The Emperor Strikes Back

Rising from the Ashes

It was still night at the Owl House as Eda had finished telling Luz, Vee, and Hunter about how King was taken. They were in the living room as the three teens sat on the couch while Eda, Raine, Lilith, Darius, and Eberwolf stood in front of them. When Eda finished telling them what happened Luz, Hunter, and Vee stared forward with their eyes wide open and their mouths agape.

Luz then held her head in fear as she exclaimed, "They took King?!"

Eda showed regret as she said, "Yeah, we tried to stop them but they were too much. That clone of yours is one tough customer."

Raine glanced at Eda as they added, "And Terra is one strong cactus too."

Darius groaned in annoyance as he said, "I should've known that Terra would be involved in this. She's always been nuttier than an acorn."

Luz immediately jumped of the couch and on her feet as she frantically exclaimed, "What are we doing just sitting around?! We have to save King!"

Eda placed her hand on Luz's shoulder as she sincerely urged, "Take it easy kid."

Luz was extremely worried as she exclaimed, "Take it easy?! King's in trouble! We have to save him!"

Eda expressed concern but remained calm as she said, "I know but we have to find where they've taken him first. And Terra said they needed him alive, so he's okay for now."

Luz calmed down slightly as she said, "Okay, that's good news."

Darius held his chin as he looked to the side in thought as he said, "I still don't understand what they would want with that little dog anyway."

Vee looked at Darius as she honestly said, "Well he is a Titan."

She then covered her mouth in shock as she realized what she'd just done, but it was too late as they heard loud and clear.

Eberwolf's eyes widened as he snarled in shock while Darius' eyes widened in astonishment as he softly said, "What?"

The kids looked at Eda, Raine, and Lilith as they all nodded, then Hunter said, "It's true. King's the son of the Titan and the last of them."

Luz looked at Darius and Eberwolf as she honestly said, "He's still just a baby so he doesn't have all his powers, but we've been using his blood to travel to and from the human realm."

Darius was almost speechless as he narrowed his eyes and asked, "And you didn't tell us this before because…?"

Eda held her palm up as she answered, "We didn't want to risk putting King in danger."

He looked at them condescendingly as he said, "And look where that got you."

They showed sad expressions as they saw his point and believed he may be right, then Raine said, "What's done is done. We need to focus on finding King. Belos must have something big planned."

Darius showed a serious expression as he said, "I'll inform the other Coven Heads and we'll start hunting for Terra and Graye. We'll also send everyone out to start searching for King. It's time for everyone to know the truth about him."

Luz looked a bit nervous as she reluctantly asked, "Are you sure?"

Eda looked at Luz as she sincerely said, "He's right kid. Who knows how many more allies Belos has helping him? We need all the help we can get."

Luz thought and nodded in agreement before sitting down on the couch as she regretfully said, "Yeah. I just wish we could've done something to stop them."

Lilith then curiously said, "Speaking of which, where were you kids? You said you were coming right back after warning Camila."

Vee looked up at them as she answered, "We got stuck between the human and demon realm."

The adults were all shocked as Eda said, "What?"

Luz pointed her left thumb to the side while she explained, "We tried to come back through the portal but we only had half the Titan Blood."

Hunter narrowed his eyes with realization as he said, "It must've been them! They somehow tampered with our supply of Titan Blood to try and keep us from coming back so they could steal King!"

Luz realized he was right while Vee raised her left finger and said, "So we were stuck in this In Between Realm, and spent hours watching visions from the past. We learned more about Philip, Caleb, and Evelyn and how Belos became what he is."

Luz smiled at Eda as she said, "Yeah, and you called it Eda. Turns out Caleb and Evleyn built the old Portal Door and Philip only helped out a little."

Eda smiled proudly as she winked and pointed at them, while Darius annoyedly said, "So you spent hours in some void watching videos of the past but learned nothing about the future."

Luz and Vee looked at Hunter as Luz reluctantly said, "Actually…"

Hunter looked a bit nervous but said, "Go ahead."

They looked back at the adults as Luz smiled and said, "We learned that Evelyn was a Clawthorne, and so was Caleb when he married her. And the old portal near your parents' house is where they lived together."

Vee smiled as she put her hands together and said, "And together they had a son, who was Galen."

Luz and Eda smiled at Hunter, who looked at Eda and Lilith as he reluctantly said, "So technically that means we're related."

Eda, Raine, and Darius' eyes widened in shock while Lilith and Hooty gasped with their mouths agape as they stared at Hunter. Sometime later, after getting some rest, Hunter went outside and stared at the boiling sea while the sun was rising.

Luz, Lilith, and Eda stared at him from the side of the Owl House as Eda amazedly said, "I can't believe that kid is a clone of one of our ancestors."

Lilith stared at Hunter in disbelief as she said, "Unbelievable! Hunter is actually our distant relative?! He was one of us and we didn't even know it!"

Luz looked at the others as she suggested, "Maybe we should go talk to him."

Hunter was joined when Darius walked next to him and looked down at him and said, "A lot to take in?"

Hunter kept staring at the horizon as he said, "Yeah."

Darius stared out at the horizon as he honestly said, "This is surprising, but it does make some sense."

Hunter curiously looked up at Darius as he asked, "What do you mean?"

Darius kept staring toward the horizon as he solemnly said, "I've known Eda and Lilith a long time, and at times you do remind me of them. You have Eda's rebellious attitude, but Lilith's passion for knowledge and sense of justice."

Hunter then stared out at the horizon again with a sad expression as he said, "Things they probably inherited from Caleb."

Darius looked down at Hunter as he honestly said, "You may be a Grimwalker, but you are not Caleb, you're Hunter."

They both turned around as Luz said, "He's right."

Luz joined them along with Eda and Lilith while Luz smiled with her arms out as she sincerely said, "You're not exactly like Caleb, you're still you. And look at the bright side. Your whole life you thought Belos was your only family, but now you have Eda, Lilith, Dell, and Gwendolyn!"

Hunter looked at Eda and Lilith as they both smiled down at him, then he smiled and said, "I guess I do."

Lilith smiled lovingly as she hugged Hunter while he hugged her back and Raine smiled warmly as he watched them.

Hooty then stretched over to them and happily said, "Hoot hoot! Who wants breakfast?!"

They looked at him as Eda reluctantly said, "Did you cook?"

Vee joined them as she smiled and said, "No, I did. Who wants waffles?"

Hunter was confused as he asked, "What's a waffle?"

Luz smiled as she said, "It's like a pancake but not flat. Come on."

They went and ate breakfast together as they enjoyed the waffles that Vee had made and finished them before long.

Hunter finished his last one as he said, "I can't believe Camila never made these for us in the human realm! They're delicious!"

Luz smiled at Vee as she gratefully said, "Thanks Vee. This helps ease the tension of the situation."

Vee smiled as she said, "Yeah, but I'm still worried about King."

Luz frowned as she looked at his highchair and said, "Yeah, me too."

Eda then noticed the time as she pointed at the teens and said, "Look at the time. You kids better hurry or you'll be late for school."

Luz was surprised as she said, "School?! But Eda…"

Eda stood up with her wrist on her hip as she said, "You three let us worry about finding King and stopping Belos. You kids go out and try to ease your minds some more."

Lilith agreed as she sincerely said, "Edalyn's right. We'll see if we can learn anything, you should try to calm down a bit."

Luz, Hunter, and Vee looked at each other before Luz reluctantly said, "Okay."

Luz and Hunter changed to their Hexside uniforms while Vee shapeshifted into her human form and the three of them hurried to school.

Meanwhile at the Archive House

Zul walked to the cell where Eda lived with Lilith during the Collector's reign, and it had been redecorated. There were different kinds of plants everywhere as Zul entered and found King in what looked like a playpen, but with vines and roots growing around it. King was being watched by Terra, Dottie, and Roselle as they all smiled sinisterly while staring at him.

Zul then asked, "How is he?"

Roselle smiled wickedly as she said, "He eats his tasty num nums but he's a misbehaved Titan."

Terra smiled sinisterly as she said, "Fortunately, I know how to discipline a disobedient child."

She whirled her finger and made a ring of green light, causing a root to rise out of the floor and ensnare King's body before lifting him up.

The root held him in front of Terra as she caressed his head with a twisted smile and said, "You know, I always wanted children of my own. Unfortunately I never met the right man."

King glared at Terra as he sarcastically said, "Can't see what any guy wouldn't see in you."

Terra put her hand on his cheek as she deviously said, "Oh don't be so rude King. I happen to think you're very endearing. Bill wants to kill you when this over, but I won't let him. I'll take you under my wing and raise you myself. King Snapdragon does have some flare to it."

King glared at her as he defiantly said, "No way! You're not my mother, and you never will be!"

Terra looked annoyed as she said, "We'll see."

She then made the root drop King back in the playpen, then Zul smiled as she said, "Okay, that's enough. I'll take it from here. Your shift is over."

Terra made a ring of light with her finger as carnivorous plants rose out of the floor around King's playpen while he looked at them nervously.

She, Roselle, and Dottie walked out as they passed Zul and Terra smiled and said, "See you later seed."

Zul smiled as she watched the three old ladies leave, King looked at her from behind with pleading eyes as he said, "Hey Zul, you're Luz's clone, so if you're like her then you and I should be friends, right?"

Zul smiled amusedly as she looked at King and said, "Don't you mean 'Booboo Buddies'?"

King looked at her as he hopefully said, "Yeah, you like bread puns, don't you? How about we get out of here and go to a carnival or something?"

Zul smiled evilly as she stepped toward him and said, "Nice try buddy, but I'm not Luz. As cute as you are, nothing could make me betray my dad."

King was disappointed as he held his arms out and said, "But why? You have Luz's memories, so you know how bad Belos is."

Zul narrowed her eyes as she seriously said, "I also know that I wouldn't exist if it weren't for him. He's taught and showed me so much, and together we're going to do so much. I'm only a few weeks old, but I have a better life than Luz ever had in the human realm with her mom, or with you and Eda."

King then became angry as he pointed at Zul and said, "You're right! You're not Luz!"

Zul smiled proudly as she said, "I know, I'm better."

King clinched his fists as he glared at Zul and said, "No you're not! That's why I'm going to like doing this!"

He took a deep breath as he prepared to use his sonic attack but Zul smiled smugly as she lifted her left hand up as it glowed red. King stopped and looked down as he floated in the air with a red aura surrounding his body as he nervously looked down. He was floating just above the playpen with Terra's carnivorous plants snapping at him while Zul had her glowing red fist clinched as she stared at King with an evil grin.

She smiled mockingly as she said, "You may be a Titan, but you're still just a cute widdle baby without his mama."

She then dropped him back in the playpen as he looked at her and nervously said, "Wow, you really are different than Luz."

Zul smiled proudly as she said, "I know, now you try and get comfy King. We've still got a few days before the big fiesta."

Meanwhile at Hexside

It was lunch when Luz was sitting at the table with Hunter, Amity, Gus, Vee, and Willow as they finished talking about recent events. Luz, Hunter, and Vee stood across from the other three as they told them about what happened to them the other day and what had happened to King.

Amity was shocked as she said, "They know that King is a Titan?!"

Willow was nervous as she said, "This is bad."

Gus looked at Hunter in amazement as he said, "I can't believe you're related to Eda and Lilith."

Hunter looked away in thought as he said, "Yeah, it's still a lot."

Willow smiled as she held Hunter's hand and sincerely said, "Maybe this will help you figure out who you are. Now you have more people to help you out and guide you through the hard times in life. And you still have us too."

Hunter was touched by her kind words as he blushed and said, "Thanks."

Luz showed concern as she urgently said, "Eda told us to let them handle this but I can't just sit by and do nothing while Belos has King."

Amity showed concern as she said, "Yeah but how do we find them? They could be hiding anywhere on the Boiling Isles."

Gus had his finger on his chin before he looked at the others and suggested, "Belos has some witches helping him. Maybe I could use illusions to disguise us so we can infiltrate his forcers to find their hideout and figure out what he's planning."

Amity looked at Gus as she regretfully said, "It won't work Gus. He has Graye helping him and he'll probably be able to see through your illusions."

Willow leaned over and regretfully agreed, "She's right Gus. Graye knows how skilled you are from when he came to Hexside."

Realizing they were right, Gus looked down in disappointment but Luz smiled and looked at Vee as she said, "But maybe there's another way we can spy on them! Vee, can you use your shapeshifting powers to get into Belos' gang?"

Vee hesitated before she looked at Luz and honestly said, "I could, but they won't just let anyone into their hideout. We'd need someone on the inside."

Gus got an idea as he smiled slyly and said, "I think I know someone. Meet me at the Grudgby game at Glandus tomorrow."

Later at the Archive House

King was curled up in his playpen prison when he woke up and saw Zul still guarding him as she looked down at him.

Zul had a twistedly sweet smile as she said, "Hey King. Sleep good? Hoping it was all just a bad a dream?"

King stood up and curiously asked, "What do you guys need me for anyway?"

Zul smiled as she wagged her right finger and said, "Ah ah ah, that would spoil the surprise. We've got something special planned for the demon realm. Oh, but dad and I do need your blood to make a new Portal Door. We've got big plans for when we get back to the human realm."

She then pulled out a big needle and smiled deviously; she poked King with the needle and his scream of pain echoed throughout the castle. Shortly after, Zul had a vial of King's blood, which she put away as her cape draped over her arms and body.

She looked back at King with a sick grin as she said, "Thanks King. Don't worry, that's all the Titan Blood we need."

King rubbed his butt in pain before he angrily pointed at Zul and said, "You won't get away with this! Luz and Eda will stop you!"

Zul looked at King out of the corner of her eye with an evil grin as she said, "Sorry King, but Luz won't be saving the day this time."

Terra, Roselle, and Dottie then walked in as they smiled wickedly at King while Luz walked out of the cell and proceeded through the hall.

Belos' ghost appeared in front of her and she smiled and pulled out the vial of King's blood and said, "Hey dad. I got the goods."

Belos smiled as he took the vial before looking down at her while he said, "Excellent work my dear. We're one step closer to our destinies, but the time has come for us to take more action. Meet me in the secret chamber tomorrow night. Our triumph is upon us."

Zul smiled evilly as she nodded at Belos and said, "I won't let you down dad."

Belos smiled confidently as he said, "I know you won't."

Meanwhile in Latissa

Raine went to the police precinct to meet Darius as they entered a room and found Darius talking with the other Coven Heads. The other Coven Heads then left the room as Darius turned and walked to Raine to discuss the important matters.

Raine held their palm up as they asked, "Well?"

Darius answered with an honest expression as he said, "I told them about King and they agreed to spread the word and start searching for him. We're also still not sure how many witches and demons are helping Belos, but it's a safe bet that Vitimir is helping them. He hasn't come to any of our meetings lately and he was always good friends with Terra and Graye."

Raine placed their right finger to their chin in thought as they said, "Okay, this is good. With everyone's help we should be able to save King and stop Belos and Odalia."

Darius then showed disappointment as he folded his arms and said, "Unfortunately it won't be that simple. Most of our allies are reluctant to help because they're afraid of Belos' spirit coming back. They're not sure we'll be able to stop them and don't want to put themselves in danger."

Raine was very troubled as they said, "As long as Belos is free everyone is in danger! If we can't stop him and Odalia they'll wreak havoc on the Boiling Isles. If we're going to stop them we need all the help we can get."

Darius agreed as he honestly said, "I know but we can't make them help us. We need to somehow make them want to help us. We need to appeal to them somehow."

Raine was uncertain as they caressed their chin in thought and then said, "We need someone who can inspire everyone to do their best."

The next day at Glandus

It was Tuesday afternoon as a crowd gathered to watch the Grudgby Game between Glandus and Hexside. Boscha, Amelia, and Cat played on the Banshees against the Glandus team known as the Slitherbeasts, consisting of Bria, Gavin, and Angmar. In the crowd cheering for Hexside were Amity, Willow, and Gus, who concealed themselves using hooded cloaks. Luz, Hunter, and Vee were hiding under the bleachers as they watched the game through the spaces between.

As they watched the game, Gus leaned closer to Amity and Willow as he pointed at Angmar and said, "That's him, Angmar. He's part of Bria's team and helped steal the Galderstones. He loves butterflies and is distracted by them so he should be easy to catch."

Willow smiled happily before showing a determined expression while she said, "He has a soft spot. That makes taking him down a piece of cake!"

Under the bleachers, Luz looked at Vee and Hunter as she said, "Okay, when the game's over we catch him and follow the others to Belos' hideout."

They nodded in agreement while Stringbean sat on Luz's shoulder and chirped, prompting Luz to pet her affectionately. Unbeknown to all of them, Zul flew high overhead on her staff and stopped as she looked down and watched the Grudgby game with a twistedly amused smile. Everyone watched as Bria used magic to construct a pillar of rock that rose out of the ground and knocked the Grudby ball into the other the Banshees goal, then she caught the Rusty Smidge.

She happily cheered for herself before looking at Boscha as she smugly gloated, "Nice try, but you Hexside kids don't know what it means to be strong. That's why you have a human student."

She turned around and walked away while Boscha angrily glared at her, meanwhile Zul watched everything with a sadistic grin.

She heard everything as she smiled and said, "Take that Boscha."

She stopped smiling as she noticed the viewers walking away and noticed Amity, Gus, and Willow climbing down from the bleachers.

She looked suspicious as she watched them and said, "Willow, Gus, Amity, what are you up to?"

She did not spot Luz, Hunter, or Vee as they were still hiding under the bleachers, but she watched Willow, Amity, and Gus. She noticed they were approaching Bria, Gavin, and Angmar, who had no idea the three teens from Hexside were following them.

Zul looked suspicious as she said to herself, "This could be a problem. I'd better tell dad."

She then turned and flew away on her staff as she headed toward the Titan's skull and the Archive, eager to tell Belos.

Bria, Gavin, and Angmar left Glandus and approached the forest as Bria happily said, "Yes! We destroyed them and claimed victory for Glandus! When Odalia and the Coven Heads hear about this they'll give us a high position of power in the new order!"

Gavin looked uncertain as he reluctantly said, "Do we really want to be a part of this? I think things might actually change for the better with this new Republic coming in."

Angmar smiled in agreement as he optimistically said, "Yeah, maybe we can do more great things than we could when Belos was in charge."

Bria stopped and glared at both of them as she angrily said, "Guys, only the strong should rule! This is our chance to finally become strong enough to rule! The Amplifying Spell will make us more powerful than we ever were before! When we help rule the new order we can make something way better than anything that stupid human would make! Odalia chose us because we're the strongest at Glandus, if we make her change her mind will be nothing! We can't blow this opportunity! Got it!"

Angmar and Gavin both nervously nodded then she smiled and said, "Good, now let's go brag to the others."

She turned and walked away while Gavin followed her, but Angmar stayed behind for a moment until he saw a butterfly pass by him.

He stared at it, enchanted as he followed it and softly said, "You're one of those new butterflies that came when the Collector came. Your kind was the only thing that kept me going in those months."

He followed the butterfly behind some trees, then it vanished, revealing itself to be an illusion as Gus came out with a blue ring of light in front of his finger. Before Angmar could do anything else, Vee jumped behind him in her human form and drained him of some of his magic. This weakened Angmar and made him lose consciousness as he fell to the ground while Hunter, Luz, Amity, and Willow came out of some bushes.

They looked down at Angmar as Vee said, "He'll be fine, he'll just be out for a while."

Willow made a green ring of light with her finger and made some roots rise out of the ground and restrain the unconscious Angmar.

She smiled as she looked at her friends and said, "Just in case."

Amity looked at Vee as she urged, "Okay Vee, it's your turn."

Vee then shapeshifted to look like Angmar, then Hunter pointed at her and said, "When you find their hideout see if you can figure out what they're up to."

Vee looked nervous as Luz showed concern and asked, "Are you okay Vee?"

Vee spoke with her voice as she said, "I'm not sure about this. What if I mess up? What if I get caught?"

Willow smiled as she assured, "Don't worry. We'll follow you guys to the hideout and wait outside. If you need help we'll be there to bust you out."

Amity agreed as she smiled and said, "We've got your back."

Vee was still nervous as she said, "I don't know."

Luz looked at her as she sincerely said, "Vee, King needs your help."

Vee then showed a serious expression as she said, "Alright, I'll do it for King."

They were all startled when they suddenly heard Bria's voice angrily shout, "Angmar! Where are you?! If you're playing with butterflies again I'll bury you!"

Gus looked at Vee as he hastily said, "You'd better go!"

Luz quickly gave Vee a rabbit walkie talkie as she said, "Here! Take this! If you get in trouble call us!"

Vee nodded and put it away before she ran off to join Bria and Gavin as she spoke with Angmar's voice and said, "I'm coming! Sorry!"

Bria angrily pointed at Vee as she said, "If you sneak off to play with butterflies again I'll feed you to them!"

Vee nodded nervously before Gavin impatiently said, "Let's just go already."

Bria agreed as she said, "Right, come on."

She turned around and they started walking through the forest on foot while Vee glanced around and noticed Luz and the others following them.

Later at the Titan's Skull

The sun had gone down when Zul flew to the secret entrance to Belos' lair as she landed and walked in while carrying her staff in her hand. She passed by the bones and masks of all the previous Golden Guards but did not look at them as she walked with a serious expression. She then walked into the room where Belos would create his Grimwalkers and stared at a bed of dirt that was currently being used. Ingredients were being pumped into the bed of dirt through tubes and Zul knew well what Belos was up to.

His spirit then appeared in front of her as he smiled before showing curiosity as he said, "I'm glad you finally made it Zul. Is something wrong?"

Zul showed a serious expression as she looked up at him and said, "Houston we have a problem."

Belos did not understand her reference but saw her point as he asked, "What is it?"

Zul showed a serious expression as she pointed her thumb behind her before holding her palm up while she said, "I watched the Grudby Game at Glandus and saw Willow, Gus, and Amity there. I'm pretty sure they were spying on Bria, Gavin, and Angmar. I know they're tough and more formidable than some people think."

Belos was interested as he curled his right finger against his chin and said, "What do you think they're planning?"

Zul smiled knowingly as she said, "If I know Gus, he's probably planning to follow them to the Archive to find out what we're planning. He'll probably make illusions to disguise the three of them to get in the castle and spy on us, just like they did at Odalia's factory."

Belos was pleased by her cleverness as he said, "Well, we must inform the others of their plot and end it."

Zul smiled deviously as she pulled out a vial of the green goo from Belos' body as she said, "Then mayhaps it's time for a certain someone to return."

Belos smiled wickedly as he agreed, "Yes, the time has come."

Zul rested her staff against the wall before walking over to the bed of dirt and emptying the vial of Belos' goo into it. The goo sank into the dirt while the other ingredients finished pumping into the dirt bed while Zul and Belos watched and waited. After a moment a green slimy hand rose out of the dirt but stopped moving as the fingers fell as if it were dead.

They were not displeased as Belos evilly said, "Finally!"

His spirit changed shape as he became a floating head with a "tail" and he flew into the bed of dirt and phased into it. Zul watched eagerly as the hand started moving again before it transformed into a human hand with a glove on it. The Grimwalker then rose out of the dirt and Zul watched with amazement as she stared at the Grimwalker, which was of Belos himself. Belos had created a Grimwalker of himself that served as a new body for his spirit to inhabit, thus bringing him back to life. He looked exactly the same as when he was alive and was even wearing his Emperor clothes as he stepped out of the dirt bed and onto the ground.

Zul was almost speechless as she stared at him and said, "Dad…"

Belos smiled as he looked down at his hands and clinched his fists as he said, "I have risen."

Zul smiled as she threw her arms up and happily exclaimed, "Like the Phoenix!"

Belos smiled maniacally as he looked at her and said, "I live again, and now Odalia's hold over me has ended!"

Zul kept looking up at Belos as she said, "Yeah! How do you feel?"

Belos lowered left arm as he stared at his right hand and clinched his fist as he smiled and said, "Better than ever. The glyphs may not work with the Titan finally dead, but with my spirit in this body I am once again more powerful than any witch."

Zul then curiously asked, "Do you still need Palismen?"

Belos looked down at her and smiled kindly as he placed his hand on his shoulder as he replied, "Yes but my new body is at full health and I won't need any for a while. I have been reborn and it's all thanks to you my dear."

Zul was flattered before she pulled back and held her arms out toward him while she said, "Aww. Oh, I almost forgot! Wait here! I'll be right back!"

Belos was somewhat confused as he watched Zul run out of the room and he heard her make some noises before she came back.

She smiled as she had something covered in a sheet behind her back and excitedly said, "I got you a birthday present."

She pulled the sheet off the item and got down on one knee as she presented it to Belos with her eyes closed. The item was Belos' old staff, the one that he used when he fought Luz during the Petrification ceremony and on the Day of Unity.

Belos was pleasantly surprised as he took it from her and held it in his left hand as he said, "My staff."

Zul smiled as she stood up and said, "I found it in the Titan's Skull where the Collector almost killed you. I think you'll need it for the big day."

Belos was pleased as he smiled down at Zul and used his fingers to tilt up her chin as he said, "Thank you Zul. You truly are my greatest creation."

She was flattered as she said, "Thanks dad."

Belos then smiled ambitiously as he started walking out and said, "Now grab your staff and follow me. We have an announcement to make."

Zul smiled evilly as she grabbed her staff and followed Belos, whose eyes glowed blue as he thought about his plans.

Meanwhile outside

Bria, Gavin, and Vee had arrived in front of the Archive as Bria used Construction Magic to raise a giant staircase to the entrance. Vee couldn't help but stare at the castle in awe for a moment, for this was the first time she ever saw it up close.

Bria turned to her and impatiently said, "Angmar, come on!"

Vee snapped back to reality as she followed her and Gavin and said, "Coming!"

In the forest behind, Luz and the others watched them ascend the giant staircase toward the Archive as they peered from behind tree trunks.

Willow was amazed as she said, "Belos' hideout is the Archive House?"

Hunter held his palm out toward it as he explained, "Makes sense. It's an even bigger castle than the one he had in the Titan's chest, and no one's been in it since the Collector released everyone."

Amity stared at the house and showed irritation as she agreed, "Yeah, plus mom told us she lived there for a month after she made a deal with the Collector. It probably makes her feel like royalty."

They watched as Vee made it to the top of the staircase and entered the Archive before Bria used magic to collapse the staircase behind them. Vee was nervous as she looked down and saw her friends looking up at her but then she courageously followed Bria and Gavin into the Archive.

Gus looked at the others as he curiously asked, "So, now what?"

Luz held up her walkie talkie as she seriously answered, "We wait and listen for Vee to call us. If she gets in trouble we get her and King out of there!"

They nodded at each other before looking back up at the Archive House with their Palismen close to them, ready to fly in if needed.

Author's note: Things are heating up. Belos and Zul's twisted father-daughter relationship is both sweet and scary. Belos is now even more dangerous than he was before, thanks to Zul. It felt good to give Bria, Gavin, and Angmar more screentime and Vee's taking a big risk for King. Darius and Raine are also having some problems too. We're nearing the climax and I plan to make the next chapter much longer. Please review.