Chapter: 7.
After the Covention, the girls and King were on their way back to the Owl House, minus Amity. She went back to her home instead. On the way back, Luz was talking with Ruby and the others about the history of the Boiling Isles.
"I don't get why Witches use Covens? Didn't the mad man from the story use something similar to steal magic and kill everybody?" Weiss asked.
"Well, yes and no. Covens were started about 5 years into my dad's rule, as a way to stop new warlords from popping up and attempting coups" Luz explained. "And the war for control of the Isles was so devastating everyone was willing to follow the winner, who ever it would have been. Plus historical records from that time are sketchy, and there aren't any Witches who are still alive who know the whole story"
"I guess the Arcane Knights don't believe Covens are for anyone's good?" Ruby said.
"No they do not" Luz said.
"I still don't trust the Emperor 100 percent. But between him and who ever is running that nut job factory, we might be better off with the former sometimes" Eda gave her 2 cents on the matter.
"Say don't they normally protest at the Coventions?" King asked.
"Guess they decided not to bother this year?" Yang said logically.
Elsewhere in random undisclosed location. A group of Arcane Knights were gathered. Many of them were just standing around talking to each other, not really doing anything of note. The hooded Witch from earlier walked through the room, taking off his hood as he walked.
His hair was a dark azure blue color with orange at the tips, dark pink eyes, a pale skin tone and his face had a crocked line running down from his left eye.
Just as he was about to enter a different room, one of the Arcane Knight greeted him "Hey! Uriah! Welcome back dude!"
Uriah turned to face the Arcane Knight who call to him. "Hello Bob"
"Did anything cool happen at the Covention?" Bob asked.
"The Owl Lady fought one of the Emperor's lapdogs and won" He said. "Now if you'll excuse me" and then proceeded to enter the next room.
"Okay, nice talking to you bud!"
Inside the room. The blue haired woman he spoke to on the magic compacted was there.
"Welcome back, Uriah" she greeted.
"Hello Seraphina" He replied. "I trust everything is well?"
"It is. I'm a little disappointed that your espionage of the Covention turned up nothing" Seraphina stated.
"Unfortunate, i know. I spent hours at that useless event, and not one of those Witches were even close to a Titan-kin" Uriah said in frustration.
"Even the Blight girl?" Seraphina asked.
"For a moment i thought it was her, but she's wasn't" He said sounding disappointed.
Seraphina let out a soft sigh "I had hoped we finally found the one with the power to end Belos"
"They will show themselves eventually" Uriah reassured her.
"Perhaps" She said.
"I'm going to meet with our new contact. Goodbye sister" Uriah said.
"Brother" Seraphina replied.
Both siblings bowed each other, before Uriah left.
Moments later, Uriah was meeting with someone very dangerous. In an seemingly abandoned warehouse in Bonesborough, Uriah was talking with a tall, strong looking grey skinned male Witch with black hair and dark blue eyes.
"Thank you for meeting me today Jericho" Uriah greeted.
"Whatever" Jericho said. "So what can i do for you?"
"Right to the point, good. I'm sure you know that the Arcane Knights have been fighting to end the reign of the Emperor for years now?" Uriah asked.
"Of course i do" Jericho answered. "I also heard you guys got your asses kicked by a bunch of human girls that showed up a few days ago and the Owl Lady was helping them fight you guys at the conformitorium"
Uriah grimaced at the mention of that fiasco "Yes, that was a set back. But we plan to bounce back"
"How so?" Jericho inquired.
"Everyone knows you are an arms dealing of weapons from the humans. I would like to buy some" Uriah answered.
"Can you afford such dangerous toys?" Jericho asked another question.
Uriah then took out a stack of green paper bills each with a spiral shaped design on each bill. "Money is no problem"
Jericho gave a sinister smile followed by a small chuckle "Okay, Okay come by tomorrow and I'll show you what i got in stock"
"Excellent" Uriah said.
The next day, Back with our main characters. King, Blake and Yang were manning the human collectibles stand, while Eda sent Ruby, Weiss and Luz out to do some shopping. Eda herself had to run an errand today, and King stayed home sleeping.
Our trio were strolling through the market place. Buying various items on a list Eda had given them. So far they were just looking at the various items, other Demons and Witches were selling. Ruby had spotted a stand with a row of knives on it. She eyed a rather nice looking knife. It was a black combat knife with a red leather grip and a serrated edge along the blade.
"Ooo that's a real nice knife" Ruby said.
The merchant was a blue skinned Demon with a single horn "You like it? It's can cut through just about anything, 60 snails"
Ruby reached into her pocket and pulled out a small coin pouch full of snails that Eda gave her to buy things. She took out a multiple gold and silver minted coins with a spiral design resembling a snail shell. Ruby handed the merchant 6 silver snail coins (according to Eda silver snails were worth 10 snails each), and he gave Ruby the knife with it's sheath.
"Ruby! Where are you!?" Weiss called out.
"Coming!" Ruby called out back to her partner. She quickly turned back to the merchant. "Thank you" before racing off to reunite with her friends.
"What were you buying back there?" Weiss asked.
"A nice Demon was selling knives" Ruby answered. Showing her purchase to her.
"I thought you already had a weapon? Why do you need a knife?" Luz asked.
"A huntress should always be prepared for any emergency" Ruby stated.
"You can't argue with that logic i guess" Weiss said. Something else was on her mind. "Speaking of which, why did you blatantly say to Amity you were a princess. When you yourself told us not to tell anybody else"
Luz rubbed the back of her neck nervously and tried to find the words to describe her reasoning "After i found out we both cheated in that Witches duel, i felt. I don't know guilty and it sort of slipped out"
"It all worked out in the end. Now maybe we can all be friends?" Ruby said trying to add a brighter note.
"You really think so?" Luz inquired in a hopeful tone.
"I don't think she'll want to right away" Weiss remained skeptical.
"Hey! Now Weiss. You and I didn't get off to the best start. Now we're practically sisters!" Ruby said. "Who knows Luz and Amity might become something more"
"Maybe it's a possibility?" Weiss pondered.
"I wouldn't mind that" Amity added.
"Oh that's- Gah!" Ruby exclaimed in surprise when she realized Amity was there.
"Hi Amity" Luz greeted. "What are you doing?"
"I was headed to the library to return a book, and you?" Amity answered and then asked her own question.
"Doing some shopping for Eda" Luz answered.
Both Witches stood there silently. Not really making eye contact. Until Luz tried to break the silence. "So, what kind of book are you returning?"
"It's just something on potions" Amity said.
"Oh, looking into different types of magic?" Luz asked.
"Yes" Amity replied.
"Say I have experience in multiple tracks at school. You think maybe... we could study together" Luz said a little awkwardly.
"Thanks, but I'd prefer to learn on my own if you don't mind" Amity politely turned down the offer.
"You sure? I know the head of the Potions Coven and we could schedule some lessons-" Luz tried to pressure on. But Amity gently retorted.
"Look, Princess. I know you think your making up for the Covention incident. But you don't have too. You don't owe me anything and i don't owe you either. Let's keep it that way. Okay?"
"Okay i guess?" Luz said.
The silence returned as neither Luz or Amity said anything. They both were feeling really awkward at the moment.
"You feel a weird vibe going on?" Ruby asked Weiss.
"Yup" Weiss answered.
A hooded Witch brushed against Weiss in a rush. Didn't even apologize.
"Hey! Watch it!" Weiss shouted.
But the mysterious Witch just ignored her and walked on. Weiss was a little bit peeved and followed the Witch to get an apology. "Excuse me! Your not even going to say sorry?!" Weiss grabbed the strangers shoulder, only for the stranger to shove her, making her fall backwards on to the ground.
Ruby saw what had just happened "Hey! Jerk!" and leaped into action in defence of her friend. She sped in front of the hooded stranger, right up to his face. "If you think you can do that to my friends, then you've got another-"
The stranger pulled out a sword and swung it at her. But Ruby jumped back and dodged the attack. "Whoa! What's your problem?"
The hooded Witch didn't answer. Instead he ran away from the scene.
Luz rushed over to help Weiss to her feet, with Amity close by. "You okay?" Luz asked.
"I'm fine" Weiss said.
"Who was that?" Amity wondered.
"Don't know. But whoever they are, is in for a sock to the chops!" Luz exclaimed. Before running after the hooded Witch.
"Luz! Wait!" Amity called out running after her.
The sword wielding Witch ran and shoved through the crowds of other Witches and Demons to get away from Luz. Who trailed behind a bit because she was carefully avoiding everybody. Ruby used her petal burst to catch up to her.
"Save some for me!" Ruby said.
Their hooded adversary ran down a corner into another street. Ruby and Luz followed him,leading to a 4 way street. But he was gone. Weiss and Amity arrived next to them.
"Where did he?" Weiss wondered.
"I don't know. We saw him run down this way and then he was just gone?" Ruby answered.
"You think he's hiding?" Luz said.
"Could be? Let's split up and look" Ruby said.
"Wait, why are you chasing him again?" Amity asked.
"Simply put, no one gets away with hurting my friends" Ruby replied. "Plus the way he swung that sword it looked like he wanted to cut my head off"
"So clearly he's not right in the head" Weiss added.
"You wanna help us catch him? If you don't mind?" Luz asked Amity.
The green haired Witch thought for a moment. At first this didn't seem like her problem, so they couldn't blame her for not helping. On the other hand if this Witch was a criminal, then assisting in his arrest would earn her a better chance of joining the Emperor's Coven. Amity gave her answer "I'm in!"
"Good. You and Luz go left, I'll go down the middle and Weiss will go right" Ruby instructed.
"Okay" the others said.
The 2 Witches and 2 Huntresses went down their respective alleys, in search of there enemy. Unfortunately they didn't find him.
They looked every where in the surrounding area, but found either hide or hair. Amity and Luz were searching around an old warehouse. Being as quiet as possible to hopefully catch the Hooded Witch by surprise.
Slowly they sneaked around a corner. But there was no sign of him.
"See anything?" Luz whispered.
"No" Amity replied.
"Thanks again for helping us" Luz said.
"Whatever. You probably need the help anyway" Amity rebuffed.
"Hey! The lest you could do is- mmph!" Luz was about say, before Amity covered her mouth with her hand. She struggled for a brief moment.
"Shh! I hear voices" Amity said putting her ear to the wall.
On the other side of the wall inside the building. From where they where it sounded muffled and barely audible. But Luz could make out some words. "Where is he?, I'm not waiting here all day, If he doesn't show up the deal is off!"
Amity took her hand off Luz's mouth so she could talk. "You think it's the same guy?" Luz asked.
"I don't know?" Amity replied. "But I'm gonna find out"
"Hold it there cowgirl, you think you can go in there by yourself? Who know whats in there" Luz questioned in logic in Amity's action.
"No your coming in a meat shield" She retorted.
"Ha ha, you seem to forget i have more power in my pinkie than most Witches have in their entire bodies" Luz stated.
"And yet show little control at the same time?" Amity remarked condescendingly.
"I'm still learning!" Luz retorted a little too loudly.
Amity covered her mouth again to quiet her before whoever was inside the warehouse heard them "Shh! Keep it down. You want everyone on the Isles to hear you"
Luz shaked her head indicating a 'no'
"Alright, follow me. But do it quietly" Amity said.
Luz did what Amity said and followed her around the side of the warehouse until they found a door. Amity turned the knob and opened the door very carefully, so as to not alert whoever was inside.
Both Witches looked inside the warehouse. There were dozen, possible hundreds of crates staked on top of each other all over the interior of the warehouse, as well as some lamps lighting up the place. But no sign of Witch nor Demon. It was eerie and strange.
"You see anyone?" Luz asked in a whisper.
"No" Amity replied. "I know i heard at least one person in here?"
"Let's look around and see if we find anything?" Luz suggested.
"Sounds good to me" Amity agreed.
And so the 2 Witches began to quietly sneak around the warehouse. Neither Witch could find anyone, just crates and boxes. Amity quickly spotted something a few feet away from a stack of crates and hid.
They both peaked from behind the crates to see, Jericho stand with a bunch of other crates one of which was opened.
Luz and Amity silently gasped.
"That's Jericho Devildealer. The most notorious arms dealer on the Boiling Isles" Luz said.
"Yes, i see that. But what's he doing here?" Amity wondered.
"Given his occupation I'd say selling illegal weapons to someone" Luz said with a hint of sarcasm.
"I know that!" Amity replied.
"Of course i know you know. I was being sarcastic!" Luz retorted.
"Well goody for you" Amity retorted.
"Whatever. Let's find Ruby and Weiss, and bring them here and-" Luz began to come up with a plan.
Before Amity interrupted her. "We don't need those humans. We can catch Jericho by ourselves"
"Are you nuts Blight?! Or have you not heard the stories about what this guy did to a couple of Coven Scouts that tried to arrest him?" Luz questioned Amity's logic.
"In order, no: i have not and yes: i have" Amity answered. "But they used brute force. We will use stealth to beat him"
"I didn't realize you were such a vigilante?" Luz said sounding a little attracted.
"Don't get any ideas Princess, I'm just doing this to bring a criminal to justice" Amity said.
"Fine with me, So what's the plan?" Luz asked.
"Do you know a sleep spell?" Amity asked. Luz nodded. "Good. I'll ensnare him with my Abomination slime, while you use put him to sleep"
"Got it" Luz gave a thumbs up.
As the 2 young Witches executed their plan. Jericho was looking through a crate of guns. He took out a rifle and examined it. The rifle was one used by the military of the kingdom of Atlas, but he didn't care. To him it was product to be sold for profit.
"Jericho! Devildealer!" Amity announced.
Jericho turned to face the young witch that called his name.
"For crimes against witchkind, I'm placing you under citizens arrest!" Amity declared.
Jericho just stood there before bursting into laughter. "Ha ha ha! You arrest me?!" he snorted "Kid. You are either the bravest Witch on the Isles? Or the stupidest?"
"You can't be all that smart, considering you let yourself get distracted" Amity taunted.
"What?!" Jericho confused by the taunt.
"Luz Kick! Hiyah!" From behind another crate, Luz jumped out with a flying kick to Jericho's head.
But he caught her leg mid kick and dangled her by the ankle. "Was that your plan!?" He asked.
"Nope. This is" Luz answered cheekily.
At that moment, Amity summoned Abomination slime from right under Jericho's feet. Slime tentacles started to grab Jericho's arms, he struggled to break free and let go of Luz in the process. How landed on her hands and rolled backwards into a siting pose.
"Time to take a nap, sap" Luz readied a sleep spell.
Unfortunately, Jericho was quicker on the draw, forming a black spell circle and shooting a fire spell at Luz. But she managed to roll out of the way of the fire. He then broke free of the slime tentacles and blasted Amity with a second fire spell, launching her into a crate.
"Rrgh Your not beating me that easily" Amity got back on her feet, ready to cast another spell.
But before she could finish forming a spell circle, Jericho pulled out a wand and pointed it at Amity. The wand's tip glowed with a black light and Amity levitated into the air.
"Witch master 6000 wand. The perfect tool for casting complex spells without making a circle and wrangling annoying kids" Jericho flicked the wand to his left, which made Amity get flung in that direction.
"Ow!" She said.
Jericho walked up to Amity with intent to kill "That'll teach you wanna be Coven clowns not to miss in my business" As he pointed his wand to her.
"Hey!" Luz shouted.
Jericho looked behind him to find Luz holding a large sphere of magically energy over her head.
"EAT THIS SUCKA!" She hurled the sphere at Jericho.
Meanwhile at the same time Luz and Amity were fighting Jericho. Ruby and Weiss were not too far from the warehouse, still looking for the hooded Witch that tried to decapitate Ruby.
"Any sign of him?" Ruby inquired.
"No. And no sign of Luz or Amity either" Weiss answered.
"I'm worried, where could they be?" Ruby wondered.
A loud explosion went off not too far from where they were standing. Ruby and Weiss turned in the direction of the explosion to see smoke coming out of a warehouse.
"That way" Weiss said deadpan.
Both huntresses rushed off in the direction of the pillar of smoke to help their friend and Amity. Back in the damaged, but still in tact warehouse. Several boxes and crates were destroyed, Luz and Amity were laying on top of some rubble and Jericho was no where to be seen.
"See *cough* More power in my pinkie than most Witches have in their entire bodies" Luz said.
Amity just sat herself up. "Next time give me a warning before you do that"
"Duly noted" Luz answered. "Any sign of Jericho?"
"Not a hair" She said.
"Maybe he got vaporized?" Luz theorized.
"It's a nice thought, but unlikely" Amity countered.
Luz got herself back on her feet and walked over to Amity, extending a hand to help her up. But Amity didn't take it, preferring to get back up on her own. Which she did.
"Let's get out of here" Amity said.
As the 2 Witches headed for the exit. From beneath a pile of rubble, Jericho bruised but alive, managed to dig himself free. He saw Luz and Amity walk away and grew furious that the former for trying to blow him up. He raised his wand, pointing it at Luz who was walking a few inches in front of Amity. He fired a wave of magical energy at the half-witch princess, knocking her flat on the floor. Luz was shocked by the surprise attack and saw Jericho burst out of the rubble he was trapped under.
"Nobody! Try's to blow up Jericho Devildealer and walks away!" Jericho shouted in anger.
Amity began tracing a magic circle, but Jericho again was quicker on the draw and Amity soon found herself quickly wrapped up by beige colored bandages that encased her completely from her feet all the way up to her mouth. She let out a muffled shriek as she was rendered completely helpless and she toppled on to the floor. Luz tried to run, but she too was suddenly wrapped up in the same way as Amity.
Jericho then stood up and walked up to the 2 bound and gagged Witches on the floor. He knelt down to their level to get a good Look at them. Particularly Amity who he recognized. She tried to scoot away, but Jericho grabbed her by the chin.
"Wait, wait, wait aren't you Odalia and Alador Blight's kid?" He grinned
"Luz! Amity!" Ruby and Weiss could be heard shouting from outside the warehouse.
Jericho heard the shouting "*Tsk* more company" he let go of Amity and walked off.
The 2 huntresses entered the warehouse. All they saw were thousands of crates, half of which were broken.
"This definitely looks like Luz was here" Ruby commented. "Let's look around"
"This place isn't too big, so we should find them in no time" Weiss nodded in agreement.
They began looking for Luz and Amity. And as Weiss said they found them in no time. Unfortunately they found them wrapped up in bandages and struggling to get free. Ruby and Weiss rushed over to them.
"Luz!? what happened to you 2?" Ruby asked concerned.
Luz and Amity began screaming beneath the bandages over their mouths, but it came out muffled and intangible.
"What? We can't understand you?" Weiss said.
"I think their trying to warn you girls" Jericho said.
"Warn us about- Aaahh!" Ruby nearly jumped out of her skin, when Jericho snuck up on her and Weiss.
Jericho got a quick look at the 2 huntresses "Well this is a surprise. A pair of Witchlets and a pair of humans. What are the odds of that?"
Weiss drew her rapier and pointed it at Jericho in defense. "Who are you!?"
"Not from around here, right. The names Jericho and I'm the last Witch you'll ever see" He pointed his wand at them and it glowed brightly.
Ruby ran to the left and Weiss went right. Jericho followed Ruby's path and fired rapid shot of magic at her. But the little red human with her semblance, was to fast for the criminal Witch. He then aimed for Weiss seeing her as the slower target.
He fired a bolt of magic at the white haired human, but to his surprise. She blocked the attack with her barrier glyph. Jericho looked at this in disbelief thinking it was a magic circle.
"What the f %#!? humans can't use Magic!?" He exclaimed.
"It's a semblance, not magic. And second that's not all i can do" Weiss said as she made 4 more glyphs, each one shot a beam of white light hit Jericho.
The attack barely phased Jericho. Ruby then came at him with great speed, slashing him with her scythe's blade. Again he received no visible damage. Just as she took another swing, Jericho grabbed Crescent Rose by the handle below the blade pulled it from Ruby's hands, tossing it across the room and punched her in the face, knocking her to the ground.
Weiss used her gravity glyph on Jericho to hold him in place. The criminal Witch was barely able to move as the young huntress attacked him with a barrage of beams. But the beams still did nothing. Jericho mustered up, a crazy amount of strength and broke free of the gravity glyph. Literally shattering it into pieces. He then pointed his wand at Weiss. Then with a flick of his wrist, Weiss was thrown into a wall.
Ruby having just recovered from getting punched, using her semblances speed. Rushed across the room to retrieve Crescent Rose and run headlong at Jericho. She got right up into his face and transformed her weapon into it's gun mode. In the split second before she pulled the trigger. Jericho grabbed Ruby by the throat, stopping her assault. Jericho then tossed the girl at the same wall Weiss had been thrown into, landing right next to her.
The 2 huntresses didn't have much time to recover and form a counter attack, as they we're both wrapped in the same bandages as Luz and Amity. Except their mouths weren't covered. With his enemies incapacitated, Jericho lined them up against the wall to interrogate them.
"Alright. No more games. Who are you and what are doing here?" Jericho demanded.
"None of your business!" Ruby retorted.
"Well that's not very nice" He said.
"Neither are you. Who ever you are?" Weiss added.
"Oh you haven't heard about me have you?" Jericho jokingly asked. "Well I've heard things too. I've heard the Owl lady along with 4 humans fought one of the Arcane Knights at the conformitorium a while ago. And a couple days ago the same human were at Hexside, again with the Owl Lady? Is that a coincidence hmmm?"
"Uh we're her employees, right Weiss?" Ruby nudged her friend.
"Huh? Yeah we help run her potion business" Weiss said hesitatingly, but went along.
"Oh really. And i thought she'd use humans to get her hands on more junk for her human collectibles stand?" Jericho said. "I also happen to be a collector of human treasures"
"You are?" Weiss said in curiosity.
"I am" Jericho pulled out a pistol. "Specifically human weapons, you will not believe how often stuff like this gun wash up on our shores. I find them and sell to who ever pays the most"
"In short, your a gun smuggler!" Weiss said.
"You could say that" Jericho said not denying the legality in his profession.
"What does this have to do with us?" Ruby asked.
"Nothing" He answered. "I was just getting everything ready for a new client, when these 2 crazy Witches came busting in and destroyed half of my product" He pointed to Luz and Amity who silently glared. "Now, i have to restock, which is a pain. Unless you ladies help?"
"Excuse me?" Weiss said confused.
"I've seen the fancy weapons you girls use. You obviously have access to them or can make them. So here's the deal, i let you all go and you get me more guns to sell. I'll even give you a cut of the profits. What do you say?" Jericho laying out his offer.
"What do i say?" Weiss put on an innocent face. "How about DREAM ON CREEP!" Which quickly shifted to disgust. "I'd rather eat my own vomit!"
"Yeah i built Crescent Rose with my own 2 hands, i made to protect people, not hurt them. And i refuse to help a criminal use my sweet hearts likeness to make a profit!" Ruby angrily stated.
Jericho looked at them disappointment. "Fine have it your way. Let's see if Odalia Blight is as defiant as you, unless she wants her daughter back in one piece"
Amity tried to scoot away in fear, unfortunately with her body wrapped up in bandages, she couldn't get very far. Ruby and Luz quickly put themselves between Amity and Jericho, to protect the young Witch.
"You touch her! And you'll have to deal with us too!" Ruby said. While Luz just grunted.
"Whatever, I'll deal with you later" Jericho said. "Right now i gotta check on my stock, and see where my client is? So you 4 sit tight and don't do anything stupid. And just so you can't scream" He gave his wand a flick, then Ruby and Weiss' mouths were covered by the same bandages that bound them. "Later ladies" With that Jericho left the girls to struggle.
Once he was a good distance away, Ruby and Luz started thrashing about, in a futile effort the free themselves. Weiss struggled to a lesser extent, but none of them made any progress. The bandages felt as soft as gauze, but as sticky as tape. And they conformed to their frames. Escape seemed impossible. The only one that wasn't tiring herself out, by wriggling around was Amity. Who remained sitting up trying to trace a spell circle with her hands, that weren't wrapped by the bandages.
Unfortunately, she wasn't having any luck escaping either. Because her hands were pinned to her side, Amity couldn't trace a circle big enough to cast a spell that would help. And it was making her angry, which didn't help her concentration, making it more difficult to perform a single spell. And made her curse under her bandaged mouth.
It also didn't help that Luz was wiggling around right next to her. The half-witch princess bumped into her at one point, which really annoyed Amity. So she shoved Luz back with her hip, being unable to fully use her arms for the most part. Luz glared at Amity with an expression that said 'what the hell?'. Amity shot back with her own that said 'Watch it!'.
'Sorry!' Luz mumbled through her gag.
Back with Ruby kept struggling to free herself, either by loosening her bindings or making them tear from stress. But she was having no luck. She laid down on her side, feeling tired and defeated. Panting softly because her nose wasn't covered. Suddenly she saw a small object next to a crate a couple feet away. It was the knife she just bought at the market. It must have fallen off her body during the fight. Acting quickly, Ruby rolled on to her stomach and started scooting like a caterpillar towards the knife, as fast as she could.
Once she was close enough, Ruby was able to grab the knife with one of her exposed hands. She then unsheathed the knife with her left hand and held it with the blade facing down, she started cutting cutting the bandages that pinned her arms. True to the merchants word, the knife was making short work of the bandages. Within a minute she got her arm free and tear off the bandages around her mouth. She gasped for air, after removing her gag.
Ruby then cut off the bandages that wrapped her legs together and stood up. Luz was still struggling, Amity kept trying to trace a spell circle, but both kept failing to escape their wrappings. Weiss was just sitting there. Looking defeated and tired. They then noticed Ruby standing in front of her. That was a quite shock to them all because she was suppose to be bound and gagged like the rest of them.
Weiss' mind in particular began racing with questions of how she got free. She then saw the knife in her hand. Her shock quickly turned into joy. The red huntress wasted no time in cutting her friends and Amity free. Once everyone was free of their wrappings, they gathered around to form a plan of attack.
"Good call on buying that knife" Luz complemented Ruby.
"Like i said 'a huntress should always be prepared' and i was right" Ruby mental patting herself on the back.
"That's great and all, but for now let's get out of here and get help" Weiss said.
"What?! we can take him!" Luz retorted.
"Are you brain damaged?" Weiss asked confused. "Did you forget the part were he wrapped us up like birthday presents?"
"Okay there's that. But if we surprise attack him again, he'll never see it coming" Luz said.
"It worked last time" Amity agreed.
"What makes you think it'll work a second time?" Weiss questioned.
"Maybe it can" Ruby got an idea.
"Yeah! Wait what?" Luz said.
"Can either of you cast an invisibility spell?" Ruby asked.
"I've never done one before" Amity admitted.
"I have! I use it to sneak out of the castle sometimes" Luz said.
"Great, if he can't see us. Then he can't hit us and we can beat him" Ruby theorized.
"Yes, if Luz's magic doesn't go wrong" Weiss stated.
"I've done it a 100 times and it hasn't failed me yet!" Luz replied.
Weiss was about to object "Yes but-" when sudden foot steps cut that short.
"Time's up for talking. Now it's time for action" Luz got to work, forming a sphere of magic in her hands and raising it over everyone's head. The sphere showered all 4 girls in a small burst of light. Within a second they were all invisible to everyone except each other.
"It worked! We're invisible!" Amity said.
"I can see through my eyelids. Creepy" Weiss commented.
"Quiet, someone's coming" Ruby ordered in a whisper.
Everyone remained silent as Jericho returned. He looked around to see his hostages had disappeared? "Where the hell did they go? They couldn't have gotten free that fast?"
Jericho began searching the immediate are for Ruby, Weiss, Luz and Amity. But all that was left behind were shredded bandages. Unknown to him, our 4 heroes were still in the room with him, he just couldn't see them because of the invisibility spell. Ruby hastily took a step to get away from the villain. But Jericho heard the sound of her foot and looked at where the sound came from.
"What was that?" Jericho said.
Ruby froze in place, not moving an inch or making any sounds. Lest Jericho find out she was invisible. Luz saw an opening with Jericho focused distracted, and fired a finger beam at the brute. Jericho felt the beam strike him, and turned around to face the attacker, wand at the ready. But couldn't see them. Jericho's eyes were looking everywhere. He stepped backwards, unknowingly stepping on Weiss' foot.
"OW!" she yelped in pain.
Jericho heard that and realized what was going on.
"Uh oh" Weiss said.
"So that's it. You brats all went invisible. Cute trick, but it can't last forever" Jericho said.
"He's right. My invisibility spell has a time limit on how someone unseen, and it's gets shortened the more people i use it on" Luz whispered to Ruby
"Then we just need to beat him before time runs out" Ruby whispered back.
Ruby and Luz, sneaked around Jericho getting into a good position to attack. Ruby rocketed at Jericho with her Petal Burst, landing a kick to the brute's face. Jericho staggered from the hit, looking frantically for where they were. Luz fired another finger beam at his side. Jericho grunted in pain. Now it was Amity's turn to fight. She made an Abomination about half the size of Jericho. The golem grappled with Jericho, unfortunately it was still visible and he simply punched it's head off.
But the head quickly grew back. But the Abomination wasn't strong enough to hold him back and with a wave of his wand, he made it explode, sending bits of slime all over the room. Some of it hitting Ruby, Weiss, Luz and Amity.
Jericho saw the outlines of the 4 girls with bits of slime on them. "There you are" and blasted Amity with black lightning magic. The bolts struck her with a nasty shock, forcing her to her knees.
"Crap! He knows where we are!" Luz said frantically wiping off the slime.
"It's okay, we just need to think!" Ruby stated.
Weiss stabbed at Jericho with her rapier, so Jericho stopped attacking Amity and blasted Weiss instead.
Jericho walked up to Weiss, looming over her like a monolith "I'll admit it's been fun ladies. But really need to see my client now. So if you all could just give up, that would be great" Weiss began flickering between being visible and invisible. The same thing was happening to Luz, Ruby and Amity, meaning the invisibility spell was about to wear off.
Jericho took this opportunity to grab Weiss by the throat and lift her up. "Or if you want to still play games. Then we can start with last Witch standing" He began tightening his grip around Weiss' throat. Grinning with sadistic glee "Your move"
"Hey! Put! Her! Down!" Luz threatened.
Jericho saw it as an empty threat. "Or what?"
Luz pointed her finger gun at Jericho, it began glowing with magic.
"You think I'm scared of that? Go ahead, shoot me?" Jericho mocked.
Luz fired a shot at Jericho's chest. Which barely left a mark. Jericho chuckled "Is that all yo-" Luz fired a more powerful shot, this one left visible damage. "Ow! Oh now we're talking!" he tossed Weiss to the side, and Ruby caught her using her semblance before she hit the ground.
"My turn!" Jericho pointed his wand at Luz, he fired his own beam.
Luz jumped out of the way before the beam hit. Jericho fire another, but Luz dodged again, moving further away from Ruby and the others. He once again shot at Luz, but as she leapt out of the way, the beam hit her ankle. Causing her to trip and fall.
"Game over" Jericho charged up one final powerful blast aimed right at Luz. And he fired, before the blast hit her Luz put her hands in front of herself. And a wall of rainbow colored light that resembled a mirror, stopped the beam and absorbed it.
Everyone including Jericho saw this with wide eyes and expressions of shock and confusion.
"WHAT!?" Jericho shouted.
"Game over!" With a wave of her hands, Luz made the mirror of light fire the magical energy from Jericho's attack, right back at him.
The blast sent Jericho through a wall of the warehouse, outside the building and into another building. Ruby and Weiss looked at Luz with gaping jaws. While Amity looked slightly impressed.
"Whoa. That was awesome!" Ruby said.
"Yeah. Awesome?!" Weiss agreed.
"Even I'm a little impressed. I've never seen a spell that takes magical energy and sends it back at the opponent" Amity stated.
"Not many have, it's something my dad made up" Luz said.
"Your father invented his own spell?" Weiss said surprised.
"A couple actually, but yes" Luz stated.
"So what do we do about tall, dark and unconscious?" Ruby pointed to Jericho, who was laying unconscious outside.
"Well, we should call the authorities and they'll take it from there" Weiss suggested.
"Could we maybe leave out the part about us fighting a dangerous criminal" Ruby said.
"But how are we gonna explain the rubble and I'm pretty sure all these people saw what happened" Amity stated motioning to the Witches and Demons that were currently gathered around the area.
Luz thought for a brief moment before saying. "Oh i know... we could tell them an Ogre did it"
Ruby, Weiss and Amity stared at her with expressions that read 'Are you serious?'
"Or maybe they'll believe that a wizard did it?"
Moments later. From the shadows Uriah was observing the scene. And how Jericho, the Witch that was suppose to get him human weapons for the Arcane Knights, was now being taken away by Coven Scouts and Guards.
"Damn" He cursed. As he slipped away.
Back with the girls, who were in the middle of a debriefing with Locke and 2 other Coven Scouts.
"Gotta hand it to you girls. Not many people have the guts to take on guys like Jericho Devildealer Coven Scout #1 said
"Aw, It was no biggy" Ruby said blushing a little.
"Can't say those same people got the brains either" He added.
"Excuse me?"
"Fair lady! You put yourself and your companions in grave danger! Such actions are the height of foolishness!" Locke said in a disapproving tone.
"Sir! Please it was my idea to apprehend Jericho. I'm the foolish one here" Amity tried to defend Ruby.
"However, I will commend you all for taking action against the villain Jericho, despite the danger" Locke said sounding more understanding.
"You mean it?" Ruby wondered.
"Verily! but please next time think before thou take such action. Especially you Princess" Locke pointed to Luz.
"I'll try, but can't make any promises" Luz said.
"We know" Coven Scout #2 said.
"So that's it? A pat on the back, a slap on the wrist and we're done?" Weiss question.
"Fortunately there was very little collateral damage, so everything's alright" Coven Scout #1 said.
"That's good" Ruby said "This will be some story to tell Eda?"
"I wonder what she's up to now?" Weiss wondered.
Meanwhile, in answer to this question. Eda and Lilith were in the griffon stables at the Emperor's castle shovelling, well Griffon manure. With Kikimora supervising them.
"Ugh I am a Coven Head, i should not be doing grunt work" Lilith groaned.
"Stop complaining and keep shovelling" Eda said sounding very ticked off. "We're both in this because of you anyway"
"Excuse me!?" Lilith said offended "I'm not the one who destroyed part of the Convention centre, trying to look like a 'bad ass!'" She added air quotes.
"You started the fight that lead to it!" Eda retorted.
"You! Egged me on!" Lilith fired back.
"ENOUGH!" Kikimora shouted at both of them, which made them stop arguing. "You're both being punished for that little fight. Now you can both get back to work doing this? Or i can find a more humiliating job for the both of you?"
"No! No! No! We'll do this please!" Eda said in a panic.
And both Witches quickly got back to shovelling.