Episode 1: A Lying Witch and A Warden

Starring:
Sarah-Nicole Robles as Luz Noceda
Wendie Malick as Eda Clawthorne
Seth Rogen as King
Ryan Reynolds as Hooty
Elizabeth Grullon as Camila Noceda
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Warden Wrath

Featuring:
Phil LaMarr as Principal Hal
Grey Griffin as Katya
Brad Leland as Eye-Eating Prisoner
Eden Riegel as Fairy
Charlotte Anne Tucker as Tinella Nosa


What is the story of The HexSquad?

You sure you wanna know?

If someone told you it was the story of an average group of quirky weirdos with no care in the world...

Disney lied.

So, this is where our story begins. It was April 8th, 2022, at Gravesfield High School—a seemingly ordinary day.

Well... as ordinary as it could be, given that Luz Noceda was about to find herself in yet another world of trouble.

You know the story of Luz:

Luz Noceda was born the only child of Camila and Manny Noceda. From the very beginning, Luz exhibited a creative spark that was as undeniable as it was unique. Her vibrant imagination and penchant for the unusual delighted her parents, who encouraged her to express herself freely. Their home was filled with laughter, stories, and drawings pinned to the refrigerator—proof of the love and support that enveloped Luz during her early years.

However, when Luz was still a young girl, her father's health began to deteriorate. Manny developed an indeterminate ailment that slowly drained him of his strength. In a bid to provide him with better care, the Noceda family relocated to Gravesfield, Connecticut, a town close to a hospital better equipped to handle his condition.

The move was bittersweet. Though it brought them closer to medical care, it also uprooted Luz from her childhood surroundings and the happy memories they held. Tragically, Manny's condition worsened despite their efforts, and he eventually succumbed to the illness. His passing left a void in Luz's life that seemed impossible to fill.

In the midst of her grief, Luz turned to a final gift her father had given her: the first book in The Good Witch Azura series. It was a story of magic, courage, and self-discovery that captivated her heart immediately. Luz became a devoted fan of Azura, immersing herself in the fantastical world of witches and magic. For Luz, these books were more than mere stories—they became a form of escapism, a way to cope with the loss of her father and the overwhelming changes in her life.

But Gravesfield was not kind to someone like Luz. Her eccentric personality and passion for fantasy made her an easy target for mockery. The local children branded her as "weird," while adults often regarded her behavior with thinly veiled disapproval. At school, she became a social outcast, mocked by her peers and ignored by potential friends. Cheerleaders, popular students, and even some teachers saw her as an oddity, someone to be avoided or belittled.

The teasing grew worse as Luz tried to stand out in the only way she knew how—through her unique, over-the-top creativity. Her attempts to impress classmates often backfired. Whether it was a cheesy video stunt or an elaborate costume, her efforts to gain acceptance usually ended in ridicule.

Despite her struggles, Luz's determination to connect with others remained unshaken, even if it sometimes veered into trouble. Her frustration with the constant mockery occasionally boiled over into lashing out, leaving her in further trouble with teachers and students alike.

These hardships took their toll on Luz's relationship with her mother, Camila. Camila, while deeply loving and supportive, was increasingly concerned about her daughter's loneliness and worsening academic performance. Manny's death had changed Luz in ways Camila couldn't fully understand, and she often found herself unsure of how to help her daughter navigate her pain and alienation.

Desperate to show her mother that her interests were more than just distractions, Luz poured her heart into an elaborate book report for school. Using the latest Azura book, she created a detailed, imaginative presentation, complete with props and costumes. She hoped it would prove that her love for fantasy could be productive and meaningful.

But her effort didn't go as planned. During her presentation, the cheerleaders—her perennial tormentors—began to mock her. Their laughter echoed through the classroom, each giggle and jeer cutting into Luz's pride and confidence.

That day during lunch, Luz's anger boiled over. She retrieved a red baseball bat she had snuck into the Cheerleader's locker—a small rebellion against the school's rules—and stormed to the cheerleaders' lockers. In a fit of frustration and pain, Luz swung the bat, venting her emotions on the metal doors. The clang of the bat hitting the lockers echoed through the empty hallway.

Though she didn't harm anyone physically, the damage to the lockers was unmistakable. When the dust settled, Luz stood amidst the wreckage, the bat still clenched in her trembling hands. For a moment, she felt vindicated, her anger momentarily sated. But as the reality of her actions set in, so did the consequences.


"Well, it's not going to be a good book report, I can tell you that," Luz Noceda groaned, slumping into her chair as the weight of the situation settled over her. Trouble wasn't unfamiliar to her, but this time, she could tell the consequences were going to sting a little more.

Luz was a thin, tan-skinned Dominican-American teenager with golden-brown eyes that usually sparkled with mischief but now held a tinge of regret. Her slightly outgrown pixie-cut dark brown hair framed her face as she fidgeted with the hem of her white-and-purple striped shirt. The rest of her ensemble—high-waisted jean shorts over navy-gray capri leggings and her scuffed white loafers—betrayed the restless energy that kept her in perpetual motion. Today, though, even Luz couldn't find the usual fire to argue her way out of the mess she'd created.

Across the desk, her mother, Camila Noceda, looked visibly weary, though her composure remained intact. Her tan skin, brown eyes, and neatly tied-up hair hinted at a no-nonsense attitude that Luz had come to respect—and fear—on occasions like this. Dressed in her usual green overshirt, dark blue capris, and pink sneakers, Camila exuded practicality and a quiet strength, but the tension in her jaw betrayed how exasperated she was.

The third party in the room, Principal Hal, was a tall, broad man with dark brown skin, a thick mustache, and graying curly hair. His yellow shirt and patterned tie gave him an almost cheerful appearance, but his stern expression shattered any illusion of leniency. He tapped a folder against the desk rhythmically, as if waiting for one of them to crack under the pressure of silence.

"Your book report is mostly the reason why you're in here," Principal Hal said, breaking the silence. His tone was measured but tinged with irritation. He gestured toward the door of his office, where a gaggle of cheerleaders passed by, one of them shooting Luz a venomous glare. Luz met the glare with an exaggerated pout, earning herself a scoff from the girl before she disappeared.

"And what were you planning to do with this?" Camila asked, incredulity dripping from her voice as she held up a bundle of firecrackers tied together with tape.

"That was for the Act Three closer," Luz replied with a sheepish grin, though her tone carried a trace of pride. "I was going to convince the teacher to let me do the report outside. You know, for the full dramatic effect."

Camila's eyes widened in disbelief. "Mija, I love your creativity, but it's gotten out of hand. Do you even remember the last time you were in the principal's office?"

Luz winced at the question. She did remember—too many times, in fact. The memories played out like a montage in her mind, each incident more ridiculous than the last:

There was the infamous Romeo and Juliet audition. Luz had stabbed herself in the torso with a plastic spork mid-monologue, only to rip her dress apart and send a string of sausages tumbling onto the stage, complete with ketchup smears to mimic intestines. The judges had been horrified.

Then, during lunch one day, she'd constructed what she proudly dubbed a "baby griffin" by sewing a pigeon head onto a squirrel's body. She'd opened its beak to showcase a hidden mechanism called "Spider Breath," only for a swarm of spiders to burst forth, scattering across the cafeteria. Screams had filled the air as students and staff alike flailed to escape the arachnid invasion.

Cheerleading tryouts had been another disaster. After watching a girl perform a flawless backflip, Luz had rolled her eyes and loudly proclaimed, "That's nothing! Watch this!" She proceeded to turn her eyelids inside out, much to the disgust of everyone present.

And those were just the highlights. There were countless smaller incidents: harmless pranks, over-the-top stunts, and the occasional moment when her frustration boiled over into defensive barbs or threats against her classmates. While none of her antics had ever caused real harm, Luz's reputation as a walking disaster was firmly cemented.

"At least this time I didn't hurt anyone," Luz said defensively, crossing her arms. "All I did was gross them out a little."

Camila sighed, rubbing her temples in frustration. "Mija, you're missing the point. We all love how much you express yourself, but you've got to learn to separate fantasy from reality. If you can't…" She paused, holding up a pamphlet. "You may need to spend the summer here."

Luz's eyes widened in horror as she read the bold letters on the front of the pamphlet: Reality Check Summer Camp. The glossy images of smiling teenagers in bland environments only made it worse. She grabbed it reluctantly, holding it between her fingers like it might bite her.

"You've gotta be fucking kidding me," Luz muttered under her breath.

Camila didn't respond, but the exhausted look in her eyes told Luz this was no joke.

Cue Opening Sequence: The Owl House- Season 1 (Smallville Style)- Song: Time to Pretend


The following day, Luz sat in the passenger seat of her mom's car, her arms crossed and her gaze fixed out the window. The scenery passed by in a blur of gray asphalt and green trees, but Luz wasn't paying attention. Her thoughts were consumed by the looming prospect of summer camp. A camp that, as far as she could tell, was designed to strip away everything that made her who she was.

It wasn't the other students being weirded out by her antics that bothered her. She'd long since grown a thick skin when it came to their judgment. It wasn't even Principal Hal's disdain for her creative outbursts, or the fact that she'd been labeled a problem student. What gnawed at Luz was her mom. Camila—her kind, understanding mom—was going along with this. Mothers were supposed to support their kids, weren't they? They were supposed to champion their quirks and passions, not ship them off to some "behavior boot camp" for the summer.

"Now don't worry," Camila said, her voice attempting a soothing tone, though it wavered ever so slightly. To Luz's ears, it sounded less like reassurance and more like Camila was trying to convince herself. "Summer camp is only going to be for three months. You'll be so busy balancing checkbooks and learning to… appreciate public radio, the time will fly by!"

Luz turned her head sharply, staring at her mom as if she'd just suggested she eat raw broccoli for every meal. "But you know I hate that stuff! There's nothing wrong with editing anime clips to music and—and reading fantasy books with convoluted backstories," Luz argued. Her voice was stern, but beneath it, there was a note of vulnerability.

As she spoke, a thought flickered through her mind: It's all I have left now.

Camila's hands gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. She glanced at Luz, her expression softening into one of concern. "Mija, your fantasy world is holding you back. Do you have any friends? Real ones—not imagined, or drawn, or… reptilian?"

The words stung. Luz looked down at the book in her lap, her thumb tracing the edge of the cover. It was one of her favorites from the Azura series. She hesitated, knowing full well what the answer to her mom's question was before she could even open her mouth to respond.

Her silence spoke volumes.

Camila sighed, her shoulders drooping slightly. "Summer camp is a chance to make some friends," she said, her tone gentler now. "But you have to try. Can you do that? For me?"

Luz groaned, her frustration bubbling up again. "Yes, Mom," she muttered, though the words were laced with reluctance. She slouched further into her seat, crossing her arms tightly across her chest.

After a moment, she added, "Can I at least go to the library to check out something non-Azura? Y'know, for the summer camp?"

Camila glanced over at her, her lips curving into the smallest of smiles. "Fine. But only one book, okay? And nothing that's going to get you in trouble."

Luz rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the faint flicker of hope that sparked in her chest. The library was her sanctuary, a place where she could lose herself in stories that didn't judge her or try to change her. Even if summer camp loomed ahead like a dark storm cloud, at least she'd have one last chance to escape into a world of her own choosing.


The library was quiet, the only sounds the soft rustling of pages being turned and the occasional creak of old wooden chairs. The air smelled faintly of books, a comforting aroma to most—but for Luz Noceda, it was barely enough to soothe her nerves today.

She wandered through the aisles, her sneakers squeaking faintly on the polished floor as she moved from shelf to shelf. Her fingers grazed the spines of the books absentmindedly, her eyes scanning the titles. Normally, the library was her sanctuary—a place where she could escape into the fantastical worlds of her favorite stories. But today, the sanctuary felt more like a cage, its walls closing in with every wary glance and whispered remark she caught from the other patrons.

As Luz rounded a corner, she passed a pair of older women near the nonfiction section. One of them glanced at her, then quickly leaned toward the other, whispering just loud enough for Luz to catch snippets of their conversation.

"That's her, isn't it?" one murmured.

"The Noceda girl?" the other replied, her tone dripping with disapproval. "The one who wrecked the cheerleaders' lockers?"

"And didn't she pull that… stunt during the school play?"

Luz froze, her fingers tightening on the spine of a random book she'd picked up. She hadn't even noticed its title. Her heart sank as the voices continued, their whispers sharpening into verbal knives.

"She's lucky she hasn't ended up in juvie yet. The things she's done? She's a menace."

"I heard she's going to some kind of camp to 'fix' her. About time, if you ask me."

Luz ducked her head, pretending to flip through the book in her hands as a lump formed in her throat. She didn't dare look in their direction, but she could feel their judgment like a spotlight aimed directly at her. Her cheeks flushed, and her pulse quickened.

Menace. The word echoed in her mind, louder and louder, until it drowned out every other thought.

She moved to another aisle, hoping to escape the judgmental whispers, but the damage was already done. The library didn't feel safe anymore. She slumped against one of the shelves, letting the book in her hands fall to her side as she stared blankly at the rows of titles.

Was that how everyone saw her? As a troublemaker? A girl who couldn't separate fantasy from reality? She thought back to all the times she'd gotten in trouble—smashing the cheerleaders' lockers, all those weird stunts, the "baby griffin" incident. At the time, those moments had felt like harmless fun, her way of expressing herself in a world that didn't seem to want her. But now, under the weight of those whispered words, they felt like evidence against her, proof that she didn't belong.

"Maybe they're right," She thought, her grip tightening on the book. "Maybe I am a menace."

Her gaze fell to the Good Witch Azura novel poking out of her backpack. It was worn and dog-eared, its spine cracked from being read and reread so many times. Azura had always been her hero—the brave, clever witch who faced impossible odds and never gave up. Luz had clung to those stories, drawing strength and inspiration from Azura's adventures. But now…

"What's the point?" she wondered, her chest tightening. "All it's done is make people hate me. Maybe it's time to grow up. To let this stuff go."

She closed her eyes, pressing the book against her chest. Her mind was a whirlwind of doubt and insecurity, every judgmental glance and whispered remark adding fuel to the fire.

But another voice, quieter and more fragile, spoke up in the back of her mind. "But if I give up on Azura…, who am I?"

She didn't have an answer.


Later that morning, Luz stood on the curb in front of her house, a sense of emptiness settling over her as she clutched her backpack in one hand and her beloved Good Witch Azura book in the other. The sun was just beginning to climb higher in the sky, its warmth doing little to chase away the chill that had lodged itself in her chest.

Camila's phone vibrated in her purse, pulling her attention away from her daughter. She sighed, an apologetic look crossing her face. "Oh. I gotta go to work," she said, leaning down to kiss Luz's forehead. Her voice was soft, tinged with regret. "Your bus is coming soon. Text me when you get there, okay? Cuídate mucho, mi hija. ¡Qué te vaya bien!"

"Bye, Mom." Luz replied quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. She watched as Camila climbed into her car and drove away, the faint hum of the engine fading into the distance.

Left alone, Luz sat on her backpack, resting her chin on her knees as she waited for the bus. The world around her felt strangely muted, as if someone had turned the volume down on life itself. The Good Witch Azura book felt heavy in her hands—not just physically, but emotionally, as if all her doubts and fears were bound within its pages.

Maybe this is for the best, she thought, staring at the book. Maybe I need to let go. Stop being such a weirdo and figure out how to be… normal.

After what felt like an eternity, the bus finally pulled up, its brakes screeching loudly as it came to a stop. Luz climbed aboard, barely glancing at the driver or the few other passengers as she made her way to a seat near the back. She pressed her forehead against the window, watching the world blur past her.

The ride felt interminable, every minute stretching into what seemed like hours. Luz's thoughts spiraled, looping around the same insecurities that had plagued her at the library. By the time the bus finally arrived at Reality Check Camp, she felt drained, her usual spark dimmed to a flicker.

Stepping off the bus, Luz took in her surroundings. The camp looked exactly as she had dreaded—a sea of normalcy. Groups of teenagers stood in clusters, talking and laughing like they'd known each other forever. No one wore costumes or carried props. No one recited lines from their favorite stories or sketched fantastical creatures in the dirt. It was all so… ordinary.

Luz's stomach twisted. She tightened her grip on her book, her knuckles turning white.

This is what Mom wants for me, she thought bitterly. This is what everyone wants for me. Normal Luz. No more fantasy. No more Azura.

She stared down at the book in her hands, her heart pounding. It had been her lifeline for so long, a beacon of hope in a world that often felt too harsh, too cold. But maybe it was time to let it go. Maybe the world was right—her fantasies weren't helping her.

With a deep breath, she walked to a nearby trash bin. The metal glinted in the sunlight, almost taunting her. She hesitated for a moment, her fingers trembling as she held the book over the opening.

Goodbye, Azura, she thought, her chest tightening.

She let the book slip from her fingers, watching as it tumbled into the bin.

Her resolve wavered as she turned to face the camp, taking a hesitant step toward the clusters of teens. She could hear snippets of their conversations—sports, movies, music, summer plans. Nothing she could relate to. But this was her chance to start over, to become the version of herself that people wanted her to be.

"Okay," she muttered under her breath. "New chapter. New Luz."

Before she could take another step, a loud hoot startled her. She turned just in time to see a small owl swoop down from the trees. It was an unusual creature, with a tan face, dark brown wings, and large yellow eyes that seemed almost too intelligent. Clutched in its beak was something all too familiar—her Good Witch Azura book.

"Hey! That's littering!" Luz yelled, her voice cracking with frustration.

The owl blinked at her, tilting its head as if to mock her. Then, with a quick flutter of its wings, it took off, the book still firmly in its grasp.

"Oh, no you don't!" Luz shouted, her frustration boiling over. She broke into a run, chasing after the owl as it darted through the campgrounds and into the surrounding woods.

The chase led her to an overgrown path, the trees growing denser and the light dimming as she pressed on. The owl led her to a decrepit house that loomed ahead, its paint peeling and its windows broken. The place looked like it had been abandoned for decades.

The owl disappeared through a gaping hole in the roof, her book still in tow. Luz hesitated at the threshold, her breath coming in short gasps.

"This is such a bad idea," she muttered to herself. But the thought of leaving her book behind, of leaving Azura behind, was unbearable.

With a deep breath to steel her nerves, Luz pushed open the creaking front door and stepped inside.

The door slammed shut behind her, making her jump. A strange glow began to emanate from the walls, casting eerie shadows that danced across the dilapidated furniture. Her heart pounded as she spotted the owl perched on a wooden beam above her, its yellow eyes gleaming mischievously.

"Give it back!" she demanded, her voice shaking.

The owl hooted once more before hopping through what looked like a swirling, glowing portal in the center of the room. Luz stared at the portal, her jaw dropping.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

But curiosity and determination got the better of her. She squared her shoulders and stepped toward the portal, her heart racing.

"Here goes nothing," she muttered before stepping through, leaving the mundane world behind.


As soon as Luz landed on the uneven ground, she stumbled forward, catching herself on her hands and knees. She looked up, brushing dust off her palms, and her eyes widened in astonishment. The inside of the tent was cluttered with bizarre odds and ends, as though a junk shop and a circus had collided. Rusty tools hung from the walls alongside jars filled with glowing liquids and peculiar trinkets. A life-sized mannequin with a cracked porcelain face stood in the corner, draped in a tattered feather boa.

"Whoa," Luz whispered, pushing herself to her feet. Her eyes darted around, taking in the chaos. "I thought I had a lot of weird stuff…" She picked up a creepy doll from a nearby shelf. Its glass eyes seemed to follow her movements. "But this? This is next-level weird."

Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Thank goodness you're back," it said, gruff yet commanding.

Luz jumped, dropping the doll with a yelp. It hit the floor with an unsettling clatter. She ducked behind a crate, peeking out to see the back of a tall woman with wild gray hair standing at the other end of the tent.

"Now, let's see what we've got here," the woman muttered to herself.

The little owl landed gracefully on her staff, its beak releasing the Good Witch Azura book before transforming into a carved wooden ornament at the top of the staff. Luz's jaw dropped.

"No way," she murmured, shaking her head in disbelief. "I must've hit my head or something."

The woman rummaged through a sack on the table, pulling out objects one by one.

"Garbage," she said, tossing a smartphone over her shoulder.

"Crap," she added, flinging a gold ring into a pile.

Then, she pulled out a gleaming golden chalice. It sparkled under the dim light.

"Pure shit," she declared, dismissing it with the same nonchalance.

Luz blinked. "Is she serious? That thing looks like it belongs in a museum."

The woman's eyes lit up as she pulled out a pair of joke glasses with eyeballs on springs. She slipped them on with a wide grin. "Now this… This will make me rich!"

Luz couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. She's kidding, right?

Finally, the woman reached into the sack and pulled out the book. Luz stiffened as the woman turned it over in her hands, inspecting it with mild disinterest.

"And this…" she began, her tone dripping with disdain. "Oh, this will make excellent kindling."

She reached for a candle, ready to set the book ablaze.

Luz froze, her heart hammering in her chest. A part of her wanted to leap forward and snatch the book away, but another part—the part that had convinced her to throw it away in the first place—held her back.

Maybe it's for the best, she thought, her stomach twisting. Maybe I should just let it go. Let her burn it and be done with all of this.

She turned away, ready to sneak out of the tent, but her foot caught on a vase. It toppled to the ground, shattering into pieces.

"Shit!" Luz hissed, her hands flying to her mouth.

The woman's head snapped around, her golden eyes narrowing. She gripped the staff tightly, the carved owl's eyes glinting ominously.

"Well, well," the woman said, her voice sharp and commanding. "What do we have here?"

Luz bolted for the door, but it folded in on itself like a piece of origami and vanished before she could reach it. She spun around, panic rising as the woman approached, holding a strange key adorned with an eye.

The woman stepped fully into the light, revealing her striking appearance. Her long, wild gray hair framed a sharp, angular face, her pointed ears twitching slightly. Her golden eyes gleamed with a mix of irritation and curiosity, and an amber gem embedded in her chest pulsed faintly.

"Not so fast, you little rascal," she said, her voice low and dangerous. She removed the joke glasses, tucking them into her vest. "You're not going anywhere."

Luz's heart pounded. Without thinking, she dove through the back of the tent, tumbling into the open air. She skidded to a stop, her sneakers sending small rocks tumbling over the edge of a massive cliff.

Her breath caught in her throat as she looked out over the surreal landscape before her. The town stretched out below, a chaotic mishmash of grotesque architecture that seemed alive. Buildings with arms and teeth moved as if they had minds of their own. A dragon soared overhead, only to be snatched mid-flight by a massive hand emerging from the ground.

"What the hell is this place?" Luz whispered, her voice trembling.

She took a step back, only to freeze as she caught sight of the strange denizens below. A cloaked figure held an ice cream cone that screamed as it melted. A massive chicken-like creature strolled through the streets, its legs grotesquely human. A centipede-like being opened its mouth to release a winged creature, which then kissed another centipede before flying away.

"Oh, no, no, no, no!" Luz muttered, backing away from the edge. "This can't be real. It's—it's gotta be a nightmare or something!"

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of fluttering wings. She turned to see a small fairy hovering in front of her, its delicate features twisted into a menacing grin.

"Oh, a little fairy," Luz said, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "Of course. This has to be a fantastical dream."

The fairy's mouth stretched unnaturally wide, revealing rows of jagged teeth. It let out an ear-piercing screech.

"Give me your skin!" it howled.

Luz screamed, swatting the fairy out of the air and stomping on it with a satisfying crunch. "Jesus!" she yelled, panting. "Yeah, I've definitely died. That's the only explanation. I'm dead, and this is hell!"

"As if," came the woman's voice from behind her.

Luz turned to see the woman standing there, her staff resting on her shoulder. The amber gem on her chest glowed faintly.

Panic overwhelmed Luz. She sank onto a nearby stool, throwing her hands up. "Look, if you're going to eat me, just get it over with! I don't even care anymore!"

The woman tilted her head, her expression shifting to one of amusement. "Eat you? Why would I do that?" She leaned closer, a sly grin spreading across her face. "You're a potential customer."

Luz blinked, dumbfounded. "Customer?"

The woman gestured dramatically to the various objects around them. "Can I interest you in a human foot filled with holes?" She held up a green Croc, wiggling it for emphasis.

Luz wrinkled her nose.

"No? How about this?" The woman grabbed a stick of deodorant. "A bar of green human candy!"

"That's… That's not candy…" Luz stammered, her confusion mounting.

The woman didn't miss a beat, holding up a portable TV. "Oh! Perhaps you'd prefer this black shadow box that reflects only sadness?"

Luz snatched the TV, her practical side kicking in. "It's not a shadow box. It's a TV. Here, let me show you."

She rummaged through a dish labeled "Human Candy! (?)" and found two AA batteries. She popped them into the TV and pressed the power button.

The screen flickered to life, blasting a grainy jazzercise video. Loud music filled the air as brightly clad dancers moved energetically on the screen.

"There," Luz said triumphantly, crossing her arms.

The woman raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Well, well. Looks like we've got ourselves a little genius."

The sudden commotion drew attention from the surrounding marketplace. Customers and vendors alike stopped what they were doing, craning their necks toward the source of the noise. Slowly but surely, they gravitated toward the TV, their grotesque forms now forming a tight crowd.

A monster with a fish-like head raised what appeared to be wads of wriggling green bills, its voice echoing above the others. "I'll pay 40 snails for the screaming box!"

Another creature, taller with glowing eyes and insect-like antennae, shoved forward. "I'll give you a hundred!" it screeched, brandishing an ornate pouch that glowed faintly.

A third, less interested in the bidding war, leaned in menacingly and growled, "Can I eat the tiny person inside?" Its jagged teeth snapped at the screen as Luz instinctively pulled the TV closer to her chest.

The chaos escalated into a cacophony of voices, each outbidding the other with bizarre offers. Strange currencies—glowing marbles, twitching bugs, and what looked like petrified eyeballs—were waved in the air.

Amid the frenzy, Eda stood off to the side, calmly collecting whatever counted as money in this strange world. She had a wide grin as she watched the chaos unfold.

Luz glanced at her, still holding the TV protectively. "What did you say your name was again?" Eda asked, her tone nonchalant despite the growing mob around them.

"I'm Luz. Luz Noceda," she replied hesitantly, her confusion mounting.

"Well, Luz," Eda said, pocketing what looked like a sack of wriggling snails. "That was pretty clever… for a human."

Luz narrowed her eyes. "Okay, what's that supposed to mean? Aren't you human too?"

Eda smirked knowingly, reaching up to tug off her bandana. It fell away, revealing her pointed ears in stark contrast to her otherwise human appearance.

"Sorry, kid," she said with a dramatic flourish. "I'm not like you." She climbed onto a nearby table, raising her arms theatrically. "I'm Eda the Owl Lady, the most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles!"

Luz's jaw dropped. "A witch? Oh, come on! Now I know I hit my head harder than I thought."

Eda ignored her, basking in her self-proclaimed glory. "I am a respected, feared—"

"Busted!"

The loud declaration cut her off, and the marketplace erupted into chaos.

A massive gloved fist smashed the TV, sending shards flying. The crowd scattered, screaming in terror as a squad of Coven Guards stomped into the scene.

"Run! It's a guard!" shrieked one monster as it disappeared into the shadows.

Eda hopped off the table, her demeanor shifting instantly from smug to irritated.

The Coven Guards were an imposing sight. Their hulking forms loomed large, their pointed masks giving them an ominous appearance. Their black sclera contrasted sharply with their glowing blue pupils, and their movements were purposeful and intimidating.

The lead guard held up a wanted poster, glaring at Eda. "Eda the Owl Lady," he boomed, "you are wanted for misuse of magic and demonic misdemeanors."

Luz peeked out from behind the table, her eyes wide. "Wait, a witch criminal?"

The guard reached for Eda, grabbing her arm firmly. "You are hereby ordered to come with me to the Conformatorium."

Eda yanked her arm free with a sharp twist. "Would you guys quit following me around? I haven't done shit."

The guard turned his glowing gaze toward Luz, grabbing her by the neck with startling speed.

"And you," he growled, "are coming with us for fraternizing with a criminal."

"What?!" Luz yelped, flailing in his grip. "That's a load of shit!"

Eda sighed dramatically, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Oh, all right, you win. Just let me get my stuff."

As the guard loosened his grip slightly, Eda seized the opportunity. She reached under the table, grabbed her staff, and swung it with practiced precision. The blow sent the guard sprawling to the ground.

"Let's get the fuck outta here!" Eda shouted, her tone a mix of urgency and exhilaration.

She spun her staff, tapping its base on the table. Instantly, all of her belongings floated into the air, gathering into a tight bundle. Luz stumbled to her feet, clutching her book as she tried to make sense of the whirlwind around her.

Eda grinned as she pulled a small, ornate key from her hair. She pressed the eye-shaped emblem, and a glowing portal door appeared before them. The tablecloth wrapped itself tightly around her bundle of belongings, and she slid her staff through it like a makeshift sack.

"Follow me, human," she said, motioning for Luz to move.

Luz hesitated, her thoughts racing. "This is insane," she muttered, jogging to catch up. "I must be in a coma. That's the only explanation! Even if I weren't…"

"Relax, kid," Eda called back, her tone lighthearted despite the chaos. "I won't let them hurt you. A human like you is much more valuable to me alive than dead."

Luz stumbled, her brow furrowing. "Wait. What the hell is that supposed to—"

"Whoo-hoo!" Eda whooped as she jumped onto her staff. She grabbed Luz by the arm, hoisting her up.

The staff rose into the air, carrying them high above the marketplace. Luz clung tightly to Eda as the ground shrank beneath them.

The lead guard staggered to his feet, shaking his fist. "You won't get away with this, Owl Lady!"

He paused, looking down at his empty hands with a resigned sigh. "Titan dammit… All right, you did. You got away with it." He turned to the scattered guards. "She got away with it, everybody. Typical."


Eda glanced over her shoulder at Luz, her voice tinged with amusement. "You can open your eyes now, human."

Luz hesitantly cracked one eye open, and then the other, only to realize she was perched precariously on Eda's staff, high above the bizarre landscape of the Boiling Isles. Her stomach dropped as she took in the twisted terrain below—jagged cliffs, writhing forests, and rivers of bubbling, iridescent liquid. She let out a panicked scream and gripped the staff tighter, her knuckles turning white.

"Oh, my god! We're flying! I'm going to fall! I'm going to—" Luz yelped as the staff tilted slightly, throwing her off balance.

Eda rolled her eyes and steadied Luz with a firm hand. "Calm down, kid. I'm not about to let you splatter all over the Isles. That'd be messy, even for me."

Luz's breathing slowed as she held onto the staff for dear life. Her voice, however, was a mix of frustration and bewilderment. "Flying staffs, crazy monsters, you're a witch! Just what the hell is this place?!"

Eda grinned, her voice dripping with theatrical flair. "This is the Boiling Isles, kid. Every myth, every weird little tale you humans have? It's all because a bit of our world leaks into yours from time to time."

As she spoke, the sky around them came alive with activity. A flock of glowing, jellyfish-like creatures drifted past, their translucent bodies casting soft, eerie light on everything below. Behind them, a massive griffin flew closer, its gnarled wings beating rhythmically.

Luz blinked in disbelief. The griffin bore an uncanny resemblance to her doodle from earlier at school, right down to its mismatched horns and exaggerated snout. It flew alongside them, its golden eyes locking onto Luz. For a moment, she thought it might offer some kind of magical wisdom. Instead, it opened its beak and retched violently, expelling a mass of writhing spiders that scattered in the wind.

Luz recoiled in horror, pressing herself against Eda's shoulder. "Okay, now I'm convinced I'm not in a coma… but I think I'm losing my mind."

Eda smirked and waved a hand nonchalantly. "Ah, you'll get used to it. Griffins, vampires, giraffes…"

Luz's expression turned incredulous. "Wait. Giraffes? Those cute little things?"

Eda let out a chuckle, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Oh, yeah. We banished those guys ages ago. Creepy little freaks. Don't even get me started on Tom Cruise."

The staff descended smoothly, landing in a clearing surrounded by towering, crooked trees that oozed sap in unsettling shades of black and green. The ground itself seemed to breathe, faint wisps of steam rising from the cracks in its surface.

Eda hopped off the staff with practiced ease, but Luz's attention was caught by something strange. Eda's hand remained on the staff, even as the rest of her moved away. Luz stared in stunned silence as the detached hand twitched and crawled along the staff like a spider before finally hopping off and scampering toward Eda.

With a sheepish smile, Eda reached down and picked up the errant appendage, screwing it back onto her wrist with a series of mechanical clicks. "Oops," she said, her cheeks faintly flushed. "That happens sometimes."

Luz stumbled off the staff, her mind reeling. She staggered a few steps away, clutching her head. "Nope. Nope, nope, nope. I am done. I've had enough adventure for one day. So, can you please just help me get back home?"

Eda paused, her golden eyes narrowing thoughtfully. She stepped closer and leveled her staff in front of Luz, stopping her in her tracks. The sudden motion startled Luz, and she flinched.

Eda's grin returned, sly and calculating. "I could help you," she said with mock innocence. "But only if you help me first."

Luz frowned, taking a step back. "Help you? With what?"

Eda didn't answer immediately. Instead, she chuckled softly, turned, and began walking away, her staff tapping against the uneven ground with a rhythmic cadence. The bundle of items she had collected floated obediently behind her, wrapped tightly in the enchanted tablecloth.

"Come along, human," Eda called over her shoulder, her tone light but commanding. "You'll find out soon enough."

Luz hesitated, glancing between the bizarre landscape around her and the retreating figure of the witch. With a deep sigh, she muttered under her breath, "I have a bad feeling about this…" and reluctantly followed Eda into the unknown.

As Eda and Luz approached the dilapidated yet imposing structure known as the Owl House, Luz couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease. The weight of everything she had seen so far in the Boiling Isles—strange creatures, ominous magic, and especially the guards chasing after Eda—was still sinking in. She glanced nervously around, her mind racing with questions.

"Uh, shouldn't you be worried about those guards hunting you down?" Luz asked, confusion and concern etched on her face.

Eda, unfazed, gave a casual shrug, gripping her gnarled staff in one hand as they reached the door. "Nope. My house has a state-of-the-art defense system," she said nonchalantly, as if this was just another Tuesday.

The door was no ordinary entrance. It featured a wooden owl's face with wide, expressive eyes—brown irises framed by a darker orange top and a bright orange beak. This was Hooty, the eccentric and animated guardian of the Owl House.

"Hoot-hoot! What's the password?" Hooty chirped in an overly enthusiastic, high-pitched voice that seemed almost out of place on such an old, eerie house.

Eda rolled her eyes and, without hesitation, jabbed both of Hooty's eyes with her fingers, causing him to yelp in a deeper, more normal voice, "Ow! Hey!"

"Hooty, shut up and just let us in already," Eda grumbled, her patience clearly running thin.

"All right, all right! Sheesh!" Hooty replied, now speaking in his regular voice, grumbling under his breath. "It's hard to joke around when you're a wet blanket all the time." He muttered a final, "Ow! Fuck... hoot..." before he begrudgingly swung his mouth open wide, revealing the entrance.

Eda and Luz stepped inside, though Eda's bag comically remained outside, forgotten for a moment. Hooty closed his mouth with a satisfied clunk before letting out a loud, undignified burp.

Inside the Owl House, the atmosphere changed immediately. Eda snapped her fingers with a smug smile, "Welcome to the Owl House!"

Instantly, the room came to life. Candles flickered into existence, casting warm light over the cozy yet chaotic living room. It was a strange blend of eerie and homey. The room featured a large fireplace facing two mismatched couches. A cauldron in the corner began stirring itself, and a broom swept the floor without anyone holding it. A wall lined with peculiar artifacts and odd trinkets, including a prominent wanted poster of Eda herself, added to the chaotic charm. Above, a massive artwork of an owl beast screeched to life, its eyes glowing as if it watched their every move.

Luz stood wide-eyed, overwhelmed by the sheer magic and mystery of it all. "Holy shit, this place is beautiful!" she exclaimed, placing her book on the cluttered coffee table.

Eda chuckled, clearly enjoying Luz's reaction. "Yep, this is where I hide from the pressures of modern life. Also, the cops. Oh, and the ex-boyfriends." She waved a hand as if all of these were minor inconveniences.

Before Luz could respond, a series of loud, thudding footsteps reverberated through the house, making the walls tremble.

"Actually," Eda added, "I have a roommate."

Luz tensed as a shadowy figure emerged in the doorway, looming large and menacing. For a moment, it looked as if a hulking beast was about to charge in. But when the figure stepped into the light, it became clear he wasn't nearly as terrifying as he first appeared.

A small, bipedal creature with dark grayish-purple fur waddled forward. His round body was covered in short limbs, and he had a bushy, fox-like tail. His eyes—large with orchid-colored irises and yellow sclerae—were framed by a fixed, canine-like skull that gave him a look of perpetual, menacing curiosity. Backward-curving horns jutted from his head, though one was broken near the base. This strange little creature was King, self-proclaimed "King of Demons."

Luz, finding him more adorable than frightening, couldn't help but scoop him up. "Eda, he's kinda cute!" she laughed, cradling King like a baby.

Immediately offended, King wriggled out of her arms, glaring up at her with a jolly but frustrated voice much deeper than she had expected. "Cute?! Hell no! I'm not supposed to be cute, I'm supposed to be a DEMON!" He puffed up, trying to appear fierce, but his small stature made it hard to take him seriously.

Luz flinched, caught off guard by his surprisingly deep voice. She had expected a high-pitched squeak, but both King and Hooty had proven her wrong in the span of minutes.

King shot her a smug look. "Yeah, don't you feel dumb now," he teased, then turned to Eda. "Yo, Eda, what the hell is this?"

Eda grabbed Luz by the arm and pulled her away, putting her down gently. "This is Luz, the human," she explained. "She's here to help us with our little... situation."

"Oh!" King's eyes lit up, full of anticipation. "Alright, then!"

Luz blinked, hesitant. "Wait, wait, wait. I don't know if I like the sound of this 'situation'."

Eda, with a dramatic flourish, drew a glowing spell circle in the air. It darkened, morphing into a storybook-like image as she began to narrate. "Let me explain. King was once a mighty King of Demons, feared by all... until his Crown of Power was stolen, and he became..." She gestured toward King, now back in Luz's arms. "...this."

Luz raised an eyebrow, looking at the little guy. "You mean this little rascal?"

King growled, clearly frustrated.

"The crown," Eda continued, "is being held by the evil Warden Wrath, locked away behind a magical force field that only a human can break through."

The storybook image faded, and Luz found herself still holding King. "A human like you," Eda added. "If you help us retrieve the crown, we'll send you back to your realm. So... whaddaya say?" She lifted King by his face, shaking him slightly. "I mean, who could say no to this cute little face?"

King scowled. "Goddammit, no! Don't encourage her!" he barked as Eda dropped him with a thud.

Eda shrugged nonchalantly. "We're kinda your only way home."

Luz sighed. She knew this was dangerous and potentially deadly, but if it meant getting home, she didn't have much choice. "So... I don't really have a choice, do I?"

"Nope," Eda said cheerfully before effortlessly tossing Luz over her shoulder and marching toward the door. "Now, let's get going. We've got no time to lose."

"Oh, and one of my friends says his stash is finally ready, so after this, we gotta pick it up," King added, trotting behind them. Luz raised an eyebrow at this cryptic comment, knowing full well King was probably talking about weed.

Shaking it off, she focused on the task ahead. "Where are we going?"

Eda smirked mischievously. "Oh, somewhere super fun."


"The Conformatorium," Eda announced as they arrived at the bleak, foreboding structure. The prison loomed against the darkened sky like a grotesque monument to despair, its jagged spires piercing upward as if clawing at the heavens. Shadowy figures patrolled the parapets, and eerie, flickering green lights illuminated the perimeter, casting long, menacing shadows.

Luz crouched behind a crumbling wall with Eda and King, taking in the oppressive sight. She noticed one of Eda's wanted posters tacked to the wall beside her. The crude illustration exaggerated Eda's features, making her look even more villainous than usual. Luz tapped the poster and smirked. "Wow, these guys must really hate you."

Eda grinned, unbothered, and twirled her staff in a carefree motion. "Hate me? Nah. They fear me. Those cocksuckers never caught us because we're too damn slippery."

King chimed in with a smug grin, puffing out his small chest. "Yeah! Try catching me when I'm covered in grease. I've slipped out of so many..." He yelped as he lost his balance and tumbled off Luz's head, landing with a soft thud. Shaking himself off, he continued, "Anyway! We'll sneak up to the top of the tower where they're holding my crown... Oh, and, uh, my stash."

Luz raised an eyebrow. "Wait, your stash? What kind of stash are we talking about here?"

King shot her an indignant look, crossing his tiny arms. "You mean to tell me they didn't teach you about the importance of a demon's stash in that 'Health Class' of yours? Pathetic."

Eda smirked, waving her hand dismissively. "While King deals with his priorities, I'll make sure the Warden's distracted. No problem."

Luz peeked out from behind the wall, scanning the perimeter. "Will I need a disguise?" she asked nervously, eyes darting between the patrolling guards and the tower looming above.

Eda gave a mischievous chuckle. "Disguise? Pfft. We'll just wing it. You'll be fine."

Luz sighed, muttering, "You know what, fuck it. At this point, what's the worst that can happen?"

Eda planted the butt of her staff on the ground with a sharp tap, conjuring a glowing, circular platform that hovered a few feet above the dirt. The golden runes etched into its surface pulsed with a faint hum. She stepped aside, gesturing toward the magical elevator. "Hop on. You might wanna hang on to something. I'll meet you guys at the top of the tower."

King scrambled onto the platform, climbing back onto Luz's shoulder. "You heard her! To the top!" he barked, striking a dramatic pose.

Luz hesitated for a moment before stepping onto the platform. The moment her feet touched it, the platform jerked to life, ascending rapidly with a faint whooshing sound. The ground disappeared beneath them, and Luz grabbed at the edges of the glowing disc for dear life.

The ascent was far from smooth. As the platform wobbled and jolted, King clung tightly to Luz's hair. "I regret everything!" he squeaked.

Near the top of the tower, the platform gave a violent shudder and vanished abruptly. Luz yelped as she reached out and caught the edge of the windowsill, her feet dangling precariously over the abyss.

Meanwhile, Eda casually mounted her staff and gave a lazy stretch. She tossed it into the air, landing effortlessly on it as it rose with an almost taunting smoothness. "See you two at the top!" she called, reclining on the staff as if it were a lounge chair.

Luz hauled herself up into the window with a grunt, pulling King along with her. Panting, she shot a glare at the retreating Eda. "Showoff," she muttered under her breath, brushing dust off her hands. King, now perched indignantly on her head, muttered his agreement, "She's so extra."

Luz took a moment to gather herself, glancing back down at the dizzying height from which they'd come. The inside of the tower beckoned, dark and mysterious, as faint echoes of the prison's eerie workings reached their ears. She steeled herself. "Okay, King, let's find your crown and get the hell outta here."

King nodded enthusiastically. "And my stash!"

Luz sighed, trudging forward. "Yeah, yeah. Your stash too."


King grunted as he scrambled up Luz's arm and into the narrow tower window. His tiny claws scratched for purchase as he hauled himself through. "Whew! I'm in," he announced triumphantly, dusting himself off.

Below him, Luz gritted her teeth, her arms trembling as she hoisted herself up the ledge. "A little help would be nice!" she growled, before finally tumbling forward and landing flat on her face.

King immediately burst into laughter, clutching his sides. "Hah! You looked like a pancake hitting the griddle!"

Luz groaned, sitting up and glaring at him. "Shut up…" she muttered, brushing dirt from her clothes.

Her irritation was quickly replaced with awe as she looked up and gasped. Before them stretched a vast, cavernous prison chamber filled with rows upon rows of shadowy cells. Each one housed strange and unsettling creatures, their forms obscured by the dim light. Yet all their glowing eyes—red, green, or yellow—seemed to pierce the gloom, unblinking and eerie in the oppressive silence.

"This place is like a nightmare," Luz whispered, her voice tinged with unease.

A voice from the shadows startled her. "Hey, how'd you get out of your cell?"

Luz yelped, stumbling back as her eyes darted to the source. In one of the cells sat a figure labeled "Katya." She was an adolescent witch with sharp features: pointy ears, hazel eyes framed by three thick lashes, and a mischievous smirk. Her dark hair, tied in a ponytail with stray tufts sticking out, gave her an unkempt yet confident air. She leaned casually against the bars, her off-the-shoulder indigo dress and high-heeled boots giving her an almost rebellious flair.

"I—uh—wasn't in a cell," Luz stammered. "Also, I'm not a criminal!" She straightened up, slightly offended by the implication.

"Not yet, anyway," King chimed in with a shrug.

Katya raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening. "Neither are we. Warden Wrath locks people up for not fitting in. Like me—I write fanfics about food falling in love." She reached through the bars to brandish a worn notebook covered in doodles of anthropomorphic food. "I like food. I like love. Let me write about it!"

From a nearby cell, a hollow, gurgling voice chimed in. "I'm here because I like eating my own eyes."

Luz turned slowly to see a grayish-blue monster pulling one of his eyes out of its socket. The eye, glowing with a sea-green iris, floated briefly in the air before he swallowed it whole with a sickening gulp. Moments later, the eye reappeared in its socket with a wet pop. He grinned, revealing jagged teeth. "Tastes better every time."

Luz recoiled in horror. "That's... so gross."

Another voice, high-pitched and indignant, piped up from a small, round creature in another cell. "We are agents of fwee expwession! They will never siwence us!"

The speaker, Tinella Nosa, was a tiny, round demon with large, watery eyes and a prominent nose that dominated her face. Her long red hair seemed comically out of place on her otherwise minimalist form, and her limbs, attached directly to her head, flailed dramatically as she spoke. "The world is a simulation! We're all pawns in a higher being's game!"

Katya sighed, rubbing her temple. "Yeah... she's big into conspiracy theories."

"These aren't crimes," Luz said, confused, her voice rising. "None of you did anything wrong! You're just trying to express yourselves…"

As she said it, a heavy pang of recognition struck her. Memories of her own struggles to fit in, to express herself without being shamed or punished, flooded her mind. For a brief moment, her self-loathing crept in, the familiar ache gnawing at her resolve.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of heavy, ominous footsteps echoing through the chamber.

"Oh, fuck! It's Warden Wrath!" Katya yelped, darting deeper into her cell.

Luz gasped, quickly ducking into an empty cell and pulling the heavy iron bars shut. She pressed herself against the cold stone wall, her heart hammering as the footsteps drew closer.

The towering form of Warden Wrath emerged, his pale purple skin glinting in the dim light. His imposing frame filled the room as he scanned his domain, his beaked mask giving him an air of cold detachment. He stooped to pick up a crumpled wanted poster of Eda, the Owl Lady. Wrath's lips curled into a cruel grin.

"So… the Owl Lady," he murmured, crumpling the poster further before slamming his hammer-like fist into the bars of Luz's cell. The force rattled the entire structure, and Luz bit back a scream as Wrath peered inside, his glowing yellow lenses locking onto her.

"Fight against the oppwessor!" Tinella Nosa's tiny voice rang out from her cell. "We will wesist! We will conqwer! We will never be afwaid of you, you old cweep!"

Wrath's head swiveled toward her, his expression darkening. Without a word, he marched to her cell and flung the door open. Tinella's defiant posture wilted as he reached in, his massive hand engulfing her completely.

"This," Wrath said, holding Tinella aloft as she squeaked in pain, "is a lesson to all of you. There's no place in society for those who refuse to conform."

He tightened his grip, eliciting a muffled yelp, then turned and stomped away, his heavy boots echoing ominously as he crushed the crumpled poster underfoot. The slam of a door marked his departure.

Luz crept out of her cell, her face pale. She hurried to Katya's cell, gripping the bars. "We have to get you out of here."

Katya shook her head, her expression resigned. "Just go. Enjoy your freedom for us." Her voice was heavy with defeat as she retreated further into the shadows of her cell.

Luz hesitated, torn, before reluctantly stepping away. She glanced back, her fists clenched, a flicker of determination rising within her. This wasn't over—not by a long shot.


The hallway stretched long and shadowy, lit by dim, flickering torches that cast eerie shapes on the cold stone walls. The faint echoes of distant screams and chains rattling gave the place an oppressive, haunted air. Eda swooped down from above on her staff, her wild hair flowing behind her. She touched down lightly beside Luz, her boots clicking on the floor as she hopped off her staff.

"Hey," Eda called, brushing herself off casually. "I just checked." She smirked, tossing her staff over her shoulder. "The warden's busy tormenting some tiny creature. He won't be bothering us anytime soon."

Luz barely glanced at her, her expression grim as she kept walking down the hall. Eda watched her with a raised eyebrow, confused by the sudden shift in the usually excitable human's demeanor.

Ahead, a massive, iron-bound door loomed, engraved with jagged lettering that read: "CONTRABAND." Its size and ominous design screamed importance, and King's tiny frame visibly vibrated with excitement.

"Oh, shit!" King exclaimed, his stubby arms flailing. "My crown and stash are getting closer! I can feel the power!" He scrambled up to the door, tackling the oversized doorknob with all his might, though it was nearly as big as he was.

Eda chuckled, watching him struggle. "Aw, he gets so cute when he's thirsty for power," she said, grinning.

Luz, however, didn't share Eda's amusement. Her mind was elsewhere, replaying the injustices she'd just witnessed in the prison cells. She clenched her fists, her voice thick with anger and frustration as she muttered, "It's a load of shit that they're all locked up in here. All they want is to be themselves…" Her tone shifted, growing quieter, almost defeated. "But what's the point? Everyone thinks being a weirdo is so bad."

The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Eda winced, guilt flashing across her face. For once, she didn't have a snarky retort.

King grunted as he continued wrestling with the stubborn doorknob. Finally, with a loud clink, the knob fell to the ground. He shoved the door open, cackling as he darted inside.

The room beyond was almost entirely empty, save for a towering pillar of glowing, swirling energy in the center. Its light pulsed and shimmered, casting an unearthly glow over the room's walls.

King barely took a step before a crackling zap of energy shot out from the pillar, striking him squarely in the chest. He yelped, tumbling backward.

"Ow!" he growled, rubbing his head.

Eda sighed, rolling her eyes as she strode into the room. "You're about as subtle as a dragon in a pottery barn," she muttered. Gesturing at the pillar, she added, "We have a human, remember?"

King blinked. "Oh, yeah."

Luz stepped forward hesitantly, her gaze fixed on the glowing column. She took a deep breath and reached out, pressing her hand against the energy. A strange, tingling sensation ran through her, and she stepped through.

On the other side of the pillar, Luz found herself surrounded by mountains of bizarre junk. The room was cluttered with piles of books, strange trinkets, skulls, jars filled with unidentifiable liquids, and even a dead fish floating in a cracked tank. At the very top of the largest pile sat King's so-called "crown"—a battered, glowing paper Burger King crown—and a suspicious-looking bag filled with marijuana edibles and ingredients.

Luz stared incredulously, picking up the crown. "Wait a second… Is this…"

King's eyes lit up, and he leapt into the air. "Sweet! My crown!" He snatched it from Luz and jammed it onto his head, striking a triumphant pose. "Yes! Yes! I can feel my powers returning! And what better way to celebrate than by getting SUPER baked?" He gleefully grabbed the bag of weed.

"And you," he added dramatically, pointing to a dusty, ragged stuffed rabbit in a nearby box. "The Nightmare Critter! I shall call you Francois, and you shall be a minion in my army of darkness. Ha-ha!" He grabbed the rabbit, cradling it like a prized treasure.

Luz groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "That crown doesn't give him any powers, does it?"

Eda shrugged, feigning innocence. "Uh… no."

Luz turned on her, her glare sharp. "You mean to tell me you would've risked my life over a piece of cardboard?!"

Eda sighed, her expression softening. "Oh, look at us, Luz. King and I don't have much in this world. We only have each other. So if that dumb crown is important to him, it's important to me." She placed a hand on Luz's shoulder, meeting her gaze. "And besides, us weirdos have to stick together, you know?"

Luz stared at her for a moment, her anger melting away. She thought of all the times her love for fantasy and her quirks had made her an outcast. The Good Witch Azura had been her solace, the one thing that made her feel understood. Now, she realized, maybe Eda and these misfits weren't so different from her after all.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Eda's voice. "Now, let's get out of here before the warden finds us and loses his—"

Before she could finish, a blade-like hand suddenly sliced through the air behind her. In one swift motion, Warden Wrath decapitated Eda, her head flying into Luz's arms. Luz screamed, staring at the head with wide eyes, only to see Eda sticking her tongue out like a comically bad Halloween prop.

Eda's head groaned, looking annoyed. "Ow! Goddammit, I hate it when that happens."

Luz blinked, speechless. "You're still… alive?"

"Yeah, this just happens when you get older," Eda muttered with a resigned sigh, her voice laced with irritation and exhaustion. Her head, still cradled in Luz's arms, rolled her eyes dramatically.

Warden Wrath, towering over them, chuckled darkly as his blade-like hand morphed back into a regular one with a sickening squelch. "Finally," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "I have you cornered, Eda the Owl Lady." He reached down and snatched King's crumpled crown and the bag of weed.

As Wrath stepped closer, his heavy boots echoed in the chamber. King followed closely, his stubby arms outstretched toward the crown, hopping futilely to reach it.

Warden Wrath smirked, holding the crushed crown aloft. "My guards could never capture you," he said smugly. "But I knew if I took your pet's little toy, you'd come running."

With a sneer, Wrath crumpled the paper crown further in his hand. But before he could relish the moment, King darted forward with an angry growl and sunk his sharp little teeth into Wrath's ankle. Wrath yelped, jerking his foot back in surprise, and dropped the bag of weed. King seized the opportunity to grab it, cradling it like a treasure, though his joy quickly turned to dismay.

King moped, clutching the bag. "No! My power! Ugh, fuck you, opportunity costs!"

Wrath raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Really? It's just weed. You might want to consider getting help, little guy."

Eda groaned loudly, her tone drenched in sarcasm. "Okay, great. You've inconvenienced us. What the hell do you actually want, Wrath? I've never even broken any of your stupid laws... in front of you."

Luz's eyebrows shot up in surprise, glancing down at the disembodied head she held.

Wrath's voice dropped into a dangerous tone as he stepped even closer, his hulking figure casting a shadow over them. "I want you to turn yourself in," he said simply. "You've always been the one who got away. Always slipping through our fingers. It was... alluring, at first. But games like this can't last forever, Eda."

Luz crossed her arms, her frustration breaking through. "And the fact you went as far as stealing a paper crown to get here? That's just sad."

Wrath's jaw tightened, his smirk vanishing. His free hand morphed into a mass of writhing tentacles, which shot forward and wrapped around Luz, yanking her off the ground. She gasped, clawing at the tendrils tightening around her neck.

Wrath sneered, lifting Eda's head by her hair with his other hand. "So, how about it, Owl Lady? The most powerful witch in the Boiling Isles finally goes into custody. It's not like you're in much of a position to say no right now."

Eda's eyes darted between Luz, struggling in Wrath's grasp, and King, who was now being pinned by one of the guards. She let out a slow, frustrated breath. "All right, Warden. You win. I'd just like to say something first."

Wrath leaned closer, his tentacles tightening around Luz as he moved Eda's head closer to his masked face. "Go ahead," he sneered.

"Just... come a little closer," Eda coaxed. "No, closer. Yeah, that's good." When he was just inches away, she blew a loud raspberry directly at him.

Wrath recoiled, yelling in outrage as he dropped Luz, who landed with a yelp. He furiously wiped Eda's spit off his mask. "Impudent wench!"

Eda's grin widened. "Oh, get over it. You had your guards stalking me for weeks, then you cut off my head. Did you really think I was going anywhere with you?"

Wrath's rage boiled over, his voice a guttural snarl. "If you refuse, then I have no choice but to des—"

WHACK!

An impatient Luz swung Eda's staff with all her strength, the blow connecting squarely with Wrath's head. He stumbled backward with a loud crash, momentarily stunned.

Eda laughed, her head still cradled in Luz's arms. "Nice one, kid!"

Two guards rushed forward, flanking Eda's body, which was now stumbling around headless. Her body reached out and yanked their hoods over their eyes, sending them crashing into each other.

Luz dashed forward, grabbing Eda's head. Eda's body quickly freed King from the guard's grasp, scooping him up just as Luz pulled them both toward the staff. Owlbert unfurled his wings with a triumphant hoot.

"Okay, we really need to go!" Luz said, panicking as Wrath started to rise again.

"Gun it, Magic Stick!" Eda yelled.

The staff shot into the air just as Wrath transformed his arms into tentacles again, launching himself after them. They careened through the prison corridors, the staff dodging Wrath's relentless pursuit.


Flying past rows of cells, Luz spotted a lever keeping Katya's cell shut. Her eyes lit up with determination. "Eda, lend me a hand!" she shouted.

Eda's body placed a hand against Luz's. Together, they pulled the lever, and the cells of the prisoners Luz and King had met earlier swung open. A cheer erupted as the prisoners barreled out, joining the chaos.

The staff burst through an outer door high in the Conformatorium, Luz yelling as they plummeted. Wrath followed close behind, flipping off the pillar with unnatural agility. His tentacles lashed out, striking the back of the staff and sending Luz, Eda, and King tumbling to the ground.

They landed hard, rolling to a stop. Wrath loomed over them, his blade-like hands gleaming in the moonlight as he prepared to strike.

Eda reattached her head with a sharp click, glaring at Wrath. "Luz," she said firmly, pulling a small key from her hair. "Go back to the human world." She handed it to Luz and charged at Wrath, dragging King along with her.

"But what about you guys?" Luz protested, her voice cracking.

"We'll handle it!" King yelled, scrambling to keep up with Eda. "This guy's bad, but nowhere near as bad as her ex-husband!"

Eda scooped up King, avoiding Wrath's blade with a nimble leap. She tossed Luz onto the staff, slapping its underside. The staff shot into the sky just as Wrath ripped off his mask to reveal a grotesque face dominated by a massive, fire-breathing maw.

Eda drew two quick spell circles, redirecting the flames back at Wrath. The blast hurled him into the Conformatorium's wall as Luz clung tightly to the staff, her breath hitching in fear.

Wrath roared, rising again, his blade-hands glinting as he charged once more.


The three prisoners cautiously peeked out of the gaping hole left by Warden Wrath's impact, their faces shadowed with uncertainty and fear. Luz, determined, guided the staff down to land in front of them, her expression resolute.

"Why are you guys just standing there with a thumb up your asses?!" Luz shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Go! Get outta here!"

The Eye-Eating Prisoner, clutching his goggles nervously, shook his head and whined, "The warden'll catch us. He always does. He's too powerful."

Katya slumped against the wall, her shoulders heavy with resignation. "We belong here," she muttered, her voice laced with hopelessness. "We're freaks. This is where freaks end up."

Tinella Nosa chimed in, her voice trembling but tinged with a bizarre wisdom. "Self-doubt is a pwison you can never escape fwom," she said, her eyes wide and glassy as if the words had trapped her too.

The murmurs of agreement spread among the prisoners, their heads hanging low, the chains of their doubt visible in their slumped postures.

Luz groaned, running a hand through her hair in frustration. She dismounted the staff and stepped closer to them, her eyes burning with determination. "Look," she began, her voice softer but no less forceful, "you all have your own way of doing things, your own way of seeing the world. That makes you different. Yeah, it might make you weird—but guess what? It also makes you cool. It makes you not like any of those NPC assholes I've ever met."

Her words seemed to land like a jolt of electricity. The prisoners blinked, glancing at one another in shock, as though they'd never considered themselves anything but outcasts.

Katya tilted her head, her curiosity overriding her resignation. "Why are you helping us?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion but also a faint glimmer of hope.

Luz hesitated, Eda's earlier words ringing in her ears. She straightened, her resolve solidifying. "Because us weirdos have to stick together," she said firmly. Her gaze swept over them, her eyes fierce but kind. "And nobody—nobody—should be punished for who they are."

A moment of silence passed, the weight of Luz's words sinking in. Then, slowly, smiles began to spread across their faces. First Katya, then the Eye-Eating Prisoner, and finally Tinella Nosa, who wiped her teary eyes with her tiny hands.

The three prisoners broke into cheers, their excitement echoing through the wrecked hallway. Katya raised her hands high, and the Eye-Eating Prisoner let out a triumphant whoop. Even Tinella Nosa, small as she was, stood tall with newfound pride.

Luz gave them a confident nod, mounting her staff once more. She gestured toward the opening with a sweep of her arm. "Come on! Let's blow this joint!"

The prisoners didn't need to be told twice. With a collective cry of freedom, they surged forward, following Luz as she turned the staff around.


Eda hit the ground with a loud thud, groaning as the impact sent dust and rubble flying around her. Before she could push herself up, King was hurled through the air, landing squarely in her arms. He let out a frightened squeak and buried his face in her chest, his tiny claws gripping her shirt.

Warden Wrath loomed over them, his towering form casting a long shadow across the ground. He flexed his blade-like hands, his smirk stretching under his mask as he stared them down. "No more running away, Owl Lady," he sneered, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "Today I capture you once and for all!"

King whimpered, trembling in Eda's arms. Eda held him close, glaring up at Wrath despite the odds stacked against her.

Before Wrath could make his next move, a familiar voice rang out: "Go, go, go, go!"

Wrath turned in surprise just as the prisoners charged at him, screaming in unison. Luz flew behind them on the staff, guiding their chaotic advance.

"Luz?!" Eda gasped, her eyes wide with shock and worry.

The Eye-Eating Prisoner hurled himself at Wrath with wild abandon, shouting, "I eat my own eyes!" as though it were a war cry. He shoved Wrath with surprising force, causing the warden to stagger.

Tinella Nosa darted in next, her tiny frame somehow tripping Wrath up as she shrieked, "I think the world as a twiangle!"

Katya followed close behind, pouncing on Wrath and pinning him down with her knees. "And I practice the ancient art of fanfiction!" she declared with dramatic flair.

Tinella scrambled to help Katya, pressing down on Wrath's arms as he struggled beneath them. The Eye-Eating Prisoner quickly tied Wrath's flailing arms together with a loose rope, tugging the knot tight. With a triumphant grunt, he flipped Wrath onto his stomach, immobilizing him. Wrath thrashed and growled, but his head snapped up as he spotted Luz descending gracefully on Eda's staff.

"You!" Wrath bellowed, his voice booming. "Who do you think you are?"

Luz hopped off the staff, standing tall and fearless. She jabbed a finger at Wrath, her voice clear and defiant. "Do not underestimate me, Warden Wrath, for I am Luz, the human, warrior of peace!" The wind seemed to catch her hair at just the right moment, making it billow dramatically. She smirked and added with a flourish, "Now eat this, sucka!"

Reaching into her messenger bag, Luz pulled out the firecracker from her earlier school project. She tossed it into the air with precision and swung Eda's staff like a bat, smacking the firecracker directly into Wrath's open, flaming mouth.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, with a deafening BANG, the firecracker erupted inside Wrath's mouth, sending a cascade of colorful fireworks bursting from between his teeth. Wrath howled in rage and humiliation, stumbling to his feet. Fireworks continued to explode from his mouth, lighting up the sky as he staggered away, his furious roars fading into the distance.

The prisoners erupted into cheers, their voices echoing triumphantly. Tinella Nosa jumped up and down, her stubby arms waving wildly. "We are victorious!" she shouted, her high-pitched voice filled with glee.

Eda, still cradling King, got to her feet and approached Luz. She placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, a proud but slightly exasperated smile on her face. "Nice work, kid."

King, perched on her other shoulder, smirked and added, "That was actually one of her better burns."

Eda rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her amusement. "It's not a burn unless I shout 'Burn!' like Ashton Kutcher. That's a burn." She gestured to the cheering prisoners and the lingering fireworks. "Anyway, let's bounce before any more monsters fall in love with me."

With that, Luz, Eda, and King climbed onto the staff. As Owlbert unfurled his wings and hooted, the trio took to the skies. Behind them, fireworks continued to light up the night, the dazzling display a symbol of their victory and freedom.


Back in the cozy, chaotic living room of the Owl House, Eda leaned her staff against the couch with a satisfied smirk. "Well, a deal's a deal," she said, snapping her fingers. "Let's get you back home."

The enchanted key zipped out of Luz's bag, floating into Eda's hand. She pressed its eye-shaped button, and the portal door unfolded in front of the fireplace, glowing with an otherworldly light. Luz approached it hesitantly, stopping just short of stepping through. She hugged herself, then turned to look back at Eda and King.

King was sitting on the floor, his tiny hands fumbling with a roll of paper and a sprinkle of dried herbs. He avoided Luz's gaze, visibly crestfallen as he focused on crafting his weed joint. The atmosphere grew heavy for a moment until Luz dug into her bag with a sly smile.

"Before I go..." she began, pulling out a small object. She stepped closer to King and extended it toward him—a tiny crown, carefully removed from her Azura doll. "I know it's not the same, but... a king shouldn't be without a crown."

King stared at the offering, his expression shifting from surprise to pride. He grabbed the crown and placed it atop his head with an air of regality. "This will do nicely," he declared, puffing out his chest. Then, pointing dramatically at a potted plant across the room, he added, "You there, plant! You are now under my command. Obey me as I get super baked!" With that, he marched off, already muttering orders to his new "minion."

Eda chuckled and reached for the Azura book lying on the table. She held it out to Luz. "Oh, and don't forget this," she said.

Luz accepted it, noticing the pamphlet for Reality Check Summer Camp nestled on top. As she turned toward the portal, her steps slowed. She stared at the pamphlet for a moment, her thoughts visibly swirling. Then, with quiet resolve, she slid it beneath the Azura book.

Reaching the portal, Luz hesitated. Her eyes lingered on the glowing doorway before drifting to the mirror hanging above the fireplace. She gasped, raising the Azura book instinctively. On the cover, Azura stood proudly in the foreground, with a wise older witch and a mysterious creature behind her. Lowering the book, Luz noticed the mirror reflected a strikingly similar scene—her own silhouette in place of Azura's, with Eda and King in the background. A spark of realization lit her face.

She lowered the book and glanced back at the portal. Memories of the human realm flashed through her mind—teasing classmates, exasperated teachers, and the crushing sense of never quite fitting in. But here, in the Boiling Isles, something was different. She felt a warmth she hadn't experienced in years—a sense of belonging.

Luz sighed and turned back to Eda. "Okay, I know you got your head cut off, and we accidentally started some kind of prison riot, but I gotta admit—this was the most fun I've had in forever."

Eda blinked, caught off guard by the statement.

Luz continued, her voice earnest. "I don't fit in at home. You don't fit in here. If I stay, we could... not fit in together."

Eda raised an eyebrow as Luz glanced at the summer camp pamphlet one last time. Without hesitation, she crumpled it and tossed it aside. "I'm not going back to summer camp," she declared. "I want to stay and become a witch. Like you."

Eda laughed, the sound rich and incredulous. "What? All right, that's crazy. Humans can't become witches."

"Maybe that's because they haven't tried," Luz countered, her determination unwavering. "If you teach me, I'll do anything you want."

From his spot across the room, King let out a smoky chuckle, the joint dangling precariously from his mouth. "Let her stay! She can make us snacks," he wheezed, coughing up a small puff of smoke.

Eda shook her head, amused, as she scooped King up. "Well, I could use a hand keeping this goofball out of the cupboards." She paused, considering. "All right, kid. I'll teach you how to be a witch. But you've gotta work for me before you learn any spells. Deal?"

Eda extended her hand, and Luz's face lit up with joy. Instead of shaking it, she threw her arms around Eda and King in an enthusiastic hug.

"Gah! What the hell is this?" Eda spluttered, clearly unprepared for the display of affection.

"Too tight! Too tight!" King whined, squirming in Luz's grasp.

Later that night, Luz pushed open the creaking door to a small storage room. She unrolled a sleeping bag onto the floor and, now dressed in her pajamas, flopped down on it with a contented sigh. She reached into her messenger bag and pulled out a framed photo of her and her mom. Stroking her thumb over the glass, she gazed at it for a moment before placing it carefully beside her pillow.

Her phone buzzed, and she picked it up. A message from "Mom❤️" read: How's summer camp? Luz's smile faltered, and she lowered the phone.

A throat cleared, and Luz looked up to see King standing in the doorway, clutching his plush rabbit. "Your sleep cocoon looks... fluffy," he said.

Luz patted the sleeping bag with a grin. King shuffled over, curling up at the bottom near her feet. He let out a contented sigh and quickly dozed off.

Luz smiled at him, her earlier melancholy fading. She picked up her phone again and typed a reply to her mom: I think I'm gonna like it here.

Setting her phone down, she turned on her side, the warm light of the Boiling Isles casting gentle shadows around her. For the first time in a long while, she fell asleep feeling truly at home.


Author's Note: Well, Episode 1 is Done. Next, we got Witches B4 Wizards, where we're introduced to one of the 4 Blight Children throughout Luz's adventure in that episode, join us as Topher Grace guest stars as Edric Blight.