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As the sun rose on the horizon and the new day began for the denizens of the Boiling Isles, Booker's grandmother, Alice, looked out at the rising sun with a peaceful smile from her bedroom. A cup filled with a special tea was in her hand, and her Palisman was sitting on her shoulder. It's been a month since her family moved their new secret hideout to the ruins of the Knee, and her son had been able to use his magic to raise a new fortress. Just like the last one, it was protected by a camouflage spell. No one but the people who know of its location could have discovered it.

Expect one.

"I must admit, I was…surprised to see you come all this way to the Knee, Yeoh," she said, turning to the person sitting in a chair behind her.

Yeoh, as she was called, was an elderly woman around the same age as Alice with gray hair, a pair of small glasses, and lavender skin. Her clothes consisted of a Japanese-inspired attire: a red kimono with yellow accents that had no sleeves, and wooden sandals on her feet. Over her kimono, on her shoulders and hanging down her back, was a pelt of animal skin.

The reason she had no sleeves on her kimono was because of her lack of arms. Both have been cut off at the shoulders. However, this did not stop the elderly woman from performing the simplest of tasks, thanks to the help of her Palisman. The purple spider Palisman was resting on her head, acting as a hairpin, as Yeoh's head was styled in a bun.

The green jewel that was the spider's abdomen glowed, as an arm of purple magic formed from Yeoh's left shoulder. "Can't an old friend come and say hello," Yeoh asked, her magic arm picking up the teacup and raising it to allow her to sip from it.

"Normally, I would say no, but when it comes to you, there's always a reason for you to come out of hiding," Alice said, crossing her arms. "You're here for something, aren't you?"

Yeoh smiled as she placed the teacup down. "More like someone."

Alice would have asked for clarification, but was interrupted when her granddaughter, Claus, called out from outside. "Everyone! It's Booker!"

Booker stared at the fortress with a frown of misery as he and his friends slowly trekked across the snow toward it. Yesterday was the worst day of his life, and he was to blame for it. Because of his actions, Eda, the Owl Lady, the only person in 7 years who wanted him to be their son, was captured by her sister, Lilith, and Emperor Belos.

Fearing the Emperor would come to the Owl House, Luz, King, and their friends quickly left. Promising to Hooty that they would return once they had reinforcements and could fortify the house. The only people who could do that were the survivors of the House of Bridges.

For hours last night, until the morning sun rose on the horizon, the group of friends had painstakingly walked across the Boiling Isles, avoiding roadblocks, dodging wild animals, and enduring the harsh environment of the Knee. Just to come to the newly rebuilt fortress, the safest place for the Seventh Son to be.

After passing the barrier, Booker and the others, in their winter clothes, saw the other members of the family rushing out of the fortress towards them.

{Play music: Into the Badlands theme}

As the portal gate opens, the camera zooms in on it.

Booker and Luz are seen in the sky. They opened their eyes, only to realize they were falling, which caused them to freak out before something zoomed past them and caught them. Booker and Luz opened their eyes, with Luz behind her friend and holding his arm while Booker held onto the staff to stay on. The two kids saw they were saved by Eda, who smirked at the duo as they flew to her house on her Palisman staff.

The door where Hooty was opened up as Luz and Booker stepped outside, with Luz twirling and posing with Eda's staff while Booker drew his Dragon's Bite sword he got recently and did his own pose. But then Eda took her staff back with an amused grin while Luz gave a sheepish smile, and Booker looked amused. King popped up in front of them in a pose.

A Boiling Isle mural is seen as Gus, Willow, and Amity are seen briefly before it burns away to show King commanding an army of stuffed toys, which all fall on him. The scene burned away again, showing Booker standing under a spotlight with grief written on his face as the fire was seen all around him. Silhouettes appear as they take the shape of a man with pointed ears, a human woman, and six children with slightly pointy ears. The fire consumed them.

Now Booker and Luz were on Eda's staff, with Luz riding up front like she was driving and Booker standing behind like he was surfing on a surfboard. They zoom down the Boiling Isles, past many friends and foes alike, until Eda and King join in on the ride... then they hang on for dear life as a massive, monstrous worm-like monster, mouth wide open, lunges at them. Everyone, minus Booker, screamed in horror, as the latter looked brave and defiant towards the beast as he pointed his sword towards it.

Then the scene changes back to the Owl House, where it's nighttime, and stars twinkle in the sky as the four are on the roof and looking up into the sky. Luz opens her hands to reveal a ball of light as Booker's hands glow, and a glyph-like symbol appears on the back of his hands.

He grinned and slammed his hands together, causing light magic to burst from his hands. That's when the title appeared.

The Seventh Son

Chapter Seventeen:

The Blood of the Titan

Thirty minutes after Booker and his friends were brought into the main living room of the Bridge's new fortress, Claus came over with a tray of drinks and placed it on the table in the middle of the room. Everyone but Luz grabbed a cup as the human girl held the cloak Eda made her. She didn't have the heart to let it go right now, not after explaining what happened to Booker to York and the others.

Needless to say, the news shook them to the core. Booker, the Boiling Isles' best chance for freedom from Belos, came too close to the Emperor. He was nearly captured by the madman, who fed on Palismen. And, in his desperate attempt to cure the Owl Lady, his mentor, friend, and second maternal figure besides his mother was captured, and Booker didn't know what to do now.

"This…This is a nightmare," Luz said, placing her hands on her face.

"This never should have happened," York said, scolding the kids. He then turned to the Bridges kids who attended Hexside. "Why didn't you stop him?"

"We…we kind of wanted him to steal the Healing Hat," Roswell said, looking down in shame.

"Plus, Eda needed it!" Jason exclaimed.

"But it puts us all in danger!" York argued. "We have been trying to stay out of the eye of the Emperor's Coven for 14 years. Booker has become a high target for Belos, more so than Eda. What if he was captured and the Emperor really did try and suck out his magic, like that Palisman?"

The Bridges kids looked down in guilt, realizing how their inactions could have caused their cousin's death.

Willow, who sat with Gus, raised her hand. "So, who was that woman? The one with no arms," she clarified.

"Yeoh Saberslayer, the former head of the Oracle Coven," Alice said, sitting in her chair.

"What?!" Luz and Amity shouted, knocking over King, who was seated in Luz's lap.

"How could you have let him go with someone who was a Coven Head," the Blight girl asked vehemently.

"I said 'former head' of the coven," Alice said with a frown. "'Former' was the keyword in that sentence."

"Okay, but what does she want with him," asked Claus, curious about the mysterious visitor.

Alice sighed and looked back at the door the two of them went through. "To talk."

In what appeared to have been one of the guest rooms of the fortress, Booker sat down on the edge of the bed, looking at Yeoh as she walked over to him. Using her Palisman's magic, she created a glowing tendril that moved closer to his face.

"Uh, hey, let's try and keep our hands to ourselves," Booker said nervously. However, the tendril lightly jabbed him in the stomach. "Ow! Hey!"

"You've grown up to be different than how I'd expected you to be," she said, splitting the tip of her tendril in two. She used them to force Booker's left eye open, closely examining it.

"Whoa, hey! No touchieeeeeaaaah!" Booker had his mouth pulled open as she looked inside his throat.

"So, this is what a hybrid of a witch and a human is like?" Yeoh said, moving to examine his barely pointy ears. "By all standards, you're healthy, if not a little short in stature."

"Hey! I'm average height for my age, you jerk!" Booker yelled. Yeoh, however, chuckled at his admittedly comical outburst. Making Booker blush with embarrassment. "Look, I don't know who you are, but I'm not one to be feared, for I am—"

"The Seventh Son," asked Yeoh, raising an eyebrow. "Malcolm and Elizabeth's son?"

Booker's eyes widened a bit. "Uh, yeah," he said, not expecting the old woman to know his title or his parents. "How did you know my parents?"

"Oh dear, I've known about you even before your birth," Yeoh said, her arms disappearing. "I am Yeoh Saberslayer."

It took a moment for Booker to remember the name. But when he did, he quickly jumped on the bed and backed away from the woman. "You! You're the Emperor's soothsayer!" he exclaimed, pointing at Yeoh.

"Former soothsayer," Yeoh said, walking over to a wooden chair. She kicked the corner of it, turning it around, before sitting down in it. "I'm now merely a freelancing fortune teller. But I've come here to see you, child."

"What are you talking about?" Booker looked around, wishing he had Dragon's Bite with him. "Why did you come to see me?"

"To fulfill your destiny and your duty," Yeoh said, giving Booker a grave and serious expression. "As the newest reincarnation of Cycle of Seven."

"The…what?" Booker asked, moving over and sitting on the bed's edge after calming down and realizing that Yeoh wasn't a threat.

"Something that Belos has been desperately trying to purge from the records of our history for generations," Yeoh said, using her unique magic to create an illusion for the Seventh Son. She created a ring, with seven smaller circles on it. "From the days of old, the Seventh Born of the Seventh Born was said to have been blessed with magic granted to them by the Titan, the very same being whose flesh and bones birthed the Boiling Isles. And it is that power that has been passed down from host to host for generations. All of whom were Seventh Borns of the Seventh Born, whose solemn mission was simple. To protect the Boiling Isles for those that would do it harm."

Booker stared at the rings before Yeoh made each one light up—one at a time, and each one a different color than the other. "And I'm the next person to be reincarnated from this magic," he asked the old woman. "When was the last one?"

"I don't know. I think 400 years ago."

"WHAT?!"

"There could have been more, but who knows? The Titan picks and chooses when a Seventh Born is needed in this world. Very few even knew of their existence, and all records and accounts are either destroyed or misleading," Yeoh said, making the spell disappear. "Each Seventh Born of the Seventh Born appears during times of extraordinary crisis. And now, once again, the Titan sees fit to manifest his power into a protector. And it is that magic that was reborn into you."

"Whoa…" Booker said in awe as he looked at his hands. He had the power of the Titan in him? Was that why he was so powerful? So many new questions emerged from his mind. "But, wait, if a Seventh Born is only born during a time of extreme crisis, what could possibly be the crisis?"

For a moment, Yeoh was silent. When she spoke up, she asked, "Tell me, have you learned all seven primordial forms of magic?"

"...what now?"

"The seven primordial forms of magic. Where all our magic comes from, mixed together to make our spells," the former Coven Head said. "Earth, fire, plants, water, ice, air, and light."

"Uh, I know all of them. Well, except for the wind spell. I haven't learned that one," Booker said, rubbing the back of his head.

Yeoh smiled and used one magic hand to pull out a small piece of paper. Using another magic hand, she drew down the final glyph for the seven primal magics. Then she handed it over to him.

Booker took the glyph and looked it over. Surprised by how simple it was in appearance. The circle had what appeared to be spirals in the middle of it, with three lines connecting them to the ring.

"Huh, that…was easy," Booker said, having had to find all of his magic spells through circumstance and even through Luz, who discovered the ice, water, and light spells on her own. Pocketing the wind spell, Booker turned to Yeoh. "Wait, what does that have to do with anything?"

Yeoh stood up from her chair and walked to the window. There, she stared out at the corpse of the Titan that made up her home. "I still remember a time before the regime, the Coven System, Belos, and before our way of life was violently changed," she said in a sad tone. "The Boiling Isles was a place where magic thrived. The original magic that was born from it was so potent that all life on the Isles evolved to wield it, too. For years, we explored those powers freely, becoming a powerful nation filled with peace and prosperity. Then, everything changed when a mysterious witch appeared…"

A flash image of the mysterious witch appeared in Booker's mind, who knew that there could only have been one person she was talking about.

"Belos!" he gasped.

Yeoh turned back and nodded at the young boy. "Before he had ascended to the throne, Belos declared it was him—and he alone—that could speak to the island. According to him, we were misusing magic, which displeased the Titan. Like all movements, his movement was small. When his teachings took hold, his strength and support grew, and he crowned himself Emperor. Our society changed violently overnight. Belos said that mixing magic was wrong, that only he had that right."

"But that's not far!" Booker yelled, jumping off the bed and on his feet. "Why should he have that right when everyone else can do it, too?"

"I can imagine it's because, much like your family, Belos feared those who he ruled. Revolution can only begin when the oppressed fully realize the power they have and wield it," Yeoh explained to the Seventh Son. "So, he created the coven system. And there, our knowledge was restricted, and our potential sealed away, including knowledge of the Seventh Born. Those who resist are called Wild Witches and face harsh punishment. Once his empire was set in stone, Emperor Belos retreated into his castle."

"But that still doesn't explain why he wants me!" Booker exclaimed, placing his hands on his chest. "Why did he do all those horrible things to me and my family?"

Yeoh sadly looked at the Seventh Son before turning away, ashamed to face him. "Belos did not fear your family's growing influence, for he was planning something big. Something that would change the Isles forever," she said, looking at her stumps. Her arms were taken by Belos for punishment when she stood against him. "I foretold that someone would stand in his way: A Seventh Son of the Seventh Son."

Booker's eyes widened, and his heart sank.

"But I never could have foretold what came next…"

"The massacre," Booker gasped, realizing that Belos had attacked their family the night he was born to get to him. "I…I'm…"

Suddenly, the door slammed open, and Gus looked at his best friend with a panicked look on his face. "You gotta come see this!"

Booker quickly ran with Gus as they rushed into the living room, where everyone was gathered around the table. Booker pushed his way to the front of the crowd and looked to see there was an oracle crystal ball situated in the middle of the table. And it showed the news broadcast, with Perry, Gus' father, on the air.

"Perry Porter coming to you live from outside the Emperor's Castle. Edalyn Clawthorne, known commonly as 'Eda the Owl Lady,' has been captured and has been brought before the Emperor," the news anchor said before the broadcast switched to Kikimora at a press conference.

Kikimora stood before a podium in front of the castle. She also had two small eyeballs with bat wings flying beside her, acting as living cameras with dozens of microphones in front of her. "For the crime of attacking a coven leader, refusing to join a coven, unauthorized use of magic for decades, and harboring the criminal Booker Bridges, Edalyn Clawthorne's body shall be petrified in stone! Today, sundown, at the Conformatorium."

"What?!" Booker, Luz, and King said in shock.

"Today is a grave day, Bonesborough. A grave day indeed," Perry said, ending his segment.

As the weight of the situation came down on everyone who originated from the Boiling Isles, they all looked at one another in shock and gloom. This was worse than they thought. Far worse.

Luz gulped. "Please tell me that's not as bad as it sounds."

"Let me put it like this," Felix said, looking at the Dominican girl with a grave expression. "If you had to choose between death and petrification, you would want death to take you in a heartbeat."

Hearing this, Booker stared at the crystal ball as the news feed switched to an example of what was to come for Eda: dozens of former witches transformed into stone statues. Each frozen mid-screaming as they tried to block the spell or reached out for mercy.

"Petrification is a fate worse than death, Luz," said Amity as she stood on the other side of Booker. "It's a punishment higher than even the death penalty and is done only to the worst criminals. Once the spell is complete, it can't be reversed."

"No. They can't do this! Eda doesn't deserve this!" Booker said as the crystal balls all showed Lilith, the Emperor's Coven head. Booker glared at the crystal ball as he picked it up. "All of this is Lilith's fault! This wouldn't have happened if she hadn't cursed Eda! If I ever see her again, I swear I'll—"

With his power building in his arms, Booker angrily crushed the ball between his hands.

"Booker, please calm down," King said to the Seventh Son, who took deep breaths to calm himself. Luz and Amity then hugged their crush, trying to comfort him.

Willow turned to Gus with a sad expression. "We should do something," she said, though she couldn't think of anything to comfort Booker.

"We are," Booker said, getting everyone's attention. "Belos wanted me. That's why he destroyed my family. That's why he took Eda, to make his perfect little world. Well, I don't know about you all, but I aim to misbehave."

Booker pulled away from the girls and walked away, gaining concerned looks from everyone. "Booker, what are you doing?" Luz called out as her best friend came to a stop and turned around.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm going to break into the Conformatorium, and rescue Eda," Booker declared, turning around to walk out the door.

However, with a booming lightning strike in front of him, his uncle appeared with his staff. "You can't go to the Conformatorium!" York said to the young man with a stern expression.

"Watch me!" Booker tried to rush around the Crow Wizard.

However, York used the beak of his Palisman to hook onto the back of Booker's hoody and pull him around. Sending the young man stumbling back towards the others as he looked around in confusion.

When he realized what had happened, Booker turned to face his uncle and said, "This is serious, Uncle York. Eda used her power to save me and got caught by Belos. Now she's the Owl Beast and is about to be turned to stone!"

"It is precisely that which is why it's too dangerous to go!" York argued with his nephew. "Belos wants you, and he's wanted to petrify Eda for years. If you go, then he'll capture you, too."

"If Belos wants me, he'll have to earn me!" Booker declared.

"Haven't you been listening?" Amity said as she, Willow, and Gus approached him. "He's the Emperor! He's the most powerful witch alive!"

"Correction," Yeoh said as she walked into the room, smiling at the Seventh Son. "He's powerful, but nothing to that of a Seventh Born."

"But he's not even fully trained!" Kimberly, Booker's oldest cousin, explained. "Also, Eda's in her Owl Beast form! How will she even recognize you, Booker?"

Booker looked away from her and sighed. That's right, Eda was still possessed by the monster within her. But there was still a chance he could break through the curse and get to her.

"I don't know. But I have to try anyway. Eda is in this situation because of me, because of my stupid choice. I have to make up for it. Do I really have to make a list of all the reasons why I can't just sit back and let my new mom be turned to stone?!" Booker yelled at the rest of his family.

"Not me, you don't," Luz said, walking over to him and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Eda is the only one besides you who truly believed I could be a witch. There's no way that I'm going to let the rotten sister of hers win."

Booker smiled at Luz before he felt a tug on his pant legs. He looked down and saw it was King. "I'm going too," he said.

"King…" Booker gasped.

"Me and Eda don't always see eye-to-eye, but I do consider her family," the small demon explained. "I want her back as much as you do."

Amity looked at the three of them for a moment before her expression lightened up. "Well, I already threw away my future at the Emperor's Coven; why not be a rebel," she said after a sigh.

"Yeah!" Gus cheered with a grin.

"Let's destroy them!" Willow said with a sweet smile.

"You're going to need help," Claus said, crossing her arms as she and the other Bridges kids stepped forth. All of them were determined to help their cousin. "And luckily for you, we're going with you!"

Sally, however, reached out and pulled on her daughter's rabbit ear, making her yell in pain. "Let hell you are, young lady!"

"Ow, Mom!"

"You and your brother aren't going—none of you are!" York exclaimed, looking at the kids with a deadly serious expression.

"What?! But this is our chance to fight back!" Skara exclaimed.

"And put all of us in danger! Including your brother!" Willy, her father, told her as he held Gray in his arms and fed him a bottle of milk.

York sighed and looked at Booker with a regrettable expression. "He's right. We need to look after our own. It'll be too dangerous to stop the petrification, even if it's Eda. If we were all to go, and something were to happen, we could all be lined up to become stone statues."

Booker tried to protest. "But Eda—"

"I'm sorry, Booker, but... it's the only way to keep us safe," York said, closing his eyes as he blocked the way to the door.

Booker hung his head in utter sorrow as Luz and Amity hugged him, trying to comfort him as they felt the same sadness he felt. Willow and Gus hung their heads down as well. The kids were overcome with utter despair and helplessness. The woman Booker loved like a mother was going to be taken from him forever. But what could they do? York wouldn't let them leave, and they couldn't change his mind.

However, King didn't just feel sadness. He felt angry, not at Belos or Lilith, but at York.

"So that's it?!" King yelled at the Crow Wizard, who opened his eyes and looked at the little demon. "After all that talk to Booker about leading a revolution and getting back at Belos, you chose to hide like a coward?!

This shocked everyone in the room as they gasped and looked at York.

"Care to repeat that, demon?" York asked as he glared at King. It scared him a bit, but his anger made him feel brave enough to stand up to the man.

"Y-You heard me, coward! As the King of the Demons, you're going to listen to me! You're the Crow Wizard! The witch who's been inspiring many to stand up against Belos. And now, when you have a chance to strike at the heart of Belos' institution, you think you're not powerful enough to stop a petrification ceremony? Not only that, you're just gonna let your friend, Booker's new mom, die?! Without even a fight?! You say you're protecting your family, but you're letting your family die right now. This isn't you being cautious. This is you hiding like a coward! If you can't do what's right for your family, then you don't deserve to wear that mask!"

The demon's words struck a chord in York. He glared at him before picking up King by the collar and lifting him into the air. "You have no idea what I am willing to do for the sake of my family," York said in a threatening tone of voice. Everyone looked at him and King in utter shock, worried for the little demon's safety.

"Yeah? So why aren't you doing anything?" King countered, glaring at York as he grabbed his arm. "Do you have any idea of the things that Booker's been able to do since coming here? Again and again, that kid's shown me that magic or not, you don't give up and keep fighting! He's never given up, so why should you give up?!"

The two stared down at one another as everyone watched with anxiety. York then puts King down on the ground. The demon sighed in relief as he sat down, looking at the Crow Wizard with wide eyes.

York then sighed out a breath before turning to the kids. "Claus, Roswell, Felix, Jason, Skara. Make the necessary preparations," he said, much to their shock. The man then turned to his wife. "Sally, you, Kimberly, and Willy will stay with Mother, Gray, and Yeoh. We have an Owl Lady to save."

This surprises Booker and his friends, but they are happy to hear they're helping. "King, thank you," Booker said, grabbing King and placing him on his back, allowing the demon to hang on him.

"Now, what's the plan?" Luz asked as she put on the cloak, the end flapping in the air that was coming from somewhere.

"The plan is simple. We're gonna find Eda, we're gonna save her, and we're gonna kick the ass of anyone that gets in our way!" Booker said as he cracked his knuckles, his magic lines appearing briefly on his skin. "You ready to go to war, everyone?"

"The King of Demons is always ready for war!" King cheered as he threw his fists into the air.

Off to the side of the conversation, Alice walked over to Yeoh and asked her, "Can you see them coming back safely?"

Yeoh smiled and said, "Now, why spoil the plot?" This did nothing but annoy her friend.

Booker walked into town with King on his shoulder. The two of them were alone, with Booker's lizard hood covering his head, heading in the direction of the Conformatorium. Remembering the same route that Eda took him and Luz on the first time they broke into it.

The plan was for Booker to be taken by the Emperor's Coven to the Conformatorium. He will be in charge of finding Eda.

Meanwhile, the other Bridges, with the exception of Skara, were going to be breaking into the prison the same way that Booker and Luz did. Their mission is to break out all of the prisoners who have not yet been petrified. Once freed, they will be asked to join the rebellion against Belos.

As for the Dominican girl herself, to prevent her and Booker's other friends from getting involved and becoming fugitives, they will be with the crowd of people watching the petrification ceremony. If, for some reason, Booker couldn't get to Eda and save her, they would have to stop the ceremony and buy Booker the time to get to her.

Booker continued walking through the streets of Bonesbrough, looking around for any of the guards who patrolled the town. However, that was easier said than done when there was no security presence for miles.

"First, we need to find a way to get the Conformatorium before it's too late. But how?" Booker said before he turned his head to the left and saw a wanted poster of himself on the wall beside him.

Then, the Seventh Son and King heard whistling. The two turned to the side to see a coven guard walking by without a care, strolling instead of patrolling.

Booker stared at the guard, then at his poster, then back out the guard again. "Bingo," he said with a smirk.

"Who's bingo?" King asked.

"I'll explain it later, King," said Booker as he came up with a quick plan. Grabbing the poster off the wall and walking over to the guard, he stood beside him with his hood still up. The guard continued looking ahead, not turning to Booker when he started talking to him. "Hey man, how's it going?"

Instead of looking at him, the guard just sighed in misery. "Honestly, it could be better," he said.

"Well, tell me what's up," Booker said, leaning against the wall and pulling off his hood, wondering if the guard would turn around and see him.

However, the guard just kept talking. "Well, I've got a kid in the hospital. She needs life-saving healing magic, but the price is just way too crazy! My wife and I just don't have the snails to pay for it."

Booker and King stared at the guard with wide eyes and glanced at each other. Both feel bad for the guard. "Well, what if I was going to tell you that your daughter's fortunes are about to change," Booker asked with a grin as he pulled out his wanted poster and unveiled it.

"Huh." The guard finally turned around and saw the Seventh Son, the most wanted criminal in all of the Boiling Isles, standing next to him. He was initially shocked before looking at Booker in confusion. "Wait, that's it? You're just turning yourself in?"

"That's right," Booker said with a smile.

"Hotdog!"

Before long, the duo was thrown in the back of a police wagon that was pulled by a giant purple-horned worm to be taken to the Conformatorium.

The Seventh Son and King sat back and relaxed as the guards brought them right where they wanted to be. After a relaxing yet nerve-racking ride, the duo arrived at the Conformatorium.

Standing up and walking to the barred window of the wagon with King on his shoulder, Booker looked outside and was met with a horrific sight.

The wagon was passing through the same garden he saw on the crystal ball. And he got an up-close look at the petrified witches. It made Booker sick to his stomach, seeing all of them looking scared and begging for mercy from an Emperor who had no compassion for them. Sure, some of them might have deserved it, but not all of them.

Except for that Mickey Mouse-looking fucker. He looked like he definitely deserved to be there.

However, Booker gasped when he saw two guards setting down a podium. There was even a bronze plaque with a name on it.

EDALYN

CLAWTHRONE

"Don't worry, Booker. We're going to save Eda before that happens," King said as he sat in Booker's hanging hoodie.

"I know," Booker said as he glared at the podium, determined not to let Eda be placed on it.

His attention shifted toward a recruitment poster for the Emperor's Coven with Lilith on the front, smiling with that superior look on her face. The sight of his 'aunt' made Booker furious and more determined than ever to save Eda.

The police wagon entered the prison before the gates slammed shut behind it. The guard driving it performed a three-point turn before backing up into a docking spot.

"Mission accomplished, sir. The Seventh Son and his pet demon have been apprehended," he said as he looked back, seeing his superior and an Emperor's Coven member standing behind the wagon.

His superior was a Guard Captain. His uniform consisted of a gray tunic with a gold sash, dark gold sleeves, and brown gloves. On the wearer's head, the captain wore a white hooded cowl with gold outlines, a light gray bird-like mask with six small eyeholes, and a golden medallion with a triangle.

"Excellent work. Take the rest of the day off, Bill, and tell your daughter we all said hello and to get well," said the captain, snapping his fingers.

A check was placed in Bill's hands, and he cheered with unbelievable joy. "I'm coming home, Mandy!" he yelled, taking off and running out of the prison.

"And now we have you, Booker Bridges. The infamous Seventh Son. Warden Wrath was a fool to be defeated by you. But I wouldn't be, and you'll have front-row seats to Eda's demise."

The witch reached for the door handles and opened the paddy wagon. Booker, however, was ready. The moment the doors cracked open, the Seventh Son bombarded the Guard Captain with an extremely powerful gust of wind. The Emperor's Coven member screamed as he was thrown off his feet and slammed into the wall behind her.

The Emperor's Coven scout that was with him didn't even have time to prepare himself when Booker came charging out of the wagon, screaming a battle cry. Clapping his hands together, Booker used his ice magic to create an ice Warhammer in his hands. Twirling around, Booker smashed the hammer into the head of the Emperor's scout, breaking their mask and sending them flying into the wall to the right.

The Guard Captain of the Conformatorium growled in anger at Booker as he stood up and drew a hand-and-a-half sword from his left waist.

"Where is Eda?!" Booker yelled with a glare, not afraid of the Guard Captain.

"I'll never tell you!" The Guard Captain shouted before charging at Booker. "DIE!"

The Guard Captain screamed as he swung his sword to slice Booker. However, Booker clapped his hands together and, in a split second, formed a glowing katana made from light magic. The Seventh Son used the sword to duck under the Guard Captain's attack and slash across the side of the witch.

The Guard Captain yelled in pain as blood spilled from his wound. Making him lose focus, drop his sword, and fall to the ground.

"Whoa, where'd you learn to do that?" King asked in amazement, coming out of the wagon now that the fighting was done.

"Video games," Booker said as he turned around to face the captain.

The Emperor's Coven member groaned in pain as Booker had the katana disappear and turned around. "You bastard," he shouted, turning over on his back as the Seventh Son clapped his hands.

"Now, I'm going to ask you again," Booker said, slamming his hands on the Guard Captain's shoulders, making his body freeze over in ice. He then cast another ice spell to make a spear, which he pointed at his neck. "Where. Is. Eda?!"

"S-S-She's in the h-holding cell i-in the d-dungeon," the Guard Captain said, stuttering in pain and fear of the powerful child.

"Draw me a map!" Booker said as he pulled out a blank piece of paper and a pencil.

When York, Roswell, Claus, Felix, and Jason found the same window that Booker, Luz, and King took on their first adventure, they waited for Booker to get into the Conformatorium. Once they saw the wagon with him inside it enter the prison, they sprung into action.

The Crow Wizard immediately jumped inside first, taking out the two guards in front of him with a lightning spell. The attack knocked them both over the railing, and they plummeted to the ground below.

Then, the kids came in through the window. Roswell and Jason flew together on the former's Palisman's staff, and then Claus and Felix joined them on her pony Palisman. All around them, the prisoners cheered for the family.

"Well, that was easy!" Felix said with a grin, seeing no other guards inside the prison.

However, the alarms started going off. A second later, guards began pouring into the cell block. Charging out of the main entrance of the room.

"You just had to say that!" Jason yelled, pulling his banjo from his back and pulling back the strings on it as if it were a bow. Using his bard magic, he conjured arrow-like notes and fired them at the entrance. When they hit the archway of the entrance over their heads, the notes exploded and collapsed the entrance. Bringing down rubble on the guards and blocking the rest of Emperor's Coven from getting in.

However, there were still a good number of guards inside the cell block, and they began firing spells at the intruders. Making York cast a shield spell to block the attacks.

The kids, however, weren't going to stand around and do nothing. Not this time.

Felix summoned multiple Oracle Spirits and sent them flying at the guards. As one of only three people in her family to know the spell, she spun her staff around and fired a barrage of lightning bolts at the guards. Their combined efforts took them out. The spirits knocked out some of the guards while the rest were taken down by the bolts.

"We'll need to work fast and by Booker time," York said with urgency. "York, unlock the cells. Jason, get the portal back to the house ready."

"Right!" Jason said, pulling out a spell scroll that would open a portal to the fortress

York then turned to the prisoners. "If anyone wants to stay here and serve your sentence, you're free to do so. But the rest of you, if you want your freedom, join us in the fight against Emperor Belos!" He yelled, raising his staff.

Once again, all of the prisoners cheered, wanting to get out of jail and fight back against the system that labeled them all as Wild Witches.

Outside of the Conformatorium, where an audience was gathered in the courtyard, the sounds of the alarm could be heard by all. Making everyone wonder what was going on. Luz and her friends were among the members of the crowd, waiting on standby. They knew what was going on inside the walls of the prison, and all of them, especially Luz and Amity, prayed that Booker was okay. However, as they waited, they looked around and heard some of the conversations the people were having about the Owl Lady's petrification. Most of it was the people questioning why Eda deserved such a horrific fate.

"This is taking too long," Luz said, holding Eda's witch staff tightly. She wore her new purple cloak with the hood up to hide her ears. "I should have gone with Booker and King!"

"Luz, it'll be okay," Amity said, resting a hand on her girl-crush's shoulder.

Luz looked at her with immense concern. "But what if something terrible happened?"

"Then we'll be here to save him when he needs us!" Gus said with a bright smile.

"Besides, it's not like anyone knows we're here to sabotage the ceremony," Willow said.

"You're here to sabotage the ceremony," asked a witch who overheard the conversation. Making their eyes widen in shock and fear.

"...no," Skara said.

"Bummer," said the witch. "Would have been awesome."

However, someone else did know of their plan. Lilith was watching the crowd from a window when she spotted her former apprentice and the human girl with their friends. Glaring at the children while Kikimora was having a panic attack behind her.

"The Seventh Son is here?!" This exclamation made Lilith gasp as she turned around and looked at Kikimora, who was grabbing her hair/hand. Standing in front of her was the Guard Captain, who was bandaged up. "This can't be happening! We have intruders breaking out all of our prisoners, then the Seventh Son is here, and you drew him a map?!"

"In my defense, I thought Bill had handcuffed him," the Guard Captain said.

"I don't care!" Kikimora yelled, stomping her foot like a child. "I want all guards to get that golden-haired bastard!"

"Delay that order," Lilith said, turning around.

"W-What?!" Kikimora looked at Lilith in shock at her audacity.

"Mere guards will not be able to handle the Seventh Son," Lilith said, walking past the small witch, her face showing her determination to do what must be done. "Worry not, Kikimora. I shall capture the hybrid myself."

Booker panted for a moment, trying to catch his breath as he looked down a hallway that was filled with enemies. Enemies that he'd just defeated. Three guards were hanging in vines from the ceiling, a fourth was holding his hands in front of a fire blocking his path, and a fifth was encased in ice.

The Seventh Son walked away from the scene with King riding in his hoodie.

A moment later, in a hallway with tattered banners and cobwebs, they'd arrived in front of a large set of dark wood and gold accessorized double doors. A padlock with chains connected to two ring handles kept anyone from getting in or anyone from getting out.

"This is it. Eda is just beyond this door," Booker said before looking at his friend. "King, keep a lookout."

"Weh." King nodded and climbed out of the hoodie. Jumping down from Booker's shoulder, he stood back as the Seventh Son stepped forward.

Glaring at the lock, Booker clapped his hands together and then grabbed it. Freezing it in his grasp before breaking it. Booker pushed the door open and entered the holding cell, which was more like a torture room than just a dungeon. Chains hung from the ceiling, single-person cages were all around, and iron maiden with blood-covered spikes were seen in the cell.

Booker was sickened by the thought of what Belos did to the witches in this room. He cast a small light glyph in his hand and walked into the room.

It didn't take him long to find his adoptive mom. When Booker heard the sound of feral growling, he looked and saw Eda on a platform in the middle of the room, still in her Owl Beast state.

"Eda," Booker said before slowly approaching her, knowing that she would still be feral-minded in this condition. "Eda, it's me."

In response to the sudden noise, Eda turned to Booker and showed that she was collared and chained to the platform. The turned Owl Lady screeched as she prepared to attack Booker with her claws.

Booker quickly jumped back and dodged the claws. Then he moved the light orb into Eda's eyes, shooing her away as he made it bigger. Making the cursed witch screech in pain.

"Eda, listen to my voice," Booker pleaded as he shined the light in Eda's face again. Eda retreated from the light as she slowly stopped growling. "I know you're still in there. The curse hasn't taken all of you. It hasn't taken everything that makes you Eda Clawthrone. Fight it!"

Having stopped growling, Eda shut her eyes and opened them. When she did, the witch revealed her normal golden ones as she looked at her adoptive son in the dungeon with her. "Booker?" Eda asked, becoming scared for him. "Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no, no, wh-what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to get you out of this place," Booker said as he bent before the chain.

Clapping his hand, he activated a fire spell and shot it on the chain that was keeping Eda in place. However, to his shock, the flame did nothing.

"What?!" Booker yelled, frustrated at the outcome.

"It's no use. These chains are made of the same anti-magic metal Dragon's Bite is made from. Your magic isn't strong enough for this," Eda said as she pushed Booker away. "You need to leave! Now.

"B-But I can't!" Booker said as he pushed Eda's beastly hand away. He tried the fire spell on the chain again, but to no avail. "You got caught because I tried to steal the Healing Hat. It's because of me you got caught trying to save me!"

Standing up, Booker clapped his hands and turned on the power spell. He then began stomping on the chain to break it, but it was still too strong.

"Break, damn it! Break!" Booker yelled. He stomped harder and harder until Eda picked him up with both hands.

"No. Booker, I need you to stop, and you need to listen to me," Eda said before she set the Seventh Son on the ground and gazed sadly at him. "I'm here because of my own actions. For years, I went against Belos's law, and for a while, I was able to get away with it. But…" Eda sighed sorrowfully as she gazed into her boy's eyes. "...well, without magic, I can't do much. I don't regret anything. I lived freely and…"

Eda smiled sadly at Booker and said, "I got to meet you, the son I never knew I wanted."

"Eda…" Booker said, tearing up a bit from her words.

"Meeting you was the wildest ride I've ever had, and I treasured every moment of it," Eda said as she wiped the Seventh Son's tears away. "But if you stay here, I won't be able to protect you. You need to leave. Now!"

"No, goddamnit!" Booker yelled, latching onto Eda's hand. Tears returned more intensely as they poured down his face. "I…I can't. I lost my real mom and dad. I lost my brothers. I lost everything. But…then I found you, and we became a family. Us weirdos have to stick together, remember? Please…"

Booker looked up at Eda as more tears poured down his face.

"I can't lose another mom."

Eda felt tears forming in her eyes. This wasn't fair—none of it was. Fate gave her Booker, and now fate was taking her away from him. Eda was so ready to be a mother, but now it would never come.

And so, as her first and final act as an adoptive mom, Eda pulled her hand away before she reached into her hair. From it, she pulled out the key for the portal door. She activated it, making the door rise from the floor. It opened, revealing the same path that Booker and Luz chased Owlbert down at the beginning of the summer.

"And I can't lose you, Booker," Eda said as Booker looked at the door. "Take this door and go back to Luz. And when you're on the other side, use your fire magic to destroy the portal door."

"D-Destroy the portal?!" Booker asked in shock, looking back to Eda as she placed the key around his neck. "B-But my friends! My family! Amity! You! I'll never see you guys again!"

"I know, but please understand," Eda said. "I don't know why Belos wants it or your blood, but we can't take any chances. Please, kid, go back home with Luz."

"B-B-But, this is my home! This world is where I belong! My life has changed so much since I came here, and I don't want to leave yet! I love this world! I love the friends I made! I…I…"

Booker looked down at the ground as his hair shadowed his eyes. His tears fell harder before he suddenly hugged Eda.

"...I love you, mom."

Eda's eyes widened before her tears came flowing out. That was the first time Booker called her mom. As she listened to Booker sobbing, she hugged her new son back with one arm. "I love you too, kiddo," she said, wishing that they could stay like this forever.

A siren suddenly went off as the room flashed with a red light. Over Eda's head, a doorway in the ceiling opened. It was time for her petrification.

"Booker, get back!" Eda quickly pushed Booker. Just in time, as her chains and collar transformed into a cage of pure magic.

Booker watched with horror as the platform Eda stood on slowly began to rise. Lifting her away to her fate.

"No, no, no, no, no, no! NO!" Booker shouted as he clapped his hands together. He covered his left hand in light magic and ran to the platform. Jumping up, he grabbed the edge of the cage with his right hand and began being lifted into the air with Eda.

Then, Booker used the magic cloaking his right hand to make a hand that stretched out to the ground. Jamming the fingers into the stone floor, Booker yelled in pain as he felt his arms being pulled apart. However, he was still able to stop the machine.

"Booker, stop! You'll get hurt!" Eda pleaded with her adoptive son. Watching as he struggled to keep hold of the cage and the ground.

"No, Eda! Please, don't go!"

Looking between the ceiling and her student, Eda knew that there was only one choice. As she began lightly crying, Eda said what would be her final goodbye. "I'm sorry, my child. Goodbye, and I love you."

Eda pushed Booker from the edge.

"No!" Booker yelled before he landed on his back. Leaning up, Booker reached desperately for the cage. "MOM!"

However, it was too late. The platform ultimately raised into the ceiling with an air of finality.

The weight of his defeat and inability to save Eda devastated Booker. The Seventh Son was now on his hands and knees, crying once more between the open door to the human realm and where Eda had been just moments before. He slammed his forehead on the ground, cursing fate and God for taking away his new mom.

All of a sudden, the doors of the dungeon suddenly opened, and Lilith came in with King in her right hand and her staff in the other. "Dammit! I'm too late!" Lilith said.

"Let me go!" King shouted to her, kicking his legs and waving his arms around. However, he stopped when he saw Booker. "Booker! Where's Eda?"

"She's gone," Booker said somberly, having stopped sobbing.

"Well, at least I found you, hybrid," Lilith said, turning her attention to Booker, stopping between the Seventh Son and the door.

Hearing the head of the Emperor's Coven address her, Booker's eyes shot open, and he stood up from the ground. His magic lines began to glow a bright white as his body trembled. Then, Booker turned his head to face Lilith, glaring at Eda's sister with glowing white eyes filled with nothing but hate, as his full potential was now triggered.

Gasping, Lilith dropped King and held up her staff, her expression turning to one of fear as she realized the situation. She knew this power. It was the same power that was triggered during the duel with Amity.

Booker had lost control again!

"W-Wait, Booker! I just wanna talk!" Lilith pleaded with the Seventh Son.

The Seventh Son didn't respond to the witch as a small ball of fire was formed in his right hand. The fireball built up power as Booker raised it over his head, and a vortex of air formed around it, feeding oxygen to the fire. Then, Booker performs the downward cutting motion, unleashing a powerful blast of fire at Lilith.

Lilith tried to block the attack with her own fire spell, but it was too powerful. Booker's onslaught burned her and pushed Lilith back.

The Head of the Emperor's Coven lands roughly on the ground. Panting and grunting in pain as blood flowed down her forehead, Lilith looked up at Booker as he rose into the air.

Then, he used his air magic to launch himself at Lilith.

Gasping, Lilith reacted at the last millisecond and used her magic to disappear from her position. Reappearing a few feet in front of the door on her knees as Booker's body slammed into the wall Lilith was previously at. His fist had punched a massive hole in the wall with the use of the power spell.

"I don't want to fight!" Lilith said.

Booker said nothing as he slammed his left fist into the floor. His powers cast a plant spell that summoned several tendrils to trap Lilith. She breaks through them easily with a spin of her staff.

However, just as Lilith was about to say something, Booker appeared in front of her.

Lilith didn't even have time to gasp before her body was slammed point-blank with a torrent of water that sent her flying through the still-open portal.

From where he was, King watched as Booker's flowing body flew into the portal, determined to kill Lilith with his overwhelming power.

"Booker!" King shouted as he followed them through the door.

Lilith flew out of the doorway first and into the human realm. Bouncing off the ground before her body slammed into a tree. Her mouth coughed up some blood from the impact of the water as she lay on the ground, clenching her stomach in pain.

Booker was the next to come out, landing in front of the porch of his old house in the human realm. He glared at Lilith for a moment before his magic started to fade. Not because there was no magic in the human world, but because the blonde boy had to take in the fact that he was back in his old home.

He looked at the forest they landed in as the wind blew his hoodie and hair. "I'm back…"

King followed through the portal a second later. When he saw Booker, he was revived that he'd gained control again. However, he then saw Lilith struggling to stand up against the tree, her hands glowing blue with her magic.

"Booker, watch out!" King warned.

Booker turned his attention back to the witch and saw Lilith firing a blue spell at him.

However, instead of dodging it, Booker raised his hand and caught the spell! Gritting his teeth and grabbing his wrist to steady his hand, the Seventh Son absorbed the magic into his body, with the lines on his arms glowing.

Then, clapping his hands, Booker cast a fire spell at Lilith.

Lilith jumped out of the way of the fireball, letting it create a sheering ball hole in the trunk of the tree. The tree then collapsed in on itself and tumbled over. Luckily for Lilith, it fell in a direction away from her.

However, she'd lost her staff.

Seeing it only a few feet away from her, Lilith tried to get up so that she could run for her Palisman and defend herself.

However, Booker used a plant spell to grow vines from the ground around her. Lilith's wrists and ankles were pulled apart as she lay on her back, desperately trying to pull them free. It was no use. Booker approached her and stood over the woman who took Eda away from him.

"P-Please, just listen to me!" Lilith tried again in one more attempt to get the Seventh Son to listen to what she had to say.

"No way! You hurt Eda! You put her in chains! And now you're going to pay!" Booker said, clapping his hands together and setting his fists on fire.

However, before he could unleash his vengeance on Lilith, King jumped on his back and pulled on his hair. Making him cut off the fire spell.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! King!?"

"Sorry, Booker!" King exclaimed, jumping off Booker's back and landing on the ground. "But you can't do it!"

"Why not?!" Booker yelled furiously, unable to believe what he was hearing from his friend. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't finish this bitch off once and for all!"

"Because…" King paused for a moment to look at Lilith. "...she wants to help."

"...What?!"

"It's true," Lilith said, looking up at Booker with a guilt-filled expression. "As I told King, I came looking for you because I needed your help to free Edalyn."

"Yeah, right! You expect me to believe a word you say after all the things you've done?!" Booker leaned down to yell at Lilith and point at her. "You deserve to be petrified! Not Eda!"

Booker's words were harsh and hurt her, but Lilith closed her eyes, knowing that it was true and that it was too much to ask the Seventh Son for help. "You're right," she said, resting her head on the ground, accepting whatever punishment was coming her way as she opened her eyes. "Everything that's happened to her was my fault. I deserve to be in Edalyn's place."

Booker paused for a moment, shocked by what Lilith had said, as he gazed down at her. Despite the burns she had and the bruises, the look she was giving the hybrid showed nothing but honesty. Pure guilt that blanketed her green eyes.

Still frowning at her, Booker moved away from Lilith, and the vines released her limbs. Lilith leaned up, cringing in pain as she held her stomach.

"Lilith, I don't understand. You're her sister," Booker said, much to Lilith's shame. "If you truly love her, why did you do all of this? Why would you curse Eda?"

Lilith sighed sadly. "It all started when we were young girls. Edalyn and I weren't just sisters… we were the best of friends…" she said, looking at Booker.

A long time ago, over forty years ago, Eda and Lilith, who were no older than 5, were wearing their Potions-track Hexside uniforms and running through the woods while laughing. They were chasing after six-year-old Malcolm, who wore his Healing-Track uniform.

They were playing a game of tag when Eda suddenly tripped on an exposed root. The young girl sat up and looked down at her knee, only to see it was bleeding. Blushing in embarrassment, Eda started crying. This brought a quick end to the game as Malcolm and Lilith turned around and saw Eda in the state she was in.

The boy quickly ran over, hugging Eda as she continued crying. He then looked at her wound and tried to draw a spell circle.

However, none came out. Mal had not reached the age of seven yet, where his powers would begin to manifest.

Lilith smiled, knowing that Malcolm was only trying to help. However, she knew of another way. Kneeling in front of her sister, Lilith cupped Eda's face, wiped her tears, and placed their foreheads together.

Young Lilith said, "With this spell declared, let the pain be shared."

The spell worked as half of Eda's wound transferred to Lilith's knee. She winced but didn't mind. The three kids grinned together and resumed their game.

Those were the happiest times for Lilith. Those days when it was just her, Edalyn, and Malcolm against the world were the moments that made the woman smile the most.

"So, what changed," Booker asked, sitting on the ground in front of her with King beside him. Frowning at Lilith as he listened to her story.

Lilith sighed and continued, despite knowing that this part of the story was the most painful to tell. "It was always my dream to be in the Emperor's Coven. I wanted to work alongside the most powerful witch on the Isles and make the world a better place," she said as Lilith drew a spell circle, healing her injuries. "Edalyn wanted to be by my side, yet there was a problem. We both found out there was only ONE spot left at the coven tryouts. So, they had us duel the next day. The winner will join their ranks."

"You cursed your sister…just to get into the Belos' army?" Booker said, glaring at the witch.

The Head of the Emperor's Coven wanted to deny it, but it was true. "I…I don't want to admit it, but during that time, I had grown bitter towards my sister. She had everything I could have wanted. Including Malcolm," she said, staring at the young man who resembled her one and only crush so much. "I knew Edalyn would beat me. She was younger, but worked twice as hard. She met me at my level. Emperor Belos always said, 'To be great, you have to make sacrifices.' What would he do in my situation?"

"And that's when you decided to curse Eda?" King guessed.

"Yes, but I didn't KNOW it was a curse. When I found it, I thought it was a spell that would take away her powers. I thought…I thought it would just be for a day. But…Eda forfeited so I can have my dream," Lilith said as she began to tear up. "As Edalyn walked away...The next thing I knew, she'd changed into a monster. The students and coven members drove away my sister. Malcolm chased after her. I tried to go after her as well, but I couldn't. I was given a place in the coven. I made my sacrifice for the emperor, and it was time to receive my reward."

As Lilith finished her story, she hung her head in shame. Wallowing in misery at the pain and suffering she inflicted on her own sister.

Booker dumbly stared at Lilith for a few seconds. Then, he started talking. "'Aww, boo-hoo. My sister's better than me, so I cursed her,'" he said mockingly at the witch.

King gasped at Booker's mockery.

"Man, I don't care if it's mean!" Booker said, standing up and pacing around in a circle for a bit. He then pointed at Lilith. "News flash, lady: Everyone's siblings are better than them at something! Believe me, I had six of them! But it makes no excuse for cursing Eda! Why do you even want to help us? Last time, you were ready to kill me!"

"Because I was betrayed!" Lilith yelled.

Booker paused in his berating, shocked by what Lilith just said as he gazed down at her.

"When I came to Emperor Belos, he said that the curse was a punishment placed on Edalyn for not wanting to join a coven. He then made a deal with me: If Eda joined the Emperor's Coven, Emperor Belos would heal her curse. That became my drive. For thirty years, I worked tirelessly to become the Coven Head, following every order without question, just so that I can correct the mistake I've made so long ago. But he lied to me," Lilith growled in anger, disgusted by the man she followed for so many years. "He had no intentions of curing Edalyn. And now, after all these years, I realize how much of a fool I was.

Lilith stood up as Booker got in a defensive stance.

"Now, I want to fix what I've done," Lilith declared, looking down at Booker with determination. "I know how to rescue Edalyn, but I can't do it alone."

"Okay, but even if I agree to work with you, how do I know I can trust you?" Booker said, narrowing his eyes.

Lilith thought for a second before tracing a large spell circle. Summoned to her hands, Lilith offered Booker something she knew would win his trust.

"Dragon's Bite!" Booker gasped as he saw Lilith holding out his family sword. The anti-magic blade was perfectly fine, and there were no marks on the handle. The Seventh Son took the sword from Lilith. "You kept it?"

"Yes, I was ordered to destroy Dragon's Bite, but I couldn't do it after...you know," Lilith said as she looked very guilty, wiping her tears away.

Looking over his sword and thinking about Lilith's offer, Booker frowned and grabbed Lilith's staff. Walking back over to her, he offered her the staff. Lilith was surprised for a moment before grabbing it.

"All right, Lilith. You don't like me, and I sure as hell don't like you," Booker said, pointing the blade at Lilith's chest. However, his expression softened as he lowered the weapon and reached for the portal's key around his neck. "But… if we don't do something, Eda's going to be petrified. So, if you really want to prove yourself, this is your chance."

Booker held his hand out to Lilith. The witch looked at it for a moment before smiling and shaking it. "Thank you," she said. "Now, let's head back."

Lilith headed for the door. Booker started to follow her, but a breeze made the Seventh Son look back at the human realm behind them. A nostalgic, mournful feeling filled Booker's heart as he stared at the trees. These were the woods he and his brother would play in.

Remnants from a lifetime ago. There was nothing for him here, and yet, Booker felt troubled, as if he might not ever see this realm again.

Lilith walked through the door, but King noticed Booker lingering. "Hey Booker, You... need a minute?"

"No. I'm coming," Booker said, turning around and walking up the steps of his old home.

King followed Lilith into the Demon Realm. Booker paused just before entering, taking one last look at the human realm. Taking a deep breath, he turned and disappeared in the glowing white of the portal. The glow disappears with him, leaving just a broken-down house with a closed door.

Back at the Conformatorium, time was running out. The Emperor's Coven guards, in two lines in front of the crowd, began beating their drums. Luz and her friends were growing fearful. The ceremony was able to start.

"Luz!" The human girl turned around and saw Booker's cousins pushing past the crowd to get to them. All of them with their masks off and in their casual clothes.

"Roswell!" Luz exclaimed.

When the Bridges kids reached the group, Roswell said, "We're good to go. All of the prisoners were rescued. Where's Booker?"

"We don't know," Willow said, fearful of what could've happened to the Seventh Son. "We haven't seen Booker anywhere."

"Do you think she got caught," Gus asked.

"No, we can't think like that," Amity said, not wanting to believe something terrible had happened to the boy she liked.

Suddenly, the alarm was sounded, and the cage with Beast Eda in it rose onto a towering platform in front of the crowd. Standing beside the cage was Kikimora.

"Well folks, Eda the Owl Lady has appeared on stage," said Perry, still reporting on the petrification of the Owl Lady. "Which means the petrification process is about to begin."

As the platform finished rising, Kikimora walked forward and pushed a lever.

From there, a three-headed statue rose from the ground. It consisted of three witches with their backs together, their hands clasped, and their faces in agony. Flanking them were two large electrical balls and one glass ball on the witches' heads.

Eda looked upon it nervously as the machine crackled to power. Knowing that, within a few minutes, she will be stone. Unable to move, alive but just as much dead. The Owl Lady knew that her time had run out but was thankful that she had enough time to say one final goodbye to Booker.

Inside the Conformatorium, Lilith did as she promised. The Coven Head led them to a shortcut, and before long, they were in a dark corridor with countless angel statues around them. They towered over the hybrid sand and were wrapped in strange, meaty tendrils.

They stop in front of a small platform. "You can take this up to the stage where they're holding Edalyn," Lilith said, gesturing to the platform.

Booker looked at the witch before looking at the platform. "Lilith…before I go, I just wanted to say…the things I said—"

"You don't have to apologize," Lilith said, smiling at the young boy and placing a hand on his shoulder. "You have every right not to trust me. This is the least I can do."

"What will you do now," Booker asked her.

"I will stay in the Emperor's coven, but I will make sure nothing like this ever happens again," the witch said firmly and with guilt in her eyes.

Booker nodded to her. "Alright then," he said, raising his foot to step on the platform. Lilith would be going back to Belos, but at the very least, he would have an ally on the inside.

However, in that slit moment, Booker stopped and stepped back from the platform. "Wait, something isn't right," the boy said as he looked around.

"What do you mean," King asked him, confused as Booker held Dragon's Bite in both hands.

Booker suspiciously looked around the hall and asked Lilith, "Why are there no guards?"

Right as he said that, a red tendril wrapped itself around Lilith's legs, pulling her down and dragging her away as she screamed.

"Lilith!" Booker shouted to her.

However, his attention was turned to King when he screamed as a tendril also took him.

"King! No!" Booker screamed.

As his eyes followed them, Booker watched as Lilith and King were dragged up near the ceiling before being suspended on either side of the far wall. Fires suddenly ignite below them, flanking a skull-like throne. And sitting on that throne was Belos, his staff in hand.

"Ah, Lilith. You chose the wrong side," Emperor Belos said in a taunting way.

"I joined the wrong side long ago when I joined you!" Lilith screamed at him.

"Well, to each his own," Belos said.

With a simple thought, the Emperor pulled Lilith and King upwards.

"No!" The Seventh Son tried going after them. However, two arms grab his legs, making him nearly trip. With a slash of his sword, Booker cut them, making the arms unleash green blood on his pant legs.

"Booker Bridges," Emperor Belos said, getting Booker to look at him with a furious glare. "The famed Seventh Son…It's so good to see you again, child."

"What's going on? I can't see," Luz exclaimed, struggling to push herself to the front when more spectators showed up, making it impossible for her to see what was going on. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she realized that she was still holding onto Owlbert in his staff form. "Oh, wait. I have Owlbert."

Owlbert opened his wings, and Luz sat on the witch's staff. She floated up into the air and looked at the cage her master was in. However, to her horror, she saw Lilith and King being forced into Eda's cage by two Emperor's Coven members.

"King!"

Inside the cage, both the witch and demon landed on their knees as the bars closed behind them. Lilith looked up and came face to face with her sister, who looked at her with full fury towards her. "Hello, Edalyn…."

Eda just glared for several seconds before she began to pace. "Lilith. You rotten bitch of a sister. You hurt Booker. You cursed me! Before anything turns me to stone, I'll fucking tear you apart!" The cursed witch roared as she raised her claw and started bringing it down.

Lilith braced herself for the wrath of her sister when King jumped in between the two of them. "No, don't!" Eda gasped and stopped herself from killing him. "She was trying to help. She even betrayed the Emperor for you!"

Hearing this made Eda's eyes widen, and she looked at her sister in astonishment and surprise. "What?"

Sighing, Lilith said, "Edalyn, nothing can express how sorry I am for everything." She tried to cup Eda's face. "If I knew something like this would happen, I—"

The moment was cut short by the activation of the petrification machine, gaining both of their attention. The machine's eyes begin to glow, first yellow, then green.

Shocked that Lilith and King were inside the cage, Luz gasped when she saw the machine turn on. "We gotta do something!" Luz said to her friends before taking off towards the cage, determined to save Eda and King. Lilith could be left in the cage for all she cared.

However, Willow's vines shot up from the ground and grabbed the staff, stopping Luz in the air and nearly throwing her off Owlbert.

"Luz, are you crazy?!" Skara yelled at her as Willow pulled Luz back down. "There's no way you can just charge up there and just take on the Emperor's Coven."

Luz hated to admit it, but she was right. For a moment, she looked around, trying to find some way to distract the guards and keep the ceremony from continuing. That's when she had an idea. "Maybe we can get these dudes to help us!"

The others looked around at the witches and demons surrounding them. They seemed extremely uncomfortable with Eda becoming petrified. "These guys won't help you," Felix said. "They're all complacent sheep. No offense."

"None taken," Gus said.

However, Luz and the others heard the voice of Gus' dad close by. The news anchor was still reporting on the ceremony as he stood in front of a video camera with bony legs, a mouth, and an eye for a lens. "And in a shocking turn of events, head Coven leader Lilith is now in the holding cage," he said, looking at the cage. "Escorted by what appears to be a deranged cat."

Gus frowned and ran over to his dad. He then pulled on his sleeve, getting the man's attention.

"Augustus? I'm live," he said.

"Dad, you have to stop!" Gus begged his dad.

Luz flew over and swiped Perry's microphone. "I'm sorry, Mr. Porter, but the petrification can't go on!" Luz said as she landed in front of the camera. "My name is Luz the Human, and I've been Eda's apprentice for the past few months. And I just want to say that this is insane! Everything about this is wrong! Eda might not always follow the rules and steals…a lot, but is that really worthy of a petrification!? People of Bonesborough, please, think of all the good that she's done."

Within the crowd, the eye-eating witch that Luz and Booker meet said, "She helped me escape jail."

"She helps me stay in business!" Morton said with a smile, pulling out some vials of potion.

"She saved my life!" Warrick yelled.

Even principal Principal Bump chimed in. "She helped me love teaching again... after she left."

"It's not just Eda! Think about it," Luz told the audience, pleading with them. "What has all of the witches done that warranted being petrified? Not joining a coven? What if they couldn't decide on one? What if they didn't like the one that they chose? Does that really make them worthy of a punishment worse than death?"

That got everyone muttering and talking with one another, which didn't sit well with Kikimora, who was simply watching from the platform. Seeing that the human was starting a commotion in the crowd that could turn into a revolt, the small witch signaled for three guards to stop her.

The guards nodded and started pushing past the crowd to get to them. However, they're stopped when Claus steps in front of them. With a smirk, she draws two spell circles and zaps them with a bolt of lightning. Sending them to the ground as the crowd watched in amazement.

"This system is broke, yo!" Claus yelled.

"The Emperor should let Eda go!" Luz shouted, pumping her fist in the air.

"Let Eda go!" Gus shouted, pumping his fist, too.

Amity and Willow glanced at one another with a smile and joined in on the action. Pumping their fists in the air and shouting, "Let Eda go!"

Soon, everyone, including the Bridges kids, Bump, the students, and all the friends and enemies of the Owl Lady, started chanting and pumping their fists. "Let Eda go! Let Eda go! Let Eda go! Let Eda go!"

"Let my friends go, or else!" Booker yelled at the Emperor of the Boiling Isles.

Belos just stared at the young boy. "So, you don't remember me? Pity," he said, standing up from his throne.

"No, I don't!" Booker yelled as he clapped his hands and grabbed one of the tendrils. Burning it to a crisp as he freed himself.

He then clapped his hands again and placed them on the ground, unleashing a gust of wind that rocketed him out of the grip of the other hands holding him down. The Seventh Son landed with a flip and stabbed Dragon's Bite down, summoning a row of ice spikes at the evil emperor.

However, to Booker's shock, the spike that was supposed to stab him in the face stopped inches away from Belos's mask. The masked madman having used his own magic to stop the ice from getting any closer.

"Okay, then," Belos said as he melted from the throne, only to reappear behind Booker, appearing to be more liquid than solid mass.

Booker spun to cut down Belos until the Emperor lifted a finger with a spell circle over it, freezing the young boy in place with red magic.

"I'll play." Belos flicked his finger, sending Booker flying away.

Booker screamed for a moment before righting himself in the air. "Eat this!" He yelled, swinging Dragon's Bite as the sword glowed, sending a water buzzsaw at Belos. However, Belos disappeared again and let the saw hit and destroy the throne he was sitting on.

The Seventh Son's flight was stopped when he slammed into the base of a towering statue. Creating a crack that traveled up the statue until it freed the giant two-headed ax. Looking up, Booker gasped when he saw the ax coming down on him and jumped to the side, barely dodging being cut down the middle.

He rolled back onto his feet as the ground began to shift around him. Forming large hands that tried to grab Booker or spikes to impale him. Booker reacted quickly by cutting the hand with his sword and then stabbing the spikes. Channeling his magic into the blade, he destroyed the rocks in a blast of fire.

Belos then summoned two much larger tendril hands to crush the Seventh Son.

Booker, without his sheath, stabbed Dragon's Bite into the floor and then clapped his hands. As his magic lines started glowing on his arms, Booker slammed his hands on the ground. The ground behind him exploded as two large plant hands grew out and grabbed the tendril hands. The two pairs of hands locked their fingers together as Booker and Belos used all their might to push each other back.

Gritting his teeth, struggling to push back against the Emperor's tendril hands as smoke started rising from his own hands. A burning sensation from the lines made it even more challenging to concentrate.

Eventually, Booker used his plant hands to crush down on the tendril ones. Then he ripped them out of the ground and threw them away. Smashing more of the angel statues.

"Is this the best you've got, Belos?!" Booker yelled, grabbing Dragon's Bite and pulling it out of the ground. He spotted the emperor standing not too far away from him and pointed his sword at him. "Aren't you supposed to be the strongest witch?"

"Very well," Belos said, standing immobile as Booker charged at him.

Booker thought that he was going to take out Belos, but before the Seventh Son could react, a giant worm-like creature appeared around the Emperor. Booker screamed and tried to stop himself from running into the monster, but it was too late. The monster caught the Seventh Son and swallowed him whole.

"Now, we can extract the blood within you," Belos said, turning around and walking away.

However, the monster let out a pained roar, which made the Emperor stop. Turning around, Belos watched the monster withered and roared in agony. Then, the monster started glowing from the inside and began inflating from various points on its body until it exploded.

From the explosion of the monster emerged Booker.

[Castlevania: Nocturne OST: Divine Bloodlines]

The eyes of the Seventh Son were glowing again, as the magical lines appeared on his body. Floating in the air, Booker glared at the emperor as Belos merely stood in place and stared at him. His lizard sweater, the same one that Luz gave him, was burned in the burst of flames. Only the hoodie part, half of both sleeves, and the top half of the sweater remained intact.

"Fascinating," Belos said.

Booker landed on the ground and then charged at the tyrant with a blast of wind from his feet, propelling him forward.

The next thing Belos knew, he was being kicked in the stomach by the Seventh Son, knocking all of the wind out of him. Belos was sent flying through the chamber, only to slam into one of the statues.

He groaned in pain and looked up to see Booker in front of him, with his magic-infused sword over his shoulder.

Belos quickly disappeared before Booker could cut him down. Instead, the sword cut through the statue and made it collapse.

The world around Seventh Son suddenly began pulsing and turned gray. "Come now. Do you really think that you can beat me, hybrid," Belos asked Booker in his mind.

Booker didn't respond with words, but with his earth magic. He stomped his right foot on the ground, creating a tremor that destroyed the floor around him and sent debris jumping into the air. The force of the tremor was felt by the people up on the surface.

Belos didn't have time to react to the attack and was sent flying up into the air. Seeing the tyrant reappear, Booker used his illusion magic to give himself angelic wings and flew at Belos with blazing-fast speeds.

Appearing behind the emperor, Booker delivers a powerful left hook to the face, sending him flying to the ground. Creating a cloud of dust that hid where the Emperor landed.

When the dust cleared, pieces of Belos' mask chipped off around his right eye. Looking up, Belos revealed a glowing blue eye shining out of the broken half of his mask. "You got spirit hybrid. But spirit is not enough!" He yelled before slamming his staff on the ground, unleashing a massive column of fire, with him in the middle of it, that rushed into the sky at Booker.

Under normal circumstances, Booker would have lost all control of himself and be frozen in fear. But this was no ordinary circumstance.

Holding out his hand to the Emperor and his fire, Booker formed a small ball of water in his palm. Then, in a split second, that ball turned into a massive sphere that engulfed him while remaining hollow inside for him to breathe. When the fire slammed into the sphere, the rushing water extinguished the flames that came into contact.

Inside the bubble, Booker raised his hand and aggressively clenched his fist. He formed vines that burst out of the ground around Belos and wrapped around his body, surprising the emperor as he tried to break free.

This distraction cut off the fire spell. With the flames gone, Booker then used his ice magic to make two ice pillars, each going at an angel. They both hit Belos in the wrists and pushed his arms apart from his body, causing him to lose his grip on his staff.

Belos looked at the ice and vines in astonishment before looking up at Booker. The Seventh Son let the water bubble he was in drop, sending all the water around him slashing onto the ground. Then, Booker made his wings disappear, and he fell to the ground with Dragon's Bite over his head, letting out a war cry.

SLICE!

"GAH!" Belos yelled in pain under his mask.

With his eyes still glowing, Booker panted for a moment until his magic dwindled. His eyes stopped burning yellow, his magical lines stopped glowing, and most of it disappeared. However, not all of it. The lines that would appear on his hands during moments when he would call upon a large amount of his powers without losing control were still there. Those markings, which went up to his shoulders, were permanently burnt into his skin.

Looking at what he'd done, Booker looked at Belos in shock.

Starting from his right shoulder, the Seventh's Son's sword had cut all the way down to the man's stomach.

However, there was no blood. Instead, the area that Booker had cut into began to burn very lightly.

Booker was shocked by this and pulled his sword out of Belos. However, he tripped onto the ground and collapsed on his back. Having used his full power had taken a lot out of Booker, especially after doing it two times in a single day.

The surprises, however, did not end.

Groaning in exhaustion, Booker heard a disguising sound coming from his vanquished foe. He picked up his head and looked at Belos, only for him to see something that should not have happened.

Belos's body was pulling itself back together. Green and black tendrils were coming out all over both halves of his body and grabbing onto each other. Then, they would pull each other together.

"What are you," asked Booker with growing horror. The young boy tried scooting back from the monster as Belos reformed his body. Even his clothes were restored to normal.

Emperor Belos chuckled as he looked down at Booker, his neck making nerve-flinching cracking sounds. "I like your spirit," he said, staff flying back into his hand when he held out his hand. "But try that again, and things won't end well for you."

"I'm not the one that nearly died," Booker said with a smirk as he stood up on shaking legs.

"We need not be enemies," Emperor Belos said. "I'm just a humble messenger for the Titan. In the grand scheme of things, your little friend, Luz, and the Owl Lady's life is inconsequential…But then you showed up. The Seventh Born of the Seventh Born. And I have been waiting so long for you to appear."

"Why? What could you possibly want with my blood?!" Booker yelled at the emperor.

"I need it to save our world."

"...What?"

"For so long, the Boiling Isles sat on the corpse of a god," Belos said, raising his free hand. "And while the Titan is long gone, his heart is still beating. Bringing life to the Isles."

Booker's mind thought about the giant, beating heart in the throne room.

"But time is running out. The Isles are dying," Belos said, before pointing his staff at Booker. "But you can save it."

"How?" Booker raised an eyebrow.

"You may think that you're just a hybrid, a bridge between our world and the human world. But as the Seventh Son, you're the bridge between us and the Titan. Your unimaginable powers are granted by the Titan from the moment of your birth. Unimaginable power that has been granted by the mixture of the Titan's Blood within you."

Booker's eyes widened in shock as he looked at his chest and placed his hand over it. The blood of the Titan was really within him? How? It didn't make sense. "And why should I believe you," Booker said, pointing his sword at the man.

"The choice is really up to you," Emperor Belos said with a chuckle. "As of right now, I don't need your blood to save our world. Not right now, at least. But on the Day of Unity, I will come for your blood, Seventh Son. However, I'm more interested in your family's portal. So, I'm giving you this one chance to hand it over."

"Fat chance!" Booker glared at the tyrant and got into a fighting stance. "I'm never giving you the door!"

Belos sighed and raised his hand. "So unwise," he said, then snapped his figures.

The chanting from the crowd stopped the moment the petrification machine was completely powered and fired. Unleashing a bolt of green energy that flew towards the cage. Eda, King, and Lilith all screamed before the cursed witch dived in front of her sister and King, taking the full brunt of the blast of magic.

"Edalyn!" Lilith screamed, watching in horror as Eda let out a scream that was more beast than a witch.

"NO!" Luz screamed and took off into the air on the staff.

Landing on the platform, Luz rushed toward the cage to try and get it open.

However, a blur of yellow light flew past her, and Luz was delivered a blow to the back of her head. Knocking her out as she fell to the floor.

Standing a few feet away from her was the same golden-masked guard that was standing next to Belos when Lilith met with the emperor.

"Oooooh, bad move," he said, grabbing the back of Luz's cape and drawing a spell circle. The cage opened a few bars, and the guard threw Luz into it. He then closed it back up as everyone else watched in shock and terror. Especially those who knew and loved her.

The sound of screeching echoed in the underground chamber, making Booker jolt as he looked at the hole in the ceiling. "What did you do?!" Booker shouted at Belos.

"I've started the ceremony," Belos said as he leaned down to Booker. "But there is a way you can stop it, and it's a simple trade that will benefit everyone. Edalyn can be saved if you give me the portal to the human realm. Do it, and I shall let you and your friends go free."

"What?!" Booker looked at Belos in shock. "But…why?"

"'Why' indeed. You probably think we want to invade the human realm, but the Titan's will is not so boarish. You'll understand soon, as you will play an important role in all of this," Belos said as he turned away from Booker. "Tick-tock, hybrid. The Owl Lady doesn't have much time left."

They heard another screech as Booker looked up, crying at his mom's misery and pain.

"No!" Booker shouted, reaching for the ceiling—for Eda. He stabbed Dragon's Bite into the floor and then hunched over in sorrow, his forehead on the pommel of the powerful weapon. Once again, despite all his powers, he was powerless to help Eda. Now, he was given an impossible choice.

If he gave Belos the portal, he could save Eda, King, and Lilith. It would, however, doom the human realm, a place that he and Luz still called home. And if he kept the portal, he could protect their world but doom Eda, King, and Lilith. It was an impossible choice for the Seventh Son. How could he stop Belos and save his friends and family? How could he, a child born of two worlds, save both if it meant dooming one of them?

And just like that, there was a sudden thought that came to mind. He felt a chill run down his spine. In spite of the fact that it would be a crazy decision with terrible repercussions, the only choice Booker had was to go through with it.

"...alright. You win," Booker said, still looking at the ground.

Belos smirked under his mask. "Good choice."

Reaching into his white shirt, Booker pulled out the key around his neck and pressed the button. Activating the portal door, he quickly shoved the key back into his shirt, keeping it out of sight of Belos when he looked over his shoulder.

Booker took his sword out of the ground and stepped back, allowing the door to rise up from the ground. The Seventh Son grabbed it with his free hand and hugged the door to his chest.

Reluctantly walking towards Belos, Booker held out the door. "Here, it's yours."

"The Titan will be pleased," Emperor Belossaid said as he reached out to take it.

Booker chuckled darkly as he looked up at Belos, glaring at him with a smirk. "Yeah, I don't think so."

Suddenly, Booker threw the portal into the air and lifted Dragon's Bite as the blade ignited in gold flames.

Belos gasped at this and reached to stop him. "No!" He screamed in horror, but it was too late.

With a roar, Booker slashed down on the portal the moment it fell in front of him, cutting and smashing the door between the worlds into pieces. The eye cracked from the impact as the portal exploded, engulfing both witches in a cloud of smoke.

Belos swung his staff to clear the smoke, only to see Booker was gone. On the ground, ashes, shattered pieces, and the cracked eye were all that was left of the portal.

Shocked to see the door in flaming pieces, Belos heard the sound of a mechanism turning on and looked in its direction. Swinging his staff again and clearing the smoke, Belos saw that Booker had finally stepped on the platform that Lilith had brought him to.

He glared at Booker through the smoke, who glared right back as the platform carried him up to the exit of the chamber. The Seventh Son's heart was still heavy over what he had to do, but it was the only choice he had to save his friends.

When Luz regained consciousness, she groaned in pain and sat up on the ground. King and Lilith were by her side, helping her up. However, when Luz opened her eyes, she was met with a horrible sight.

The petrification was taking its effect, and Eda's legs began turning to stone. And the stone was working its way up her body, causing excessive pain to the witch.

"Eda! NO!" Luz screamed, trying to reach out to Eda, but Lilith held her back.

However, hope arrived.

Within seconds, Booker and the platform rise in between the cage and the petrification machine. He tore off his beyond-saving sweeter and threw it away, as everyone in the crowd and the coven members were shocked by his arrival.

"Booker!" Luz called out with tears in her eyes and a big smile.

"It's Booker!" Willow shouted from the crowd.

"He's alright!" Amity said, happy to see the boy she loved was alright.

Clapping his hands, Booker held them out at the machine. Summoning vines that burst out of the platform and wrapped around the machine, crushing it until it was destroyed.

With the spell having been broken before it could be completed, Eda screeched and fell to the ground, nearly completely stone.

"Eda!" Luz yelled as she crawled over to Eda and hugged her.

"Wh—what do we do?!" King yelled.

"It's okay! The spell wasn't completed! Maybe I can help her fight it!" Lilith said as she went to Eda, placing her hands on her and channeling her magic into her to fight the petrification.

"No!" Kikamora yelled. "What is happening—"

She was interrupted when Booker marched to Kikimora and grabbed her by the shirt before pulling her into the air.

"Open the cage. NOW!" Booker said as he glared at the short witch, igniting his family sword's blade.

Kikimora gulped and shrunk in on herself under Booker's glare. She nodded quickly and traced a spell circle, making the cage disappear. Throwing the small witch away, Booker ran to Eda and put her hands on her face.

"Mom! Are you okay?" Booker asked her as the stone receded from Eda's body, allowing Eda to open her eyes to look at her adopted son.

"Yeah, kid. I'm as good as I can be." Eda said, still lucid in her cursed form.

"You're not going anywhere!" Booker turned around and saw the golden mask guard approaching him with Emperor's Coven guards. The regular guards were holding spears, while the golden one had his own staff.

Seeing them close in on them, Booker and Luz prepare themselves for a fight, but Eda flung both kids and King onto her back. "Let's fly," she exclaimed, looking at Lilith.

Lilith nodded and got on in front of Booker, Luz, and King. With everyone onboard, Eda took off into the night sky. At the same time, the coven guards threw their spears at the fleeing cursed witch, but none hit them. The crowd cheered as Eda flew away, with Amity, Willow, Gus, and Booker's cousins all cheering and waving at the heroes, beyond happy that they were able to save the day.

Meanwhile, the Golden Guard glared at the escaping witch and the Seventh Son. He was about to go after them when Emperor Belos walked out, his mask still broken.

"Uncle," he whispered upon seeing the damage down to Belos's mask. He ran over to him, but the emperor placed a hand on his shoulder. Signifying that he was okay.

Emperor Belos then walked to the edge of the roof and made an announcement. "Children of the Isles. Today, the Seventh Son of the Seventh Son, Booker Bridges, attacked me. The witch/human hybrid is a product of the most dangerous form of witch magic. By the Titan's grace, I was able to avoid falling by his hand. The Titan has also told me to spare the Owl Lady's life, but in return, her curse will strip away all her powers. Let her monstrous form be a lesson about the dangers of wild magic."

He then looked up at the sky and said, "As for the Seventh Son…he's won this battle, but the war is far from over."

After a short flight, Eda crash-landed on the dirt road in front of the owl house. She panted heavily as everyone got off of her.

"Mom!" Booker said in worry, checking on her.

"She must be exhausted from both the ceremony and the flight," Lilith said as she looked over Eda.

"W-Well, can we still turn her back with the elixirs?" Luz asked as she and King looked worried for the Owl Lady.

"No, human. No amount of elixir can heal her now," Lilith said as she grabbed Eda's face and gazed into her eyes. Her eyes filled with so much sorrow and regret. "Oh, sister. I am so sorry for everything. I was a fool for cursing you, for hunting you, and for working for such a treacherous ruler all these years. In my quest to right the wrongs I've done, I ended up losing myself…"

Lilith lowered her head in shame before picking back up and looking at Eda with determination.

"It's time I did something I should have done a long time ago."

The former Coven Head shut her eyes and placed their foreheads together.

"With this spell declared, let the pain be shared."

Booker, Luz, and King were nearly thrown back when a wave of magic came from Lilith and Eda. Both sisters glowed blue and floated into the air. Their gems glowed before bursting in a flash of white light. The spell worked its magic on Eda, making the wings disappear and her body go back to normal. Her ears returned to average size, along with her hair. And all the feathers on her body molted off, returned Eda back to her usual witch form.

Booker and Luz shielded King from the light until it died down. The three of them turned when it faded to see Eda's body returned to normal before she and Lilith descended back to the ground.

The Clawthorne sister had their eyes shut before they opened them and gazed at each other.

"Eda!" Luz exclaimed.

"Mom! You're back to normal!" Booker said as the sisters looked at the kids, letting them see the after-effects of the spell.

Slipping the curse between them affected the appearance of the sister. Both now had Heterochromia iridum—different-colored eyes. Eda's left eye was now silver, while Lilith's right eye turned silver. Lilith now had a streak of gray hair, while Eda had a streak of white, and her gem was still black.

Eda laughed as Booker, Luz, and King ran over and hugged her. The witch hugged them back as Lilith watched with a smile.

"Can you still do magic," Luz asked.

Wanting to know herself, Eda traced a spell circle. However, it disintegrated into tiny pieces and fell to the ground.

"That's a no," Eda said as she gazed at her hands. "It'll take some time to get used to this."

"I feel that I've been weakened as well," Lilith said, holding one of her own hands.

"It's okay. I can teach you what I know, and what we don't know, we can learn together," Luz said as she placed a light glyph in Eda's hand.

Raising an eyebrow, Eda activated it, looking shocked as it worked and turned into a ball of light. The Owl Lady watched in awe as it floated into the night sky.

Eda smiled and ruffled Luz's hair. "Thanks, kid," she said, pulling Luz and Booker into a hug as Lilith walked closer to them. "I look forward to that."

And that's how Booker not only rescued Eda and cured her curse, but also fought and escaped from the Emperor. There was no denying that everyone was wrong. Belos was a powerful witch, but he wasn't the most powerful witch alive. That honor still went to Booker.

However, even as he stood with his new mom and friends, Booker couldn't get the feeling he felt about Belos out of his head. When they fought, Booker felt the magic coming off of Belos.

It felt…wrong. It wasn't natural magic. Something wasn't right about Belos.

And it wasn't just the whole eating Palisman and pulling himself back together. Booker had a feeling that while he was hard to kill, Emperor Belos might not be invincible. Whenever weakness he had, the Seventh Son was going to find it.

Feeling the cool air on his arms, Booker looked down at his arms and stared at the markings that were now a permanent part of his body. He then saw Luz's hand grabbing his hand, prompting him to look at her. The cute girl smiled at Booker and kissed him on the cheek. Making him blush as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Booker will have to tell Luz about the portal, and when he does, he'll promise to find another way for her to get back home. She's been with him since the beginning of the journey, and Booker knew Luz wasn't going to leave his side at any time. One way or another, they'll find a way back to the human realm.

And once they've found that way home, they'll be coming back to kick Belos's ass.

As for the Emperor himself, he was in a top-secret chamber of his castle. One would have expected him to be absolutely furious by the Seventh Son's defiance, destroying the door to the human realm, and freeing the Owl Lady.

And yet, he wasn't.

"Sire, those miscreants are still at large," Kikimora announced as she walked down the stairs behind the emperor. "Please, allow me to capture them."

"Worry not, Kiki," Emperor Belos said, turning around to face her. "We'll be keeping an eye on the inhabitants of the Owl House." Belos nodded to his Golden Guard, who stood beside him.

The guard nodded back before walking away.

"In the meantime, the Day of Unity is almost upon us," Emperor Belos said, turning back around to watch the progress of his master plan becoming a reality. "...and we have much work to do.

In front of him was a large, round, white frame with wings attached to it. It was partially built. Inside the frame was the portal door. It was still broken, but being pieced back together by some of the engineers. Engineers that will be killed once they're down working on the project, so as not to allow any information about what Belos was working on to leak out.

He'd waited for hundreds of years for this moment to come. His long years of researching, planning, and murdering were finally going to be all worth it.

Fourteen years ago, those plans were seemingly dashed away from him. Booker was the key to everything, and when he was taken to the human realm, Emperor Belos believed that his dreams were gone and that he would have to wait once again for the Seventh Child of the Seventh Child to be born again, which could have been 50 years to another 400 years. The Day of Unity was seemingly lost to him.

And then, as if his prayers to God were answered, Booker came back. Now, his destiny was finally within grasp.

With the destroyed portal in his grasp, Belos had the only means of escaping the Demon Realm. Meaning that Booker Bridges was trapped. Just like the previous Seventh Born trapped him in this world…

…after she took everything from him.

But now, Emperor Belos can finish what he'd started. All the pieces are coming together.

When the Day of Unity arrives, he will finally achieve his dream and fulfill his destiny.

The Seventh Son will return.

AN: FINALLY MADE IT! It took a long time, but we finally made it to the end of the first season. There are so many things going on in this chapter, but it was all worth it.

So, first, we have the appearance of Yeoh Saberslayer, who was first mentioned in the 9th chapter of the story. HEAVILY inspired by the soothsayer in Kung Fu Panda 2, she'll have more appearances in the second season. It's a good thing that she gave Booker the air glyph. I know that there's a wind spell that is made when combining glyphs, but I wanted to have an air glyph to complete the seven primal forms of magic.

And then we have the Cycle of Seven. This was one of the hardest things for me to nail down when it came to writing this story as a whole. I thought of it as kind of like an Avatar thing going on, but with major gaps between each reincarnation. But then I decided it would be like an Arbiter thing from Halo, each Arbiter being chosen during times of crisis for the Covenant. So, it's more of a random reincarnation, kind of like Finn in Adventure Time.

That and it also makes the connection between Booker and the Titan much more straightforward, especially with the Titan's Blood being inside Booker. It's not going to be so easy to get it out of him. He still has his own blood, and it's not like one drop of his blood will automatically mean Titan's Blood. There's a whole ritual thing that Belos will have to do to get it out.

Luz wasn't with Booker and King for the rescue, mainly because I felt as though there would have been too many cooks in the kitchen. After all, Luz in the show was saving her mentor. Booker, in this story, was saving his new mom, and that outweighed saving the mentor by a landslide. However, Luz is still able to play a role in the story by helping the people of the Isles see just how wrong Belos' system is. And like all revolutions, it starts with one person.

I didn't want to leave York and the other Bridges kids out of the battle, so I had them go into the prison to create a huge distraction to keep the guard's attention off Booker. Because, honestly, Luz should have fought more than just a handful of guards.

But what does Belos want Booker's blood for? Why is he so important to his plans?

We'll see next.