Witches Before Wizards
It has been yesterday since Max and his bat companion met Luz and Eda. He had just woke up from a recent dream about yesterday. Max was stretching his arms while yawning.
"Man. What a strange dream. " he said
"You wish" Shartok said as he appears upside down in front of him on his head
Max screams and leaps out of bed as Shartok leaps off his head. This also triggers his fire form.
"Shartok! What are you doing?!" he asked
"I thought you might need a wake up call" Shartok responded as he flew up to him
"Next time. Don't do that again." Max said. He looks to see that he is in his fire form. He yelps and closes his eyes. It took a few seconds, but Max was able to power down.
"Interesting, that fire form seems to respond when you get surprised or startled" Shartok said as he got on Max's shoulder
"Who knew" Max said. He went over to the window and opens it. He looks out to see the Boiling Isles where the monsters and weird creatures are outside. "I guess I wasn't dreaming after all"
"Yeah. You're still in the Boiling Isles and you still have your powers. Now come on. Let's get ready for today" Shartok said
"Right. Let's go" Max said
They left the room and head to the bathroom. Max begins to brush his teeth while Shartok watched. He was fortunate that Luz gave him a spare toothbrush from her backpack. After brushing his teeth, Max steps out and sees Luz coming by wearing a robe and a witch's hat.
"Good morning, Luz" he said
"Oh. Morning Max. Morning Shartok" Luz greeted
"What's with the new duds?" Shartok asked as he notices what she's wearing.
"Well I figured, since I'm a witch's apprentice, I have to look the part" Luz replied
"We can see that" Max said
"Yeah. Come on. Let's go meet Eda" Luz said as they all went to the stairs
They watched to see Eda coming out. She was in her pajamas. Eda lets out a yawn and then notices them
"Good morning, Eda the Owl Lady. We are ready for our first day as witch apprenticeship and power training" Luz said
"Who are you guys again?" Eda asked
The three were confused
"She sure has some memory issues" Shartok whispered to Max
Eda then walks to the kitchen with the two teens and bat following her. King was at the table poking some yellow mush with eyes with his fork.
"Remember me? Luz?" Luz asked
"And I'm Max and this is Shartok" Max added
"We've freed the oppressed and defeated the evil warden together" Luz reminded
"Yeah. That happened yesterday" Shartok added
"Lay off the details, all of you. I haven't had my cup of apple blood" Eda said
"You mean apple juice?" Luz asked
"No" Eda replied as she took a sip
"That's disgusting" Max said
"Teach me some spells. When do I get a magic staff? Was I supposed to bring my own runes? Do you have a dangerous magical quest for me? Luz asked with a gasp
"And when do we start learning how to control more of my powers?" Max asked
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down, kids. Being a witch doesn't happen overnight. And controlling most of your powers takes time and patience. Also, you're wrapped in a bathrobe and wearing the dirtiest traffic cone I've ever seen." Eda said
Luz takes off the traffic cone on her head and blew the dust off. The dust flew right on Max and Shartok.
"Ah ah Achoo!" they sneezed
"Gesundheit" Eda said
"Thanks" Max and Shartok said
King laughed at them which earns him a glare from Shartok
"But a magic staff, huh? You really want one?" asked Eda
"More than anything" Luz responded
"Magic staff, come to me!" Eda called as she held out her hand. After a few crashes, the staff finally came and hits Eda in the face. Shartok snickers at this but a glare from Max shuts him up. Eda catches the staff and straightens herself up.
"It's early. Now, witches are awarded their staffs from school. With me as your teacher, you'll be taking a different approach" Eda answered
"What kind of approach?" Max asked
"Funny you should ask" Eda said as she dropped a sack of potions
"You'll have to work for it. And Max, when you're using your powers, try to keep a clear mind when you want to power up or power down. We'll cover throwing projectiles when the time is right." Eda told Max
"Um. Sure thing, Eda" he said
"Now come with me" Eda said as she led them through the living room. "I run a few businesses. On weekends, I offer rare human treasures that Owlbert drags over from your side of the realm."
She takes a toy sword and turns it on
"I shall smite my enemies! Ages six to eleven." the sword says. Eda tosses it away
"But most days I sell only the finest homemade elixirs and potions." she replied
Luz then looks through the bag and looks at one of the poitions
"Snake oil?" Luz asked as she read the label
"No one wants an un-oiled snake. Follow me." Eda said as she led them to the balcony. "Today you'll deliver packages and sell potions to that town over there, Bonesborough. You'll have to be careful. I have rivals everywhere who'd love to take my business down and you along with it. You wanted a dangerous magical quest? Well, you three got one."
"Any chance, I can stay here?" Shartok asked
"Hmm. Let me think... No" Eda replied
"Besides, we got another quest" Max said
"Touché" Shartok sighed
"We won't let you down, Miss Eda." Luz said with a salute, but accidentally drops the sack off the balcony. They all watch to see the sack fall. They wince as it crashed to the ground
"I'm sure" Eda replied
"We'll get that" Max said as they left the balcony and went downstairs
Luz, Max, and Shartok then went outside
"Remember, never befriend a man in sandals and always measure twice, cut once. Good luck!" Eda instructed as she closes the door
"Yeah. Got it" Max said with a sweat drop
Eda then turns to King
"I hate to interrupt your power nap, but you have to go with them" she told him
"What? But I just found the perfect spot. Why do I have to go?" King asked
"You and I know she's either going to get lost or eaten, probably both. And that goes for Max too. He may have that talking bat with him and the fact that he can handle himself, but I personally think he might not last that long out there" Eda said
"We can hear you" Max said through the window
Eda uses her magic to shut the blind on them
"And because you work for me, too, unless you want to start paying rent." she told him
This caused King to have a small tantrum before conceding defeat and going outside to meet them
"Be back by nightfall or risk mortal peril." Eda said as she closed the door
"Have a nice trip." Hooty said
"Looks like your with us for the long haul, your majesty" Shartok said
"Don't remind me. Let's just get this over with" King sighed as he led Luz, Max, and Shartok
In Bonesborough, the two teens, bat, and demon walk through the streets
"Whoa!" Luz said as she and her friends look to see the different creatures going by their business
"Hey, it's rude to stare." said King
"Sorry, King. But we've never seen how big Bonesborough is" Max responded
"I've only seen places like this in my dreams. It's incredible. And me and Max are the only human here? Luz asked
"Haven't seen any others like you two" King responded
"Wow! There must be a reason for that, right? Why am I here? What if I, Luz Noceda, average teen, actually had a predetermined path of greatness? Just like Azura!" Luz said with a gasp
"Someone sure is delusional" Shartok whispered to Max
"Hate to burst your bubble, Luz. But Azura is just a fantasy character from your book. This is real life" Max said
"Yeah. Did Azura's path to greatness involve her delivering boil cream?" King asked as he takes out a potion labeled Boil B Gone from the sack and holds it up
"Today I'm delivering packages, but tomorrow I'll be earning the respect of everyone on the Boiling Isles with my magical prowess." Luz claimed
"Ha! Good luck. The Boiling Isles is nothing but a cesspool of despair." King said
"More like a cesspool of delight. Come on Max." Luz said as she grabbed Max by the arm and drags him along while carrying the sack.
They came to a centaur holding a pumpkin over his chest
"What has four hooves and wants to buy a potion? This guy." Luz said
" My eyes are down here." the centaur said as he revealed that his face is on his chest
This freaks the two humans out
"Whoa, that is freaky" Max said
"A lot of creatures who live here are freaky if you didn't know" Shartok informed
The two humans, King, and Shartok then appear at a house to make a delivery. Luz rang the door bell, but the doorbell slowly starts to eat her. King walks away in annoyance
"Help!" cried Luz
"Hold on Luz!" said Max as he grabs her and pulls her free.
A few minutes later, they were all sitting on the sidewalks. King was eating a not dog from a nearby stand
"I know I've had enough delight for one day." King added
"I thought being the only human in a magical world would make me special. But apparently, it just makes everyone want to scream at me or eat me" Luz said
"You're telling me" Max said as he held up his arm to reveal a fairy eating at his arm
"Beat it" said Shartok as he kicked the fairy away
"I've said it once and I'll say it again. This is clearly not like in Dungeons and Dragons" Max said
"Dungeons and what?" King asked
"It's a roleplaying game from our world" Luz explained
"Yeah. It involves skills, imagination, and math. Not to mention, a good sense of narration" Max explained
"That sounds interesting. Especially when you mention the part about narrating a story. You should explain more of the details to me" King said
"Me too" Shartok said
"We'll see" Max said
Luz took out her book from her bag
"At this point, Azura had already been sent on an enchanted quest. Where's my quest-granting wizard?" she asked
"Sorry to break it to you, Luz, but no one here is that well-dressed." King pointed out
"And besides, I don't think it works like that in real life." Max added
"This has been a rough day." Luz sighed as she puts her book in the sack and hefts it over her shoulder. She then takes out a piece of paper
They then walk down the alley
"Let's just deliver this last package and go home. Maybe this world isn't what I thought it wa—" Luz started until she gasps when she saw something in front of her. "Pretty"
Max and Shartok both gasped as they saw a castle in front of them
"Well I'll be. A castle" Max said in awe
"By the looks of it, it's even more fancy than the Owl House" Shartok added
They all walk up to the door. Luz rang the doorbell which caused the doors to open
"At least the doorbell isn't trying to eat you, Luz" Shartok said
"Yeah. Thank goodness" Luz said with relief
"Big houses always belong to big whackjobs. Let's kick the package inside and get outta here." King said
"And without getting paid?" Max asked as he, Shartok, and Luz walked inside
"Hello?" Luz called out
"Anybody home!?" Max called out
"Hey wait!" King said as he followed them inside. The door then closes behind him which startles King
"We're here to deliver a package from Eda the Owl Lady" Max called
"Yeah. So whoever lives here. Show yourself" Shartok added
Suddenly the lights turn on. It reveals that the group were inside some sort of library filled with lots of books. And then, an old man wearing robes and sandals came out.
"Today just got good." Luz said with a gasp
Max and Shartok can only blink their eyes in surprise
"Magical wizard!" Luz said as she danced happily
"Weird old man in jim-jams." King retorted
"I second that" Starok said
" I was in my oscillarium, reading the stars. And who might you two be, with eyes full of curiosity?" the old man asked as he descended the stairs
"We're just a couple of guys delivering your package" Max answered
"Hmmm. That's not what I see. I see someone who has powers waiting to be unleashed" the man said as he walked up to them. He then turns to Luz. "Young lady, dareth I say, I sense something unique about you. Please, won't you join me for tea?"
The wizard conjure up some chairs and a table with some snacks on it
"Okay" Luz said with a gasp
"Let's scram! Wizards are just old people with glitter in their pockets." King said as he climbed up on Luz's shoulder
"I agree. I'm not sure I trust him" Shartok said in a low voice
"They're right, Luz. I'm getting a bad feeling about this" Max said
"But the stars on his robe are sparkling. And look, there's a baby fox in his beard." Luz said as she points to a baby fox in the man's beard. "Plus, I see scones on the table."
"Where?" King asked as he leaped over to the table
"Alright. But I still don't like this" Max sighed
"Me too" Shartok said
Luz smiled as she along with Max and Shartok took their seats
"We'd love to join you for tea." she said as she took a sip
King ate some scones on the table. Max still wasn't so sure but he shrugged his shoulders. He took a cup of tea and took a sip. Shartok flew over to the scone and tries to take one, but King quickly swiped it much to his dismay
"Do you sell potions, Sir Wizard?" Luz asked
"Please, call me Adegast. Ma'am, yes, I run a small business." answered the man now known as Adegast
"You should run a small business of more scones into my mouth. Yes!" King said with a chuckle
'And he didn't even save me one' thought Shartok
"I'm surprised to see you here. It was my understanding that Eda delivered the packages herself." Adegast said
"Well, me and Luz are kinda her apprentices" Max replied
"Oh! And how are you two finding the experience so far?" Adegast asked
"Good so far" answered Max
"Unless you count nearly getting caught by guard" Shartok said as he flew on his shoulder
"But for me, when I decided to stay in this magical world, I thought I was meant for something special. But Eda thinks I'm meant for chores and I'm afraid I came to the wrong place." Luz said
"Well I have a quest..." Adegast began before Luz interrupted him
"A quest!?" she asked in excitement
"You didn't let me finish. I have a question." Adegast said with a chuckle
"Oh" Luz said
"Would you like to go on a quest?" Adegast asked
"Yes!" Luz yelled in excitement
Adegast then takes out a scroll from his beard. He unfolds it to reveal a map.
"The prophecy speaks of a young human girl along with a boy with powers accompanied by a talking bat, who will claim the Celestial Staff and free this world from an ancient evil. Perhaps thou hath cometh here for a reason." he said
"Perhaps I hath" Luz said as she took the map
"Do you think he's making that up?" Max asked
Shartok can only shrug his shoulders.
"Should you believe yourself worthy to attempt this quest..." Adegast said as he walked down the hall with Luz, Max and Shartok following after him
"So worthy" Luz replied
"You need to know, the road is dark and perilous" Adegast informed
"Love peril. Big fan of peril." Luz replied
"And your friend and his pet must be loyal and courageous" Adegast said
"Hey, I'm no pet!" Shartok said
"And only the Chosen One can pull the staff from its post." Adegast finished
"Chosen One" Luz said as they stopped
"Neat story, awesome. Anyway, your food is gone and we are, too." King said as he came in with the sack
"Yes, we have to go. And pack for this enchanted quest! I'm in." Luz said
"Wonderful" Adegast
The gang left the castle. Max look back with a suspicious look on his face.
"Something bugging you Max?" asked Shartok
"Yeah. It's that wizard guy. I'm getting bad vibes off him. You think he might be planning something?" Max asked
"He might be. But what he told Luz might be too good to be true" Shartok answered
"I know. We might need to talk to her about this" Max said
Back at the Owl House, Luz was packing for her quest.
"So, Max, what kind of Chosen One should I be? Should I be full of optimism and goodness, like the Good Witch Azura? Or should I be like a bad girl Chosen One with black nail polish and a mysteriously withdrawn attitude? 'I act like I don't care, but I secretly do.'" Luz asked
"You're not really buying this whole quest malarkey, are you?" Max asked
"What are you saying? That wizard said I was the Chosen One" Luz said
"Yeah. Well if you ask me, I think he's trying to con you" Shartok said with his eye narrowed
"That's crazy! Why would he do something like that?! This could be my one chance to prove that I can be special here" Luz argued
"I know you want to be special, Luz. But we're just saying, maybe you should think about this." Max said
"Oh, you guys talking about bad girls? Wait, what's going on?" Eda asked as she came in with a disembodied hand
"Eda, tell Luz how dumb wizards are." King said as he was resting on Luz's sleeping bag
"Ugh! Wizards are the worst. Never trust a man in casual drapery" Eda said while moving the arm
"I don't get it? Aren't witches the girls and the wizards or warlocks the boys?" Max asked in confusion
"Maybe in the world you're from, but around here both boys and girls are called witches" Shartok informed
"Oh" Max said
"So what is going on?" Eda asked
"Your wizard client told Luz that she was a Chosen One!" King said as he begins laughing
"Wait, wait, Luz?" Eda chuckled. She fell onto the ground and begins laughing
"He even gave her a map." King said as he and Eda continue to laugh
Even Shartok started to laugh. Max was the only one who didn't laugh. He watched as Luz hid behind her book feeling embarrassed. Eda, King, and Shartok then stops laughing.
"Let me see this map." Eda said
Luz gives Eda the map. Eda inspects the map
"You two didn't think this was real, did you?" she asked
"What?" Luz asked
"What do you mean?" Max asked
"This map is bunk. There's no lake with a Celestial Staff on the Boiling Isles. I would have stolen it ages ago." Eda explained. She notices Luz feeling down. "Ah, don't worry. Couple more months here and you won't look like such a mark."
"Can I have some time alone?" Luz asked
"Sure, Luz. Come on guys" Max said as he, Shartok, King, and Eda exits her room.
Max and Shartok both went into their rooms while Eda and King went downstairs. Inside their room, Max and Shartok were both discussing what happened
"Do you think what Eda said was true, Shartok?" Max asked
"About this map being a sham? She could be right. On the other hand, that wizard claimed that the Celestial Staff was real. Now I don't know who's telling the truth" Shartok said
"I'm starting to feel even more skeptical about this quest Luz is going on. What if she was being lured into a trap?" Max asked in worry
"That would be likely." Shartok said
"I think we should go check on her" Max said
"Oh yeah" his bat companion added
They both left the room and headed to Luz's room. They see Eda there too
"Oh, hey you two. Are you going to check on Luz?" she asked
"Yeah. And I see you are too, Owl Lady" Shartok said
"Uh huh. I feel that something is fishy about what that wizard client told her." Eda
They open the door
"Hey, Luz?" Eda called
But then they noticed the room is empty
"She's gone" Shartok said
They then see the window opened
"There, the window" Max said
They looked outside
"Hooty, where'd she go?" Eda asked
"Hoot, hoot. If you want the answer that you seek, solve my riddle within a week—" Hooty began until Max changes into his fire form and punches the wall very hard causing him pain.
"We don't have time for this, Hooty! Now tell us where she is, or I'll do it again!" threatened Max
"I would do what he says if I were you" Shatok said
"Ow! Okay, okay. She went into the forest towards Bonesborough. Sheesh!" Hooty replied as Max powers down
"Oh no! Eda get King. We got to find her!" Max yelled
"Right!" Eda said and they both got a move on
Meanwhile, Luz has left the outskirts of Bonesborough
"My first mythical quest. Ha!" Luz said as she sets off into the forest until she was surrounded by a fog.
Back in Bonesborough, Max, Shartok, and King were leading Eda to the castle where they met Adegast.
"This is where we met the scones. I mean, the wizard. Whoa!" King cried as they stop to see the castle ahead of them. It was in ruins
"Only it wasn't like this before" Max said
"I take back what I previously said about this place" Shartok said
"I don't like this" Eda said
They made their way inside and into the library. It was also in ruins too. Max then steps on something. He and Shartok looks down to see folded up paper. He picks it up. After looking through it, he gasped
"Eda. Look at this!" Max called
Eda walks over and takes it along with another copy of the map she had picked up
"I really don't like this" Eda said
With Luz, she had just find herself in a cat village where she met a buffed man named Nevareth. They were walking through the forest with a living onion with bat wings.
"Nevareth, your vengeful backstory is so compelling. And I'm lovin' your animal sidekick." Luz said
"After my village was consumed, my heart has known nothing but vengeance." Nevareth answered. He then stopped
"Nevareth!" Luz said
"Lady Luz, do you think love can bloom on the battlefield?" he asked
"This quest is questing in all the right ways" Luz said with a laugh
They then crossed a bridge and then a strange creature jumped out
"Ew" said Nevareth
"Hum-di-diddle, to pass the bridge, you must first solve my riddle." The creature spoke with a dance
"Hit me, little furry man" Luz said
"Your quest shall stop if you fail this game. So tell me, my dear, what is my name?" the creature asked
Luz sees a nametag on the creature
"Hmm. Uh. Chris?" she asked
"That's it. You may cross the bridge. And please take this, Chosen One. It shall help you on your journey." Chris said as he hands her a ring
"Wow. This is amazing. Thank you." Luz said as she puts it on her finger
"Do you need a cape?" asked Nevareth
"Nah, I think I'm goo—" Luz tries to decline
"You can use my shirt." Nevareth said as he rips off his shirt much to Luz's surprise
"Yes, I need a cape" Luz said as he ties it over her shoulders
"Three cheers for the Chosen One. Hip, hip..." Nevareth said as everybody cheers her
Max, Shartok, King, and Eda are in the Cat Village
"Oh no" Eda said
"Wow, this village looks like it's seen better days" said Shartok
"I know" Max added
"Are you sure she came here?" Eda asked King who was sniffing the ground
"Can't mistake her smell. Like lemons and young, naïve confidence." the demon replied
"Hmmm" Eda said as she walks over to the fountain. She sees a cat tangled in vines
"Hey! Wake up, you. What have you done with Luz? What's your endgame?" Eda demanded as she shook the cat
"To find your pupil and still your wrath, look ahead and follow the path." cackled the cat as it crumbles to dust
"Oh my goodness!" Max yelled
"The cat man melted!" King gasped
"I'd say he disintegrated. Still what a horrible way to go" Shartok said
"It's a trap. They want me to follow Luz." Eda sighed
"I knew something was off about that wizard" Max said while Shartok nods his head
"What do we do?" King asked
"I'll tell you what we're going to do. We need to get to Luz before she gets herself into trouble." Max said with a glare
"And we will, kid" Eda said with a determined look
Luz was continuing down the forest with Nevareth, Chris, and a fairy princess coming with her
"Thank you for inviting me to your feast, Princess. All your food was so tiny and cute." Luz said
"For you, Chosen One." the fairy princess said as she conjures up a bracelet for Luz, who puts it on
"Thank you. You have all been so kind and thoughtful. I hope this quest never ends." the girl said while striking a pose
"Your quest will soon come to an end, for the staff you seek is around the bend." Chris said
"Thanks for ruining the mood, Chris." Luz said as she slumps down
"Go on, Chosen One. The Celestial Staff is yours. You've earned it." Nevareth said
Luz perks back up and walks down the path while the creatures bid her farewell
"Farewell, Lady Luz." Nevareth said with a wave
"Farewell. We love you, Chosen One." The fairy princess said
Luz continues through the forest, until she sees something ahead. She gasps as she saw the Celestial Staff on a platform surrounded by a lake. She walks up to the lake and then a stone walkway rumbles up.
"I knew it! If only Max and Shartok we're with me to see this. I knew this world wasn't all gloom and doom like Eda and King said. There is wonder here. And I... I think I came here for a reason." Luz said as she skipped along the walkway. She then approaches the Celestial Staff and looks at it. "Okay, this is it. Moment of truth."
She reaches over and grabs the staff. Blue magic begins to swirl around and Luz pulls the staff out.
"Yes! I am the Chosen One! I knew it! I always suspected there was a reason nobody understood my wacky antics back at home. Now I have concrete proof." Luz said with a laugh.
Unfortunately, her victory is short lived when the staff suddenly disintegrates from her hand.
"No!" Luz cried
Then, the land around her became old and dead.
"What?" she said in surprised
Up in the trees, Max, Shartok, King, and Eda were flying on her staff to reach Luz
"I know this guy. He's no wizard. He's what you'd call a puppeteer, a demon who specializes in scamming and manipulating people. He's trying to use Luz to get to me." Eda informed them
"I sure am lucky I didn't buy into that quest scam" Max said
"Yeah, and we're flying directly into his trap. Hurray." King said sarcastically
"Well, if any of you can think of a better plan, I'd love to hear it." the Owl Lady retorted
"Can't this staff go any faster?" Shartok said as he held onto Max's shoulder
"Hold on! Hey, faster, you." Eda said as she slapped her staff. This made the staff go even faster.
'Hang on, Luz. We're coming' thought Max as he held onto the staff
Speaking of Luz, she was keeping her guard up with a toy sword in her hands.
"Luz, the human." Adegast said as he appeared from the fog
"Magical wizard?" Luz asked
"Your hubris has failed you, Witch Apprentice." Adegast said with a cackle. It turns out that the real Adegast was just an octopus-like demon who was controlling a wizard puppet. Soon, all the other previous companions Luz has met came out of the ground. They are all puppets too.
"Okay, Luz. Don't panic. This is classic Chosen One biz. You just have to rescue everybody and defeat the final boss" Luz told herself as the puppets surrounded her
"I am everybody! You fool, don't you see? I'm no wizard. And you're no Chosen One. I've tricked you." said Adegast
"What?" Luz asked
Suddenly, her accessory tied her up and cuffed her hands
"No! Betrayed by my own cool accessories. Why are you doing this?" the human girl asked
"Your mentor has been stealing customers from my potions business for years. She must be destroyed. Though I am disappointed that the human boy and his pet bat aren't' here with you" Adegast explained
"Does everybody have a beef with Eda here?" Luz asked
All the puppets agree with her
"And you lure them here right into my trap, all because you wanted to think you were special." Adegast said
"No. Joke's on you, 'cause they aren't stupid enough to fall for your trap." Luz claimed
"Adegast!" shouted Eda
"Oh heck" cursed Luz
Eda, Max, Shartok, and King flew in and landed on the ground. They then walk up to them
"Get away from her, you squid!" Max demanded
"Eda, I have you now!" Adegast said. He then looks at Max and Shartok. "And look, you brought the other human and his pet bat"
"Not a pet!" Shartok yelled
Adegast used his puppets to grab them all
"Too tight!" Shartok said as he got squeezed by a tentacle
"That's right. You have me. Now release Luz." Eda demanded
"I didn't have to be a part of this!" King whined
"Oh, she can leave. If she wants to. But I sense she wants a real fantasy." Adegast said as he used his Chris pupppet to spray some fog onto Luz.
She finds herself in a dark void and she is freed of her restraints. Then all of Adgast's puppets appear to her
"Stay with us, Luz. Stay with Adegast. We need you here. You could be our Chosen One." Nevareth said
"Yeah, you can eat our tiny foods forever." The fairy princess added
"Luz, why would you want to live in a world where people laugh at you?" Nevareth asked
"It is beautiful here." Luz said
"No Luz! Don't listen to them!" Max yelled as he was struggling in Adegast's tentacle
"And you guys think I'm special" Luz said
"No!" Eda said as the tentacles began to wrap her up
"But it's not real!" Luz declared as she snapped out of the illusion. She grabbed the toy sword. "I am a Witch's Apprentice. And I'm gonna earn my magic staff the hard way. I believed you, Magic Man. Now feel my wrath!"
She charges in and stabs the wizard puppet in the stomach causing it to explode in a cloud of dust. This caused Adegast to scream. Max smiles at her. He then concentrates and switches to his pyro form. He takes out one of his hands and touches the tentacle which burns it. Adegast screams in pain and lets go of Max. Max then ran over to the tentacle that was holding Shartok and punches it, making it let go of the one-eyed bat. Eda and King then freed themselves. Once they are freed, they began to fight Adegast. Luz hits the fairy princess puppet which makes them poof. Max fought the Chris puppet. He delievered a punch to it which causes them all to poof. Eda then conjured up a fire circle to burn them and causing them to poof. Luz then fought against the Nevareth puppet who attempted to blindside her.
"I thought we had a connection, Nevareth!" Luz yelled as she stabbed it through the torso
"Ah, my flawless pecs!" the Nevareth puppet yelled as he poofed away
Max and Eda appear beside Luz and they smile at each other
"Back off! Or the dog and bat gets it!" Adegast said as he held King and Shartok hostage
"I am not a.." before King can protest he gets gagged by the tentacle
Luz and Eda dropped their weapons while Max powers down
"King, Max, Shartok , I'm sorry. I should have listened to you guys and never trusted that wizard. You were right. He isn't mystical or magical. He's just a big, slimy jerk." Luz yelled as she kicked the toy sword and sends it flying. It jabs right into Adegasts head. Adegast screams in pain as he lets go of King and Shartok. Both Luz and Max were able to catch them. Adegast then shrinks down to size of an infant octopus. Eda then picks him up
"Well, that's the last time I take an outside referral." Eda said as she eats Adegast. "Oh, did you want some of that?"
"Um, no thank you" Max said
"Hard pass" Shartok added
"I'm just confused." Luz said
"Thinking of calling it quits, huh?" Eda asked
"This place is nothing like I imagined." Luz replied in disappointment
Max and Shartok both looked at her in sympathy
"Hmm. Maybe not here. But come with me. I got something to show you two" Eda said
The group was now hovering in the air. Max and Luz were wearing blindfolds while Shartok is hovering closely to the staff.
"Okay, you two can look" Eda said
Max and Luz both removed their blindfolds from their face. They gasp to see a good view of the Boiling Isles
"Whoa!" Luz said in awe
"Incredible" added Max in awe
"The bones of the Isles. Up close, the Isles can be slimy—" Eda said
"And very stinky." King added
"And repulsive" Shartok said
"And gross. But if you look at it from a different perspective..." Eda said
"It's beautiful" Luz said
"Yeah. I guess it might not be so bad after all" Max
"You haven't seen nothin yet, kid" Shartok said
"You got that right" King said as he leans against Luz
"Hey Eda, how did you know that wizard was lying?" Luz asked
"Look, kid, everyone wants to believe they're "chosen". But if we all waited around for a prophecy to make us special, we'd die waiting. And that's why you need to choose yourself." Eda explained with a chuckle
"Does that mean you'll give me a magic staff of my own?" Luz asked
"Not yet. But... someday." Eda answered
"What about me with my powers?" asked Max
"Don't worry, I'll help you train when the time is right" Eda said
Max nods his head and he looks out at the Boiling Isle as his bat friend lands on his shoulder.
Hope you enjoy this chapter? Stay tuned for more.