It was the night after what would come to be called 'The Battle of Hexside' and up on the Knee Luz and Amity still hadn't heard anything from the rest of their squad. Luz tried to not let her mounting worry affect everyone's training, but she wasn't fooling anyone. Eventually she just gave up and sat on one of the logs they had made by the fire to relax in. Luz you need to relax. If you keep stressing yourself out like this you are going to beast out again. You are doing so well and your friends are strong. Trust them. "I'm trying big papa, but they are precious to me. They are more than my best friends. We are family. I can't stand to think about anything happening to them," thought Luz. I know partner, more than anyone I do, but you do them a major disservice by worrying like this. You were the one who helped Willow take the first steps into blossoming into the unstoppable force she is today. Together you two managed to show poor Gus that it was ok to trust others again. Through your boundless love and compassion you managed to help a nearly broken girl find her way back to the person she was always meant to be. You managed to not only find and learn from two of the most powerful witches alive today, but you managed to find a way to mend years of pain and distrust between them and in so doing restore the Clawthorne family. Lastly you found a traumatized young man who had been forced to undergo unspeakable tramas, and you gave him the one thing he has never had. A loving family that would protect him with their lives. You have built a strong family for yourself here. One founded on love and trust. Don't throw that trust away now. It's ok to be ready to support them in any way you can, but you have to let them stand on their own. You can't be the only one holding up the sky, and they want to help. "Your right. I know you are, but I can't convince my heart to stop aching. I've tried distracting myself with training, but it just makes me notice more and more how much I miss them," said Luz aloud, gaining King's attention.
After coming over to Luz and sitting down next to her he spoke, "You having another conversation with Dad sis?"
"Ya little bro. Big papa is trying to convince me to stop worrying about our friends back home, and I know he's right but it's not that easy," sighed Luz.
"Big papa? That's a new one. You experimenting with more nicknames?" asked King.
Luz just smiled at him, "Don't be sour bro. You know I always rise to the occasion."
"Oh no, my only weakness… bread puns," laughed King. "I'm really happy that he chose you Luz. You really are the coolest older sister a tiny tyrant can ask for."
"Aw buddy. That's not fair, you're going to make me crumb-ble. I'm just happy that this form doesn't make you uncomfortable, and I have a new respect for you. Having claws is rough," cooed Luz as she gave King a hug.
"To be honest with you Luz, it was a bit intimidating at first, but since you have basically spent the whole time we have been up here in it. It just feels natural now, and it's… nice having another person around who looks like me. It helps being 'one of a kind' not feel so lonely, and I can finally get all the answers I've ever wanted. No more stumbling in the dark, and making guesses about who I am and what I can do. I'm happier than I've ever been, and it's all thanks to you. So if this is how the rest of them are feeling too, I can say without a doubt that they feel ten feet tall and invincible," smiled King. "Iluminaste nuestras vidas y encendiste nuestro fuego. Permítanos mostrarle cuán brillantemente podemos arder." (You lit up our lives and sparked our fire. Let us show you just how brightly we can burn.)
"Muy bueno, King. Amity better watch out or you might take her top student crown," luz laughed while giving King a bully scratch. She really did feel better.
With a week and a half to go before the Day of Unity, Willow finally got in touch.
(QueenOfGreen) Ok away team, it's time to come back.
(Luzura) Hello_Willow? I'm loving the new name. Ok we will start collecting our things now. We can be back at base in a few hours.
(QueenOfGreen) Not needed. Meet us on Friday at our second home around first light, fuzz free. A lot has happened and it's time we made a plan and united front.
(Luzura) We can start planning now. Just call the rest of the squad.
(QueenOfGreen) Negative boss. The rest of the squad and I had to make a decision without you and WITCHCHICK. We have new allies. It's best if the details wait till we are face to face. I'm sorry.
(Luzura) Wow, ok. We trust you. See you then.
Luz looked at Amity in concern, "Something is up hermosa. Willow is acting odd and they made a decision without involving us. That is rules two and three broken, I'm worried that rule one may be broke two."
"No way, me amor borroso. There is no way they would betray us, but you know what we have to do," said Amity sadly.
"Mom, Aunt Lily, King, family meeting," yelled Luz.
Ten minutes later everyone was as concerned as Luz was. "Specs has always been reliable, but we would be fools to not plan for every possibility," said Eda. Everyone else just nodded. "I say we go to the meeting, but King, Lily, and I will hang back and step in if it goes sideways. Nobody knows how strong you three have gotten up here, so there is no way anyone could prepare for the heat yall are packing," smiled Eda mischievously.
"In the meantime we have one more day to cover anything anyone needs help with, and to pack up. Honestly though, I think we're good. I have never seen a more powerful trio of witches. Belos better watch his back because we are coming for him," confidently stated Lilith
On Friday in the first rays of dawn human Luz and Amity stood in front of the stairs of Hexside. In the treeline Eda, Lilith, and King were hiding under an invisibility spell that King was maintaining. They all stood with held breaths for over an hour until one of the many secret doors of Hexside opened up behind the bushes next to the door, and Willow came out immediately wrapping her best friends in a warm hug.
"Sorry girls. It took a bit longer than we thought to get everyone ready, but we are. Where is everyone else?" asked Willow with a hint of concern.
"We had to make sure. You guys were acting odd so we were worried this might have been a trap," said Amity seriously.
"But clearly we were worried over nothing. I'll signal them," said Luz with a smile as she shot off green sparks from her hand.
"You can do magic now without changing Luz?" said Willow in awe.
As the others came over, Luz shot Willow a wink, "Nope, but I can maintain a spell I already cast. Like say an illusion of my human form." Which made Willow laugh.
"Ok Specs. I like the cloak and dagger thing as much as the next fugitive, but it's time to explain. What's going on? And who are these allies?," grumbled Eda.
"Just another minute my dear Owl Lady. Everyone follow me into our new alliance meeting room," said Willow cheerfully as she directed them through the door she had just come out of and closed the door behind them. A minute later everyone was standing in the central room of the web of secret doors that led all over Hexside. Awaiting them was Gus, Hunter, Skara, Viney, and two adults in obscuring cloaks.
"OMT Luz, Amity it's so good to see you," said the other teens as they rushed forward to wrap them in a hug.
"Gus, Willow, and Hunter refused to tell us ware you were. All they said was that you were safe and training to take down Belos. Did you do it? Can we really pull this off," asked Skara and Viney.
"So our heroes have finally decided to join us, and look Raine. They brought your precious Owl Lady with them. How great for you," said a masculine voice from one of the cloaked figures.
"Be nice Darius. You know as well as I do that Belos has an odd fascination with the human, and… just shut up," groaned Raine as both of the pair removed their hoods.
"I just don't see how a human, a little demon, an admittedly half-decent abomination witch, and their two powerless mentors can really make that big of a difference," said Darius in frustration.
"In that case why don't we get this meeting started," sighed Raine as she turned to address the rest of the room. "Everybody ready?" After everyone nodded they sat in a circle around a table they summoned for the event. "Ok so since we all need to trust each other I'll start. Darius and I represent the CAT's…"
"I did not agree to that name," huffed Darius.
Rain continued though, "Or the Covens Against the Throne. Ever since I was 'captured' by Darius and Eber we have been working on finding out the secrets behind the Day of Unity and have slowly been amassing allies. I'm assuming everyone is already aware of the draining spell so I'll skip over that for now. We offer insider knowledge of the emperor's orders, what new info we can share, and our experience."
Next Viney spoke up, "Skara and I represent the Hexside alliance. We may not be fully trained and young, but we represent the majority of unbranded witches on the Isles. If the draining spell is going to work through them, we might be the only ones who will be able to act if and once it starts. In the meantime we offer use of our secret halls as a safe meeting place to plan, and our support in whatever way we can."
Finally it was their turn and after sharing a look Amity spoke calmly and clearly, "I don't really know what to say here. Darius is right to an extent. We aren't much to look at, but I'm not being overconfident when I say the six of us represent the single strongest force on the Isles by a wide margin…"
Darius laughed to himself, but was once more ignored as Amity continued, "Especially Luz, King, and I in that order. We offer to be the tip of the spear. If you all can manage to handle disrupting the actual spell, we will take care of Belos personally."
"This is ridiculous. They are clearly mad. I say we take command and handle this ourselves," angrily shouted Darius.
"I can't say I fully agree with Darius, but that's a lot to believe without any proof, Amity. Maybe you should share with the group what makes you so confident about all this," stated Raine, clearly intrigued.
After sharing a look with Amity and King, Luz took over talking for their group, "Ok I guess it's time for all cards to be on the table, but first can you guys fill us in on what we missed," asked Luz. So for the next hour Willow, Raine, and Viney shared what they had missed including Willow's victory over Terra and Gus's over Graye, and the subsequent alliance between the CATs and HSA.
Once they had finished, and Amity/Luz had finished congratulating Willow and Gus on their accomplishments. Luz spoke again, " Ok it's our turn. Gus mind giving me some help again. I think a visual showing will be best again."
Gus beamed as he took Luz's hand again, and his eyes lit up blue once more, "This is going to be my best show yet."
"So before I begin, please keep all questions till a break. We will probably need a few before we're done," declared Luz as she seamlessly shifted into her demon form to everyone else's shock. "So almost two months ago, I was testing a new portal door home…" Luz started. Above the table an Illusion took shape that showed her story as she told it. "Unfortunately for me at the time it didn't work quite right. I ended up in The Inbetween. That's where I met a figure who offered me power and knowledge if I helped them, and I took it. He goes by P.T most of the time, but later he revealed his initials stood for Papa Titan, and he was King's Dad. After I got thrown out of that place, I spent the next three days in a coma as the power he gave me changed me into what I am now. I also picked up a roommate in my head," Luz said with a grin as the illusion of P.T. came alive and separated from the rest of the scene in order to wave at everyone and move over to sit on Luz's shoulder. "I'm not going to go over all the changes, but I can confirm I am at least half Titan now, and with his help King and I are slowly mastering the massive power that is at our disposal. Sadly it's mostly me, because King is still so young, but he is no slouch in a fight I can assure you of that. There is one downside though, since I haven't mastered my powers yet I have my own version of 'Bile Overload'. I turn into a wild beast of undeterminable power and ferocity. Neither of us are at the reins when it happens. I'm all instinct and power. I've never hurt anyone I care about while in it, but as you can see it can be… frightening to behold." The illusion of beast Luz roars, and everyone outside the Squad begins to visibly sweat as they feel primal terror grip their hearts. "Before I move on to the second part of our story I have to ask. Hunter, are we coming completely clean?"
"Ya Luz. Show them everything," Hunter said as he squoze Willow's hand. "He can't hurt me anymore. I have a real family now."
"Ok bro," Luz said with a smile. Then she picked up where she left off, "As some of you undoubtedly know Hunter and I accidentally interrupted a spell being performed by the CATs a couple weeks back that ended up trapping us in Belos's mind. While there we saw his crimes, some of his plans, what the other Golden Guards were and what happened to them, and the truth about who he is." Luz sighed and Amity took a hold of her other hand for this part. "I was not the first human to come to the Boiling Isles. During the Savage era Philip and Caleb Wittlebane arrived here and Philip donated his journal to the library. Where I found it in an attempt to make a new portal home. Lilith and I even found time pools at one point to try and ask him questions. That's where I made a horrible mistake. In an attempt to get information out of him I taught him my light glyph and we regrettably helped him get an artifact in order to contact the Collector. He is another being of Titan level strength, in fact P.T. was the one who imprisoned him before he 'died' and became the Isles. All of this happened before he and I could talk so I had no idea what we were doing, but with the Collector's help Philip the Witch Hunter, another fact we didn't learn until our visit to his mind, became Emperor Belos." An image of Philip morphs into Belos before everyone's eyes. The illusion then fizzled leaving only the image of P.T. sitting on Luz's shoulder behind. He then took a bow and faded as well. "Suffice it to say after that we went into hiding to get stronger, and for the last two weeks that's all we have been doing. We made good progress, and I'm sure I can take Belos in a one on one fight now, but the draining spell is still too much for either King or I to manage. Neither of us has the control yet to take over such a large spell even working together. We could probably shut it down, but that is guaranteed to kill us. We would get one shot and if we are wrong, we're gone. P.T. and I did manage to remove Liliths brand, but it was almost lethal for both of us. There is no way we could figure out how and convince the whole of the Isles to let us remove them in the week we have left. I know this is a lot, but it's all true. Please I'm asking you to trust us, and help us save this place and the people I love with all my heart," begged Luz as she bowed to the collective around her.
"Luz you're our friend and regardless of anything else we will stand with you," said Viney and Skara with a smile.
Raine laughed uncontrollably for a moment before they collected themselves, and taking a stage bow, "Well if you're telling the truth. Who am I to stand in the way of a divine mission…"
Darius interrupted Raine, "Wait before you say something we will all regret. Before I sign off, I want a show of what you've got. I can't in good faith just trust you when it could cause the deaths of thousands."
Amity smirked, " I might not be as strong as my girlfriend, but this 'half-decent abomination witch' will be more than enough to take you on. Viney, got any ideas where we can take this."
"Actually there is a door to the previous school's gym that should work. Follow me everyone. We've got a hell of a duel to see," answered Viney with some pep in her step.
A half hour later it was all over. Darius was ragged, dirty, and exhausted. While Amity looked like she had only just finished a light jog. It had been close until Amity got serious. After that Amity had utterly destroyed him, and with the only naysayer sleeping off a major defeat everyone agreed to their combined Alliance.
For the rest of that weekend everyone came together and just enjoyed being united again. There were a few small missions to save some potential new members for the CATs, but with the majority of the Hexsquad back together again there were no issues. Luz also went about putting her plan for what she'd do when she got back to earth into effect with fantastic results. It was decided that the specifics of what King and Luz were now would have to remain secret, so as not to cause a panic. Amity's triumph over Darius did manage to get out though, much to his chagrin. A much bigger problem was coming to a head though. No one had heard from Emira or Edric since the battle at Hexside and Blight Industries was still pumping out Abomitrons uninterrupted. It was decided that it was time for a first strike, and where else but the Blight estate was chosen. The Hexsquad was ready and willing to tear that place down. The twins had to be saved, Alador had to be either turned or stopped, and Amity in particular was looking forward to putting Odalia in her place and forever removing herself from the frigged witches' grasp.
Eda found Luz mopping in the classroom of the old school Hexside saw built on that they were using as a temporary home, and called out, "There you are. Look what I got!" She hands Luz her newly-carved palisman egg. "The coat's finally dry. I thought you'd carve something cute, like a tarantula. Why an egg?"
Luz looked up at her with a smile, "I got to decide what my future looked like when I chose to be a witch, and I want them to have that option too. Until then, I'm willing to wait."
Eda proudly pats Luz's head, "Try to play them music sometime. They can hear you."
Luz lovingly holds up her palisman, "I love you already. No matter what you decide to be, I know already we are going to be the best of friends." She kisses the egg and puts it in her backpack.
Over to Blight Industries. Odalia was signing off on a delivery, while Kikimora is in the pilot seat of a landed airship with Coven Scouts and Abomatons on board. Odalia gave Kikimora a fake pout, "I was devastated to hear of your demotion, Kikimora."
Kikimora just tried to ignore her as she deadpanned, "Please stop talking to me."
Odalia kept speaking anyway, "Personally, I liked you more than that turncloak Golden Guard. Ugh, if only there was a way to show Belos your true worth."
Kikimora gave a mocking whisper, "If only there was a way to show Belos- mmm, let's get out of here." As Kikimora's ship leaves Blight Industries. The Blight twins are shown hiding behind a pile of trash to watch Odalia from a distance. As they see Alador approaching, get down out of sight, and crawl to the side of the trash pile to watch Odalia and Alador.
Odalia laughs hautilly, "I've got that little gremlin on the hook! She'll be the perfect test subject for our new product."
Alador looks at her tiredly, "Don't you think it's odd that they need this much security for the Day of Unity? Perhaps we should reconsider this deal."
Odalia just stated firmly and grabbed her necklace, "Blights always uphold their end of the deal, dear. Or should I reconsider ours? It might be time for the kids to play a more active role in Blight Industries. I could start the paperwork right now." Alador is silent with a conflicted expression on his face, as Odalia releases her necklace, and Alador turns and walks away."
Odalia's shadow can soon be seen looming over them before the twins are held captive by an Abomatron and Odalia looks at them angrily, "Hiding behind trash? To think my children are so painfully predictable in their deceit! You're. Grounded."
So when no communication was received by noon the following Tuesday. The squad rolled out to Blight Manor, and started their plan to sneak in. Luz steps forward, but Gus stops her and uses his magic amplifier to scan for any unseen illusions. Through the illusion, they see a Coven Scout spinning an illusion circle. Willow immediately steps forward and cracks her knuckles as Gus and Luz look at her and nod. Luz throws a plant glyph at the Coven Scout, which hits and restrains him and as the others run past Hunter apologies, "Sorry, man!"
However, Luz stops King before he can join them, "Stay here, King. It's safer if one of us hangs back. If anyone asks, you're guarding the perimeter." She puts a cover mask and cloak over him.
King begs, "But-"
"I know King. You want to be there, but I need you watching our backs. If something goes wrong you're going to be our only hope of escape. I'm giving you the most important job there is. You, little bro, are our trump card," Luz says as she gives King a hug. King reaches out to Luz, but she already ran off. King looks down and sighs. He walks away, but ends up stepping on an empty bag of chips. Peeking through the bushes next to it, he sees a trail of more chip bags and gasps deciding to investigate.
A minute later, Luz and Amity are preparing to enter the estate via Amity's window. Luz then uses a plant glyph to create flowering vines that get her and Amity up to the balcony. To their surprise they find Edric and Emira slightly singed and sitting with their backs to Amity's bed as they mopped. Upon seeing that they are mostly unhurt, Amity runs up and gives her siblings a hug, and they release a surprised shout of, "Mittens."
Amity teared up a bit as she said, "You morons, you had us worried sick. We all know how ruthless Odalia is… I thought she might have actually hurt you two this time."
Edric pulled Amity into his arms, "Na, she may be a harpy, but she'd never go that far."
Luz chimes in, "I find that comparison very offensive, after hanging out with Eda, Odalia is more of a deranged Slitherbeast than a harpy."
After noticing there favorite human, Edric and Emira gave each other a ginning smirk before Emira whispers in Amity's ear, "I guess her coming with you shouldn't be that surprising after you two decided to go elop, and hide away on the Knee for two weeks."
"Don't get us wrong Luz we love seeing you, but you love birds didn't have to come back just to save us," said Edric with a wink.
Amity immediately blushes to her ears, but after a stunned pause Luz looked at them with a mischievous smile, "Ya I guess, but what kind of sister in law would I be if I left my favorite in laws high and dry. Not to mention I'm old school. I still need to get your Dads blessing before we make anything official."
If Amity could blush to her toes she was doing it. Edric and Emira just froze before letting out a happiest belly laugh either of them had ever experienced. When they recovered, they looked at Luz and said, "Mittens we can never let you let this one get away. Luz even if Dad doesn't, you have our blessing. So get over here and we will fill you two in on what you missed around here."
"As great as that sounds, you can fill us in as we go. The rest of the squad is outside, and it's time this factory goes off-line," sighs Luz.
Amity having finally recovered from the full body blush, looked at her siblings resolutely, "We need to find dad as well. I'm still hoping he might listen, but…no we will make him understand. None of us deserves to be stuck with her. It's time we all free ourselves."
Gone was their baby sister Mittens. For the first time they saw the strong witch Amity had become, and they were truly proud of her and how far she'd come. She wouldn't stand in anyone's shadow again, and they knew she was finally ready to just be herself.
Elsewhere Kikimora and three Coven Scouts entered the factory with Odalia. A large object, which Kikimora and Odalia approached, was covered by a sheet with a spotlight shining on it. "For the last time, I'm not interested in your dumb gadgets," huffed Kikimora
Odalia cooed sweetly, "You might want to reconsider." With a showman's grace she removed the sheet. "Introducing the Abomaster. It's 700 snorsepower, has two fairy-powered jet packs, and comes in several shades of lilac." Kikimora gasped with sparkling eyes, and Odalia lifted her up to the Abomaster's pilot seat.
Odalia gave a sly wink, "I outfitted this one specially for you."
Kikimora tries out the controls, making the Abomatron punch and kick as she lets out maniacal laughter, "I'm taller than everyone!"
Meanwhile, Luz, Edric, Emira, Amity, Willow, Gus, and Hunter pop out of a bush in the background. Gus nods and casts an illusion to give all of them Coven Scout disguises, and Edric and Emira walk away to perform a different part of the plan.
Luz, Amity, Willow, Gus, and Hunter watch Kikimora and Odalia from nearby until Amity nudges Luz's arm and points to a door in the back of the room, "That's my dad's workroom." Resulting in the group running off to the workroom door.
Luz peered through the door's window, "It looks empty. And really sad." Inside the room, a rat with a similar appearance to Alador grabs a cracker and scurries away.
Odalia suddenly walks up behind the group with her hands on her hips, "Ahem. These rooms are off-limits."
Hunter puts on his best scout impression and says, "Mrs. Blight! Kikimora told us about your products. Such inventions would be invaluable assets to the Emperor's Coven. I apologize for the trouble. We'll return to our duties."
As they try to walk away, the Abomaster blocks their path. "I thought I recognized that annoying voice," sneers Kikimora.
They gasp and try to run towards the main exit, but are blocked by an Abomatron and Coven Scouts. One of the scouts cracks their knuckles, and says, "Sorry, man."
Gus trips over a pipe, accidentally dissipating the group's Coven Scout disguise illusions. Now revealed, they turn around to see Odalia and Kikimora staring at them with equally stern faces.
Meanwhile, on a hill outside Blight Industries, Alador and King are both sitting on a swing set. Alador holds out an open bag of chips to King, and gives an exasperated groan, "And was that the last of it? Of course not. While I was recovering from the fire flu, she fired half my team and expected us to continue working at the same pace. Did I mention I haven't had a weekend off in five years?" He sneezes, releasing a burst of fire, "Oh, sorry. Fire flu side effects. I-- I don't mean to vent. I- I should let you return to your duties."
King makes an awkward noise, "The Emperor's Coven, uh, requires I take a meal break, so, uh-- no worries?"
Alador chuckles, "Sounds like I joined the wrong coven. This is a big night. I should feel... accomplished, but... none of this feels right. Do you have kids, Mr. Scout?"
King looks at him sadly, "Oh, uh, no. I'm probably not the right person to give dad advice. You know, never really knew mine." Alador is surprised at this, then sadly looks down at the ground as a breeze passes by. King swings back and forth a little.
Alador steels his nerve, "I'm gonna spend more time with my kids, get to know them. Things are gonna change after the Day of Unity."
King sighs sadly, "Oh, boy. Yeah, let's just say there's not gonna be an "after" to the Day of Unity the way things are now." Alador stares at him in shock.
Outside Blight Industries, the Hexsquad have been trapped inside a glowing pink dome with their hands restrained by abomination goo and three Abomatrons guard the outside of the dome. All of the group look angry as Odalia paces nearby.
Kikimora asks curtly, "Odalia, is my airship ready?"
Odalia smugly states, "Just about. I found two adorable little scoundrels trying to steal it, but they'll be dealt with." They see abomatons carrying off Edric and Emira.
Amity yells, "Edric! Emira!"
Odalia cooes, "Don't worry, they'll just be grounded. With maximum security."
Amity lets out a frustrated groan, "Don't you get it? You're helping a witch hunter destroy everything."
Odalia gives a condescending sigh, "Really, Mittens, I am tired of all this drama. Sneaking around in little disguises, convincing the twins to act out, are you trying to make me look bad?"
Luz roars definitely, "She's trying to help people."
Odalia spits, "Hush, brat."
Amity, getting enraged, shouts back, "Don't you dare talk to my girlfriend like that!"
Odalia tut tut's, "Girlfriend? Oh, no, no. That won't do. We'll find you a new girlfriend. Someone who's not on wanted posters everywhere." Drawing a spell circle, Odalia summons a wanted poster of Luz and then rips it in half. Amity growls in a rage, and the abomination goo around her hands starts to bubble. She lets out a yell and frees her hands, then forms the goo into a spiked gauntlet and punches the dome and it begins to crack.
Behind her, Hunter turns around to find Kikimora in the Abomaster just outside the dome staring at him hatefully, "I always knew you were rotten to the core. Belos will probably snap you in two after I hand you over. Maybe he'll make me the new Golden Guard." Hunter grimaces in fear, while Luz steps in front to defend him.
Luz looks through Kikimora as she demands, "Leave him alone!" To punctuate her point her eyes, fang, and horns appear.
Odalia looks between the two girls, "What?" As Odalia watches Luz takes on her full demon form, and Amity's whole body turns purple as if she was made of rigid abomination goo. Amity's sclera turns black as her golden pupils begin to glow like the only lights in an inky void. Amity began to walk toward Odalia and the bubble popped under the pressure of her magic. With each step she grew soon dwarfing even Darius's vaunted abomination form. The whole time Amity's eyes never left Odalia's even when she stood before her at a towering ten feet.
Hunter and Willow are relieved to see the goo around their hands disappear. From behind the group Alador and King appeared from the door. Alador yelled out, "Odalia, the Emperor is planning to wipe out everyone with a Draining Spell, and our Abomatons are helping him do it." Odalia looks unfazed.
Alador was outraged, "You already knew?"
Odalia gave him an uncaring shrug, "What he does with our products is none of our business. What is my business is keeping our family ahead of the rest. You're welcome, everyone." Alador's face turns bright red in rage. "Ugh, there you go making that face. This is why I don't tell you things. With the Emperor's favor, we'll live like royalty in the new world. Crowns and everything."
Alador stifled a roar, "This is too much, even for you." Alador flips a switch and controls the Abomatrons to surround Odalia. In response, Odalia clutches her necklace and summons a large spirit. It grapples with an abomination summoned by Alador, then lets more spirits out of its mouth that snatch the control device away from him, bringing it to Odalia. The spirits retreat back into her necklace.
Kikimora gives a frustrated sigh, "I don't have time for this." Kikimora puts up a defensive dome around her pilot seat and launches into the air. Before she crashes down, Hunter bursts forward and shields Willow from the impact, while the others run. Before he can recover, Hunter is grabbed by the Abomaster, and Kikimora rushes toward the door of the factory. She bursts through the entrance while King and Alador duck out of the way and everyone else follows her inside.
Amity yells, "Enough."She makes two spell circles around her hands and slams them onto the ground, creating pools of abomination goo. From out of them rise a pair of abomination copies of Luz's beast form that roar and rush the Abomaster locking it in place. Willow uses her plant magic to rise up behind Kikimora in a large swirl of vines. She launches vines toward the Abomaster, but sees Hunter trapped in its grasp and redirects the vines at the last second, landing on the ground. Kikimora then aims the Abomaster's gun-arm at Willow. Before Kikimora can shoot, Gus uses illusion magic to completely darken her surroundings. She looks around and blindly shoots abomination goo everywhere; she ends up shooting part of the ceiling, which crumbles down onto everyone and dispels the darkness illusion.
Kikimora screams, "I don't need all you cretins, but this one is mine!" Kikimora raises up Hunter, who looks unamused. She then uses the Abomatron's jet pack to blast into the air out of the hole in the ceiling, taking Hunter with her.
Alador looks overjoyed, "Ha! The jet pack actually works! Ha…" Then says in dismay, "Oh, the jet pack actually works."
Several Abomatrons surround the group, and Odalia closes in on them from the entrance."Well, since we finished with that little mess, let's get back to business, shall we?"
Amity, truly enraged, yells, "You! I am never speaking to you again. I refuse to be associated with you ever again."
Odalia just looked at her like a child having a tantrum, "You'll thank me when you're a literal princess, princess. It's what's best for the family."
Amity created spell circles and called her beasts back to her and prepared to attack. Alador tries putting a hand on her to tell her to let him handle it, but he can feel the power coursing off her and decides against it. He walks toward Odalia.
Alador states flatly, "What's best for the family is putting an end to all this." Alador's eyes begin glowing purple, and he summons two large fists out of abomination goo. He uses these to punch the Abomatrons and knock them to the ground, while also bursting through some of the factory's pipes.
Odalia desperately begs, "No, wait!" Odalia rushes toward a knocked-over Abomaton, dropping the control device, and Alador picks it up and powers down all of the Abomatrons.
Odalia while kneeling over an Abomatron continues to beg, "Oh, no, no, no, no, no. You're destroying our life's work!" She then stood up looking ready to kill, "But I won't let you destroy it any further." She summons a spirit from her necklace, but is met by the sight of Alador, Amity, Willow, Gus, and Luz all ready to fight back.
Alador continues flatly, "This work is finished, and also, I quit. MY kids are coming with me."
Odalia tries to fire off her spector, but it evaporates before them as Luz holds up her hand. From each side of her Amity's beasts latch on to her arms and force her to her knees. Odalia just looks up at them with disdain, "Fine. I've been meaning to find a more competent business partner anyway. And you won't be getting your severance package."
Luz looks at Amity, with a 'are you sure about this look' and she nodded her head as she changed out of her abomination form, but left her beasts where they were. Luz gave Odalia a pitying look, "Odalia Blight, you have lied and cheated to get a head. You have knowingly, by your own admittance, helped a mass murderer to further his goals. You have mistreated your family. You have controlled and manipulated them, demeaned them, and maliciously kept your husband and children from having any kind of relationship. If there was any justice we would turn you over to the proper authorities, but unfortunately there aren't any at the moment. Until they can be appointed my punishment will have to suffice." In her left hand a complicated get of glyphs appear and begin to spin as a stone bird in a cage takes form. In her right another set of glyphs spin and consolidate into an azure glow on her pointer finger. In one clean motion Luz places her finger to Odalia's head, and her eyes lose focus. At the same moment the stone bird animates and begins to angrily tweet and ram against the cage. Looking at the bird, "Odalia, I refuse to be your executioner, but you are far too dangerous to be trusted or let fly free. So until such time as you can be properly arraigned for your crimes, you will remain a powerless bird in a cage. I implore you, use this time for self reflection. Maybe one day, you could prove yourself worthy of the loving family that grew despite you." Luz snapped her fingers, and Odalia's body stood up and took the cage from Luz, holding it safely against themselves. Bird Odalia glared at everyone, especially Alador, from inside her cage, but stopped her struggling.
Alador looked at everyone in shock, "Oh, Titan. That was terrifying. What did you do?"
Luz looked at him sadly, "We have a lot to talk about sir. I would ask that you not mention any of this until we return to our base. I know you have questions, but we have to get moving."
Alador looked concerned, but after looking into Luz and Amity's faces he decided to wait, and do as asked. Once all that was settled they saw Willow standing out on Kikimora's ship trying to figure out how to fly it.
Amity yelled out, "Willow, wait!" The others follow her on board. They see Willow pulling levers and push buttons on the ship's dashboard, but to no avail.
Willow screams out, "Come on, stupid thing, we have to follow them!"
Amity points towards the Abomatron control device, and asks, "Dad, can you use that thing to shut down the Abomatrons at the Head?"
Alador looks at her resigned, "Yes, but won't be enough to go rescue your friend. I can be your pilot, but we would never make it."
An hour and a half later the newly minted Council returned to the room they previously met in with Alador and both Odalia's present. Darius spoke up first, "Alright, let's get this briefing over with," and everyone gathered at the table. They started by having Alador tell them everything he saw, which frankly didn't take long, before Darius asked, "Alador. We would like you to join us, and help make the Boiling Isles safe for your children and others. Normally we wouldn't ask you for this, but we have no time to make sure you can be trusted. So I say we do this the hard way, an everlasting oath between myself and Alador. In exchange for amnesty should we succeed in stopping Belos, you will tell no one outside this room about what you learn here and you will do your best to aid us in the coming days. Is that agreeable to everyone?" There was some grumbling from some, especially Amity, Edric, and Emira, but everyone agreed including Alador, and the oath was made.
Alador looked around the room and said, "Ok I've done as you asked. Now please, explain to me what's going on." Luz created a soft chair for him and, with the help of Amity, Luz filled him in while at the same time letting Edric and Emira in on the things they previously didn't know.
"So that's everything," said Luz, and then she scratched the back of her head nervously. "On a more personal note, I'm wildly in love with your daughter…"
"And I with her," chimed in Amity as she grabbed her hand and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"And I know that there are a lot of unknowns in our future, but I really don't want to spend a day without her. She owns half of my heart and I'd really like it if you were ok with us being together. I'm not asking you to let us get married or anything like that," They both blushed, "But there have been enough divisions made between you and your children, and I refuse to be another one."
Alador looked into Luz and Amity's eyes for a moment before saying, "So this is it…"
Edric and Emira looked at their father in fear, "What do you mean dad?"
"I was married to Odalia for a very long time. I worked myself to the bone. Always trying to make sure that my family had everything they could ever want, but in all that time I only felt what I feel coming off of you two, Amity and Luz, twice in my life. It was on the days my children were born and I got to embrace them for the first time. As a man of science, I always believed that true love was a myth, a fantasy, but it pours off you two like water. Luz, I apologize for Odalia. You are always welcome in our home, and one day if we survive all this, I would be honored to count you as one of my daughters," Alador said with a smile as he held one of Luz's clawed hands.
Bird Odalia made a gagging sound from inside her cage.
As if pulled from a trance everyone looked at the bird, and then Eda spoke up, "Ya kiddo. What exactly did you do to her?"
"It's actually not all that complex to explain, but incredibly rough to do. I also refuse to do it to anyone else short of Belos himself, and I doubt it would work. Basically I made a temporary mindless construct that will last about a week, and then I used an improved version of your body swap spell to swap their minds. Odalia is very much alive, and aware. She feels no pain or discomfort beyond the obvious dysphoria. Her vessel does not need to eat, and is hardy enough that she can't hurt herself. In the meantime the construct will continue to keep her body safe and healthy. She is powerless in every definition of the word until either I choose to reverse it or the week passes. At which time we will have either succeeded and we can move her to a more permanent situation, or we will be dead and it won't matter. I know this was extreme, but Amity and I discussed it and we felt that this was a fitting temporary situation for someone as sly and manipulative as she is. We can't take any chances this close to defeating Belos, and I'd invite anyone to try to convince us that she wouldn't sell us out at her first opportunity. I can reverse it right now if the council decides it's for the best though," stated Luz clinically. It was fairly unanimous that while they don't like it, it was for the best. After that they moved onto the matter of Hunter. Since they had not come up with a solid plan yet, they decided that there was very little damage he could do under interrogation, but this close to the day they couldn't risk a rescue operation. Hunter was strong and he would have to hold out the four days. They would do what they could to rescue him later, but right now all they could do is pray. Finally they moved onto the last piece of business for today, the actual plan for what they were going to do.
Raine started, "Okay. We have four days until the Day of Unity begins and Belos activates the Draining Spell.
Darius added, "And everyone in the Boiling Isles is taken out in one fell swoop."
Raine countered, "Well, not everyone. The spell targets those with Coven Sigils, using the nine types of magic as ingredients for the spell itself. It's channeled through each of the Coven Heads during the duration of the eclipse."
Darius said, "Belos even made sure we all have... replacements. We can't stop the draining spell, but we can corrupt it. That's where the Owl Lady comes in."
Eda looked at them confused, "Huh? What now?"
Darius groans in annoyance, "The curse, Eda. Your curse."
Eda caught on then, "That's right! My curse warps magic. Huh, did quite a number on you two if I remember correctly."
Darius let out another groan, "Eda would have to sneak into the tower, and here's how. I'll control a pair of abominations to release Eberwolf's flesh-eating beetles into the crowd. It will create a distraction so big, we can get Eda up with the coven heads. The spell will halt once it comes in contact with the curse, and the day will be saved! No problem." Everyone looked at him in horror. "What? Only a few people would get eaten. Even then, just the small ones."
Raine countered hesitantly, "If we must do this, the safest bet is to have Eda tap into the spell, by taking someone's place as Coven Head. My place. Sigil, and all."
Darius mulled it over aloud, "As Head Bard, you'll also be flanked by me and Eber, where we can keep an eye on the others."
Lilith stands up rapidly, "Why are we acting like Edalyn's the only one with a curse here? Please, let me do this, as a former coven head…"
Eda cuts her off, "No. You haven't had your curse that long. We don't know how it would react. But I do. And how can I say no to sticking it to Belos one final time? Not only that, but I've got the Raine Whispers watching out for me."
Luz looked at Eda afraid, "M… Eda, are you sure you want to do this?"
Eda looked back at her solemnly, "Well, of course I don't. You know, even before the curse, I couldn't stand covens. Only a select few can learn about different types of magic. It made no sense. But... if it's the only way to stop this, then I'm gonna do it. What's that thing you keep telling bossy boots over there… We can do this together, but don't worry us adults can handle ourselves."
King grabs Eda's hair, "Stop talking like that. This isn't goodbye! I command it!"
"King's right, We'll see each other after the Day of Unity," smiled Eda to Luz.
Luz sighed and looked away, "If we succeed…"
Eda grabbed her face and pulled her back to facing her, "When we succeed. We have the advantage, after all. We've got King the Titan and Luz the Human/half titan on our side. Legends in the making."
Luz laughed, "Don't forget Eda the Owl Lady."
King added, "Already a legend, and the most horrifying one of them all, our mom!" Eda suddenly tickles his tummy and everyone laughs. The trio hugged.
Eda smiled at her kids, "So, you two protect each other, and we'll be back together before you know it." With that the meeting ended.
Raine catches Eda on the way out, "Eda, let's talk before this all goes down." Eda smiles and heads out.
Before Luz heads out, she grabs Raine's sleeve and looks up at them with a grave expression on her face, "Promise you'll protect her. Promise you will protect my mom."
Raine winks and smiles, "I promise." Then they leaned down and whispered in Luz's ear, "Your not the only one who loves her." And they walked away.
In the Emperor's castle, Hunter woke up strapped to a table. The first thing he noticed was that he was numb beneath his chin, and he couldn't move his limbs. The next thing almost caused his mind to shut down in panic. His chest had been flayed open, and left open. He wasn't bleeding out though… silver lining? As he stirred he heard a pair of voices, and he took notice of Belos and The Collector. To his displeasure he heard Belos as he came closer, "Good you're awake. I was really hoping you would be for this next part."
The Collector laughed with joy, "Is this that game… Operation? I've always wanted to try it?"
Belos looked at the Collector and laughed. It immediately stopped the Collectors own laughter as he seemed to try and inch away in discomfort at the sound. Then Belos spoke, "Oh Collector, you have shown me so many useful things over these long years, but I think it's time I fulfilled my end of our bargain. I'm going to free you from that prison." The Collector immediately started dancing around in joy. He didn't notice when Belos picked up his mirrored tablet in one hand and began finishing one of the glyphs that criss crossed the surface of Hunter's 'bones' with the other. As he finished his work Belos put five bands covered with glyphs on Hunter, one on each of his wrists, his ankles, and his throat.
The Collector finally noticed what Belos was doing and visibly started to sweat. "Hey Phil buddy. What do you got there… I don't remember teaching you those."
"Oh my friend. You don't need to worry. I was always a quick study. Unfortunately I can't take the chance that you will teach anyone else, also your powers are still useful to me. Don't worry you won't be in your current prison anymore… I made a new one for you." With that Belos activated the glyphs on Hunter's bones, and both Hunter and The Collector started to scream in pain.
I hope everyone enjoyed my little gift to everyone in honor of my birthday. I'm hard at work on the finale for this part of the story and for the record the next part will be its own new published story. I have a title picked out but until then…
See ya real soon.