Return to the Demon Realms
Written by
Williamson Knox
OPEN ON:
EXT. GRAVESFIELD - DAY
ONE YEAR LATER
[Gravesfield is still in the process of being rebuilt, with many new homes and businesses under construction. At one of these construction sites, Luz is busy wrapping up a day of community service with the friends her doppelganger made at summer camp.
She then mounts her bike and begins setting off for home.]
MASHA
See ya, Luz. It was good getting to know the real you!
LUZ
(outgoing)
Same!-I mean, not as though you guys had sinister body-doubles in the Demon Realms or anything.
VEE
(laughing)
Aww, come on! That was one time!
[They all laugh and wave Luz goodbye as she rides down the street. The atmosphere in the town seems uplifting, especially under the majestic view of the palistrom tree. Luz hums a cheerful tune to herself and waves to the passersby on the road.
She then arrives home, noticing a black car parked out front as she kick-stands her bike.]
INT. NOCEDA RESIDENCE
LUZ
Mamá? Do we have company?
CAMILLA
Sí, cariña. Join us in the living room.
[She enters the den to see Camilla having tea with two gentlemen seated across from her. One is an austere-looking man dressed in a black business suit. The other is a more approachable, portly man with a bushy mustache.]
LUZ
(uneasy)
Oh, Mr. Wayde. Mayor Gilman. Good to see you again.
MR. WAYDE
Likewise. I was just apprising your mother of the agency's progress.
[Luz hangs up her jacket and joins them in a chair across the coffee table.]
LUZ
(leery)
Right. So, how is the "cover-up" going?
[Camilla gives her a reproving look, but Mr. Wayde seems unfazed.]
MR. WAYDE
As far as anyone outside Connecticut is concerned, the global EMP was the result of a faulty high-atmosphere missile test.
LUZ
(sarcastic)
Right. And a whole city full of eldritch architecture just sprang up where the warhead fell!
MAYOR GILMAN
(helpfully interjecting)
A new tourist attraction! A fantasy-themed boardwalk and shopping district!
LUZ
Complete with a tree the size of the Chrysler Building...Come on! The world's not going to buy these lame cover-stories forever. People should know the truth!
MAYOR GILMAN
And they may. It will just take some time to...adjust. Perhaps your novels might help.
[The mayor produces a hardcover novel from his satchel, entitled The Owl House: Part II, by Luz Noceda. The cover is printed with cartoonized renditions of Luz, Eda, and King bracing themselves for danger.]
LUZ
(blushing)
Oh, I didn't think you read those...
MAYOR GILMAN
(winking)
It won't be long before they're in the nonfiction section.
MR. WAYDE
-That would be a violation of her NDA.
MAYOR GILMAN
Oh, get the stick out!
(to Luz)
Anyway, we're here on the same business as last time. It has fallen to the State of Connecticut to maintain a dialogue with our allies in the Boiling Isles.
MR. WAYDE
With your extensive experience traversing the Demon Realms, you remain our best choice as a liaison.
[At first, Luz lights up with excitement, but she then fades into a downcast look.]
LUZ
Wow, I'm...honored that you're still considering me...
(diffident)
But I don't know if I'm ready to go back yet.
[Camilla looks surprised.]
MAYOR GILMAN
(gently)
O-of course. The events of last year no doubt took their toll. We won't pressure you...
LUZ
Thank you.
[She rises from her seat and heads upstairs. Mr. Wayde stops her, handing her a business card.]
MR. WAYDE
Should you change your mind.
[She turns the card, reading: DEPT. of INTER-DIMENSIONAL AFFAIRS, (Burn after receiving), followed by a phone number and address. She pockets the card and proceeds up to her room.
Camilla watches her go with concern.]
INT. NOCEDA RESIDENCE, KITCHEN - EVENING
[Vee and Luz are seated at the kitchen table as Camilla serves up a home-cooked meal. Sullen, Luz prods her dish with disinterest.]
CAMILLA
Mija, I was surprised you didn't take their offer. I thought you'd leap at the chance to see your friends again.
LUZ
I know. I do want to go back, but...there are still some things I have to do here.
CAMILLA
Like...?
LUZ
Well, for starters, I promised "Homes for Humans" I'd volunteer again next Saturday. I'm also putting the finishing touches on the manuscript for Volume Three-
(realizing)
-Ooh! Speaking of. My publisher wants my final draft by tomorrow and it still needs work! Can I finish this in my room?
[Camilla nods. Luz takes her plate and stops to kiss her mother on her cheek before rushing up to her room. Camilla smiles with a mixture of pride and parental worry.]
CAMILLA
My, she's changed.
VEE
For the better, don't you think?
CAMILLA
Well, she's more responsible...
(worried)
But is she really happy...?
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
[Camilla walks up the stairs to Luz's bedroom with a tray of dirty dishes to collect her plate. As she approaches the doorway, she can hear Luz speaking to someone.]
LUZ
It's more than that. I want to go back more than anything! It's just...I don't know...
[Luz's door is opened just a crack. Curious, Camilla peers through it to see Luz talking to her palisman. She has the carved egg laid out on her desk, "incubating" under a desk lamp.]
LUZ (cont'd)
I guess I'm still trying to prove something to myself. Suppose I'd never found the Demon Realms in the first place? Could I still have been happy with my life here...?
[As Luz ponders the question, she browses a photo album program on her computer. She reminisces over group photos with her new friends, of them volunteering together and camping over the summer.
She then looks at her desk and smiles at a recently opened acceptance letter to Miskatonic University, and a framed "Arkham Award for Literary Merit".]
LUZ (cont'd)
(contented)
Yeah...yeah, I think so...
[Out in the hallway, Camilla smiles with affection and heads back down the stairs. Later, as Luz settles into bed, the palisman egg starts to wobble and crack.]
INT. LUZ'S BEDROOM - MORNING
[Luz's sleep is interrupted by a sharp pecking and an excited crooning sound. She peels open her eyes to see a pigeon pecking her forehead.]
LUZ (cont'd)
Agh! Did I leave a window open?!
[As she bolts upright, she sees a tiny pigeon-headed griffin sitting in her lap. The palisman cocks its head at her and croons affectionately.]
LUZ (cont'd)
*gasp* My palisman! Oh, mí huevito! No, wait, I'll call you Manuel!
[She scoops the palisman in her arms and nuzzles it's beak.]
LUZ (cont'd)
(baby talk)
What took you so long, Manny? Finally ready to come out of your shell, huh?
[The griffin croons again, seeming to speak to her.]
LUZ (cont'd)
What's that? Aww, you were waiting 'till I was ready? You little stinker.
[She dwells on the thought for a moment and plucks the calling card Mr. Wayde gave her from her nightstand.]
LUZ (cont'd)
(triumphant)
Yeah...maybe I am ready!
CUT TO:
EXT. DOWNTOWN GRAVESFIELD - MORNING
[Luz rushes down main street on her bike, Manuel flying beside her. She tries to follow the direction of her phone's navigation app.]
LUZ'S PHONE
Turn left on Misquat St. Your destination will be on the right.
[Luz follows the instructions, only to arrive at a seemingly innocuous Donut Shop.]
LUZ'S PHONE (cont'd)
Welcome to The Big Donut. Please rate your experience.
[Groaning, Luz enters a one-star rating into the app, along with an angry emoji-face in the comment bar. Just then, the Noceda family car comes to a screeching halt on the street beside her.]
LUZ
Agh! Mom!
[Camilla gets out of the car, panting.]
CAMILLA
Sorry, you ran out of the house so fast. Where do you think you're going?!
LUZ
I left you a note. I've accepted Mr. Wayde's offer.
(reassuring)
I promise, it'll just be a nine-to-five thing. I'll be home in time for dinner.
CAMILLA
No, I mean where are you going-
(exuberant)
-without me?! I want to go with you!
[Luz does a double-take.]
LUZ
Huh?
CAMILLA
I'm not going just to be a helicopter mom. All I got to experience of the Demon Realms was in the hysteria of Belos' invasion. I want to see it through your eyes this time.
LUZ
Really?
CAMILLA
(earnest)
From now on, I want to share in the things that matter to you...
(contrite)
...not just make you abandon them.
LUZ
Aww, mom!
[Overjoyed, Luz hugs her mother.]
CAMILLA
(confused)
So...are you stopping here for breakfast, or...?
MR. WAYDE
*ahem*
[They look over and see a man sitting outside the shop, appearing to read a newspaper. Mr. Wayde folds the newspaper away and greets them.]
MR. WAYDE (cont'd)
We're glad you reconsidered, young Ms. Noceda. Right this way.
[He leads them into the back of the store where they enter a freight elevator that descends below street level. After a few moments in darkness, they enter a massive underground complex.]
LUZ
Whoa! What's all this?!
MR. WAYDE
The "coverup".
[The elevator screeches to a halt and they walk along a steel catwalk overlooking several laboratory partitions. In one, a team of researchers performs a spectral analysis of a palistrom root. In another, several analysts engrave pictoglyphs on various substances and record the energy output.]
CAMILLA
*squee* This is just like a spy movie!
[Mr. Wayde then leads them to a glass mezzanine section filled with office cubicles and desks. Several quick cuts show Luz filling out paperwork, getting her photo I.D. taken (it's hideous), and Mr. Wayde administering her oath.]
MR. WAYDE
Do you swear to dispense the duties of this office with diligence and discretion?
LUZ
I do.
MR. WAYDE
And, above all else...
(grave)
...do you vow to serve and uphold human interests before any other.
LUZ
(leery)
That's an odd thing for a diplomat to swear by.
MR. WAYDE
Just a formality.
[Luz reluctantly nods and accepts her new I.D. badge as it's printed from a laminate machine.]
CUT TO:
EXT. PALISTROM TREE - DAY
[A stretch limousine carries them to the base of the palistrom tree, it's roots cordoned off by miles of razor-wire fence patrolled by security guards.
The limo passes through a security checkpoint and let's Camilla and Luz out at a flight of stairs leading up to the portal.]
MR. WAYDE
Take the first few days to settle in. We'll contact you with your first assignment soon.
[The limousine pulls away as the Nocedas scale the steps up to the carved doorway.]
LUZ
Well, this is it. Ready to see the Boiling Isles?!
CAMILLA
I can hardly wait!
LUZ
Alright, here we go.
(to the portal)
The Human Realm Embassy. Downtown Bonesborough.
[The door glows with gold light and opens into a swirling portal. Luz clasps her mother's hand and they excitedly prepare to jump through.]
LUZ & CAMILLA
(in unison)
Uno...Dos...TRES!
[They leap into the vortex.]
CUT TO:
EXT. THE BOILING ISLES, WILDERNESS - DAY
They then fall several feet and land in the dirt.
LUZ
OW!
CAMILLA
Oof!
[They dust themselves off and look around, shocked to see nothing but red pine trees and mountains for miles.]
LUZ
Hey, this isn't Bonesborough! There must've been some kind of mista-
[She looks back at the portal and sees it shrink into nothingness.]
LUZ (cont'd)
Hey, wait! No, come back!
[She leaps into the air and swipes helplessly at where the portal used to be. Meanwhile, Camilla gets her bearings.]
CAMILLA
(curious)
So, this is the Demon Realms. Is the sky always red like this?
[They tense at hearing a loud rustle in the brush nearby. It grows louder, mixing with bestial growls until a monstrous creature bursts out and charges at them.]
LUZ & CAMILLA
(in unison)
AHHH!
INTERMISSION:
FADE IN:
[The monster gallops toward them, a Peryton (Deer/Eagle hybrid). Before it can lunge at them, Manuel transforms into a staff and sweeps them up into the air.
The Peryton unfurls it's wings and follows in an aerial chase through the trees. They dodge pine-tree trunks for several leagues before another monster leaps into their path from above.
They are forced to land, circled by both the Peryton and a Chimera.]
LUZ
Stay behind me, mom!
[Luz levels her staff and blasts the Peryton away with a hurricane gale. The Chimera charges from their flank, exhaling fire. Luz counters with a jet of rushing water, knocking it prone.
While Luz is distracted fending them off, a third creature, a Manticore, sneaks up from behind them and grabs Camilla.]
LUZ (cont'd)
MOM!
[Thinking quickly, Camilla reaches into her satchel and draws out a can of pepper spray. The Manticore howls as it's snout is doused in an acrid mist, and looses it's grip.
Luz and Camilla then flee on Manuel, getting a fair distance.]
CAMILLA
Did we lose them?
LUZ
[Not for long. How long can you hold your breath?
Camilla looks confused as they stop in a clearing. Before explaining, Luz uses her magic to coat them both in a layer of mud. She then grabs Camilla tight and drags her into the bushes while casting her invisibility spell.
A few moments later, the trio of monsters rush into the clearing. They sniff around, but are unable to find their scent. The Manticore especially has trouble, moaning as he rubs his inflamed snout.]
THE OBSERVER
What's this whining I hear? Haven't you caught your quarry yet?!
[Luz peaks out from the bushes to see the Observer materialize in the clearing, hovering in midair over the monsters.]
THE OBSERVER (cont'd)
WHAT?! They escaped?! How hard is it to capture one lost human whelp?!
[The monsters offer a few sheepish growls of explanation.]
THE OBSERVER (cont'd)
Fine. TWO lost human whelps. You're doubly incompetent...! It's almost like you don't want to be free of your curse...
[The Observer makes a spell circle in the air, tantalizingly offering it to the creatures. Luz takes notice as the beasts moan and whimper pleadingly.]
THE OBSERVER (cont'd)
Then stow your excuses and get moving! Track them down before they reach civilization or enjoy living long lives as mangy beasts!
[The Observer then dissolves away, leaving the monsters to split up and scour the forest. When the coast seems clear, Luz and Camilla emerge from hiding.]
CAMILLA
Who was that?
LUZ
The Observer. Emperor Belos' dark master. She must have intercepted our portal somehow and dragged us here.
CAMILLA
(nervous)
So what do we do now? It's getting dark...
[Luz looks around and sees a familiar landmark on the horizon.]
LUZ
We're at the base of the Titan's leg. From here, it's just a few hours to Bonesborough as the palisman flies. But we'll have to fly low to avoid being spotted.
[Camilla nods and mounts Luz's staff. They fly off toward the horizon, staying just under the tree tops.]
EXT. WILDERNESS - LATER
[They can almost see Bonesborough on the horizon as the sun begins to set. Their spirits lift for a brief moment before they notice they're being trailed.]
CAMILLA
I think they caught up with us!
LUZ
We've got another problem!
[Luz points to the sky as it darkens with clouds and booms with thunder. A few tiny rain droplets begin sprinkling around them.]
CAMILLA
So, what? It's wet or dead-AY! AY! HIJO DE- !
LUZ
-Exactly.
[Luz frantically searches for a way out of the scalding rain. She makes out the shape of a cave in an outcropping, barely visible amidst the trees.
As she dashes for it, the pursuing monsters burst from the trees in hot pursuit. Not wanting to lead them to the hiding spot, Luz briefly turns and casts an orb of flashing light in their path.
The spell blinds the monsters for long enough to let Luz slip into the cave without being seen. As they pause in mid-air to rub their eyes, the creatures begin feeling the cascade of boiling rain and flee back into the trees for cover.
Meanwhile, Luz and Camilla catch their breath in the cave, safe...for now.]
INT. DAMP CAVE - NIGHT
[Luz scrounges what kindling she can from the cave's lip without scalding her hands. She then brings her meager pickings back to Camilla, doggedly trying to start a fire with some wispy tinder and a bow drill.]
LUZ (cont'd)
You know, I could-
CAMILLA
No, just give me a sec. I almost-*grunt*-got it!
[After another few seconds of producing nothing but smoke, Camilla finally capitulates.]
CAMILLA (cont'd)
*groan* Alright. *panting* I give up...
[Luz retrieves her staff and coaxes Manuel into coughing up a spark that instantly ignites the small campfire.
Camilla eagerly warms her hands. Luz looks concerned for her, but is relieved to see her smiling.]
CAMILLA (cont'd)
Heh. This reminds me of an episode of Cosmic Frontier. There's one where Captain Avery crash lands on an alien planet and has to fight off-
LUZ
(ecstatic)
-fight off an angry lizard-man that had a time-share there! I saw that one! I didn't know you watched Cosmic Frontier!
CAMILLA
I'm surprised you watch it. It's thirty years old.
LUZ
They have the whole collection to stream on Quidflix. Man, we could have been nerding out about it together this whole time! Why didn't you tell me?
CAMILLA
(bashful)
Well, I put it down a long time ago. Not all the kids were as into sci-fi as I was.
[Camilla retrieves her wallet and shows Luz some old school photos. One depicts her and some old friends dressed in cheerleader uniforms.]
CAMILLA (cont'd)
So I got into some more mainstream hobbies. They were kinda boring, but they opened more doors for me...
(glum)
Or, that's what I tell myself at least. I don't know. Maybe I just sold out.
LUZ
(consoling)
Hey, I've learned it sometimes pays to get real.
CAMILLA
Well, reality's telling me handcrafting our own gunpowder cannon from scratch isn't in the cards for us.
[They chuckle together and stare wistfully into the fire.]
LUZ
...But I think I've got a plan just as crazy...
CAMILLA
*sigh* Oh, boy. Here we go...
LUZ
Those monsters are cursed witches, just like Eda. And only the Observer knows the spell that will break the curse.
[Luz takes out her phone.]
LUZ (cont'd)
If I can get footage of the spell circle she used at just the right time-
(pleading)
It'll be risky, but we have to try-!
CAMILLA
(determined)
-Just tell me what you need. I can do it.
LUZ
You're not going to try and talk me out of it?
CAMILLA
(hopeful)
Is that an option?
(shaking off)
-I mean, the worst has already happened, right?
(nervous laughter)
I witnessed my only daughter nearly get vaporized, petrified, and devoured by a giant monster! Nothing can top that...! Right...?
[Luz merely returns a sober stare.]
LUZ
With magic it's hard to say...But if we're going to make it together in the Boiling Isles, I'm going to need you to trust me...
[After a moment, Camilla gulps and takes a deep breath.]
CAMILLA
Alright. I trust you...
CUT TO:
EXT. WILDERNESS - MORNING
[Luz creeps through the woods, trying to appear stealthy while not actually making the effort to not be seen. Suddenly, the Peryton drops down from the trees above and slams Luz into a tree trunk.]
LUZ
*grunt* Well...I guess you caught me.
[The Peryton leans into her and snarls.]
LUZ (cont'd)
(struggling)
Oh, don't snarl at me. I know you're not really a monster. You're just doing this to break the curse that makes you look that way.
[The Peryton's eyes widen slightly, before narrowing again in suspicion.]
LUZ (cont'd)
But do you really think-*grunt*-for as long as the Observer's strung you along already, that she'd really hold up her end of the bargain? Hmm?
[The beast looks pensive for a moment, but merely gives Luz another skeptical snort.]
LUZ (cont'd)
Look. I've got a friend with a curse like yours. Maybe we can help each other...
EXT. WOODLAND CLEARING - DAY
[The Peryton, with Luz tucked under his arm, lumbers into an open meadow where his pack-mates wait with the Observer.]
THE OBSERVER
Finally, you mongrels earn your keep! Hand her over.
[The Peryton withholds her, instead shaking his fist and making demanding growls.]
THE OBSERVER (cont'd)
*groan* Oh, fine. Here's your reward.
[The other monsters gather together as the Observer begins drawing the spell circle. Meanwhile, Camilla hides in the shadows of the nearby trees, holding Luz's phone and recording the exchange.]
CAMILLA
(under her breath)
Come on...Come on...!
[She can barely get a good enough angle on the spell circle. Just when it seems to come into clear focus, the Observer turns away.]
CAMILLA (cont'd)
Gah! No!
THE OBSERVER
Wait a moment...Where's the other one?
[The Peryton responds with a confused grunt.]
THE OBSERVER (cont'd)
You mentioned two humans before! If the other one reaches her friends, they'll all be at my doorstep looking for this one!
[She dispels the glowing magical circle.]
THE OBSERVER (cont'd)
No payment for a job half done. Find her! Now!
[The creatures hide surly glares as they spread out to search the woods again. Luz suppresses a gasp as the Chimera trundles straight toward where Camilla is hiding. Luz prods the Peryton's ribs.]
LUZ
Hey, do something! They're going to find us out!
[The Peryton merely gives her a defiant snarl.]
LUZ (cont'd)
We had a deal!
[It continues to ignore her, merely standing guard in the clearing while his fellows search.]
LUZ (cont'd)
That's it! Manny, now!
[Manuel pops out of Luz hoodie and exhales a swarm of biting spiders into the Peryton's face. The creature drops Luz, bucking and shrieking with pain.]
THE OBSERVER
What's all this racket!
[Luz takes her staff and conjures a vine to trip up the Chimera. It works, but the towering beast crashes into the bush where Camilla is hiding, exposing her.]
CAMILLA
(flinching)
AH!
THE OBSERVER
She was right there the whole time! Are you brutes just lazy, or-
[Wasting no time, Luz launches an all-out assault on the Observer. Although, despite unleashing her most savage spells, they all fizzle or disintegrate on contact with the Observer's cloak.]
THE OBSERVER (cont'd)
(amused)
Oh, I see. You two were trying to get one over on me. What were you hoping to glean from that gambit, hmm?
[The old crone flings Luz about like a rag-doll with mere gestures. Camilla watches in horror.]
CAMILLA
LUZ!
[Both the Chimera and Manticore descend on her. Heedless of her own safety, she draws a flare-gun out of her satchel and fires between them, straight at the Observer.
The flare too harmlessly bounces off her cloak. But the Observer seems stunned, frozen in shock at the sheer audacity of the move.]
THE OBSERVER
(aghast)
...Did you just-
[It's enough of a distraction that Luz manages to flash-step away from her.]
THE OBSERVER (cont'd)
What?!
[Luz reappears next to Camilla. Grabbing onto her, they both teleport away again. This time, they reappear in the sky overhead, rocketing away on Manuel.]
THE OBSERVER (cont'd)
After them!
[The beasts launch themselves at the fleeing witches.
They make a b-line for the city of Bonesborough, steadily growing on the horizon. Luz struggles to keep them steady, drowsy with exhaustion.]
LUZ
(weakly)
We're...almost...there...
CAMILLA
Don't you give out on me!
[Camilla grasps the staff handle herself, propelling them forward. The sting of the wind in her eyes makes them water.
The monsters pursue them just as desperately, flapping their wings with all their might. It's all down to the wire. They're just inches from each other when they come in sight of the city guards manning the walls.]
CAMILLA (cont'd)
COMING IN HOT!
[The guards are shaken from their boredom-induced stupor and start rushing to their posts.]
CITY GUARD
TO THE PARAPETS!
[They swarm the walls and loose salvos of magical missiles towards the squadron of monsters. Camilla manages to dive beneath the hail of attacks just in time, sailing past the city wall and coming to a clumsy crash-landing on the streets inside.
Meanwhile, the monsters are blasted away by the screen of magic missiles and sent spiraling into the heath below. After a few moments of smoking in their ashen heap, they stagger to their feet and see the Observer hovering over the treeline behind them.
They call out to her, reaching for her...She merely vanishes without a word.
The anguish on their vaguely human faces bubbles to the surface.
From within the walls, Luz and Camilla are helped to their feet by more city guards. As they're escorted away to an infirmary, they can hear the creatures' mournful wails echo over the countryside.
Luz looks away with sorrow.]
CUT TO:
INT. INFIRMARY - DUSK
[Luz and Camilla lie in a pair of hospital beds, covered in bandages and bruises, exhausted. Luz turns her head slightly.]
LUZ
Did you get the video?
CAMILLA
I got something...
[Camilla pulls out the phone and shows Luz the snippets of video she captured. Most are blurry and out of focus, but in a few frames, a network of symbols can just be discerned in the glowing circle.]
CAMILLA (cont'd)
I just hope it was worth it.
LUZ
Well, if nothing else it'll make a good souvenir.
[Camilla chuckles slightly.]
LUZ (cont'd)
(snarky)
Postcard from the Boiling Isles...Wish you were here!
[They both erupt into laughter.]
FADE OUT:
THE END
