#for letting luz wander off and get herself killed. if i think about it for too long i start feeling sick so u guys all get to think about i

[crimeronan]

a fun princess luz AU fact is that when manny was dying & it became clear that he wasn't going to get better, obviously he and camila had to talk about things like funeral arrangements and life insurance payouts. camila gave him some things to tell luz from her if and when he found her in the next life, bc at that point it was reasonable to assume their daughter was gone. and manny gave camila some things to tell luz from him, if she was ever found alive. camila really didn't think she'd ever be able to pass those words on.

[softguarnere]

Like A Girl (Like A Man)

Shifty Powers x OFC

Chapter 24: Good Ol' Bill

Summary: “Hey.” Bill grabs her arm. He gives her a sage nod. “We’re gonna be okay, kid.” A/N: Behold - some of the first bits of this fic that I ever wrote! These scenes and interactions have been living rent free in my brain for almost a year now, so I hope that you enjoy them Warnings: blood, death, grief, injury, language, war Taglist: @liebgotts-lovergirl @lady-cheeky @latibvles @ithinkabouttzu @lieutenant-speirs @mrs-murder-daddy @hxad-ovxr-hxart

Belgium, 1945

It’s the strangest interaction that Zenie has ever had with another person, to say the least.

When Zenie had wandered far off into the trees by herself, it was because she knew better than to take her chances using the same latrine as everyone else during the day. She didn’t expect anyone else to be this far out. Let alone him.

“What are you doing out here, trooper?”

The merry sounding voice is incongruous with the barren snow and scarred earth that it echoes through. Zenie jumps. After drawing a deep breath to slow her thudding heart, she turns to face him.

Lieutenant Dike’s expression is open and expectant. He’s never spoken directly to her before. She’s never been this close to him. There’s a chance that no one has. Most of what she knows about Dike and his mannerisms comes from watching Luz do impressions of him. With Winters she had intentionally kept her distance to avoid being found out. With Dike she doesn’t have to try because he’s never around. But is this really where he comes? To the middle of the woods – the middle of nowhere?

“Trying to use the bathroom, sir.” At least she’s being honest.

Dike nods. He stands, staring, both at her and without seeing her all at once.

After an uncomfortable moment of silence, Zenie clears her throat. “Is that a problem, sir?”

“Hm? Oh, probably not. Good, secluded place for it, I suppose.” He steps past her, not even bothering to look back at her as he calls, “Well, good day, Private.” Then he disappears into the trees.

Zenie stands still, watching his retreating frame until he’s out of sight. She turns the interaction over and over in her mind as she makes her way back to the rest of Easy Company.

“Jesus Christ,” Bill spits when she tells her friends about the interaction. “They’ve really put a maniac in charge of the company, haven’t they?”

George laughs. “Good, secluded place for it, I suppose,” he mimics perfectly in Dike’s voice. He shakes his head. “This guy is going to get us killed.”

“They oughtta put someone else in charge,” Bill says. “Like Compton. He’d do good.”

“Yeah, but with our luck, they’d probably pick Peacock instead.”

“Or Shames,” Zenie adds, thinking back to all of Shifty’s complaints about the other lieutenant.

“Either way,” George says with a shrug. “At least they would be here.” He laughs. “Just wandered off into the trees, huh? Like something out of a campfire story.”

“Telling campfire stories, are we?” Lipton’s cheerful voice announces his presence as he steps up to their little group. They all share a knowing glance – here’s a man who could lead Easy Company. Lipton smiles at them, his voice simultaneously playful and chastising when he asks, “Which one is it? The one where a bunch of paratroopers all get blown to bits standing around in the middle of the woods when they should be in their foxholes?”

They can’t really argue with that. But now might be the time to voice their concerns; for the hundredth time – but maybe this will be the time that does some good.

“Actually, Sir,” Babe pipes up. “We were talking about Lieutenant Dike.”

Lipton frowns. “Ah.”

“Tommy here had a  . . . weird interaction with him earlier.”

“Weird how?”

“He found me out looking for the latrine,” Zenie explains. “And then he just wandered off into the woods. He disappeared.”

“Disappeared?” Lipton raises his eyebrows.

“Yes, Sir. Never saw where he went. Haven’t seen him since.”

Lipton allows himself a harsh sigh through his nose. He must be – has to be – just as frustrated as they are, if not more so. Whatever he feels, he does a good job at hiding it.

“Well,” Lipton says finally. “There’s not much that we can do about Dike. Just try to keep yourselves warm and keep from getting hit by German artillery.” In other words: get back into your foxholes.

They all nod. “Yes, Sir.”

“Driver?”

“Yes?” Zenie asks.

Lipton points to Zenie’s hands. “Driver, where are your gloves?”

Zenie crosses her arms, tucking her cold hands into her armpits. She had been sharing a foxhole with Joe on New Year’s Eve when the Germans had decided to send them a little present to ring in the New Year. He took shrapnel to his arm and got sent to the aid station. Meanwhile, Zenie’s gloves had gotten blown to bits during the shelling after she foolishly took them off and laid them out in an attempt to dry them. Trench knives, it turns out, are not the best tool to use when attempting to make holes in socks that you hope to turn into gloves. Good thing she doesn’t need the extra pair from the “feet, hands, neck, balls” rhyme that Muck loves to remind them off. The fabric no longer looks quite like either socks or gloves, but at least she has something on her hands. First Toye’s boots, then Zenie got hit in the arm, then Toye took shrapnel to the same place, and she lost her gloves. The two of them are bound to lose something during a shelling.

“They uh – they got blown to bits a few days ago.”

“Huh.”

“But I’ll be fine,” she assures him.

They say their goodbyes as Lipton leaves them. In a stellar imitation of Dike’s voice, George smirks at them and offers, “Good day, Private.”

His Dike impression is coming a long way, with all the opportunities for making fun of him that the lieutenant unwittingly provides them with. Even Joe, when he makes his glorious return from the aid station later that day, chuckles when Luz recounts Zenie’s story just for him.

“That’s pretty good, Luz,” Joe admits as he gives the radioman a friendly slap on the arm.

Luz shrugs. “Eh, it’s okay. Needs some work, but it’s coming along.”

“Is it true?” Popeye asks when Easy Company returns to their position near Foy that afternoon. The Virginian’s eyes are wide as he looks at Zenie expectantly. “About Dike? Did he really just walk off into the woods?”

“How’d you hear about that?”

“Everyone’s heard about it.” Shifty nods towards Luz, several feet in front of them as they walk. “Don’t think there’s anyone that he hasn’t previewed his impression for.”

“Except for Dike, I hope,” Zenie says. Although if it really came down to it, Luz probably would do an impression of Dike to the lieutenant’s face. Dike would probably misunderstand the joke and take it as some kind of flattery, accidentally giving Luz all the more to work with. The idea makes her giggle, and beside her, Shifty and Popeye also laugh.

It’s good to be back with them. She can only hope that they don’t get sent to the Out Post this time. After every round of German artillery fire she had had to wonder where they were, if they were okay. Now if she can just keep them near her and the rest of Second Platoon –

“Hello, boys!” Bill chirps as he hops into a foxhole between Zenie and Shifty. He slings an arm over each of their shoulders, beaming at them.

“Hey, Bill. You sharin’ a foxhole with us?” Shifty’s question is polite enough, but he still glances around the other sergeant at Zenie, brows slightly furrowed.

Bill shrugs. “Well, everyone else has been findin’ shit in their foxholes, and this one looks clean enough.” He sits down. After exchanging a glance, Zenie and Shifty slowly take a seat on either side of him.

This isn’t the first time that this has happened, now that she really thinks about it. Ever since Shifty got to come back from the OP, Bill has managed to show up in whatever foxhole the two of them have been sharing. And, just like now, he’s had no problem making himself comfortable sitting right between them.

Shifty must be realizing the same thing. He gives Zenie a knowing look, but he bites his bottom lip and says nothing.

“Bill, what’s really going on?” Zenie asks.

The Philadelphian gives her an incredulous look. “What do you mean? Am I not allowed to sit with my friends?” A hint of a smile pulls at his lips as he leans in and lowers his voice. “Or to keep an eye on them?” He puts his arms out again and pats them both on the shoulder. “That’s right; no hanky-panky on Ol’ Guarno’s watch!”

“There hasn’t been any –“ Shifty clears his throat. “– uh, hanky-panky.”

“Really? Not even in, I dunno, Paris?” Heat rushes to Zenie’s face at the same moment that Shifty’s eyes go wide. 

“How did you - ?”

“Nothing gets past me, kid.” Bill winks. “Word along the rumor mill is that you finally lost your virginity, supposedly on that pass to Paris. After I learned your secret, well, it didn’t exactly take a genius to piece it together.”

Babe. It had to be Babe! He was the one she told about losing her virginity. Of course he told Bill! They might be her friends, but the last thing she needed was for them to know details of her sex-life. She buries her face in her hands to hide whatever face she might be making.

“Hey, it’s all right.” Bill pats her on the back again, and when she looks up, he’s smiling, though Shifty’s cheeks are still a little pink. “Just watchin’ out for you, la mia sorellina.” My little sister. Zenie doesn’t have time to fully process his words before her friend turns to Shifty. “Just don’t go hurting her, okay?”

“I would never,” Shifty says.

Bill smiles. “I know.” He claps his hands and stands. “Well, now that that’s taken care of, I guess I better go find a foxhole.”

Neither of them speaks after he leaves. Zenie squeezes her eyes shut, like if she’s very still, the embarrassment will wash away and Shifty will forget about the interaction.

There’s a laugh, bright and crisp – from Shifty. He’s still chuckling when Zenie opens her eyes. The sniper shakes his head. “Good old Bill.”

“I’m sorry,” Zenie says automatically. Her face is still warm.

“Don’t be,” Shifty replies, voice still bright. “You’re our girl. He’s just watchin’ out for you.”

Il mio fratellino, Bill had once called her. Now he’s corrected it to la mia sorellina. He’s always been watching out for her, since way back in Toccoa. Even when she had been ready to fight him on her first day there. That’s what it feels like, then, for someone to always have your back. It’s not bad.

Somewhere nearby, a shell explodes. Screams of “Incoming!” follow it as the earth begins to shake. Zenie hunkers down, getting as low in the foxhole as she can, Shifty tucking in beside her.

Now she understands why their old position looked so different when they returned. The snow that blankets the ground is dirty, all churned up and mixed with soil. This is no peaceful woodland scene from a winter postcard. No, between the trees that have been broken down to nubs, the excrement that waits at the bottom of several foxholes, and the piercing explosions that shatter the air and shake the earth, this is the furthest thing from peaceful.

It ends suddenly. Zenie sits up and looks around, rifle at the ready. Her eyes dart in every direction. Behind her, Shifty takes the same position, watching the opposite direction. He’ll be able to see any approaching Germans from a mile away. Zenie has no doubt about that. After all, this is the same man who, just days before, realized that the Germans had disguised a tank as a tree.

“Anything?”

“No. No – “ Shifty stops short. Somewhere out there, a voice is carried through the forest. It sounds hazy. The echo distorts is, making it hard to pinpoint its location.

“Who is – “

“Stay in your foxholes!” Sergeant Lipton yells as he runs by. He stops a few feet away from them and looks down into a different foxhole. “Are you good, Popeye?”

“I’m one hundred percent ready to kill Germans, Lip!” Their friend chirps. As Lipton passes, he catches sight of Shifty and Zenie, offers them a big smile and a thumbs up, which Shifty returns.

Shifty relaxes a little. “That can’t be the end.”

“You think they’re trying to zero us in?”

“Hmm.” A crease appears between Shifty’s eyebrows. “They – “

Ka-BOOM!

So close to the line, maybe the Germans can hear them. Maybe they took their speculations as suggestion and started the next round of artillery fire.

Once again, Zenie slides down into her foxhole and braces herself. Trees crackle overhead as they burst into pieces, raining down all around them and impaling themselves into the frozen earth. No wonder so many of them have been hit by shrapnel. Zenie unconsciously reaches for the place on her own arm where she got peppered with it. Lucky, indeed.

“M-MEDIC!” A deep voice thunders out.

Snow crunches as Eugene goes racing by. He doesn’t stop to answer when a few men call out, “Who got hit?” Duty calls, and Eugene always answers.

From somewhere nearby, an all too familiar voice screams for help. His South Philly twang is strong, even with his raised voice. “Is anyone there?!”

Babe! Zenie leaps from the foxhole. Shifty reaches for her, but she’s already gone.

An entire tree was felled during the bombardment, collapsing right on top of Babe’s foxhole. Through the branches, everyone who crowds around can only just see the top of his helmet, can make out the shape of a hand reaching up for them.

Babe sounds . . . desperate, almost, as he urges them to get him out. It’s not a tone that Zenie has ever heard from him before. Like his sadness after Julian’s death, it feels unnatural on someone so happy-go-lucky.

Breathless, Babe manages a laugh and a smile when they manage to pull the tree away. “Think I went overboard on the cover for my foxhole?” He jokes.

Zenie manages to laugh it off, too, as do most of the others who arrived in time to help him. Except for the one person who’s known for laughing, that is.

From the corner of her eye, Zenie catches a flash of Luz racing by. He doesn’t stop at the sound of their chuckles, doesn’t even look at them. Focused, he hurries back to his foxhole.

There’s some commotion from the direction that he came from. With Babe uninjured and accounted for, Zenie steps away from the group and follows the direction that Luz just left.

A metallic scent stains the air, mingling with the scent of burned trees and charred earth. Freshly snapped trees litter the ground. And the ground around the shattered pieces is that peculiar mixture of snow and dirt that has become such a familiar sight in their month watching the line. This snow, though, has an extra quality to it – blood. Zenie doesn’t have time to wonder where it all came from, because at that moment, she spots a leg lying a few feet away from two figures sitting amongst the destruction.

Joe is in the center of it all, Eugene kneeling in front of him, trying to stop the blood that’s flowing freely from the place where his leg has been blown off. A few feet away from him, a trail of blood leads to another man who’s sitting propped against a tree, gritting his teeth and staring at his outstretched, mangled leg.

Zenie freezes.

From where he sits in front of the tree, Bill looks up at her. When their eyes meet, he holds her gaze, steady as ever.

“Hey, Tommy Boy,” Bill calls to her. “Be a pal and light me a smoke, would ya?”

Somehow, she finds herself on her knees beside her friend. She can’t feel her hands. They won’t stop shaking as she fumbles for the pack of cigarettes in her pocket. Bill doesn’t complain, though, about how long it takes her to remove one from the pack, to finally light it and place it between his lips.

“Thank you,” he manages around the cigarette.

She might reply. If she does, she can’t hear her own words over the pounding of her heart. Her spine turns into a tube of ice water, making her shiver as she watches her friends. This can’t be real. Out of everyone, Bill and Toye can’t be the ones going home.

“Bill, you’re goin’ first,” Eugene calls.

Bill nods, taking a drag from his cigarette. “Whatever you say, Doc.”

The next thing that she knows, some of the men are loading Bill onto a stretcher. He yells out in pain when they move him, cursing as they touch his injured leg. The cigarette in his hands falls to the ground, extinguishing itself on the snow. Numbly, Zenie stamps it out.

“Hey.” Bill grabs her arm. He gives her a sage nod. “We’re gonna be okay, kid.” As chipper as he can manage, Bill calls out as they carry him away, “I told ya I’d beat ya back to the States, Joe!”

Someone touches Zenie’s arm, making her jump. Sergeant Lipton is studying her with his all-knowing eyes. “Tommy, are you okay?”

He doesn’t stop her when she walks away, never answering his question. No one calls out after her or tries to follow her.

She doesn’t make it back to Shifty in their foxhole. Instead, she drops down into the nearest one that she sees. Her helmet feels heavy in her hands as she removes it and runs a shaking hand through her hair. Any time that she cried as a little girl, her mom would stroke her hair like this.

But Mama isn’t here now. No one is. She’s all alone.

Words – the words she wants to scream up at the sky, up at God, if He’s really up there – stick in her dry mouth, lodging in her sandpaper throat so that she chokes on them. It’s not until she’s been sitting there, shaking for a thousand years, that she manages to loosen them enough to whisper to no one the single sentence that keeps racing through her mind.

“What the fuck?!”

[monstergoblin]

The Owl Pirates Chapter Nineteen

First Chapter Tumblr Link HERE

Previous Chapter Tumblr Link HERE

Posted First On A03 Here 

It’ll be updated on A03 first and might take me a bit to get to updating it here as I always seem to forget about my tumblr. <3

 Trigger Warnings Always Read Safe: Depression, Suicidal thoughts, Pushing down feelings, Overworking self to ignore feelings, Child Abuse (Belos is a bitch okay), Gaslighting, Self Gaslighting, Manipulation, Injuries

Notes: I'm tired but have a chapter! Again always updated first on AO3.

Chapter 19: Awakening

      The beach Camila woke up on had been an isolated little sand pit between large cliffs. She managed to find a way upward out of it but it led deep into a forest. So she was left to wander hoping to stumble upon any of her crewmates.

      She couldn’t let herself think about any of them dying.

      Especially not her daughter.

      She wondered for a day before climbing a tree for the night. Not the safest thing but more safe than staying on the ground. Then morning came making her realize her priorities needed to be different. Surviving had to be first, her family second. 

      She hoped Luz remembered every survival lesson she had taught her while on board the Talon. Maybe even knew more than Camila after being around Eda for so long. Maybe everyone else was together and it was only Camila alone. That would be a nice thought. Them surviving together.

      They had to be okay.

      Camila was looking for food when she heard the cries of someone ahead.

      “Anyone! Help me!” 

      She ran to the voice quickly. Only stopping when she reached the rope holding a small woman up by her foot.

      Camilas face twisted in disgust as she saw the woman. She looked to be part of the navy crew by her get up. The whole reason any of this happened.

      “You there! Help me down!” The woman screamed.

      “How did you even manage too-” Camila scoffed. “Did you trip your own trap?”

      “It doesn’t matter-” The woman was spinning in a slow circle. Her bangs were forced down by gravity revealing her heterochromia eyes. One yellow and one red. “Help me down now!”

      “You’re not the boss of me.” Camila stated, folding her arms. This woman was part of the navy ship that had threatened her family. Why would she bother helping her- Except Camila was a good person- and this woman was probably only doing her job.

      “Please” The woman hissed out annoyed.

      Camila was half tempted to leave the woman here. She was very rude. However morals were a thing. Camila used her sword and sliced the rope letting the woman drop with a heavy thud. Camila couldn’t help but smirk knowing that hurt.

      “AH Perfect.” The woman picked herself up and dusted herself off. Then she quickly pulled out a dagger pointing it at Camila. “Now give me your sword and belongings!”

      Camila used her own sword to smack the womans hand forcing her to drop her dagger and then Camila kicked the womans leg causing her to fall. 

      “And what if I dont?” Camila asked, pointing her sword to the womans throat.

      “It- It was a jest-” The woman lied.

      “Who are you?” Camila hissed.

      “Kikim-” The woman began but Camila pressed her sword closer to Kikimikis throat not drawing blood but threatening to.

      “You’re the captain!” Camila realized. “You’re the cause of all of this! For what bloodshed? Glory?”

      “You’re pirates-” Kikimiki spit.

      “You’re monsters.” Camila was tempted to do this woman in now. To Kill her- but- “You caused King to have a tantrum didn’t you.”

      “A tantrum!” Kikimiki gasped. “That was hardly a tantrum-”

      Camila glarred

      “I- I- Was doing my job.” Kikimiki stuttered.

      “He’s a child.” Camila snapped. “You must have hurt him to cause a tantrum of that size. What did you do?”

      “I didn’t hurt the siren.” Kikimiki scowled. “If that’s what you mean.” Her eyes went down to the blade at her throat, the only indication the presence of it was actually disturbing her. “Only scared him. Belos wants sirens unharmed for the most part anyway.”

      Belos- it always seemed to come back to that slimy eel of a man. 

      “Fine.” Camila pulled back letting Kikimiki stand but when she reached for her dagger again returned the blade. “You don’t get to have that.” And instead Camila grabbed the dagger.

      “That’s hardly necessary.” Kikimiki stated crossing her arms.

      Camila wanted to kill her- get it done with. She obviously had ill intent. She would deserve it.

      But we can’t always judge people so quickly Mama. I’m sure there’s good in her somewhere.

      Luz had definitely inherited her heart from her father.

      “You are my prisoner.” Camila looked down at the short woman who glared up in response. “Do you understand?”

      “Prisoner?” Kikimiki scoffed. “You aren’t on your ship here. You have no power-”

      “I have a sword.” Camila held it up again. “So you have options. Prisoner or Dead. What will it be?”

      Kikimiki glared at the blade before turning away. “Fine prisoner.”

       -------

      For a boy that has faced death in the face so many times. It never got less scary to Hunter. The same chill always overcame him. The same dread engulfed him. His thoughts flashing wondering if this time his death was worth it or if it had been just another failure on his part. 

      He never did seem to do anything right.

      Hunter had thought he was done for on multiple occasions. Once on his first actual mission put under Raines ship- before that individual betrayed them. Another time after a very reckless accident when Hunter had snuck out late to get extra training in. Or when he walked the plank on Terras ship. This time- he was protecting someone- perhaps that was worth it.

      Everytime he faced down death, Hunters thoughts always seemed to recount his life- his worth- if he had done a good job.

      But this time- his thoughts were on flapjacks.

      Strange to have your last thoughts on pancakes. 

      Hunter didn’t expect to wake up again.

      After all it wasn’t his luck to survive something of this extreme, and yet somehow here he was. Still breathing despite the terrible pain in his side.

      “Don’t move.”

      A command he did not want to obey, but he was only ever good at following orders. He groggily forced his eyes to open and blinked at the light around him. Until his sight focused on the face of the young girl- Luz looking concentrated as her arms worked on something.

      It took Hunter a moment to realize she was working on him. Changing bandages around him.

      “Where-” He started to ask, realizing they were in some sort of cabin room. He was on a bed of sorts propped up by pillows. 

      “Abandoned hut on the top of a hill.” Luz answered more focused on treating Hunter then answering his questions. “I’m almost done- if you move you’ll reopen it.”

      Hunter dared to look down at his torso, where Luz was wrapping the bandages- actual bandages probably found in this cabin. He couldn’t make out blood but Luz had hidden most of the wound from sight. It was almost more worrying not knowing how bad his own wound was- Hunter was used to knowing at the very least- he had to treat his own after all.

      “What happened?” He asked looking back up at the ceiling trying to ignore how strange it felt to have someone else treating him.

      “Both ships went down.” Luz explained. “King had a tantrum- uh- he can summon storms.” She hastily added, realizing Hunter's lack of knowledge on the siren. “I don’t know what happened exactly- how you ended up like this- or how you survived- you had to have lost so much blood.”

      “How long was I out?”

      “Three days. I stitched you up the best I could, but it’s nothing like Steve's work.” Luz pulled back inspecting her work. Then she helped Hunter lay down again and when he tried to protest scolded with,  “If you stand up, so help me, I will let you bleed out.”

      “Okay.” Hunter was not one to enjoy resting. It made him far too anxious just laying down staring at the ceiling. “Is it just you?”

      “Haven’t found anyone else.” Luz sighed. “If anyone else is alive.”

      As she said it, that’s when Hunter seemed to really look at the girl. Luz who had always been the bright happy naive one on the ship- or at the very least pretended to be. She had bags under her eyes now, looked anxious and exhausted. 

      “Have you slept?” Hunter didn’t know why he asked it. He was a hypocrite in asking of course the girl wouldn’t want to sleep. Her crew was possibly out there- but she was stuck here- taking care of him.

      It made him stomach turn realizing how much he was holding her back.

      “Yeah.” Luz lied sitting back in the chair she was in. 

      Hunter scoffed looking away. He wasn’t about to call her out on it- what would he do after all- he couldn’t exactly force her to sleep. Not when he was stuck laying still.

      “You hungry?” Luz stood up, probably to nervous to keep still herself.

      Hunter only nodded in response.

      “I can’t promise a kings feast.” Luz gave a weak smile. “But any request while I go scavenge.”

      “Pancakes.” Hunter half joked looking at the girl.

      “I was thinking more of fruit or meat.” Luz let out a half hearted chuckle. “If I find some random pancakes though I’ll be sure to grab them.”

      And with that she left him in the little cabin.

      Alone.

      He hadn’t realized how much he’d grown to hate the feeling of being left behind.

      Of being a burden.

      He had to lay still as he was sure Luz’s job of stitching him up was terrible and he just needed to let it heal a little more- possibly- or he could risk it and get up.

      The idea was tempting. It was just a stab wound. Not like he hadn’t been stabbed numerous times before.

      But he was still awfully tired.

      From the bed he could make out a little of the outside out of the broken window. The bird singing in the trees just outside. An overgrown bench underneath it with some sort of engraving on it Hunter couldn’t make out from his distance. It had all the signs of one time being a very beautiful place to live.

      His stomach growled in protest.

      Flapjacks did sound awfully good right now.

      Of course he would settle for whatever Luz found.

       ------

     She had awoken on a beach three days ago, where she had found Hunter. She had used her bandanna as a makeshift bandage and had spotted the cabin up on the cliff from below. She had hoped someone was there but had found it empty. At least it had all the supplies to fix him up- even if crudely.

      During the time he was out Luz had taken to collecting necessities nearby, Water and food. Truthfully she had left food in the cabin where Hunter was at now- but she needed to get out of the cabin anyway. It was too nerve wracking to stay with Hunter and simply care for him- but she wasn’t going to leave him to die.

      She managed to find some peaches today. Collecting them in a bag she had found in the cabin as well. 

      The cabin supposingly belonged to someone according to the journal she had found. Someone named Caleb. Truthfully his handwriting was shit and interpreting it was taking far too much time for Luz to do with all her anxiety of the moment. So, she left the journal in the cabin with Hunter. She might try to read it later to pass time- to try and worry about anything else than her crewmates fates.

      A small hoot made Luz look up. A tiny owl was perched in a branch of a tree staring at her.

      “Owlbert!” She cheered on the verge of tears already. She hadn’t seen any sign of the crew in so long and even the littlest relief was enough for her. “Where’s Eda.” She looked around for the owls' owner. If the owl wasn’t sleeping he was usually following her.

      Owbert hooted again and flew down to perch and nuzzle Luzs neck.

      “Ah.” She realized, her hope extinguishing. “I see- you’re alone too.”

      Owlbert only quietly nuzzled her more, as if to say ‘I’m sorry.’

      Luz gave the little owl a pat. “Well- It’s okay” She lied. “I found Hunter- He’s hurt- so he’s laying down- but he’s safe too.” She wasn’t sure if she was trying to assure the little owl or herself more.

      Owlbert seemed to take interest in this as he leapt up and flew around Luz excitedly.

      A loud growl made Luz freeze. She turned to look around for whatever made the noise, but there was nothing.

      It had been a good distance away.

      Luz took a small inhale and patted her shoulder for Owlbert to come perch again. As quietly as she could manage she made her way back to the cabin.

      Whatever made that growling noise sounded angry, and hungry. Luz did not want to risk another injury in their already half injured duo. If both she and Hunter were down, how would they survive?

      As the cabin came more into view, the more safe Luz started to feel. Making distance between the unseen beast and herself. She entered the cabin with the peaches and dropped them into the chair, handing one to Hunter.

      He didn’t say a word as he sat up slightly- she did not miss the wince of pain on his face as he did so, but she was polite enough not to comment.

      “Well it’s not pancakes-” Luz gave a smile. “But they’re pretty good either way.”

      “I’ll just have to pretend then.” Hunter gave a smile back.

      They both could tell the other's smile was fake.

      They both could tell the other was exhausted and anxious.

      But they both silently agreed, not to talk about it.

       -------

      The growling was becoming more frequent now. Amity and Edric had to leave their makeshift protection to escape from whatever beast had decided the area was their territory.

      “Amity.” Edric whispered, putting a hand on Amitys shoulder to stop her. She looked back to him and he pointed ahead to where some shadow of a creature was prowling.

      It was large with wings sprouting out of its fluffy back.

      Amity nodded in understanding, being sure to be quiet as they changed their path to avoid the owlbeast.

      They ended up setting traps around their next makeshift campsite, large noisy traps that the beast wouldn’t be able to miss.

      “I hope Emiras alive.” Edric said as they rested by the fire, even if it was a spotlight for the beast to find them, they still needed to stay warm. Especially with the nights getting this cold.

      “We can’t talk like that.” Amity muttered. “They’re all alive. They have to be.”

      Edric put a hand on Amity shoulder and she looked up to him. He gave a soft smile.

      “You’re right.” It was a simple thing to say.

      Simple enough that Amity knew they both didn’t believe each other.

      She couldn’t help her eyes starting to water.

      “Things were just going so good-” She spit, angry at fate, the navy, or just pure luck she didn’t know. “Our relationship with Dad was getting better- We were so close to saving Raine- Everyone was happy- and - and hopeful- and Luz and I-” She curled in on herself fighting the urge to scream out hateful things at their situation. “They- They have to be okay.”

      “Mittens-” Edric pulled her into a hug. “I hope they are too.” 

      She couldn’t see it, but she could hear Edric sniffling and crying- he never was the type to silently cry, always making as much noise as possible. Usually for dramatic effect- but this- this was real.

       “Wha- what do we do if-if they aren’t?” The words burned as she said them.

       Edric didn’t respond, only squeezed her tighter. 

      Then they would be alone.

      The two of them. Stuck on and island with some sort of monster prowling around. 

      And then what?

      Hope by chance some ship comes by that doesn’t recognize them as owl pirates or at the very least have enough pity to take in two children.

      No, they had to be alive.

      They had to make it off this island together.

      They were The Owl Pirates after all.

      Every one of them was stubborn as hell.

      A loud snap made Amity pull away from her brother. They both jumped up ready to fight whatever beast made its way to their camp. Whatever followed their fire to find them.

      But instead Amity saw a familiar man standing before them looking equally shocked to see them.

      “Dad?” Edric asked.

     And Amity couldn’t run fast enough to tackle the man in a hug.

      He was alive.

      They were alive.

      They all had to be alive.

      Alador only squeezed her back and pretty soon Amity felt Edric joining in on the hug.

      “Where’s Emira.” Alador asked looking over both the childrens heads.

      “We don’t know.” Amity answered as Edric was still sobbing into their fathers arms. 

      As they pulled away Amity could see others standing with her father. Harvey was anxiously playing with his arms behind Alador, dread and worry on his features. Besides him Steve didn’t look much better fiddling with the sword in his hands.

       The three of them looked like they hadn’t rested in days.

      Amity and Edric probably didn’t look much better.

      “We can’t be too loud.” Steve said. “There’s something lurking around here.”

      “We know.” Amity nodded. “We set traps.”

      “Traps.” Alador seemed impressed. “Very resourceful.”

      Amity looked to her brother- who had been the one to think of the traps, and to know even how to make them properly function.

      “I know, He is.” She knew he needed to hear it. Even if he was still too much of a mess to properly play up his reaction to it. Instead he could only stand there wiping his tears away trying- and failing- to not sob like a child.

       ------

      Luz left again shortly after bringing him peaches. Left him alone in the cabin with orders to stay in bed. This time she said she’d be gone longer. Said it could be night before she got back as she was going to scan the area for threats or survivors.

      It was her job to look out after all wasn’t it.

      It still made Hunter feel useless.

      There was a journal sitting on the table next to him. Something Luz had put there to allow him some form of entertainment while she was away. Told him it would occupy his time if he could translate the messy scribbles the previous owner had called handwriting.

      It wasn’t exactly Rulers Reach- which he was upset he didn’t get to finish- but it was something.

      So he laid in the bed trying to figure out this Caleb guys handwriting.

      He wrote a lot about this Everlin- Everlyn- Evelyn- this Evelyn chick. How wonderful she was and apparently she was a pirate. Hunter was merely scanning the pages as he flipped through the crude handwriting.

      Wasn’t like he wouldn’t have time to decipher the journal later anyway.

      Caleb was more of an artist than a writer. Hunter noticed by the little drawings on several pages. Mostly of this Evelyn lady- that looked vaguely familiar- perhaps he read a book about her.

      The drawing that made him stop mindlessly flipping through the pages was of a bird. A little cardinal sitting looking up at the reader.

      The handwriting was the best Hunter had seen in the entire journal.

      “Huh-” He said aloud. “Flapjack.”

      A light came from the necklace around his neck. Hunter looked down with wide eyes as the little pendant glowed and transformed into a small red bird. Looking up at him with one good eye.

      ‘Caleb?’

      How fate would lead Hunter to the cabin of the previous owner of the necklace.

      “Hunter.” Hunter corrected as the little red bird chirped and jumped up onto his head.

      ‘Caleb’s son?’ the bird chirped, turning its head.

      It wasn’t speaking any language, which was the weird part- how Hunter understood the chirping he hadn't a clue.

      “No- I don’t know Caleb.” Hunter explained looking up at the bird. “Just Hunter.”

      ‘Hurt?’ The bird flapped its way down to land next to Hunter's bandaged side. ‘Boy hurt? Not safe?’

      “I’m safe now.” Hunter assured. “Sort of.”

      Hunter put the journal back on the table now much more fixated on the little red bird.

      ‘Calebs journal!’ The bird chirped. ‘You liar- are Calebs son- looks just like him.’

      “No, I’m not.” Hunter stated sitting up slightly and wincing.

      ‘Bad Hunter!’ The bird scolded. ‘Caleb would be disappointed in his son- take care of self!’

      “I don’t know Caleb.” Hunter reaffirmed. 

      ‘Take care of self anyway.’ The bird remarked.

      “I am.” Hunter scoffed. “Whats your name anyway? Was it Flapjack?”

      ‘Yes- Flapjack!’ The bird puffed out its chest.

      Flapjack was interesting. A small little necklace turned into a bird. With so much personality, as if the thing was actually alive.

      It really did feel alive.

      "A bird." Luz was in the doorway her hands full of old supplies that must've drifted ashore during the wreckage. She looked more tired than when she had left. Her hair and clothes was still wet  so she must've had to swim for them. 

      Hunter looked up from Flapjack. He had taken to talking with the bird about random things. At the moment about Rulers Reach, as the bird seemed interested and he had yet to spill out all the rush of reading the story to anyone- besides Lilith- yet.

      "Flapjack." Hunter held up his hand the the little bird perched on it with a chirp.

      'Look at me human girl!' Flapjack puffed out his chest. 'I'm his new pet!'

      "Did he wander in?" Luz asked putting down the supplies on one of the desks. She didn't seem to pay the bird any mind as he spoke, perhaps only Hunter could hear him.  

      "He was my necklace." Hunter explained.

      "Oh." Luz looked back at the little bird. She held out her hand for him to jump to hers.

      'No- Getting to know my boy.' Flapjack turned his head to look back at Hunter. 'Tell her I don't want to talk to her- I want to talk to you!'

      "Uh-" Hunter gave a little smile to Luz who didn't really seem to care that the bird did not want anything to do with her.

      'Tell me about your friends.' Flapjack chirped looking to Hunter.

      "I think I can manage one more run-" Luz pondered out loud. "before dark."

      Hunter wanted to tell Luz to sit for a bit, at least. To rest and relax so she didn't end up collapsing outside on her own.

      'Don't look sad.' Flapjack demanded he turned to Luz who was walking out the door. 'Oh' then back to Hunter. 'I stop her no worries.'

      "Ow- Let go!" Luz complained as Flapjack pulled at her hair to keep her from leaving. "Stop it!" She tried to pull her hair out of the little birds beak. "I need to-"

      Flapjack managed to pull Luz so she stumbled backwards landing in a chair. Then he perched happily on her head looking to Hunter with a proud smirk- if birds could smirk.

      "I guess I'm not leaving then." Luz sighed. "Did you train him to do that?" She looked to Hunter accusingly.

      Hunter only shrugged with an awkward smile unsure how to explain what just happened.

      Though he thinks he could get quite use to Flapjack around.

[sergeantsporks]

Another Shot at Life

Rating: General Audiences, Gen

TW: Child abuse, emotional manipulation

Ao3

Hunter accidentally makes his way into the human realm and can't get back home. But he's discovering that might not be such a bad thing.

Ch 7/7: Home

Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3, Ch 4, Ch 5, Ch 6

Vee trudged up towards the old abandoned house. She’d started checking it every single day since Hunter had been taken, hoping he’d be there.

He never was.

She pushed open the door, and stopped, dead in her tracks. “L-Luz? Red?!”

Red was shrieking like its little heart was being torn in two, fluttering around where the portal had always appeared.

Vee rushed forward, panic building in her chest. “Hey—are you okay?!”

Luz was turning a key over and over in her hands, poking at it. “I need to go back,” she said dazedly, “I need to rescue him.”

“How long have you been here?!”

“I—I don’t know. A couple of hours? I can’t… get the key to work. But I have to go back, I left Hunter behind, and Belos has him, and—” She struggled to her feet, then immediately fell.

Vee caught her, slinging one of her arms over her shoulder. “You need to go back home. You look awful.”

“But Hunter—”

Vee took the key from her. “I’ll go back for him,” she promised, and a sort of steely calm settled over her. Yes. She would figure this out, she would rescue Hunter.

“Mom will never let you—”

Vee bit her lip. Of all the things to take a leaf out of Hunter’s book for. “We won’t tell her.” She tucked the key into her hoodie pocket, half-carrying, half-dragging Luz back home. “Camila!” she called, “Come quick!”

Camila poked her head out of the kitchen, then shrieked, rushing forward and taking Luz from Vee. “Mi carina! Luz, baby, what happened?!”

“Mama,” Luz half-sobbed, “Mama, I left Hunter—he helped me get away from Belos, he—”

Vee slipped out, wandering back to the old house. Red was sitting on the floor, staring at the spot where the portal had been. Vee gently scooped up the bird. “We’ll get him back. I promise.”

Red chirped sadly, hopping back down out of her hands to sit on the ground again.

Vee tugged the training wand Hunter had given her out of her pocket. It glowed blue, and she sucked the magic out of it. She hadn’t needed it to hide from Belos. But she could use it to save Hunter.

Now there was just one more person she needed.

Xxx

Vee strode into the museum. “Hey!”

Jacob jumped. “What are you doing here?” He glanced behind her. “Your—your friend isn’t here, is he?”

Vee felt tears prick at her eyes, but she blinked them back. “He’s… not here right now. I need your help.”

“My help? Why would you need my help?”

Because you’re stupid, and loud, and prideful and the perfect distraction.

“Because you’re right. Because witches are planning an invasion of your world, and I’m a rebel against them, but I need someone to help me take down their leader, and you’re perfect.”

Jacob stared at her, his mouth hanging slightly open. “You’re… you’re a rebel?”

“Yes. Against the beings that want to conquer your planet.” Vee swung the key back and forth on its string. “I can get you inside the witch emperor’s castle. All you have to do is kill him. Protect your planet.”

Jacob made a grab for the key, and she swung it up, catching it and holding it tightly. “Uh-uh. I control the portal.”

“Why?”

“Because you need someone on this side to keep it open,” Vee lied, “Now, are you going to be a hero and defend your home, or do I have to find someone else?”

Jacob shook his head. “I’m coming! I’m coming.”

“Good. Meet me at the abandoned house you were watching, and I’ll open the portal. The fate of your world rests on your shoulders, Jacob.”

Vee strode purposefully out of the museum, making sure she was out of Jacob’s range of hearing before sighing. “Now I just have to figure out how to open the portal.”

She jogged back to the old house, where Red was still waiting, and held up the key. “Hey. Any chance you know how to use this?”

Red fluttered up and pecked at the eye.

“Hey! Don’t break it!” Vee examined the key. “Now how do I…” she pressed gently on the eye of the key, but nothing happened.

Vee stepped to the place where the door had been.

And was met with resistance.

“Huh?”

Vee clicked the key, and the resistance disappeared. She clicked it again. There was that strange wall again.

Or maybe not a wall. Maybe a door.

Vee put her hands on the solid area, feeling for a knob. “Come on,” she muttered, “You have to be around here somewhere!”

Red fluttered up onto her shoulder, chirping. Its eyes glowed, and suddenly, there it was.

The door.

It looked like the sketches Hunter had left behind, but instead of huge eye on the top, there was a keyhole.

Vee gasped. “Oh! You need a palisman to get in! So no one but a witch could get in from this side! That’s clever!”

She heard clanking, and turned around to see Jacob, in all of his armor. Wow, he really looked ridiculous.

“Where’s the portal?” he demanded.

Vee reached up and inserted the key into the lock, twisting it with a quiet click. A doorframe filled with a golden curtain of light appeared, the key at the top of the doorframe. She gestured to it. “The emperor wears a golden mask with deer horns. You’ll know him when you see him.”

Jacob gulped, then plunged through. Vee briefly considered that she should feel guilty about sending him in to face Belos with absolutely no idea what he was up against.

Eh.

Red tried to dive into the portal after Jacob, but Vee held a hand up, blocking the bird. “I know you want to see Hunter, but I need you to stay here and watch the portal, okay? Make sure no one comes for the key. I’ll bring him back. I promise.”

Red ruffled its feathers unhappily, but perched atop the doorframe.

Vee pulled on the magic she’d absorbed from the wand, shifting to match the look of a coven guard. Then she crept through. She could hear Jacob yelling and clanging his way down the hallway, and the sounds of other coven guards chasing after. Perfect.

Vee slipped unnoticed through the hallways, her nerves spiking. Everything about this place was just one bad memory after another. She spotted a singular guard outside of a door, and sidled up to him.

“Um—” she squeaked, “hello? I, uh. I’m a bit lost, I just transferred here. I’m… I’m supposed to go on guard duty for… the golden guard?”

The guard heaved a sigh. “Finally. I thought I would never go off-duty. It’s just so boring, you know? It’s not like he can escape.”

“Oh. Yes. T-totally.”

“Right. See ya, new guy!”

The guard waved and strode off. Vee shuddered. He seemed so… normal. Like his job wasn’t locking up and hurting innocent teens.

She waited for him to disappear down the hallway, then turned the knob of the door, pushing it open. The room was well lit, surprisingly.

Vee almost wished it weren’t.

Hunter was buried all the way up to the nose in a mountain of some kind of… slime that shifted and moved. His eyes were blank—no pupils, no irises, just eerily glowing white.

“Hunter?” she whispered.

He didn’t respond.

Vee crept forward, poking the slime with one finger.

It glowed blue, and Vee gasped. The whole thing was magic. “Hang on, Hunter, I’ll get you out of here.”

Vee wrinkled her nose and put her hands on the slime. It glowed, and she inhaled, sucking up the magic. She almost immediately gagged. There was something wrong with this magic. It tasted rotten.

But the mountain had gotten just a little bit smaller, so she braced herself, and started eating the magic again, suppressing her gag reflex.

The mountain shrank smaller and smaller, and the slime receded from Hunter’s face. He fell forward, and Vee lunged to catch him, her stomach writhing like she’d just eaten live snakes. “Hunter?”

The eerie glow faded from his eyes, replaced with his usual magenta eyes.

“Hunter!”

He just stared blankly up at her, shivering violently. Vee hefted him in her arms, glancing both ways out into the hallway before starting down the hallway. Maybe it was the huge size of the coven guard she’d shifted into, but he seemed smaller than he ever had back home.

And then there were his eyes. They were so… bleak. Hopeless. It was like he couldn’t even see her.

Vee made her way back to the room with the door, occasionally ducking into other rooms or behind statues to hide Hunter.

She heard a clank, clank, clank behind her, and Jacob came tearing back, screaming. Wow, he could run fast, even in all of that armor.

The meaning of why he would be running like that hit her, and she sprinted after him, bolting through the doors to the room.

Only for several guards to be standing in front of her way out. Jacob was nowhere in sight—they must have let him through the portal. Vee skidded to a stop. “Oh. Hey. Uhhhhhhhh…”

“We have a traitor!”

“That’s no traitor,” Belos’ voice hissed behind her, “That’s a dangerous creature, masquerading as one of our own.”

Vee’s veins turned to ice, and every bad memory from her time locked in the dungeon flashed through her mind at lightning speed.

She didn’t see him move, but suddenly Belos was right in her face. “I’ll be taking Hunter back, now. You don’t know what he needs.”

Xxx

“Mom—I’m okay. Really. It was just a fall off of a wall, and a little bit of light torture, and a blow to the head, and a fall from the sky—I’m fine, really.”

Camila finished applying band-aids to all of Luz’s scratches, her chest tight. “A blow to the head? I’m going to call a doctor.”

“I’m okay, Mom! Really! Hunter gave me these painkiller things, and they really worked, but I think they’ve worn off now, and I know I promised I’d stay here, I know, but we have to go back for him!”

Camila sat down next to her daughter. “Okay.”

Luz stopped, mid-rant. “Wh-what?”

“Okay. I’m going to get Hunter. You stay here and rest. How do I get there?”

“I…” Luz’s eyes teared up. “I don’t know! I couldn’t get the portal open from this side, and Mom, it would be too dangerous for you to go!”

“If it’s too dangerous for me, do you think I’d send my little girl in? I failed Hunter—I let Belos take him. So I’m going to get him back.” If we can get the portal working, if he’s even still alive. Camila shook her head, trying to chase away the niggling doubts in her head. No. She was going to rescue Hunter. No matter how far she had to go.

“He was so miserable, Mom,” Luz whispered, “But he’d just… given up.”

Camila’s heart seemed to tear itself in two. He’d gone back to protect them—and had given up on seeing them again. Camila glanced around the room. “Where’d Vee go?”

Luz clammed up.

“Luz? Do you know where she went?”

“I’m… not supposed to tell you?”

A bolt of panic shot through Camila, and she jumped to her feet. “She opened the portal, didn’t she?!”

“I don’t know—I know she was going to try.”

Camila raced for her purse, throwing a few things in. “I’m going to find her, and maybe Hunter if she’s managed to open the portal. Luz, you stay here. You’re not in any state for a rescue mission, kay? Just trust me to bring him back.”

Luz nodded. “I trust you.”

Camila ran out the door, racing up the path towards the old house.

Please be okay.

Xxx

Vee clutched Hunter tightly, his body quivering so hard she thought she might drop him. A surge of anger rushed through her. “What he needs?! He doesn’t need this!”

Belos shrugged. “He got to be too much of a hassle to keep awake. It was simpler for everyone if he just went to sleep until I needed him. Less painful for him as well—but apparently, you just want him to suffer needlessly. Now, little basilisk, give him to me and I might consider letting you go.”

Vee backed up. “No!”

“HEY!”

Vee jumped as she heard Camila’s voice. She whirled around to see her adoptive mother standing over two unconscious coven guards, holding Luz’s baseball bat. “Camila!”

Camila glared at Belos. “Get. Away. From my. Kids.”

Belos disappeared, reappearing next to Camila and plucking the baseball bat out of her hands. “Oh? How interesting. Are you going to make good on that threat to end me, little human?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I am.” Camila whipped out a can of hairspray and a lighter. “Adios, Belos.” She held the lighter up to the hairspray, and clicked them at the same time. A jet of flame shot out, lighting Belos’ robes on fire. The emperor stumbled back with a shriek, and Camila pushed past him, grabbing Vee’s arm. “Let’s go!”

Vee shot through the portal, Camila not far behind. Vee reached up and twisted the key back out of the portal. The curtain of light closed on Belos’ howl of rage.

Camila whistled. “I cannot believe I just did that!”

“That was—it was scary, but it was amazing, and…” Vee glanced down at Hunter, and the euphoria died away. He was still shaking, still blank-eyed. Red fluttered down to his shoulder, nudging his face and warbling softly. Hunter didn’t respond.

Camila put a hand on her shoulder. “Let’s get him home,” she said softly.

Vee trudged back up the path to her own home, struggling to squeeze through the door. She gently sat Hunter on the couch, shifting back to her usual form. Eating that cursed prison might have been disgusting, but it had given her a huge backup magic reserve—she’d be good on magic for a while yet.

“You’re back!” Luz limped down the stairs, freezing when she saw Hunter. “Oh—oh, no. Hunter?”

He didn’t respond, just kept staring ahead with those dull eyes. Camila wrapped a blanket around his shivering shoulders, taking his hand in hers and giving it a squeeze. “Oh, Hunter. What happened to you?”

“He—he looks kind of like Matholomew did when he got out of detention,” Luz said softly, “Vee, what—”

Vee twisted her hands. “I—there was this cursed mud, and it made his eyes go all creepy—maybe I shouldn’t have taken him out? Maybe it was supposed to run its course and I made it worse by taking him out early?”

Camila squeezed her shoulder. “You did what you thought was best,” she said softly, “We have him back, and that’s—that’s what matters. We can fix this. He’ll wake up.”

Vee blinked back tears. “But—what if he doesn’t?”

What if I was too late?

Xxx

“H-hey, I’m gonna… gonna put on some Stephen Universe? Hunter? Remember, you liked that?” Vee rubbed her arms. Rain had been gently pattering on the windowpane, but it was starting to pick up. “You did. We watched it together, and I liked Amethyst, and you couldn’t pick your favorite character, remember?”

Hunter still just stared forward, wrapped up in his blanket like a burrito, and Vee sat next to him with a sigh. Red hadn’t moved from his shoulder since they’d gotten him back two days ago—and Hunter himself hadn’t budged, either—he didn’t eat anything, he didn’t sleep, as far as Vee could tell, he just sat there, staring into space. Red chirped softly, nuzzling Hunter’s face, and then hopped over to Vee, giving her big, worried eyes.

Vee cupped the palisman in her hands. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly, “I don’t know how to get him back. I don’t know if he’s just in shock, or if this is something that the curse does, or…”

The rain was picking up, wind howling against the window. Vee slid off the couch, setting Red on the floor and digging out birdseed for the palisman. She sat back down on the floor next to the cardinal. “You’ve got to eat something, right?”

Red warbled sadly, and fluttered back up to Hunter.

“I know. I miss him, too.”

Lightning flashed, followed by a crack of thunder, and Vee yelped, putting her hands over her ears.

She heard a rustle and a little whump, and then something warm settled over her. Hunter’s chin rested on her head, his arms flopped over her shoulders so that they were sharing the blanket. Red chirped happily, and Vee froze, her heart thumping hopefully in her chest.

“Hunter? Camila! Camila, Luz, I think he’s waking up!”

Another peal of thunder crashed, and Hunter hugged her just a little tighter. Camila came thumping down, Luz not far behind. Vee didn’t move, holding her breath, worried that if she moved and disturbed him, he’d go back to the way he’d been, barely daring to hope...

xxx

Camila rushed into the living room, where Hunter was flopped over Vee, wrapping her in his blanket. He was still blank-eyed, but his brow was furrowed, like he was trying to remember something. Camila gently cupped his face in her hands.

“Hunter?” She asked softly, “Mijo?”

He blinked, hard, like he’d just woken up. “C-Camila?” His eyes filled with tears, and he fell back, letting go of Vee. The basilisk tackled him in a hug.

“Hunter!”

Camila wrapped her arms around both of them, squeezing them both tight. “Oh!”

His shoulders started to shake. “It was s-so dark,” he whispered.

Camila squeezed just a little harder. “I’ve got you,” she promised. She let the two of them go, and Vee wriggled under the blanket, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with him as the thunder cracked. Luz sat down next to Camila.

“Hey,” she said softly to Hunter, “Thanks.”

He sat bolt upright, making Vee yelp. “The key! Belos!”

Vee held up the portal key. “Oh, you mean this? Don’t worry, Belos can’t get to us.”

“Vee managed to open the portal,” Luz supplied, “She went in after you!”

“And then Camila came for both of us,” Vee finished, “She lit Belos on fire, it was awesome!”

Hunter looked up at Camila, his lip quivering. “You… you fought for me?”

“Of course I did. I said I would, didn’t I?”

Tears rolled down his face, and Camila wrapped him up in a hug. “Hey. Heeey. You’re okay now.”

“I kept—I kept making him mad—and it—and I—”

Camila rocked him back and forth. “Okay. Ooookay. I’ve got you.”

“I couldn’t get out—it was all dark, and blank, and I just kept sinking, and I couldn’t do anything, and I was drowning, and—” Hunter buried his face in her shoulder.

Camila cradled his head in her hand. She could feel a lump on the back of his head, like he’d hit it, and she hadn’t failed to notice the bruises that hadn’t been there when he’d left. A tide of anger swept over her, and she started regretting leaving the Boiling Isles quite so soon. “You’re safe now, Hunter. I promise. Belos can’t hurt you anymore. And if he even thinks about it… well, I have no qualms lighting him on fire again.”

Hunter slumped against her, and she scooped him up, Red fluttering around the two of them. “Okay. You need some sleep.”

“He can take my bed,” Vee offered, “I’m too wired to go to sleep, anyway.”

Camila gave her a grateful nod and carried Hunter up the stairs. He was already asleep by the time they got to Luz’s room, his breath coming in soft little puffs. She nestled him in the bed, pulling the covers over him.

“Good night, Hunter.”

Xxx

Hunter was woken up by the sun.

The sun.

How had he slept this long?!

He bolted upright, nearly scraping his head on the ceiling. Wait. What?

Everything that had happened, came back to him in a rush, and he flopped backwards, running his hands through his hair. “Oh.”

Lying here, in the Noceda house, he could almost imagine that going back to Belos had been nothing but a bad dream.

But it hadn’t been. He had some very real bruises to prove it.

He shuddered, remembering the cold, acidic feel of Belos’ curse.

But then Red soared right into him, singing brightly, and he could almost forget it had ever happened.

Almost.

Hunter’s hand closed around the pin on his cloak. He ripped it off, tossing the cape to the floor, followed by his armor. He didn’t have to wear it anymore. Ever. Belos had no way to get back to him.

Belos had no way to get back to him.

The enormity of the statement caught up to him, and he ran his hand through his hair again. “He can’t come back for me,” he whispered, “I—I don’t ever have to see him again!”

Red chirped in agreement, and a bewildered laugh escaped Hunter’s mouth.

No more running errands for Belos.

No more worrying about what would happen to Red.

No more fear that an attack would hit, and he’d get hurt.

Just Camila and Vee and Luz.

Hunter shuffled down the stairs into the kitchen. “Good morning!”

“You’re cheerful.” Vee grinned. “Afternoon, actually.”

“Really?”

Luz nodded. “Mom said we should let you sleep. Speaking of my mom, she said something about how she shouldn’t have forced me to promise not to go back to the Isles—she doesn’t want me to keep trying to use that key, because it’s too dangerous to get into the keep, but she hasn’t outright said I can’t go back if I can find another way.” Luz glanced around. “I miiiiight ask to borrow Red at some point. If that’s okay with the two of you. I need to let Eda know I’m okay.”

“Luz, are you plotting something behind my back?” Camila came bumping down the stairs, holding a brightly wrapped parcel. “Oh, hey! You’re up!” She thrust the parcel at him. “That’s for you! I actually got it before… but that doesn’t matter, you’re here, I have it, everything’s great.”

Hunter gingerly took the package. “What… is it?”

“It’s a present,” Vee explained wisely, “It’s a surprise. You open it up.”

“Did it… come like this?”

“Nope, Camila wrapped it.”

Hunter squinted at the package. “But… now I’m just supposed to open it?”

Vee nodded. “Yep.”

“Then what was the point of wrapping it up?”

Luz nudged his shoulder. “It’s fun!” Her face dropped. “Oh my gosh, you’ve never gotten a present before, this is so sad. Okay. Just trust us, it’s fun.”

Hunter stuck his tongue out at her, and pulled gently at the paper, trying to unstick the tape.

“Rip it!” Luz demanded, “Tear it open!”

Hunter glanced back at Camila. “But you worked so hard to—”

She laughed. “You’re supposed to rip it, mijo. Go ahead.”

Hunter tore at the paper. It was… oddly exciting.

The wrapping had contained a set of clothing, jeans that actually looked his size, a t-shirt, and a hoodie that looked just a little too big—therefore, exactly the right size.

Hunter turned the fabric over in his hands, tears bubbling to his eyes. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Vee pushed him towards the stairs. “Go see if it fits!”

Hunter scooted up the stairs, closing the door behind him and switching clothes. The rest of his uniform joined the armor and cloak in a pile, and he tugged the hood of his new sweater up, retracting his hands into the sleeves. It was soft, and comfy, and he felt like he could just melt into a puddle right here.

He shuffled back downstairs, and Camila clapped her hands. “Ooo, good, it fits! Look at you!” She grabbed her keys. “Okay, Hunter, Luz, in the car, both of you are coming with me to the doctor’s office, I want both of you checked out for concussions.”

“Mooooooom,” Luz groaned, “I’m fiiiiiiine!”

Hunter let Camila shoo him into the car, stepping out into the bright sunlight (hadn’t it been raining last night?). Warmth spread all through him, banishing the last of the lingering coldness Belos had left behind.

Camila looked back at him as she turned the car on. “Everything good?”

Hunter took in a deep breath, burying his face in his new hoodie. He was back home—this time to stay. “Everything is perfect.”

[toh-writings]

Fortunes of Love pt 3 (Eda x OC)

Summary:

King has a bad day and now has to try and face a problem he is not at all prepared to deal with.

Pt 1  Pt 2  Pt 3

Eda grumbled at the morning, all but collapsed on the kitchen counter. Luz was just getting ready for school so she could call her friends. Eda didn’t fully understand why she needed to call them before school. She was going to see them soon enough anyway, but whatever. It made the kid happy.

She gave a big yawn, at least attempting to stand up a bit straighter as Luz stumbled into the room.

“Good morning, Eda!”

She grumbled some sort of greeting but Luz hardly even noticed. She was far too busy eating the breakfast that was sat out for her. Eda shook her head, a fond smile on her face. She could put anything out and Luz would eat it. The girl just paid so little attention, she was so eager to meet with her friends. While she ate, Eda got herself some apple blood.

“Eda, can I walk to school with Gus and Willow today?”

She hummed thoughtfully, looking over to the clock, then shrugged.

“I don’t see why not, kiddo.”

But before she had even finished the sentence, Luz was already grabbing her bag to leave. She paused at the door a moment, before running back over to the kitchen and giving her mentor a big hug. It took a moment for Eda to process, but when she did she hugged the girl back. Soon enough, she was rushing for the door again.

“Thanks for breakfast, Eda! Have a good day!” The door slammed shut before Eda could give her own goodbye.

She was putting her mug in the sink when she heard little footsteps running upstairs, then an odd series of thuds that sounded suspiciously like someone falling down the stairs, punctuated by a little squeak. She snorted out a laugh and smirked when King came stumbling into the kitchen, looking around frantically. After a moment of searching, he looked disappointed, body sagging.

“Did Luz leave already?”

“Yeah, she had to leave early.”

“Oh… I wanted to say goodbye before she left.”

He bowed his head, sadly walking to the kitchen table, only struggling a little to get up onto a chair.

“Don’t worry, you have the whole weekend to spend time with her.” Eda tried to encourage him, giving him his own plate of eggs for breakfast. It seemed to help a little bit. At the very least he wasn’t slouching while he ate. Good enough.

Eda gave another yawn.

“Well, I’m gonna go take a nap.”

King looked up at her as she left the room, a look of concern on his face.

“Already?” He asked, hopping off the chair to dash to her side. He clutched at the skirt of her dress, stopping her retreat. “But it’s still early! Are you feeling okay? Is it the curse? Did you take your elixir today?”

Eda huffed, pushing the small demon off herself, forceful but not hard enough to hurt him.

“I’m fine. I took my elixir already and I’m gonna head to the market later to get more. I just..” She gave another yawn. “I just need to nap first.”

She walked on despite King’s protests, collapsing onto the couch and promptly falling asleep. King gave an indignant noise, crossing his arms.

“Fine then! I have my own things to do anyway.” He stomped off only to return a moment later with a blanket. He draped it over Eda, making sure it covered her up. “Okay, now I’m going!” He ran off again.

----------------------------

Morning turned into afternoon without much fuss. Everything was quiet and peaceful, the only sound being King as he assembled his army of stuffed soldiers upstairs and acted the wars to come when he regained his power the occasional annoying sound from Hooty. King found it suspicious. Eda should have made some sort of sound by now, maybe yell about going to the market or bumping around in the kitchen. He should probably go check on her.

He tried to be quiet as he walked downstairs, peering into the living room.

“Oh."

In the middle of the living room was what at first looked like a giant pile of gray feathers. But of course, King quickly realized it wasn’t since it was breathing, it’s massive side rising and falling slowly. That was Eda! She had turned into her owl form after all. Well, at the very least she was still sleeping.

King inched forward ever so slowly, now more than ever needed to keep as quiet as physically possible. He hid behind the couch, trying to get control of his breathing. When he had calmed down at least a little peered out at the giant beast in the middle of the living room. She still slept soundly, so he tried scooting a little closer. Then a little closer. Then even a little more. He managed to get all the way to her face without waking her up.

“Eda?” He asked, voice barely above a whisper. He had to actively restrain himself from bapping her face. As much as it would make him feel better, it would also probably get him killed. The only response to his whisper was a loud snore.

Alright, this was no problem! He just had to get some of her elixirs! Then she would turn back to normal!

He tiptoed out of the room, ever so careful, but once he was in the hallway he ran up the stairs to Eda’s room.

“Alright,” he said to himself, looking around the slightly messy room. “If I was an elixir, where would I be?”

He remembered Eda opening a chest before, so he looked through a couple of chests she had around the room. He gave an irritated huff at every chest that held nothing but books and junk. Then there was only one left. He opened it with a triumphant “Ah-ha!”

It held nothing but empty bottles.

“Oh. That’s not good.”

Looked like Eda was out of her elixir. He remembers she did mention having to go to the market for more earlier. Well, he guessed he would just have to get it for her. It wasn’t like she was in any state to get it herself.

He snuck back downstairs, peering back over the couch at where Eda still slept. She hadn’t moved an inch, snoring away. Maybe he could get to the market and back before she woke up. He definitely needed to get back before Luz returned from school. So, he snuck out the front door, trying to open it without a squeak and close it without a slam.

“Watcha doin’, hoot hoot!”

Hooty’s screech nearly made King jump out of his skin. He turned on the door with a glare and a loud “Sshhhhhh!”

“Eda’s sleeping, don’t wake her up! She turned into her owl form again. I’m heading to the market to get her more of that elixir. Can you keep her in the house?”

“You got it, hoot hoot!”

And as annoying as the owl was, at least he lowered his voice. That would have to do.

King ran all the way to the market. Well, he mostly ran. He had very short legs, after all, so he needed a few breaks. Still, he managed to make good time all things considered. He was at the market within the half-hour. Now he just needed to remember where the elixir stand was…

He spent more time than he would have liked just wandering. He knew what the stand looked like, he even knew what the guy running it looked like. Still, there were a lot of stands, even if he knew the general area.

Finally, he saw the familiar stand not far away. He dashed over, taking a few hops before managing to grab the edge of the counter and climbing up.

“Hey! Potion man! I need your help!”

A young man on the other side of the counter jumped at King’s shouting.

“I’m sorry! Can I help you?”

“Yeah, you can give me Eda’s elixir now before I send my dark armies to destroy you!”

He looked at King for a moment, confused, before something seemed to click into place.

“Oh! You’re Eda’s pet, aren’t you?”

“I am no pet! I am her close friend and confidant! And I’m here to pick up her elixir.”

The man looked upset, glancing to the side before looking back at King.

“I already told Eda, it won’t be ready for another five days!”

“What!!”

“She ordered more two days ago and I told her then that it would be ready in a week. I still need five more days to finish it.”

“But she needs it now!” King said, definitely not whining. The King of Demons did not whine.

“I’m sorry, my hands are tied! You can’t rush these things or the elixir won’t even work.”

King huffed and puffed, stomping his feet before devolving into his scream of rage, a high pitched squeak that made everyone in the nearby area stare and snicker. His tantrum was only stopped when unfamiliar hands picked him up. He struggled in their arms, hitting and kicking anything he could reach.

“Unhand me, fiend! I must destroy this potion man!”

“Why? What’s going on here?”

King calmed down a little bit when he heard the familiar voice, turning in the arms to glare up at their face. Niliana looked down at him, a look of concern and confusion on her face. Perfect! She and Eda were friends or business partners or something, right? She could help!

“I need to get Eda’s elixir from this guy, but he won’t give it to me!” He shouted, crossing his arms and glaring at the man. HE looked and sounded every part a grumpy child not getting his way. At least it was about something important.

“I can’t give it to you, it’s not done yet.” He replied, words slow and emphasized in an attempt to get it across to the small demon.

The older witch looked between the two, took a deep breath, and let out a long sigh.

“Okay, Eda needs this elixir of hers, but it’s not ready yet.”

The man nodded.

“When will it be ready?”

“Five days.”

“Okay. Then we’ll be back in five days.”

“But-” King tried to speak up.

“We’ll be back in five days, right King?”

He huffed and looked away, still very aggravated with the turn of events. Finally, he gave a resigned nod.

“Fine. But it better be ready!”

Niliana gave a little bow to the man and walked away, the grumbling demon still held in one arm. She climbed onto the staff in her other hand and flew off, headed to the forest King had come from. He was thinking so hard he hadn’t even noticed they were flying right away.

“Where’s the house?”

King pointed at the general direction. The few minutes it took to get there were spent in silence.

King had no idea what he was going to do now. Eda had been taken over by her curse. She was an angry monster now with no way to turn her back. What was he going to tell Luz? How were they supposed to handle this over the next five days? He really didn’t know what to think. He wished this had never happened. He just wanted Eda back.

They landed a few feet from the house. King gave a sad little thank, dropping off the staff. For a moment, he just sat there before forcing himself to his feet. Still, he didn’t walk to the house, just looked at it as his worries grew.

He heard the witch behind him shuffle about before sitting next to him.

“King, what’s going on? What does Eda need the elixir for?”

He tried to look angry when he looked up to her, but that was hard to do when he was also trying to fight back tears. He debated whether or not it was even a good idea to tell her, but they really good use her help. He really didn’t want to go back into that house alone.

“Okay, I’ll tell you. But you have to promise not to tell anyone else!”

“I promise.”

“Pinky promise!”

She did so, and that was enough reassurance for King. He told her everything he knew about Eda’s curse, which granted wasn’t much. She was cursed when she was younger and if she doesn’t drink her elixirs she turns into a giant owl monster that attacks anything that moves.

“Which is why I was at the market.” He finished. “Eda’s out so I thought I’d get her some more. Now she’s stuck as a monster and I don’t know what to do!”

Niliana hummed thoughtfully, looking over to the house. After some time she got up, hand clenched around her staff tightly.

“Alright, we can handle this.”

“We can?” King asked, shocked. “You’re going to help us?”

“Of course. I’m not about to just leave you all like this. Someone’s going to get hurt.”

“Thank you!” He shouted, throwing himself at the witch. She managed to catch him in her arm, smiling as he gave her the best hug he could manage. They both looked to those, silent as they thought over what to do next.

[k7l4d4]

Midnight Striga: Fairy Tail/Owl House Cross Fic Episode 3 Part 1

Hello all, here’s the first part of the third episode of Midnight Striga, a Fairy Tail/Owl House crossover fic! Everybody clap your hands!!

Luz’s head thunked against the table, heedless of King’s chuckles and Eda’s grimace.

“Aw, come on, kid.” Eda tried to console the embarrassed teen. “So some things slipped your mind after your big showdown. It’s not the end of the world!”

“I’m aware of that, Eda.” Luz’s muffled voice replied. As she lifted her head, she turned her tired gaze onto the Owl Lady. “But this is way more serious than me just spacing out.” Her serious look dropped away, replaced with a comical level of panic. “I can’t believe I dropped that Lacrima!! Who knows what kind of chaos that thing can cause!?”

“Easy, kid.” Eda raised her hands in a calming gesture, taken aback by how worried the kid was. She had never seen her get like this before. “What’s the big deal about that Lacrima thing anyway? I mean, I get that it boosts magical power and all, but aren’t you getting a little too bent out of shape over it?”

“BOOST MAGICAL-?!?” Luz started to shout, before taking a breath to calm down. “Lacrimas do WAY more than just boost magical power. Especially that one.” Her gaze turned morbid as she recalled that little chunk of crystal she had held, the power it represented.

Eda arched an eyebrow, puzzled. “Kid, I’m gonna need more than that.”

Luz sighed, but relented. “Okay, small history lesson, The Human Realm has magic, as you now know.” This got nods from Eda and King. “And with magic, comes monsters.” Another set of nods. “And among those monsters are those considered to be the pinnacle; Demons.” This brought the two up short. “I won’t get into the full story, but a while back, humanity crafted magic specifically designed to counter and battle inherently magical beings, of which Demons of our Realm very much qualify. To fight Demons in particular, Devil Slayer Magic was developed.”

Eda snorted, feeling uneasy. “Well, isn’t that a name.”

Luz cracked a grim smile. “It really is.” She grew serious. “But the magic itself is the real deal. Devil Slayer Magic, like all of the lethal arts, breaks down the inherent defenses of those it is meant to kill, and fundamentally weakens them as well. Anyone who wields the magic is essentially an Anti-Demon; the presence of a Devil Slayer actively weakens, and can even harm, Demons of all types and forms, making them easier to kill.”

Eda placed her chin in her hands, a dark light burning in her gaze, while King nervously sweated next to her. “I’m assuming the magic was made for a legitimate reason, so I’m not gonna say anything about the fact that it was created specifically to kill Demons, but what does this have to do with that Lacrima?”

Luz chuckled, an ugly sound. “I’m a little surprised you haven’t pieced it together yet. Lacrimas are crystalized magic, remember?”

Eda’s eyes widened, the implications hitting her, King openly whimpering beside her. “Now hold on kid, are you saying that that was a Devil Slayer Lacrima!?”

Luz snapped her fingers in Eda’s direction. “Bingo, right on the money.”

“So, what you’re saying is, there is a chunk of Demon Killing Magic loose in Bonesburough!?” Eda sounded a little panicked at the moment.

Luz shrugged. “Pretty much, yeah.”

“Well nothing we can do about that.” Eda said, all the urgency gone. Luz face planted the table in response.

Luz turned her head towards Eda. “How are you not worried!? I just said that an extremely dangerous form of magic was loose in the town!!”

“Yeah, but it’s been Four Days, kid.” Eda stated logically. “There is no way we’ll be able to track it after all this time.” Luz bit her lip, but didn’t argue, the Witch was right.

With a sigh, Luz sunk deeper into her chair, sullen. “Well, if we’re not gonna track down the Lacrima, what are we gonna do?”

Eda grinned. “Well, I’m gonna introduce you to one of the most intrinsic aspects of my business!” The way King went still at those words told Luz all she would need to know on the subject, as did Hooty’s surprisingly mocking laughter.

‘Still,’ Luz thought. ‘What’s the worst that Lacrima could’ve gotten up to in just four days?’

Unbeknownst to her, across Town, a young Demon crashed painfully against a wall, staring down a three-eyed Witch glaring at them hatefully. As they tried to crawl away, the Witch painfully stomped on their leg, eliciting a painful cracking sound. Seeing the Demon react, the Witch smirked, and dug her heel deeper into the limb.

“Boscha, cut it out!” The worried cry of her friend drew Boscha’s gaze from the Demon lying before her, the red fading from her eyes.

Walking over to her follower (Friend), Boscha casually asked. “Yeah Skar?”

Skara gave Boscha a reproachful look, much to the stunned disbelief of the rest of their clique. “I don’t know what’s been up with you since you lost that fight the other day,” All of the girls braced for Boscha’s retaliation to Skara’s comment, only to marvel as Boscha didn’t even blink at the reminder. Seeing as she wasn’t going to be beaten bloody, Skara continued. “But that’s no reason to start jumping every demon you meet in the streets!” Skara spread her arms wide, indicating that, yes, Boscha had indeed ruthlessly beat and left whimpering multiple demons, all lying in the street. Skara, feeling bold, got in close. “What’s up with you?”

“I need to get stronger, and they make good ways to test myself.” Boscha blandly responded, as if she was just talking about the weather. The fact that one of the demons she ‘tested herself’ against was lying on his back, struggling to breath from the damage done to his chest from her attacks didn’t even phase her. The sheer casualness of it chilled the group, unused to even this level of ruthlessness from their effective leader, at least not without some genuine spite and anger behind it. The sheer detachment from her emotions was jarring.

Skara shivered, lightly rubbing her arm. “W-well, let’s just get to class, okay? We’re gonna be late, you know?” With her piece said, Skara rapidly walked in the direction of their school, the rest of the clique following her. Boscha blinked, puzzled at their reactions. Was it something she said? Shrugging, Boscha slipped her hands in her pockets, strolling along after them, utterly oblivious to the death grip she held on the gem currently stashed in her pocket.

Kill...Demons...Kill...Every...Last...One

Back with Luz, she was currently staring at the sight of Eda, proudly standing before a massive, rotting slug corpse alongside the beach. Luz’s eye was twitching at the sight. This was… certainly something alright.

“Isn’t it glorious Luz?” Eda asked. Luz blinked, about to answer with a sarcastic quip, when it kicked in that Eda was serious. “These babies travel the Boiling Sea, growing larger, gorging on all they can, including valuable, resellable, junk from the Human Realm, before they eventually croak and wash up on these shores!!” She turned a beaming grin the Human’s way, clearly expecting her to be impressed. Luz was not impressed in the slightest.

Luz sighed, slowly dragging her hand down her face. “You dragged me out here to help you dissect and harvest this thing, didn’t you?”

“Got it in one, Kid!” Eda cheerfully admitted. “What can I say, you’re labor, you’re here, and we’ve got a lot of corpse to dismantle!”

With a groan of annoyance, Luz brought her hands together, a spell forming. “Light-Make: Workers.” she intoned. Shimmering into existence were two incredibly blank looking humanoids, who instantly set to work; the first grabbed the tools Eda had on hand and started going at the corpse of the trash slug, while the second plucked King out of the way, and started sorting the numerous goods and trash into piles. With a blank look, Luz turned to a dumbfounded Eda. “There, I officially eliminated two-thirds to three-quarters of your workload. If you need me, I’m gonna get a better look in town, maybe get a lead on the Lacrima. Peace!” With a backwards wave, Luz took off, while Eda marveled at the complexity of the spell before her.

“Dang, that kid really knows what she’s doing!” Eda mused. “These things are seriously sophisticated; I was never as in to the technical know-how for things like this as others, but even I can recognize the level of planning that went into designing these. And that kid just whips them up on the fly! HA!” Eda crowed, enjoying the pleasure of knowing she had gained access to something like this over anyone else on the Isles.

“So these things will follow any order?” King piped up, looking intrigued.

“Hmm… not ever order, but anything simple.” Eda stated after a moment of thought. “These things, from what I can tell, are meant to be simple labor; they can handle uncomplicated tasks well, but anything that needs real thinking is beyond them. They’ll keep going until they run out of magic, and any time they complete a task they’ll stand by to receive another.” Eda nodded to herself; she wasn’t kidding when she said these were good, any Abominationist worth their salt would sell their family’s entire wealth to spend even a minute studying one of these.

“So, what your saying is, we’ve got a pair of super-minions that’ll do all the boring work so we can kick back and relax!?” King demanded, ecstatic at the very thought.

As Eda opened her mouth to refute this, she paused, considering. As what had already occurred to King fully dawned on her, a wide, devious grin stretched itself across her face. The duo cheered, birds flying off in the distance at the volume.

Luz whistled along, carefully scanning her environment for anything out of the ordinary. As she wandered along, she idly noted how beautiful the place was, deadly wildlife and callous view of harm and death notwithstanding, and Luz could honestly say that, if things were different, she could easily see herself living here. Still, she had a mission, and absolutely nothing could distract-

“You can do it!”

Who the what now? Luz’s gaze turned to the source of the voice. Peering through the bushes, she witnessed the sight of a truly adorable Witchling giving herself a pep-talk. “You got this! It doesn’t matter if you do poorly in terms of grades. My parents are right, I’ll have better opportunities on this track.” As the girl kept cheering herself on, she accidentally stepped on a plant, yelping in distress as she noticed. “Oh, I’m sorry little friend!” With a hum, the girl quickly whipped up a spell that perked the damaged flower back to normal; Luz was impressed, the efficiency in that spell was something she hadn’t thought Witches on the Isles were actually capable of. As the girl celebrated, Luz spotted another girl coming along the path, the cart carrying her hauling a truly massive pot. As the new girl approached, she bumped into the first Witch’s own, much smaller cart, sending it sprawling across the ground. Luz frowned at the sight.

The new girl glanced down, slight surprise lighting behind her eyes as she tore them from her book. At first, Luz thought she would apologize; the next words out of her mouth killed any hope of that. “Oh, sorry Willow. I didn’t notice your cart. It was so small and pathetic I must have missed it, sort of like you actually.” Ordinarily, that kind of cruel callousness would’ve set Luz off to some degree, but the words lacked the genuine edge of malice that Luz often found in such statements.

“Amity.” The now-named Willow seemed to physically deflate. It was practically heartbreaking to see her look so small, so fast. “What do you want?”

“Oh my, can’t I check on a fellow classmate?” Amity said, a coy grin on her face. “I do hope you’ve got your Abomination ready for the presentation.” Abomination? Luz figured it must have been some aspect of the Isles’ magic she hadn’t seen yet. With a twirl of her finger, the kid named Amity called up a colossal humanoid composed of some purple-colored sludge and muck. With a hesitant twirl of her own finger, Willow called her own Abomination out of the much smaller pot beside her; it was pathetic, small, malformed, essentially nothing but a head. Every bit of Luz’s instincts and pride as a Construct Specialist cringed in pain at the sight of Willow’s Abomination.

Amity tisked at the sight. “Ooh, I don’t think that’s gonna cut it. Not like mine at any rate.” She gestured to her Abomination, which proceeded to march forward, stomping on Willow’s, and standing before the timid girl.

“You-Are-A-Star.” The thing gurgled out, apparently capable of VERY limited intellect. It then moved to slowly drag its finger across Willow’s forehead, leaving the image of a purple star behind.

“Oh, how sweet!” Amity cooed with faux-sincerity. “It’s just like mine.” She gestured to a gold spot on her uniform, some kind of badge, Luz guessed. “But smaller, and meaningless.” With that last bit said, she had her construct haul her onto her cart before returning it to its vessel. “See you in class, superstar.”

“‘See you in class, superstar.’” Willow spitefully mimicked. “Oh, I HATE it when Amity taunts me like that.” She growled, the ground shuddering. “I hate making Abominations.” The rumbling increased. “I hate getting bad grades!” Thorns started poking out from beneath her feet. “I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANY MORE!!!” With a scream of rage, eyes burning a vibrant green, colossal vines ripped out from the ground, lashing out in all directions. Before Luz could even blink, the vines whipped over to her hiding spot, hauling her into the air. While they were biting a bit into her skin, it was more irritating than harmful, other than the height she was being dangled from at any rate.

Deciding to cut this off before she reached a point of being in actual danger, Luz called out to the girl. “Hey, you mind letting me down!?”

As the girl’s still fiercely glowing eyes whipped over to her, Luz briefly contemplated the idea of having made a mistake, only to internally sigh in relief as the glow faded, embarrassed shock crawling across the Witchling’s face. “Oh my Titan, I am SO sorry for that!” She quickly withdrew the vines, smoothly lowering Luz to the ground, much to her admiring thanks. “I can’t believe I lost control like that. Oh! Where are my manners. My name’s-”

“Willow, I heard.” Luz chuckled. “Speaking of names, mine’s Luz.” With that said, she held out her hand, open for a shake.

[drabbles-of-writing]

Covention

This is part of my Uncursed AU

AO3

Masterpost

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Eda really, really didn’t like coventions.

They were stuffy, unnecessary, and if she was being honest, gatherings for blind obedience. Almost reminded her of school.

She already had enough memories of Lilith wandering around coventions when she was younger with stars in her eyes. Eda may have had stars, too, but she had learned better now!

At least Luz was having fun. So she had that.

,

“Huh, that panel looks popular.” Luz said, looking across the covention.

The nerd, what was his name again? Bus? Just? Something like that. Anyway, the nerd gasped and his eyes shone with delight.

“It’s the Emperor’s Coven!” He exclaimed.

Eda jerked around, blinking in surprise. Sure enough, it was a carpeted path leading to where the Emperor’s show usually was. S

he couldn’t see Lilith standing at the front, though. Which was a bit strange. Lilith would love to boast at a covention.

Maybe she was inside.

“Do you think they’ll sign my forehead?” He excitedly asked the more sensible girl. Plant girl? Oak? What were these kids' names?

“Only one way to find out!” The plant girl said, almost as enthused.

“Are you coming, Eda?” Luz asked, looking back as her friends hurried to the entrance

“Ugh, I guess.” Eda sighed. “If I’m lucky, I’ll find someone to annoy.”

“No offence, Eda, but I don’t think that’s hard for you.” Luz snickered, beginning her walk to the stand.

“Oh, don’t worry. I take pride in that.” Eda grinned.

Walking in, Eda wasn’t surprised to see the place had barely changed. Still as big and dramatic as it could possibly be. She almost scoffed as she sat down, crossing her legs and looking bored.

Luz made no comment, but she could see the mild worry in her gaze.

The lights dimmed, and the crowd went quiet. Principal Bump arrived on stage, and Eda instantly started to tune everything out.

She knew from school that as much as Bump kissed the feet of the Emperor’s Coven, it was all mostly just for show. So long he could teach properly, he didn’t care.

Besides, she’d heard enough Emperor’s Coven worship to last a lifetime. A part of her was grateful Lilith usually knew to be quiet about it when they found themselves in the same room.

“And now, I’m pleased to introduce the esteemed leader of this coven and this year’s mystery guest,” Principal Bump said right as Eda was tuning back in.

“You know her, you love her...Lilith!”

Eda stared, shocked. Having only now processed his words as a blue raven appeared high above the stadium. It flew down to the stage and landed, cawing once as blue magic flew around the wide room.

Of course, she should’ve expected Lilith would arrive. She had become the leader of the coven, what, a year ago? Two? It was to be expected she’d want to show off at a covention.

Some piece of Eda wanted to be annoyed as Lilith appeared on stage, withdrawing her mask as the crowd cheered.

Another part of her was ecstatic. What a better time to show off her new apprentice, eh?

“There she is,” Eda chuckled, shaking her head and crossing her arms with a smile.

Luz glanced over at her, brow furrowed in confusion.

“Do you know her?” Luz questioned.

“Know her? Ha!” Eda snorted. “Kid, I know Lilith better than anyone on the Isles.”

“You have a mysterious past with the coven leader?” Luz gasped. “And you say you hate covens.” She said with a teasing smirk.

“I do. But, sadly, Lilith doesn’t.” Eda shrugged.

“Thank you, all.” Lilith said, using her magic to lift her mask and cloak off of her and throw it onto Bump. “It wasn’t easy for me to rise to the top,” She said, walking across the stage. “I, too, started from humble beginnings.”

“Dang right you did,” Eda huffed, her smile never faltering.

“Now I have the highest honor of enforcing the Emperor’s will,” Lilith said. “So be more! The Emperor’s Coven awaits you!”

She spun, her hands lighting a brilliant blue. With that, a blue raven rose into the air. It expanded for a moment before bursting into small blue balls of light.

The crowd cheered on.

Eda felt a small chill down her spine, but brushed it off. This was Lilith who was talking here. She was all bark and no bite.

Usually.

,

Eda, thoroughly done with hearing all the coven propaganda, left Luz to wander the covention on her own. The kid could handle herself, probably.

She had a certain someone to visit.

Which was lucky for her, because Lilith wasn’t known to be one to blend into a crowd.

Within minutes, Eda found her. Surrounded by young kids and signing autographs for them. Typical.

“Hey, Lily!” Eda called. “I see you’ve still insisted on making your hair darker and straighter than the Coven itself, huh?”

Lilith paused, blinking in surprise and offence as she looked around for who could’ve said that.

Then her eyes fell on Eda.

“Edalyn?” She asked happily. “Is that you?”

“In the flesh and blood,” Eda said, walking over with a grin. “Miss me?”

“Mm, a bit,” Lilith said, handing the pen and paper back to one of the kids. “That’s all for today, I’m afraid. I have business to attend to.”

“Thank you, Miss Clawthorne!” The children chorused before scampering off into the covention, giggling and whispering about having talked to Lilith herself.

“Well, I see you’re having fun in the spotlight.” Eda chuckled. “Doesn’t that ever grow tiring for you?”

“I could ask you the same. Running from the law and collecting trash isn’t your best look.” Lilith snarked back. “At least I am teaching the next generation of witches.”

“You know, I am so glad you brought that up.” Eda grinned, already giddy with excitement.

“I’m already worried,” Lilith said, crossing her arms and raising a brow.

“No, no, it’s great!” Eda insisted. “See, I, Eda the Owl Lady, got herself an apprentice.”

“Wait, really?” Lilith perked up. “You? Of all witches? Aren’t her parents worried?”

“Complicated story,” Eda waved her hand. “That’s not even the best part!” She said excitedly. “You see, my apprentice is--”

“Eda!”

The witch jerked back, surprised to see Luz suddenly appear at her side and tug on her arm.

“I need your help!” Luz begged.

“I accidentally challenged Amity to a witches duel, and I think she’s going to kill me all the way dead!” She whimpered, falling to the ground with a stricken look.

“...well, it seems your apprentice has met my strongest protégé .” Lilith said, clearly trying to hide her amusement.

“Kid, I was gone for five minutes.” Eda groaned, grabbing the back of Luz’s hood and lifting her to her feet. “You really do learn fast, huh?”

“Oh my, those ears,” Lilith said, leaning down to squint at them and causing Luz to self-consciously step closer to Eda. “Edalyn, is your apprentice a human?”

“The only one in the Boiling Isles,” Eda nodded, placing a hand on Luz’s shoulder. “I wanted to tell you sooner, but you’ve apparently gotten a new number.” She added bitterly.

“Right, yeah, sorry about that.” Lilith chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck. “I meant to tell you, but things have been busy recently.” “Uh huh, sure.”

“Eda, please,” Luz begged, tugging at her dress. “I’m going to die.” She whispered, eyes full of horror.

“You’re not gonna die, kid.” Eda sighed. “I’ll handle it.” She said before looking up at Lilith.

“Well, if she was challenged to a witch's duel, it’s going to be very difficult for me to convince Amity to unbind her.” Lilith said casually. “What’s the big deal, anyway? If she’s your apprentice, surely you must have taught her something, right?” She said.

“Pfft, of course I have!” Eda said, eyes darting around. “Luz here just hasn’t ever been challenged, that’s all.”

“Then I’ll see you at the duel.” Lilith said, holding her hands behind her back. “I’ll even be nice and tell Amity to go easy on her, since she’s your apprentice.”

“No need, she’ll be fine.” Eda said, much to Luz’s horror. “Winner gets bragging rights for the next month...and a half!”

“Deal,” Lilith said. “Good luck, Sister.” She teased, turning to walking in that oh-so-annoying elegant walk she tried to do.

“Alright, kid, it’s time to prepare for bloodshed.” Eda said, patting Luz on the back.

“But... whose blood?” Luz worried.

“Anyone’s guess!” Eda said with a chuckle. “Now come on, we’ve got to train you.”

Luz, who was very obviously still concerned, followed Eda as she led her to a more secluded part of the covention.

Before she did, however, she glanced back at where she saw Lilith walk off.

Lilith watched as an Emperor’s guard put up one of Eda’s wanted signs on the wall before walking off. Lilith stood still for a few moments before twitching her hand and the wanted posted burned right off the wall like it was never there.

Eda smiled before rushing off.

,

“All right, Luz. Let’s start your training now.” Eda said, clasping her hands together.

“Can’t we find a peaceful way around this?” Luz begged. “I really don’t want to fight Amity. And you seemed like you were friends with Lilith.”

“Oh, it’s worse than that.” Eda grumbled. “She’s my sister.”

“You have a sister?”

“Unfortunately,” Eda sighed. “But I’m not about to give up that easily. Who’s this Amity you're fighting, anyway?”

Luz peered out from their hiding place before spotting Lilith training Amity in the covention and pointed.

“Her,”

Eda poked her head out as well, squinting until she noticed the green-haired witch right as her abomination tossed its head into the Bakers Coven stand by mistake.

“She seems familiar,” Eda mumbled. “Her last name wouldn’t happen to be Blight, would it?” “How did you know?” She gasped.

“Ugh, I went to school with a Blight.” Eda sneered before stepping back into her hiding place. “Yeah, you’re taking this girl down. And rub it in Lilith’s stupid smug face.” She added with a growl.

“But you haven’t taught me any spells,” Luz reminded her. “And this is starting to feel a little too personal.” She added nervously.

“Nonsense. I just want my apprentice to do well.” Eda said, patting her head. “We--I mean you, are going to win this thing. Besides, it’s not like you swore you could never do magic again in that binding.” She snorted.

Luz pressed her mouth together in a thin line, giving Eda the most subdued terrified look she could muster.

“...you’ve gotta be kidding me.”

“I didn’t realize how serious it was!” Luz explained frantically. “She bullied King and insulted me! Was I just supposed to let that slide?”

“Obviously not, but a witches duel?” Eda groaned. “Sometimes I swear you want to cause trouble for yourself. And I’m proud of that.” She added, sounding pleased with herself.

“I’m never gonna be able to learn magic,” Luz whispered, sliding back against the wall.

“Hey, you’re gonna be fine, kid.” Eda promised, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Listen, I’ve got an idea. Just relax and everything will turn out alright.”

,

“Is your student ready?” Lilith asked, sliding up beside Eda.

The two of them were waiting just outside the ring for the witch's duel as it was getting prepared for the fight.

“Depends. Is yours?” Eda said, giving her sister a smug look. “How’d you even find such a rich brat like her, anyway?”

“First of all, you will not call my student a brat.” Lilith said sternly, getting a mildly surprised reaction out of Eda. “Second of all, I was approached by multiple families wishing for their children to be trained by the best of the best.” She said, calmer now.

“One of them happened to be Amity. I may not have gotten along with either of her parents back in Hexside, but I believe Amity has potential.” She said, glancing back to where her apprentice was waiting behind the curtains.

“Look at you, going all soft.” Eda grinned. “And, I should mention, that kid still bullied King and, from what I hear, was rather insulting to Luz. So I reserve the right to be a little harsh.”

“I didn’t hear about that,” Lilith said, shocked. “Are you sure it wasn’t a misunderstanding?”

“Luz may be a bit of an oddball like the rest of us but she is not a liar,” Eda said firmly. “Maybe you should focus more on talent than status next time.”

“Oh, shut it.” Lilith growled. “You’re just upset because she’s a Blight.”

“I still haven’t forgiven that guy for stealing your lunch money.” Eda said stubbornly, crossing her arms.

“Edalyn, for the love of the Titan, it’s been decades!”

“Miss Clawthorne?”

Lilith turned, seeing a guard poking his head into the room.

“We’re ready for you.”

“Thank you,” Lilith nodded to the guard before he slipped out.

“Good luck, Sister.” Lilith nodded.

“I don’t need luck.” Eda huffed. “But...thanks.”

Lilith gave her sister a smile before walking out onto the stage, Amity following close behind.

Eda really hoped that Blight wasn’t as trained as Lilith said she was.

,

In hindsight, Eda probably should’ve pep-talked Luz in acting like she was casting magic beforehand.

She had to admit, Lilith's protégé was good. Almost too good, if Eda was being honest with herself.

Luz hit the ground and stumbled back, staring around with wide, scared eyes. Eda kept her distance, though she spared a glance to Lilith.

The fact that Lilith wasn’t looking all that smug made her very, very suspicious.

“No, Amity, wait!” Luz shouted, drawing her attention back to her. “Don’t step any closer!”

Amity paused, staring at Luz before her face deepend into a scowl.

“Why, Luz?” She demanded. “What happens if I step closer?”

There was a shout from above, and both girls looked up.

King fell down from the audience and landed right on the mound.

“Oh no,” Eda froze.

The magical trap activated and spikes erupted from the ground, forcing both girls back.

The spikes, thank the Titan, out pierced through the ridiculous amount of merchandise King had wrapped around himself.

“Huh? I’m okay!” King spoke, clearly surprised about this outcome.

“King! Great stars, you scared the life outta me!” Eda breathed a sigh of relief.

“I knew it!” Amity snapped. “You were cheating!”

“Oh, Edalyn,” Lilith shook her head, walking up beside her apprentice. “I wish I could say I was surprised.” She sighed. “I do believe this means you lose.”

“Don’t act all high and mighty with me!” Eda barked back.

“It wasn’t my idea to cheat, I swear!” Luz insisted, walking over to Amity. “And, and when I found out, I tried--I tried to stop it but--”

“Who could believe anything you say?” Amity snapped.

She whirled around and began storming off, presumably to go boast to some lackies, if Eda had to guess.

But then she noticed something off about the back of her neck, something her hair didn’t quite hide.

“Wait a second there, Little Miss Protégé .” Eda said, hurrying after her.

The girl paused, confused. Eda lifted up the back of her hair, confirming her thoughts.

“Hey! What are you--”

Eda peeled the glyph off her neck, raising it to the audience.

“A power glyph from the Construction Coven!” She announced.

The crowd gasped, and the girl looked back at Lilith with horror. Eda whirled around, tossing the glyph onto the ground.

“Seriously, Lily?” She demanded. “A power glyph? What are ya, a second-rate magician?” She shook her head before grinning.

“I can’t believe it! Prissy, perfect little Lilith cheated! Man, I love coventions.” She smirked.

“I only did that because I knew you would cheat!” Lilith defended.

“Still cheated!” Eda sang, dancing around her sister. “Welcome down to my level, Miss Coven Leader.” She laughed.

She was barely aware of Amity and Luz running off, with King close behind.

“Oh would you just knock it off?” Lilith whisper-yelled. “You're making a scene!”

“Not the first time, and definitely not the last!” Eda boasted. “Hey, Rhyming Coven! What rhymes with cheated?” She showed the audience.

“You’re acting like a child!” Lilith hissed. “You're making a bigger deal out of this than you need to.”

“Eh, after scaring my apprentice to death and making your own protégé cheat, I think I deserve it.” She said, resting her chin on her folded hands and facing Lilith with a smug look. “Don’t you?”

“Eda…” Lilith warned.

“You were defeated! Don’t get heated,” Eda rhymed, still taunting her sister. “Time to get your face tre--”

Lilith summoned her staff and shot it out in front of Eda’s foot, causing her to trip and stumble, nearly falling to the dirt.

“That is enough, Edalyn.” Lilith growled, giving her sister a warning glare.

Eda looked back with a still righteous smile. She brushed herself off and stood tall.

“Look, if you really want a witches duel…”

Eda summoned her staff, twirling it in the air before it smacked her in the head and she dropped it with a wince. She fumbled and picked it up again, acting like her mistake never happened.

“Why don’t we give them one?” Eda challenged, a faint gold glow coming from her staff.

“...I agree.” Lilith said, finally relenting, to Eda’s delight. “Lets.”

,

Eda couldn’t help but be reminded of all those times her and Lilith would have witches duels in the town. For show, and also to settle arguments.

If their dad thought it was bad when they were kids, he would’ve lost it at the duel they were having now.

Right as Eda had that thought, she noticed the burned hole in the side of the massive wooden owl she had only just trapped Lilith in.

“Enough of this.” A voice said behind her.

‘Oh boy,’

Before Eda could react, Lilith blasted her back. Eda hit the wall of the area and felt the stone crack and indent upon her impact. She groaned and fell to the ground, ginger hair falling over her face.

“Are you done now?’ Lilith demanded, holding her staff out defensively.

“Not even close,” Eda chuckled, getting to her feet and rubbing her arm. “But I have a feeling you are.”

“Don’t get testy with me, Edalyn. I’m not in the mood.” Lilith warned.

“Fine, fine, let’s call it a draw, if that’ll make you feel better.” Eda said, standing up and holding her staff.

“Still doesn’t change the fact you cheated, though. What was all that about the kid having ���potential?’ Was that some ploy to get me to believe your lie?” She raised a brow.

“Unlike you, I don’t lie about my protégé being able to compete .” Lilith huffed. “I simply...wanted to make sure she won. Even if neither of us cheated, you know as well as I that she would have won.”

“You’re so obsessed with winning all the time, it’s starting to even annoy me.” Eda rolled her eyes. “What, is being the leader of the Emperor’s Coven not enough for you?”

"You have no right to tell me what is or isn't enough!” Lilith retorted. “You’re a wanted criminal! At least I went somewhere in the world.”

“Uh huh, keep telling yourself that.” Eda looked away, though her ears did flick downwards.

“Look, this has been fun, but I should make sure Luz didn’t get pummeled by that Blight girl.”

“Whatever,” Lilith huffed, turning her head away as Eda hurried towards the exit.

Lilith swallowed and glanced between her retreating sister and the staff in her hand. She sighed and tapped it against the ground slightly.

“...tell King I said hi,” Lilith murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

Eda paused at the doorway, looking back. She exhaled and allowed the smallest of smiles.

“Sure thing, Limby.”

“What did I say about that nickname?”

,

“Eda! There you are!” Luz called, running over to the witch with King a tote back she was carrying. “How did you get away from Lilith?”

“Gave her what she wanted, while still having the moral high ground. Works like a charm.” Eda said proudly.

“She means she called a draw and ran,” King explained to Luz.

“I don’t see you doing much better,” Eda accused as the three began hurrying out of the covention. “By the way, Lilith says hi.”

“Oh, oh! Tell her I say hi back!” King wagged his tail gleefully. “And ask her if she still makes those green cookie bars! I missed those.”

“Tell her yourself some other day. I’m not a messenger!” Eda muttered, rolling her eyes.

Luz looked down as they walked, glancing over at a group of other witches as they showed off small bouts of their covens magic. Eda noticed and looked down at her apprentice, confused.

“Eda...do you think I’ll ever be a true witch?” Luz asked, looking up at the witch.

“What? I don’t know,” Eda shrugged. “And who’s a true witch? These suckers?” She pointed back towards the group they had passed.

“According to them, that means being in a coven. But I never joined one, and I’m better than all of them combined!” She grinned, raising a hand and showing off a burst of gold fire.

“You gotta be your own witch, kid.” Eda said, softening as the fire died out. “Not what others think you should be.”

“My own witch…” Luz repeated. “I think I can manage that.”

“Yeah you can.” Eda said, ruffling the human’s hair. “Now c’mon, Lilith’s bound to realize I tied her shoelaces together soon.”

A scream of fury answered her prediction.

“And that’s our cue!” She said, hurriedly pushing Luz out of the exit.

“You have the weirdest relationship with your sister,” Luz said. “Glad I’m an only child!”

“Oh, kid, if you think this is odd, wait till you hear about my dad.” Eda whistled.

“More mysterious past?” Luz’s eyes went wide. “I need to know more!”

“No, no.” King shook his head. “You very much do not!”

[colemacgrathtkz]

Where two shadows meet

Disclaimer: No gush. No mush. Just angst.

Previously. Next

----------------------‐----------------------

[The next day after being sent away, human realm]

The morning after being cast out, Luz woke up to the an empty room. She had hoped the events of last night were just some nightmare. Feeling the dried tears on her face told her the truth. She must've cried herself to sleep. She'd been waiting for the smallest chance of the portal reopening. Any opportunity, no matter how small, she refused to miss.

None came and hints of dawn were peeking through the windows.

She picked herself up and headed for her old house. The empress cloak still wrapped around her. She wondered, how would she explain this to her mother?

When she approached the street, a flyer caught her eye.

A missing persons poster with her picture on it. Plenty of them were scattered throughout the neighborhood.

She ran towards the side of her house and peered in.

Her mother, weary and worn out, sat at the table with a phone at hand. Were her eyes red from crying or staying up all night?

Luz was about signal her mother to her presence.

Not yet.

She caught her reflection in the window. Her pupils were glowing red. Stumbling back, she couldn't face her mother like this.

Sprinting away, not caring about what direction.

Hours later, Luz would return when she knew her mother was gone. She snuck in to take whatever cash she could and pack up a new bag.

Camilla Noceda: "Who's there?!"

Scratch that, Camilla hadn't gone to work yet. Luz grabbed what she had and bolted out of the house. From that day on, she had to make her supplies last.

[Six weeks later]

Luz had been wandering the country. She had tried shelters. But she had made her stays brief. People had tried to figure out, where was she from?

The worst part came from her "condition". Lately, she kept waking up in different parts of the city. Clumps of money or random items could be found alongside her. Usually with a note that said, "Take this with you". They were written in her handwriting. She refused to obey the beast inside her. However, her stubbornness meant she refused any resource that came from the empress. One in particular, the empress cloak that kept appearing in her bag.

Her travels left her funds dry and uneasy about the future.

One night, she didn't have any strength left. Her nightmare was moving to its next phase.

She found herself in her old room. A shackle made of light lead out the door. She stepped out into the hallway. The chain trailed to the right. But it became pitch black futher down. A second chain came from the abyss into a door across the hall.

She wanted to know where this would lead.

Stepping through, she dreaded that this was Belos' old throne room.

Stop...fighting

The empress stepped out from the other side of the room. Dressed in her cloak, the metal mouth mask was new. She twirled her finger and closed the door behind Luz.

Let...me.

Her majesty gestured to her mask. The voice was so muffled, it might has well have been a whisper. Luz didn't really notice it until now.

Luz: "I don't really know what..."

Empress Luz: "Check...it."

The empress pulled on her end of the chain and zipped to Noceda's side. Luz fell over, leaving the empress towering over her.

She didn't know she could make such a scary glare.

Empress Luz (pointing to pockets): "Check!"

Luz didn't waste a second and found a key.

Empress Luz: "You... willingly... give."

She handed her the key, as she stood up.

The empress removed her metal mask, relieved.

Empress Luz: " That's better. We have something to discuss."

Noceda just wanted to leave this nightmare.

Empress Luz: "This nightmare is very real. You leave... when we settle this now!

That's right, I can feel what you're thinking."

Luz Noceda: "What do you want? This is just a dream, right?"

Empress Luz: " You've no doubt noticed, I've been taking control while you sleep. Regrettably, our body has become deprived of rest. We're malnourished and becoming worse. You have to listen to me now!"

Luz: "If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me!"

Empress: "And our mother with us?"

Dread silenced both of them for a moment.

Luz: "What did you do?

Empress: " I've been a spectator, until not long ago. Neither of us have seen our..."

Luz: "My mama! Mine!"

Empress: "Our mami. I haven't seen her since you ran. I haven't done anything to her. That's what you've got to understand. I care about our mama, like you."

Luz: " You're a curse from Belos."

Empress: "Wrong! I'm not you, but at the same time, I am. From the moment Eda took you on, you were a witch with a dark side. When you killed Belos, you released his unnatural power. I wasn't made by it. It just gave me a voice. I'm a genuine Luz Noceda! I'm a part of you, just like you're a part of me."

The empress sat down on the throne, resting her head in her hand. She revealed a key under her cloak.

Empress: "I can give you the key out of this room. But these shackles on our legs are different story. These are the chains Amity gave us. Which is why, you're going to do what I say."

Luz scowled at this doppelganger. But she began to recall everything that happened since that night.

Luz: "What are you talking about?"

Empress: "Our fates are tied. But you're the only obstacle in our way. You've been frustrated and angry since we were cast out. I've been gaining control because of this. You were able to hold me back, at first. But your control is ticking away. Ironic, isn't it? We're both at our weakest, regardless."

Luz: "Let me out!"

The empress held up her restraint.

Empress: "To do what? Walk until we collapse? Hardly sleep anywhere? Fending off the streets? We're exhausted and knocking on death's door! If we continue on like this, our mother will suffer, too."

Luz: "You're lying."

Empress: " You haven't forgotten our last moments with Amity, right? She knew that would be the last time she'd see us. Mama didn't know that moment on the curb was hers. If they even find our body, can you imagine her face when they do? Haunted by the guilt for the rest of her life? Never knowing anything other than sending her daughter away? That's the fate that you're headed for. But I'm offering a different course."

Luz: "Stop beating around the bush and tell me!"

Empress: "While you've been asleep, I've tried to learn all about magic on this side. This chain could be an unexpected key to getting everything. I want everything you do. I want to give our mama an easy life. I want Amity at our side."

Luz: "Revenge on Lilith?"

Luz felt a familiar rage rising. But she didn't know why. She hadn't thought of Lilith until just then. That's when she understood her connection to the empress.

Empress: "Maybe I was hasty about that? But I know you haven't forgiven her for what she's done. I am you, after all. She got her sister back while we've got nothing. She's cursed her own sister and used us as a human shield. She gets to be with Eda. Meanwhile, you beat Belos and can't even go back to mami."

Luz: "It's because of you. All of this is your fault!"

Empress: "Us. Tell me something, does mama love you or me?"

Luz: "Me! I'm her daughter. You're just something I picked up on the Isles."

Empress: "So, she never met me? Yet, she sent you away to be someone else. It's not my fault you can't be with her. My existence isn't the reason you can't face her, is it? It's because you're too much, even for her.

But what about Amity?"

Luz: "You made me watch you terrorize everyone. You didn't leave her a choice."

Empress: " I gave her everything. She had our trust and love. But when she cast us out, she knew it was you. She was talking to you."

Summoning illusions, that night was replayed in front of them.

Empress: "When she was holding the staff, she knew it was you. Like you said, if she wanted to keep you, she could've. But once again, you were too much for her to handle.

That's two loved ones that cast us...sorry, you away. Should I even mention the others? Eda, King, Willow,  and Gus? They loved you, too, didn't they? But that wasn't enough, was it? You might hate me, but they fear you, too. They didn't stand up for you, either. Their love didn't save you. Those were your final moments with them. Your love for them wasn't enough to keep you together. "

Noceda was silent, letting those words sink in.

Empress: "Right now, I've got a plan. As I've explained, refusing to work alongside me won't help anything."

She tossed the key over to Luz.

Empress: "Right now, you've got two choices. You can keep fighting me and lead us both to our deaths? Or you can stop trying to hold me back and work towards getting it all back?"

Luz walked slowly towards the door.

Empress: "If you want to waste what's left of your energy on the former, I can promise you this. Our last moments won't be yours."

Luz: " You'd like it if I disappeared, wouldn't you? Just like me?"

Empress: "Our body can't go on like this much longer. By the time you disappeared, I wouldn't have much longer. Even if I made it back, they wouldn't trust me. I wouldn't even get the chance to atone. Despite what you think, we need to work together to make this work!"

The two stared at each other. The existence of magic, witches, and demons didn't make this any less weird.

Luz: "You said, we can have it all. How do I know you don't mean, just you?"

Empress: " We were living out our fantasies on the Boiling Isles. Mama thought they were holding us back from reality. But magic is a reality. You're holding me back because you think I'm a monster of tyranny. How are you so sure you're not wrong? Like mom? Luz Noceda is the most powerful witch in the Boiling Isles. That's the reality she never saw. But we can show her that. Together, we can make her proud. With me, we can have everything. With you, we might be able to share it?"

Luz fidgeted with the key in her hands.

Empress: "If you unlock that door, you're agreeing to embrace my plan. There's no other way to put it. But neither of us have much other choice, anyways. It'd be a new level of dense for you to refuse just because."

Luz inserted the key into the hole. She wanted to know something before turning it.

Luz: "How would being back on the Isles help mama?"

Empress: "Remember Belos last words? This world has much to offer. So much power. It is our job as humans to fulfill our destiny. It's our turn to fulfill ours. I figured out what he meant. I even improved on his day of unity. We'd have more than we could ever want. Prosperity that'd never run out, no matter how much we shared. We can and will give our family and friends what they deserve. Happiness. A life where our mom would never cry again. Amity wouldn't ever hide who she really is. No one would ever have to cry again. But that life only comes if their fearless Luz steps up. Belos' fate sealed ours. But it wasn't so we'd have nothing. Our fate is to claim everything, together."

Luz: "You're laying that on pretty thick, aren't cha?"

Empress: "I know, every day since we've been back, you've felt powerless. This is a cruel fate to live through. But, if you think about it, this is still your time to shine. Just like in those PG fantasies of yours, Luzura! At your lowest, will you rise back up? Like any chosen one worth their salt? I suppose, the only one who would know you didn't; would be me."

Luz Noceda, the former good witch in training, finally turned the key.

The empress finally cracked a smile.

Empress: "That's the right decision."

Luz woke up in an alleyway with a hot dog lying next to her.

The empress Luz appeared as a hallucination. She gestured towards a dumpster nearby. Inside, Luz found a baseball.

Empress Luz: "I've been storing that close for a while now. Until we get our strength back, we should keep it on us, at all times."

Luz picked up the hot dog, wrapped in aluminum, and began digging in.

Feeling large wads of cash in her pockets, she made her way towards the streets.

Luz: "What now?"

Empress: "Take a look inside the store next to you. I think you'll find our heading."

She peered through the window of a book store. Right there, a shelf filled with the newest release.

From the author of the "Good witch, Auzura".

Empress: "Build up your strength and work on not being recognized. If something becomes too hard for you, I'll step in. Remember, we can fix this together!"

Luz pressed her forehead against the cold glass. That phrase was a poignant reminder of how far away she was from who she used to be.

The empress placed one ghostly hand on Luz's shoulder.

Empress: "It's okay. If anyone could do this, it's us. It's always Luz Noceda."

She returned to the alley to pick up her things. While she finished her breakfast, the empress fixated on the shackle on her ankle.

She knew what buttons to press. Physically, Luz Noceda was being brought to pieces. Emotionally, she was demoralized by the cruel twist of fate. She had become so numb, the empress knew all she had to do was wait. Wait until her spirit was an easy blow out.

Now, in every sense of the word, Luz Noceda was broken!

Author's note: I wanted to show how these two might have "compromised" on working together. I once asked the creator of the "Broken!Luz AU" about the empress as a character. I've tried to stay as close to the creator's vision for her, as I could. But that brings me to this point. My additions to the AU are non canon. Take them with a grain of salt.

[kellbellsparkles]

Spiraling

A Klangst and Lance sick fic one-shot I spent days working on and I’m so glad it’s finished! I hope you all enjoy it! ^^

“Lance. Laaaaaaaance.”

My head pounded. I must've hit my limit. The last thing I remember was barely making it into the training room. Ever since we got Shiro back and reunited Pidge with her brother, Matt, it'd been one heck of a party in the castle. Allura and Coran had all sorts of questions for Matt wanting to learn any information he had that could help us win the war. Shiro and Matt bonded over what their capture had done to them and were constantly shoulder to shoulder together. Pidge and Matt were catching up on precious family time missed. I wanted to feel happy for them; reuniting with family is everything I could ever dream of. That's exactly why I could hardly stand looking at them.

Matt showed Hunk how to build these little dino-like drones that blow up when they touch an enemy, their cute exterior masking their demonic motive. He also brought with him new recipes for Hunk to start crafting himself. I'd never seen his eyes flash that excitingly since he discovered how to make whipped cream with the space goo. Meanwhile, Keith showed interest in Matt's unique combat style. Even though they weren't in the same class back in the Garrison, Matt immediately recognized him from being the best pilot besides Shiro and was more than happy to take him under his wing. Of course.  

I could grieve over how I was now the eighth wheel, but every single moment, every single day, my thoughts traveled back to Keith. He just had to attract another fan to walk right past me and remind everyone how superior he was in every way. I approached Matt with classic beauty tips to restore the shine in his skin and hair that he had to have lost during his time fighting Galra with the rebellion, which he quietly nodded to as expected, but really, I couldn't handle reliving those cargo pilot years again.

I thought, what would Keith do? Heavily ironic, I know. But I was desperate to escape from the suffocating black hole I kept being pulled into. For two weeks, I waited until I heard Keith finally go to bed to take my turn in the training room; having to be checked up on by him would've been the greatest humiliation of all. I clocked in for two hours of hand-to-hand combat exercises, steadily increasing the difficulty day after day. I'd be lying if I said I made any progress. The training bots had me on my back faster than I could even make an effort to touch them. My body was littered with cuts, bruises, and scrapes and cried for relief. However, my older brother, Craig, always said, “What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.” And I would eventually learn something from this, right?

“Wake up, sleepy-head.”

I opened my eyes finally. I saw blue space ships and shooting stars circling around the ceiling light.

Wait a minute, I thought. I rubbed my eyes to do a double-take. They were the exact same shape, exact same colors as the ones in my bedroom back home. I sat up and looked down at my bedsheets: space with the galaxy swirls and the Canis Major, Cygnus, Gemini, and all the constellations that could visibly fit into the print. My eyes wandered frantically; my shelf with all my soccer ribbons and trophies, my poster of Shiro, my stuffed starter water Pokemon, my Little Mermaid wall clock, everything was the same.

“How are you feeling?”

That voice; that sweet, soothing, gentle, motherly voice. I couldn't believe it.

“Tina?” I said. “Is that really you?”

My older sister, Tina, was right there standing in front of me. There was no mistaking her long, luscious, curly brown hair and grassy green eyes. If I were a girl, I'd be looking directly in a mirror.

“Of course it's me, silly,” she said sweetly.

“B-But--” I stammered. “Me and Hunk and Pidge-- We found Shiro-- Busted him out of the Garrison-- Blue Lion-- Took us out to Kerberos-- Then through a wormhole-- Then the Galra-- Then Voltron-- Then we-- Then we--”

“Please settle down, Lance,” Tina said. “Take a deep breath.”

A lump rose in my throat; my hands were shaking madly. Was it all just a dream then? Tina patted my head. It should've calmed me right then and there, but I couldn't breathe still.

“You've been pushing yourself way too hard,” she told me. “Everyone's worried.”

“Wh-Who's we?” I asked shakily.

“Your friends,” she replied. “They've been waiting to hear what's been bothering you so they can help ensure this never happens again.”

“I don't understand-- Oww,” I held my head in my hands. It felt like Keith had thrust his knife in there after finally having had enough of me. Tina's hand lowered to my forehead, so soft and cool.

“You're really burning up,” Tina said sorrowfully. She took my shoulders gently and laid me back down. “Here. Now stay and rest until you're feeling one hundred percent better.”

“But there's so much I have to tell you!” I cried. After what felt like years, I was finally with my sister. I wanted to reach up and hug her and never let go and never leave again, but I didn't have the strength to.

“Shhshh,” she whispered. “Everything will be fine when you wake up.”

“GOOOOD MOOORNING, MCCLAAAIN FAMILYYYYY!!”

Out of nowhere, Craig, oh Craig, appeared in aviator attire, and my room morphed into the inside of a passenger airplane. Tina was still with me, holding my hand.

“And how are we today?” Craig cheered. “We've got clear skies ahead on our flight this morning accompanied with skittled dolphins mounted by duckling warriors and a guaranteed guest performance of the Woofs!”

“AIRPLANES!!”

Then little Diego, or widely known in our family and his friends as Deets, sprung in my face, flailing his arms. At that moment, whether I was aboard the castle or back home, I knew I had to be dreaming. I looked up and discovered the plane had no ceiling and indeed, there were a multitude of dolphins, dual and tri-colored making up the colors of the rainbow, being ridden by little ducklings wearing gladiator helmets. Suddenly, heavy jazz music launched its assault on my ears. I leaped from my seat, turned around, and found a pug on a drum set playing a slow, smooth rhythm, a yellow labrador on the piano, a German shepherd on the bass, and a corgi on the saxophone. They all wore black sunglasses and fedoras with the signature paw sign on them.

“Lance, look! I'm flying!!”

And to top it all off, my little sister, Luz, was giggling her butt off as she soared and spun in the sky in close proximity of the dragons.

“Luz?!” I shouted. “How did you even-- Get down from there!!”

“AIRPLANES!” Deets exclaimed again.

“And if you look down to your right,” Craig announced. “We're just passing over Bread Town, and they've graciously supplied us with all the bread fair sculptures to jolly our appetites through this plane wreck.” He presented me with the two miniature fair and ferris wheel creations, all in working order.

“Wheat or rye?” He asked me.

“Enough!” I cried, slapping the luscious-looking bread our mom could make away from me. I had some crazy dreams, but never had I felt so scared, so panicked, my heart racing faster than when I had to get a 3-D sculpture of the face of the warden of Beta Traz without getting caught. “Who's even flying the plane??”

I hauled out of my seat and ran for the cockpit. When I opened the door, it tore from the hinges and blew out into the sky, hitting one of the dolphins. It exploded into a puff of glitter and skittles. I clung onto the metal before I could meet the same fate.

“This is why you need a seat belt,” the pilot said. He emerged from the top of the seat, directly facing me.

“Slav??” I groaned. Of all people to appear next…. “What are you doing here??”

“In the fourty-seven point four percent of realities where seat belts have never been invented,” he said. “It's time to make your own with the seat belt creation kit.”

“What even is that??”

“Not that it matters now, for soon in this reality, we're going to dive deep into the mustard of sorrow.”

The plane jerked down and flung me back into my seat. We were descending faster and at a greater angle than any roller coaster I dared to board, and into mustard; so bitter and sour.

“Pull up!!” I screeched. “Somebody!!”

“Control's beyond our reach,” Craig said, suddenly floating above me. “Such has been our lives.”

“Come fly with me, big brother!” Luz sang, now riding a dolphin herself.

“AIRPLANES!!” Deets howled in harmony with the Woofs.

I turned to my sister about to plea for help in ending this madness, but she was just sitting still, smiling at me like nothing was wrong. I curled up in a ball and covered my ears. I prayed and I pleaded for it all to end, for someone to come swoop me from the chaos, but who? Who that wasn't my nonchalant siblings?

Hunk.

Pidge.

It was all coming back to me now.

Shiro.

Allura.

Coran.

Keith.

Keith….

A great force choked my heart. I lurched forward and clutched my chest. Whatever it was, my body didn't like it and made attempts to force it out my throat.

Keith?

Without thinking, I burst from my seat and reached for the sky.

“KEEEEEITH!!”

I flailed and wailed with all my might, only to be grabbed by both sides and pushed down. The action sent a shock wave of pain and spasms through my body, a sensation absent from when I was aboard the crashing plane. Could it be I was back in the real world? If so, which one? Was I back home like I had hoped for or in the castle? I tried to open my eyes, but my body went on full auto-pilot, thinking I was still trying to escape from the descent mustard of sorrow. The muffled voices writhed and scratched against me. I felt a great pressure on my legs next; I was completely immobilized. Before I could react, I felt a slight pinch in my right arm. A wave of relief flowed through my body and allowed it to sink into wherever I laid. I could finally open my eyes without panic holding them down.

There they were: from the front down, Hunk and Coran to my left and Shiro and Keith to my right. Sweat dropped from each of their bangs as they looked down at me with great worry. I never thought it'd be possible for them to be that concerned about me. Just how bad did I look to cause them such distress? I opened my mouth to speak, but a heavy spell started to force my eyes shut again. I fought it for as long as I could; there was something I needed to do first. I needed to get a good look at Keith to understand why I called out to him out of everyone else on the ship. His eyes were so focused, so gleaming, so purple.

So his Galra side was visible after all.

When feeling came back to my body next, I wondered if I had opened my eyes at all. My surroundings were almost pitch black. I felt something encircle and tickle my mouth. I reached my hand around it to feel what I thought was Allura's hair; the beautiful maiden coming around to give me mouth to mouth, but alas. It was a respirator mask. I sat up and ripped it off my face, sighing in disappointment. However, the action invoked a violent coughing fit. As I gasped for air, I discovered my voice had been tainted by an ugly rasp. I caught colds and the flu before, but out in space, we didn't know what vile specs of bacteria could contaminate our bodies and what effect they would have on humans.

Soon, the respirator was slapped back on my face and a pair of firm, half-gloved hands promptly took me by the shoulders.

“Lance!”

It was Keith. He rubbed my back as I let out a few more painful coughs. When the ordeal was over, he carefully laid me back down. I thought I had to have been dreaming still because the Keith I knew would never be careful let alone gentle.

“Don't move,” he instructed. “Or talk. Just rest.”

I had seen him pretty banged up, for instance, when he came back from the Blade of Marmora base with Shiro, but he looked like he had been flung into a violent vortex and struck by its quintessence. I squinted when I looked at his hair, not even a mullet, just a shaggy, spiky shrub that had too many radioactive fertilizers, and he had the darkest circles under his eyes I had ever seen on anyone.

“Whoa, Keith,” I said. “What big battle did I miss?”

“Nothing,” Keith growled. “Now shut it.”

“But you look horrible,” I remarked. “You should get suited up for a healing pod or something.”

“The only one here who needs a healing pod is you,” Keith snapped. “But there was a bug that kept them from working when Coran and Pidge made an attempt to update the castle technology to this time period.”

“Really?” I chuckled. “Does this mean we have space wi-fi now?”

“I don't know what that is,” Keith said, frustrated. “But you better shut your quiznak before I shut it for you.”

Man, Keith was really out of it.

“I don't think you're using that word correctly,” I teased.

“You don't understand!!” Keith yelled. “You never do!! Do I have to spell it out for you??”

If I had the energy to move my arms, I'd clap them over my ears; Keith's fiery voice had the power to make them bleed.

“Ow,” I grunted. “You're not the only one who's tired here.”

“Yeah, I'm tired! I'm tired of you thinking of yourself and not seeing how much I care about you! You didn't think I'd notice something was wrong?? You could barely stand without wobbling and your pants looked like they were going to fall down at any given time! You and your cheeky laugh when you said you were fine! I wish I could just rip out your vocal cords and strangle you with them!”

He had me by the shoulders again. I really did it this time, I thought. I closed my eyes waiting for the classic Kogane punch or choke-hold. A good ten ticks went by. Nothing. I opened my eyes to see what was taking him so long. What I saw was even worse than any glare or blow he could ever land on me.

“We almost lost you,” he sobbed grossly. “Your fever was so high and your heart rate broke the monitor. If we hadn't put you under in time….”

His tears dripped onto my chest. Crying was never good, especially if I was the one who caused it, and Keith's face was as red as the Red Lion and his shoulders quaked and heaved with each sob.

“Hey,” I said. “It's okay. It's not really worth crying over.”

“How?” Keith choked. “How can you say that? Didn't you hear what I just said?”

“Yeah,” I said. “But you? Crying over me? It's the dumbest idea for a soap opera in this whole universe. It's a worse and more unrealistic plot line than a man in his mid-twenties owning his own company. Now if it were Hunk, Pidge, Shiro, Allura, Coran, or even Matt, then it would work better.”

A few ticks went by without a word; Keith's face appeared to have softened. I smiled, thinking my lecture had worked.

“See?” I said. “I knew you'd come to your senses--”

However, the universe had a queer idea for a prank: taking Keith's hands against my cheeks and leaning in so his forehead brushed against mine.

“Just shut up,” he whispered. “And don't ever speak that nonsense again.”

I gulped. Even though I wore a respirator, my lungs stopped functioning. My heart dropped to my stomach than bounced up to my throat. Then, I felt Keith's pants brush over my legs, and there he was, smack dab on my body. He pushed himself downward and laid his head on my chest.

“Uh,” I muttered. “Keith?”

He snored lightly in response. Just great. What if I had to use the bathroom? Surely he'd kill me for getting his clothes wet or waking up to the smell of the other thing. I shook him lightly.

“Keeeeith,” I whined. But my efforts were in vain. Just how long had I been out with this hot-headed idiot watching over me? I sighed in defeat. I would've liked it more if it had been Allura or another lovely looking space lady, but for some strange reason, I'd come to like this just as much. He laid there completely still with his arms spanned over me. I used the opportunity to flatten and straighten the blaring distraction on his head. I paused; I never imagined his hair would feel so smooth and soft. I rested and intertwined my fingers in his raven locks. If that didn't wake him up, then surely my drumming heart would, but he didn't stir an inch.

I didn't know what was coming over me. I thought maybe I had a fever still. Once I got better, everything would go back to normal. However, I had a feeling that Keith would never let this go, literally, and my hunch was right. Until I was on my two feet again, he trapped me to keep me from recklessly escaping. He didn't even care if anyone was watching or if Pidge was snapping pictures of us in an obviously intimate position. I was surprised that Shiro was enabling this behavior, but after he told me that I had contracted a space version of the flu called Phlegia, I stopped protesting. I remembered he and Keith have a history and must know the reason Keith is clinging to me like a kitten.

I panicked at the thought of Keith with little kitten ears and a tail. So cute! In fact, Galra resembled cats in a way. I found myself hoping that his Galra genes would surface and give him the same features. Suddenly, I discovered that I had never thought so intensely about an individual before despite having flirted infinitely with girls for a number of years. Why Keith, a guy, of all people? I didn't know why, but if there was one thing I was sure of, I didn't want to make him cry ever again.

[sergeantsporks]

Do You Want the Knife You Left In My Back, or Can I Keep It?

Rating: Teen and up, Gen

An injured Hunter wanders into Hexside. What was Luz supposed to do, just let him bleed out on the floor?

Ch1/?: Backstabber

Ao3

“The human must be truly formidable if the Emperor sent both of us to capture her.”

Hunter glanced back at Kikimora. “Nah, he was probably just worried that you’d mess it up, so he sent me to make sure it went smoothly.”

Kikimora studied her claws. “I know it was you that attacked me when I tried to bring the palisman to the Emperor. You and the human.”

Hunter whipped around. “Oh, do you want to talk about that now? Because I know that you knocked my airship out of the sky and tried to have me killed. So you have nothing on me. You tell the Emperor what I did, I tell him what you did.”

“The human really must be formidable if she managed to get the palisman from you.”

Hunter rolled his eyes behind his mask. “She’s really not. I was a little bit busy fighting you to worry about her.”

“Truly a strong foe,” Kikimora continued, “So strong she was able to overcome you.”

“What are you talking ab—”

A blast of magic hit him, and magical bonds snaked around his hands and feet, yanking on him and sending him to his knees. Hunter struggled and tugged against the ties, but they held firm. “HEY! Kikimora, what—”

Something sharp touched his back, right between his shoulder blades, and he froze. “She attacked us from behind,” Kikimora hissed in his ear, “She went for you, first.” Something slammed into his back, like she’d punched him. “She was brutal. Merciless.”

Kikimora twisted her hand, and Hunter felt a tingling shock, and then—

His world exploded. Heat flooded out from the wound, and Hunter heard a guttural, choking scream.

Oh, wait.

That was him.

Kikimora pushed him facedown to the ground, knife still in his back. “I killed her, of course. It was a tough fight, but to avenge a fellow coven member? Of course I didn’t give up until I succeeded.”

Hunter coughed, blood coating the inside of his mouth. “Kiiii…”

“That’s what happens,” Kikimora hissed, “when people try to replace me.”

She walked off, and Hunter just lay there on the ground, his mind fuzzy with pain.

He had to…

Ugh—

Hunter pulled out his staff, and inch by agonizing inch, used it to pull himself up, shaking. He twisted, reaching for the knife, but the movement just tore more, and the world blacked out for a second. He gripped his staff tightly, his knuckles white.

Kikimora could easily kill him in this state, if the wound itself didn’t kill him.

That meant the only thing standing between her and total control over the coven and Uncle Belos’ complete trust was… Luz.

Kikimora would probably go to the owl house first.

That gave Hunter the advantage.

Xxx

“Thorn vault!” Luz called, slamming her hand down on her glyph. The plant erupted outward, pushing her over Skara’s head to the goal. Skara jumped, but missed her by inches. “Ah! Not again!”

Luz touched down. “You’ll get it someday.”

“Unlikely!” Gus called from the bleachers, “I predict never!”

“Zip it, twerp!” Skara yelled back, “Just wave your flags!” She dusted herself off. “One more try?”

“One more try,” Luz agreed, “Amity, you ready?”

“Always!”

Gus screeched, pointing. “Luz!”

Luz whipped around in the direction he was pointing to see an awfully familiar staff moving slowly towards her.

And the person clutching it like a lifeline.

Amity raced towards Luz, skidding in front of her, an abomination already rising out of the dirt. “Stay back!” she warned Hunter, “I beat you once, I can do it again!”

Luz put a hand on her arm. “Wait! There’s something wrong!” She moved cautiously towards Hunter—he looked awful. Residue magic swirled around his wrists and ankles, and…

“Is that blood?!” Luz rushed forward to him, taking his arm. She stifled a scream at the jagged blade sticking out of his back, blood staining his white cape red. “Ohmygosh, what happened to you?!”

His chest heaved with ragged breaths. “Kikimora—never thought—this open—” He slumped against her. “After… you…”

“Find Viney!” Luz yelled to Skara, “Amity—”

“I’m not leaving you alone with him!”

“Okay, fine, Gus, get Eda!”

Luz lowered Hunter to the ground, holding him up so that the knife wouldn’t go further in. “Don’t die!”

Amity hovered over them. “What did you mean, ‘after you?’ Were you coming to hurt Luz?!”

Hunter coughed, blood flecking his lips. “I…”

“Amity, he’s in really bad shape! You can’t interrogate him right now!”

Hunter pawed weakly at her hand. “Kikimora… want… to kill… you… exposed…”

“Okay, okay, I get it. Big bad coven leader wants me dead. Now shhhhhh, stop moving around, you’re going to make it worse!”

Puddles landed next to her, Viney sliding off of his back. “Whoa! You must have been having the most intense grudgeby match of all time!” She knelt next to them, gently turning Hunter onto his stomach. “Oooo, that’s bad. You should have gotten the healing teacher, I don’t know if—”

Luz grabbed her arm. “No! No teachers! Please.”

Viney hissed, examining the knife. “This isn’t just a regular knife—there are some kinds of objects that are enchanted to be resilient to healing magic—in case you really, really want to make sure your enemy bites it.” She drew a circle with her finger, and the knife glowed golden. “This one isn’t too powerful—I can stop the bleeding and put a patch on all of the internal problems, but I can’t seal it up. He’ll have to heal on his own. Where did you even get this knife?!”

Hunter whimpered, and Luz grabbed Viney’s hand. “It doesn’t matter! Just do it, before he dies!”

“Okay.” Viney snapped her fingers, and Puddles shooed Luz to the side, offering Hunter a cloth to bite down on and gently holding him still with his talons. Viney took a deep breath, and the knife glowed again, floating out of Hunter’s back, the cloak floating away, too. Hunter let out a muffled scream into the cloth, and tensed, which just made the blood spurt harder out of the wound. Viney drew a circle over his back, and the bleeding abruptly stopped. Puddles coughed up bandages, and a needle and thread, and Viney nodded to Luz and Amity. “This isn’t going to be pretty. You might want to look away.”

Amity pulled Luz away. “Luz, what exactly are you planning to do now? Just dump him on the doorstep of the conformatorium and run away?”

“No way! What if Kikimora finds him first? We can’t just send him back, she is literally trying to kill him!”

“And he’s trying to catch you!”

“That doesn’t mean I’m going to let him die!” Luz took Amity’s hands. “Amity, you fought him too. You didn’t feel even a little bit bad for him?”

Amity looked away. “Maybe a little bit,” she admitted, “But… if you’re not going to leave him with his coven, what is your plan?”

Luz bit her lip, staring at the ground. “Iwasthinkingmaybehecouldstayattheowlhouse,” she mumbled.

“What?”

“I was thinking he could stay with me,” she said louder, “At the owl house.”

“What?! No way! Luz, are you crazy?!”

“Ooo, hehe, jury’s still out on that one, Amity, you know that.”

“I’m serious, Luz, you can’t let him into the owl house!”

“Look at him, Amity, does he look dangerous to you?”

Amity looked back to where he was lying limp on the grudgeby field, Puddles nuzzling his face. “… I guess not… but still, he doesn’t have to attack you, all he has to do is put a trap, or let someone else into the owl house to bump you off!”

“The only people out for me right now are him and Kikimora. And Kikimora is also trying to kill him. Sooooooo I’m not overly worried about it.” Luz gave Amity’s hands a squeeze. “C’mon. I think I can handle one stabbed guy in a fight, give me that much credit at least.”

“… Fine. But good luck convincing Eda, she doesn’t exactly have the most… friendly of feelings towards him.”

Speak of the devil, Eda flew over the fence on her staff, Gus hanging onto the end. “I heard a kid got stabbed! Luz, you didn’t tell me it was knife day at school, I would have come to watch!”

“Kni—okay, sure, that’s a thing. It’s not knife day, Eda. None of the students got stabbed.”

“What? So what happened?”

Luz pointed across the field. “Uhhhhhhhm, soooooooo?”

“No. Absolutely not.”

“Eeeeedaaaaaa, I haven’t even asked anything yet!”

“Okay, let me set parameters for your next few sentences, then. If you are about to ask me if we can, in any way, shape, or form, take care of the Golden Guard and his lovely new piercing, the answer is no.”

“But Eda—”

“No. Nada. Nein. You speak Spanish, right? No. Any other ways I can say it?”

“Eda, he needs help!”

“Dump him on his coven’s doorstep, ring the doorbell, and run away. We’re not taking care of him.”

“Eda, listen—”

“No, you listen, Luz. That kid is trouble—and not the fun kind. You try to be nice to him, and he’ll stab you in the back. He’s been Belos-ified through and through.”

“I thought the same thing about Lilith!”

“Yeah? Well, I didn’t. My sister’s too much of a nerdy dork to ever be really horrible. This kid’s a nerd, sure, but he’s not Lili. He’s dangerous, he’s desperate, and unlike Lilith, he’s working completely for Belos, not himself.”

“Eda, Kikimora’s trying to kill him!”

“Well, I hope they succeed at murdering each other, and maybe take Belos down with them while they’re at it.”

“It would be murder to leave him at the coven!”

“Guess I’m going to be a murderer, then. Add it to the list of crimes.”

“Wouldn’t you want him to help me if I was in his place? If you were stuck in the owl beast form, and King was trying to kill me, wouldn’t you want him to help me?”

“I sincerely doubt King’s murdering skills, and NO, I think I wouldn’t want you anywhere close to Belos.”

Luz gave Eda big puppy-dog eyes, and her mentor sighed.

“Buuuuut I guess I see your point. Gah. Fiiiiiiiineee. You can take him home.” Eda leveled a finger at Luz. “But you have to feed him, and water him, and clean up after his messes, and keep him entertained, understood?”

“He’s not a pet, Eda.”

“I said, understood?”

“Understood.” Luz hugged Eda. “Thank you!”

“Oh, and if he tries to hurt you, if he tries to sell us out to Belos? I will do Kookymora a solid and finish the job.”

[sergeantsporks]

Do You Want the Knife You Left In My Back, or Can I Keep It?

Rating: Teen and up, Gen

An injured Hunter wanders into Hexside. What was Luz supposed to do, just let him bleed out on the floor?

Ch 2/5: Settling In

Ch 1

Ao3

Hunter woke up facedown on a couch. His back ached and throbbed, and he felt weak all over. Ugh—

“Hello!”

Hunter yelped as a bird—worm—thing—stuck its head in his face.

“Luuuuuuuz, he’s uuuuuuuup!”

The human shooed the bird-worm-thing out of Hunter’s face. “Hey! Get out of his personal space, Hooty!”

Hunter groaned, putting his face back in the couch. “Where am I?”

“The owl house,” Luz replied casually.

Hunter yelped again, rolling off of the couch. “I can’t be—” the movement sent spikes of pain hammering through his nerves, and his vision went spotty. His stomach heaved, and he retched, shaking. “Hngh—”

“Whoa, hey!” Luz knelt next to him. “You can’t be moving around! You just got stabbed, for titan’s sake, Hunter!”

“Remember!” the owl lady’s voice called from another room, “You’re cleaning up after him, Luz!”

Hunter’s face heated up. “I don’t—need—to be taken care of—”

He tried to push himself up, but another wave of pain swept over him, and everything went black for a minute. When he woke up again, he was back on the couch, Luz crouching next to him.

“You really shouldn’t move. Viney said it’s going to take time for your back to heal, and it would be… really bad… if you ripped out your stitches.”

“Take me back to the Emperor’s palace. Now.”

“See?” the owl lady said, poking her head in, “He agrees! Take the twerp back.”

“I’m not taking him back,” Luz said, exasperated, as if they’d been having this argument for a while. She turned back to Hunter. “I’m not taking you back. I’m going to keep you here, where you’re safe, until you’re better. Kikimora has it out for you, and you’re in no state to fight her off.”

“What else is new—I can handle Kikimora, I just—”

Luz pressed down on his shoulders as he tried to get up again. “Quit being so stubborn! You can’t handle her right now, you can’t even walk! What was the point of coming to me for help if you won’t let me help you!”

“I didn’t go to you for help, I went to you because if I didn’t warn you, Kikimora would have killed both of us and gotten the Emperor’s sole attention!”

Luz leaned back. “The emperor… isn’t a good guy, Hunter.”

Hunter looked away. “You wouldn’t get it.”

“No, I don’t.” Luz sighed. “Why did the emperor send you after me?”

Right. There it was. The real reason she’d saved him. “’m not telling.”

“What?! Seriously?! I saved your life!”

“I didn’t ask you to.”

“You were bleeding out in front of me! What was I supposed to do, just let you die?!”

“Yes.”

Luz paused and stared at him. “Wait, what?”

Hunter looked away, a sick feeling churning in his stomach. “I failed, again—you’re free, and I’m not even close to getting you back to the emperor. My own coven member tried to kill me outright—no subtlety, no monster attacks, just stabbed me in the back and planned to pin it on you. And now I’ve been captured by the person who I was supposed to be capturing.” He buried his face in the couch. “You should have just let me die,” he mumbled, muffled by the couch.

Luz didn’t say anything for a minute, and then gently touched his shoulder. “Hunter? I wasn’t ever going to let you die.”

“No, because you’re ‘too nice,’” he grumbled, “I get it. Fine. You’re the good guy, I’m the bad guy, is that what you want to hear? Just… leave me alone. Please.”

“Okay,” Luz said quietly, “if that’s what you really want.”

Her footsteps padded away, and Hunter tried one more time to get up, but a wave of dizzy exhaustion swept over him, and he flopped back down.

The owl lady came through, making an “I’m watching you,” gesture as she left, and he sighed. Okay. He just had to be patient. He could ride this out, pretend to be helpless longer than he really was, nab the human, expose Kikimora, bada-bing, bada-boom, everything would be perfect.

Wait.

A bolt of panic shot through Hunter, and he rolled off of the couch, adrenaline battling exhaustion and pain.

“Whoa, hey, there, you can’t—” Hooty started, but Hunter shoved the bird’s face away with a groan, stumbling towards the door.

“I have—to go—back—”

“Luz!” the house demon called, “Your sad friend is trying to escape!”

“I KNEW it!” the owl lady’s voice yowled, and Hunter was on the ground in two seconds flat. He screamed as she put pressure on his back, his vision wavering out. “You were just pretending to be hurt to get in here!” the owl lady continued, “And you were planning to—oh, beans, you weren’t pretending, you just have no sense of self-preservation, titan, kid, what were you thinking, I coulda killed you!”

Hunter whimpered, blinking spots out of his eyes as she climbed off of him. He retched at the pain, his back screaming in agony.

Luz came tearing down the stairs two at a time, skidding to a halt next to them. “Edaaaa! What happened?!”

“He was making a break for it!” Eda replied defensively, “He is a quick little bugger when he wants to be!”

“Huuuunteeeer!” Luz groaned, “You can’t go anywhere, how did you even get off of the couch, you literally got stabbed today!”

“My palisman,” Hunter gasped, “It’s—all alone—” he struggled to get back up, blinking back tears. “I have—to go back—for—”

Luz grabbed his shoulders. “No. Your palisman wouldn’t want you hurting yourself. It’ll be fine for a while.”

Hunter shook his head. “No—have to—”

“You’re not going anywhere, Hunter, you wouldn’t even make it to Bonesborough.”

“It’s true,” Hooty chimed in, “The funny little demon lady is lurking out there. She isn’t getting any closer right now, but if you go out there… you’re toast!”

Hunter clutched Luz’s arm, barely holding back tears. She didn’t get it! “I can’t—leave it—”

Luz put a hand on his arm. “Okay. If it really means that much to you… I’ll go get it.”

Eda shook her head. “Absolutely not, Luz, that creep is out for you, too!”

Right. That was it, then. Luz wouldn’t let him leave to get his palisman, and Eda wouldn’t let Luz leave.

Then Luz did a. Thing. With her face. A strange pouty thing, where she made her eyes really big at Eda. The owl lady sighed.

“Oh, geeze, don’t make that—ahhhh, Luz. Okay. Here’s the deal. I will send Owlbert to check on the palisman. If it’s safe enough, Owlbert will tell the Golden Dork’s palisman what’s going on and where he is. Everyone okay with that?”

Luz threw her arms around Eda. “You’re the best!”

“I know,” Eda grumbled, “Now take care of your dumb Belos-ite, he looks like he’s going to pass out.”

Xxx

Hunter was drifting off to sleep when it happened.

Kikimora appeared in front of him. “There you are.”

He yelped, struggling up, but his back throbbed and he fell back down.

“Consorting with traitors now, are we? I never thought you’d stoop this low.”

“Bold—words—coming from a backstabber,” Hunter gritted out, “Just—finish it—then.”

Kikimora swiped her claws at him, but they went right through. “I’m not really here, or you’d be dead already. You’re a persistent little worm, though, aren’t you?”

“That’s my middle name. Persistent little worm.”

Kikimora traced one translucent claw in a circle. “I haven’t figured out how to get past the house demon yet. But I will. And when I do, you are a sitting duck, and your little human friend will be next. Look at you. You’re pathetic. You can’t even move.”

Hunter swiped a hand through the illusion, gritting his teeth as the movement made his back throb.

“Hunter?” Luz was standing in the doorway, holding a bowl of something steaming and a juicebox. “Is… everything okay?”

Hunter gestured to the air where Kikimora had just been. “Didn’t you see her?!”

“See who, Hunter?”

“Kikimora! Or—a projection of her! She was right there!”

Luz set down the bowl and felt his forehead with the back of her hand. “Uh-oh. Feels like a fever.”

“She was there, I saw her, I talked to her—”

“Hunter, I didn’t see anyone.”

“I’m not crazy!”

She sat down next to him. “I didn’t say you were. But you do have a fever, and you lost a lot of blood, and you haven’t eaten, and you’re probably tired, and you’re in a new place—”

“Don’t patronize me! I know what I saw!”

To his surprise, Luz nodded. “Okay. I’ll have Hooty check the perimeter, and I’ll call Gus—he’d know more about illusion magic than I would.”

“Really?”

“Of course.” Luz patted his head as she got up, ignoring his growl. “I said you’d be safe here, Hunter. If you saw Kikimora, if she projected herself in here, then I’ll look into it.”

He eyed her. “This doesn’t change anything. I’m still not going to tell you any information.”

“I know. And… that’s okay.” Luz took in a deep breath. “As much as I’d like to know what Belos is up to, it wouldn’t be fair to put you in that position. I decided to help you because it was the right thing to do, not because of any information you could give me. This isn’t a business transaction—you don’t owe me anything.” She gave his head another pat, and walked off.

She was making it really hard to want to capture her and bring her to Belos.

No. What was he thinking?! After the disaster this had been so far? There was a snowball’s chance that he’d be going back empty handed.

You don’t have to go back at all, a tiny, treacherous voice whispered in the back of his head. He squashed the idea. Of course he was going back! The only reason he’d thought that was because Kikimora would be there. And… he didn’t want to see her again, not the least because she’d attempted to kill him twice. Three times if you counted Eclipse Lake. Yes. That was it. Plus, he had to go back for his palisman, anyway. It might be okay hiding out on its own for a bit until he healed, but he certainly didn’t want to abandon it there forever.

He heard a low, worried warble, and Owlbert flew in, his own cardinal right behind him. Hunter sort of hated how much relief and happiness swept over him when he saw the bird, but he lifted one hand for the palisman to perch on anyway.

The cardinal hopped up his arm, and nestled into his hair with a chirp that Hunter took to mean ‘Hi.’

“Hey, there.”

The palisman snuggled down, gripping his scalp with its tiny claws. Hunter winced.

“Hey, ow!”

It chirped fiercely at him about how he needed to be more careful.

“I got stabbed in the back by my coworker, there wasn’t much I could do about it!”

“Awwww, that’s adorable!”

Hunter groaned as Luz came back in, fawning over the palisman. “What do you want?”

“Just checking in.” She made kissy faces at Hunter’s palisman. “Awwww, he’s curled up in your hair like a blonde nest, that’s so cuuuuuuuuuute!” She pulled out a rectangle and pointed it at him, tapping her side of it. “Say cheese!”

“Hey—heyyyyy, what was that? What was that?”

Luz made another kissy face at his palisman, and turned the rectangle around to show him an image of himself, his palisman firmly rooted in his hair. Wow, he looked awful. “Look how cute the two of you are—best buddies for life! I’m gonna show Amity! She can’t possibly still think you’re going to kill me in my sleep after she sees this!”

“Do not—don’t you dare show Blight that picture!” Hunter swiped at the phone, yelping as his back throbbed.

Luz skipped backwards. “Ehehehe, still too slow!” She grabbed her cloak, heading for the door. “Edaaaa, I’m going to the library, don’t kill Hunter while I’m gooooone!”

“No proooooomiseeeees,” Eda called back, “Have fun, watch out for Kikimora!”

Luz ran out the door. Hunter put his face back in the couch while his palisman chirped comfortingly, wiggling down further into his hair. Never mind. He wouldn’t regret turning that human in to Belos one bit.

Ch 3

[sergeantsporks]

Do You Want the Knife You Left in My Back, or Can I Keep It?

Rating: Teen and up, Gen

An injured Hunter wanders into Hexside. What was Luz supposed to do, just let him bleed out on the floor?

Ch 3/5: Fevered Dreams

Ch 1, Ch 2

Ao3

Eda stalked through the living room, glancing at her unwanted guest as she passed the couch. He’d fallen asleep on his stomach, his face turned to the side. She had to admit, he was pretty cute when he wasn’t being an annoying brat. He looked so… vulnerable. And small, wow, he was small. He inhaled and exhaled in little puffs, his brow furrowed like he was busy chasing down wild witches in his dreams.

Eda shook herself. “Whoa, there, owl lady,” she told herself, “He’s Belos’ stooge. You are absolutely not allowed to like him in the slightest. Nope. That’s Luz’s little pity project. He’d arrest you in a second.”

She caught King as he attempted to make a flying leap onto Hunter’s back. “Nu-uh, what do you think you’re doing?”

“He called me a rat. Therefore, he is now my personal heated beanbag. Lemme go.”

“King, you can’t jump on top of him, you’ll hurt him.”

“Yeah? Why do you care all of a sudden, Miss I’m-going-to-tackle-him-to-the-ground?”

Eda set King on the ground. “The sooner he heals, the sooner he’s out of here. Besides, I think the kid’s been through enough. Leave him be.”

“I think you’re going soft.”

“I am not! Shoo! Go find someone else to bother!”

King scrambled off, and Eda shook her head, glancing down at Hunter. He’d started to shiver, and she shook her head, tracking down a blanket and draping it over him. King was right. She was going soft.

Xxx

Luz made shushing noises at Gus and Willow as they approached the owl house. “You gotta be quiet, Viney said he needs to rest!”

“You have the Golden Guard in your house!” Willow yelped, “I am not going to be quiet!”

Luz pushed the door open. “Okay, okay.”

Gus and Willow stampeded in. “Awwww, he’s asleep!” Willow murmured.

“’Bout time,” Luz grumbled, “I was starting to wonder if he even ever slept without getting knocked out.”

Gus poked Hunter’s face. “Whoa. I still can’t believe you’ve got the golden guard sleeping on your couch.”

“Hey, don’t poke him, you might wake him up!” Luz looked down at Hunter. Something… wasn’t right, here. His breaths were coming in short pants, and his face was flushed, despite the fact that he was shivering under a blanket. She felt his forehead, and winced. “EEEEEEDAAAAAAA!” she called, pounding up the stairs. She should have known that something was off by the fact that he hadn’t woken up—he didn’t exactly seem like the type who’d be a sound sleeper.

“He’s your pet, you clean up his messes,” Eda responded from where she was rearranging the bedding in her nest, “You promised he’d be your responsibility.”

Luz grabbed her arm. “I know, I know, I know I promised, but he’s sick, Eda!”

“Sick? What do you mean, like a mold?”

“I don’t know, he’s got a really bad fever, and he didn’t wake up when Gus poked him—” Luz felt tears spring to her eyes. “Did I do something wrong? Does he have medicine he’s supposed to take or he gets sick?”

Eda sighed and clambered out of her nest. “Alright, alright, I’ll go check on your pet project. Don’t panic.”

They traipsed down the stairs, and Eda glanced down at Hunter. “Boy, he really does never relax, huh? Even when he’s asleep. Alright, what do we have here?” Fever, not waking up—I think he’s just sick, Luz, everyone gets sick. Just keep him warm, keep him hydrated, there’s not much else you can do but wait it out.”

“But Eda, he got stabbed!”

“Hmmm, you’re right, could be an infection. You should probably call up your healer friend to check, then.”

Luz raced towards the door. “Going! Gus, Willow, you coming?”

They nodded and followed her, but when Luz opened the door… something was wrong with Hooty. He was looking off into the distance, eyes glazed over, and he didn’t even notice them.

“Hooty? Hooty!”

Kikimora stepped out. “Hand over the Golden Guard, and no one needs to get hurt.”

Luz whipped out a set of glyphs. “I’m never going to give him to you. Put Hooty back to normal!”

“Well, as normal as he gets,” Willow amended.

“I won’t ask again. The Golden Guard belongs at his coven. And you are keeping him prisoner. Emperor Belos will not let you go twice, especially not after you kidnapped one of his own. Release him to me.”

“I’m not keeping him prisoner, I’m keeping him safe! From you!”

“What could he have to fear from me? I’m his coven-member.”

“Fat chance. I know you tried to kill him, twice.” Luz slammed an ice glyph down on the ground, and a spike shot out, stopping just inches from Kikimora’s face. “Leave. Now.”

Kikimora glanced at the spike, unflinching. “I will be back. And I can get past your house demon, remember that. It’s only a matter of time before the Golden Guard is mine.”

“I said, leave!”

“Very well. Tell me one thing, though; is the guard well?”

Luz froze. She knew, didn’t she? Hunter had said he’d seen a projection of her—maybe she should have taken him a little bit more seriously.

Kikimora snickered and turned to go. “I’ll be waiting out here for you and your friends, human. Never forget that.”

She disappeared into the trees, and Luz whirled around, storming back inside and slamming the door shut. “She won’t let us get help,” she growled, “She’s going to stand out there, and if she doesn’t get Hunter, the fever will!”

Eda shook her head. “You don’t know that. It’s just a fever, Luz.”

“But he’s hurt, and he’s lost a lot of blood, and I know fevers usually aren’t a big deal, but what if this one is?!”

“Okay, so what are you going to do about it?”

Luz sat down next to Hunter with a whump. “I…” Lil Rascal hopped up on her lap, chirping anxiously. She scratched the palisman’s head. “We need a healer. We just don’t know enough about what’s going on.”

“Yeah, but Kikimora’s out there,” Willow reminded her, “She’s not going to just let us go get one.”

Luz looked down at Hunter. He was still shivering, still sweating, and the heat radiating off of him was strong enough that she could feel it even without touching him. He needed a doctor, or medicine. Now. “Gus, Willow, I know it’s a lot to ask. You don’t know Hunter, and… I can’t expect you to drop everything to help him. And if you say no—”

“We say yes,” Gus interrupted her.

“Even if we don’t know Hunter, you’re still our friend, Luz,” Willow agreed, “We’ll help.”

“Okay. I’m going to go confront Kikimora. I’ll distract her, keep her busy, so you two can go get Viney, or another healer.” Luz turned to Eda. “I’ll be careful, I promise. No unnecessary risks, I won’t lose control, no matter what she says or does. I know I said I’d take care of him by myself, and I know you don’t like him. But… can you please keep an eye on him?”

Eda sighed. “Yeah, okay. I’ll take care of him.”

Luz set Lil Rascal on her shoulder. “Okay, you guys ready?”

“Ready.”

Luz threw open the door. “That demon is going down.”

Xxx

Eda sat next to Hunter, gently shaking his shoulder. “C’mon, wake up, kid, we need to get you somewhere more defendable than the couch. There’s a crazy demon out there screaming for your head.

His eyes opened just a bit, bright from the fever. “…Lilith? What’re you…”

Eda snorted. “You mistake me for my sister again and I leave you out for Kikimora. C’mon, we’re gonna get you upstairs.” His eyes slid shut again, and she shook him again, ignoring his whine of pain. “Hey, stick with me, here, I don’t know if I can carry you.”

“Dddddon’t wanna,” he mumbled, snuggling further into the couch.

Eda sighed. Oh, she was going to hate herself for this. “Golden Guard,” she snapped, doing her best impression of her sister, “the emperor requires your presence. Now.”

If he’d been a little more coherent, it probably wouldn’t have worked. But as it was, he blearily opened his eyes, grabbing her arm with a hot little hand. “Wait… ’m… coming…”

Eda helped him off of the couch, one of his arms around her shoulder. “Alright. That’s it, here we go.”

“Hnnnnghh…” Hunter whimpered as she half-carried him up the stairs, shivering, his little body burning hot against her.

“Okay, almost there.”

He collapsed with a whine when they got to the top. “Don’t… tell him… I can… I can do it… Just… a…”

Oh, okay. Ouch. That hurt. Eda scooped him up, trying her best to avoid putting pressure on his wound. “Emperor changed his mind, he said you can take a break.”

He clutched her shoulder, huffing. “No, I can—I can—don’t switch me, I can—”

“Hey—whoa, calm down. You’re not getting replaced, Belos just decided that mission actually needed to be done next week, not today, so… you’re good!”

He relaxed. “Wanna… go… bed…”

“Yeah, okay. Okay, kid.” Eda carried him into Luz’s room, setting him down gently on her sleeping roll. He whined again and yelped.

“Ah, right—” Eda turned him over so he wasn’t on his back anymore and draped blankets on top of him. “Sorry, kid.” She peered out the window. She didn’t see any disturbance—hopefully that just meant Luz hadn’t found Kikimora yet, not that Kikimora had already won. “What’s everyone putting up such a fuss about? You’re just some kid, what did you do that made Kikimora so determined to kill you?

He predictably didn’t answer, and Eda sighed, sitting back down next to him. “Belos really did a number on you, didn’t he?”

Hunter squeezed his eyes shut tighter, turning onto his side and curling up into a ball, still panting like a dog.

“Ooo, that can’t be good for your back.” Eda stood up. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”

She went back down the stairs towards the kitchen. “Ahh, look at me. Being all… motherly. And to the enemy. Luz really did a number on me, huh?”

Xxx

“Golden guaaaaard. Golden guard, wake up.”

Hunter didn’t want to open his eyes. His head felt like it had been wrapped in cotton, and breathing was hard, and he was just going to lie here forever. Yes. That sounded good.

“Lazy brat.”

Hunter cracked his eyes open just a bit at that. “Hngh?”

A Kikimora illusion appeared in front of him, Luz behind her, wrapped in glowing magical bonds. “I caught your little human friend. Come on out before I burn the owl house down to get to you.”

Hunter struggled to get up, but a wave of dizziness swept over him, and he fell back down. “Hnk—I—”

“Pathetic. Truly. If the emperor could see you right now, I wouldn’t have to worry about him favoring you again. Come find me, or I’ll kill the human and then come for you.”

The image fizzled out, and Hunter’s head thumped back down to the pillow, spinning. He needed to get out of here—Kikimora would kill Luz whether he came or not, but if he could just get the drop on her… yes. This would work. He was a sitting duck here, but if he could get to Kikimora first… He struggled up to his feet, and made it, inch by painful inch, to the window.

“’m coming,” he mumbled, “Jusssst… hang on…”

Xxx

Eda swirled the content of her potion around in its bottle. Painkiller, if she’d done it right. She might not know how exactly to help Hunter, but she could do this, at least. She pushed open the door to Luz’s room, kneeling next to the pile of blankets.

“Hey, Hun—” as she nudged the pile of blankets, she realized that they were too flat. She whirled around to see the open window. “Oh, no. No, no, no!” she checked under the blankets just in case, but her fears were correct.

Hunter was gone.

Xxx

Luz stepped back on the path to the owl house, shaking her head. Willow and Gus had made it safely out, and she hadn’t seen a single sign of Kikimora. Maybe that should make her suspicious, but mostly she was relieved that Gus and Willow would be able to find Viney.

That relief immediately vanished when Eda came swooping down from the sky towards her. “Luuuuuz!”

“Eda?! I thought you were staying at the house with Hunter!”

Eda landed and folded her wings with a whoosh. “I was, but Luz, I left him alone for, like, ten minutes to make a painkiller potion, and when I got back, he was gone!”

Panic swept over Luz. “Gone?! How?! He couldn’t even move when I left!”

“Yeah, I know, and he was pretty solidly out of it when I left him, but when I came back up, the window was open, and I didn’t see him anywhere!”

“He climbed out of a window?!” Luz ran a hand through her hair. “But why would he do that, there’s no…oh. Oh, no!”

“What? What is it?!”

“Hunter had been seeing Kikimora—I never saw her, but she might have been using illusion magic to communicate with him!”

“What could she have possibly said that would get that boy up?! He’s a mess, he couldn’t even make it up the stairs!”

“I don’t know, but we have to find him!”

“Luz, I hate to say it, but you don’t think that he… left to go with her? Back to the coven?”

“No WAY, Eda, he definitely wouldn’t go back with Kikimora—they hate each other. Wherever he is, she’s looking for him, too. We have to find him before she does.”

Ch. 4