cut him out. Obviously, I chose the latter. Honestly, think it worked out for the best, and looking back my original plan had several (probably minor, all things considered) issues with it. But I still have a soft spot for these scenes and I didn't want to just delete them, so here's some bonus content.

(Underlined content is unchanged from final product)

". . ." Steve took off his mask. "Ma'am… have I ever told you about my brother?"

Lilith looked back at him. "Yeah, you mentioned him a couple times. What about him?"

"Well…" Steve hesitated, trying to find the best way to put this. "He was one of the kids caught up in the… incident a while back. He managed to make a full recovery in the end, but… Well for a while, we didn't know if he'd make it. And knowing there was nothing I could do about it…" Steve forced the lump in. "It was hard."

Lilith scoffed. "Don't try to pretend it's the same thing. It's not even close."

"No, it isn't," he admitted. "But that day I promised myself that I'd do anything to protect him… No matter the cost."

Lilith groaned. "Yes, you're a much better brother than I was a sister, I know."

Steve ignored her and continued. "Why, if someone were to… I don't know, threaten him or something… Well, I wouldn't really have a choice to do whatever she demanded."

Lilith froze mid-drink, and both she and King stared at him. "What… are you saying?"

"I'm not saying anything," Steve claimed. "In fact, we're not even having this conversation."

"That's…" Lilith shook her head. "No… no, I can't ask you to do that for me."

"You don't have to."

Lilith shot to her feet. "But if the Emperor finds out…" she hissed, "What happens to you then? Or your brother, even?"

"People who help wild witches unwillingly have always been treated less harshly, you know that."

Lilith pulled him close. "Yes, but none of them have been part of his coven!"

Steve averted his eyes. "… There's still time before the ceremony. You have a chance I didn't, and…" he took a deep breath. "If I couldn't help Matt, then… maybe I can at least help Eda."

King made himself known for the first time in a while. "Really? You, a member of the Emperor's Coven, are willing to betray him?"

Lilith raised an eyebrow. "You do realize I'm still technically a member too, right?"

King said "Yeah, but you have a personal reason." And then in a quieter voice "And it's something you should have done a long time ago anyways."

Steve clenched his fist and said spitefully "If Belos actually cared about the Isles, he wouldn't have let a basilisk drain three schools worth of kids before doing something about it."

King decided not to comment on the misplaced aggression in that statement.

"Anyway," Steve continued, looking Lilith straight in the eye, "my point is that whatever you decide, I'm with you all the way ma'am." He glance at the bottle still in her hand. "…As long as it doesn't involve alcohol."

Lilith looked at the bottle in her hand. Was she really going to do this? It was a bad idea – no, a terrible idea.

…So really, it would fit right in with the rest of her life.

With a wave of her hand, she dispersed King's bubble. "So…" she looked over at Steve. "About your brother…"

Steve clapped his hands to his cheeks and let out an overly-dramatic *GASP!* "You monster!"

"Yes," Lilith said softly, as she put the bottle back. "I suppose I am…"

Belos clicked his tongue and slowly shook his head. "Oh Lilith, Lilith, Lilith… I wish I could say I was surprised at this… I had hoped logic would win out over whatever misplaced sympathy you felt for your sister, but… Well…" He let out a slow sigh. "Let's just say that it's been quite some time since I was this disappointed at being proven right. Although…" his gaze wandered over to Steve. "I do have to ask why you're helping them."

"I-I'm sorry sir!" Steve stammered, seriously regretting his choices. "She- she has my brother!"

". . ." Belos seemed to tense slightly as he slowly looked back at Lilith. "Threatening the family of your own subordinates… I must admit, I hadn't thought you would stoop this low."

Lilith scoffed. "As if you have any right to judge me on that!" she claimed, remembering the countless times Belos used the exact same methods to "convince" a witch to join a coven.

Apparently this was the wrong thing to say, as the next thing she knew she had crashed into a wall and was pinned there by Belos' signature red magic. She struggled against the hold, but it all she managed to do was turn her head to see Belos approaching, staff pointed at her and eyes erupting with blue light. Once he was only a few feet away, he paused. "…Stand down," he commanded, though Lilith didn't get the feeling he was talking to her.

Eyes flicking to the side, she was shocked to see Steve, arm extended and spell circle at the ready… pointed directly at Belos' head. "I… I…" His aim lowered slightly but quickly snapped back into place. "I can't do that, sir!"

"St-Steve," Lilith rasped. What was he doing? He couldn't possibly think he could take on the Emperor, could he?"

Belos cocked his head. "…Steve, was it? Well, in that case, Steve, stand down and I will personally assure the safety of both you and your brother…" Belos' head whipped around and his glowing eyes bored into Steve's. "Or don't, in which case the exact opposite will be true!"

Lilith couldn't help but laugh at that, though it came out more as a wheeze. "Now who's threatening his family?" she spat out. Belos' response was to slam her to the ground, without diverting his attention from her co-conspirator. Said co-conspirator held his ground for only a few seconds before lowering his hand.

"You made the right decision," Belos said, turning back to Lilith, still wreathed in crimson energy. "Now leave!"

Steve dejectedly turned and hobbled over to the door, sparing one last look at his (now former) boss before passing through. "I'm sorry, Ma'am," he muttered in a voice so soft even he could barely hear it. The door closed behind him and he collapsed against the nearest wall. "I'm sorry."

Unseen by anyone, Lilith smiled as he left, thankful that at least one person wouldn't have their life be completely ruined by her actions.

"So what shall we do with the traitor?" Kikimora asked in a scarily gleeful voice.

"Yes, that is the question, isn't it…" Belos strode over to the trembling scout.

For his part, Steve was petrified. Figuratively of course, not literally. Although he was suddenly very concerned that may very well change. Was this it, did he just make a massive mistake? And if so, what would happen t-

"… You're fired, Steve."

Steve blinked. "I-I'm sorry, sir, but I-"

"I understand you did what you did for your brother…" Belos's head snapped over to Steve so fast his neck could practically be heard cracking. "Just as you should understand that is the only reason you are not being petrified in their place, am I clear?"

Steve was taken aback. "Y-yes sir."

Belos turned away. "Go home Steve… go home to your brother." As Steve left his presence he added "Maybe one day he'll understand why you did what you had to…"

AN:
Lilith: "Stop or I kill this man's brother!"

Belos: "Excuse me, I'll have you know that I'm the only one allowed to kill brothers around here, thank you very much."

And that's as far as I got before scrapping it. I didn't spend much time cleaning this up, so it's probably a bit rough around the edges at parts. Other scenes I had planed for this involved Steve being picked up by Owl Beast!Eda (Lilith taking the curse on the spot was added later) along with the rest of the group, then being left hogtied in the Owl House to deflect suspicion. He would then be shocked when Belos himself led the raid (this would also be the first time Belos showed up in that scene for the audience as well), leading to the last scene. There would have also been mention of Lilith sending her palisman to leave signs that Mattholomule was being watched, to add credibility to his statement.