The Owl House x Oc: Hidden Demons (S1+ 2)

Young Blood, Old Souls

Feed. Dream. A want to belong.

That's all I can do now. I can never feel the sun on may skin, the dirt beneath my feet, the wind brushing my hair.
A family. A place to call home.

It's all over, and it's all my fault.

I thought I could escape this fate. But it's because I escaped, that the people I love most are most likely dead.
Eda and Luz wouldn't be in this mess if it wasn't for me.

Now, I'm trapped here. Forever.

Hearing footsteps, Hazel looks up blankly at the Warden, surrounded by several guards at the ready. One opens the door, grabbing the shackles.

"It's time for your check-up, No.6."

The basilisk was harshly dragged out of the cage. She didn't fight back as they lead her toward a familiar chair and table.

It's okay, though. It's where I belong, anyway.

————

King opened a book focused on the history of the Boiling Isles.
"The Boiling Isles, born from the flesh and bones of a fallen Titan. This original magic was so potent, all life on the Isles evolved to wild magic too. For years, we explored those powers freely."
He turned the page, which had an image of the Emperor, and his symbol.
"Until, a mysterious witch appeared who declared that he, and he alone, could speak to the island. He said that we were using magic all wrong. His teachings took hold, his strength grew, and he became...Emperor Belos.
Belos said that mixing magic was wrong, that only he had that right. So he created the coven system. And there, our knowledge was restricted, and our potential sealed away.
Those who resist are called wild witches, and they face harsh punishment. Emperor Belos has since retreated into his castle. There are whispers that say he's planning something big."
The small demon hummed in thought at this information. He and Luz were in the humans room.
"I wonder if catching Eda and Hazel was part of his big plan. What do you think, Luz? Luz?"
The human was looking out the window, holding her gift from her mentor. Glancing down at the tag, she stares at it for a moment.
"To a young witch from her proud mentor. Eda."
Luz gets up, unrolling the cape. "I don't care what Belos is up to...because today, I'm saving Eda and Hazel!"

Luz opens the door to a room decorated with weapons. King follows after her anxiously. "Luz, what are you doing?" He asked.
"This is serious, King!" Luz exclaimed, grabbing a heavy axe. "Eda used her power to save me and got caught by Lilith. I let Hazel come with me when I should've told her to stay behind!" The axe slammed against the counter, so Luz moved on to find another weapon.
"Now Eda's the Owl Beast and is being taken before the Emperor! And who knows what they're doing to Hazel!"
King walked into the room, clutching the book close. Luz picked up a jagged looking dagger.
"I don't know what he's planning to do with them, but I'm going to rescue them." She said determinedly. King held up the book, watching her worriedly. "Haven't you been listening to me? He's the Emperor! He's the most powerful witch alive!" He exclaimed, hugging the book fearfully.
Luz walked closer to the small demon, bending down to his level. "King, please try to understand. Eda and Hazel are in this situation because of me. Because of my stupid choices. I have to make up for it." She explained quietly.
"But Eda's in her Owl Beast form! How will she recognise you? And how will you find Hazel?" King asked. Luz looked away.
"I don't know. But I have to try anyway."
King glanced down at his book, then back up at Luz, filled with a new hope. "Well then, I'm going too." He stated. Luz felt guilt wrack her gut as she looked down at him. "King..."
"No, I'm coming with you. Me and Eda don't always see eye to eye, but I do consider her and Hazel family. I want them back as much as you do. And nothing you can say can change my mind." He said, crossing his arms stubbornly.
Although her head told her that King had to stay behind, her heart was thankful that King wanted to help. She needed all the help she could get. She smiles. "Alright. Then we've got no time to lose!" She said, running out of the room.
King followed her, showing the book on the ground. It opens to the page with Belos on it.

————

"No.6 has shown to have grown her own magic in the time she's been away. Although weak, it's still very much there. With the right experimenting and training, we can make the magic stronger."

A blood-curdling scream could be heard, and the Warden glanced up from his clipboard, observing the operation from a safe distance.

"The Emperor says as long as she's still alive, we can do whatever we want. This will show promising results."

————

In another part of the castle, Lilith was chasing Beast Eda around the throne room.
"Eda, stop that this instant!" She screamed.
The Owl Beast was running around and causing chaos. It tears down a tapestry of Belos, and begins chewing on it. Lilith takes this chance to bubble her cursed sister.
The Owl Beast lets out a shriek, snarling at Lilith. Lilith fixes herself up. "Don't look at me like that. This is for your own good. Emperor Belos will heal you, and we'll be in his coven together. Isn't that wonderful?" She said happily. Beast Eda blew a raspberry in her sister's direction.
Lilith crossed her arms. "I will not fall prey to your childish games." She stated, before promptly sticking her tongue out at Eda.
The door to the throne room opens, startling Lilith. Six coven guards and Kikimora enter. "All kneel before Emperor Belos!" Kiki said, bowing and moving away from the door. Lilith kneels.
A pair of glowing blue eyes approach from the darkness, eventually revealing Emperor Belos.
Seeing him, Beast Eda shrieks, bursting free from the bubble and charging toward the Emperor. Lilith, shocked, reaches out to her. "Eda, no!" She screams.
Belos vanishes before Beast Eda can attack him, appearing behind her and throwing her against a wall by lifting a finger.
Beast Eda falls to the ground, as glowing red ropes appear to keep her down. Lilith rushes between Eda and Belos, an apologetic look on her face. "My Lord, I apologise for my sister's rash behaviour. She is still in her cursed form. Once you've healed her, as promised, I am sure she will become a useful asset to the coven!" She exclaimed.
The Emperor said nothing. Summoning his mechanical staff, he raises it above Eda's head. A beam of red light strikes Eda, healing her only to the point of allowing her speech in her Beast form.

Eda looks around, disoriented. "Ah. Where am I? What is this?" Looking up, her confused expression turns to that of frustration. "Aw, farts. I got caught." She grumbled, glaring at Lilith and Belos.
Belos bent down toward Eda. "Edalyn Clawthorne, the infamous Owl Lady, the wild witch of Bonesborough. Mentor of Luz the Human."
Eda growled. "You stay away from her, or so help me, Titan..." she snarled. Belos chuckled. "You've got it all wrong. The human is safe, for now." He stated. Eda scowled. "And what about Hazel? What have you done with her?"
The Emperor straightened. "The demon is no longer your concern." He dismissed her question. "Now, I just want the portal the human came through." He said. Eda scoffed.
"Tough, 'cause I ain't telling you nothing!" She spat. Emperor Belos sighed. "Ugh, pity. Although I suppose I could ask the human herself." He said nonchalantly, snapping his fingers. Eda froze. "Wait! Don't touch her!" She yelled, as guards ran in to drag her away. "Lilith, don't let him hurt her! Lilith!"
Lilith watched her sister disappear, then turned to the Emperor. "Ah, taking her to the healing ceremony?" She asked hopefully. The Emperor didn't turn to her.
"I will not be healing her." He replied simply. Lilith was stunned. "But, you, promised me." She said, feeling betrayed.
The Emperor finally faced her. "Don't be so naïve, Lilith. This is the Titan's will. All wild witches must be dealt with before the Day of Unity." He explained, gesturing to a mural with witches bowing down to the symbol of the Emperor's Coven. "You understand, don't you?"
Lilith looked down. "Of course..."
"Good." Belos nodded, turning to leave. He paused, seeming to remember something. "Oh, one more thing."
Snapping his fingers, Owlbert and the bottom half of Eda's staff appear in Lilith's hands. "Destroy the Owl Lady's staff. She won't be needing it anymore."
Lilith was left alone in the throne room, watching Belos disappear with regret.