Luz woke up before dawn that Sunday. She was still wrapped in Eda's arms and to her horror in her demon form. A part of her was overjoyed to see Eda there. Excited to see she still cared for her, but she couldn't ignore the fact that Eda's eyes were still red and puffy from crying. Luz carefully escaped Eda's grasp and snuck off. She found everyone else still sleeping where they fell the night before, a scorch mark on the floor where she and Hunter assuredly returned, and Hunter's golden guard mask and cloak but no Hunter. Luz wasn't surprised. After everything that happened she had hoped he would stay and let them help, but he needed time and she understood that. She slowly and quietly crept into the kitchen intending to find some stuff to start scrubbing away the scorch mark, but just fell down into a chair and held her head as anxiety and fear overwhelmed her but not enough to 'release the beast'. Hey partner… "At least I still have you P.T." Luz sadly laughed in her head. I will never leave you unless you send me away, Luz. "Did you see everything? I noticed you were quiet after we entered Belos's actual mind?" she asked. Ya once you entered that place you didn't seem to be able to hear me anymore. Luz, I see everything you do unless I actively choose not to. Luz blushes. Don't be like that. I'm no voyeur. I give you your privacy when it's called for. My point was… even when you black out and turn into your beast, I don't. I'm paralyzed but I can still see. Honestly it's not a great feeling, but hopefully someday it won't be an issue anymore. Right now we have a bigger problem though, and we both know what you need to do. It's time. Luz sighed and pulled out her device and sent a message. "Ami, everyone knows. I need your help."
In the kitchen something is cooking in a pot on the stove. King puts on mittens and takes off the pot, then walks over to the table and pours the stuff onto a pancake. Luz is standing nearby looking at the desserts King had prepared while wearing her Grom outfit.
Luz chears King on, "Wow, little brother. This looks great!"
King stammers back, "Thanks. I- I hope he likes it, Sis."
Someone knocks on the door.
Hooty hoots, "Hooty-hoot! We have a visitor!"
What Hooty said grabs Luz's and King's attention.
King cries out, "Dads here!"
Eda goes up to the front door and opens it. Hooty is seen wearing a bowtie. Outside the door stood a tall demon wearing a fedora which resembles King.
Back in the kitchen Luz gathers up some dirty dishes and takes them away from the stove. Owlbert flies into the scene wearing a top hat. Eda brings the tall demon over to the kitchen. Eda is also wearing her Grom outfit.
Eda bows, "Welcome to the Owl House, sir. Hope this place wasn't too hard to find."
The tall demon sighs, "Not at all! Thank you for inviting me. Now that I am free I can't wait to spend time with my family."
King runs up to greet the tall demon and exclaims, "King of Dads! You made it!" King and his dad proceed to give each other a hug.
King's dad smiles down, "Wouldn't have missed it for the world, son. I'm so happy I saw that video of yours. Thanks to you all I am free again. Now, maybe after dinner, we can have a nice game of catch."
King excitedly screams, "Really???"
Luz, King, Hooty, Owlbert, and the echo mouse can be seen sitting at the table.
"Please have a seat, Your Honorable Mr. King of Dads. King prepared a special feast for us all," smiled Luz.
King smiled, "I'm so happy that my demon family finally got to meet my owl family."
Everyone becomes happy and looks at each other after hearing that.
King tears up and begins to stammer, "Seriously, thi- this is amazing! I- It's almost like... a dream…"
A sudden realization hits King and he looks up at everyone sadly as his dream fades Into white. King wakes up curled up on the floor sleeping with an uneasy expression on his face.
Eda shaked him gently, "King... King, come on. It's time to wake up."
King jumps in surprise, "Nyeh! What's going on? Is there trouble?"
Eda sighs, "We're about to find out."
Eda and King peeks out from the doorway and see Luz kneeling down on the floor in the living room with a sad expression on her face and scrubbing at the scorch mark.
Eda calls out, "Luz are you ready to talk?"
"Soon Eda. I… I just need to wait for her to get here please?" Luz stammered and unable to look at her mentor.
Eda looked at her with fear in her eyes, "Ok, kid. We'll wait."
They didn't need to wait long. There was a knock at the door and Amity was there with Willow and Gus. While most of them had a look of guilt on their faces and were avoiding eye contact with Eda, Amity rushed past Eda and King, and wrapped her arms around her love. At Amity's embrace Luz teared up and buried her head in the crook of Amity's neck and hugged her back all the while being careful not to hurt her with her claws. They just held each other for a few minutes either ignoring or forgetting the presence of everyone else. After Luz and Amity finally separated, Luz gestured for everyone to sit down on the couch. Everyone did so except for Amity who refused to let go of Luz's arm or leave her side. After getting everyone a drink, both to buy herself a few more minutes and because this was going to be a long talk.
(Authors note, Luz is passing on P.T.'s statments during the talk)
Once everyone was settled, Luz began by telling them the rest of what happened between her rope breaking and her waking up after. Then she moved on to the events of the days immediately after. How Amity found out and then Gus and Willow. Luz shared her conversations with P.T. except their last one and then she moved away from Amity, and stood with her back to everyone. The whole time everyone else stayed quiet.
Luz held herself as she said, "There was one other conversation we had before P.T. found a way for us to talk whenever we need to…" Luz turned around with tears in her eyes. "Did it ever occur to any of you that you would all out live me? That no matter what we did I would eventually have to leave you? I would die and you all would still have years left?"
No one met her eye, but King and Amity started to tear up.
"Luz none of us know when we will go. It's sad but that's a part of life…" Eda tried to say.
Luz started to laugh, a cold pain filled laugh and fell to her knees. Amity tried to come console her but Luz held her back. "Eda, you know better than anyone that I understand what it does to people when they lose someone. Mama and I survived losing papi, but the pain, it never seems to go away." Luz started to cry while she laughed, "At least there is one good thing that came out of this. None of you need to worry about that anymore."
When everyone just looked on confused and worried Luz explained, "As long as nothing actually kills me, P.T. theorizes that I'll live for thousands of years. Congratulations guys, between my magic and lifespan almost none of you need to ever worry about mourning me. You will never have to deal with the heart tearing pain of being without the only people that have ever accepted you or loved you. I finally found my place and I'm going to be alone again." Luz just curled up and continued to cry even as her form changed into the beast again, but it didn't move and neither did anyone else, except Amity. Amity moved slowly but purposely toward Luz's face.
Eda hissed, "Boots stop. You have no idea what she'll do. It's not safe."
Amity just looked at Eda in the eyes, a spark of anger burning in her golden orbs, "Luz would never hurt me, and I refuse to let her suffer alone." As she got close to Luz's face, Luz looked at her. Then her clawed paw snapped toward her. Everyone gasped and expected the worst, but as they watched Luz just carefully held her to her furred neck.
After a minute King walked up to Luz's face too saying, "Luz I already saw you as a big sister. You didn't need to go through all this. I promise you will never be alone. No matter what, I'll be here with you." Upon hearing that the beast began to shrink and soon Luz was back in her human form on her knees. King just jumped on Luz's head and began hugging it.
Soon everyone had come over and was hugging Luz until she calmed down. Afterwards everyone separated again.
Still wiping tears Luz looked at everyone. "Ok, I'm guessing you all have questions for me and P.T. Shoot and I'll do my best to answer for us."
Eda asked sullenly, "So is this actually a curse or what is it exactly?"
It is and it isn't. That's a complicated question Ms. Clawthorne. It's similar but unlike you, when she masters my power she will have full control. It's not like you where it saps her stamina or harms her physically in any way. In fact despite the emotional damage and long term effects, she's actually more healthy than ever. Ironically her situation is almost exactly a reverse of what yours was. Where you had all of your control taken away, Luz has been given all the control potentially. I won't insult you by trying to call it a blessing but it's not nearly as bad as you fear.
"At this point, could she give it all back if she wanted to," asked Eda.
Sadly no. There is no way to seperate us now that wouldn't kill Luz. All of my strength and power is Luz's now.
King looked on afraid to ask but eventually did, "Does that mean I'll never get to see you Dad? There were so many things I wanted to do with you." King began to tear up.
Luz embraced King warmly, and shot a thought to P.T. and he agreed to try it. Luz smiled at King and held out a clawed hand, and as they watched a palm sized illusion of P.T. appeared in her hand looking at King.
Hello King, my special little guy. I'm so sorry we could never play catch like a normal family, but never doubt that I loaf you and I always will.
King laughed with tears in his eyes, "A bread pun."
Given what we are it's especially sad that the only way we will be able to interact is through Luz, but I never left you or stopped looking over you and at least now, if she's ok with them, maybe Luz or Eda can take my place to do all the things you wanted us to do. I wish I could offer you more, but sadly I can't.
King suddenly got excited, "That reminds me, since you're here. What kind of demon are we?"
Illusion P.T. laughed. Ok I'll tell you but it should have been obvious if anyone had bothered to ask one simple question. What does P.T. stand for? It's Papa Titan. I am the Isles, and you King are the last true Titan. At that the illusion faded and everyone sat stunned, before screaming, "What!"
"King's a Titan… what does that make me… a half-titan… a demi-titan… titan light…" Luz begins to spiral into a combination of wonder and terror and turn fully into her demon form.
"My girlfriend is part Titan. OMT. Oh my Luz. Oh wow," Amity spiraled.
"My kids are literal gods. That's a lot to process. There is no way today could get any crazier," Eda spiraled.
While those three spiraled, King, Willow, and Gus just sat there.
King was surprised but he had always called himself 'The King of Demons' so this just proved him right. He was sad that he'd never get to spend time with his dad the way he wanted but he had a mom (Eda) and a sister (Luz) who loved him and were always there for him, and he had answers and a way to get more now. He had a family. He had answers, and that was enough.
Willow and Gus were of one mind on all this. It was cool, like unbelievably cool, but in the end, it didn't matter. Ever since they found out part of Luz's secret in the woods, they had decided to stand by her no matter what. She was there best friend and nothing could change that.
An hour later and once everyone was calmed down they continued.
"I want to get this out of the way now. I refuse to bow to either of you. You may be Titans but I'm still the 'Strongest Witch on the Isles' and I bow to knowone," Eda said with a wink and a smile.
"We wouldn't ask you to anyway, call it your mom-zemption," laughed King.
For now. At the pace Luz grows you might have to give her that title before too long. I guess I do owe you something for taking care of King all these years though… I doubt you want your curse removed anymore, but maybe Luz and I can find a way to restore your magic eventually. No promises but it's a thought.
Eda looked dumbfounded, but nodded.
Luz looked over to Amity sadly and walked over, "Me amor, I'd understand if you want out now. I love you but are you really ok with this, with me?"
Amity puffed up her cheeks and turned red as she grabbed on to her horns and pulled her to eye level, "So you become some kind of god and think you're getting away from me…" Amity kisses Luz on the lips, and when they separate, "... I think not Noceda. I already told you. I loved you when you were human and I'll keep loving you till you get tired of me."
"I could never get tired of my cotton candy haired goddess," Luz laughed, and they kissed again.
"Ok Boots/kid stop sucking face. If all this happened before last night… what happened in there," Eda asked.
Willow, Gus, and Amity looked confused.
Gus worriedly asked, "What happened last night."
"There was an accident. Luz and Hunter ended up in the Emperor's mind," stated Eda.
When everyone looked at Luz they noticed she had stiffened and began to break out in a cold sweat as a flashback from inside Belos' mindscape replayed in her mind. Specifically when the Collector showed themself and moved their way towards the portal, changing into multiple abstract forms along the way. Then changes to show the moment Luz became angry after Hunter got sucked into the ground. Lastly, she saw an eight year old Hunter(?) laying on the ground as he bled and found nothing but disdain looking back at him.
Luz sighs and asks P.T. if he can help her do this right, and he agrees.
After ten minutes all the furniture was moved to the edges of the room. At P.T's suggestion Luz asked Gus to hold her hand. Gus felt a warmth flow into him through his hand and up his arm, and together he and Luz drew a spell circle. As Gus's eyes glowed, giving his expertise in forming illusions, Luz provided the details to them. All around everyone saw what Luz saw and heard what she heard as she told them what happened. They saw the palisman monster. Experienced Belos's crimes as clearly as Luz and Hunter did. Before they got to each of the Hunter memories Luz paused and almost lost control of both herself and the magic, but thanks to a gentle squeeze by Amity of her other hand Luz regained control. After that they got to what Luz described as the 'peak of the poo-show'. Luz revealed Belos's real identity, and her part in this whole fiasco. She also unintentionally revealed Hunter's secret. After a point the illusion got hazy until P.T. stepped in to show the rest. Once she was done Luz collapsed, whether from strain or stress nobody knew.
When Luz woke up she saw King and Hooty looking at Luz with a shocked expression on their faces, and Eda with her hand clasped over her mouth. She then looks up at Luz. Luz just sat there staring back at them, looking despondent. She is covered with a blanket and holding a cup of hot drink. King's toy plushies were stacked around her, and Amity was holding her close.
Eda inhales deeply before saying, "This is just a lot to take in."
"We don't have time to take anything in. We have to stop Belos! I- I was a part of his plan! I-I fell for everything!" cried Luz, tearing up, almost on the verge of crying and her fur starting to ripple.
"Everyone you know what to do," yelled Eda as all of Luz's family and friends came up and hugged her, and the rippling stopped.
Eda sighed, "Well, one thing's for sure. People can tell when you've been inside their head. It's only a matter of time before Belos sends his scouts over here. We all need to hide."
Luz looks determinedly at Eda, "I'm not hiding. I'm gonna stop Belos from completing the Draining Spell. I... just... need to figure out how. P.T. got any ideas?"
Not that you can handle yet. Your strong Luz but the power and control required to counter a spell that big is beyond either of us right now. Without knowing how he made his brands, I wouldn't know where to begin in trying to remove them. Taking control of the spell once it's cast would kill us at the moment. In theory we could reveal ourselves but there's no telling how that would go. People might believe us, or we could end up captured. If he gets us I have no doubt he could find a way to siphon off our magic, and then he really would be unstoppable… we could free the Collector. I owe him that much at least since I trapped him in the first place, but then we take the risk of doubling our problems.
"What is the story with the Collector anyway?" thinks Luz. Story for another time.
Lilith suddenly appears at the door along with Owlbert.
Lilith cries, "Edalyn!"
Hooty yells, "Lulu!"
Hooty immediately stretches towards Lilith, accidentally tightening his body around Luz and everyone else and choking them.
Lilith started crying, "I came as fast as I could. Owlbert filled me in on the Draining Spell. Oh, Titan, I can't believe this is what the Day of Unity was about the whole time. Ugh, I was such a fool, a dolt, a chump, a- Wait… what happened to Luz?"
Eda sighs, "A lot of things happened this morning. For now, no pity parties in this house. Besides, Luz is upset enough as it is."
Lilith steels her nerve, "You're right. I'll do anything to help, but if there's more I need to know, please fill me in.
"Ok Boots and Goops, I'm putting you in charge of filling in Lily. Luz, King, Specs, and I are going to start packing up, and hiding what we can't take with us," ordered Eda. "Let's go everyone we need to be quick, Titan only knows when Belos's goon squad will show up."
It took nearly two hours to get everything squared away, but they did it. After a lot of arguing Gus and Willow agreed to return home, with the caveat that Amity would keep in touch and keep them in the loop. Amity was unmovable on the matter. She flatly refused to leave Luz to fight alone, and she made a good point that neither Eda nor Lilith had their magic at the moment. She also pointed out that if they were going to hide it would be an excellent chance to train Luz and herself. Between Eda, Lily, and P.T. they had an opportunity to learn from three of the five most magically capable and knowledgeable beings on the isles. The only beings arguably in their weight class were Belos and the Collector, the very beings they would probably have to fight. She did agree to talk to Edric and Emira though, both to hide her absence from their parents and if anyone could find a way to sabotage their Abomitrons it was those two. She would not be telling them anything about Luz's situation. Everyone agreed that was for the best though. With that everyone dispersed.
_
On the knee Eda, King, Luz, Amity, and Lilith take refuge in the Slitherbeast's abandoned cave.
"Are you sure that monster isn't coming back?" asked Eda.
"Ya after I kicked its butt twice in two days it moved on," declared Luz.
After setting up camp, Amity came over to Luz and whispered in her ear, "Hey botata, do you mind if I take Lilith? I've been putting off a conversation with her and it needs to happen before we get down to training tomorrow."
Luz smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "Do what you need to do hermosa, but promise me you won't hurt my cool Aunt. She's changed a lot since she was your mentor."
With a smile Amity walked over to Lilith and got her attention. "Lilith I think it's time you and I had a talk, just the two of us," Amity said sternly.
Lilith sighed and followed Amity outside and far enough that they wouldn't be overheard, but could still get help if needed. "I think I know what this is about. Just let me find somewhere to sit before you start," she says while finding a log and sitting down. "Go ahead Amity."
Amity just looked at Lilith and her attitude and began getting red with anger, "Really Lilith! Your first thought is to find a comfy seat. You say you know why I want to talk and then you treat it like nothing. Are you serious right now? I wanted to have a calm talk and try to make being around each other again less awkward but forget that. You snoody, self centered, frigid monster. I can't believe that I ever looked up to you, and wanted to be like you."
As Amity caught her breath, Lilith stated, "Is that it? Honestly I'm kind of disappointed. I understand your angry, but come on. That's the best you got. I cursed Edalyn when we were kids. Hunted her for years. Captured and tried to kill Luz to draw her out, and then took advantage of the curse I gave her to capture her. But not before mocking her for said curse at every possibility. I sold my proverbial soul to a despot that intends to murder every living person on the isles. I helped him use and abuse the people I should have been protecting, especially people like you. I knew the kind of monster your mother was and I did nothing. I watched her abuse you and your siblings mentally for years. I saw how she overworked your father, making sure he was busy all the time and never around to be there for any of you kids. All that time I stayed silent, or worse I helped her mold you into the perfect monster. All of both of our worst traits and none of our scant redeeming qualities. Amity I know I trained you better than this. If you're going to call me on all my mistakes, at least go for the throat… I don't deserve any less." As Lilith finished she pulled her knees to her chest and started to cry.
Amity looked on stunned. She had never seen her mentor crack under pressure or shed a single tear, much less openly weep. In that moment Amity saw what Luz meant; this woman wasn't Lilith Clawthorne, leader of the emperor's coven, right hand of Belos, and confident frosty mentor of the peak of the witch elite. She was just a poor sad soul who was used and abused before being thrown away. The witch she was mad at was gone, if she ever truly existed at all. After that moment of realization and regret, Amity walked over to Lilith and hugged her. Lilith just looked at her confused.
"You know, it's not fair that I got such a wicked witch for a mentor. When this person was there all the time. To be honest though it wasn't that bad. Sure she was harsh and demanding, but she gave me praise. She wasn't just cruel to be cruel. She pushed me to be better. To never be satisfied with what I had, and always reach for more. I think in her own way she cared about me. She was there when I needed to talk. She listened to me at a time when no one else did. Lilith sure we were monsters, but we were monsters together. You may have been my mentor, but for a long time you were the closed thing I had to a loving mother. Don't worry so much about the past. Neither of us are the monsters we were anymore, and if you want I would happily be the student of this new Lilith Clawthorne. I think we can learn a lot from each other," Amity said happily as tears fell down her cheek.
"I don't know Amity. I'm not even half the witch I was, and you deserve someone so much better than me to be your mentor," Lilith sighed.
"No. I can't think of anyone more qualified than you to teach me. You understand what it's like to be drawn to power, to excellence, and how a small mistake can blow up into something horrible. You understand me. We know what each other are capable of, and best of all, except for Luz, I don't think there's anyone I trust more to keep me honest and on the right road, and I promise you I'll do the same for you," beamed Amity.
Lilith grinned through her tears, "I'll tell you a secret Amity. There was always a part of me that was jealous of Odalia. She never deserved you, and not that I do either, but if I did have a daughter I always wished she'd be like you."
After that the two just hugged and chatted about random meaningless stuff. They were just happy to be together again, and this time they were going to be better than ever.
_
Back in the cave, King was napping in the corner. Eda and Luz were all alone, and sitting by a fire they had made to chase away the chill of the knee in silence. The only sound they heard for a while was the crackling of the fire until Eda broke it.
"Luz. I need you to answer a question for me that's been gnawing at me all day," asked Eda.
Luz looked over at her mentor happily, "Sure Eda. I'm an open book."
Eda looked into the fire and sighed, "Kid I need you to be honest with me. No lies to try to make me feel better. Why didn't you come to me then you found out what was happening to you? Did you not trust me?"
Luz looked horrified before also looking into the flames, "No Eda it was nothing like that. I trust you with my life-"
"Then why didn't you come to me? I know I haven't always been the best mentor, and I'm sorry for that, but I never thought you'd hide something like this from me. I thought-," Eda jerked her head back toward Luz. She was beginning to tear up.
"Eda I'm sorry. I know I hurt you, but I couldn't tell you," Luz looked away in shame.
"Why not kid. We've never been afraid to be honest with each other before-" began Eda before she was interrupted.
Luz yelled and began to cry, "Because I already disappointed one mother. I couldn't do it again. I cursed myself. After everything you went though and everything I had to watch you go through, I did it to myself. You had finally gotten your curse under control. You were the happiest I'd ever seen you. I couldn't take that away from you. When I started to change for the first time, you were the person I wanted to run to. I wanted to beg you for help. I wanted to let you take me under your wing like you always do and make me feel safe again. You are Edalyn Clawthorne, Strongest Witch on the Isle, notorious criminal, owl lady, part-time harpy, and there's nothing you can't do, but more than that you are my Owl Mom. You've done so much for me. You kept me safe. You listened to me. You accepted a weird little human girl into you home, and then you helped teach her magic. Eda you are everything I wanted to be when I came to the isles. You're strong, smart, and so confident that nobody's opinion mattered to you. You were yourself with no excuses. So I hide what happened like a child. Multiple times I thought about telling you, but every time I saw your disappointed face in my head. So I stayed silent."
Eda reached out and held Luz close while she cried, "Oh kid. I really failed you as a mentor if that's what you thought. I was a mess before you came through my door. I wasn't living. I was only surviving day to day. The only thing keeping me going was spite for everyone around me. I wasn't a good person. I hurt and stole from people everyday and thought nothing of it. You were the best thing that ever happened to me. You brought light and wonder back into my dark empty existence. I had someone who looked up to me. Someone I couldn't let down. If I was happiest when I got my curse under control, it was because I didn't need to worry about hurting you or leaving you behind again. Luz you couldn't disappoint me. You are the daughter I didn't know I wanted. You could never disappoint me. If I didn't already know you have a mother waiting for you, I would have claimed you as a Clawthorne a long time ago."
Luz began to stutter, "But-but-but Eda, I messed up. I helped Belos. I gave him what he needed to find the Collector. Everything that's happening is my-"
"None of that kid. That's guano and you know it. You help people. It's your real gift and curse. That Philip guy just took advantage of you, and that's nothing to be ashamed of. He's been grifting and taking advantage of people for over fifty years. In your situation I would have made the same mistake. I love you kid. No matter what happens tomorrow or after that my doors will always be open to you, just please never keep anything like this from me again. I can't help if you aren't open with me," Eda said while holding Luz like a mother bird and slowly rubbed circles on her back.
Luz smiles back at her mentor again, "Ok mom. No more secrets. Never again."
"Good because so help me if you show up on my door with Boots and a baby, I'm going to be pissed," Eda said sternly but with a mischievous smile.
Luz just blushed and tried to hide her face.
_
After everyone joined up again, now free of almost all the pain and fear that was holding them down they all laughed, ate dinner, and made a plan for how this training was going to proceed. It was decided that each morning Luz and P.T. would play instructor teaching the other witches glyphs and after everyone had a firm grasp they would all put their heads together to experiment with new combos. In the afternoon all three mentors would work on showing their apprentices how to use and perform the standard type of magic both as a group and one on one. Sometimes the Clawthornes would even switch apprentices for a day. At night before they eat dinner and went to rest they would spar one on one, two v. two, or even three on one. Everyone knew that there would be a few free for alls in there too, but where's the fun in planning those. Also Luz decided it was time for her to finally start carving her palisman and she intended to use whatever downtime she had doing so.
After everything was settled all the kids went to bed. To no ones surprise and despite starting on opposite sides of the cave, eventually Luz and Amity ended up with their sleeping bags next to each other and holding each other while they slept. After a couple nights, everyone gave up trying to seperate them and just accepted that somethings can't be fought against.
It was on one of these early nights where Eda and Lilith found themselves alone together, just watching their kids sleep peacefully. When suddenly Lilith noticed Eda crying.
"Sister? What's wrong?" asked Lilith, feeling worried.
Eda just kept quietly crying, "Oh, this is so much bigger than I imagined, Lily. I thought Luz was just some lost kid, but because of me she's wrapped up in this thing with Belos and it- it's just not fair. She and King are children. My children. They shouldn't have to deal with this."
Lilith gives Eda a hug, and reassures her, "We have a few weeks until the Day of Unity. We'll figure out how to keep them safe I promise. We have lost too much already to Philip's schemes. We aren't losing our kids too."
Eda looked at her sister and smiled, "They got to you too, didn't they? Look at us. Not to long ago we were at each other's throats, and refusing to have any kind of contact otherwise. Now we are sitting here like a pair of mother birds, fretting over our chicks. Life is strange. Isn't it Lily?"
Lilith just smiled back, "It is, and we have one young crazy human girl to thank for it. Luz really is a special girl. She brings even the most powerful and surly monsters to bare, and somehow she does it without threats or fighting. She just slowly changes everyone around her into better people. Even without all the powers she's gained recently she is still one of a kind, unwavering and bright."
Eda just laughs at Lilith's words until she notices her confused expression. "Lily, it's ironic that that's how you describe her. In Spanish, her human language she sometimes slips into; her name, Luz Noceda, can literally be translated as 'light that doesn't give up'."
Lilith starts laughing too, "A perfect name for someone like her. You know someday we are going to have to thank her mom personally for letting us borrow her light. We might just owe our lives to a woman we've never met."
"Definitely Lily. Now we'd better get to sleep or Professor Noceda over there is going to get cranky. Good night Lily," Eda yawned as she fell asleep.
"Good night Eda," said Lilith, still smiling as she did the same.
Far away from the happy family, multiple Coven Scouts can be seen running up and surrounding something, each with a spell circle ready at their fingertip.
The guard captain can be heard yelling, "We have them surrounded.
And Kikimora can be heard saying, "Good. Arrest anyone inside. For the Emperor."
The Coven Scouts have surrounded the Owl House and released a battle cry of, "For the Emperor!" as they charge forward.
_
More than any other chapter, this is the one I put the most heart into. This chapter had to be perfect, or I would never forgive myself. More than any other chapter, I need reviews for this one. The stage is almost set. There is only one more chapter before we begin the final part of this section of the story and find out what effect all of this has had on our antagonists. The epic conclusion is fast approaching and then… we explore a whole new world. The only character not in the know now is Camila and that's going to be deep. I really hope I did this story justice so far. See you next time, where we get to see the opening 'moves and countermoves'.