"There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
– Act 1 Scene 5 of Shakespeare's play, Hamlet
Luz Noceda was having an absolute blast. It all started with one wild idea: if the Demon Realm leaking into Earth had birthed some of Earth's myths and legends, why couldn't the reverse be true? It was hilariously ironic that the inhabitants of the Boiling Isles considered common creatures like possums to be cryptids. With that thought in mind, Luz dove headfirst into studying the myths of the Boiling Isles, immersing herself in the bizarre and fantastical tales that filled the pages of her dusty tomes.
Like all myths, these stories were likely exaggerated, stretching the truth to its limits, but Luz knew that even the most outrageous legends often held a sliver of truth. Yet, the degree of that truth remained a mystery, tantalizing her curiosity.
She flipped through her notes, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she read about the Screaming Man, a nursery rhyme about a man-creature so shy of his own face that he would fly into a berserker rage at the slightest provocation. The thought of such a shy yet fearsome creature made her giggle.
Next was the Tar Monster, a humanoid demon conjured up to scare children into behaving. Luz imagined its gooey, shadowy form lurking in the corners of dimly lit rooms, waiting for the perfect moment to strike fear into the hearts of the disobedient and then d4ag them to its hellish realm.
Then there was the Cheshire Devil, a humanoid entity with three eyes and an inhumanly long feline grin, said to emit an aura deader than a basilisk with just its existence. Luz shuddered at the thought of encountering such a creature, its unsettling gaze boring into her soul.
The Abominable Flesh creatures were rumored to dwell in the shadows, perhaps the result of some abominable experiment gone wrong with Abomination Magic. Luz's imagination ran wild with images of grotesque figures lurking just beyond the edge of her vision.
The Clockwork Sentinels puzzled her the most. Strange, mummified remains found in Belos' vaults, their purpose shrouded in mystery. What had they once been? Guardians? Tools of war? She couldn't help but wonder.
Then there was the Gospel Witch, a spectral entity akin to Earth's tales of ghosts, said to look like a child with a witch hat that appears randomly, whispering secrets to those brave enough to listen.
The Disappearing Man was another chilling tale, a human who appeared screaming before mysteriously vanishing into thin air. Luz couldn't help but think that this poor soul must have had a far less pleasant experience than she did when she first arrived in this realm.
The Meat Lizard was described in documents detailing Emperor Belos' near-fatal clash with the beast until banishing it back. The Latina girl chuckled at the thought of Belos, the tyrant, nearly falling victim to such a creature—though, of course, the part about Belos nearly dying was conveniently omitted from the official propaganda.
Then there was the Living Statue, a statue that could break necks with just a blink. It reminded her of the Weeping Statues from a British show she once watched, Professor Why was it? Was this an odd case of cultural convergence?
The Door Freak remained a mystery, a bizzare entity that supposedly stalked doors for reasons unknown. Luz raised an eyebrow at the absurdity of it all.
And finally, there was Bloody Harry, a twisted version of Bloody Mary, but this time it was a half-naked man wielding a black sword. Why was he half-naked though?
The Pennant Soul, a figure with metallic hands, seemed to echo Earth's tales of wandering mysterious figures.
The Conqueror of Uncharted Realms was particularly intriguing—a scroll she found in Belos' hidden vault spoke of a man who looked remarkably Victorian. Belos had tried to recruit him, but the man had spat at him, calling him a tyrant before they clashed. Luz couldn't help but admire the man's bravery. Belos of course managed to banish him back.
But what truly captivated her were the legends surrounding the First Ones. This heretical sect of the Titan Religion, vanquished by Belos, claimed that it was these beings from another realm who had created the inhabitants of the Demon Realm, using the powers of the Titans—derogatorily referred to as "Corpse Gods." Luz's mind raced with questions. What had happened to these First Ones? Did they face their own Ragnarok, like in Norse mythology?
Even more intriguing were the stories of Goreblights, creatures reminiscent of Earth's tales about vampires and werewolves, believed to be creations of the First Ones themselves. The information on these beings and the sect known as 'Sarinitism' was sparse, leaving Luz hungry for more knowledge.
Whenever she inquired about these topics, Malphas, the hunched avian demon and Master Librarian, would bristle with indignation, his feathers ruffled as he patronizingly warned her with some patronising words which were basically "Knowledge is a curse blah blah blah." His words only fueled Luz's curiosity
Just as she was lost in thought, a teasing voice broke through her reverie. "There's my Batata! Just moved here two weeks ago, and you're still looking for trouble!" Luz turned around, flustered, a smile creeping onto her face as she recognized the familiar voice.
Her girlfriend Amity, did Luz ever mention how much her girlfriend is rocketing the ponytail? And the muscles she made a bit working with her father on his inventions, It was a delightful contrast to the confident, shy girl Luz had first met, showing just how much she had grown ... .where was she again?
"Hey, Amity," The latina girl replied, her cheeks warming. "I was just exploring some of the local myths. You wouldn't believe the stuff I found!"
The purple haired witch smirked, crossing her arms. "I hope you're not planning on going off fighting some monsters without me."
"Maybe I like the idea of being the brave hero saving the day!" Luz joked, playfully striking a heroic pose.
"More like the reckless one getting into trouble," Amity shot back, raising an eyebrow but unable to hide her smile. There was something about her presence that made everything feel a little less daunting and a lot more exciting.
Amity noticed what Luz was reading, "Oh? You found more ridiculous legends?" Amity rolled her eyes playfully, stepping closer.
"Well, one of them talked about the First Ones—some heretical sect claiming they created life here instead of the Titans. Can you believe that?" the human witch said, her excitement palpable.
Amity crossed her arms, the light catching the glint of annoyance in her eyes. "Ugh, don't even get me started on that nonsense. Those ideas are ridiculous! Belos used those lies to manipulate everyone into believing he was the only one in charge." She stepped closer, her voice softening. "Luz, the Titans have been wronged enough by that genocidal megalomaniac. We shouldn't let some…occultist nonsense bring them to the muck further with their oh-so on the nose 'Corpse Gods' description they love to call them with."
Luz nodded, appreciating Amity's passion, though she felt like Amity was a bit too fast in dismissing Sarinitism, but again considering how disparaging they of Titans and even at some points describing them as nothing more than 'Blind Idiot Beastial Gods' with Amity raised believe in Titans she was not surprised, if one of these guys survived and sneered at King she would have that bastard sucker punched for daring to insult who is basically like a baby-brother to her. "I know, right? It's frustrating. But the more I learn, the more questions I have," Luz said, shifting her weight, her heart racing as she caught Amity's intense gaze. "Sometimes, I wish I could just unlock all the secrets hidden in this place."
"You know I'm always here to help with that," Amity said, her expression softening as she stepped even closer. "As long as it doesn't involve those 'First Ones' or anything that sounds like Belos' propaganda. We both know how the Victors twist things to suit his narrative."
The latina girl felt a warmth bloom in her chest as Amity leaned in ever so slightly, their forearms nearly brushing. "I can't imagine going through all of this without you. You make everything infinitely cooler," Luz replied, her teasing tone lightening the moment.
The Blight girl smirked, a hint of color rising in her cheeks. "Well, someone has to keep you out of trouble. Just remember, last time you got too curious, we ended up running from a swarm of Firebees," she teased back.
"Fair point," Luz chuckled. "But it was kind of epic, wasn't it?"
"Epic might be a stretch when I was dragging you out of there and you scremaing 'FIRE FIRE FIAAAARRRRE!'" Amity quipped imitating Luz's shriek, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Then she sighed dramatically, "I guess it is a good thing you're cute or I'd be even more mad at you for that."
Luz's heart fluttered at the compliment, and she felt her face heat up. "You think I'm cute?"
Amity gave her a playful shove, her expression half-serious, half-amused. "Of course! Cute, reckless, and prone to getting us into danger. You're like a magnet for it."
As they shared a laugh, The Noceda couldn't help but feel grateful for Amity's presence. Just then, a thought struck her. "What about the others? Shouldn't we let them know what we've found?"
Amity shrugged, looking off into the distance as she thought, a fond smile on her face. "Willow and Hunter are too busy ogling each other in the greenhouse. I'm pretty sure they've turned into a gooey mess over those new plants."
The latina girl giggled at the idea. "And Gus? What's he up to?"
"Oh, he's probably off with Mattholomule, plotting some hairbrained scheme," Amity said, shaking her head with disbelief. "I have no idea what they're working on, but knowing them, it could end in anarchy—or explosion."
"Anarchy is what makes life interesting!" Luz said, winking.
"Right?! So, how about we head back to the Owl House? We can catch up with them later," Amity suggested, her voice light and inviting as she held out her hand.
"Only if you promise to hold my hand the whole way!" Luz replied, her voice teasing yet sincere as she took Amity's hand, her heart swelling.
"Deal," Amity said, her grip tightening around Luz's. "But only if you promise not to drag us into more trouble."
"No promises!" Luz laughed, her heart pounding as they made their way back through the vibrant streets of the Boiling Isles, two souls fully alive in a world full of wonder and mysteries, side by side.
Willow Park and Hunter huddled over a peculiar plant they had discovered during one of their adventures in the Boiling Isles. The plant was unlike anything they had seen before: thick, dark-red leaves with jagged edges that seemed to shimmer with a faint, dangerous allure. It was encased in a spiky, wooden structure that gave it the appearance of a natural fortress guarding its secrets.
Willow frowned, her brow furrowing in concentration. "I've tried using my plant magic to communicate with it, but it's like trying to talk to a feral animal. There's no response at all!" She ran her fingers over the leaves, her frustration palpable. "It's almost as if it's blocking me out."
Hunter leaned in closer, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "What do you think it wants? Or is it just... dead inside?"
"Maybe it doesn't want anything. There are plenty of plants that don't respond to magic, but this one feels different," The plant mage mused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "It gives off this unsettling vibe, like it's lurking, ready to pounce if you get too close like a feral animal."
As they examined the plant, Waffle, Hunter's small bird companion, perched nearby on a shelf, eyed Hunter and Willow curiously. The little bird chirped enthusiastically, a series of soft, encouraging sounds.
"What do you want, Waffle?" Hunter asked, glancing at his feathered friend. Waffle responded with a cacophony of chirps and flutters, as if trying to hint at something deeper.
"Are you trying to say something, Waffle?" Willow teased, tilting her head. "Maybe he wants you to, I don't know, just go for it and talk to me?"
Hunter laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Right, because that's what I need right now—a motivation from a bird."
The plant mage returned his laughter with a bright smile, finding comfort in their playful banter. Their chemistry was palpable in the warm afternoon light, the tension lingering between them as they worked side by side. Everything felt easy and natural, a stark contrast to the foreboding presence of the strange plant.
As Hunter reached for a sharp tool to get a closer look at the plant, Willow said, "Be careful with that! We don't know what might happen."
"Relax, I've got this," the former Golden Guard replied confidently, though he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about this whole situation. He carefully pruned a leaf, and as the cut made contact, Willow's eyes widened simultaneously in caution and curiosity.
In that moment, Willow accidentally brushed her finger against the sharp blade, a small cut appearing on her skin. She winced and instinctively pressed her thumb to the wound. A drop of her blood fell onto the wooden base of the plant, and to their utter shock, the plant seemed to react with alarming speed. The surrounding air thickened, and the ground beneath it shook slightly as the blood was immediately absorbed, drawn deep into its core.
"W-what just happened?" The plant mage fixed her glasses as she gasped as she stumbled back, stunned.
Hunter stared in disbelief as the plant began to tremble. Within seconds, it transformed, its structure shifting and elongating, growing taller and taller until it blossomed into a young red spruce. "Is that... a tree?"
Before Hunter could reach out and touch it, Willow practically lunged forward, hitting his hand away. "No! Don't touch it!" she shouted, panic rising in her voice. "I have a sinking feeling this tree feeds on animal blood—or worse, it might parasitically inject seeds into you!"
Hunter narrowed his eyes at the newly grown tree, a chill running down his spine while instinctively moved away from it. "What do you mean, 'inject seeds'? Like, into my body?"
The plant mage nodded vehemently. "Remember where we found this plant? It was surrounded by bones of dead husked animals. There's something really sinister about it. It likely lures in creatures and then drains them dry!"
"Yikes," Hunter replied, his heart racing. He took a steadying breath and stepped back, eyeing the tree warily. "So it somehow used your blood to… what, grow a whole new body?"
"Exactly! And it's been feeding off animal blood, if I'm right. We need to be careful," she cautioned, all traces of playful banter fading into a serious undertone.
Waffle chirped again, clearly sensing the tension, hopping nervously on his perch.
Willow looked at Hunter with a mixture of concern and determination. "We should get rid of it, preferably before it grows any bigger or attracts more," she said, nervously glancing at the tree as if expecting it to spring to life again and suck their bloods dry.
Hunter sighed, his earlier confidence shaken, but he nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let's not stick around to find out what else it can do."
As they gathered their tools and prepared to dispose of the strange plant, Willow felt the thrill of adventure tingle through her veins, feeling grateful to have Hunter by her side. "At least we're in this together, right?" she said, offering him a reassuring smile.
"Always," The former Golden Guard replied, glancing at her with a soft smile of his own—a connection that deepened with each peril they faced together.
With Waffle following closely, the two friends ventured to contain the threat of the tree, but there was a sinking feeling for the two Witches, what if there were more of these 'Blood Spruces' as later Willow would call them?
Gus Porter was on the case. The air was charged with energy as he navigated the winding paths of the Boiling Isles, his senses heightened and his mind buzzing. He had been receiving frantic messages from his friends, and now it was time to solve the mystery of Mattholomule, the resident chaos magnet who had apparently spiraled into a whirlwind of conspiracy theories.
"Mattholomule? Why can't I find you anywhere?" Gus muttered to himself, pulling out his scroll to check the time. Just as it flickered back to life, an incoming call from Skara lit up the screen.
"Gus! Finally, I caught you!" Skara's voice burst through, tinged with an anxious energy. "You need to get to Mattholomule before he drives himself completely insane!"
"Insane? Like, more than usual?" The illusionist raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.
"I'm serious!" Skara exclaimed, and the noise of rustling papers and cluttered chaos echoed in the background. "He's been holed up in the old shack, ranting about the First Ones and Goreblights with red eyes! You know the kind of wild theories he comes up with when he hasn't slept in days. It's like he's put together a whole conspiracy board!"
"Goreblights and red eyes? That sounds ominous! What's he saying?" Gus hurriedly began to pace, his heart racing a little at the thought of his friend's wild imaginings.
"Something about how the First Ones are coming back to harvest us for our 'delicious Magics' or something ridiculous like that," Skara muttered incredulously. "I'm telling you, he's onto something... or he's just lost it entirely."
The Illusionist couldn't help but chuckle. "What, is he trying to flavor them with our sweet, sweet magic? You think we'd be like, 'naturally sourced' or something?"
Skara groaned, "It's not funny, Gus! You should see him. He hasn't even looked at himself in a mirror! He's all disheveled, hair sticking out in every direction. I wouldn't be surprised if his eyes rolled back into his head while he's talking!"
"I can picture it now," Gus replied, laughing slightly as he imagined Mattholomule surrounded by notes, hair a wild nest. "Seriously, I will go find him. Keep me on the line!"
"Be careful! He's acting really erratic," Skara warned, but the line cut off abruptly as Gus noticed another call coming in—this time from Viney.
"Hey, Gus! Did you hear what Skara said?" Viney's voice came through, laced with equal parts worry and amusement, another call echoing with chaotic noises behind her.
"Yeah! I'm on my way! Any clues on where he is?"
"Um, last we heard, he was yelling something about the 'red eyes of the beast' while frantically scribbling on what appears to be… a giant hound with a unicorn's horn?" The beast mage replied, trying to stifle a laugh.
"A giant hound with a unicorn's horn? What does that even mean?" Gus wondered aloud, shaking his head. This was spiraling into comedy territory.
Barcus's voice suddenly chimed in, muffled but clear. "Maybe he thinks it's a new species! You know how he gets. His last pizza was 'spaghetti-flavored' and had him convinced they were putting secret messages in the cheese toppings!"
"I can't believe he ate that," Gus replied, struggling to hold back laughter. "This sounds like it's getting worse by the minute. I've got to step in before he starts believing he's the chosen one of the banana realm!"
"Seriously, if we don't do something soon, he's going to end up barking at the moon like some kind of weird demon dog!" Viney added.
Gus's mind raced, realizing the urgency underlying their banter. "Just keep an eye out for him. I'll head straight there!" He rolled his eyes at the absurdity, trying to mask his concern with humor as he ended the call.
As he trekked through the dimly lit paths, Gus mentally prepared for the friendly chaos that awaited him. He could only imagine the sights he might witness: Mattholomule wearing a tinfoil hat, surrounded by stacks of papers covered in crazy diagrams and wild scribbles about conspiracies that would rival even the greatest tales of mystery in the Boiling Isles from strange cryptid sightings to blood red trees and bizzare red symbols some he had no frame of references only that one of them looked like a malformed DNA and another one looked like some bizarre mutated water strider with one eye, an old painting of a Hammer clashing on a Forge for some reason and even more bizarrely he seemed to have a fixation on number 7.
When he finally approached the old shack, the air shifted; a slight tension hung around him, making the back of his neck prickle uncomfortably. "Well, here goes nothing!" he declared, swinging open the door, ready to face the whirlwind of questionable logic and wild theories that was about to unfold.
Inside, the sight was just as he had expected: papers scattered everywhere, sticky notes crammed on every surface, and in the center of it all, an energising frantic Mattholomule, looking like he'd just stepped out of a horror movie complete with the cutest 'crazy scientist' aesthetic.
"Gus!" Mattholomule shouted, suddenly turning to face him, wide-eyed with that unmistakable gleam that assured Gus he'd hit the jackpot and that he had not slept for days. "You're here! It's all connected! They're coming for us!"
"Who's coming for us? The First Ones? The Goreblights? Or is it just the hound unicorns?" Gus quipped, stepping in, unable to resist the pull of Mattholomule's eccentricity. Though, he admitted the painting of the Hound Unicorn his eccentric friend made was rather…unnerving, a far cry from any cute or majestic characteristics of what a unicorn is supposedly like more like a hellhound from Hell in black and red with a branching horn and a few arrows piercing it and there was a bale that said 'Scarlet demon'.
"Hound Unicorns? No, no! Focus!" Matt grabbed Gus by the shoulders, his eyes wild and bloodshot, radiating alertness. "They've been watching—red eyes everywhere! We need to hold up the defenses!"
The room was filled with a mixture of ridiculousness and a sense of urgency that set the tone for their antics in the days to come. And despite all the silliness, there was something lurking—a hint of truth in the madness, perhaps.
Gus couldn't help but smile, the thrill of adventure igniting inside him. "Alright, let's figure this out, shore up those defenses, and maybe throw in some snacks for good measure. I think we're going to need them!"
As the two delved into heated discussions about conspiracy boards and Hound Unicorn, Gus couldn't shake the feeling that, beneath the layers of absurdity, something bigger was brewing in the shadows.
'Stupid human and his loser friends…' Boscha silently fumed as she trudged through the snowy plains with Cat and Amelia. She just couldn't wrap her head around why Amity would choose that human. And worse, you'd think the revelation that the Emperor was a human—and a witchhunter, no less—would make everyone cautious. But no, Luz the Human was hailed as the hero of the Boiling Isles.
Let's be clear: Boscha had learned that humans weren't weak; they were downright dangerous. Just one human had managed to become the Emperor, deceiving everyone for centuries, and Luz was literally powered by a Titan! The things humans had done since the Dark Ages, without magic, were astonishing—if horrifying. Luz herself had bragged about it, along with that so-called 'Human Expert' illusionist. They had created bombs that could turn entire cities into radioactive wastelands, flying metal birds for transportation, and wars fueled by slavery and discrimination.
And don't get her started on the absurdity of same-gender relationships being seen as taboo until just a few decades ago, or the world wars whose scars still marred the Earth. Weapons that shoot metal slugs with the sound of thunder? Seriously, the Council should be keeping a close eye on Earth like hawks! Humans had a knack for being messed up and inventing new ways to destroy each other—it was honestly impressive in the most twisted way.
As she thought about Willow, The Triclops couldn't help but smirk. "Honestly, Willow, it's hard to believe you'd even consider siding with those losers. Maybe you should take a page from my book and stop idolizing them. They're nothing but trouble."
"Are you monologuing with yourself again, Boscha?" Cat heard that sighed. Honesty, her obsessive hate over that plant mage and the human was grating.
"No-no," Boscha half-stammered and then retorted "I was not talking with myself you're the one imagining things! Right Amelia?"
Amelia did not answer.
"Amelia?" Boscha repeated, irritation creeping into her voice. She turned back, and Cat stood beside her, both taken aback by the sight of Amelia, frozen in place, her back turned to them. "Hey, I'm talking to you!" Despite her condescending tone, a knot of unease twisted in Boscha's stomach. Leaning closer, Boscha squinted through her three eyes, and her heart dropped as she noticed Amelia trembling violently, as if gripped by unbearable pain.
When Amelia lifted her head, a chilling sight met their gaze: a twisted red branch had sprouted unnaturally from her left cheek, its barbed tendrils writhing grotesquely. Even more horrifying was the sight of crimson leaves unfurling from the gnarled wood.
"My…blood…dries…" Amelia gasped, her voice a haunting whisper, agony etched on her face. In an instant, her body contorted, tearing open as if some dark force were thrusting through her. A grotesque, bloodless red tree erupted from her core, roots clawing violently into the snow, leaving behind a hollow husk—an abomination of nature unleashed. Boscha and Cat stumbled back, their screams mingling with the howling wind, echoing their horror.
"WHAT THE FU—" Boscha's curse was cut short as more figures emerged from the drifts of snow. Humanoid creatures, horrific mockeries of life, slithered forth. Twisted plant beings loomed with jagged wooden antlers sprouting from their skull-like faces, their hollow eyes glinting with a malevolent hunger. Claws, sharp and grotesque, glistened with icy droplets, ready to rend flesh and bone.
"RAKAN TAKA OJA NÄLKÄ!" One of the plant monstrosities screeched, its voice a guttural rasp, dripping with disdain as it pointed a rotting claw toward them, as if viewing them as nothing more than filthy insects to be crushed.
In a sudden frenzy, the creatures lunged at Boscha and Cat, their movements a blur of sinewy limbs and snapping jaws. Cat sprang forward to protect Boscha, engaging the first creature in a desperate clash, tearing at its wooden hide with swift strikes. But they were overwhelmed by sheer numbers, surrounded by the terrifying amalgamation of flora and bone.
In that chaos, a nightmarish wooden thorn pierced through Cat's side, impaling her with a sickening crunch. A guttural scream echoed as Cat's eyes widened, her form contorting in agony. The plant creatures hissed in excitement, their long, gnarled fingers snatching up Cat's palisman and Amelia's, devouring them with ravenous haste, consuming the potent magic like Belos had done before.
As Boscha lay there, injured and teetering on the brink of unconsciousness, despair washed over her like cold shadows. She reached out a trembling hand toward her palisman as it squealed in terror. Suddenly, something fast and humanoid surged from the shadows, a streak of strength and speed cutting through the chaos.
Boscha barely registered the glint of a black obelisk sword before the plant creatures were obliterated in a flurry of lethal strikes, bodies severed cleanly in two with bursts of ichor spilling across the snow, tinged with the spectre of crimson.
In that moment, as darkness threatened to swallow her whole, Boscha caught only a glimpse of the figure—a shadow of vengeance lashing out against her nightmares.
Her mind as was drifting into unconsciousness tried to make sense of all of this plant magic, but like none ever seen before putting even Terra Snapdragon the former leader of the Plant Coven to shame in it's sheer insidiousness.
Cat, Amelia…they really didn't die, did they? Was this all just a nightmare? Hopefully she will wake up.
Last thing Boscha would recall is a muscular half-naked man wearing ragged clothes with tanned skin, red tattoos all over his body and a black obelisk of a sword coming walking her and a green spectral small figure nearhim that looked strangely like those stupid witch stereotype media Luz the Human likes so much.
Gus couldn't believe it. After plunging headfirst into Mattholomule's wild theories about the First Ones and the bizarre "God of Flesh," "Q-clip", Gus found himself being pulled along on yet another outlandish adventure as he and the group followed him deep in the woods.
"Okay, okay, so you're saying this Q-clip-something is behind and the unicorn hound from Hell is coming?" Gus asked, trying to keep up with Mattholomule's rapid-fire conversation.
"Exactly! It's all connected! The First Ones wanted to summon it, like a—like a vast, furry explosion in the fabric of time!" Mattholomule exclaimed, his eyes sparkling crazily. "And the number seven is the key! Want to know why? Because seven is the number of unique dimensions! Isn't that neat?"
"Yeah, definitely neat," Gus said, rolling his eyes with a smirk as he glanced at Viney, who was also trying to keep up while holding Puddles, her griffin, firmly in her arms. Puddles looked equally intrigued and puzzled, his little head tilting sideways as if he understood the absurdity of it all.
"And! Q-clip at it's prime reshaped, made and destroyed entire realms surpassing even the Unicorn Hound to the point there's a treaty forged where realms conquered or targeted by her or the Hound are off-limits to each other. Even after its imprisonment, the Unicorn Hound took the treaty so seriously that it punished one of his own generals for breaching it!" He then stopped his rambling. "Wait, wait! Hide!" Matt suddenly hissed, plunging behind a nearby bush, his cheeks flushed with fervor. "Look!" He pointed dramatically into the distance.
Curiosity piqued, Gus, Skara, Jerbo, Barcus and Viney crouched down, peering through the thick foliage. There, gliding silently across the ground, was a strange metallic creature—something that looked almost like a cross between a dog and a robot, with stiff legs and a vaguely canine silhouette.
"What in the name of the Isles is that?" Jerbo whispered, his eyes wide.
"I've never seen a beast like that, much less some so…metallic!" Viney exclaimed.
"That," Matt announced with authority, "is the legendary Can-Dog from the Netherworld! A mystical creature of pure... steely wonder!"
The dog-looking witch couldn't help but chuckle. "Can-Dog? You're kidding, right? It looks straight out of one of the sci-fi 'movies' Hunter loves so much."
"Yeah, I think it's a U-G-V or something," Gus said, his mind racing back to his studies about Earth. "I saw something like this in an Earth documentary once. It's an unmanned ground vehicle—a kind of robot not made with magic, but with technology! Humans created them for military use, you know, to do things like scouting and bomb disposal."
"Humans?" Matt's eyes went wide, the gleam of excitement fading for just a moment as confusion set in. "Wait, you mean, like…undead creatures?"
"No, no!" Gus laughed, shaking his head. "Humans are a species of living beings! They're not undead, and they don't roam—they invent all sorts of amazing things! This… Can-Dog is just one of them!" he then looked at him weirdly as he didn't seem to register it "Luz is a human, humans like Luz." Gus exasperated.
"OOooh….I may have forgotten that." Gus nearly shouted how he could forget about Luz being human and all until Skara who looked at the robot, her excitement growing. "But this is incredible! How did they create something that moves like that without using any magic?"
"Right? It's like a miracle of science," Gus said, marveling at the mechanical marvel. "If only we had access to whatever technology they use…" he wondered about the amazing advancements Amity's father could make if he got his hands on Earth;s tech. Sure Luz brought some gizmos and knowledge but she was hardly a mechanic or someone with expertise on the field of technology.
Just then, as if reacting to their astonished gazes, the Can-Dog turned its metallic head sharply, its sensors zeroing in on the trio hiding in the bushes.
"Oh, great! Now it's looking at us!" Matt shouted until Gus put a hand on his mouth to shut up.
Unlike the heroics Mattholomule had envisioned, the Can-Dog suddenly bolted in the opposite direction, dashing off with surprising speed.
"It's running away!" Skara yelled, unable to believe how quickly it had reacted to their presence.
"After it!" Mattholomule cried, springing into action as he bolted after the mechanical creature, dragging others along with him.
"Wait! Can-Dog! Don't leave us!" Viney called out, Puddles flapping his wings in an attempt to keep up.
"They always run! That's the first sign of danger, I tell you!" Mattholomule shouted, barreling forward. "But we can't let it get away! It could have vital secrets about the unicorn hound!"
Gus could hardly keep pace, but the thrill of the chase was intoxicating. The group surged ahead, following the rapidly retreating Can-Dog through the underbrush, hearts pounding with exhilaration and laughter echoing through the trees.
Behind them, Puddles squawked playfully, flapping his wings as he joined the chaotic pursuit
They raced deeper into the dense, mystical jungle, the vibrant flora looming overhead like a green canopy. The thrill of their chase buzzed in the air, but gradually, the metallic creature they were pursuing seemed to vanish through the tangled vegetation, leaving them bewildered and lost.
"Where did it go?" Mattholomule panted, eyes wide with excitement as he glanced back at Gus. "It was right here, I swear!"
"I don't see it anywhere," Gus replied, surveying their surroundings, the sense of dread creeping in.
Viney squinted, her gut tightening in apprehension. "Do you think it could have—"
Just then, a shiver ran down Gus's spine. He spotted faint red dots flickering ominously across their bodies, emanating from above and only he knew what they were being an Expert on Earth.
"Guys! Get down!" Gus shouted, throwing himself to the ground, adrenaline surging through him.
Before the others could react, a long, writhing object shot down from the trees, wrapping itself around Matt's arm and face. It looked like a bizarre hybrid of a scarf and a cat, its twitching form constricting him.
"What the—help!" Mattholomule yelped, struggling against the creature.
"Stay still!" Gus yelled, panic rising in his voice.
Viney grit her teeth, trying to shake off her shock as Puddles let out a fierce growl. "Puddles, attack!" she commanded, but instead of charging at the threat, Puddles took flight, flapping frantically as the scene below descended into chaos.
Suddenly, two grotesque creatures emerged from the underbrush: an ugly, aggressive dog with blood-red eyes and sharp needle-like spikes on its back, its face twisted into a snarl, and next to it, a bizarre eyeless panther covered in a thick, vibrant coat of pink and blue fur. Its blunt teeth gleamed menacingly as it prowled forward.
"Get back!" Gus yelled, terrified for his friends.
But before he could react, the monstrous dog lunged at Puddles, diving into the air and colliding with the griffin, sending it crashing hard onto the ground with a thud as they then tackled it to the ground.
"Puddles!" Viney cried, rushing to her companion's side, but then a sharp pain flooded her, a shot piercing her shoulder and then armored soldiers surrounding them with rifles likes of which none of them ever seen before got up from their hiding place in the bushes with pointedly laser targets pointed on them with red dots and wearing black, full-face helmets with a unique, aggressive design with a sleek and modern aesthetic, possibly adorned with visual elements like a tactical visor or an emblem representing his unit and two green emotionless dots on the sleek cover.
"Viney!" Gus shouted, but it was too late. She staggered back, collapsing onto the forest floor with a cry of anguish.
As chaos reigned, chains shimmered into existence from the earth, snaking out from nowhere and wrapping around Jerbo and Barcus, binding them to the ground as if the very air itself were conspiring against them.
"Gus! Help!" Jerbo shouted, panic filling his voice as he struggled futilely against the unyielding chains. "What is happening?"
"What are these things?" Barcus yelled, his eyes wide with disbelief and fear. "Are they attacking us?!"
"I don't know!" Gus replied, desperation in his tone. "We need to—"
Before he could finish, Skara barely had a chance to react before one of the soldiers came out behind her and swung the butt of their weapon, striking her on the head with a sickening thud. She crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
The last sight seared into Gus's mind was the emblem on the armored soldiers: a strange designation number and a cruel nickname labeled "Witchhunters," mocking and menacing as he felt the ground tilt beneath him, darkness creeping in at the edges of his vision.
"Not like this…" were the final thoughts of his racing mind as the butt of a rifle collided with his skull, and everything faded to black.
In the Owl House, Eda stirred a pot of something bubbling on the stove as she wondered out loud "You know, I can't remember the last time I had a moment of peace in this place. Between Luz's magic practice and Hooty being off on some wild excavation with Lilith, it's been rather chaotic."
King was not looking up from his comic given to him by Luz but commented anyway "Hooty's with Lilith? What are they digging up this time? More ancient junk?"
The Blight girl glanced up from her book "I heard it's supposed to be something really exciting. Lilith sounded super pumped when she left. I think she found some old ruins or something."
Eda chuckled "Yeah, she was practically glowing when she rushed out the door! I've never seen her so enthusiastic about anything that doesn't involve a spellbook."
"Do you think they'll find anything cool? Like a cursed artifact or a hidden treasure?" The titan child finally looked up with interest.
"Or maybe something that will just make more trouble for us. You know how these things go." Amity rolled her eyes.
Edalyn guffed "True, but I wouldn't mind a little adventure. It's been too quiet around here."
" You mean besides Luz trying to turn her hair into a rainbow again?" King rhetorically asked.
"Don't remind me! I swear, if she sets the backyard on fire again…" the Elder Clawthrone exasperated.
"At least it's entertaining. I wonder if Hooty will bring back any souvenirs." The purple witch ponedeted
Eda wrinkled her face in trepidation "If he does, I hope it's something that doesn't scream "curse me" at first glance!"
Luz stood amidst the towering pines, their branches whispering secrets to the quiet wind. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, though not forever as it was Twilight, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor, where fallen twigs and leaves crunched softly underfoot. She paused, letting the tranquil atmosphere envelop her, a moment of peace amidst the ever-moving world.
With her fingers trailing along the rough bark of a nearby tree, her mind wandered back through the whirlwind of her past adventures. 'How wild it all had been', she thought, each memory a vivid bead on the string of her journey. She reminisced about her first time stepping into the Boiling Isles, the excitement coursing through her veins as she met Eda and King, their laughter echoing in her heart. The thrill of leaning into the unknown and embracing chaos had been intoxicating.
She gazed towards the horizon, where the sun dipped low, painting the sky with streaks of orange and purple. 'So much has changed,' she reflected. Her experiences had forged not just friendships, but a sense of belonging she never thought she'd find. The trials and the battles—the moments of doubt, the laughter shared with Amity, the exhilarating magic of discovery during her time at Hexside—each one was a thread that wove the fabric of her life.
As a woodpecker tapped rhythmically in the distance, Luz chuckled quietly, remembering the mishaps in her quest for magical knowledge—like the time she accidentally summoned a tiny army of enchanted golems, or when she single-handedly caused a magical mishap that turned the school cafeteria into a chaotic jungle. 'Who knew mischief could be so... fulfilling?'
Her thoughts drifted to the more profound moments: her struggles with self-doubt and the burden of expectations. Luz had learned that true strength wasn't just about wielding a sword or casting a powerful spell but facing her fears and embracing her imperfections. The support of her friends, particularly when they rallied to help her face Belos, reminded her that courage is often found in unity.
The cool breeze rustled the leaves, carrying echoes of laughter and shared stories, pulling her back to the present. She closed her eyes, breathing in the earthy scent that surrounded her, and felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. Each adventure, each challenge, had molded her into the person she was becoming.
"Look how far we've come," she murmured to the forest, as if sharing a secret with the ancient trees. Luz smiled to herself, feeling the warmth of hope ignite within her. The world was vast and uncertain, but she was ready for whatever the future held. With each heartbeat, she felt more grounded, more connected—not just to her friends, but to the magical tapestry of life itself.
With a final glance at the breathtaking sunset, Luz turned to make her way back, each step a new beginning, each thought a celebration of her journey. The woods seemed to hum in agreement, and as she walked, she felt as if the universe was smiling down upon her, ready to unveil the next chapter of her extraordinary life.
vroooooooooom
Little did she know, the Universe's smile like anything…is temporary. And just as Night has an ending, so does Day.
bumbumbumbumbumbum!
Luz's musing stopped as he heard the sound of something falling in the atmosphere and when she looked up she gasped in surprise.
It was ... .some sort of plane but unlike anything she had ever seen, the plane was in the shape of a beetle featuring fully-articulated wings that moved up and down like wings of an insect with smoke coming from it and it was crashing.
VROOM!
It got close passing the yelped and stumbling Luz and then it crashed.
CRASHED!
In its crash hitting multiple trees and its wings cut off or bended over with bits of fire around with smoke and bits of static electricity from the top of this odd air carrier.
Luz quickly jumped down from the hill and rushed toward the crash.
"Hey! Hello! Is anyone okay??" She shouted near the cockpilot of the ship that looked like the eyes of the bug and got startled back when suddenly a metallic hand slammed at the window leading to the window to open and figure in a coughing fit.
The figure at first she thought was some sort of demon as the shadows from the smoke show him having a strange physique; however, when the smokes got clear she saw how way off the mark she was. It was a humanoid with most of his bodies made of cybernetics with two orange cyber-optics, an extra three fingered claw on his back, both arms and hands robotic so as the legs and the stranger wore like some sort of religious hooded clothing that looked like it belonged to a priest colored white with lines of gold though the clothing was dirty and parts of it was shredded as if an animal did it and there was this symbol on his chest that looked like an industrial miner equipment.
He was a…cyborg!? The latina girl blinked multiple times to make sure she was not imagining things. Luz Noceda the girl who saw demons, witches, titans and godlike beings was unable to believe he was seeing a cyborg that looked like he came straight from a scifi movie except his cybernetics looked….steam-punky as if he came out of the Industrial Revolution Era.
Even more striking….he noticed his eyes were not pointy, this cyborg was neither a witch or a demon he was a human! As her mind was reeling the cyborg then held her by her shirt.
The cyborg looked at her with his robotic and yet oddly expressive optics glaring down at her like she was below her and hissed angrily "They're here! Can you sense them!? The tainted flesh and aberrations of nature mutating and morphing like the work of Yaldabaoth itself!?" He then coughed a bit of blood leaving the flabbergasted girl and went inside. As he said his mechanical neck got longer as if it was a retractable pipe making him look bigger and making Luz a bit intimidated. He then lost his hold on her and went back to his crashed vehicle still coughing.
"Uhm…Yalda-what!? WHAT?! who…what are you even!?!" Luz stammered.
"I'm human you fool! Can't you tell!?" The Cyborg snarked. If the Latina girl was not still shocked by all of these and already guessed he was badly injured she would have snarked back about him being 80% cyborg.
Instead all she could cry out was "WHY ARE YOU EVEN A CYBORG!?"
He came back holding what looked like to be a locked lengthy box with a lock code on it and ignored her excliamation.as he then growled by himself "If those fleshcrafting fiends think they could get it then they have they pray it from my dead augmented hands- "
Cough cough!
He coughed harshly once more spitting more blood suggesting this man was in no good condition.
"Come on, the house is near."
Delirious from the pain, Luz helped the cyborg to move toward the Owl House.
'Eda is gonna LOVE this….' The human mage thought with herself.
Back in the Owl House, Eda and Amity had a conversation about when Amity mentioned about Luz learning about the 'First Ones' and the 'Sarinitism' the heretical sect. To the purple gir's utter surprise the Elder Clawthron was while not believing was not dismissive either.
"How…can you say that, King's dad helped Luz you were there!" Amity in astonishment asked.
Eda shrugged "I be frank with you, I stopped believing in any flawless benevolent deity. Oh sure, the Titan who helped Luz and been King's dad was cool and all, but what about others? All I saying is, just as there are good and bad people, I don't see why the same can't be true about 'divine' beings." he then gestured a hand "I mean, the Collector came from the race that destroyed King's people and had people used as literal puppets thinking it was all a game. By your logic, shouldn't we hate all the Archivists as well for committing genocide on the Titans including Collcetor who I may remind you aided that genocidal maniac we had for an emperor?"
The Blight girl tried thinking of a response, but then Eda cut her off "Besides, if I learned one thing in life, is that the moment you think you know everything, the universe comes back with a nasty surprise."
Just then the door slammed and revealed Luz carrying the cyborg as the trio looked back in surprise.
"Me and my big mouth…." She cursed under her breath.
"Uh, what's wrong with that guy?" King titled his head wondering at both his injury and why he looks half-mechanical.
"He's injured!" The Latina girl said, which prompted everyone to look for bandages to help her except for Amity who came to her girlfriend's aid.
"The box….las…" the cyborg hoarse toward the box he carried until dropping it to the ground.
The Noceda girl brought the box to him who then pushed some combination on the lock causing it to open and reveal what was inside.
It was a two meter long shaft of bone decorated with ornate patterns with symbols none but maybe the dying cyborg would recognize. Though, King for some reason felt unnerved by it and he did not know why.
"They're looking for it…must not get the sceptre of Ion…"
"Whose looking for it?"
The injured cyborg suddenly grabbed Luz by her collar and said in her ear "The Mother Who Demands One's Toes…beware of the Blighters of Life...May Mekahne have mercy…" he then hicked and slowly slumped back with final groans of life as life left him, his last cryptic message made her shiver.
Eda came with first aid but seeing she was too late put it on a table as the trio stared at the now passed cyborg as the twilight was over and Night came forth.
Suddenly, they heard strange noises from outside, and the trio decided to look from the window to see what was the cause.
Glowing eyes…predatory eyes gleamed with hunger, staring at them from the shadows. Luz's heart raced as she exchanged nervous glances with Eda, King, and Amity. They had faced numerous dangers in the Demon Realm, but this felt different, more primal.
At first, they instinctively assumed the eyes belonged to some savage beast, a creature of the night ready to pounce—as if the woods were mocking them with the memory of the Slitherbeast.
Then, one of the obscured figures stepped into the dim light, and the world held its breath. A silhouette emerged, bipedal, its long limbs cutting through the darkness. The glowing eyes flickered with anticipation, a glint of something more than instinct—malicious intelligence mingled with a predatory hunger.
From the corners of her vision, Luz sensed more shapes lurking, their forms grotesque and distorted. She could feel her companions shifting closer, their senses heightened as something primal stirred within the shadows. The forest around them fell eerily silent, as if the very trees were holding their breath, anticipating what would come next.
In that moment, the tension escalated, and Luz felt a deep, instinctual fear rising in her throat.
Screech
A low, chilling unholy screech reverberated through the air likes of which they never heard that sounded like the abominable marriage of a beast and a man in a cacophony, echoed by rustling from the underbrush, a harbinger of something sinister emerging from the darkness.
Without warning, the cacophony of night erupted into chaotic movement, and shadows lunged forward, leaving the fate of the group hanging in a precarious balance. The woods, once familiar, transformed into a realm of dread, casting a veil of uncertainty over them.
Notes:
Blood Spruces are SCP-867.
The Screaming Man(is actually shy guy)
The Tar Monster(Old Man)
The Cheshire Devil(turned out to be Clef)
The Abominable Flesh (was a sarkic who ended up on Boiling Isle)
The Clockwork Stalker(is a Mekhanite)
The Gospel Witch(end up revealed as being the sightings of Queen Mab)
The Disappearing Man(is the reluctant dimension hopper)
'The Meat Lizard'
The Living Statue
The Door Freak (SCP 303)
Conqueror of Uncharted Realms(Lord Theodore Thomas Blackwood)
The Bloody Harry(Abel)
The Pennant Soul(Cain)