Luz, Amity, and Eda returned to their tables. They had agreed to meet at the Owl House later to deal with Luz's inner demon problem. But for now, they would sit down and continue to enjoy the party.
Tuvar and Badriah went up on stage with a microphone in hand, the two-headed conjoined twins ready to give their performance.
"Hey, everyone!" Badriah greeted cheerfully. "I'm Badriah!"
"I am Tuvar," her brother deadpanned.
"And this is our double trouble comedy segment!"
"Oh, so it's a stand-up routine," Luz observed. This could be entertaining.
"So, Tuvar, how was your date last night?" Badriah questioned her brother.
"She was fine, but I doubt we'd see each other again," Tuvar answered.
"Why's that?"
"She could not stand our chaperone."
"Really? I thought I was excellent company."
"She didn't think she could handle a third wheel coming along all the time."
"Well, all your dates better get used to it 'coz we're stuck together."
"Unfortunately..."
A smattering of awkward laughter rippled through the audience, more out of politeness than amusement. Luz winced, feeling second-hand embarrassment.
"Did you approve this?" Marcy incredulously asked Sasha. She knew that the blonde would like to have only the best performances on stage because her girlfriend was well...Sasha.
"There weren't a lot of acts, and they wouldn't take 'no' for an answer," Sasha replied, now regretting letting the twins do their act.
"When does it get funny?" Edric whispered to his sister, who shrugged, looking equally uncomfortable.
Amity sighed, resting her chin in her hand.
"This is painful," she muttered to Luz, who nodded in agreement.
Eda, always one to appreciate a good joke, forced a chuckle.
"At least they're trying," she said, attempting to be charitable as her eyes searched the room for any sign of rescue.
Badriah, oblivious to the growing discomfort, continued with forced enthusiasm.
"So, Tuvar, what do you call a wizard who falls down the stairs?"
"A tumble-wizard," Tuvar replied flatly, his tone lacking any comedic timing.
Edric rolled his eyes and leaned closer to Emira.
"I think the punchline is that they're the joke," he whispered, his voice tinged with sarcasm.
Marina, from her spot backstage, exchanged a concerned look with her backup dancers.
"We're up next," she whispered. "We better bring it to save this night."
As the twins' routine dragged on, the audience's polite smiles began to fade. Luz could feel the awkward tension in the air, and wished they could fast-forward to the part where they'd all laugh about this later.
Finally, after what felt like hours to the suffering audience, the twins wrapped up their segment.
"Thank you, everyone! We've been Tuvar and Badriah, your double trouble!" Badriah said with forced cheerfulness, while Tuvar gave a half-hearted wave.
A smattering of applause followed, more out of pity than praise. Luz, Amity, and Eda joined in, their applause perfunctory.
"Well, that was... something," Amity said, trying to find the right words.
"Yeah," Luz agreed. "Let's just hope the next performance turns things around."
After Tuvar and Badriah's poor performance, not that either noticed, it was Marina's turn to put on a show as she gathered all her backup dancers. Their costumes were still rather revealing as they wore tube tops and harem pants with some eye-catching jewellery, but they were at least mostly covered.
Raine quickly covered Lil' Luz's eyes the moment the dancers came out, somehow sensing where this was going. Eda did the same for King, although she didn't exactly dislike what she was watching. Raine seemed to be having a hard time averting their gaze, trying to find something to look at other than the dancers.
"Raine, I'm not gonna bite your head off if you look," Eda assured.
"W-We're married, Eda, it wouldn't be right," said Raine.
"Hey, if we gotta be surrounded by these…mental nutcases…then we can at least enjoy some eye candy," Eda retorted.
"Ooh! Eye candy?! I want some!" Lil' Luz requested in excitement.
"L-Later, sweetie." Eda had to remind herself that she was a mother.
Vuvu's band began to play, and Marina took it as her cue to begin her performance. The rhythm was sultry and seductive, a perfect match for the night's atmosphere. Marina started with a slow, graceful sway of her hips, her movements fluid and hypnotic. She glided across the stage, her arms undulating like serpents, drawing the audience's eyes to her every motion.
The backup dancers followed suit, forming a tight circle around Marina, their bodies moving in perfect synchrony. They spun and twirled, their harem pants billowing out like sails caught in the wind. Marina led them into a series of intricate footwork, her feet tapping out an intoxicating rhythm against the stage floor.
As the music built up, so did the intensity of their movements. Marina executed a sharp turn, her arms outstretched, and then dropped into a low, sultry squat, her eyes never leaving the audience, especially Empress Oscura. The dancers mirrored her, their bodies creating a wave of motion that rippled through the crowd.
Sasha began to sink in her chair as she groaned, her face tinged red as she watched Marina and her dancers practically perform an erotic dance on stage.
"I told her to keep things PG, but this is quickly going from PG-13 to Rated-R," Sasha groaned.
"W-Well, I mean, it is…" Marcy gulped, struggling to find the right words. " Entertaining. No need to feel bad."
"No need to feel bad? Blight's Dad is here, and so is Luz's second mother with her spouse, and their kids too. How can I not feel bad about this?! It's cringey as fuck! Ugh…they're going to kill me for this, I just know it," Sasha lamented.
The choreography took a provocative turn as Marina and her dancers paired up, their movements becoming more intimate. They danced close, bodies nearly touching, their hands tracing each other's silhouettes without making contact. It was a dance of suggestion, full of longing and unspoken desire.
"...Amity, remind me to hurt Sasha when this is over," Luz deadpanned.
"It's…provocative…but…" Amity glanced around the room for a second. The other cultists certainly did not mind the show the dancers were giving them. But she cringed when she saw the blush on her father and brother's faces plus Emira and Viney's awkward looks as they tried not to stare for too long. "Yeah…okay, we'll hurt Sasha together."
At the other table, Skara, Willow, and Gus stared wide-eyed at the spectacle before them. Gus' eyes were locked on the dancers, watching their swaying hips and the motion of the dancers' breasts as they jiggled with their sharp and exaggerated movements. All this made the young man feel awkward, especially since his best friend and his Flyer Derby teammates were sitting next to him.
"W-Wow…some entertainment…huh?" Gus asked nervously.
"Gus, it's fine, we get it," Willow assured. "They're hot. No need to feel awkward about enjoying the view."
"I hate to admit it…but for a bunch of Oscura-worshipping whackos…they're freakin' hot!" Skara admitted. "Why is it that the hot ones have to be crazy?!"
In the final crescendo, Marina broke away, launching into a series of spins that left her tube top shimmering under the stage lights. The other dancers followed her movements, which were a blur of colour and energy. Marina ended the performance with a dramatic leap, landing in a kneeling pose with her arms raised high as if offering herself to the music.
The audience erupted in applause, captivated by the sensual elegance of the performance. Marina and her dancers took their bows, their faces flushed with the thrill of the dance, ready for whatever came next in this night of enchantment. The fishwoman demon shot a glance towards Luz and Amity's table, throwing a sensual wink at Her Empress before the dancers made their way off stage.
Luz had noticed that little wink in her way, and gulped.
'Seems you might've ensnared another girl's heart. But I can hardly blame her. Who wouldn't want to spend a night with us?'
'This whole engagement party is fake, but even if it wasn't, I wouldn't even...'
'Oh, please, you can't tell me you didn't think she was hot. And I know your browser history. You have no problem with 'demihumans' or in this case, demon ladies.'
'I cannot wait to get you out of my head.'
Bria, who had been watching the performance along with the others, noticed that fishy minx's little wink and was already contemplating the many ways she was going to exact punishment upon her.
After Marina and her dance crew left the stage, Bria went up to it with a microphone to read the next item on the itinerary. This would be an important one.
"Thank you, Marina, for that sensual performance. As you all know, we are gathered here tonight to celebrate the union of Our Empress and her beloved bride-to-be. As such, it is customary for the betrothed couple to share a dance," Bria announced, keeping her voice steady despite her inner turmoil.
A spotlight illuminated Luz and Amity, who all rose gracefully from their seats. Holding hands, they made their way to the centre of the banquet hall, their gazes locked. While this whole party may simply be a ruse to buy them time, that did not mean they could not enjoy this moment.
Vuvu turned to his band and gave them a nod before he started the music. They knew the perfect song for this. As the first notes filled the room, a palpable electricity surged between Luz and Amity. They only had eyes for each other, the rest of the world fading away. Luz slid her hand around Amity's waist, pulling her close, while Amity's hand found its place on her fiancée's shoulder, their free hands intertwining, fingers caressing.
The couple began to dance, their movements fluid and synchronized, a perfect blend of passion and elegance. They twirled around the dance floor, each step a testament to their love. Luz spun Amity effortlessly, her dress flaring out like a blossom in full bloom. Amity's laughter rang out, clear and joyful, as Luz dipped her, their faces inches apart, breath mingling.
Bria watched them, her heart aching with every twirl and step they took.
'It should be me in Oscura's arms,' she lamented bitterly. Every smile, every loving glance they exchanged was a dagger to her soul. 'Why can't she see that I'm the one who truly loves her?' Her fists clenched in anger at her sides, her eyes glaring hotly at Amity. 'She doesn't deserve Oscura! She doesn't understand the depths of her heart like I do! IT SHOULD'VE BEEN ME! ME! MEEEEEE!'
The room seemed to hold its breath, captivated by the romantic and intimate display. Luz's eyes never left Amity's, a silent promise of eternal devotion reflected in their depths. Amity's smile was radiant, and her love for Luz was evident in every graceful movement.
As the music swelled to its climax, Luz lifted Amity off her feet, spinning her in a perfect arc before drawing her back into a tight embrace. Their foreheads touched, and for a moment, time stood still. The applause from the onlookers was a distant echo; all that mattered was the love that bound them together in that perfect, passionate dance.
"Feels just like prom," Luz remarked as they danced.
"Yeah, we got a lot of looks that night, too," Amity recalled fondly.
Bria turned away, unable to watch any longer. She forced a smile, masking the pain that tore at her heart.
'No more, I can't take it. I've held my tongue for too long. I'm sorry, My Empress. But I need to hear it from you. I need you to dispel the doubts in my mind. I feel so unworthy for doubting your resolve or questioning your intentions. Forgive me, for I am weak…'
After Amity and Luz's dance, any tension in the air seemed to have subsided. Willow took Skara's hand and dragged her over to the dance floor. Moments later, Emira did the same as she asked her girlfriend to dance. Then Eda and Raine joined in. Finally, Sasha and Marcy joined them. Vuvu played a romantic song, perfect for a slow dance, as all the couples danced.
Willow then said something to Skara, and the pair separated before Willow made her way to Lumity. She smiled and offered her hand to the Latina.
"May I have this dance?" she requested.
Luz blinked, surprised, while Amity's eyes narrowed. They were both aware of the Plant witch's lingering feelings for Luz. They thought that she had moved on since she had brought a date along, but apparently, that was not the case.
"Amity?" Luz asked, unsure.
"It's fine, Luz," Amity allowed, forcing a smile. "It's just a dance between friends." She stressed the word 'friends' strongly. It's not that she didn't trust Luz, but she did not like how Willow was still harbouring feelings for her fiancée. They may have buried the hatchet over past issues, but Amity was not willing to give up her claim on Luz.
"Yes, friends," Willow confirmed, taking Luz's hand. "C'mon, Luz. You owe me a lot of Grom dances."
Willow dragged Luz to the middle of the dance floor, and then they began dancing. The cultists began whispering, and Amity could catch a few words. Some thought that their Empress was considering taking another concubine. This made her scowl as she was reminded that Sasha and Marcy were labelled as concubines as well, but only to make sure the cultists did nothing to them.
"Looks like we're turning a few heads," Willow commented, feeling everyone's gaze on them.
"Well…considering this whole party was meant for me and Amity, they're probably a little confused," Luz replied. "But don't worry about them. As long as you're with me, you're safe."
"I'm not worried," Willow stated plainly as she separated from Luz, keeping a single hand connected to her crush's before bringing her back. "Because right now, there's only the two of us on this dance floor, and I don't care what anyone else thinks."
Luz chuckled as she spun Willow around.
"You really have gotten a lot stronger, and I don't mean just physically," the Latina praised. Her expression fell as she recalled much darker times. "But then again…I am the one who pushed you to become strong."
Willow sighed as she shook her head.
"Don't blame yourself, Luz. Sure, a lot of us had to toughen up after what happened. But if I never met you, I'd be miserable. I would've continued to fail in the Abomination Track, and kept disappointing both my teachers and my dads. Eventually, I would've flunked out of Hexside and become a Wild Witch like Eda. With my skills at that time, I probably would've been locked up in the Conformatorium or…petrified."
Luz's mind briefly flashed with a vision of her best friend standing amongst the horrid stone garden of petrified witches, frozen in their last moments of terror, pleading desperately for their lives. Her body shook, something Willow noticed.
"So, that's why I won't ever regret meeting you, Luz," Willow added. "You saved me from a possible, terrible future. Because of you, my dads won't have to cry over seeing their daughter as a statue."
"But...but still…I…I messed up. I should've listened to you back then," Luz argued, loathing herself.
Willow gently lowered her head and rested it on Luz's shoulder. This caused the whispers around them to fade into dull murmurs as the cultists started to ask questions, wondering what they were seeing.
Amity clenched her skirt, doing her best not to cause a scene by storming onto the dance floor and separating her fiancée from Willow. It was difficult to watch this. Willow was her best friend, but Luz was also Willow's best friend as well. More than that, before everything happened, they were on their way to becoming more than friends. A twinge of guilt welled in Amity's heart. Remembering how she broke off her friendship with Willow to protect her, and then passive-aggressively bullying her former best friend along with her new friend group. And in a way, she kind of stole Willow's crush.
'Maybe…Maybe they were meant to be together…?' Amity sadly thought as her grip on the skirt loosened. 'Willow never stopped believing in Luz. She always believed that the real Luz was there and hoped for the day she would come back. She wanted the same thing I have…but I beat her to it.'
"Uh…Em, why's my Flyer Derby captain looking like she's into Oscura over there?" Viney suspiciously asked, not looking pleased.
"Gus and Willow were friends with Oscur– er – with Luz before she became Oscura. And…well…I'm not entirely sure what she's doing, but that doesn't look like 'just friends' behaviour," Emira explained, feeling a little on edge from watching her little sister's former friend get way too close to Luz.
Eda watched Luz and Willow dance from a distance, making her give a little sigh.
"Eda, are you okay?" Raine questioned, concerned for their wife.
"Yeah, just looking at 'em makes me wonder what could've been," Eda answered.
"What do you mean?"
"Specs over there had a huge crush on Luz. She was there for her when she was cursed by the Everlasting Oath and helped her in her darkest hour, well, before Oscura, anyway. I always thought they made a cute couple. But…things didn't turn out that way. I guess this is as close to what Specs would've wanted if things had turned out differently," Eda explained.
Raine looked at the two dancing young women, and they could see what Eda was talking about.
"She's experiencing a brief moment of something she wished she could've had. I don't blame her. I just hope it doesn't complicate things."
"Same here, Rainestorm, same here."
Sasha and Marcy were watching this little spectacle as well. While Sasha was worried that this might cause a strain between Luz and Amity, or even throw off their plan, Marcy was practically vibrating as a huge grin spread across the Taiwanese girl's face.
"Okay, why the heck are you grinning like that?" Sasha asked, confused.
"Because I was right! Willow and Luz had a thing here a long time ago!" Marcy exclaimed, but somehow managed to keep it down so that only Sasha could hear her.
"What?! Willow and Luz?!" Sasha glanced back at them. While Willow was pressing their bodies together, she rested her head on Luz's shoulder. The Latina did not particularly seem to mind this. She almost looked comfortable. "How? Why?"
"Sashy, they were best friends here. They went through a lot together. Somewhere along the way, I think those two developed feelings for each other - at least…until Luz turned into Oscura. But it looks like Willow hasn't gotten over her feelings," Marcy explained. "I hope Amity doesn't take this the wrong way…"
Sasha turned her gaze to Amity, who was watching the dancing pair. The blonde teen noticed how Amity's expressions shifted from jealousy and anger to guilt and remorse. Sasha could only imagine what Amity was thinking, but in a way, she could understand.
"She's probably thinking she doesn't deserve Luz after what she put her through, and now it feels like she probably just stole Willow's potential girlfriend from her," Sasha sympathized. "I can relate to that."
"Sashy…don't go there," Marcy scolded. "You're getting better – you are better. And one way or another, I know you'll be this better version of yourself when the game ends."
Sasha smiled and kissed her girlfriend on the lips.
"Thanks, Mar-Mar, I needed that. Let's just hope Blight doesn't start thinking intrusive thoughts."
Luz was in an awkward situation, but at the same time, she didn't exactly mind it. A part of her liked this, as if the universe was giving her and Willow the intimacy they never got four years ago.
"Willow…do you still love me?" Luz asked, keeping her voice low so that no one else could hear them.
"...I'd be lying if I said I didn't," Willow replied, still keeping close to Luz as they danced.
"A lot of things could've been different."
"Yeah, but with what you discovered as Oscura, our time together would've been short," Willow reminded.
Luz couldn't deny that. If she hadn't discovered what Philip was up to when she did, every witch on the Boiling Isles would've been dead, with Willow being among them.
"I wish I could've done things differently," Luz lamented. "I should've done things differently."
"Maybe… But maybe it all happened for a reason. Even you returning to the Boiling Isles like this must have happened for a reason," Willow suggested. "Sure, it's not ideal, and neither is this situation you're in, but maybe it's something that needs to happen for all of us."
"Willow…"
"You're really in love with Amity, I can tell," Willow observed. Luz nodded, confirming it. "Do you know why I came here? Besides to support you?"
"N-No."
"Because I wanted to see and I wanted to know if my feelings would ever go away," Willow replied.
Luz grimaced. It felt like she unintentionally had a stranglehold on Willow's heart, preventing her best friend from moving on and forming a relationship with any other witch or demon. The Latina glanced off towards the audience, her eyes falling on Skara as she watched the Bard witch clasp her hands together nervously and worriedly. Luz could see it: Skara had feelings for Willow.
"And…what do you think?" Luz asked.
Willow removed her head from Luz's shoulder and sighed heavily.
"No, they won't."
"...I'm sorry…"
"I know, but that doesn't mean I still can't have love in my heart for another. Right?" Willow asked.
Luz smiled at her best friend.
"No, you're right."
"I'll always love you, Luz Noceda. Even if you'll be a world away, that'll never change," Willow declared. "But for both our sakes, you and Amity need to be together." When they stopped dancing, Willow, in a daring move, moved her mouth close to Luz's left ear and whispered, "And if things don't work out, you know my bed is always free for you, Luz."
Luz blushed, a blush which only intensified as Willow planted a chaste kiss on her best friend's cheek before parting with the Latina. And as predicted, the other cultists were shocked by this. Bria looked ready to tear the Plant witch apart into little pieces. Sasha and Marcy had their mouths gaping open, matching Emira and Viney. Gus nodded, understanding what had just transpired, while Skara looked in equal parts shocked and jealous.
Willow walked up to Amity, who now stared at her former best friend in the eyes.
"Willow…"
"Make her happy, Amity." Willow took a few steps forward until she was almost right in the pink-haired witch's face. "Otherwise, I'll make you wish you were never born. Damn the fact that we're separated by dimensions, I'll find a way to the Human Realm if I even find out that you hurt Luz! You promise me, Blight. Promise me you'll make her happy!"
Amity, with determination and conviction in her eyes, stood tall before Willow and proclaimed, "I swear, Willow. I will never hurt Luz again. I will protect her and love her until the day I die – no – even after death, I'll still love her."
Willow sighed, grinned, and then patted Amity on the shoulder.
"She's all yours, Amity."
Amity watched as Willow walked off to rejoin Gus and Skara while Luz headed over to Amity and now stood before her.
"So…about that…"
"It's okay. I think we're okay," Amity assured.
Willow took a shaky breath as she approached her friends, with Skara looking more worried than Gus.
"Willow, are you okay?" Skara asked.
"Yeah, I just managed to get the answers I needed."
On impulse, Skara took Willow's right hand with both of hers, making the Plant witch look directly into Skara's eyes.
"W-Willow, don't worry! I-I don't know exactly what went on with you and Morgan – er – Oscura – I mean, Luz! B-But I'll be here for you! I promise! As a teammate and as a friend!"
Willow could feel how tightly Skara was holding her hand, as if she was afraid the Plant witch would go somewhere that she herself couldn't follow.
'She really cares that much about me, doesn't she?'
"I know, and thank you, Skara. So, how about a dance then?" Willow suggested.
"Huh…what?" Skara blinked, taken off guard by the question.
"You heard me. Do you want to dance?"
"I-I mean, I would like to! B-But you just got through dancing, s-so y-you're probably tired and – eep!"
With one swift motion, Willow embraced Skara, getting their hands in position.
"It's an order from your captain. We're dancing."
"Oh…wow," Skara gulped. "...dancing."
Gus chuckled as he watched his best friend and his teammate waltz onto the dance floor. Skara, after getting over the initial shock of being in Willow's arms, started to smile as she forgot about their current situation. Gus understood. When he glanced over at Luz and Amity, it seemed they did as well.
'One step at a time, Willow.'
After the dance, Luz and Amity went to mingle with their guests. Luz joined Willow and Skara at their table with Gus while Amity sat with her family and Viney.
"And that's how we won that game," Willow finished her story. She had just regaled Luz in one of their best Flyer Derpy matches.
"Wow, I wish I could've seen that," Luz admired.
"It's online. I'll show you the video later," Gus offered.
"Thanks, Gus."
"We won, thanks to Skara's strategy," Willow praised, smiling at her date. "If it weren't for her, we may not even get so far."
"C'mon, Willow," Skara blushed. "You were the one who brought us all together. You're the one who leads us to victory."
"A leader is only as good as their team," Willow defended.
"From what I see, you're all important members of the team," Luz observed.
Skara found herself smiling. She thought that this would be the same Oscura who had made their lives miserable, but instead, she was reminded of her when she masqueraded as Morgan. It made her wonder if the 'Morgan' persona was just a mask Oscura had used so she could be herself. She could see bits and pieces of that here.
Meanwhile, Amity was telling her family all about her time in the Human Realm, like going to high school.
"Must have been a strange experience," Alador remarked.
"I mean, not really," Amity shrugged. "There's still a hierarchy: popular girls are still mean, kids in sports are looked up to like gods, and nerds are seen as social outcasts."
"I guess some things are just universal," Edric remarked. "But how did you fit in?"
"Well, I was seen as 'classy, smart, and cool', so I managed to become popular myself," Amity confessed. "I got straight A's, and I won their respect. Even if a lot of people tried to talk me out of hanging out with Luz since they thought she was dragging me down, I pretty much told them to shove it."
"And having magic must have made things easier," Edric speculated.
"Well, I didn't have to use my magic all the time, but it helps out when I need it." There were so many times when she needed to use magic to get her and Luz out of trouble. The way they made Zoe's pranks backfire was easily the best. However, Luz could take care of herself. She no longer took the insults with a smile, and was not afraid to bite back. It caused problems, but Luz would not face them alone. Her mother, little sister, girlfriend, and Vee's Cabin 7 crew were willing to back her up. Plus, there was video evidence. While Amity hated her mom and her lessons, she did learn that having leverage on people could be useful - but only for a good cause.
"But how different is it from our school?"
"It can be pretty bad," Amity glowered. "People can hate you just for the colour of your skin, where you're from, your religious beliefs or even who you wanna date. When Luz and I came out as a couple, we got a lot of people giving us shit about it. Whenever we went out, there were always people giving us dirty looks just because we were two girls going out on a date."
That was the thing that Amity had learned about the Human Realm, the discrimination. She was no stranger to it as her mother used to discriminate against people who were below their status, but the Human Realm had a lot of different forms of discrimination. Discrimination against race, religion, skin colour, socioeconomic status, sexuality...the list went on. Even if they didn't hurt anybody, people would just judge them without getting to know them or even giving them a chance.
It was no wonder Luz felt at home in the Boiling Isles. People failed to understand her on Earth. At least in the Demon Realm, she managed to find a group of friends that accepted her with all her quirks. Unfortunately, Luz ended up banished from the very world she would gladly call her home away from home.
Great, now thinking about it made Amity worry about Luz being arrested and punished for violating the terms of her banishment. Guilt and shame filled Amity. It was all her fault that most of the Boiling Isles hated Luz. She just wished she could fix all that. Maybe...she should participate in the DGP again to have the Boiling Isles accept and forgive Luz? She would not even have to drag Luz into it. She could just handle the burden of playing the game alone just to spare her lover the pain. Maybe she could discuss this with Amara so that she could get another chance to participate.
"OK, who are they? Who are the people who gave you both shit?" Emira frowned angrily. "I want to teach them a lesson they'll never forget."
"Me, too," Edric eagerly nodded.
"So do I," Alador agreed, filled with tranquil fury.
Ghost hissed, seeking to claw everyone who wronged Amity like scratching posts.
"So...just curious...but how did you both get back here?" Viney asked. It was a question that was plaguing her mind.
"That's a long story, and I doubt you'd believe me," Amity said. "And I'm not sure I'm allowed to say much." The rules of the DGP were clear. It was only because they were still technically in the middle of a mission that Tsumuri allowed them to tell their friends and family about the game.
Bria, as she watched her Empress converse with her friends, decided to approach. This was not something she could delay for much longer.
"My Empress, pardon me, but could we speak in private?" Bria requested, her voice tinged with urgency as she approached Luz, who was still basking in the afterglow of the dance.
"Bria, I'm kind of busy right now," Luz replied, her tone slightly annoyed. She was entertaining her guests. "Can't it wait?"
"No, I'm afraid it can't," Bria insisted, shaking her head. For her peace of mind, this could not wait. "I just need five minutes of your time."
"Alright, five minutes," Luz agreed reluctantly. Bria pulled Luz aside to a private corner, away from any eavesdroppers. "What was so important that you had to pull me away?"
"My Empress, it's not that I doubt you, but do you still desire to reclaim your throne?" Bria asked, her eyes searching Luz's face for even a hint of the answer she desperately hoped for.
"I want what's best for the Boiling Isles," Luz simply stated, her voice steady and determined. That should be enough, but Bria was not buying it.
"That's not what I asked, My Empress! After this, will you rule the Boiling Isles again like you did before?!" Bria pressed on, her desperation creeping into her voice. "All of us have been praying, wishing for the day you would return! The Oracle witches spoke of your return, and we've prepared for this glorious time! And now you're here as prophesied! We are your devoted followers, My Empress. We live to serve you!"
Luz held her ground, even as Bria edged closer to her.
"I know you feel compassion towards us, but you'd only need to ask, and we'd happily lay down our lives for you!" Bria continued. "We may not be the powerful Phantoms that you once commanded, but we're just as willing to do as you wish! You're the only true ruler of this world! You who dethroned the tyrant pretender! You who freed us from the shackles of the Coven System! All that we have now, all the freedoms and luxuries these fools enjoy after your downfall, originally stemmed from you!"
Luz felt her heart pounding in her chest. She could see a level of desperation in Bria's eyes. This was one of the scenarios she had been hoping to avoid, but it seemed her efforts to buy time were about to come crumbling down at that moment.
"I beg your forgiveness, My Empress!" Bria pleaded. "I tout myself as your Priestess, the giver of your word, and the leader of your followers! But I am still mortal, as much as I try not to, even I succumb to doubt…" Bria's eyes started to water as she clutched at her heart. "Please, dispel my worries! Silence my doubts! I only need to hear your words; I know they'll be gone from mind and heart! I beg you, Empress Oscura, tell me what you wish to do?!"
"B-Bria…I…I…" Luz stammered.
But before Luz could respond, a commotion erupted at the banquet hall entrance. The grand doors were flung open, and the unmistakable figures of Darius and Hunter stormed in, accompanied by the Coven Scouts and a battalion of Abomatons. The room filled with gasps and murmurs as they spread out, their presence menacing and authoritative.
"Everyone, remain where you are!" Darius commanded, his voice booming across the hall. "By order of the United Covens, you are all under arrest!"
Panic surged through the crowd, guests and cultists alike scrambling in confusion. Bria's heart pounded in her chest as she stepped protectively in front of Luz.
"What is the meaning of this?" she demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.
"This is a raid," Hunter replied coldly, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto Oscura. "We have orders to arrest Oscura and everyone here."
Luz's hand tightened around Bria's arm.
"Bria, stay close," she whispered urgently. The room descended into chaos as the Scouts and Abomatons began to move in, their intentions clear. Luz and Bria shared a brief, tense glance, knowing that the peace of the evening had shattered and their next actions would determine their fate.
"FOR THE EMPRESS! TAKE DOWN THESE COVEN DOGS!" one cultist shouted.
The others shouted in unison, rallying behind the battle cry.
'Oh shit, no!' Luz thought in complete dread.
Some of the cultists drew spell circles and immediately started casting attack spells as the United Coven forces charged into battle. The Abomatons stepped forward and raised one arm each, deploying a barrier that encompassed their Scouts, along with Hunter and Darius. The barrage of spells pelted the barriers one after the other, each one exploding with powerful concussive force. Some of the Abomatons went into attack mode and began shooting concentrated mana cannon blasts at the cultists attacking them. Several explosions erupted as the cultists were tossed around from the explosions like ragdolls.
Marina jumped from the crowd as she drew a spell circle and summoned forth a torrent of water. She had the water snake through the droves of Scouts before diving into her continuously flowing current. Her eyes and body glowed like a deep sea predator nearing some of the Scouts. She grabbed hold of the water itself and burst out of the current, then slashed the air in the same direction as the Scouts. Thin crescent blades of water shot towards them, prompting the Scouts to frantically dive out of the way as the blades struck the stone floor. After the impact, the Scouts gasped as they saw the deep gashes in the stone floor and realized just how dangerous Marina's attack was. The fish-like demoness returned to her stream, speeding through it and appearing as a blur of light and colour.
Vuvu's stoic visage hardened as he stepped forward as well. He pulled out a flute that was engraved with some rune markings. The green-skinned demon placed the flute to his lips and began playing some notes, sending out waves of red energy. Some of the Scouts' bodies started to jerk about, and the next moment, those same Scouts began attacking their colleagues.
"What the hell are you doing?!" one Scout shouted.
"I'M NOT DOING THIS! I CAN'T CONTROL MY BODY!" another wailed.
Geo stepped forward, cracking his knuckles as he grinned with delight.
"I had a feeling this evening would turn out this way! Let's get the real party started!"
Three Abomatons converged on Geo, one of which charged at him as it transformed its right hand into a mallet. Geo drew a spell circle and then pressed it against his own body. The moment he did, his already domineering physical appearance doubled in size, making him grow to the point that he stood above the Abomatons and made his muscles even bigger. He easily intercepted the mallet of the Abomaton, raised it up like a ragdoll, and slammed it into another. The third Abomaton opened fire, shooting at him with its mana cannons. Although the blasts did burn a little, it was nothing he couldn't shrug off. The enhancement spell not only gave him greater size and strength but also improved the toughness of his skin, akin to living armour. Geo grabbed the third Abomaton, cocked back his left arm, and tossed it in the direction of the others, where it crashed against the barriers.
"NOW THIS IS A PARTY!" Badriah shouted, laughing like a maniac. Clappings their hands together, she and her twin brother drew spell circles. On Badriah's side, she threw icicles from her spell circle while flames erupted from Tuvar's spell circle. The Scouts quickly took cover, overturning tables to use as barriers.
"And I thought this night would be dull," Tuvar deadpanned, but his lips were curled into a cold smile.
"WONDER TWINS MAGIC, ACTIVATE!" Badriah shouted as the twins clapped their hands together again, and their conjoined body seemed to melt into purple Abomination matter before separating down the middle. One body was controlled by Tuvar, while his sister controlled the other. The Tuvar Abomination's body soon ignited, and his body wreathed in flames. At the same time, Badriah's Abomination body grew icicles, and she shot them like icy arrows.
The grand banquet hall had officially become the sight of a melee as the Scouts and cultists engaged in combat. Darius had entered the fray in an effort to end this raid as swiftly as possible. He immediately transformed into his Abomination form, using his slime body to send out tendrils of slime to throw about some of the cultists or shoot them with Abomination slime to restrain them and prevent them from casting any more spells.
While he was making his way through the droves of Oscura-worshipping dregs, Darius heard a familiar whistle. When he turned in that direction, he saw some familiar faces. Some of the cultists had begun to crowd around Eda and Raine, with both of them keeping King at their backs while the self-proclaimed 'King of Demons' kept Lil' Luz behind him in order to protect her. The crowd of cultists tried to attack, believing that Raine must've had a hand in this. But the ex-Coven Head released a sonic whistle, blasting the cultists away with one shot. Eda had summoned Owlbert and, together, released one mana blast after another to keep the crowd away from her partner and children. One of the cultists had flown up to the ceiling and was about to come down with a blade right into Raine's head. However, Darius shot out four tentacles that wrapped around the cultist before throwing him into a group of his fellow worshippers.
Eda and Raine turned their attention to the originator of the tentacles, and grimaced a little.
"Raine, Eda?!" Darius cried in disbelief.
"Hi, Darius," Raine greeted.
"What in Titan's name are you doing here?!" he demanded.
"Long story!" Eda stated.
"Do you have any idea how bad this is?! You know we're not their favourite people! Why would you all come into the manticore's den like this?!" Darius questioned as he fended off another group of cultists.
"We're attending my other daughter's engagement party," the Owl Lady answered.
Darius looked back at Eda with utter confusion, but then realised what she meant a moment later. There was a lot of explaining to be done once this was over.
Hunter was swiftly teleporting through the cultists, using Flapjack's ability as he held his Palisman staff in his right hand. In the left hand, he held an artificial staff, a different one from what Belos had given him. With both staves, Hunter was able to rapidly cast multiple spells at once, firing energy blasts, or manipulating the stone to ensnare the cultists. He continued to make short work of the cultists when he saw several of his Scouts getting whipped away by plant monsters that were summoned forth from the floor.
'Must have a talented Plant witch on their side. Either way, they're going down!'
Hunter swiftly teleported to the location where the plant monsters were gathered. All of them were assembled in a circle, guarding a dome of tightly woven vines.
'The caster must be in there,' Hunter thought.
The plant monsters took notice of him and began attacking. But Hunter was way faster than them, and for the ones that had missed him, he sliced them in half with a quick swipe of his artificial magic staff, sending a blade of mana energy to decapitate the flower-headed creatures. Unfortunately, this had the effect of making the lower severed halves sprout multiple long heads like a hydra. Hunter wasn't deterred as he dashed out of the way of another round of bramble vines, trying to wrap him up. Using both staffs, Hunter conjured a fireball into the air and shot it at the plant monsters. Unfortunately, they couldn't withstand the flames as the plant monsters all shrieked and wailed as the flames ate at their bodies and reduced them to ashes.
"Good effort," Hunter complimented. "But not good enough!"
The scarred young man used both staves again and slashed with them, forming an X-shaped crescent energy blade that flew at the dome of vines and sliced it open. Hunter readied himself to deal with the caster, but was shocked when he saw who was hiding inside of the dome.
"C-Captain…?"
"Hunter…?"
The sight of Willow nearly made him drop both staves, but it wasn't just Willow in the dome. Along with her were Gus and Skara, and behind them were Emira and Edric Blight, the twins' father Alador Blight, and his other Flyer Derby teammate Viney.
"Hunter, it's us!" Skara quickly shouted.
"Yeah, hold your fire!" Viney exclaimed.
"W-Wait, I-I don't understand… What's going on?! Why are you guys here of all places?!" Hunter questioned, completely confused. He never expected all of these people to be here of all places!
"Remember when I asked you to come with me to a party earlier?" Willow sheepishly asked as she stepped forward.
Hunter did remember that conversation, so that meant…
"What…but…I don't…"
Several explosions went off as the cultists started to approach their group. Hunter decided questions would have to wait until after everything was over. Now, he had to protect his Captain and his friends.
"OH MY GOD, THIS HAS GONE TOTALLY FUBAR!" Sasha yelled into the air as the chaos of battle erupted all around them. As soon as the raid began and spells were thrown, she and Marcy immediately took cover under their table.
"This is bad, very, very bad! The United Covens' Scouts are here, and now they're fighting with the cultists! And Luz's family and friends are stuck in the middle of that melee!" Marcy summarised, panicking. "What do we do?! Do we transform and help break it up?!"
"Ugh, I don't know! It's not like we talked about this happening at all! This whole night was just a way for Luz to buy some time and come up with a way to plan to stop the coup! But now…UGH!" Sasha growled in frustration. "If we get involved, those cultists are going to go wild thinking Luz ordered us to go in and take command of the battle!"
"But if we don't do anything, this battle's going to keep going! Luz's family and her friends could get seriously hurt or worse! And if that happens…Luz might just go full Wrath of God on everyone," Marcy pointed out.
The two girls were stuck between a rock and a hard place. To act or not to act. Either way, no matter what they chose, Luz was going to end up as the loser of this chaotic mess.
"Master Marcy!" Oliver cried, holding his Laser Raise Riser as he slid under the table. "I suggest we leave now!"
"What!?" Marcy yelled. "But we can't just leave Luz and Amity!"
"The conflicts of this realm have nothing to do with you or Sasha," Oliver argued. "Let's just return to the DGP and wait until the dust settles."
"You want us to run?" Sasha glared. "No way, dude!"
"King Andrias will be most displeased if anything were to happen to you both!"
"Then tell your king to go suck a dick 'coz we are not leaving our friends!"
Oliver grimaced. He could force them to return with him, but they would be upset with him. Then they would never trust him ever again. So, reluctantly, he stayed with them. He just hoped this night would not end in tragedy.
Meanwhile, Lumina and Amara were also hiding under a table.
"Well, Lumi, I don't mind saying that this has turned into a complete and utter shit show," Amara stated.
"Indeed…I was not expecting the United Covens to make a move like this. Guess they were more afraid of Luz than even speculated," Lumina sighed. "And tonight was going so well for her."
"You know? We could stop this right now," Amara proposed. "We could go out there and transform and present ourselves as an outside party looking to take advantage of the chaos. You know, take the attention off Luz."
The idea had crossed Lumina's mind. If they went and transformed, proclaiming themselves a third party before attacking both sides, they could take the heat off Luz.
"What do you think?" Amara asked.
Lumina glanced at Luz. She could see the nervous and panic-stricken face of her great-aunt; and although she wanted to help her, Lumina knew she had to make the hard choice.
"It would be easy enough to do that…but we cannot interfere here," Lumina decided. "This is Luz's choice, and…she needs to make it, no matter the outcome…"
Amara knew her girlfriend wanted to help Luz, but she also knew that getting involved now would and could disrupt the timeline. Luz and Amity being back in the Boiling Isles was one thing, but if their descendants started to get involved, it could drastically alter their own future. And the fact that they still existed right now meant that somehow things turned out alright.
'Either that…or the moment that history changes hasn't happened yet, and our existence is spared for the time being… Great-Aunt Amity… Luz…'
'This can't be happening…This can't be happening…This cannot be happening right now!' Luz mentally panicked. 'I was trying to prevent a fight, but the fight came to me instead!'
'See what happens when you drag your heels? If you had made a decision sooner, this wouldn't be happening,' Oscura scolded.
'And what?! Stage a coup and take over the Boiling Isles?!'
'If you had acted more swiftly, the people we love wouldn't be caught in the crossfire right now, would they?'
Luz looked back out in the melee as she watched Darius, Eda, and Raine fight off the cultists, doing everything possible to protect the children. On the other side, she saw her friends, Amity's family, and the people they brought trying to defend themselves against Scouts and cultists alike. She saw Sasha and Marcy who poked their heads from under the table, whom she just now made eye contact with as they looked at her with questioning gazes. She didn't need to read their minds to know what they were probably thinking. They had the power to turn the tide of this fight, all four of them did, but if they did, there would be no turning back. Once she opened Pandora's Box, Luz would have to commit to either aiding the United Covens in ending the cult and forgoing any plans she had in helping them seek redemption, or fight at her cult's side and take on the role of her past self as Empress Oscura.
"Luz!" Amity yelled, cutting through the sounds of battle as she hastily approached Bria and her beloved. "Luz, this is bad! We have to stop this somehow!"
"We will stop this! The Children of Oscura have been preparing for this day! The fools of the United Covens will see just how futile it is to stand against us. Now that Our Empress is here, we can fight at our full strength, knowing she is at our side!" Bria proudly proclaimed.
"Okay, I've had enough of you!" Amity shouted, having had enough of the High Priestess' little schtick. "'Oscura' this, and 'Oscura' that! You idiots are worshipping a monster that wanted to destroy everyone!"
Bria rounded on Amity, deciding it was time to speak her mind.
"Oh, don't you dare act so high and mighty with me, Blight! If it wasn't for you, Oscura would've still been the Empress of the Boiling Isles! You don't deserve to be at her side, not with the many times you tried to kill her in the past!" Bria shouted back. "And let's not forget, you were partially responsible for the ascension of our goddess in the first place, which makes me both equally angry and happy at the same time!"
"Oh, and you think you deserve to be by Luz's side?!" Amity argued.
"More than you, Blight! I'm willing to give my life for her!"
"Same!"
"I'm willing to worship her like the goddess she is!"
"Ha! I already do!"
"I'm willing to kiss the ground she walks upon and be her plaything for her pleasure!"
"Okay, you have me on the first one, but we have – wait, why the hell am I about to talk about our sex life with you?!" Amity questioned as she shook her head. "Whatever! The point is, Luz and I are lovers. More than that, we're engaged!"
"Hah! Only because you were the only option she had! If she was back here, I would shower Oscura with love and devotion every day and night. I wouldn't have minded if she brought others into our bed, so long I was the head of the harem!" Bria turned her gaze to Luz, softened her expression, and added, "Don't worry, Empress, I know just one woman or man wouldn't be enough to satisfy you. So long I am the first of your harem, I don't care how many others you would bring into our bed."
Luz blushed, while Amity went goremato red - both out of anger and annoyance for the drivel that Bria was spouting right now.
"You don't even know the first thing about Luz!" Amity accused.
"I know everything I need to know about Oscura!" Bria defended.
"Luz!" The Latina jumped as Amity addressed her. "Tell it to her straight! Tell this delusional whack job that this whole 'Children of Oscura' cult is not what you wanted!"
"Don't listen to her, Empress!" Bria retorted. "Blight is trying to influence you! I knew she was the reason why you've changed! She got into your head! Oooh, well played, Blight! You used your body and mind games to warp the mind of our goddess!" Bria drew two spell circles and readied herself to fight Amity. "Don't worry, Empress Oscura! I'll free you from the shackles of this siren tonight!"
Amity took out her Desire Driver and Abomination Buckle as she put herself in front of Luz.
"Oh, I've been waiting days for this moment! The day that I finally beat some sense into that delusional head of yours!" Amity was ready to fight Bria.
Chaos, yes, that was the perfect way to describe what was going on. Because now her fiancée and the leader of her cult were about to duke it out in front of her.
'Time is running out for you, chica. Either do something now, or you're going to lose everything.'
Just then another round of explosions went off inside of the grand banquet hall, drawing Bria, Amity, and Luz's attention away. Luz watched as King hugged Lil' Luz, who was now crying, terrified of what was happening around her. She looked at her friends who were doing their best to defend themselves against both sides. Even with Mr. Blight and Hunter helping out, they were at a disadvantage. No, she would not see her loved ones get hurt, not because of her.
[Desire Driver!]
Amity and Bria turned to Luz as they watched her put on the Desire Driver, holding the Oscura Buckle in her right hand.
"Luz…?"
[Set!]
"My Empress…?"
"I've made my decision…" Luz solemnly declared. "Henshin…"
[OSCURA! DARKNESS, NOW!]
Amity and Bria stepped back as six black wings enveloped Luz before a burst of violet and dark energy erupted from within. The two witches averted their gaze as that same light shot past them and entered the fray. A burst of energy erupted from the centre of the banquet hall, blasting away Scouts and cultists alike as black feathers cascaded through the air, revealing Kamen Rider Oscura. But before anyone could react to her presence, Oscura took out the Boost Buckle and attached it to the opposite side of her Driver.
[Set!]
[Dual On!]
[DARK BOOST!]
Once the Boost Buckle had been activated, its corresponding armour appeared on Oscura's limbs as the blue Slothful Slowing Stone glowed. Oscura tapped into its power as black flames roared out of the exhaust ports on the gauntlets and greaves. A second after, the entire room was bathed in a blue hue and everyone's movements ground to a halt.
On the outside, Oscura appeared as a blur as everyone was rapidly moved. The cultists were brought to one side of the room, while the Scouts and Abomatons were placed on the other. Oscura left Hunter and Darius where they were, believing that they would continue protecting her friends and loved ones. It took all of a minute before the room was evenly divided, with the Scouts plus Abomatons placed near the entrance and the cultists near the stage. When she was done, Oscura returned to normal time, appearing in the centre of the room between the two warring sides.
Either side could hardly believe what had just happened. They didn't even realise it until now that Oscura had single-handedly moved them around like chess pieces, placing them right where she wanted them. They didn't even feel it, which caused some of the Scouts to quickly check their bodies to see if Oscura had done anything to them. On the flip side, the cultists were ecstatic to see their Empress donned in her armour. Many of them cheered and chanted her name, their spirits lifted by seeing her at the head of their army, ready to lead them to victory. However, for others, Oscura was not a pleasant sight.
"No…No way…s-she's back…she's really back!" Skara exclaimed in panic.
"I knew it," Viney hissed.
"W-What's Luz doing?!" Emira asked.
"This is a trick, right?" Edric questioned nervously.
"She's got something planned, for sure!" Gus insisted. "She hasn't become Oscura, not like before!"
"Luz…please…please don't think this is your only option," Willow whispered fearfully. She did not want Luz to resort to killing again like four years ago. She prayed to the Titan for it not to happen again.
Hunter kept his grip tight on his staves, ready to defend the Boiling Isles, the Captain, and his friends. He couldn't do much back then, but this time he was going to put it all on the line.
Raine and Eda stared wide-eyed as they gazed upon Kamen Rider Oscura. Old, painful memories flooded their minds as they looked at her. Remembering all the missions, all the people they lost, and of course, that final battle that determined the fate of the Demon Realm. They had thought it was all over, but now here stood the one responsible for it all.
"Eda…" Raine began.
"I'm not doubting her, Raine," Eda stated.
"But…honey, look," they insisted.
"I am looking, Raine. The last time I doubted her, that I wasn't there for her, everything went to hell. I'm not making that same mistake twice in one lifetime."
"You're not seriously thinking about helping her, are you?" Darius questioned the Owl Lady. If Eda did that, then she would be a traitor. Hell, her attending this party was already potential grounds for treason.
"I'm doing the one thing I should've done four years ago: believe in Luz. And I will, no matter how this turns out," Eda declared as she kept a tight grip on her staff.
Lil' Luz stopped crying and looked in the same direction as the others, now seeing the Kamen Rider who had stopped the fighting.
"Who…Who's that?" Lil' Luz curiously asked.
"That's…" King was almost reluctant to say because he didn't want to scare his little sister and make her afraid of Luz. But there was no hiding the truth right now. "That's our big sister…"
Lil' Luz looked upon Kamen Rider Oscura, not sure how to feel about her. She seemed scary, but she knew it was because of her that the fighting had stopped. But then, why did her parents and everyone look so scared?
Sasha and Marcy were just as confused as the rest of them. They didn't want to believe that Luz had turned evil again, as that was the worst-case scenario. Doubt was what divided them before, and this time, Sasha was not about to doubt and neither was Marcy.
Lumina and Amara watched with tense gazes. This was either going to be good or bad, but whichever direction this went, they were going to bear witness to it.
Meanwhile, Bria had a broad grin on her face as Amity did all she could to not enter this situation and make it worse. However, every fibre of her being was telling her to put her Raise Buckle on and go out there. But even now, she wasn't sure if that was Luz or…or if it was Empress Oscura.
'Please…let me be wrong.'
"REJOICE!" Bria shouted, quickly making her way to Her Empress' side. "GAZE UPON HER VISAGE AND BOW YOUR HEADS, YOU UNWORTHY CURS FOR THE TRUE RULER OF THE BOILING ISLES, EMPRESS OSCURA, STANDS BEFORE YOU! PROSTRATE YOURSELF, FOR YOU ARE NO MATCH FOR HER POWER!"
Chanting filled the banquet hall as the cultists all repeated Oscura's name.
"OS-CU-RA! OS-CU-RA! OS-CU-RA! OS-CU-RA!"
Oscura's cold gaze swept across the room, daring anyone to make a move. Now that she had everyone's attention, it was time she addressed them all.
"Tonight was meant to be a joyous occasion to celebrate my union with Amity Blight! Instead, you all turned it into chaos by coming uninvited and making a mess of things! You've all ruined my party and frightened my guests! Now, in order to put a stop to all this, I must do what I need to do."
Everyone waited with bated breath. The Children of Oscura looked ready and willing to go back into battle the moment she gave the order. They were about to see their Empress, their goddess, wield her full might against the United Covens and begin the revolution to reclaim her rightful place as Ruler of the Boiling Isles.
The Scouts were equally ready to brawl. They knew the kind of horror and pain that Oscura had brought to the Boiling Isles, and not a single one of them was willing to see that happen again.
Both sides were ready to give their lives for the future of the Boiling Isles, and it would only take one word from Oscura to start it all.
Oscura removed her Buckles, causing her suit to flash and vanish. Everyone was stunned and confused by this. Was Oscura saying she didn't need her armour to defeat these Scouts? That was what the cultists believed. But the Scouts believed that this meant she didn't find them worthy of her full power and was saying she could defeat them all by herself.
However, Luz did something else that made them even more confused: she walked towards where Eda, Raine, King, Darius, and Lil' Luz were. Darius was on guard, and so was Raine. While Eda remained in her earlier stance, it seemed as if she was contemplating if she needed to do something about her partner and Darius.
Luz stopped before the group of adults and two children. Luz glanced down at her little brother and baby sister, both of whom were looking up at her expectantly. With a heavy sigh and a sad smile, Luz removed her Desire Driver, got down on her knees, and offered up her hands to Darius, presenting both of her items to him as well.
"I surrender."