The Rescue Begins
When it came to cells. Luz had to admit this wasn’t so bad.
For starters, the bed was actually comfortable. Even if she barely slept. They did give her griffin eggs three times a day, even if she didn’t eat much, and despite what she thought, she wasn’t tortured. Even if Kikimora did try, but Terra always stopped her.
A cell was still a cell though, and Luz is being kept away from her family.
She wonders how Amity is doing, how she’s handling Azura. Amity had been scared about going solo, and now she has too.
Worst of all. The person that created that fear, is the one behind this mess.
“Hello Luz.” Odalia said, entering her cell.
Luz said nothing.
“Oh not much of a talker. I assumed you love to talk based on our previous meetings. But it’s been a couple of years so, who knows what can change.”
“....”
“I do apologize fo Kikimora and her little attempts to fight. Titan knows why I keep her around. She’s disposable I suppose...”
“What do you want Odalia ?”
“Sassy heh. I like that. As for what I want, I think you know.”
Luz sighted as Odalia began to pace.
“When I first met you Luz, I had no idea what a human could be no here, or what talent could you have. I specially did not see what Amity saw in you. But turns out, I had you all wrong. You fought side to side with Belos. The two most powerful beings I have seen, which turns out, both of you were humans. I had my eyes opened. I saw true power, and I’m attracted to power.”
“So what ?”
“As you know, this current....disorder, well it’s not sitting well with me. No emperor, no absolute authority that everyone must obey, this freedom is..frankly disgusting. Which is why I need you to help me.”
“So what, you want to become the new emperor of the Isles ?”
“Who better than the one that lead the most powerful company of the Isles. But let’s get to the point. You have something no one else has, the connection with the Titan. That little form of yours. It’s more than impressive. With your help this can be so much easier. Specially of that little menace called the Collector gets involved.”
“And what if I don’t !”
“Oh Luz. I’m not gonna lie. A LOT of people are gonna get hurt. Maybe even killed. I already heard one of your former classmates died.”
What....who had...
“But if you help me.....you, Mittens, and my grand daughter can be spared from it. Unlike Belos. I have no interest in the other realms. You three can go to the human realm, make your life’s there, and leave us in peace.”
“Why should I believe you...”
“Hm. How much do you want to risk your family being hurt ?”
“....”
“Think about it. We will talk later. Now do yourself a favor and eat something. I don’t want you sick.”
Odalia started walking away.
“Wait, I got a question for you. Amity....did you ever love her ?”
“Mittens....she had her use. It will be up to you whether she still has it or no.”
She left Luz alone, her chuckles still sounding threw the room.
“Oh Amity...I pray you and everyone else are ok...I miss you so much.”
Hunter sighted. He was so tired, he hasn’t slept properly since this happened.
But he couldn’t. Not with Willow like this.
He had heard from Darius who had done it. Boscha, That witch that bullied Willow at school. She hadn’t done it because the Confederation, But because she wanted to.
Amity had confronted her, and exposed her. She was currently locked down and Hunter wished he could go confront her. But Darius said this had the risk of damaging the interrogation, and it was important for it to work.
“Hey man.” Gus said, entering the room.
“Hey Gus.”
“Still nothing ?”
“No...do you think she’s peaceful. That she’s resting at least ?”
“I don’t know man. But you know Willow. She’s strong. She can get threw this.”
“Yeah.....she is.”
“I came to tell you. They are about to head of for the search for Luz. Boscha said where she is interrogated, and Amity, Eda, and Lilith are gonna head off.”
“You aren’t going ?”
“Nah, with my injures I can’t go there. It’s gonna involve a fight must likely.”
“Makes sense.”
“Besides. Amity will have the Clawthornes to support her. You need someone like that.”
“Thanks Gus. You are a great friend.”
“I’ve been told that. Say, we should get something to eat. You look like you could use it.”
“Yeah....I can get something...”
But before they could say more. The doors of the room were opened.
“WE FOUND IT !” Edric yelled. “WE FOUND THE POTION !”
“REALLY !” Hunter yelled. Hope filling him. “DO YOU KNOW HOW TO REVERSE IT ?”
“Well....yes...and no. It’s complicated.”
“Complicated ?”
“Ok. So the potion Boscha used is call, Eternal Sleep. Healers use it on patients that are beyond help, and put them to sleep so that they can be without pain until they finally pass.”
Edric saw Hunter’s panicked face and moved quickly. “Don’t worry ! The potion itself it’s not deadly. Willow is just asleep. However, a potion to wake someone up from it has never been done before. We are working on it but there is something else.”
“What is it ?”
“We believe that oracle magic was added to the potion. Meaning that even if we remove the effects of the potion, something is still gonna keep Willow asleep.”
“And do...do you know what to do about that part ?”
“No...I’m sorry.”
Hunter sighted. It seemed so good to be true...
“Hey...what if we went inside Willow’s mind ?”
“Huh ?” Hunter looked at Gus.
“Back in the day. Amity accidentally burned some of Willow’s memories. So she and Luz traveled inside her mind to fix it. We can do the same here !”
Hunter and Edric thought about it. But another voice answered.
“That could in fact work.” Darius said, entering the room. “The best way to deal with oracle is within the inside. And the work seems not that perfect, meaning there are holes to pick. But, doing this is dangerous. But...I know you son. You will do anything for your woman. Therefore all I can do is support you.”
Hunter smiled at that. “Thanks, Dad.”
“I’ll go with you !’ Gus declares.
“What, no way Gus ! Your still hurt !”
“I know, but I can’t stay useless. I already can’t help with finding Luz. But I can help with this !”
“But...”
“Hunter. Before Luz came, before Amity turned around, and before we found you, I had no one but Willow. She had my back so many times, I need to do this. Besides....doing this might help avenge Matt.”
Hunter looked at his friend, feeling sorry for what he had lost.
“Allright....let’s do this.”
“Eh Hunter...” Edric said. “Before you go...there is one thing I need to say.”
“Huh, What is it Edric ?”
Edric went to speak, but Darius signaled him to let him do it. As Hunter’s father, this was his duty. “The mixing of potions and magic had an....effect on Willow’s body.”
“An effect....what do you mean..” Hunter dreaded this...
“She’s....she’s been rendered infertile. We guess it was a final act of Boscha to get back at her. I’m so sorry son.”
Hunter’s world stopped.
Willow....was infertile now.
She could not have children now.
She had never told Hunter. But he knew she wanted one. And so did he.
He wanted the happiness Azura gave Luz and Amity. He wanted to raise a child and give him the love he never got.
That was not happening any more. Boscha and the Confederation had stole that from them. Just like they stole Gus’ Chance to find someone.
He vowed that no one else would loose someone to them, he would stop the Confederation.
And he would make them pay.
“And she can not sleep if she’s not read a bedtime story, and she always keeps a glad of water nearby, she gets thirsty at night.” Amity said.
They were about to leave to get Luz, and that could take some days. Camila and Vee would watch over Azura while Amity was gone. So she was telling Camila everything Azura would need.
It would not be the first time Azura stayed with one of her many grandparents. But that had only been for a day, and it was when she and Luz....wanted alone time.
It certainly wasn’t like this.
“Oh and she’s allergic to cinnamon. We learned that the hard way.”
"Its fine Amity, Its not the first time I am taking care of her." Camila laughed. "And Vee got Masha to come and help as well. So its gonna be three of us."
"I know I know. It's just that we never have left her for this much. Gosh and specially in this situation. I really don't know how to repay you this Camila."
"You can do it by getting my daughter back from those idiotas malnacidos."
"Hehe, will do."
Amity got out a piece of paper.
"Here are my father's and Edric's phone numbers. They might be busy, but if you need anything, call them."
"Will do."
Amity then turned to the one family member that she did not give Camila their contact, because..
"You really don't have to do this Em."
"I'm coming with you Mittens, and that's final. I talked it with Viney, and she agrees. She can take care of Cole, and Jerbo and Barcus are staying with her to aid her."
"But Em..." she tried to speak, but Emira placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Amity." And that told everyone what she was about to say was serious. "Odalia is not just your mother, she's also mine. What you feel, Ed and I feel it as well. The pain and...them somehow responsibility to stop her. You know, we also have nightmares about her."
"You do ?"
"Yes. But with me....its not what she did to me, but what she did to you two. Specially you. Its not secret she was way harsher and abusive to you than us. I'm the eldest, I am supposed to watch over you, I was supposed to protect you, but instead, I pranked you."
"Em, you know it was thanks to Ed and you I got threw my days. At the time, Dad was always distracted and Odalia.....you both were the only ones I knew that, despite the pranks, you loved me."
"It still doesn't excuse. We should have done something, but only when Luz came, its when we took action. That does make me feel guilty, a lot, and I am sure Dad and Ed are the same. They can't come. Dad is working with Darius to fortify the defenses in case the Confederation attacks again, and Ed is overseeing the procedure being done to Willow."
"Yeah..." Gus had texted Amity, about what happened to Willow, the plan they had to wake her up, and....the effects Boscha's potion had on her.
Amity cursed Boscha to hell and back. She knew Willow wanted children. They had spoken about it on her bachelor party (which really was just a small celebration they had with Luz, Emira, Vinney, Skara, Vee, and her partner Masha. She and Luz had to take care of Azura, and Em was about to give birth, so nothing wild could be done. Unlike what she heard Gus and Edric did to poor Hunter.) about how much Willow wanted her own child. It still could happen sure, adoption was possible, but....it did steal something from Willow.
As the one that got pregnant with Azura, she wondered if Boscha would have tried the same thing, seen how she still thinks Amity will love her. Lucky, Boscha's potion stack has been taken, and the three eyed witch is looking at a long time behind bars.
"So." Em continued. "I am really the only one that can go. Besides, you will need a healer that can patch you up, and a illusionist in case things go wild, and I happen to be both."
"Ok ok. I know I won't convince you. But if it goes wild, you need to back up. Cole needs you."
"I'll do it if you do it. You are on the same ship as me. Except Viney is at home and Luz...you know."
"Yeah, but that will change soon."
"Hey, I am all in for sisterly bonding, but we need to save my kid, so let's get going !" Eda yelled.
Amity sighted, it was time.
But first..
"I need to say goodbye to Azura. Just give me a moment."
Amity walked back inside her house, while the others continued to plan.
"I still don't get why I can't come." King grumbled. "I want to help Luz !"
"Ah I get you kiddo. But if Odalia is after the titan, then we can't risk it." Eda said. "It will be safer for you here."
"But I just don't want to be useless."
"Who said anything about being useless." Raine said. "I have a very important job for you King."
"Wait, really !"
"Uhum. I need you to try and get in contact with the Collector. Get his aid. With his help, dealing with the Confederation will be much easier."
"Yeah...yeah that's right, and he did say if we needed help, he would come. Sure, I will try and call him."
"Excelent."
Amity thought about it, and realized this was a good idea. No matter who Odalia had, the Collector was far above them.
It would take a while for him to come though, they don't know where he is. So for now, they have to work with what they have.
Amity stepped inside, to find Azura on the living room, watching a show on the crystal ball.
"Hey honey."
"Hey mommy."
"Listen sweetie. I need to go, you are gonna stay with Grandma Camila some days. If you need anything, ask her. Your grandfather and Uncle Edric are also available."
"...."
"I know...I know you don't want me to leave. I get it, but..."
"Mommy....are you gonna get mama back ?"
"Yes sweetie...I am going to get her back."
"Then...I am fine staying with Grandma. Just...get Mama back, I really miss her."
"I will honey. I promise." Amity said, hugging her daughter tightly. "We will be back before you notice. You'll see."
Amity spent the next five minutes hugging her daughter, before it was finally time to leave.
"Good, we can finally depart." Eda said.
"Be careful Eda." Raine said, kissing her. "I wish I could go, but I am needed here to help Darius and Eber coordinate our response in case the Confederation makes any move."
"I got this Rainstorm, I have lead expeditions before. We will go, get Luz, kick Odalia's butt, and be back before you know it."
"I thought I was leading..." Lilith mumbled.
"You take us there Lilly. But on battle, I command."
"Fine. Steve, is everyone ready ?"
"We are set Lulu. All we need is to take flight !"
"Ok, Edalyn, Amity, its time."
Amity and the others got in their palismans (Stringbrain was hidden in Amity's pocket, Luz needed him to return) and they took flight. Waving everyone as they left.
"I'm coming to get you home Luz."
"Odalia. " Adrian said. "One of my men has just reported, it seems the search party for the human is on its way here."
"Oh that is Wonderfull, just as planned !"
Odalia stood up from her chair.
"Do we know who is coming ?"
"The Clawthorne sisters, and both of your daughters, with some scouts."
"Oh, I did not expect Emira, but no matter. This is still perfect. Now Adrian, tell Terra to prepare the troops, and get ready to attack. Once they are here, we launch on our attack, and you do know which are our targets."
"Yes Odalia."
"And Adrian...make sure there are casualties. After all, its the perfect way to get the message across."