Luz had three days left to get the portal key. The first of three was spent at school. Luz was going to her classes aimlessly, not really paying attention to anything being taught. Stuck in her own head, conflicted. She thought back to Eda's advice about trusting her gut, which was saying not to trust Belos but... what was the alternative?

If she didn't get the portal key and stayed with Eda, telling her everything. Lilith would still come to capture Eda and Luz would be marked as a traitor. She'd probably end up dead and no chance of getting rid of the curse or returning to the Human Realm. If they didn't get captured and fled to the Human Realm or something, that still didn't solve the curse problem. She'd still need her elixirs, Eda would need hers as well and there were no elixirs in the Human Realm.

If Luz did get the key, there'd be a chance that Belos would heal her and send her back but... Luz didn't want to leave Eda and King like that. After that night with Grom and her curse being revealed to Eda... Eda didn't press her for answers and comforted her instead, letting Luz just vent her frustrations about anything. Luz almost considered them family, Eda was definitely better than Belos in that regard.

If she did get the key and Belos didn't heal her... Luz wasn't sure what she would do. Luz couldn't go back to Eda, most likely having lost her trust in Luz. If Eda did let her back in, she would still be marked as a traitor and they wouldn't have the portal either. Leaving them even more vulnerable to getting captured and probably killed. She could also just stay and continue being the Amber Guard and hopefully change Belos's mind but, who knows how long that would take.

This just seemed like a losing situation no matter what she did. Luz would have had these thoughts circling around in her head all day if she hadn't gotten distracted by Boscha bullying Willow. So, determined to push these thoughts out of her head for the time being, getting Amity's thoughts, and kicking Boscha's butt. Luz decided on challenging her to a Grudgby match- whatever that was.

Luz, Willow, and Gus trained but she pushed them to far. She tried filling up the time with training so she didn't have to think on the decision she had to make. She just ended up hurting her friends and ended up alone on the bleachers. But Amity came and distracted her again from her thoughts and ended up telling Luz her time as Grudgby Captain.

Afterwards, Boscha and her crew showed up and Luz went down to confront them. The game was off and Luz would do whatever tasks or other they wanted. Which ended up being Boscha's target practice. Luz held her own, deflecting the flaming Grudgby balls with vines and ice. Willow ended up coming back to call the game back on. So with Amity on their side they totally beat them and Luz may have been a little vicious towards Boscha during the game. Tackling her, sending her own flaming balls once she discovered a fire glyph, smacking her with vines, y'know the usual. It was worth the little extra strain on her injured shoulder.

If it wasn't for the dumb Rusty Smidge they would've won, it was a dumb rule and Luz was still salty about it. Luz had come home later and found out that Lilith had come by to try and capture Eda. Failing of course but it still let it really sink in that this would probably be her last few days with Eda and King... and Hooty she supposed.

It was early on day two, Luz was downstairs in the living room with Eda. Eda was wearing a yellow scarf for some reason while guards tried to attack the house outside. Hooty really was a good defense system, Luz was pretty sure Lilith was outside as well.

"What's in here?" Luz asked, peeking into the cauldron. The cauldron had some type of wool in it. "That's Witches Wool. It repels powerful spells." Eda explained, letting some of the wool slip through her fingers back into the cauldron. "Every witch worth their salt has a cloak made from this stuff."

"Whoa, how'd you get your hands on some?" Luz asked, something like that had to have been expensive. "I've been saving some money for it." Luz gave her a curious look. "I figured you would've stolen it." Eda chuckled "I would have but this stuff is hard to come by. Let alone steal." A fond smile slipped across Luz's face. "Of course you would've."

"With the Emperor's goons at my doorstep, I need this for protection. They have really stepped up their attacks lately." Eda explained as a guard was slammed into the window. Luz hummed "mhm, I wonder why he wants you so bad..." Luz trailed a frown on her face. "Emperor Belos wants to control all wild magic through his coven system. He ordered my capture years ago because I refuse to fall in line." Eda said.

"And he won't stop until he's got you..." Luz sighed, drooping her head slightly. "Awww, don't sound so worried. I'm a master escape artist. The only thing that can slow me down is my curse, and that hasn't bothered me for weeks!" Feathers then spouted from her arms. "Uh oh..." Luz stepped back as Eda transformed into the Owl Beast.

"King get the elixir!" She shouted, King looked around the corner and his eyes widened. "Weh!" He turned back around and scrambled up the stairs, Luz running after him. The Owl Beast screeched, giving chase. "We already had to deal with one curse! We don't need to deal with another one so soon!" Luz shouted, exasperated. She entered Eda's room and closed the door behind her, heading over to the wall to draw a light glyph.

King came scurrying out of the closet with an elixir. Luz finished the drawing as Eda busted through the door, screeching. Luz and King covered their faces as Luz activated the glyph. The Owl Beast got blindsided by the glyph. Luz took the elixir from King and had Eda drink it, they waited a few moments but it didn't seem to be working. "Why isn't working?" King asked. "Let's try more elixirs." Luz answered.

They tried elixir after elixir, the Owl Beast awoke after while but still disoriented as it reached out with a paw. Luz uncorked one more elixir and was able to maneuver it to Eda's mouth, the Owl Beast grabbing her face.

"It worked!" King shouted, Eda's hand left Luz's face and grabbed the potion bottle out of her mouth. "Oh... thanks for this!" Eda stood up and her yellow scarf and potion bottles fell. "And those..." Luz spotted that Eda's gem was halfway dark still. "Hey, your gem! It's still dark!" This confirmed that Eda's curse was getting stronger.

"Uh... no it's not! You're nuts!" Eda covered her gem with the scarf again. "The curse has been getting worse and you've been hiding it!" Luz pointed out. "Ugh... you're right. It's taking more elixir to turn me back and more magic to keep the curse from rearing its feathery head." Eda sighed. "After the whole fiasco with your own curse, I didn't want to worry you with my own." She explained.

"What happens if you use your magic up?" Luz asked in worry. "I just... sorta, turn into the Owl Beast forever." Luz frowned. "What if you took Lilith's offer to join the Coven and have the Emperor hea-" Eda shook her head. "No way kiddo. As I said earlier that man just wants control. He's not to be trusted." Luz nodded dejectedly, there went that feeble plan to get Eda to join peacefully.

Eda put a hand on Luz's head, avoiding her shoulder after what happened last time. "Hey, don't worry. I just have to limit my magic use a little." Luz hummed in acknowledgement, that wasn't the only thing Luz had to worry about. Eda sighed and opened her arms wide, Luz hesitated for a moment before breaking the gap and hugging her tightly. "King demands huggies too!" King leaped to join the hug, clutching to Eda's leg.

After a moment Eda spoke. "Okay... it's... time... for... school!" Eda strained trying to walk with both Luz and King still hugging her. A few minutes later and they were by the door, "have a good day!" Eda said. "Just... be careful?" Luz asked, faced creased with worry. "I always am!" Eda replied. Luz sighed "alright, I guess I'll see you." Eda waved as Luz turned and left.

Luz walked down the path to school, spotting Emperor's Coven guards knocked out as Hooty hosted a tea party. Luz still thought about what she should do but... she knew what she would end up doing.

There was a field trip to the Emperor's Castle today, how convenient. She knew she needed to find Lilith, inform her that Luz was the Amber Guard and think of a plan. Luz briefly wondered why Belos had kept Luz and Lilith apart for so long. Luz had trained with every Coven Head except Lilith, granted maybe Lilith didn't have enough time but it was still a little odd to keep them away from each other. Not even going on the same missions once Luz was trained enough.

Luz arrived at Hexside, Willow and Gus along with some other students stood out in front. "Luz, you ready for the field trip of a lifetime to the one, the only, Emperor's Castle!" Gus cheered holding up a pamphlet. Luz huffed out a weak chuckle "sure... once in a lifetime..." she mumbled. Willow tilted her head, her eyebrows creasing in worry at Luz's dejected behavior.

"Are you okay?" Willow asked, Luz looked up at her with a questioning hum. "You've been in a bit of a funk since Grom. I was just wondering..." Willow elaborated. "Oh... I- I don't know. There's just a lot happening all at once right now is all." Luz shrugged. It was silent for a moment before Gus broke it, trying to change the subject. "Well, how about you take a look at all this cool stuff?" He handed Luz the pamphlet.

"Like what?" Luz asked, taking the pamphlet. "Like ancient relics! Look, it's the Plant Coven's Green Thumb Gauntlet! It can grow whatever you imagine." Willow replied taking Gus's lead for subject changing, pointing out the Gauntlet in question. Luz scanned the page in fake interest. Luz already knew these were fakes, they enhanced a witches magic depending on which relic you held, but that's about all they did. They were like Galdorstones in a way, except Galdorstones were better at enhancing all of a holder's magic instead of just a specific magic type.

Her eyes scanned over the Healing Hat. "The Healing Hat. Made from the magic of the Savage Ages. It is said to cure the deadliest diseases and heal any curse." She read aloud. Technically Luz has never touched any of the relics, so who knows if what she's learned about them was true. She hummed in thought, well... if she could at least touch the Healing Hat and see if it healed her curse then she could help Eda and she wouldn't need Belos's help anymore.

She doubted it would work, but it couldn't hurt to try. If it didn't work then she'd find Lilith. "All aboard students!" Principal Bump called. The trio headed for the flying ship and got in their seats before the ship took off. Luz thought over different ideas of how exactly Lilith could help get the portal key without hurting Eda.

"Hey, Luz!" Luz jolted from her thoughts. "Huh? Wh-what was that Willow?" Luz asked. "I was just saying we were getting close to the castle." They looked over the side of the ship. "Emperor Belos built it as a symbol of unity. Before he came to power, folks were doing magic all wrong. He taught us that the only way to respect what the Titan gave us is through joining covens." Willow explained, Luz hummed. She never really knew what Covens were for and she didn't really question it either.

"It's a shame Amity couldn't make it. She would love this trip." Luz perked up at Amity's name. "Yeah she would've." She sighed. It was silent for the rest of the ride, the ship landed in front of the castle awhile later. "Now, the Emperor's assistant will be your tour guide. Please don't make me regret taking you here." Principal Bump said. Kikimora stood on a platform as a bridge extended to the ship. Luz flipped the hood of her cowl up, why did it have to be Kikimora? Why couldn't it have been Hunter instead?

The students stepped onto the extended bridge, chatting excitedly as the bridge retracted. Luz made sure to stay in the back of the group, looking up at the large doors warily. "Children of Hexside, Emperor Belos welcomes you to his castle. We're honored by visits from students. You'll soon be a part of the coven, some lucky few may even find their home here, in the mighty Emperor's Coven!" Kikimora started.

They entered the Castle as Kikimora continued, Luz tuned her out, focusing more on a good opportunity to slip away without Kikimora or her friends noticing.

It wasn't too long later when they entered The Relic Room. Luz looked around the room for a moment as Kikimora continued speaking. She spotted the Healing Hat as they passed by, Luz paused beside it. Eyeing Kikimora until she turned around to lead the way out of the room, then did Luz act.

She headed over to the healing hat, Willow passed by her to catch up with the group while Gus ran up to her and grabbed her arm, tugging her along. "Let's go, Luz!" Luz huffed in annoyance, looking back at the hat as she was dragged away. Well there went that plan.

They entered the hallway, the doors to the Relic Room closing behind them. Gus let go of Luz's arm, Luz trailed behind Willow and Gus. A few minutes passed before a door slammed open, causing Luz to jump and look over. Lilith entered the hallway, leaves in her disheveled hair which Lilith combed out with her hands.

"Ah! Make way for Miss Lilith Clawthorne, students." Kikimora said, stepping back slightly as Lilith passed by. Luz tugged on her hood nervously, this was her chance to go through with her plan. The students muttered in excitement.

"Yes, and if I'm not mistaken, she's on her way to see the Emperor himself. Let's all wish her luck!" Kikimora taunted, "good luck, Miss Lilith!" the students chorus. Lilith inhaled a deep breath before replying, "thank you, students. Good luck with puberty."

"This way students." Kikimora ushered, the students following after her as Lilith entered another door. Luz looked back at the group leaving them back to where Lilith went, conflicted. She sighed, there was too much riding on her mission's success. She pushed herself forward, following Lilith.

Luz followed Lilith through the halls towards the Emperor's Throne Room. Luz paused at a corner, leaning her back against the wall. She heard the doors to the throne room slam shut, Luz peaked around the corner to see that Lilith was gone. Luz took a deep breath and went up to the door, peaking through the keyhole.

Inside was a massive throne room. A beating green heart, far larger than would belong in any current living creature, was hooked up to pipes above the golden throne, which was flanked with flaming braziers. Various guards were standing around the room, one with a mask resembling an owl which Luz recognized as Hunter, standing directly behind the throne. Belos himself was sitting on the throne, his head in his hand. Lilith approached the throne and kneeled before him.

"I am at your service, Emperor Belos." Lilith said. Emperor Belos breathed heavily. A guard brought a palisman on a tray. "Just a moment, Lilith." Belos replied taking the palisman. He sunk his finger into the palisman's neck, dragging a line and breaking its head off. Glowing green goop fell out of the palisman, which Emperor Belos poured into the eye holes of his mask. His eyes, flashed a glowing green. "Ah, that's better."

Luz winced, now that she actually knew more about palisman and that they were sentient creatures, she felt bad for all the palisman she's ever given to the Emperor. "How's the hunt for the Owl Lady? I heard you attempted a raid this morning." Emperor Belos said. "Yes, but we were-" Belos cut off Lilith's reply. "Unsuccessful? That was obvious enough. It's been over a month since you promised to bring me the Owl Lady. Well, where is she?"

"If I just had more time, I-" once again she was cut off. "I'm getting bored of your excuses, Lilith. Don't worry, I'll give you the time you need. And perhaps some help as well. Bring the Owl Lady to me by twilight. She'll join the Emperor's Coven and in return, I'll heal her little curse. But, if you fail..." Belos trailed nails digging into his throne, the heart above the throne beating faster. "You will be stripped of your rank and banished from my coven. You do know what happens to covenless witches, don't you?" He asked.

There was a thick silence in the air, the hair on Luz's neck stood on end, uncomfortable with the tense silence. "I-I understand. I will not fail." Lilith turned to leave. "One more thing." Belos said, waiting for Lilith to face him again. "You will be receiving help from the Amber Guard." Hunter's head turned at that, looking at Emperor Belos from where he stood. "The Amber Guard? But she hasn't been seen for over a month?" Lilith said.

"Do not worry Lilith, she has already been informed. I also expect you to help her with her own mission if she requires it from you." Belos said with a wave of his hand. "Now, you're running out of time, Lilith." With that Lilith headed to the doors. Luz scrambled away from the door, and hid behind the corner again as Lilith exited the Throne Room.

Once the doors slammed shut, Luz took a deep breath. It was all or nothing, now. She saw Lilith heading away from her and Luz quickly followed her, gathering her courage. Luz put her hood down before speaking in the most casual tone she could muster. "Heya, Lilith!" Lilith turned to face her, surprised.

"Human? How did you get into the Castle?" She questioned narrowing her eyes. Luz held up her hands, "that's not important. What is important is that you need to capture the Owl Lady, and I know how to help." Luz said. "And why would you want to help me capture your mentor?" Lilith replied, an eyebrow raised. "The thing is I'm the Amber Guard. We both need someth-" Luz was cut of by a scoff from Lilith. "You're not the Amber Guard, Human. And I don't have time for your games." Lilith turned to walk away.

Luz rolled her eyes. She took her staff-pen from her pocket and clicked the button, letting it extend into staff form. She twirled it, amber colored light gathering around the tip of the staff. In a flash of amber colored light, Luz teleported infront of Lilith, blocking her path. Luz twirled her staff before letting the butt end of the staff thunk against the floor. "Is that enough proof for you?" Luz asked to a flabbergasted Lilith.

Taking her silence as a conformation to continue, Luz spoke. "Now, we both need something from the Owl Lady. You need to capture her and I need something from her. The Owl Lady has this item on her person and I've gained enough trust with her to where I'm pretty confident she'll give it to me." Luz explained.

"The hard part is figuring the right circumstances for the Owl Lady to actually give it to me." Luz continued. "That's where we work together. If you 'kidnap' me." Luz did quotes with her fingers. "She'll be led right to you for the capture. Her curse is much stronger now, after that well... I'm not entirely sure, but we can figure that out later."

Lilith stared at her for a moment. "How do you know this will work?" She finally asked. Luz shrugged "unlike you, I've been living with the Owl Lady for the last month. I know what makes her tick and I think I've done a pretty good job of making her care about me." Luz replied, granted Eda has done a good job of making Luz care about her as well.

Lilith thought it over for a moment, it wasn't like she had many options to choose from anyways. "Alright Amber Guard. I accept your help. Now, put your staff away and I'll seal you in a bubble." Luz nodded, letting her staff return to pen form as Lilith spun a spell circle. A blue bubble formed around Luz and gently floated above the ground. "Now how do we get a message out to Edalyn?" Lilith asked, heading down the hall, the bubble following her.

Luz hummed in thought, she didn't have to think long though as she heard a quiet gasp nearby. Looking around, Luz spotted Willow and Gus. They must have noticed she was missing and went to look for her. "Friends!" She called out, alerting Lilith of their presence.

"Let her go!" Gus exclaimed. Lilith smirked "if you want to see your friend again, deliver this to Edalyn." Lilith tossed her staff to them, the staff flying them away as Willow shouted "Luz!" Luz looked away guiltily, her friends shouldn't have been involved with this, but it was too late now.

"Well that's that problem solved." Lilith said, heading to the front of the Castle. She extended the bridge out so Eda and Lilith would have plenty of room to stand. "And now we wait."

The sun started to set when Eda finally appeared in a flash of yellow lightning. Face etched into a scowl. Lilith smirked. Eda threw Lilith's staff at high speed, the staff embedding itself into the Castle wall behind Lilith.

"Sister! I see that you got my invitation to a Witch's Duel!" Lilith said, spreading her arms wide. Eda was in no mood to talk, sending bolts of electricity flying at Lilith, though none of them hit her. Eda flew at her, taunting. Lilith blocked one hit with a summoned shield. She summoned her staff and fired a bolt at Eda. "Where is she?" Eda demanded dodging the attack and flying at Lilith. "Easy now." Lilith said holding a hand out to stop her sister. Eda stopped, floating in front of her. "The human is safe." Lilith said, spinning her staff.

Luz didn't expect the bubble to suddenly zip forward. She yelped, when it stopped she ended up smashing her face into the side of the bubble. She rubbed her nose before looking up and spotting Eda. "You can have her back, provided you do as I say. Renounce your wild ways and join the Emperor's Coven. He can help heal your curse!" Lilith tried to reason. "Don't believe everything that bonehead tells you. He doesn't want to heal me, he wants to control me!" Eda scowled.

Luz knew Eda wouldn't turn herself in without a fight, but she'd still hoped Eda wouldn't resist. "Then I'll take you in by force." Lilith spun her staff. Eda stepped down onto the bridge a smirk on her face. "You've always looked down on me because I'm wild, but fortunately, that just made me work harder than you!"

Eda slammed her staff on the ground, summoning a towering owl made of golden light behind her. She rushed towards Lilith, launching her in the air. Eda appeared behind Lilith. Lilith zipped away as Eda swung her staff at empty air. Lilith reappeared behind Eda, charging up an attack right as Eda disappeared. Eda reappeared behind Lilith and kicked her, then zapped away to chase her.

From the bubble, Luz watched Eda and Lilith zip across the sky, nothing but gold and blue lights weaving and crashing. Lilith shot a beam of light at Luz's bubble, sending it flying. Eda landed on the bridge as Luz yelled. "Luz!" Eda called, zipping after her and redirecting the boards of the bridge to keep Luz from falling off.

Lilith dropped down, and Eda rolled out of the way to prevent being crushed. Eda summoned a Hooty Hydra to wrap Lilith up. Eda spun her staff and sent a giant blast at Lilith. Lilith put Luz between her and the bolt, Luz's eyes widened as Eda redirected the blast, missing them both.

Luz sighed in relief. "Stop hiding behind Luz, you coward!" Eda panted, grunting and using her staff to hold herself up. "It's sad to see you slowing down sister. Tell me, is it the curse?" Lilith taunted. Eda growled, the sound half Owl Beast. The darkness in her gem grew.

Luz noticed Eda's gem. "Eda you're running out of magic!" She shouted, warning both witches of the time limit. Eda ignored Luz. "Maybe it is the curse. But then how pathetic are you, that you can't best me at my worst?!" Eda snarled, spinning her staff and summoning a dozen rings of magic, all of which sent bolts at Lilith. Eda's Hooty Hydra dragged Luz to safety as Lilith summoned a shield to protect herself.

"Maybe you are stronger than me, but that made me work smarter! I became smart, crafty!" Lilith scowled. "A lapdog for a tyrant!" Eda snapped back. Luz sat up, slightly dizzy, she shook her head trying to clear it, looking back up at the two witches.

"You always thought you were better than me, that I could never beat you in anything!" Lilith shouted over the blasts of magic hitting her shield. "I am better than you!" Eda replied. "Then why were you so easy to curse?!" As soon as the words left her mouth Lilith's expression went from anger to shock, covering her mouth. Eda looked shocked and betrayed, she looked away gritting her teeth in anger.

Luz looked on in shock, eyes darting between Lilith and Eda. How could Lilith curse her own sister? There didn't seem to be any logical reason that Lilith would do such a thing. At least there was a reason for Luz's curse, to show her the dangers of wild magic. Luz's look of shock morphed into anger on Eda's behalf.

"A-And I have the power to remove it, if you would just let me explain." Lilith said reaching for her sister. Eda shook in anger. With a yell of fury, she rushed forward and destroyed Lilith's shield, flinging Lilith into the wall hard enough to leave a crater.

The black in Eda's gem was writhing furiously. Eda didn't seem to care. Suddenly Luz's bubble popped and Luz hit the ground with a grunt. She stood up and turned to Lilith, confused on why the bubble dropped. Was she knocked out?

Lilith stood still, looking past Luz and straight at Eda. Lilith lifted her staff and a blue glow surrounded Luz. Luz searched for an answer on what on Titan Lilith was thinking, but there was nothing that Luz could read on her face. With a flick of Lilith's staff, Luz was flung off the side of the bridge.

Luz screamed in surprise as she fell. "Luz!" Eda yelled. Eda drew a shaky spell circle with her staff. Luz stopped plummeting a foot above a score of giant spikes. Eda strained to keep Luz up. Luz looked up at her with wide eyes. Why would Eda risk this much to save her? She knew Eda cared about her, but not to this extent.

"Eda!" Luz shouted, worried and scared. Why did she go through with this? She didn't actually think Eda would risk turning into the Owl Beast forever. She thought Lilith would be able to capture her before that could happen, but it seemed Lilith was pushing for Eda to use up all her magic.

Lilith casted a spell, a large blue hand pushing down against Luz. Bringing her closer to the spikes as Eda struggled. Eda's gem was almost entirely black. The whites of her eyes began to be taken over. "Alright, kid. Listen to me. I'm going away, and I don't know if I can bounce back this time. Watch over King. Remember to feed Hooty."

Luz whimpered, she wouldn't be able to do that. "And Luz, thank you for being in my life." Tears gathered in Luz's eyes as Eda screamed. Luz shut her eyes tight as a blast of golden light filled the area. Luz started to fall again before Owlbert caught her, lifting her back up to the bridge. Luz stumbled forward a few steps before stopping.

Luz stood still watching Eda, the witch rolling over onto her back to scream a beastly howl. She slammed a hand onto the bridge, transforming into the Owl Beast. Luz stared, unseeing at the beast as it prowled forward screeching at her. Luz didn't move, not registering what was around her until the Owl Beast was quickly pulled away from her.

Luz blinked and looked up seeing the Owl Beast tied up next to Lilith. "Come along sister. Now we can let the healing begin." Luz walked up beside Lilith, staring at the Owl Beast still. Lilith turned to speak to her, snatching Owlbert out of the air. "Thank you for your assistance, Amber Guard. I doubted your plan at first, but it worked just fine." Lilith said. Luz finally looked away from the Owl Beast and to Lilith. "You didn't have to throw me off the bridge though." She snapped, still angry about what was revealed about Eda's curse.

"It was necessary for the goal, you understand, right?" Lilith asked, Luz shrugged with a slow nod. "Good. Now, are you coming with to give the report to the Emperor?" Lilith questioned. Luz shook her head. "No, I have to get my uniform first. I'll meet you back in the throne room before the Emperor arrives." Luz replied in a deadpanned tone. Lilith nodded before heading back to the Castle with Eda and Owlbert in tow.

Luz took her staff-pen and let it transform into it's staff form. She looked back at the Castle where Eda went for a moment before hoping onto her staff and taking flight. Back to the Owl House.

It didn't take too long before Luz touched down in front of the Owl House. Not bothering to hide her staff, she walked up to the door. Hooty yawned, blinking his eyes open. "Oh, Luz, there you are!" Luz didn't reply, instead opening the door to the dark living room.

She looked to the side, her eyes widening. There were balloons and streamers hung up. Party hats were on the couches, and confetti was on the floor. A purple piece of clothing was folded and wrapped in a bow on the table, next to King's cake, the candles of which have long burned out. King burst out of the cake.

"The cake is me!" He gasped, looking around. "Hey, um, where's Eda?" He asked innocently. Luz looked away guiltily, her hand on the door knob tightening. Taking a deep breath, Luz let go of the door knob and walked past the table and King. "Hey! Where are you going?" King asked, scrambling out of the cake and falling onto the floor. He followed Luz upstairs to her room.

Luz didn't acknowledge him as she grabbed her bag and headed over to the chest. Opening it she started grabbing the elixirs she had left, 14 of them. "Luz, what are you doing?" King asked again, but Luz still ignored him. He looked over the staff Luz had set down on the floor while she grabbed her elixirs. "What kind of staff is that? Where did you get it?"

Ignoring him still, Luz closed the chest once she was done. Grabbing her bag and staff she headed out of her room and to the bathroom, grabbing her belt and dagger on the way out as well. She closed the bathroom door behind her, blocking King out.

King banged his fists on the door. "Luz! What the heck are you doing!?" He shouted. "And where's Eda!? Why aren't you answering me!?" He said, frustrated from being ignored. He stepped back and decided to wait for her to come back out. When she did he looked up at her in surprise at her outfit change.

She had her normal brown boots on, but now she wore an amber colored tunic with darker sleeves and her belt with her dagger and paralyzing potions, black leggings, and amber gloves. Underneath the tunic she had golden chest armor with dark orange straps over her white and purple striped shirt. She had her bag slung over her shoulder and carried the staff in one hand.

Luz headed back downstairs. Heading to the front door, but King ran ahead of her and blocked the doorway. She stopped and stared down at him. "Luz you have to tell me what's going on. Where's Eda?" He demanded. Luz didn't speak, turning her head away instead, a deep frown on her face.

She spotted the piece of folded clothing on the table, and slowly walked over to the table. King didn't dare move, afraid that she would leave if he moved away from the door. King and Hooty shared a worried look as Luz picked up the tag attached to the gift and read it.

'To a young witch from her proud mentor. -EDA' Luz's hands shook as she collapsed to her knees beside the table. Her staff clattering to the floor. Reaching out for the gift and unfolding it, revealing it to be a cloak made from the Witches Wool Eda had that morning. Luz clutched the cloak tightly, bringing it to her chest and burying her face in the soft fabric as she finally let the tears roll down her face.

King and Hooty cautiously approached her, King resting a paw on her arm as she shook with sobs into the cloak.

What had she done?