The Portal
It had been a long time since any of them had felt like this. So scared. The six of them were backed against the wall, and in front of them, there was a floating boy, wearing starry pajamas. Less than two seconds ago, he had thrown that slimy creature to the other side of the bridge. They had spent hours, days, defeating Belos, and here came this boy who... With a simple touch of his finger, sent it flying into pieces.
Luz felt her arm being squeezed. She looked to the side, and her girlfriend Amity clung to her, scared, but with her eyes fixed on the boy's figure.
Luz had been through a lot since arriving in the Boiling Isles, almost dying more than once, fighting the supposed most powerful witch. However, this little boy in pajamas far exceeded the power of any other witch. And that scared her. Terrified her. Luz looked around, still trying to steady her breathing. Hunter, her newest friend, was lying on the ground, Willow next to him, helping because of his useless arm. Gus was right next to her, standing, also looking at the boy.
Hunter's gaze was lost on what was left of Belos. That green mass was spread all over the wall, dripping down to the floor.
On the other side of Gus, at the far end of the group of kids, was Nova. Though everyone had changed during the time Luz had been with them, the change in her was especially noticeable. Her long hair was now short, tied up in a messy ponytail from her curls. And though her face was still round and childish, the maturity flooded her eyes.
—So slow.—The little boy laughed as he saw Belos against the wall.—You all look the same. Do you want a head start?
—Hey! Hey! Collector! Champ! Buddy, do you remember what we talked about? If you don't help my friends from the outside, we won’t be able to play Owl House...
—Huh? Owl House? Oh wow! I love that game...
—It leaves unforgettable memories.—Amity clung to Luz's arm, who glanced at her to comfort her.
—I play every day!
—I play all the time!—Gus added to Willow's comment.
—It’s the best game ever!—Nova chimed in, eyes fixed on her little friend King.
When the Collector looked at Hunter, still on the ground, the young blonde could only make a sound of affirmation, still shocked by the recent death of what he believed was his only family.
—I’ll explain the rules later.—King continued speaking.—But remember, we need lots of players.
The Collector peered into the large hole in the wall. The six kids ran to the other side, trying not to get too close to the starry boy.
—Are you okay?—Nova asked her two friends, who could only nod, still watching the boy.
—Um... Mmh... Okay!—And with a simple movement of his finger, the moon separated from the sun, ending the eclipse and the draining spell.—Boom!
Gus looked at his friend, the golden lines that had rendered his arm useless disappeared, along with the pain.
—Mmh?—The boy murmured. The six teenagers stepped back, King took a small step back, not wanting to draw the boy’s attention.—Okay. So if we’re going to play Owl House... We’ll need an awesome Owl House!
With a small jump and a soft clap, the remaining walls shattered and began to float.
—Wooo! We’re going to have so much fun, little friends!
The ground beneath Willow's feet began to crack. The witch backed away in fear, desperately looking for an exit or a place to hide.
—Over here! I think there’s an exit!
Luz crouched down to King's level and scooped him up while everyone started running in the opposite direction of the Collector.
—Luz!—Nova called, seeing her friend looking at the boy.
—It’s just... Those people... Eda! I can’t leave them, Nova...
—Luz... Please...—Tears welled up in both women’s eyes, a few meters away, Amity watched them, her eyes tearful, waiting impatiently for the two girls.
Luz closed her eyes tightly, nodded, and Nova grabbed her hand, pulling her and King toward the portal.
—Let’s go!
—Hunter!—Gus called when he saw him hesitating to cross. The former Golden Guard clenched his fists and ran with his friends, stepping over what was left of Belos.
That door with an eye in the center was located on a bluish-gray platform, which also started falling apart. Hunter stared at the door for a few seconds and, with a trembling hand, grabbed the knob. When the door opened, they saw a heavy rain.
—Don’t worry, it’s human rain.—Warned Gus, and he, Willow, and Hunter ran through the door.
—Luz?—Amity turned around when she didn’t see her girlfriend running next to her.
—Luz! What are you doing?—Nova asked.
—Run! I have to go get Eda! Don’t worry! We’ll find you—Luz kept her hands stretched out, trying to keep the vines she had created from breaking, and in turn, the portal.
The Collector, still floating amid the rubble, looked at the group of friends.
Luz’s eyes were shedding heavy tears.
—Luz!—Nova scolded, feeling tears running down her cheeks, falling onto the platform.
—Come on! Come on! I won’t be able to hold the portal much longer!
—Luz!—King shouted when he felt an invisible force pulling him.
—Rey! You promised to play with me! We made a deal!
—Luz!—Amity shouted while running toward her girlfriend.
—King! We have to stay together... We have to stay together...
That force began pulling Luz as well. Amity ran to help her, just like Willow, Hunter, and Gus, who returned through the portal.
—I’m sorry... Not this time... But if I can save you...
—No!
—Luz!
—Luz... I loved having you as my older sister...
King let out a high-pitched scream, and using his titan powers, threw the group of teenagers through the portal, which immediately began to disintegrate.
—No!
A pink glow appeared out of nowhere, and seconds later, a great blue vertical light fell from the sky. The six young people felt themselves being lifted. And suddenly... They were no longer in the destroyed room. But they weren’t in the broken wooden house that Luz had entered once...