CHAPTER 11: Quest For The Bloom of Eternal Youth
[Open on Eda's Human Collectibles stand in the market]
King holds up a tray of mostly inedible human things.
King: Partake of my free snack samples! Take it! I demand it as your ruler, the King of Demons!
Several people past but none even look at him. Finally, he throws the tray on the ground.
King: Nyeh! Why isn't anyone paying attention to me? I'm their rightful overlord. Intellectually and such.
Eda: Yeah...hey!
Eda grabs a passerby by the cowl and sniffs him.
Eda: It reeks more of nerd than money today.
Luz: Guys!
Passerby: Ah!
Luz: You will not believe what's going on! *poses under a banner* It's a book fair! Where books come to life!
A book jumps off one of the stands next to her.
Book: Hello.
Luz screams and kicks it.
King: A fair without rides?
Boy: Who needs rides when this *shoves a book in King's face* can take you anywhere?
King: Nyeh.
King throws a strip of bacon on the boy's head. A winged demon flies by and picks him up—the boy screams. Sora, completely bored, summons his keyblade and shoots a light beam at the creature, saving the bookman.
Sora: Eh.
Eda: A, ew. *throws the book on the ground* B, I'm bored. C, I feel like pickpocketing some dork while they browse. *walks off*
Luz: No, wait! *to King* Will you give it a chance? I'll let you ride in my hoodie!
King: Ooohoohoohoo!
[Cut to Luz and Sora walking through the book fair with King in her hood]
Luz: This book fair's got everything! A zine-making workshop, meet and greets, and- what's that? *gasp* A writing competition!? I've always wanted to be a writer.
King: Writer? What? I thought you wanted to be a witch?
Luz: Of course I wanna be a witch. But where I'm from, that's kinda... impossible. So my runner-up dream was to be a writer. *pulls a picture out of her pocket* I've had this about the author picture since I was seven years old. I know my good angle.
Sora: Aw, you looked goofy.
Luz: Yes, I did. And I'm gonna enter the competition.
A girl laughs as she runs by.
King: Ugh! What are these basement dwellers doing out in natural sunlight?
Tiny Nose: Um! We're in line for Jon De Plume, most famous writer on the Boiling Isles, famed authow of the Wealm Warriors sewies!
Sora: Tiny Nose!
Tiny Nose: Sora!
Sora: You're really excited about that author.
Tiny Nose: Yup, I'm gonna have him wead my stowy... and mawwy me.
Sora: Good luck with that.
[Cut to Jon signing a book]
Man: Jon, will you sign my child?
Jon: I'll sign anything! *laughs*
King: Such power. Such command he holds over his minions. I must have the same! Luz the human! I too, shall enter the competition.
Luz: Really? *gasps* We could work together! It'll be perfect! We're best friends, so we'll make the best team!
King: Team! Yes!
Luz: Sora, you in?
Sora: No thanks, I'm not really a writer guy. I'm gonna find Eda. *walks off*
Luz: Ok. Bye. *to King* Let's go write.
King: Yeah!
[Luz begins walking away]
King: My name goes first on the cover.
[Cut to Eda walking around]
Sora catches up to her.
Sora: Hey, Eda.
Eda: Oh, hey. Where are Luz and King?
Sora: They went back home to write a book. I wasn't interested. I figured I hang with you.
Eda was somewhat pleased to hear that as the two don't often hang out as often as he does with Luz.
Eda: Alright. Come on.
The two walk through a crowd while they hear indistinguishable chatter.
Eda: *grabs books and tosses it* Boring,
Eda knocks a book, and it was going to fall onto a child's head, but Sora catches it at the last second.
Eda: boring. *grabs another book* Boring.
Eda notices a book with a mirror and is shocked to see her reflection.
Eda: *gasp* Another wrinkle! The curse is quickening.
Sora: Let's head home for an elixir, quickly.
Suddenly, the two hear a familiar voice.
?: You, lackey.
The two duck behind a banner that says "READ OR... DIE". Eda lifts the banner and sees Lilith, and glares at her.
Eda: Lilith...
Sora frowns.
The two of them see Lillith and an Emperor Coven member talking to a merchant.
Lilith: Do you have the item we discussed?
Merchant: Oh! Yes, right here. *hands her a map*
Lilith: *opens the map* This is excellent. A map to the Bloom of Eternal Youth. *closes the map* I think the emperor will be very pleased.
Emperor Coven Member: Ma'am, shouldn't we be searching for the Owl Lady to join the coven? Remember that whole plan.
Lilith: *laughs* My sister's curse has left her frail. She'll still be here when we get back.
[Cut to Eda and Sora, frowning]
Eda: *groans*
Sora: *whispers* Mean.
[Cut back to Lillith, the coven member, and the merchant]
Lilith: This comes first. It's for the emperor, after all.
Emperor Coven Member: Yeah!
He knocks over the merchant's books.
Emperor Coven Member: All hail the emperor!
Lilith: *patting the member's head* Very good, Steve! *walks away*
Steve: Shoulder pats for Steve! *Pats shoulder and walks away*
Eda: *hops over a table* Hey bub, what'd you sell my prissy sister?
Sora walks up to the table.
Merchant: Oh! It's a map to the Bloom of Eternal Youth. A rare flower that only grows once a millennia. Like the name says, it gives eternal youth to whomever holds it.
Eda: Interesting. So Lilith wants to nab this power for the emperor, huh. Well, won't she be surprised when I get there first and get it for myself! Hah! That'll show her who's frail.
Merchant: *grins maliciously* Well, we'll see, won't we...
Sora: How will we know where to find it?
The merchant discretely opens a drawer to reveal dozens of maps.
Merchant: Can't go without a map, of course.
He hands Eda one. She takes it and opens it, grinning.
[Cut to Owl House, where Eda and Sora walk inside]
Eda: Apprentice! Living room!
Sora: Remind me. If this flower's real, will you actually become younger? Or will you stop aging?
Eda: Become younger. Ooh boy, I can't wait.
Sora: It'd be cool to see what you'll look like.
Eda: You've seen my pictures. Though the real deal will be fabulous. Now, let's see this map.
Eda opens up the map, and the two inspect it. Luz walks in.
Luz: Hey!
Eda closes the map.
Luz: What's up, boss lady?
Eda: Sora and I are popping out for a few days to an undisclosed place to do undisclosed things.
Luz blankly stares at the two.
Luz: ...What?
Sora: Secret mission.
Eda: What he said.
Luz: Oh.
Eda: Luz, You're in charge.
Luz: Oh, Great!
Eda: No questions.
Luz: Okay!
Eda: I said no questions!
Sora: Later!
Eda closes the door, and Luz shrugs while leaving.
[Cut to a forest, where Eda and Sora walk into a clearing, consulting the map]
Eda rips the vines off of a statue.
Eda: Okay, from the Minitaur, we head due north, and with luck, we'll get to the Bloom of Eternal Youth before Lilith! *laughs, snorts* Who's frail now, emperor dorks?
Sora: *nods* Hm.
Branches crack.
Eda: *gasp* Someone's following us.
With a snap, Eda summons a blue magic sword, and Sora summons his keyblade. They duck behind the statue. A figure walks into the clearing, looking worse for wear. Eda summons a fireball, and the two ran out from behind the statue.
Eda: Spicy toss!
Sora: Hyaah!
They close in and realize it was Lilith.
Lilith: Aah!
Eda: Lily?
Sora: Lilith?
Lilith: Edalyn? *to Sora* Edalyn's bodyguard?
Eda and Sora immediately de-summon their weapons.
Lilith: *sigh* And of course you would be here just to be a nuisance. Why don't you go home and rest? Wouldn't want you breaking a hip.
Sora: *thinking* Aren't you as old as her? ...Or possibly older?
Eda: Sorry, sister, I'm stronger than you think. I'm here to save the Bloom of Eternal Youth from the likes of you.
Sora: That's right.
Eda/Sora: *runs; singsong* And we're gonna get there before you!
Lilith: Aah! No, you won't!
[Cut to a deeper part of the forest, where Eda, Sora, and Lilith run by, panting]
A shadow follows them.
Eda: Ha! Doesn't this remind you of how we used to race to the kitchen, Lilly? Lilly?
Eda and Sora stop running to take a look around to see where Lillith went.
Sora: Did she decide to give up?
The two hear sounds and looked around for the source. Eda and Sora look up to see Lilith, wrapped up with muffled screaming, held by a crab-like monster. The monster growls as Lilith tries to free herself.
Eda: Lilly!
Sora steps in, but Eda stops him.
Eda: I got this!
Eda summons a large fireball and shoots it at the crab monster, sending it flying into the distance. Lilith falls into a bush with a muffled yell. Eda helps her up.
Eda: Alley-Oop!
Lilith: Ugh, thank you Edalyn! I wasn't certain that you'd save me.
Eda: Stow it! Ugh, we might fight, but you're still my sister. And besides, if someone's gonna be putting you down, it's gonna be me. Ha! *slaps Lilith's back*
Lilith chuckles, looking to the side, and gasps.
Lilith: Is that?
Eda presses her face to Lilith's, and Sora does the same action without pressing his face to Eda's. Then, through the trees, a glowing pink flower looms.
Eda: The Bloom of Eternal Youth! *pushes Lilith* Alright, back off, that baby's mine.
Lilith: *growls* Why are you always like this?
Eda: Because Lilith, you think I'm just some tired old biddy. Ah, but I'm more than that. *magically cuts the flower* And with the Bloom of Eternal Youth's power, I'll show you!
Sora: Sorry, Lilith. But, we win this round.
The flower disappears from her hand.
Eda: What the-
Merchant: *maniacal laughter*
The merchant's shadow falls over Eda as he stands atop the stone behind the flower. Lilith walks up next to Eda.
Merchant: I know you must be confused. The Bloom of Eternal Youth, dead? What if I told you the Bloom never existed at all! And now that I have led you to my nest, I'll suck all the life out of you to satisfy my unending hunger!
[Cut to Eda, Sora, and Lillith, bored out of their minds]
Lilith: He scammed us. Can you believe he scammed us?
Eda: I thought there was a 50/50 chance going in.
Sora: Considering the bad guys we met so far, we should've seen this coming, Eda.
Eda: Yeah. But, hard not to admire the tenacity, though.
Lilith: Good entrance, but that outfit? Ha!
Eda: Look at his little shoes! *laughs*
Lilith: *laughing* Stop it.
Sora laughs along with them.
Merchant: *embarrassed, covering his shoes* Well, maybe you've never been led into a lethal trap before, but the response should be, "Aa! No! Spare us!"
Eda, Sora, and Lilith share a mischievous look.
Eda: Ah, sure. *steps onto the dais* *sarcastically* Spare us.
Lilith: *summons her staff* *sarcastically* Woe to us, whose fates are sealed.
Sora: *sarcastically* Oh, please. Don't end us. *cracks his knuckles*
Merchant: Tha-That's right, witches! Cower! Cower?! *gulp*
As the three approach the merchant, he suddenly extends his arms and starts channeling what looked like dark magic. The merchant laughs maniacally.
Eda: Uhhhh...
Sora/Lillith: Darkness?
Sora and Lillith looked at each other, and the three looked back at the merchant.
Merchant: Did you really think...THAT I CAME HERE UNPREPARED?!
[Play Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix -Vim And Vigor- Extended]
The Merchant completely shrouds himself in darkness and waves his arms upward, and began to summon various shadows.
Merchant: Heartless, come forth!
A squad of heartless appears, but these aren't your common type. Instead, these heartless are more humanoid-looking. They have tails and have straight horns coming out of their heads.
Eda/Sora: Heartless?!
Lillith: Heartless? What are they?!
Sora: Monsters that are drawn to the darkness in people's hearts.
Eda: Those things even consume hearts and turn their victims into one of their own!
Lillith: What?!
Eda: But how is this chump summoning and controlling them?
Sora: *thinking* Someone gave him this power. And I've got a pretty good idea of who too.
[Cut to a cliff in the distance]
The two figures, one slim and one large, who have been lurking around, are watching with anticipation.
Large Silhouette: Remind me again, why did you give that chump the keys to the Heartless? Another message?
Slim Silhouette: He is inconsequential. And yes, this is another message. Except...
Large Silhouette: Except...?
[Close up to the slim silhouette lower half of the face]
It seems feminine, with pale-green skin and red lips. She smiles sinisterly.
[Cut back to the group against the Merchant and the Heartless]
Eda and Lillith summon their staffs as Sora summons his keyblade. Lillith takes notice of Sora's weapon and widens her eyes.
Lillith: *thinking* He has one as well?!
She stares directly at Sora while he has his attention on the Merchant and the Heartless.
Lillith: *thinking* He must be the one...
She then turns back to the Merchant and the Heartless.
Lillith: *thinking* Focus, I've got to focus on defeating these Heartless. *to Sora and Eda* You seem to have fought them before. How do we defeat them?
Sora: We take out the group leader, which is either a much more powerful Heartless or..."
Eda: Or whoever's crazy enough to use them.
Lillith: So, if we take down this scammer...
Sora: The Heartless will scatter.
The 3 ready themselves as they enter battle stances.
Merchant: Now, my Heartless! Attack!
The Heartless leaped at the three, and they fight back. Sora easily cuts down three, Eda blasts two with a light beam, and Lillith blasts two with her blue flames. The battle continues as the mysterious figures keep on watching.
Merchant: There's plenty of more where that came from! Attack!
The merchant summons more of the demon-looking heartless to attack the group. One heartless try to tackle Sora, but he manages to block and push it back with his keyblade. He then turns around to see two more heartless leaping towards him from behind. He swings his keyblade at them.
Sora: Aeroga!
Sora unleashes a huge gust of wind, blowing them away and causing them to crash into a large tree. Eda and Lillith spin their staffs above their heads and channel a big surge of magic. The two stopped and slammed the bottom of their staffs to the ground and unleashed a huge wave of magic flames of orange and blue, destroying them.
Merchant: Oh no!
Sora aims his keyblade at the merchant.
Sora: Take this!
Sora unleashes a light beam directly at the Merchant's chest, ultimately knocking him down and out.
[End Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix -Vim And Vigor- Extended]
The dark aura surrounding the merchant disappears. The group looked around and noticed the Heartless have also disappeared.
Sora: Huh, alright. It looks like we've won.
Eda: Whoo!
Lillith: *pant* That was quite the battle.
The three look at the merchant lying on the ground.
Eda: Well, we wrecked this chump. But I guess the Bloom of Eternal Youth isn't real. *sigh*
Lillith: Yes. But I must ask, these... "Heartless." Where did they come from?
Eda and Sora looked at each other before answering. Eda knew that She must keep Sora's story and connection to the Heartless secret. And from Eda's perspective, Lillith, and by extension, the Emperor's Coven, are the very people that should never find out about it. So the two looked back at Lillith and gave a vague answer.
Eda: No clue.
Sora: They started showing up out of nowhere.
Lillith: I see... that is rather concerning. These creatures, their main instinct to consume the hearts of others, they'll no doubt be a large threat if left unchecked.
Sora/Eda: *thinking* You have no idea.
Lilith: Well, in any case. If it makes any difference, Edalyn, I don't consider you to be a tired old bitty.
Eda: Really?
Sora slightly smiles.
Lilith: If you were, you'd be much easier to catch.
Sora puts up a slightly disappointed look.
Sora: Oh.
Eda: Oh great, you're gonna cart me away to the coven now, are you?
Sora enters a small stance.
Lilith: Not now. Because I want to give you a chance to join on your own.
Eda looks surprised.
Lillith: Join me in the Emperor's Coven, Edalyn.
Lillith holds out Eda's hand.
Lillith: He could even heal your curse.
Eda pushes Lilith's hand down.
Eda: No, I'll heal it on my own terms. I don't wanna owe him anything. Catch you later, sis.
Lilith: Not if I catch you first.
The two slightly smile at each other. Then, Lillith looks at Sora while he looks back at her.
Lillith: Boy. You are Edalyn's bodyguard...
Sora still looks at Lillith.
Lillith: Despite everything else, I hope... you'll continue protecting her.
Sora was surprised to hear what she had said but slightly smiled.
Sora: Of course I will.
Eda and Sora turn around, but not before Eda smiles at Lillith and summons her staff.
Eda: I'll see you around.
Eda and Sora fly off.
Lilith slightly smiles and then looks down with a sigh. Finally, the merchant regains consciousness and speaks.
Merchant: *weakly* You're welcome for the chance to bond.
Lilith shoots him with a fire spell, causing the merchant to scream in pain. She then looks up to the moon.
[Play Kingdom Hearts -Villains Of A Sort- Extended]
Lillith: *thinking* That boy... his weapon... no doubt about it. The Emperor must know about this.
[Close up to Lillith's face]
Lillith: And no doubt he's the boy that she mentioned...
[Cut to the figures]
Large Silhouette: Uhh... repeat that?
Slim Silhouette: THIS message is not for the "Guardian of Light." It is for this... "Emperor's Coven."
[End Kingdom Hearts -Villains Of A Sort- Extended]
[Cut to the Owl House as Eda and Sora land outside]
Luz and King are snoring on the couch until Eda opens the door. Eda and Sora walk in.
Eda: Hey, kids. Woof. *drops her staff, cracks her back* That was a rough couple days.
Sora: Yeah, it was.
Luz: Yeah, I'll say.
Eda and Sora sat on the couch.
Eda: Ah. Well, nothing a bit of apple blood and a good book can't mend.
Sora: I'm having my usual warm milk.
Luz: Books?
King: Nope, I don't know nothing about that.
Luz: We hate books. Wow, look at the time!
King: What's a book? Good night!
Luz does a back-handspring out of the room while King just runs away. Eda and Sora watch them go. They then notice a book titled Ruler's Reach on the coffee table.
Eda/Sora: Huh? What the-
Typewriter: You do not want to know.
The two notice the talking typewriter.
Sora: The heck?
