Raine Whispers had been enjoying a peaceful evening with their longtime friend and girlfriend, Eda Clawthorne, at their usual dating spot—a quaint meadow outside Bonesborough. The sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the rolling hills and wildflowers that blanketed the landscape. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming lavender, creating a serene atmosphere for Raine and Eda's intimacy.
Despite the romantic backdrop, Raine was there to end their relationship with Eda. They had discovered that Eda had been lying to them for weeks, and Raine could no longer bear the weight of the deceit. They had been wrestling with their decision and knew it was the right thing to do. But they dreaded the following heartbreak. Sitting together on a picnic blanket, Raine mustered the courage to confront Eda, prepared to shatter the illusion of their once beautiful relationship. They prayed that their friendship could withstand the storm that was about to come.
Raine took a deep breath, looking into Eda's eyes. "Eda," they began, trembling slightly. "We need to talk."
Eda's expression shifted from confusion to concern, sensing the seriousness in Raine's tone. "What is it, Rainstorm?" She asked with apprehension.
Raine hesitated momentarily before finally bringing themselves to say the words they had dreaded. "It's about something weighing on me for a while now. I..." But before they could continue, a sudden light caught their attention. Raine and Eda turned their heads upward as a loud, thunderous noise followed the light, piercing the calm atmosphere. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they witnessed an unidentified object hurtling through the sky, leaving behind a trail of smoke. With a loud crash, it disappeared into the dense forest beyond their view, smoke rising from the lush treetops.
"What in the Titan's name was that?" Raine exclaimed.
"There's only one way to find out," Eda replied. Being the more adventurous of the two, Eda summoned her owl palisman, Owlbert, and flew toward the smoke.
"Eda, wait!" Raine called out, but she was already gone. Raine hesitated momentarily, but their curiosity got the better of them. "I can't let her go alone." They quickly followed her lead by summoning their fox palisman, Fiddlesticks. "Let's go, buddy." Together, they took off after Eda and Owlbert, following the trail of smoke.
Adrenaline surged through Raine's veins as they flew through the sky. They were determined to uncover the mystery that awaited them as they flew deeper into the forest. The sound of rustling leaves and snapping branches filled the air. The dense foliage obscured their vision, making it difficult to discern what lay ahead. The trail of smoke led them to a clearing, where they discovered a mysterious, charred wreckage. Raine's eyes widened as she took in the sight before them—a metallic object embedded in the ground, its surface gleaming with an otherworldly glow.
"What is that?" Eda whispered, barely audible amidst the haunting silence.
"I'm not sure. It doesn't look like anything I've ever seen," Raine replied. Curious, the both of them cautiously approached the wreckage, their footsteps crunching on the fallen leaves and their hearts pounding in anticipation. A strange humming noise resonated as they got closer, sending shivers down their spines.
As they got closer, a mixture of awe and trepidation washed over them. The metallic object seemed familiar, yet foreign, with its intricate design hinting at advanced technology beyond their comprehension. They exchanged bewildered glances, realizing they had stumbled upon something extraordinary.
Eda reached out to touch the object, but Raine grabbed her wrist. "I don't think that's a good idea," Raine warned.
"Why not?"
"It's just... we have no idea what it is or where it came from. It could be dangerous."
Suddenly, without warning, the object began to emit a soft hissing sound, and a faint glow surrounded it. Eda and Raine stared in awe as the thing slowly opened, and a gust of warm air rushed out. Eda and Raine exchanged curious glances. The object revealed a small, fragile creature nestled inside. Its tiny fingers and toes wriggled, and it blinked open a pair of innocent, curious eyes.
Eda and Raine let out gasps at the same time. "Oh, my Titan," Eda whispered in awe. "It's a baby."
Raine's eyes widened with wonder as they stepped closer to get a better look at the precious creature. "Where did you come from, little guy?" Raine asked softly, reaching out a finger to gently touch the baby's cheek, its tiny mouth forming an innocent smile, and softly cooed. Raine picked up the baby; its small body felt warm and fragile in its arms.
Having observed everything from Raine's shoulder, Fiddlesticks became curious about the baby. The fox palisman climbed down Raine's arm, sticking her head closer to the baby and sniffing cautiously. The baby giggled and reached out a tiny hand toward Fiddlesticks' nose. The palisman's eyes sparkled with fascination, trying to understand this new addition to her world, and she nuzzled the baby's hand.
Raine couldn't help but smile at the adorable interaction between Fiddlesticks and the baby. Then their eyes widened when they noticed something about the child. "Eda, look at this," Raine called her over.
Eda looked over and gasped, realizing the infant had round ears. "A human baby? But how did a human baby end up on the Boiling Isle? And who would put it in a pod?" Eda's brows furrowed as she and Raine both contemplated the possibilities. The sight before them was bewildering and heart-wrenching—a helpless infant, seemingly abandoned or lost. "What do we do now?"
Raine gently rocked the baby in their arms. "Well, we can't just leave him here."
Eda raised an eyebrow at Raine. "You're not thinking of adopting him, are you? Raising a human baby on the Boiling Isles is a whole new level of chaos, even by my standards."
"I didn't say anything about adopting him…" Raine paused before they could add, 'As much as I would love to.' They always imagined becoming a parent one day. "We can't just leave him out here, Eda. We need to find out who sent him here and why."
Eda sighed, her expression softening. "Your heart is too big; you know that? We'll take him back to the Owl House and figure out what to do from there. Hopefully, Hooty doesn't try to eat him." Just as Eda finished speaking, the sound of rustling leaves and faint footsteps grew louder. Raine and Eda's pointed ears perked up, the latter's eyes narrowing as she recognized the sounds. "But first, we've gotta avoid some of the emperor's goons."
"They must be investigating the crash." Raine guessed. Giggling softly, the child reached out toward the sound, unaware of their peril.
"Let's book it." With their unexpected little guest in tow, they couldn't afford to fall victim to the Emperor's Coven. The witches mounted their respective staves and flew off into the sky, slowly transitioning into the night, weaving through the dense forest to evade any potential pursuers.
Meanwhile, the baby remained unaware of the danger lurking nearby and fell fast asleep in Raine's arms. Raine held the child close, feeling a surge of protectiveness wash over them. They knew they had to keep the baby safe, no matter what it took.
Lilith Clawthorne, a commander within the Emperor's Coven, carefully navigated through the twisted trees and overgrown vegetation, her squad of scouts following closely behind. The soft glow of magic from Michelangelo Socrates—or Mike Socks, as Edalyn used to call the raven palisman affectionately—illuminated the way.
Lilith's sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of danger. Only the rustling of leaves under their boots broke the thick, eerie silence. They had been tasked with investigating reports of wild magic in Bonesborough when the strange disturbance diverted their attention. "Keep your guard up, everyone," Lilith warned her team calmly. "We don't know what we may encounter here. Stay alert and stay together."
The scouts nodded in understanding; they trusted Lilith's leadership. The team tightened their grip on their weapons and continued onward.
As they reached the wreckage, they could see the remnants of what appeared to be a metallic exterior, charred and mangled from impact. Lilith approached the wreckage, carefully examining the twisted metal. "This doesn't look like any ordinary crash," she muttered, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. She motioned for her team to spread out and investigate. Lilith knew they had stumbled upon something more than a simple accident.
"Ma'am, it looks like the pod's been opened." A scout informed. Lilith's heart raced as she quickly approached the opened pod, her mind filled with curiosity and foreboding.
She noticed no trace of a pilot; someone or something had intentionally released the occupant. "Search the area for any signs of disturbance," she commanded, her voice steady yet laced with tension.
As her team began scouring the surroundings, Lilith heard a ringing from her compact mirror—a scrying message. She quickly answered it, seeing Kikimora in the reflection. "Ah, Lilith," Kikimora began. "I trust you have some information regarding the recent incident."
Lilith nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, Kikimora. We have reason to believe that the crash was not an accident. An occupant was deliberately released, possibly as part of a larger plan."
Kikimora's eyes narrowed as she listened intently to Lilith's words. "Interesting. Do we have any leads on who might be behind this? We cannot afford to let such acts go unpunished."
Lilith shook her head. "No. We are still investigating and gathering evidence. However, we suspect it may be the work of enemies beyond the Boiling Isles." Perhaps even beyond the Demon Realm, she even believed. "Rest assured; we are doing everything possible to uncover the truth."
Kikimora nodded, glancing at Lilith with a steely gaze. "Good. We cannot let them think they can disrupt our emperor's plans without consequences. Once we find out who is responsible, we will ensure they regret ever crossing paths with us. But for now, Emperor Belos has requested that you return to the castle."
Lilith's heart sank at the thought of leaving the investigation behind, but she knew obeying the emperor's orders was paramount. "Understood," she replied, her voice tinged with disappointment. "I will make haste and report back to Emperor Belos immediately."
Lilith looked back at her scouts. "Gather everything you can find and bring it back to the castle. We may be unable to continue the investigation now. However, we can still analyze the evidence and devise a plan for our next move."
"Yes, Ma'am." The scouts replied in unison as they quickly gathered the scattered clues.
Lilith's disappointment was palpable, but she knew that their priority was to regroup and strategize for their next steps in uncovering the truth. With a determined expression, Lilith turned on her heel. She began her flight back to the castle on her palisman, her mind racing with plans to uncover the truth behind their mysterious enemy.
Eda and Raine arrived at the Owl House with the baby and were immediately met with a sense of unease—that being a particularly annoying house demon named Hooty. "Hi, Eda! Hi, Raine! Hoot! Hoot!" The wormy bird tube loudly greeted the two of them.
Raine rolled their eyes at Hooty's overly enthusiastic greeting. "Hi, Hooty," they replied with a forced smile, trying their best to ignore the annoyance despite him meaning well.
Hooty notices the peacefully sleeping baby in Raine's arms with bulging eyes. "Oh my gosh!" Hooty exclaimed, his voice filled with awe. "Is that a baby? How adorable! Hoot! Hoot!"
"Shhh, you'll wake him," Eda whispered, shooting Hooty a stern look. Hooty immediately hushed himself and slithered away, careful not to disturb the sleeping baby. He opened the door for all three of them.
Despite finding him annoying, Raine couldn't help but chuckle at Hooty's excitement, appreciating his genuine enthusiasm for the little one. Raine gently rocked the baby in their arms, ensuring his peaceful slumber would continue undisturbed.
Raine and Eda entered the Owl House and sat on the couch. "Well, at least Hooty didn't try to eat the kid." Eda joked. "That's a win for today." Raine didn't answer, as they were too focused on the sleeping baby. Eda sighed. "You know you can't keep him."
Raine sighed and knew deep down that Eda was right. They couldn't keep the baby, no matter how much they wanted to. It wasn't safe for him in the world they lived in… But… "But what if we could?"
Eda raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
Raine hesitated momentarily before speaking. "What if we found a way to protect him? To give him a chance at a better life? We found him in a pod, Eda; someone didn't want him."
Eda's skepticism softened as she considered Raine's words. "I don't know, Raine. It's risky. What if we can't protect him? What if we end up putting him in even more danger?"
Raine looked at her with concern. "Is this about the curse?"
"It's not just about the curse, Raine." Eda's voice was tinged with frustration. "It's about the reality of the world we live in. It's a dangerous place, especially for someone like him."
"We can't let fear control our decisions."
"You don't understand..."
"Then help me to understand." Raine's eyes searched Eda's for an explanation. "We've faced scarier things before and always come out on top. And if we can't be honest with each other, then what we have can't..."
Eda furrowed her eyebrows. "Can't what?"
Raine sighed. "Eda, I know you've been lying to me for a while. And you're probably just trying to protect me, but I can't deal with you keeping secrets anymore."
Eda's expression softened as she reached out to hold Raine's hand. "Raine, I never wanted to burden you with my problems."
Raine looked into Eda's eyes. "I understand, Eda. But we're partners, remember? We face everything together—the good and the bad. Keeping secrets only distances us."
Eda nodded, her grip on Raine's hand tightening slightly. "I've seen what happens when people get too close. I've seen the pain my curse brings. I don't want you, or Titan forbid the kid, to suffer because of me."
Raine squeezed Eda's hand reassuringly. "I know you've been through a lot, and I can't pretend to understand the weight of your curse. But shutting me out won't protect us."
Eda's eyes softened, and she leaned in closer to Raine. "You're right. I was afraid that if I told you the truth, it would only drive us apart. But I realize now that I'm not being fair to you or our relationship. Maybe it's time I let someone in and shared the burden. I promise from now on; I'll be frank with you."
Raine smiled, a weight lifted off their shoulders. "Thank you, Eda. That means a lot to me."
Eda nodded. "No more secrets or hidden fears."
Just as the moment between Eda and Raine, feeling a renewed connection, became truly intimate, Hooty suddenly slithered in the middle of their conversation. "Hoot! Hoot!" He exclaimed loudly, completely ruining the heartfelt moment. "I think you two are amazing! You both bring so much joy and happiness to everyone around you! Hoot! Hoot!"
Hooty's unexpected entrance shattered the romantic atmosphere. Frustrated, the lovers exchanged annoyed glances. "Hooty!" Eda said firmly with irritation. "We appreciate your enthusiasm, but we need some privacy right now. Could you please give us some space?"
Hooty blinked his large eyes and slithered away, leaving Eda and Raine to continue their interrupted moment in peace. As the room fell silent again, Eda and Raine tried to pick up where they left off, but just as they were about to lean in for a kiss, a faint cry pierced the air. The baby woke up.
Eda let out a frustrated sigh. "Looks like our moment will have to wait. We still gotta figure out what to do with this lil guy."
"I think we should give him a name first," Raine suggested, looking down at the baby with a soft smile.
"What?" Raine's suggestion left Eda perplexed. "We just found him."
Raine nodded thoughtfully. "I know. But in the meantime, I think it would be nice to give him a temporary name—something to call him by. Let's brainstorm something."
Eda considered this for a moment before agreeing. "Okay, let's call him... Charlie. It's a simple name that can work for now."
Raine furrowed their brow. "Um... It's a nice name, but I don't think it fits."
"We don't want to give him a meaningful name because we'll get attached, and then it will be harder to let him go if we find his real family."
Raine gently rocked the baby in their arms. "Well, there's a name I like. And..." A blush appeared across Raine's face. "And I was thinking of giving it to our kid if we ever have one." While their voice trailed off, their gaze was still fixed on the baby. "But maybe... maybe we could give it to him for now. Just until we find his real family."
Eda looked at Raine oddly. "Okay. What did you have in mind?"
"I was thinking we'd call him—"
"Dell Whispers!" Eda shouted from the Owl House's kitchen. "Come on down; breakfast is ready!"
"Coming, Mom!" Dell shouted as he hurried down the stairs while putting on his Construction Track uniform. The sixteen-year-old joined his family at the breakfast table, where his mom had prepared a delicious spread of pancakes and fresh fruit.
Raine, his baba, was reading the news on their scroll while King, his adopted little brother, sat in his highchair, devouring a fluffy stack before telling his brother, "For someone with superspeed, you are slow at getting ready; you know that?"
"Well, for someone who still uses a highchair, you sure think yourself tall." Dell retorted.
"Oh, burn!" Eda complimented Dell's comeback.
Still, Dell smiled at seeing his brother's messy face, glad King enjoyed his breakfast. 'A meal fit for a king,' he'd probably say. Dell reached for the syrup bottle and poured a generous amount over his plate of pancakes.
Raine cleared their throat. "While you were getting dressed, I found an interesting article."
"Oh, what was it about?" Dell asked, curious to hear more, as he took a mouthful of pancakes.
"It's another article from Perry Porter about the Mysterious Blur." They flipped their scroll over to show Dell, Eda, and King. The article read: 'Sighted Again! Mysterious Blur Rescues Cat From Tree.'
Dell's eyes widened as he read the headline and swallowed. A sheepish smile formed as he said, "Okay, in my defense, I had to save the cat."
"But did you need to use your powers?" Eda asked though she was already well aware of the lengths Dell would go to help an animal… or anyone in need.
"Oh, I see how it is." King pouted. "So you'll fly up, up, and away for some dumb cat but not to give me a ride around town?"
Eda chuckled at King's comment. "Come on, King; Dell would do anything for you too. Besides, flying up to rescue a cat is one thing, but giving you a ride around town is another."
Dell shrugged, still feeling proud of his actions. "The cat was high, and I didn't want it to get hurt. And I don't get what's the big deal; we live in a world with magic where people can fly, and it's not like anyone saw me."
Raine sighed, knowing Dell's heart was always in the right place. "Son, if people notice you're not using magic to perform all these feats, they might ask questions."
"And the last thing we need is those questions bringing the Emperor's Coven's attention to us," Eda added cautiously. "We've managed to stay under their radar for years, and I'd like to keep it that way."
Dell nodded, understanding the importance of maintaining a low profile. "You're right. I'll be more careful next time. I promise." For years, the Whispers family has been able to pass off Dell's physics-defying strength as construction magic. Revealing the truth that it's anything but could put them in grave danger. The Emperor's Coven, particularly Belos, would stop at nothing to capture Dell and exploit his powers. "Well, if I want to make it to Hexside in time without using my superspeed, I better get going."
Dell quickly finished his breakfast, grabbed his bag, and headed towards the door. "Wait!" Eda shouted at him before he stepped out the door. Dell glanced back at his mom, who gave him his concealment stone. "You almost forgot this."
"Oh, right. Thanks, Mom." Dell put the necklace on, changing the appearance of his ears from round like a human's to pointed like a witch's. It also disguised the rest of him, from head to toe, making him appear more mild-mannered than he was.
Eda smiled reassuringly and said, "Good luck, kiddo."
Raine nodded in agreement and added, "Have a wonderful day at school."
"I'll see you guys later," Dell replied, giving them a quick wave before stepping outside.
"Bye-bye, Dell! Hoot!" Hooty said.
Dell smiled at the house demon. "Thanks, Hooty! I'll tell you all about it when I get back," he said before darting into the forest between his home and school. He would limit the use of his powers today and focus on blending in with the other students.
I've had this story on my mind for a while. Blame "My Adventures with Superman" for that. I just needed to get this idea out of my head and onto (metaphorical) paper.
Please favorite, follow, and leave a review; feedback is appreciated.
