In the Desire Temple's lounge, Tsumuri watched events unfold with growing concern. As she witnessed Luz being taken into custody by the Boiling Isles' authorities, she felt compelled to act.
"Game Master!" Tsumuri called out, activating her communication tablet.
The Game Master's voice crackled through, {Tsumuri, what seems to be the problem?}
"Sir, Ms. Noceda has been arrested! I think we should intervene. We must end this round immediately, and bring everyone back," Tsumuri urged, her voice tinged with worry.
{I'm afraid that's not possible, Tsumuri,} the Game Master replied, his tone devoid of sympathy.
"What? Why not?" Tsumuri asked, taken aback.
{This is prime entertainment, and our ratings are at an all-time high. The audience is captivated by the current drama and wants to see how it unfolds. Cutting it short now would disappoint our viewers.}
"But sir, surely-"
{My decision is final,} the Game Master firmly interrupted, leaving no room for argument. {I understand your concerns, but our players are resilient. Focus on your duties, and continue to monitor the situation.}
The call abruptly ended, leaving Tsumuri staring at her tablet in disbelief. A soft whimper escaped her lips as she grappled with the Game Master's callous response.
The Game Master disconnected the call and sighed. It was fine. Tsumuri would get over it. She may seem attached to the players right now, but she had seen many come and go over the many years she had served the DGP.
He had seen everything as it took place and smiled as he watched Luz being taken away. At first, she appeared to be a player with great potential, a star that would bring many viewers to the Desire Grand Prix. However, lately, she has been becoming more trouble than she was worth.
First, she questioned the nature of the DGP before figuring it out and exposing it as a reality TV show to the other players. That was the first time it had ever happened, as no other player had stopped to think about it, too busy fighting for their desires. She even influenced some of the other players to make a shared wish. While both Sasha and Marcy had made their wish on their own, the fact that Luz and Amity had the same wish just made things boring. There was no conflict, and even planting a mole among them did not work. As they all had the same wish, it did not matter which one of them won in the end.
But this trial... Now, this was a chance for some real entertainment. And if Luz was to be executed, well, a lot of players ended up dying in the game anyway. She might have been a powerful contender, but this appeared to be the Game Over for her.
It would be a shame that there may not be a final clash between Soaron and Oscura. Hopefully, this new drama will make up for it.
It was the news heard all across the Boiling Isles. The crystal ball broadcasts and papers were filled with headlines of Empress Oscura's return to the Boiling Isles. While this understandably caused many to become spooked, there was also the subsequent headline that the United Covens had successfully captured the Dark Empress and were now holding her in custody. A trial was to be held for the former tyrant, one that would be publicly broadcast so that the people of the Boiling Isles could witness justice finally being served.
As one would expect, this caused a ripple effect to spread throughout the Boiling Isles. Many people descended on the House of Justice, where the trial would occur. Many were there to protest, demanding that Oscura should not be given a fair trial as she had violated the terms of her banishment and therefore should be executed.
"DEATH TO OSCURA!"
"DEATH TO OSCURA!"
"DEATH TO OSCURA!"
Many of those protestors sought vengeance against Oscura, some of whom were made up of people who had been killed by her or her Phantoms before they were all miraculously brought back to life during the Great Return. Others were family members of Oscura's victims, also seeking blood and retribution for not just the deaths of their loved ones but for the way Oscura upheaved all their lives.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there were protests there that advocated Oscura's release.
"FREE OSCURA!"
"FREE OSCURA!"
"FREE OSCURA!"
A good majority of these people were made up of the Children of Oscura, but sprinkled in were those who – while not agreeing with everything that Oscura did, and didn't worship her as a goddess – saw her as an innovator, a liberator, and so on were there to lend support to Oscura, believing she at least deserved a fair trial like anyone else.
Naturally, both sides clashed, but the Scouts and Abomatons managed to keep the crowds separated and under control.
"Good evening, Boiling Isles," Perry greeted, his voice carrying a tone of gravitas as he addressed the camera. "I'm Perry Porter, reporting live from outside the House of Justice, where tensions are running high as the trial of former Empress Oscura is about to take place."
Behind him, the crowd surged with energy, protestors waving signs and chanting slogans while supporters of Oscura stood firm in their unwavering devotion.
"Here with me are some of the voices on the ground, eager to share their thoughts on this historic moment," Perry continued, turning to face a group of protestors gathered nearby.
"Sir, can you tell us why you're here today?" Perry asked, directing his question to a protester holding up a sign that read: 'Justice for the Fallen.'
The protester stepped forward, his expression resolute. "I'm here because Oscura destroyed my family with her Phantoms," he declared, his voice tinged with emotion. "She needs to pay for what she's done, no ifs, ands or buts."
Perry nodded sympathetically, before turning to the group composed of fervent supporters of Oscura.
"And what brings you out here today?" he inquired, his curiosity evident in his voice.
Bria stepped forward, her eyes alight with fervour.
"We're here to demand justice for Our Empress!" she proclaimed proudly. "Oscura embodies the very essence of power and enlightenment. She is a beacon of strength and wisdom in a world plagued by chaos and uncertainty. Through her leadership, she offered us salvation, a path towards a brighter future."
Perry listened intently, capturing every word as Bria continued.
"Those who stand by Oscura do so out of unwavering loyalty and reverence," Bria continued, her gaze unwavering. "We believe in her vision for the Boiling Isles, and we will stop at nothing to ensure that her legacy endures."
Perry nodded, taking in her words before posing his next question.
"Many see Oscura as a controversial figure, given the events of her reign," he remarked, his tone neutral. "What would you say to those who question your unwavering support for her?"
Bria's eyes flashed with determination as she responded.
"We understand that there are those who may misunderstand our devotion," she acknowledged. "But we stand by Oscura not blindly, but with a deep understanding of her true intentions. She is not a villain, but a visionary, and history will remember her as such."
As the protests continued outside, none of this was lost on the High Council of the United Covens. Darius himself was looking out through a window at the protestors with a grim frown.
"Barely a day has gone by, and this is the result," Darius observed.
"You made the right decision, Darius," Raine assured, standing behind Darius.
"Was it? So many out there are crying for Oscura's death. And on top of all that, she was with her cult. Thanks to our spy, we know they were planning something big upon her return," Darius pointed out. "I can very well see why it would be prudent to move forward with the execution."
"So, when the vote came down, why did you vote to have a trial rather than just take the easy route?" Raine asked with a knowing tone.
Darius glanced back at the protestors below as his mind returned to that moment last night, when Oscura knelt before him and gave herself up…
"WHAAAAAT?!" everyone yelled in unison.
No one could believe what they had just witnessed, what they had just heard. Oscura, the most dangerous and most powerful being to have ever threatened the stability of the Demon Realm, who ruled the Boiling Isles with an iron fist…was now on her knees before Darius, surrendering herself to him.
Darius was taken aback, still trying to process what was happening. He was expecting a long, drawn-out battle with the possibility that they would fail this mission. Considering who they were going up against, it was not hard to understand why. In the blink of an eye, Oscura had managed to separate their forces, placing the cultists on one side of the room and the Scouts on the other. If she so wished, she could've killed them all before they even knew they were dead. So…why was someone as powerful as that giving herself up?
"Hurry up," Luz harshly whispered. "You need to take me into custody!"
"W-What?" Darius stammered, unsure that he had heard her right.
"Everyone I care about is here! If this battle keeps going, we'll end up losing people in the crossfire! I won't have any more blood on my hands, so please arrest me before we cross the line!" Luz urged.
Darius glanced at Eda and Raine. He didn't know what to make of this, so he defaulted to them. Although Raine seemed confused as well, Eda understood what Luz was getting at. As much as she didn't like it, it was the only way to stop all this without it turning into a full-blown declaration of war. The Owl Lady looked up at Darius and nodded her head.
With the confirmation given, Darius returned to his normal state and drew a spell circle. Two bubbles of magical energy formed around Luz's Desire Driver and her Oscura Buckle before both items floated out of her hands. Eda drew her own spell circle and took possession of the spheres, prompting Darius to look at her.
"Eda," he started.
"I'll keep an eye on these," Eda insisted.
"And I'll keep an eye on Eda, Darius. So, go on," Raine insisted.
Darius looked back at Luz, who was still kneeling with her hands up and ready to be detained. He drew a second spell circle, and conjured Abomination slime that wrapped around Luz's wrists and transformed into cuffs.
"By the authority of the United Covens, former Empress Oscura, you are under arrest," Darius declared.
"YOU FILTHY MONGRELS!" Bria screamed as she drew two spell circles, making the floor and walls rumble as she readied to attack. The other cultists were up in arms as well, each of them yelling obscenities and threats against Darius and the Scouts. "HOW DARE YOU MAKE OUR EMPRESS KNEEL BEFORE YOU!? TAKE THOSE THINGS OFF HER RIGHT NOW, OR I SWEAR ON THE TITAN I WILL–!"
"BRIA!" Luz yelled back, cutting through the noise and rendering the crowd silent. "ENOUGH!"
"My…My Empress?"
"That's enough. This is neither the time nor the place. Just let it happen."
"Because this isn't sitting right with me. Punishing those we perceive as guilty without just cause is something Belos did. If we kill her without knowing the full story, I know it'll haunt me," Darius explained.
"Well, either way, this trial will shed some light on everything that has happened before. We may have been there for all of it, but you and I both know there was more going on than even we were aware of," Raine reminded.
"I know, and it's high time the people of the Boiling Isles got the truth," Darius agreed. Suddenly, another fight broke out outside. Darius and Raine watched as many Scouts and Abomatons worked together to break up the scuffle. "Preferably before it tears itself apart."
While most of the attention was diverted to the House of Justice, the Blights' mansion was being hounded by a ring of reporters, all yelling out numerous questions and awaiting answers. Emira, the current CEO of Blight Industries, walked out with her own Abomaton guard and a female witch in a fancy suit. She stood behind a podium with microphones and calmly addressed the reporters.
"I am well aware that you all have questions for me and my family, but under the advice of my counsel, we must respectfully decline any questions about Oscura's upcoming trial," Emira said to the press. "However, I am willing to answer questions that don't directly involve the case."
"Miss Blight, is it true that you and your family were found at the cult's stronghold?"
"No comment."
"Miss Blight, is it true that your younger sister, Amity Blight, has returned along with Oscura?"
Emira whispered to the well-dressed witch, to which she whispered back and nodded.
"Yes, I can confirm that my little sister, Amity Blight, has also returned to the Boiling Isles. She had been missing for some time now."
"Is it true that your sister was also banished to the Human Realm?"
"No comment."
"Does your sister have some kind of affiliation with Oscura?"
"No comment."
"Ms. Blight, there are rumours that suggest that your sister, Amity Blight, returned from the Human Realm after being banished. Of course, we all find this odd, as there are records of a witch consistently making assassination attempts on Oscura during her reign four years ago. We know that witch is your sister, and now she and Oscura have returned," said one demon reporter.
"I'm sorry, what are you implying?" Emira questioned, eyes narrowing.
"It just seems odd," the reporter pointed out. "A girl who tried so hard to kill Oscura goes missing for four years before returning with her. Either that's an amazing coincidence, or there's something else going on. According to the rumours, your sister was spirited away by Oscura on the day of her banishment. Could she have brainwashed her and possibly done other things to her?"
Emira narrowed her gaze at the reporter. Obviously, he was trying to rile her up by suggesting that Luz had done things to Amity against her will. While Emira was well aware of Amity and Luz's active and healthy libido, if there was anything of that nature going on, it was most likely something they role-played.
"I see. I do not know where you're getting your information from, sir, but I suggest not digging them up from Penstagram," Emira retorted, smirking down at the reporter.
The other reporters chuckled at the demon reporter, causing him to growl and grumble something under his breath.
"On that lovely note, this concludes the press conference. I'm sure you'll all be busy. Come tomorrow," Emira stated. With those last words given and ignoring the bombardment of questions from the reporters, both Emira and the fancy witch walked back into the home, with the Abomaton guarding the front door.
The young CEO sighed heavily as she leaned against the wall.
"This is turning into a circus. Thanks for coming on such short notice, Mildred," she said gratefully.
Mildred gave a slight bow of the head towards Emira.
"I am the personal barrister of the Blight family, Emira. I'm ready and willing to help whenever I can."
"And you're not in the least bit concerned with what's going on? Or how my family might be involved?" Emira asked.
Mildred rubbed her chin and replied, "Considering all the things I had to cover up for your mother, whatever's happening here seems far less criminal and more intriguing. Regardless, as a lawyer, it is my duty to defend my clients fang and claw, no matter what."
"Thanks, because after what happened, we are gonna need your help now more than ever."
"How is Amity doing, by the way?" Mildred asked. "I haven't seen her."
"She's up in her room. We decided that it'd be safer to keep everyone separated. Still, she really wants to go and see Luz. Oh, and about that 'other thing' I had you look into?"
Mildred sighed.
"I did manage to sneak my way into the House of Justice to see if I can represent Oscura – er – Luz Noceda."
"And?"
"She declined. I believe her exact words were, 'I don't want Amity and her family being dragged any more into this. If you defend me, then it'll only ruin her family's reputation'."
"That sounds like Luz," Emira admitted, chuckling sadly.
"If I may be frank, Ms. Blight, Oscura wasn't like what I remember. Although I'm only going off what we've seen and heard, that was my first time speaking to her directly or seeing her in person. It was…jarring…to say the least."
Viney, Emira, Alador, and Edric were shocked to witness Luz give herself up like that - Viney most of all.
"She just…gave up?" Viney whispered to Emira. "W-Why? She stopped the whole fight. She could've done more, right?"
"Yeah, she could've. But…" Emira glanced around, specifically at the people close to Luz and Amity. "But if it kept going, we would've been hurt."
"No way! She's actually giving herself up to keep us safe?!" Edric exclaimed.
"Considering the battle that was going on until a moment ago, this is a logical decision to keep us safe and prevent any blood from being shed," Alador deduced. "However…"
Viney understood. This witch remembered Oscura's banishment and the punishment she would receive if she ever returned.
"So…what you're saying is…Oscura just sacrificed her life for us."
"UGH! THIS IS SUCH BULLSHIT!" Sasha yelled as she paced the living room of the Owl House.
After the raid, everyone was split up: Willow and Gus returned to their homes; Amity was taken back to the Blight manor by her family; and Eda and Raine took Sasha and Marcy in. Considering that they were humans, being in the Owl House was the best option for their safety. Every Scout in the area knew better than to raid the Owl House with Hooty there. Although, after getting some rest, Gus and Willow came to the Owl House to see what – if anything – could be done.
"Shhh! Sasha! Language! What if King and Lil' Luz hear you?!" Marcy scolded.
"Ah, don't worry. King's playing with Lil' Luz in her room. Plus, I put a sound-dampening spell around her room so that she wouldn't hear us, but we'd hear her if something was wrong. So, cuss away, blondie. Titan knows I want to," Eda allowed.
"Dammit! I get why Luz did it, but she does know they're going to execute her, right?!" Sasha shouted in outrage, stomping her foot.
"She does, but what choice did she have?" Willow asked.
"We threw that party to buy us time and stop the cult from staging a coup," Marcy lamented.
"But in the end, Darius brought the Scouts and messed up your plans," Gus sighed.
Hunter was just as confused as the rest of the Scouts and cultists, but Willow and Gus sighed heavily, both witches knowing exactly what Luz was doing.
"Damn it, Luz," Willow hissed.
"W-What?" Skara stammered, confused.
"She's…She's giving herself up," Gus sadly informed.
"That makes no sense!" Hunter retorted, flabbergasted. "She had the upper hand! Why give up now?!"
Willow looked at Hunter and replied, "Look around you, Hunter. We're here. Her family is here. She's giving herself up to prevent us from getting hurt."
"...Does that mean she cares about these crazies, too?" Skara blinked.
"I think she cares enough that she doesn't want them to die or for any of the Scouts to die fighting them," Gus guessed.
Sasha and Marcy were frozen in place. They didn't know what to do. Luz was giving herself up. They knew this was out of desperation as their entire plan had just fallen through in mere hours. Sasha had her hand on her Desire Driver, ready to leap into action and save Luz, but Oliver held out his arm and shook his head.
"Do not interfere, Ms. Waybright," Oliver advised.
"Are you kidding me?! Don't you know what they're going to do to her?!" Sasha hissed.
"I believe Ms. Noceda knows what she's doing."
"She does," Marcy agreed. "She knows that a war will break out if she doesn't do something now. And if this fight drags on, all the people she cares about will get hurt."
"I get it, but we can't just…" Sasha looked down and saw how Marcy was clenching her shaking fists. Just because Marcy understood what Luz was doing, that didn't mean she liked it. Neither did that mean they could leap to her rescue without causing the fighting to resume. "...Alright…fine."
She hated this, but she had no choice but to stand down.
"Fuck it! I say Marcy and I go to that House of Justice place and break Luz out!" Sasha insisted.
"And then what?" Eda asked.
"And then we can get Tsumuri to call that Game Master asshole and have him teleport us the fuck out of here! I'll take an 'L' if it means that Noceda doesn't get killed!"
Marcy was surprised to hear Sasha say that. After everything that happened before, given her girlfriend's competitive nature, she didn't think the blonde would actually go that far. She was growing.
"Sasha, do you really mean by that?" Marcy asked.
"Like you said, all four of us have the same wish. No matter which of us wins, we still get Anne back. I'm not sacrificing Luz's life for hers. I can't face Anne knowing that. And I know you can't either," Sasha stated.
Eda stood up and decided to cool down the situation.
"Look, slow down, girl. I get it, I feel the same way. And honestly speaking, if you did, I'd probably join you."
"No, you shouldn't. You got kids. Marcy and I are Kamen Riders, so we can easily mow through those guys and get Luz to safety," Sasha protested.
"Which is why I'm also saying not to do anything. You heard the announcement, and Raine confirmed that there will be a trial tomorrow," Eda assured her. "Otherwise, they'd just take her to the execution grounds instead of the House of Justice."
"I get that we should trust your partner, but it's those other politicians I don't trust." Sasha crossed her arms. "They could be saying that to fool the public and Raine while secretly planning on executing Luz without a fair trial."
Eda was well aware that something like that could happen, and it did scare her that the so-called 'trial' might just be a ruse to placate the public while they killed Luz in the background.
"I don't think so. Even if the game continues, this isn't DGP-related." Marcy stood up from her sitting spot at the coffee table and explained, "Look, as messed up as it sounds, Luz is a boon for the DGP's ratings. If they allowed her to get killed off like this, it would be the equivalent of a popular TV show axing their most popular character. They'd lose ratings and viewers."
"So, we're banking on the DGP to throw Luz a lifeline if things go bad?" Gus asked.
"Or at the very least, reset everything before we get to that point," Marcy clarified.
"Worst-case scenario, we stop the execution," Willow stated resolutely. "I'm not letting Luz down a second time. I don't care if I go to jail."
"That's what I'm talking about," Sasha grinned, pumping her fist. "Alright. We'll hold off and see where this goes. But if it goes south, I'm burning that place to the ground."
"Kid, you have my permission to go wild if that happens," Eda approved.
'I can't believe you would give yourself up like that! You had the power to destroy them all!'
'And then what?'
'Oh, I don't know. For starters, we wouldn't be stuck in this FUCKING CELL!'
Luz was kept under maximum security. Abomatons guards were posted throughout the halls, and spell traps had been laid throughout the area to prevent anyone from getting into the prison to break her out and to keep Luz from escaping. The cell itself wasn't particularly comfortable. It was a stone enclosure with wrought iron bars, no windows, and a thin mattress with a raggedy blanket. There was, at the very least, a toilet in the corner. But of course, there was no curtain for privacy or anything. Being a criminal, you forgo many luxuries, one of which was the right to privacy.
'I was trying to stop people from getting hurt. Did you forget that Eda and her family were there? Did you want Lil' Luz and King to get hurt?'
'Of course not! But did you forget that we literally stopped time?! We could've just whisked everyone out of there to some faraway place in the castle, and then we could've gone back and annihilated those fools! But noooooooooo, you just had to do the 'right thing' and give yourself up! Ugh! You… I knew I should've done something, but I thought you'd be smarter than that!'
'Well, it makes me happy that I'm not,' Luz grinned.
'Tch, doesn't matter. I'm sure our beloved, along with Sasha and Marcy, will come storming in here and get us out of here! I wouldn't be surprised to see Eda, Gus, and Willow coming along with them,' said Oscura in a smug tone.
'They won't because they know that's what you'd want, not what I want. Sure, Amity more than likely wants to do that. And I think even Sasha would help her. But they know that it's not something that I'd want them to do. They shouldn't have to throw their lives away for me.' Luz could feel Oscura seething right now, and she understood why. But she wasn't about to give that demon the satisfaction nor did she plan to give her what she wanted, which was the Boiling Isles under her rule again. 'Besides, we're getting a trial. They're not going to kill me right away.'
'Hah! A sham trial! You know as well as I do, chica, it's all just theatrics! Nothing you say or do will change the conclusion! They'll ask questions, jump through all or some of the hoops – depending on how fast they want this to go – but in the end, it all leads to us getting executed!'
'Or I say my piece, for once. I'll tell my side of the story. I don't expect anyone to forgive me, but at least I can give people the closure they need.'
The world around Luz turned black as Oscura brought her into the imaginary space in her subconscious. The tyrant rushed up to the Latina, grabbed her by her jumpsuit, and glowered at her.
"Did you forget about Lumina and Amara?!" Oscura questioned. "They're proof that nothing is going to change! Think, Luz! Think! They're from the future! If things were really going to change, don't you think they would've disappeared by now?! Well, they haven't! They were still right there at the party! What does that tell you? It means that these United Covens bastards are going to cover up whatever is said here or spin it to their advantage! In the end, we'll still be seen as the monster, not for what we really are!" Oscura tossed Luz to the floor in disgust before she placed her hands on her hips. "You can keep believing all you want, but the moment I see an opportunity, I will take action. I have no intention of dying to satisfy whatever death wish you have."
The dark space faded away, and Luz found herself lying on the hard floor of the cell. The Latina sat back up and sighed.
"Fine by me, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep you from hurting anyone else," Luz resolved.
As she sat alone on the cold, hard floor of her cell, the shadows around her started to move subtly, flickering as if alive.
"𝅘𝅥𝅮 Four years ago, I was just a child,
Dreaming of magic, with a heart so wild.
But a wager stole the light from me,
And the dark came crawling silently.𝅘𝅥𝅮"
The shadows twisted, forming the faint image of Luz when she first arrived in the Boiling Isles. Young, bright-eyed, and eager, she ran through the streets with Willow and Gus by her side. But then, the image distorted, showing the moment she made her fateful choice when her hand reached for the Philosopher's Stone. The darkness crept in, swallowing up the joyful memories.
"𝅘𝅥𝅮 I reached for power, for something more,
A path of shadows, an open door.
At first, it felt like I was free,
But the darkness took hold quietly.𝅘𝅥𝅮"
Oscura's shadow loomed larger on the wall behind Luz, her form indistinct but undeniably menacing. Her presence seemed to grow stronger with each second. The bars of the cell creaked and groaned under some invisible force, reacting to the conflict between them.
"𝅘𝅥𝅮 I never meant to lose my way,
But the light inside began to fray.
Now the voices call my name,
Whispering that I'm the one to blame.𝅘𝅥𝅮"
Brief flashes of memories swirled around Luz: Eda guiding her, Amity holding her hand, Willow and Gus standing by her side. Then, those memories shattered like glass, replaced by the cold, accusing stares of the people she once tried to protect. Their faces blurred, twisted by betrayal and fear.
"𝅘𝅥𝅮 I'm lost in the dark, can't find my way,
The sins I've carried made me stray.
Once I was a hero, now I'm just a ghost,
A ruler, a monster, the one they fear most.
Oscura, they call me, it's all that remains,
Of the girl who sought magic but now wears chains.𝅘𝅥𝅮"
The vision of Oscura grew more distinct, stepping out from the shadows with a satisfied smirk. The shadows around Luz's wrists and ankles seemed to materialize into spectral bindings, cold and heavy, tugging her down to the floor.
"𝅘𝅥𝅮 Willow and Gus, they tried to see,
What I was becoming, who I'd be.
But Eda, my guide, didn't know the cost,
Of the girl she saved, of the one who's lost.𝅘𝅥𝅮"
Images of Willow and Gus flashed briefly - their concerned faces, their attempts to reach her. Eda's silhouette appeared as well, standing with her back turned as if unaware of the depths Luz was sinking into. The light around these memories faded quickly, leaving only darkness.
"𝅘𝅥𝅮 I struck down Belos with my own hands,
Thought I'd bring peace to these cursed lands.
But the world turned cold, love turned to hate,
Now I'm trapped by the throne and the weight of my fate.𝅘𝅥𝅮"
The memory of Belos's defeat surged to life in vivid colour as Luz stood over him, her hands covered in blood. But the cheers of victory quickly faded, replaced by the cold, hateful glares of the Boiling Isles' citizens. Her hands trembled as the weight of her actions settled in, and the image distorted, showing her sitting alone on a dark throne.
"𝅘𝅥𝅮 I never wanted to fall so far,
But now I bear the Emperor's scar.
Even those I loved turned away,
And here I stand in the shadow's sway.𝅘𝅥𝅮"
Luz put a hand over the scar on her heart, a deep mark left from the battle with Belos. Her friends and mentor stood far off, turning their backs on her one by one. The distance between them grew as Luz remained trapped in the cold grip of her fate.
"𝅘𝅥𝅮 I'm lost in the dark, can't find my way,
The sins I've carried made me stray.
Once I was a hero, now I'm just a ghost,
A ruler, a monster, the one they fear most.
Oscura, they call me, it's all that remains,
Of the girl who sought magic but now wears chains.𝅘𝅥𝅮"
The spectral chains tightened around Luz, dragging her further into the darkness. Oscura's smug expression lingered in the shadows, her presence a constant reminder of the power struggle within. The cell shook slightly, reacting to the intensity of Luz's emotions.
"𝅘𝅥𝅮 The voices grow louder, they echo in my mind,
Telling me the light's too far to find.
I wear this crown of sorrow and lies,
Ruling the Isles under bloodstained skies.𝅘𝅥𝅮"
A vision of the future flickered before her, showing a desolate Boiling Isles under Oscura's reign. The sky was blood-red, and Luz saw herself on a dark throne, the crown on her head heavy with sorrow and guilt. The image of Oscura sat on the throne beside her, laughing triumphantly as the world burned around them.
"𝅘𝅥𝅮 But deep inside, I still wonder why,
Was it worth the magic? Was it worth the high?
I wanted to save them, but now I see,
The one I lost the most…was me.𝅘𝅥𝅮"
The throne room vanished, replaced by a vision of Luz as a child again, innocent and bright-eyed, reaching out for the stars. But that version of her faded into darkness, leaving only the broken, haunted girl who remained. The prison cell felt tighter, as if the walls were closing in.
"𝅘𝅥𝅮 I'm lost in the dark, I can't escape,
Haunted by the choices I can't erase.
Oscura, they call me, but what's in a name?
Just the girl who sought magic and lost the game.𝅘𝅥𝅮"
The last flicker of light faded, plunging the cell into complete darkness. The only sound left was the faint echo of her voice, lingering in the cold, empty space.
Just then, Luz heard something like a door opening from far down the hallway. There were no witch or demon guards anywhere in the hall, just Abomatons. The Council were worried that one of the cultists might infiltrate their ranks and facilitate a breakout.
There were two sets of footfalls echoing down the hallway, and they were getting closer. Luz's heart rate started to rise. Perhaps Oscura's warning of an early execution wasn't as far-fetched as she had hoped. The footsteps drew closer and closer, and Luz's body tensed up more as they did. She could see shadows on the floor, but she couldn't make out who they were, thanks to the dim lighting.
Finally, they stood in front of her cell. The first of the duo was someone Luz recognized, Raine Whispers, Eda's spouse. Next to them was a demon. He was dressed in a business suit and looked like an anthropomorphic bald eagle with blue feathers and a thick unibrow. The eagle demon glanced about the cell and grunted disapprovingly.
"Councilperson Whispers, these conditions are deplorable for my client," he complained.
"I know, but the other members of the Council don't wish to move her," Raine informed.
"I'll make sure to lodge a formal complaint." The eagle demon glanced at the cell's 'facilities', and grimaced. "Could you at least petition to grant my client a curtain or panel of some sort so that she may do her business with some degree of privacy?"
"I'll personally see to that," Raine assured.
Luz glanced between the two and asked, "Um, Raine? Who's that, and why does he keep calling me his 'client'?"
The eagle demon stepped forward and apologized, "Sorry, where are my manners? My name is Legal Eagle."
Luz made a deadpan expression upon hearing the demon's name.
"Uh…excuse me?"
"Yes, yes, I know. My parents were adamant that I become a lawyer. I went through a rebellious phase for a bit, but then found out I rather like this job," Legal Eagle explained.
Luz glanced back at Raine, silently wondering if this demon was a member of the Children of Oscura. Thankfully, Raine picked up on Luz's silent signal.
"Don't worry, Luz. Mr. Eagle isn't affiliated with the Council or the cult. He's a public defender, one of our best," Raine assured.
Luz slowly stood up and shook her head.
"Raine, you didn't have to do that. Mr. Eagle, please, if you're doing this as a favour to Raine, please don't. Defending me will only ruin your reputation."
"To be quite honest, I don't give a flying flip if they do," Legal said firmly.
"What?"
"I believe in the law, and everyone is entitled to the best defence possible." A smile formed on Legal's beak. "And if I may say so, this is going to be the trial of the century. I want a chance to sharpen my talons with a real challenge. That being said, I'm doing this of my own volition. I'm not under anyone's orders, nor am I here representing anyone's interests other than yours."
"And there you have it," Raine smiled. "Sorry, Luz, but you're stuck with him."
Luz sighed, not expecting anyone to defend her. If they did, they were either crazy, a member of the cult, or someone that the Council planted to tank her chances of a fair trial.
"Councilperson Clawthorne-Whispers, I'd like to have some time with my client so that we may prepare a defence. And can we do something about this lighting?" Legal requested.
"Sure." Raine walked up to one of the Abomatons. "Abomaton, desk mode, please."
The Abomaton that Raine addressed quickly morphed into a desk and set itself up in front of the cell, with its tendrils forming a bright lamp that shone over the desk. Legal Eagle nodded to Raine and sat down, opening his briefcase.
"Inform the Abomatons when you're done, and they'll escort you out," Raine instructed before leaving the holding area.
Once Legal Eagle heard the door closing, he took out some papers and a pen before looking directly at Luz.
"Okay, for starters, how do you wish to be addressed?" Legal asked.
"What do you mean?" Luz questioned.
"I want to know if you'd like to be addressed by your real name or any aliases. Same for your pronouns if you have any preference," Legal Eagle clarified.
Luz was genuinely surprised. She was prepared for the lawyer to just address her as 'Oscura'. But now that she thought about it, he only referred to her as 'his client' and never once said 'Oscura' or anything derogatory.
"Luz Noceda. My real name is Luz Noceda. 'Oscura' is an alias I took up after I became Empress. Oh, and my pronouns are she/her."
Legal Eagle wrote all this down, making a few notes here and there.
"Now, this may sound like a stupid question, but have you ever been in a courtroom before? As a spectator or otherwise?" he questioned.
"I have seen a lot of courtroom shows on TV back home," Luz answered.
"OK, we'll work with that." Legal Eagle put his pen down and laced his feathered fingers together. "It'll be pretty straightforward, Ms. Noceda. Opening arguments will be made by the prosecution and me. From there, we'll begin presenting evidence and calling up witnesses. But, most importantly, we need a solid defence for you."
Luz watched as Mr. Eagle reached into his briefcase and took out some documents.
"There are a number of ways we can go about this. But let's be clear about one thing: you violated the terms of your original punishment by being here when you were not supposed to return. That is indisputable, given your obvious presence here. I need you to be honest with me, Ms. Noceda. I can't properly defend you if I don't know the truth."
Luz rubbed the back of her head.
"The truth will sound crazy…"
"Ms. Noceda, we live in a world of magic and on the corpse of a giant god. I believe that 'crazy' is already the norm here."
"Got me there." Luz took a deep breath and began her explanation. It took about thirty minutes before Luz came to her conclusion. "So, we had that party to stop a potential coup, or rather buy myself some time to stop a coup. But then the United Covens raided us, and the only way I could stop the fighting was by giving myself up. So, my return was never my decision in the first place. I was basically forced to come back to the Demon Realm."
"...Ms. Noceda, that is quite the story," Legal acknowledged.
"And it's true. Does it help?"
"Well, we can argue that you were brought back to the Demon Realm without your consent," Legal confirmed. "But we still need proof of this 'Desire Grand Prix'."
"My Desire Driver and Raise Buckles are proof of the Desire Grand Prix. Only Kamen Riders who compete in the games have them. My fiancée, Amity Blight, is in the game like me, along with our human friends Sasha and Marcy. My other friends, Augustus Porter and Willow Park, were past contestants, but their memories were wiped away. It's a condition of the game," Luz elaborated.
"That's not good," Legal grunted. "It would help if they did remember."
"Well, I should say they had their memories wiped, but they got them back."
"How exactly?"
"There's an item in the centre of the Desire Driver called an 'ID Core'. If someone who participated in the past touches it, they automatically regain all their memories of their time in the DGP. My human friend, Sasha, made Gus and Willow touch her Driver's ID Core," Luz explained.
"Interesting," Legal Eagle hummed. "We'll follow up on that later, but at least we have more witnesses for the defence. I'm not going to sugarcoat it, Ms. Noceda. This is going to be an uphill battle. You have a lot of enemies out there, many who would love nothing more than to see you dead. You equally have several people who are ready and willing to storm this place to free you. Should we fail, you will be executed. But if we win, well, to be honest, I'm not even sure what victory would look like at this point."
"I'm just happy that someone is giving me a chance to defend myself. Whatever the verdict, I'll accept it," Luz replied.
Legal Eagle smiled as he finished writing his notes.
"I'll be honest. I wasn't sure what to expect when I decided to defend you. I was prepared to face a bloodthirsty tyrant, someone who looked so far down on everyone else that she was practically staring up into the sky. But not you, Ms. Noceda. Taking what you say at face value, let me say I'm sorry you went through all of this. You were a child, and a child shouldn't have to endure such pain and suffering."
Luz turned her gaze downward, trying to hide the fact that she was starting to cry a little.
"Thank you…"
"Of course. But before I leave, I'll make sure that they at least provide you with that privacy panel and a more comfortable mattress to sleep on. I don't want my client to be sleep-deprived, or I'll file a motion to have the day of the trial moved so that you may get proper rest. Before I leave, is there anything else you'd like? Perhaps you want to make a statement?" he offered.
"A statement?"
"I am your legal counsel and, as part of my job, I am tasked with conveying your words to the public. And if you wish, I can pass along any messages to your loved ones," Legal Eagle explained.
Luz thought about it for a moment.
"Actually, there is something I'd like you to tell them."
The reporters, along with the protestors, were still gathered outside the House of Justice. Word had reached them that Oscura's attorney, Legal Eagle, was going to hold a press conference. Legal Eagle was well known among the public defenders in the House of Justice, and many wondered why someone as respected as him would take on such a case.
Legal Eagle stood behind a podium, with the protestors on both sides going silent as they awaited his words.
"Good evening. My name is Legal Eagle. I am Luz Noceda's legal counsel, and I will be representing her in the upcoming trial," he introduced himself.
"Mr. Eagle, who are you talking about? Aren't you representing Oscura?" a reporter asked in confusion.
"The name 'Oscura' is an alias. My client's true name is Luz Noceda, and I will only refer to her as such," Legal Eagle confirmed, making air quotes upon speaking Luz's alias. "And yes, I am representing her."
"Mr. Eagle, what compelled you to take on Oscura as your client? You're a well-respected lawyer, so why tarnish your reputation by defending a tyrant?"
"Mr. Eagle, are the rumours true that Oscura's cult is threatening you to defend her?"
"Are you secretly working with the Council to sabotage Oscura's defence?"
The Children of Oscura started to get angry when they heard those accusations, and the anti-Oscura protestors yelled back at them, accusing them of doing just that.
"People, people, please settle down!" Legal Eagle urged. "I will first state that I am not being 'threatened', 'coerced', or 'bribed' into defending Ms. Noceda. Nor am I working with the Council to sabotage her. I believe that everyone is entitled to a fair trial. You may not believe Ms. Noceda deserves it, but I do. And at the end of the day, the prosecution will have to prove that Ms. Noceda truly violated the conditions of her banishment."
"Mr. Eagle, are you saying that Oscura was brought here against her will!?"
"All will be revealed during the trial tomorrow. Now, that being said, I do have a statement from Ms. Noceda."
Legal Eagle opened up his briefcase and took out a sheet of paper. Everyone - reporters and protesters alike - was waiting with bated breath to hear what 'Oscura' had to say.
"Ahem. 'To my friends and family, please do not worry. I am alright. I want this trial to happen so people can finally know the truth about what really happened to me. I know you're worried about me, and I know you probably want to 'rescue' me. But please don't. Everything will come out during the trial, so I'll see you there. Love, Luz Noceda. PS: To the Children of Oscura, do not – I repeat – DO NOT do anything to disrupt the trial tomorrow. Do not give the United Covens a reason to do you harm. Do not prove them right that you are irredeemable or insane. Let the light of truth come out. I promise that everything will be made clear to you all'."
Legal Eagle placed the sheet of paper back in his briefcase and cleared his throat again.
"That is all my client wishes to say. My office will be contacting the witnesses for the defence as soon as this conference is over. If you feel you have credible testimony to give and wish to be a part of the defence, contact me or my office immediately. Thank you, and no further questions."
Back in the Owl House, the occupants were watching the press conference on their crystal ball.
"...Wait, the lawyer is an eagle demon, and his name is 'Legal Eagle'?" Sasha remarked. "A bit on the nose, don't you think?"
"It is, but he's good," Gus defended. "He's one of the best public defenders in the Boiling Isles. If anyone can provide a good defence for Luz, it's him."
"But defending Luz would seem risky," Marcy pointed out. "This is a high-profile case that is gonna get a lot of scrutiny. He's gonna receive a lot of hate for defending Luz."
"He only cares about doing the right thing," Gus affirmed.
"Well, we better get some rest," Eda suggested as she stood up. "I have a feeling we're all going to be busy tomorrow."
"I wonder how Amity's holding up right now," Willow said as she looked out the window.
Back at Blight Manor, Amity was in her old room. She sat on her bed, with Ghost curled up next to her. In her lap was Luz's Palisman egg. Amidst the previous night's chaos, Amity had Ghost go to their room and snatch the egg. She had it taken out of the castle and told Ghost to take it back home. The last thing she wanted was for the Scouts to confiscate Luz's unborn Palisman. If they knew Luz had carved one, they might lock it away or…
Amity shook her head as she didn't want to contemplate that, not after they had learned what Belos had done to the Palismen.
There was a knock on her door.
"Come in," Amity invited.
Predictably, her family entered the room. Edric and Emira sat on either side of their little sister, looking at her worriedly.
"I guess you saw the press conference," Edric presumed.
"I haven't stopped watching. Didn't want to miss anything," Amity replied.
"But it sounds like Luz is doing alright, for now anyway. You weren't really going to go and break her out, were you?" Emira asked.
"What do you think?"
"Mittens," Alador sighed. "I understand you want to save your fiancée, but you need to respect her wishes. She's only thinking of you."
"How can you expect me to just…just accept this?!" Amity cried. "Luz is going to die if she's found guilty! She didn't even want to come back here! None of this is her fault! Do you think it's fair that she should die for something that was beyond her control?!"
"Mittens, none of us are saying that. You guys told us about the Desire Grand Prix. We know Luz didn't ask to come back. But everyone else doesn't, and that's the problem. They think Oscura has returned to destroy us again," said Edric.
"I'm going to testify if they call on me – no – I know they'll call on me. I don't care if Mildred thinks it's a bad idea. I'm not letting them execute my future wife!" Amity stated with conviction.
"We know, which is why we've already received notices from the defence. We talked to Mildred. She said testifying would be in our best interest. She trusts Mr. Eagle, and that's saying something," said Alador.
"Good, it's time that everyone knows who Luz really is."
"Mittens…you do know that when you are called to the stand…you'll have to tell everyone what happened? How it all happened," Emira reminded.
"I don't care," she answered, hugging the egg closer to her chest. "I didn't do the right thing when I had the chance before, all because Odalia was in my head." She remembered Luz begging her to undo the Everlasting Oath and the price they all paid for her refusal. "I'm sorry if I drag our family's name through the mud, but I'm not abandoning Luz. Never again."
Elsewhere, Lilith watched the press conference, feeling a tightness in her chest as she did. It was a few minutes after the conference was over that her Scroll began to ring. Lilith knew this was coming. She reached over for the Scroll and had it open to show a video call from Eda.
"Hello, Sister," Lilith greeted.
{I'm sure you know why I'm calling.}
"I do."
{You up for telling the truth?}
"..."
{Four years ago, we never revealed what happened and what led up to Oscura coming into power. Not Amity's role, and not yours. We all decided to leave it because Luz was never coming back. At least, that's what we thought. But you know as well as I do that Boots will testify. She won't hesitate to tell everyone how it all began. And that means your name will also come up,} Eda reminded.
"I am well aware of it, Edalyn."
Eda sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose.
{I'm not going to force you to come to the trial. But at the very least, you owe Luz to have your ass planted in that seat when everything goes down and take whatever heat comes after.}
"Do not worry. I have no intention of running away…" Lilith reached to her right and grabbed a glass of hard apple blood. She took a swig and sighed as well. "I've been running from the consequences of my actions for years now. I knew at some point I'd have to face them."
{Not just you, Lily. All of us played a part in Oscura's rise. I should've been a better mentor to her, taught her magic like she asked, and stopped her before she went too far.}
"I guess you could say that tomorrow is a day of reckoning for us all."
"I can't believe they're giving that monster a trial!" Boscha complained. "She should be executed, not this garbage!"
Outside the House of Justice, the air crackled with the fervent energy of the protestors and supporters alike, their voices merging into a cacophony of impassioned cries and passionate pleas.
The protestors, their faces contorted with grief and righteous indignation, raised their voices in unison, their shouts echoing off the stone walls of the building.
"JUSTICE FOR THE FALLEN!" one voice cried, cutting through the din. "OSCURA MUST PAY FOR HER CRIMES!"
Another voice joined in, carrying the weight of personal loss.
"MY FAMILY WAS TORN APART BY HER PHANTOMS! SHE DESERVES NOTHING LESS THAN DEATH!"
Signs waved high in the air, each bearing a message of condemnation and demand for retribution.
"NO MERCY FOR THE TYRANT!"
"END HER REIGN OF TERROR!"
"REMEMBER THE VICTIMS!"
Yet, amidst the sea of anger and resentment, some stood in defiance, their voices raised in fervent support of their fallen Empress.
"OSCURA IS OUR SAVIOUR!" one fervent supporter proclaimed, their voice ringing with devotion. "SHE BROUGHT ORDER TO CHAOS!"
Others echoed their sentiments, their chants blending in a chorus of unwavering loyalty.
"FREE OSCURA!"
"SHE IS THE RIGHTFUL RULER!"
"LONG LIVE THE DARK EMPRESS!"
Boscha would've loved nothing more than to toss a fireball at those Oscura-loving freaks. But then she might get arrested for assault, and the last thing she needed was to be put in the same prison as that monster. The triclops had to fight a small bout of PTSD when she heard the rumours of Oscura's return. She remembered how four years ago Oscura had made her into the royal bitch's personal gofer while they were at Hexside. She also recalled the moment when Skara and Amelia stood up to Oscura to protect her, and ended up having their magic taken away.
Yes, she remembered that the 'good' version of Oscura, Kamen Rider Witch, brought back everyone's magic and fixed her friends. But that was a completely different human. They may have had the same face and voice, but Witch and Oscura, as far as Boscha was concerned, were two entirely different people.
"Still fucking annoying that I have to be thankful to someone with her face," Boscha grumbled. "I wish I could just stick to that bitch after everything she's done to me!"
"Boscha Barbtalone?"
Boscha turned around and saw a vulture-like biped demon in a business suit approaching her.
"What do you want?"
"Are you Boscha Barbtalone?"
"Yes, what do you want?!" she asked again, losing patience.
The vulture demon reached into his suit and pulled out a piece of paper. Boscha took the paper.
"You've been served. You're to report to the House of Justice as a witness for the prosecution."
"W-W-Wait, you want me to testify against Oscura?!" Boscha exclaimed.
"Yes, ma'am. Now, I know with everything going on, testifying can be daunting. But rest assured, the United Covens will do everything necessary to ensure your safety," the vulture demon promised.
"You had me at testifying against Oscura," Boscha smirked cruelly, looking forward to destroying that human.
Bria, along with Geo, Marina, Vuvu, Badriah, and Tuvar, had left the protest to gather their thoughts in a nearby tavern. They sat together in a private booth. The tavern was noticeably empty, with them being the only customers. The reason for this was that the owner was a staunch supporter of Empress Oscura.
"I don't understand. Why would Empress Oscura not want us to free her?" Marina asked, clearly confused.
Vuvu, with his arms crossed and stoic expression, theorized, "Perhaps she's planning on staging the coup via a different method. The High Council will be in one room, presenting us with the perfect chance to execute the plan."
"I mean, that makes sense, but why give herself up? Did you see how fast the Empress moved?! 'Cause I sure didn't! We were all on different sides of the room before I realised we were all moved around!" Badriah exclaimed.
"Such is the power of Our Empress, Badriah. But she does raise a valid question. If she could just move us around like that, it would've been easy for her to kill the Scouts and take down Councilman Darius in one fell swoop," Geo argued. "Bria, I don't like this, any of this."
"I hate to say it, but I'm not liking this either," Tuvar agreed. "The Empress–"
"The Empress' machinations are beyond our comprehension!" Bria yelled, slamming her palms against the table. "Think, you fools! She managed to keep her true plans hidden from every spy in her castle four years ago, only letting us know on her whim! It's the same thing! The Empress plays it close to the vest. I guarantee she's planning something bigger than even we can fathom! And as her devoted followers, we must be ready to spring into action the moment she needs us. So, we will wait, and we will watch. Per Our Empress' command, we will not engage. We'll show them all that the Children of Oscura are more than capable of restraint and that our devotion is not a form of mental illness, but rather the thinking of an enlightened mind. For the Empress!"
"FOR EMPRESS OSCURA!" the others chanted.
Once their meeting concluded, Bria was left alone. The High Priestess of the cult plopped into a chair and dragged her hand down her face. She said what she said, and part of her wondered if she said all that to convince them, herself, or both. What Oscura did baffled her severely. She couldn't comprehend why her goddess would just give up so easily. And she never got an answer from Her Empress before the United Covens raided the party.
The part hurting her most was that nagging, grating feeling of not knowing. She felt doubt in the person she had devoted her life to, believed in, worshipped. Long had she waited for the day that Oscura would return, but when she did, even Bria could tell she was different from before. Of course, she could see and sense hints of the old Oscura here and there, but overall, this Oscura was more…understanding and compassionate than she once was. That's not to say she didn't like it, but it was not the same.
'Did those years in the Human Realm really change you that much, My Empress?' Bria wondered. 'Or did Blight warp your mind? Her ultimate victory. I don't know anymore…'
Although she wouldn't admit this to her colleagues, Bria honestly wanted to see this trial go through. There were too many contradictions between the things she had heard and the things she had seen. She needed to know if this Oscura was the one from four years ago, or if she was truly gone forever. Bria wasn't sure if she wanted to know the answer, but at the same time, not knowing was worse. Either way, the trial would reveal the truth, whatever it may be.
Dr. Exposition: So, this will be the start of an arc within an arc. The Trial of Oscura will be five chapters long until we reach a verdict and the climax of this story. So, please stay tuned. Anyway, Legal Eagle is based on the Muppet Sam the Eagle. Plus, the name Legal Eagle just seems so pun-worthy.
Oh, and something special. I used AI to write lyrics and a song that fits Luz/Oscura: "Luz, Lost in the Dark"