The Emperor Strikes Back

Titan Power

It was Saturday morning on the Boiling Isles as Luz woke up in her bed with Stringbean by her side, prompting Luz to pet her affectionately. The Echo Mouse crawled next to her and smiled at her as Luz picked it up and carried it in her hand as she walked out of the room with Stringbean on her shoulder. She went downstairs for breakfast and found everyone else sitting at the table, waiting for her as they looked at her.

She saw they already had a griffin egg prepared for her, so she sat down and smiled as she said, "Hey everyone."

They all showed concern as Eda asked, "You okay kid? We know you went through a lot last night, and you've probably got a lot on your mind."

Luz smiled nervously as she admitted, "Yeah, Belos' ghost coming back for revenge and making an evil clone of me is still a lot to take in."

Raine smiled as they said, "Well, don't worry. Together we'll all find a way to stop him and Zul from doing whatever they're planning on doing."

Lilith smiled awkwardly to hide her fear as she said, "Yes, I'm sure we'll find out what they're planning very soon."

She kept smiling awkwardly until Eda spoke up and honestly said, "Kid, don't bare all the weight on your shoulders. We're all just as worried as you are."

Hunter agreed as he nervously said, "Yeah, Belos' spirit coming back and creating a Grimwalker of you? Sounds like something out of a nightmare. How long before he makes another Grimwalker of me?!"

Vee scooted closer to Hunter and placed her hand on his shoulder and sincerely said, "Don't worry Hunter. We'll all keep you safe."

Hunter calmed down a bit as he thankfully said, "Thanks Vee."

On the table, the Echo Mouse ate some griffin egg before it burped and projected a video on the ceiling, which the others watched. The video showed an image of a magical shard before showing Philip's silhouette with a teenage boy in front of him. The next image showed the boy attacking him with a staff and then showed Philip limping with his hair a mess.

While this was shown Philip's voice said, "After fifteen years I have finally found the Galderstone fragment needed to complete my Portal Door. Galderstone fragments of this size are extremely rare and when combined with the power of Titan's Blood I will be able to return home. I've met a young boy, by the name of Galen, in possession of the Galderstone fragment. I asked him kindly for it, but he refused to part with it and attacked me like a savage. I barely escaped and was unable to recover the Galderstone fragment, I am no closer to creating a portal than I was before."

The video ended as the Echo Mouse curled up on the table as Eda smiled and said, "That Galen kid had spunk."

Hunter agreed as he pessimistically said, "Yeah, I wish we had some of that."

Hooty then stretched himself into the room and smiled proudly as he said, "Fear not! No ghosts or evil clones are getting here! You've got your fair guardian sir Hooty protecting you. Nothing's getting past me!"

Lilith smiled sweetly as she petted Hooty's head and said, "Hootsifer you are such a prince. What would we do without you?"

Eda looked away with a mildly annoyed expression as she softly muttered, "I can think of a few things."

Luz smiled at the others with appreciation as she said, "Thanks everyone. It helps that I have all of you to lean on. So what should we do now?"

Raine then pointed their thumb at themselves before pointing at Luz while they seriously answered, "I am going to see Darius and the other Coven Heads today and we're going to see what else we can learn about this. You're going to stay out of trouble."

Luz was surprised as she said, "But Raine, I want to help."

Raine looked at her and glanced at the others with a cautious expression as they said, "Thank you Luz but I can't let you help. If Belos is back I'm sure he'll want revenge on you, and if he has a Grimwalker of you, who knows what else he has."

Eda agreed as she pointed at Vee, King, Hunter, and Luz while she seriously said, "Raine's right. You need to let the adults handle it. You kids go outside and try to take your minds off things. And stay out of trouble. No schemes, no plots, no ruses, and no shenanigans!"

She then got up and shoved the four kids out of the Owl House as Hooty said, "Have a nice day."

They then started walking away from the Owl House while Hunter complained, "Great! The former Golden Guard forced to keep his head down while the grownups do all the work."

Vee smiled at him as she slithered and said, "They just don't want anything to happen to us. Besides, I'm sure Eda, Raine, and Lilith can manage things."

Hunter showed frustration as he moved his hands around and said, "But how can they expect us to just stand by and do nothing while Belos and Zul plot to destroy us?!"

They turned to Luz, who smiled mischievously as she said, "Who said we're going to do nothing? Eda never said anything about adventures."

Vee was concerned as she asked, "What?"

King had a happy look in his eyes as he pointed at Luz and said, "Ooh, she's up to something! This should be good!"

Stringbean then flew next to her and changed to her staff form as Luz explained, "Let's search the forests of the Boiling Isles to see if we can find anything creepy."

Vee was very reluctant as she said, "But Eda told us to stay out of trouble."

Luz smiled slyly as she said, "We won't get into any trouble if we don't find anything, and if something attacks us, it's not our fault."

Hunter folded his arms as he smiled with respect and said, "You are definitely Eda's student."

He and King sat on Luz's staff with her before they floated in the air while she happily said, "Come on!"

They flew off and Vee watched them as she reluctantly said, "This isn't going to end well."

She then changed her arms into wings and flew after them as they flew over the trees and looked down at the forest. They saw nothing out of the ordinary when a griffin flew next to them and puked up a bunch of spiders. Luz watched the griffin as she smiled and sighed happily before they continued on their search and saw something big jump out of the boiling sea.

They noticed it swimming toward a beach as Luz asked, "What's that?"

King spotted it and curiously guessed, "Another trash slug?"

They flew down to investigate with Vee flying next to them and they landed on the beach just as the mother selkidomus and her baby arrived on shore.

They stepped on the sand while Vee's wings turned back into arms as Luz happily said, "No, it's the selkidomus and her baby!"

The baby made happy noises as she rushed over to Luz and hugged her while Luz smiled affectionately while the mother looked down at Vee.

She lowered her head and sniffed her while Vee nervously said, "Uh… hi."

The selkidomus then smiled as it nuzzled her affectionately, making Vee smiled as she said, "Nice to meet you too."

Hunter and King watched them when they both stopped nuzzling Luz and Vee, and Hunter smiled as he said, "Nice to see they managed to stay away from Belos."

Luz then curiously looked at Hunter and asked, "Hunter, do you know why Belos wanted you to slay her?"

They all looked at Hunter as he rubbed the back of his head nervously as he was very hesitant to answer the question.

Luz then put her hand on his shoulder as she sincerely said, "It's okay. You can tell us."

Hunter let out a heavy sigh before he confessed, "When I was hiding from the Emperor's Coven I stole a bunch of books about Grimwalkers. I learned that one of the key ingredients to make one is selkidomus scales."

Luz, Vee, and King gasped in shock before they all looked at the mother selkidomus and her baby with nervous expressions.

They looked back at Hunter as Vee showed concern and asked, "What are the other ingredients?"

Hunter raised his left finger before holding his palm out toward Luz as he replied, "Well the most important ingredient a bone of the original, although a sample of blood can work sometimes. That's probably what Belos used to create Zul from you."

Luz was somewhat troubled before she asked, "What else?"

Hunter then listed two items on his fingers as he said, "You also need Palistrom wood and a Galdorstone."

Vee immediately became curious as she said, "Galderstones? You mean those things Gus told us about."

Hunter glanced around in thought while making hand gestures as he explained, "Yeah, Gus and Matt found the last complete ones in the Looking Glass Ruins. There were once hundreds of them but witches ended up fighting over them and destroyed them. Only shards of them remained, their powers were weakened but the fragments have enough magic to give the Grimwalker heart and power. The Galderstones in the Looking Glass Ruins are much more powerful but they're safe since Gus and Matt kept it secret."

Vee was amazed as she pointed her finger and said, "Like in Philip's diary."

Hunter nodded as he replied, "Yes."

They were all interested as King curiously asked, "Anything else?"

Hunter raised his right finger as he answered, "One more main ingredient: Stone Sleeper lungs."

Luz then gasped in fear as she said, "Stone Sleeper lungs?! Do you think Eda and Lilith's parents are in trouble?!"

Vee also looked concerned as she said, "We should go warn them."

Hunter, King, and Luz got on her staff and flew off while Vee turned her arms into wings and flapped after them. They went to Dell and Gwendolyn's house and were standing outside with them as the Stone Sleeper stood behind them.

Gwendolyn showed a serious expression as she said, "Lilith already told us about Belos' spirit coming back and this new Grimwalker. Trust me, if we see them we'll teach them both not to mess with our family!"

Vee was still concerned as she said, "But the Stone Sleeper lungs…"

Gwendolyn smiled as she caressed the Stone Sleeper's face and said, "Don't worry. He's safe with us. We won't let anyone hurt him."

The Stone Sleeper shut his eyes as he purred with his eyes closed and Dell smiled confidently as he said, "Trust me, Gwendolyn can protect any beast from anyone."

Luz and the others felt better as Hunter pointed his thumb over his shoulder and said, "Well, I guess we should get going."

Gwendolyn held her hand out as she smiled and said, "No wait, you kids should stay for a while. We have information you may find interesting."

Luz, King, Vee, and Hunter glanced at each other with curious expressions before they entered the house and glanced around in curiosity. They walked over to the table where Gwendolyn and Dell put an old journal and opened it to a certain page.

The kids gathered around as Dell smiled and explained, "We were going through family heirlooms in the attic when we found this journal. It belonged to one of my ancestors who lived near the end of the Deadwardian Era."

Luz was immediately interested as she said, "That's when Philip and Caleb came to the Boiling Isles."

Gwendolyn nodded and raised her right finger as she said, "Yes, and we did find one entry that was about Philip."

Hunter was amazed as he said, "Really?!"

Dell looked at them all as he said, "His name was Galen."

They were all shocked as they said, "Galen?!"

Luz was almost speechless as she said, "We heard about Galen in Philip's diary!"

Hunter was very shocked as he asked, "He was a Clawthorne?!"

They both nodded proudly, prompting King to throw his fists in the air as he happily said, "Cool!"

They gathered around Dell while King sat on the table and Dell read an entry out loud as he said, "Listen to this. Terrorscary 26, I actually met the human who killed my father before I was born, Philip Wittebane. I arrived home after a long day of carving Palismen and I found him in our house, making a mess as he searched for something. I asked him who he was and what he wanted and when he saw me, he attacked me and my Palisman. I stared at his face and saw a big scar on his nose before I got a good look at his ears. I knew he was the human my mother warned me about. I prepared to fight as I said, 'Philip Wittebane! You killed my father and now you've come back for me!' He insulted me and called me a monster as he demanded that I give him my mother's Galderstone fragment. I refused and he tried to kill me, so I defended myself with Tweet and almost defeated him until he turned into a hideous monster made of green slime. He almost had me when my mother came home and saved me. With her magic she forced him out of our home and sent him running into the forest as she threatened to kill him if he ever came back. I hope I'll never see him again and I promise mom that I'll keep the Galderstone fragment away from him."

Dell finally stopped as he and Gwendolyn looked at the kids as Vee asked, "Is there anything else about him?"

Gwendolyn showed a bit of regret as she said, "That's the only entry about him. Galen wrote a few entries about his memory of that day and how protected the Galderstone fragment from that day on. But that was the only time he ever encountered Philip."

Vee was amazed as she said, "That's like the entry we found in his diary. Only it's the whole truth. Philip killed Galen's father and that's why Galen fought him."

Luz looked up and rolled her eyes in disdain as she said, "He probably lied to him and used him as a sacrifice to get something he needed."

Hunter was intrigued as he curled his right finger close to his face and said, "Wow, sounds like Belos had a long history with the Clawthornes family."

Dell smiled proudly as he said, "Yep, we come from a long line of powerful witches who know how to make people angry."

King shut his eyes with a happy expression as he gave him a thumbs-up and said, "Yeah!"

Luz then put her hands together as she looked at Gwendolyn and Dell as she hopefully said, "So, do you guys have the Galderstone fragment?"

Dell smiled as he pointed his thumb up and said, "Sure do. It's up in the attic. It's been passed down through our family for generations."

Luz smiled politely as she kindly said, "Do you think you could give it to me. It's okay if you don't but Philip said he needed it to make the Portal Door, so I'd like it to create a new one."

Dell and Gwendolyn looked at each other with uncertainty before looking back at her as Gwendolyn said, "We'll think about it, but definitely not until after we've stopped Belos and his Grimwalker."

Luz smiled happily as she said, "Sounds good. Thanks."

Vee smiled as she pointed her thumb behind her and said, "Thanks for the help, but we should get going now."

Gwendolyn smiled slyly as she raised her left finger and said, "Not so fast. Before you go, I'd like to show you something Luz."

Luz was curious as she followed Gwendolyn out of the house and into the forest while the rest stayed inside with Dell. Gwendolyn held her staff as she lead Luz into the woods, not too far from the house, and she listened to the sounds around them with a smile.

Luz looked at Gwendolyn as she curiously asked, "So what are we doing out here?"

Gwendolyn smiled happily at Luz as she answered, "Edalyn tells me you want to study every kind of magic, so I'm going to give you a quick lesson in Beast Keeping."

Luz was interested as she said, "Ooh."

Gwendolyn's eyes glowed orange for a second as she summoned several animals to join the two of them. There were birds, unicorns, a manticore, a griffin, and a few bats as they all gravitated toward Gwendolyn and acted very friendly. She started petting the animals while they smiled at her affectionately as Luz watched with amazement.

Luz smiled as she happily said, "My mom would love this."

Gwendolyn faced Luz as she petted the manticore and said, "Even the most ferocious beasts can be tamed if you show them the kindness and respect that they deserve."

Luz smiled as she walked forward and happily said, "I'm all about kindness."

Gwendolyn shut her eyes as she raised her right finger and said, "Yes but you must also show a bit of dominance and strength. You have to show them that you're not a threat but you're not a pushover either."

Luz put her finger on her chin as she said, "Okay…"

Gwendolyn smiled as she moved her hand motioning for Luz to come closer while she said, "Let's try it. Come here."

The manticore looked at Luz and growled at her while Luz nervously stepped forward and smiled as said, "Uh, hi big guy. I like your hair."

The manticore kept growling at her as Gwendolyn took Luz's right hand and held it out while she said, "Try and relax. They can sense fear. Hold your hand out like this. Wait for him to come to you. Don't back down but don't make the first move. Show him you're not afraid but you're not a threat."

Luz took a deep breath and shut her eyes as she calmed down and held her hand out toward the manticore, patiently waiting for it to respond. The manticore stopped growling and stared at Luz's hand with wonder and curiosity before it shut its eyes and pressed its nose against her palm. Luz opened her eyes, which briefly glowed orange before returning to normal, and she let out a sigh of delight as the manticore purred.

The manticore pulled its head back and smiled at Luz as she happily said, "I just made a new friend!"

Gwendolyn smiled with amazement as she said, "Yes! I'm impressed! I wasn't sure you'd get it on your first try! Even without magic you're a natural!"

Luz smiled modestly as she said, "Thanks, but I'm just a human trying not to mess things up. I'm lucky to have such great teachers."

Gwendolyn smiled with her eyes shut as she proudly said, "Well, you're not wrong there."

Back at the house, Dell was with Hunter, King, and Vee as they enjoyed lunch together at the table when Dell glanced at Hunter.

He then curiously said, "So, you still don't have your own Palisman?"

Hunter looked away as he sadly held his chest and said, "No. I'm still not ready for a new one. I miss Flapjack."

Dell understood as he walked over to Hunter and placed his hand on his shoulder and sincerely said, "I understand. A Palisman is a friend for life, it is something that can never be replaced. Losing one is a tragic thing. But carving one is one of the greatest things a witch can do. Carving a new one can help fill the void in your heart."

Hunter looked at Dell with surprise before turning to Vee and King as King said, "You did say you wanted to learn how to carve Palismen."

Vee smiled as she raised her finger and added, "And having a new one could help you protect yourself better now Belos and Zul are out to get us."

Hunter thought about what they all said as he showed uncertainty and said, "I don't know."

Dell smiled as he tossed Hunter a piece of Palistrum wood and said, "Well, here take this. Palistrum wood. When you're ready for a new one let me know and I'll help you carve it."

Hunter stared down at the Palistrum wood before smiling at Dell with appreciation as he said, "Thank you."

Suddenly Luz came in with Gwendolyn as she held her staff in her hand and happily said, "Okay, this is been fun but we should get back to searching."

Later at the remains of the Emperor's castle

Zul flew down on her staff and landed in the very spot where Belos died as his spirit appeared next to her.

He stared forward with hatred as he said, "This is the spot."

Zul, having Luz's memories, also recognized the area as she narrowed her eyes and said, "Oh yeah. Definitely."

They both started searching when Belos looked at a chunk of debris and telekinetically lifted it in the air as he moved his hand.

He small a tiny dark green glob of slime as he smiled evilly and said, "There it is."

Zul then joined him and smiled as she pulled out a vial and scooped up the goo before plugging the vial with a cork.

She smiled as she showed the vial to Belos and said, "Got it dad."

Belos smiled at the vial as he said, "Excellent, with this Odalia's control over me will end and nothing will stand in our way."

Zul then noticed something and glared with hatred as she said, "Except maybe them."

Belos looked and saw Luz riding on her staff with Hunter and King while Vee flew next to them, flapping her wings.

They had not spotted Zul or Belos as they flew over the forest away from them as Belos said, "Luz."

Zul clinched her staff as she said, "Let's take them out and grab King!"

Belos then turned to Zul as he sternly raised his right finger and said, "Don't be so hasty Zul. If we let them know we need King they'll do everything to protect them. We must be patient and wait for the right moment."

Zul then folded her arms and looked away as she pouted like a child, then Belos smiled as he said, "But that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun first."

Zul then smiled evilly when Belos flew through the air and Zul sat on her staff and followed him as they pursued Luz and the others.

Vee flapped next to the others as she said, "I don't see anything dangerous so far."

Hunter turned around and his eyes widened in shock and fear as he said, "I do!"

Belos' spirit changed to his monstrous form as he attacked them on Luz's staff, knocked King off and grabbed Hunter. Vee quickly panicked as she flew down and wrapped her tail around King's body, catching him before they all watched Belos fly down to the forest with Hunter.

Luz showed fear as she yelled, "Hunter!"

Vee immediately flew down as she carried King with her tail and Luz was about to follow them when Zul flew at Zul on her staff and rammed her. She then flew down to the forest and carried Luz down away from the others while Vee and King flew after Belos and Hunter. Zul and Luz hit a few branches before landing on the ground, where Luz forced Zul off of her as they both stood in fighting stances as they held their staffs and stared at each other.

Zul smiled evilly as she said, "Hey there sis."

Luz glared at her with hatred as she said, "Zul!"

Zul kept leering at her as she snidely said, "Looking for us? I'm surprised Eda let you out after you told her about me and dad. Or did you keep that from them?"

Luz pointed her staff at Zul as she fiercely said, "We told her, Lilith, and Raine everything! Eda let us out but told us to stay out of trouble. She said no schemes, no plots, no ruses, and no shenanigans."

Zul smiled cunningly as she pointed at Luz and said, "But she never mentioned adventures, did she?"

Luz was shocked as Zul had said what she said earlier and Zul smiled arrogantly as she said, "I know you better than you know yourself."

Luz then glared at her as she swung her staff through the air and sent out a wave of dark purple magic, but Zul swung her staff down and cut the wave in two. Luz then ran at Zul as she yelled in fury while pulling her staff back while Zul ran at her and prepared to counter attack. While the two of them fought, Belos carried Hunter down to a clearing not very far away and dropped him on the ground. Hunter lied on the ground as he looked up at Belos, who landed in front of him and changed to his usual form with an evil grin.

Hunter immediately stood up and backed away in fear as he said, "What do you want?!"

Belos walked toward Hunter with a sinister grin as he said, "Come now Hunter, you know we have unfinished business."

Vee then flew down and landed in front of Hunter as her wings turned back into her arms and she unwrapped her tail around King. King stood on all fours as he glared at Belos while Vee sprouted sharp teeth and claws while she snarled at him, and Hunter found courage as he clinched his fists.

Belos was not deterred as he smiled wickedly and said, "Hello King. Hello Number 5."

Vee snarled viciously as she jumped at Belos with her claws out, but he did not move as she harmlessly passed through him while he grinned smugly. She landed behind him and looked back in fear as Belos walked toward Hunter and King with a malicious grin.

King then used his sonic scream as he shouted, "Weh!"

His power seemingly destroyed Belos as he cried in pain and disappeared, but his spirit reformed as he showed a vexed expression.

King was somewhat amazed as he said, "That actually worked."

Hunter was also amazed as he looked down at King and said, "Your power seemed to hurt him."

Belos looked down at King as he smiled knowingly and said, "Well, you ARE a Titan."

The boys and Vee gasped in shock as Belos smiled evilly and said, "Yes King. The Collector told me your secret. I have to say, I was very shocked when I learned the Owl Lady's pet was the last of the Titans. It's no wonder your late father approved of Luz so much. A pity you're still nothing more than a fragile baby."

Belos then changed his right arm as he stretched it out several feet and tried to grab King when Hunter teleported in a yellow flash. He picked King up and saved him from Belos before teleporting over to Vee and handing him to her as she held him close. Belos' arm returned to its regular shape as he looked at them and moved his left hand as he telekinetically lifted a large bolder in the air and hurled it at them. They split up and dodged the boulder before Belos turned his attention back to Hunter as he marched toward him. Hunter courageously made a ring of light with his finger and shot a yellow blast of energy at him, but Belos easily dodged it.

He kept marching toward him while Hunter backed away as Belos disappointedly said, "I honestly expected you to last longer than the other Griimwalkers, but you betrayed me just like the rest of them."

Hunter kept backing away as he angrily said, "You lied to me! You used me! You tried to destroy me! And then you possessed me! You're a monster!"

Belos kept marching toward him as he said, "I created you to help avenge Caleb's death and honor his legacy. I brought you into this world to keep his memory going."

Hunter stopped as he angrily pointed at Belos and said, "You created me to be a weapon to help you destroy innocent people! Caleb wouldn't help you so you kept trying with Grimwalkers but the cycle kept repeating! You're evil!"

Belos showed disdain as he said, "Luz has gotten to you."

He then turned his left hand into a blade and slashed it at Hunter, and he teleported out of the way while Vee and King watched in fear.

Vee got an idea as she held King in front of her and apologized, "Sorry King!"

She then closed her eyes and shrieked as she drained a little bit of magic from King, weakening him slightly as his eyes got heavy.

Belos then smiled as he walked toward Hunter again and said, "I'll admit, I do like your relationship with Luz. It does feel good to see you bonding with another human. Hopefully Zul will have a similar relationship with your successor."

He prepared to attack again Vee yelled, "Leave him alone!"

He turned to her as she slithered toward him and yelled, "Weh!"

She then opened her mouth and emitted a sonic scream like King's, which blasted the ghost of Belos away from Hunter as he disappeared.

Hunter looked at Vee in amazement as he said, "How did you do that?!"

Vee held King as she explained, "Basilisks can do magic like someone else if we drain enough magic from them."

King looked a bit tired as he said, "Cool."

She held him protectively when Belos' ghost reappeared and glared at the three of them with a vexed expression.

He started floating backwards as he said, "Your friends can't protect you forever Hunter, and you can't protect them from what's coming."

He then disappeared into the forest while Hunter and Vee nervously looked at each other before they ran into the forest to follow him. Meanwhile Luz and Zul were still fighting each other as Zul shot a red blast of magic from her staff, which Luz narrowly dodged. She then fired a powerful purple blast of magic at Zul, but she dodged it before moving her left finger, encasing Luz's body in a red aura. She then telekinetically threw Luz to the side and Luz hit the ground and sat up as she looked at Zul standing over her.

Zul smiled evilly as she gloated, "You can't beat me Luz, it's like fighting yourself. You're your own worst enemy!"

She prepared to attack again until Belos' spirit floated up behind her and said, "Zul, the fun is over. It's time to go."

Zul glared at Luz in disappointment before sitting on her staff and flying away while Belos' ghost flew with her.

Luz stood up and angrily watched them fly away when Hunter, Vee, and King joined her as Hunter yelled, "Luz!"

Luz pointed in the direction Zul and Belos fled as she sat on her staff and angrily said, "They're getting away! Let's go after them!"

Vee slithered toward her as she held King and said, "Luz, we can't go after them."

Luz was angry as she looked at her but immediately showed concern when she saw King while she said, "Why not?! King!"

She let go of Stringbean, who changed to her natural form and flew after her as Luz ran to Vee and took King. King was alright but he had difficulty staying awake as Luz cradled him in her arms while Stringbean landed on her shoulder and looked down at him.

Luz started to panic as she looked at Hunter and Vee and asked, "What happened?!"

Vee showed a bit of regret as she put her two fingertips together and confessed, "I drained some of his magic to stop Belos. I'm sorry!"

Hunter held his hands up as he reassured, "He'll be okay. She didn't drain much magic. He just needs time to rest and recover."

Luz calmed down a bit but looked down at King before looking at the others as she said, "Okay, let's get him back to the Owl House."

Hunter and Vee nodded in agreement as Stringbean changed to her staff form, Luz and Hunter got on her and flew away while Vee turned her arms into wings and flew after them.

Later at the Owl House

It was dark outside as Eda showed a worried expression as she said, "Those kids are out late. What did they get themselves into this time?"

Lilith and Raine smiled with relaxed expressions as Lilith said, "I'm sure they're fine Edalyn. Don't worry."

Hooty then opened the front door as he nervously said, "I uh… think we have a problem, hoot hoot."

Luz and the others entered, prompting the others to show fear as Eda exclaimed, "King!"

She took him from Luz as he cracked his eyes open and said, "Eda?"

She held him close in her arm as she asked, "What happened?!"

Luz softened the blow as she said, "It's a long story."

Luz, Vee, and Hunter explained what happened while King rested in Eda's arm as Luz finished, "And then Belos and Zul flew away."

Eda glared at Luz as she said, "Didn't I say no schemes, plots, ruses, or shenanigans?"

Luz smiled sheepishly as she shrugged, "Yeah, but you never said anything about adventures."

Eda was not amused, then Hunter said, "Besides Eda, they took us by surprise. We didn't expect to find them there."

Eda calmed down as Vee moved up to her with her hands together as she apologized, "I'm really sorry about King, Eda."

Eda showed no malice as she cradled King in her arms and said, "It's okay basilisk. King's not just a Titan, he's a Clawthorne. He'll pull through. You did what you had to do."

Lilith looked at Vee with amazement before turning away in thought as she said, "You were able to use King's power by feeding off of his magic? So the stories are true!"

They all looked at her with surprised expressions as Hunter asked, "Stories?"

Lilith looked back at everyone as she explained, "One of the books from the Collector's archives claim that basilisks helped the Titans in their war against the Archivists. The Titans willingly let them feed off of their magic, making the basilisks powerful enough to face the Archivists and protect their children."

Vee was amazed as she softly said, "Wow."

Raine caressed King's skull as they said, "King will be alright, but he needs time for his magic to return. He should be back to normal by tomorrow."

Luz showed concern as she said, "Meanwhile Belos and Zul are still out there doing whatever they're planning on doing."

Hunter smiled hopefully as he said, "Yeah, but let's not panic. Belos was planning the Day of Unity for years, his new plan might just be starting. It could be weeks before they make their next move."

The front door opened as Hooty nervously said, "Hoot hoot!"

Willow, Amity, and Gus then walked in as carried the Keeper of the Looking Glass Graveyard, who looked badly beaten.

Gus was very worried as he said, "Luz, we have a problem."

They all looked at the Keeper as Eda complained, "And the hits just keep on coming."

They set him down on the couch as he groaned in pain as Luz asked, "Guys, what happened?!"

The Keeper looked at them as he weakly said, "The Galderstones have been stolen."

Everyone was worried as Lilith, Hunter, and Raine simultaneously exclaimed, "WHAT?!"

Gus held his left palm toward the Keeper before putting it on his own chest as he explained, "The Keeper of the Looking Glass Graveyard came to my house telling me that he was attacked and robbed. I called Willow and Amity and we brought him here."

Raine then walked to the Keeper and urgently asked, "Who did this to you?"

He looked at Raine as he answered, "The Head of the Illusion Coven."

Raine narrowed their eyes with a serious expression as they said, "Graye!"

Gus agreed as he said, "He did try to get me to tell him where the Galderstones were when he came to Hexside."

Hunter was panicky as he said, "But how did he find the Looking Glass Ruins if you didn't tell him? You and Matt are the only ones who know where it is."

Gus showed a bit of regret as he said, "Actually that's not true. He told us that Graye had help from Bria, Gavin, and Angmar; those three Glandus kids we helped find the Looking Glass Ruins the first time."

Luz was annoyed as she rolled her eyes and said, "Typical Glandus!"

Amity pointed her finger as she said, "He also said Kikimora was helping them."

Hunter was concerned as he said, "That's not good."

Gus showed sorrow as he looked at his friends and said, "I guess those defenses Matt and I put up weren't enough."

Willow put her hand on Gus' shoulder as she assured, "It's okay Gus. It's not your fault."

Lilith was very worried as she said, "This can't be a coincidence! Graye must be working with Belos!"

Eda narrowed her eyes as she seriously said, "And I'll bet he's not the only Coven Head working with him."

Raine showed a troubled expression as they urgently said, "And with the Galderstones there's no telling what they could do!"

Luz held her head in fear as she exclaimed, "Oh Titan! This is going from bad to worse real fast!"

Willow looked at the adults as she asked, "So what do we do?"

Raine showed a serious expression as they urgently said, "We need to find out who else is helping Belos. I'll tell Darius and Eberwolf and we'll start investigating."

Lilith raised her right finger as she said, "I'll reach out to Steve and together we'll see if there are any loyalists working for Belos."

Luz then spoke up and said, "And I'll go home and tell my mom about this."

Everyone looked at her with surprise as Eda said, "Luz, your mom is safe in the human world."

Luz was troubled as she said, "Eda, nobody I love is safe with Zul around. She knows all of my secrets. She knows me so well. I need to warn my mom. She's expecting me to come home tomorrow anyway, I have to tell her."

Vee agreed as she looked at the others before turning to Luz while she said, "Luz is right Eda. I'm going too. If Camila's in danger we need to make sure nothing happens to her."

Hunter stood next to them as he seriously said, "Me too. Camila's done a lot for me, I'm not letting Belos or Zul threaten her."

Eda then sighed in exasperation before she agreed, "Okay. I guess it can't hurt. And you should be safe in the human realm."

Luz nodded as she honestly as she said, "So tomorrow we'll go warn mom about Belos and Zul, then we'll come back when we know she's safe."

Eda showed a serious expression as she glanced at everyone and said, "Meanwhile we need to figure out what Belos' next move is. Something tells me the trouble is just starting."

Meanwhile at the Archives

Belos' allies and loyalists were assembled in the castle as they talked among each other while Graye, Bria, Angmar, and Gavin made their way to the front of the crowd.

They presented the Galderstones as Belos smiled and said, "Excellent work. These will do nicely."

Zul looked a bit suspicious as she asked, "What about Kikimora?"

Bria smiled arrogantly as she said, "She was a big help and followed orders pretty well."

Graye smiled slyly as he said, "And we made sure not to tell her more than necessary, so she doesn't know about either of you."

Belos smiled evilly before looking at the crowd as he floated and held his arms out as he said, "Good. I'd like to thank you all for your assistance. We are one step closer to completing the Amplifying Spell in six days. The Galderstones will spread the power throughout the demon realm as we rise above our enemies and begin a new era of prosper."

Faust stepped forward and curiously asked, "What else do we need to reach this goal?"

Belos smiled as he listed things on his fingers before holding up one finger and creating an illusion of King while he said, "We already have Selkigris, Slitherbeast goo, and Palistrum wood. Now there is only one thing we need to complete the spell: King Clawthorne."

Most of the crowd were confused as Terra put her hands on her hips as she said, "Eda's little pet? That little dog that played with the Collector?"

Bill made his way to the front of the crowd and looked at them while pointing at the illusion as he said, "That's no dog! That's a Titan!"

Everyone was shocked as Belos smiled evilly and held his hand up toward the illusion and said, "It is true, this is the son of the Boiling Isles, the last of the Titans."

Terra placed her finger on her chin with a devious grin as she said, "Really…"

Bill glared up at the illusion of King as he psychotically said, "Finally! I can kill the last of the Titans and earn the Collector's favor!"

Belos raised his finger as he sternly looked down at Bill before looking up at the illusion as he said, "Not so fast Bill. We need him alive for the Amplifying Spell to work. He is only a baby, but inside of him dwells tremendous magical power that remains dormant, but can easily be harnessed. We must harness the power of a Titan for the Amplifying Spell to be performed and then King will be all yours Bill."

Bill had an evil look in his eyes as he said, "My patience will soon pay off."

The illusion of King vanished as Belos floated and looked at the crowd as he said, "We must capture King, but we cannot risk the Owl Lady or the other Coven Heads discovering our plans. Continue preparing the Amplifying Spell while we handle the Titan."

The crowd then started talking among themselves about their plan and how King was a Titan while Terra made her way to Belos, Odalia, and Zul.

Terra was joined by Roselle and Dottie, Terra put her fingertips together as she said, "I would be more than happy to assist you in acquiring the young Clawthorne."

Roselle put her hands together with an evil grin as she said, "So would we."

Belos smiled wickedly as he said, "Thank you. We could very much use your assistance in dealing with the Owl Lady and her sister."

Odalia looked at the others with a mildly skeptical expression as she said, "Even so, getting that baby Titan from Luz won't be easy. She never leaves that little bonehead."

Belos smiled deviously at Odalia while he tapped his finger against the side of his head and said, "If we are to outwit Luz, we must think like her."

Zul smiled maniacally as she said, "That's where I come in."

Author's note: That's it for chapter 14. Things are heating up and we're learning more about Belos' plan. We also learned a little more about Philip's past. In the next chapter I plan to reveal the whole story. Things will definitely go from bad to worse real fast. King will be okay, he'll heal from Vee draining him, but he's in danger and the others don't even know it yet. Please review.