Hello, I'm back! One month later. That's kind of better than last time, I suppose. But at least it's finally here. And after a while, with no warnings, those are for the next chapter. This one, is... sort of a moment to breathe for the characters (most of them for the most part.). So, let's get into it!

Chapter 12: Vile remains and sweet treats.

"YOU CAN'T DO THIS!"
"YOU THINK YOU'LL ESCAPE ME?!"
"I WILL ALWAYS BE HERE!"
"I THOUGHT YOU CARED!"

There was... noise... So much of it.

Loud.
"I WILL FIND YOU! SOONER OR LATER I WILL FIND YOU!"

Ιncoprehensible.
"I WILL BRING YOU HOME, EVEN IF I HAVE TO DRAG YOU BY THE HAIR!"

Grating.

And it was everywhere. Luz felt like it could crush her skull, or even crush her completely. It wouldn't let her move, wouldn't let her breathe. Yet somehow she did.

She took a deep breath. Reached out her hand. And then...

(WHE-...RE... A-...)
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

...

...

...

"...-ou thi-... -kay?"

"...-on't seem to... Physica-... least..."

Voices again...!

No... Those were different. They sounded distant, little by little getting closer, clearer. And they were... concerned. They were...

"Mmmm... King? Eda?" Luz mumbled as she opened her eyes, hearing footsteps rushing over to her. She turned towards them, the blur that was her vision slowly clearing up, and tried to stand. Before she could, however, Eda had come before her.

"Easy there, kiddo. Don't rush. Are you okay?" She quickly said, setting Luz gently back on the couch.

Hold on- The couch? She was in the living room? But the basement! And-!

"Amity? Hunter-"

"Don't worry. They're okay. I got Blondie upstairs and bandaged him up. And Bossy Boots is here." Eda reassured her, her gaze, soon followed by Luz's, drifting to the right.

Amity was really there, lying on the other couch. With Ghost lying on her feet and gazing at her worriedly.

And in perfect timing, she appeared to be coming to as well.

With a little help from Eda (or rather a gentle hold-back so she wouldn't bolt to her), Luz stood up and went to sit on the floor next to her.

"Hnggh... Luz?" Amity whispered woozily, upon seeing Luz's face, its look of concern soon swifting to a strange smile. It seemed... it was comforting and warm, but also... something felt off about it. "Are... you okay? Is it over?"

"I... think it is..." Luz sighed as she helped Amity sit up and came to sit next to her, placing her arm around her and quickly receiving a hug.

A hug she kind of awkwardly returned.

"What is over? What the heck happened here?" King suddenly asked, as he and Eda approached them.

Both wearing the same concerned, questioning expression.

The girls looked at each other with uncertainty, pulling away from the embrace. And soon Amity's expression changed too, leaving Luz to face the same question, the same worry in three people.

So, she took a deep breath... "It started when I brought Hunter his lunch..."

"And then I gave it to Amity and she burned it with a fire spell. After that... I woke up here." Luz kept her head low as she finished, avoiding to look even at Amity's hand placed over her own.

She had been keeping it that way almost the whole time she was speaking. And when she wasn't, she was either seeing shock, sadness, or that same concern from before she begun. Except for the few times she looked at Amity and noticed how she seemed willing to take over in her place. And two or three times, she did. When Luz found herself hesitating and when she talked about what happened with her and with Hunter...

Who was with her when she made this nightmare. Who had been tearing himself apart thinking he was facing Belos again. Who tried to help her and ended up looking at her like...

"Amity..." She finally raised her head and faced her, regret shining in her eyes. "I'm so sorry I put you guys through all this."

Amity held Luz's hand a little tighter, but before she could say anything Eda came and sat beside them.

"Look, kid, you..." The older witch sighed before carrying on, a struggle flashing in her eyes when the girls turned their attention to her (hopefully it was left unnoticed). "You really should've been more careful with that. And you didn't have to hide from us how much you worry over and miss your mom."

"I just... didn't want to worry you."

At this, Eda noticed a change in both of them. That heavy guilt that was carried in Luz's voice and kept her eyes glued to the floor, was now seen plain and clear in Amity's face as well.

And how could it not?

She was wondering why Luz wouldn't want to talk, why would she try something like this in secret. But really, could she be that surprised? Or even say something about it when she was just as bad?

Burying her own worry and fear and guilt, so that she wouldn't seem ungrateful, or so that she wouldn't create any more problems for the others than she already had.

And whenever it came out, either by mistake or weakness... it felt weird.

Just like right now. Especially when she realized Eda had noticed (!).

"Luz, don't you remember? Us weirdos stick together. You shouldn't be afraid to talk about those things. And because I know you, believe me when I say that you are not nor could you ever be a burden. Not you... Or any one of you." At this, Eda looked at them both with a soft smile.

Luz seemed ready to start crying again, though this time she smiled back at her mentor. It was smaller than her usual (Luz-like) smiles, but Eda could tell that it was genuine. And she would take it over that heartbroken, guilt-ridden expression she bore before any day.

Amity on the other hand seemed a little taken aback. Not in the sense that she didn't expect it, she had been there long enough, after all. But more in a way that she didn't know how to react. Not that she could really blame her, after all her previous experiences (today included). However it didn't seem to last for long, as she soon gave a smile of her own, similar to Luz's, but probably a bit more grateful.

"Now... I just want to know one thing. Are you sure you're both okay? Do you need to maybe talk more..."

"Thanks, Eda. But right now... I just don't want to think about it. Maybe later?" Luz said, her voice tired (and laced with a little regret).

"In the meantime, how about we get this bake-off started?" King asked, standing on the table. "After triumphing over your greatest fears, I'd say you earned this! Besides, we didn't get all those goods just for them to gather dust on the table. And someone here owes me a cupcake. At least."

A purple haired witch played with her hair a little, averting her eyes and slightly blushing at a chuckling human.

"Well, he's got a point. I think we could use something sweet right now." Luz stood up as she spoke and Amity nodded in agreement, letting out a small chuckle of her own, while following the other three as they made together their way to the kitchen.

She was just hoping there were any clean aprons left.

The doors to the throne room closed. The steps heading for the throne barely audible, inside their sound.

Until the hand demon arrived before the emperor and bowed his head before him. "Emperor Belos. At your command, my lord."

"Head-witch Osran." Belos addressed his subordinate, his tone formal and cold. "Is there anything to report from today? I believe you attempted a search for the Golden Guard, correct?"

"Yes, but there were unfortunately no results. However... I did sense a unique signal of magic. It wasn't coming from a crystal ball or a scroll. It was a little raw and wild, unlike anything I've ever seen! It-"

"Were you able to trace it?" The emperor cut off the old demon's rambling, his words hiding a sense of impatience, a desperation for some words of progress."He was looking into ways to harness wild magic, into forbidden texts. This could've been him. It could be a lead!"

Osran looked away at this, taking a moment to clear his throat (and take control of his blossoming dread) before speaking again. "Uh... Unfortunately, no. I tried to trace its source, but like I said, it was something... one of a kind, outside of the normal network of oracle magic. Not to mention the fact that it was getting weaker at times. Thus, the signal was unstable and hard to track down. Although, I believe it was coming from somewhere in the west side of the isles."

"I see..."

He could tell from the emperor's tone that he was not very pleased with his report. And the heavy silence that followed (save from the nerve-filling sound of the heartbeat) wasn't really helping. He just hoped that he would be dismissed any second now, without the emperor asking for any-

"And what about your... other task? Is there any progress there?" Oh Titan, he asked...!

"It's... My lord, you must understand. We have never tried something like this before. And meddling with a person's mind is a complicated, delicate proccess-"

"So, there isn't." Belos stood up and Osran almost shrunk in on himself. "Osran, do you believe I was wrong when I made you head-witch?"

The demon's hands started trembling, barely holding the crystal ball. His head lowered so he would hide the now very visible, very real dread in his eyes. "N-no! Of course not! It's just that head-witch Vitimir and I can't figure out all of the ingredients. And while I insist on consulting head-witch Snapdragon, he refuses to listen, claiming that he doesn't need help. What I said earlier might be true... but the real reason there hasn't been much progress, is Vitimir's stubborness and pride." He probably spoke with more intensity than he should have at some parts, but the fact that he managed to keep his voice from trembling was a miracle.

But when he finished and the silence returned, he still kept his head low, waiting for the emperor to respond first (and hoping he'd believe him.).

"Very well then. I shall have a little chat with him as well." He finally said, as he sat on his throne again. "In the meantime, you may consult head-witch Snapdragon for whatever you need. Just do as I ordered and have the potion ready soon. You wouldn't want to prove me wrong, would you?"

Osran raised his head, the look on his face still nervous but more controlled. "Of course, emperor. I promise you won't regret it."

And while he turned around to leave, almost tempted to run for the doors, he couldn't help but breathe a silent relieved sigh. This should've been enough to keep himself on Belos' good side... Or at least on his not so bad side. But if he wanted things to stay that way, he had to do good on his word. And quickly.

"No!"

"Please, don't do this!"

"Mercy! MERCYYY!"

"Yeesh... That fairy pie better be worth it. I think my eardrums might explode." Eda said, after putting at long last Amity's fairy pie in the oven with some other delicacies.

"Eh. After the first three times you get used to it." The purple-haired witch commented, without lifting her head from the frying pan. This required the utmost focus and coordination. She couldn't mess this up. Like Luz showed, careful with the spatula and... Flip! Well, she didn't splatter everywhere, so... probably...? "Hey, Luz? You think it's good now?"

"Just a second." Luz called out, before turning back to King and the cupcakes they were decorating. "Sprinkle those ones up a bit, okay? But leave the turquise ones to me."

"Oooh! Okay!" King winked at her as she left, grabbing fistfuls of sprinkles and dropping them on the cupcakes like there was no tommorow.

While Luz looked over Amity's shoulder to check the pancake she was making. "Mmmm! Beautiful smell, nice color, it's perfect! You sure you've never done this before?"

"Guess you're just that good a teacher." She chuckled with a blush on her face, before looking back at the pancake.

"Aww, you!"

...!

Everything went blank for a moment.

And when the two looked at each other again, it became clear like a distant, sweet memory that just came back.

Luz had wrapped her arms around Amity's waist. Her head leaning on her shoulder. Eyes blissfuly closed before taking in Amity's surprised, blushed smile.

But then she had stepped away. Also with a blushed, slightly awkward smile.

"Heh...! Keep up the good work, hermosa! I'm gonna deck some more cupcakes!" She said quickly, still with that smile on her face, and went back to King.

"Well, that was smooth." He teased and handed her the cupcakes.

While Luz didn't know whether to start jumping up and down in glee, or put on her hood and slam her head on the table, until either of them broke. So instead, she focused on the cupcakes.

Amity just watched, still smiling, still blushing. Until Eda tapped her shoulder to remind her of the pancake, which was thankfully not burnt. "Thanks, Eda..."

"Don't mention it. Just remember: First finish the pancakes, then place the honey. Speaking from experience..." Eda had clearly joined King in the teasing, but there was a fondness in her voice.

"You think those are enough?" Amity asked as she placed it on the stack on the table with the rest of them.

"Should be. Now, those babies in the oven will need about half an hour more to be ready. You guys want to wait, or dig in to what's ready?"

"It's just half an hour. We can wait." Luz said, but then-

"Speak for yourself, sister!" King gobbled two cupcakes (thankfully not the ones Luz had.). "Mm! Those are good!"

"Well... since you aren't waiting..." Amity started (maybe a bit more awkwardly than she would've liked), putting her hands behind her back. "You can have this one too." And as she reached him, she brought them forward to reveal a vanilla cupcake with sprinkles and a big strawberry on top. "I did owe you a cupcake..."

She could feel a knot form on her stomach as King was staring with eyes wide between her and the cupcake, but she still tried to keep the smile on her face.

It felt though like it came undone when the little guy took the cupcake and smiled back at her. "Thanks, Amity."

Luz could feel her cheeks hurt from grinning so much at how cute this felt. From Amity holding the cupcake, to King taking it and eating it (finaly) with that smile... the way Amity seemed to relax when he took it and thanked her genuinely...

...

Pastries should really be a nice way to apologize...

Hunter couldn't sleep. It wasn't anything new to him, but this time...

Every time he closed his eyes he could see Belos' face, hear his voice whisper all those things, and-

...

...

His palisman was nestled close to his head. He had fallen asleep a while ago, probably during one of Hunter's own attempts. He didn't want to leave his witch alone with those thoughts. If he knew he was awake, he'd stay with him. Like he did that night...

He stayed right there next to him until he fell asleep. And he was the one who woke him up when the scouts were coming. The one who saved him and got hurt while doing so...

And how was he repaying him?

...!

A knock on the door? At this hour?

Hunter froze, not daring to say a word, or make a sound. Whoever it was, would probably want to talk about today again, since his encounter with the Owl Lady when he woke up... could've gone better. And the last thing he wanted right now was another conversation. He just needed today to be over. And then the day after and the day after that, until at least his leg was healed up and he could get the heck out of there.

...And go where?

...

...!

Don't move. Don't speak. You're sleeping. You're sleeping!

"Shhh. Careful."

"Sorry."

"Come on... Let's go."

...

What was that now?

Hunter heard two voices just barely. They whispering. They must've been the human and the Blight girl. And... an abomination wheeled tray? That they left close to him, why?

He sat up, eyeing in confusion both the tray and the objects on it. A fork, a knife, a plate with a few pastries and a glass lid covering it and next to it, a note.

Don't know when you'll see this, but we had left the tray outside earlier today/yesterday. Since you didn't get it, we got it in your room, so you'd have something to eat if you wake up in the middle of the night hungry/when you wake up in the morning. Honestly, kind of a bummer you didn't come down, it was really fun. And believe it or not, it kind of helped. Well, we still hope you'll like the pastries.

Also, (this is Luz) I wanted to say that I'm sorry for what happened today. I can't even imagine what that must've been for you, but I didn't mean for this to happen. I know that's not an excuse and I honestly wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to see me again after today. But you don't have to deal with this alone. If you ever need to talk more... just know I'll listen. We all will.

Goodnight/Good morning,

Luz and Amity

Hunter sighed, after he finished reading, and placed the note back on the tray.

Great...

They really couldn't take a hint. The human especially.

He didn't want the stupid pastries! He didn't want to... talk! And talk about what else...

...

No, it didn't matter. He just had to get better and then get away. From the Owl House, from Belos, from the Boiling Isles if he had to!

...

This would help! This was what he needed! Besides it wouldn't help anyone if he-It would only make things worse! There would be no point in admi-

Ugh!

...!

...!

Hunter was gritting his teeth, hands clutching tightly his head, as he was desperately trying to keep himself from screaming his frustration out.

He couldn't have this, not now, not ever! Not in this place, around those people, around-...

Around his palisman...

"...I'm sorry..." He whispered, looking at the sleeping bird, just as he felt something in his stomach.

And then heard it.

...Well... he could do something other than think of... that. And he hadn't really eaten. In a while. And like the human said, he wouldn't get any better by starving himself.

So, he removed the lid and decided to start with the small stack of... food.

Wow...!

That taste... soft and... sweet and just...!

Hunter couldn't slice it fast enough, stuffing his face with the next bite, having barely swallowed. And every few times he slowed down, so he wouldn't choke, he could almost feel like he was...

"Woah, look at that. I didn't think I'd see anyone eat those things so fast."

And that's all for now! Next one is a chapter I've been really looking forward too, but for now, I just hope you liked this one! See you all later! Please leave a review and stay safe. Byeee! :)