The Demon Within Me

They flew for most of the day. Just stopping for meals and breaks.

When the night was falling, Lilith whistled.

“We must stop and rest for the night. We can go straight into the base tired. We will set base here and rest.”

Amity knew that was important, and while part of her wanted to go straight in, she knew she had to rest in order to get her wife back.

“Ugh finally, Steve can use a break.”

“I get you.” Eda grumbled. “It’s been too long since I flew this much.”

“You’re growing old Eda.”

“Hey if I’m old then you are older, older sister,”

“Hmm.”

Amity sighted as she got inside her tent.

“Funny how I am used to sleep in this and yet...it’s never felt like this.” Amity mumbled. Grabbing a picture of her pocket.

This one was taken on a trip she and Luz took with Azura to a cavin Luz had rented in the human realm.

It had been their best vacation, in her opinion. Peaceful, silent, with no one but the three of them there.

Maybe after this is over, they can go back there. That peace had been...something she would love to feel again.

“Hey bossy boots. We are getting the meals ready. You might want to get in here before Steve ears it all.”

“I’m coming.”

“Hmm...you know, I never got to talk with you in private since all of this happened. I won’t ask how you are feeling because...it’s obvious.”

“Uff. Thanks. I appreciate all the help I’m getting but...I am getting tired of that question.”

“I understand. So I’m gonna ask this instead. What are you gonna do the moment you see her.”

“The moment I see Luz. I’m gonna give her the deepest kiss and hug I’ve ever given her. And beg for forgiveness for allowing this to happen. You are gonna have to wait for your turn because I...”

“Kid. Allow me one hug on my kid and I’ll let her be all to yourself. You are the person Luz loves the most after all. But I ain’t talking about her.”

“Huh ?”

“What I think Eda is asking,” Lilith said as she handles them food. “Is what you are gonna do if you see Odalia.”

Oh....

Amity had not thought about that.

She had been so focused on Luz and Azura. With Willow also taking a lot of her mind. But....she never thought of that.

What will she do when she sees Odalia ?

“I’m gonna deal with her, make sure she can never hurt anyone again.”

“It’s one thing to say it kid, but when you are face to face with her, it’s gonna be different.
Like it or not. She’s still your mother.”

“Odalia is NOT my mother ! She’s nothing but the monster that abused me, gives me constant nightmares, and took the love of my life from me !”

“And I get it Boots I do. But you know that feelings don’t act like one wants. I mean, that’s the reason you got into Luz.” Eda said, eating a spoon if her food. “Godam this is good.”

Amity knew that was true. Her feelings going against her mind was the reason she has this life now.

But that had been good. They took her to the best person she could ever find. But....what will happen now.

“There will be no denying that if you do face Odalia, you are gonna feel a lot Amity.” Lilith said.

“I just....I guess I want to understand. Why ? Dad wasn’t the best at first but he had his reasons, they weren’t the best and he accepts it, but he talked it with me, and he changed for the better. I want to understand her. Why she does this. Why is she threatening the peace everyone enjoys. Why did she....why did she only see me as a tool and not as her daughter.”

“You want to know if there is something hidden that can explain this....I’m sorry kid. The answer to that, is no. There’s nothing like that.”

Amity looked down.

“I know that In the books and tv shows and movies that you and Luz love, they try to give the baddie an explanation. Something relatable that can make you understand me. But...you wont find it with Odalia. She’s rotten, she’s manipulative, she’s...evil, and she’s like that, just because she wants to be. Some people are just born bad. That’s life.”

“Eda speaks the truth. Odalia has always been like this, from the moment we met her. She manipulated those around her. She was the one that caused the rift between your father and Darius, because she knew that she stood no chance against him if they remained friends. And why she did it, not for Alador, but for the Blight money she sought. She does cruel stuff all the time and only thinks on her. She was even the one....that suggested the curse for Eda.”

Amity looked down.

Was this true ? Had a deep part of her been hoping that there was something, anything, that would make her understand Odalia. Something that could make her turn around, and be the mother she was supposed to be.

Eda and Lilith though....they had put that to rest. Eda is right. Some people are bad just because they want to be, and Odalia is just like this.

Still, as much as she wants too, she can't ignore the strange feeling that comes when she things about fighting her own mother.

"Odalia is not gonna go down easy." Lilith said. "Amity for...for your own sake, I think you should think about what you want to say and ask, before it all goes down. Not for her, not for any reconciliation, but for your own mind piece."

"Lilly is right. I think that when it all comes down, she will fight to the end, and she will not consider surrender. So any doubts you have, they must be cleared."

Amity got what they were saying.

If...when they defeat her, there is a big chance Odalia is not gonna surrender and let herself be arrested. Which meant.....

No...she can't think of that.

"I appreciate it, really. But...I only have one focus tomorrow, and that's getting Luz. I don't care about Odalia, whether I see her or not, all I want is to get my wife back."

She still did not care for Odalia. She still did not want to know anything....right ?

Hunter groaned, his head was spinning.

The spell to get him inside Willow's mind had just been done, and now...now his head did not stop hurting.

"Wha...where..."

"Hunter quickly." Gus said. "This is just what Luz and Amity saw when they were inside here. We made it inside Willow's head."

Hunter looked around, and saw all of the trees. Nobody loves plants more than Willow.

"This is...Willow's mind."

"Yes...here, look !"

Gus pointed to a picture in a tree. One Hunter knew well.

"Is the picture we took at Luz and Amity's wedding." He said, looking at it. "Willow took a while to get it right because she could not stop crying."

"Yeah, I also remember how much she fought for the bouquet of flowers Amity threw after she and Luz sealed the deal."

"Heh, she almost got it. Emira defeated her for just a second."

"Yep, and here is the picture of her finally getting it after Em had her own wedding with Viney."

Hunter chuckled at the memories.

He remembered them well. All of his fondest memories are with Willow at his side.

"So what are we looking for ?" Hunter asked. "As fun as it is to remember all of this, we need to focus on getting my wife back on her feet."

"Right. Well assuming that Boscha did is compared to what Amity accidentally did, we need to find damaged memories....like that one !"

Gus pointed at a memory and Hunter gasped.

"That...that was the fly derby game...the first one."

It had been the day he met Willow. A day he would never forget.

"We need to get inside and see what's wrong. Come on Hunter !"

Hunter and Gus rushed to the memory, entering the frame.

When he got in....something felt off.

"This...is this really it."

"Hunter, look !"

Hunter looked at where Gus pointed and gasped.

Instead of the pink flags placed on their score....it was the opposite.

Like they...lost that game.

"No...no this is wrong ! This is not what happened."

"AHAHAHAHA !"

Hunter looked at the laugh, and gasped.

There was Willow, back like her younger self in hexide. Crying on the floor.

Professor Hermoncolus was laughing at her with his team, while the Emeralds glared at Willow.

"I knew it. While the team was a good idea. It was never gonna work with this pathetic Captain !"

"I'm...I'm sorry...I..."

"You are nothing ! Just a quitter. It's a shame Ms. Blight went soft, and she would no longer put you in your place. But I know just the right person to do so."

"That's wrong." Gus said. "Professor Hermoncolus was never the nicest to Willow, but he was not downright cruel."

Then to make things worst, she appeared.

"Boscha." Hunter growled.

"Hey half a witch." Boscha laughed. "I heard about your pathetic attempts to be Captain of a team. Hmph. Such a pathetic idea. Lucky for you I am gonna save this team and get them back on track, but you are DONE !" Boscha yelled, kicking Willow, while everyone, including Gus and Hunter laughed.

That made Hunter growl in fury.

"LEAVE HER ALONE YOU THREE EYED BITCH !"

Without warning, Hunter used a glyph to throw fire at Boscha.

"Huh..HEY WAIT !"

The fire hit Boscha and....it banished her.

And then...the memory suddenly reverted, and it was right again. The Emeralds had won and Willow was happy.

"Wait, that is." Gus said. "Whatever Boscha did, it twists Willow's memories. Making them seem like they ended in failure and Boscha herself had to "fix" them."

"I swear after all of this is over, that witch is gonna pay for all of this."

"Focus man. We need to stay in track. You can kill Boscha later on, that's if Amity hasn't already."

"Right. So we should check all of the memories that Willow really shined. That made her superior to Boscha, and would be targeted by her. We destroy the Boscha insert, and get them back to normal."

"Sounds like a plan. Let's go !"

"I want at least 20 abominations surrounding the town." Raine said, as they walked around, giving orders to protect the city. "Scouts in the air at all times, the moment you see someone from the Confederation, sound the alarm. And we need to be ready in case of an evacuation."

"We should probably remove all plants from the vicinity." Darius commented. "With Terra around, you can bet they are gonna be trouble."

"That is a good idea. Eberwolf, take care of it."

Eberwolf nodded, and went off to take care of it.

"Hettie is already preparing healing stations in case they are needed. And Mason is fortifying everything he can."

"Impressive how most of the Coven Heads had no problem leaving behind the old ways." Raine commented.

"Well most were like us. Thinking that they were helping out. Terra, Adrian, and Vitrimir were the only ones that really enjoyed their power given by Belos."

"True, and speaking of, I spoke with Osran, and he relied something....concerning."

"What is it ?"

"It seems that the search party for Luz...will have an easy time. Not much resistance."

"Hm...I doubt this is just because Odalia was carless. She must be planning something, she always is."

"Now you see it. It is why I am so insistent on fortifying everything."

"You feel that this rescue...she is using it so that we loose forces and they can attack."

"Yes. They already have Luz, who's connection to the Titan makes her immensely powerful. Eda and Lilith have their harpy powers, and Ms. Amity is an abomination prodigy. That's four mayor players in the Isles that are not gonna be here."

"We did sent some skill fighters with them. Hm....I fear this might be right."

"Of course, one of my main concerns is King. And not because he is part of my family, but because of him being the Titan. With his power....we don't know what they will do. Which is why I have locked King on the Owl House, with Hooty and other demons ready to defend if necessary."

"That is a good idea. That...creepy bird thing, can just move the house in case its needed. Has he made any process with the Collector ?"

"Not yet. For our sakes, I hope he finds him soon."

Both of them remained quiet for a while.

"There is something else Darius...something concerning."

"As if we are not in enough concern anymore."

But Raine's face, the way it turn to an expressionless and...dreadfull form. It told Darius this was not good.

"If the Confederation attacks....people will die Darius. No matter what we do, people are gonna die in this fight. The question is, who will it be ?"

"So that's the base of the Confederation ?" Eda asked. "I have to admit it looks....smaller than I thought ?"

"That's just one of Blight Industries workshops." Emira said. "I didn't even know we had one over here."

"Me neither." Amity mumbled. "I don't think Dad even knew about it. This must be where it happened then..."

"Huh ?"

"This has to be the place where Odalia worked with Belos, behind everyone's back. This is...where she learned of the Day of Unity."

"There are fewer scouts." Lilith mumbled. "This doesn't feel right. We should be careful and..."

"HAH !" Eda yelled, flying to the fight.

"EDALYN, ACH...WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SILENT !"

"There is no time to be silent, Now move your ass and fight Lilly !" Eda yelled, fighting the scouts.

"I...You....ach, I guess we have no choice. Everyone, FIGHT !"

The searching party wasted no time in throwing themselves to fight the scouts.

All with fell.....too easily.

"That was easy." Amity mumbled. "It doesn't feel right."

They all flew inside the factory to find it.....not that much guarded.

"I don't know...this feels wrong....you think this is a trap ?" Lilith mumbled.

"Well we can't know until we search." Eda said. "But it feels so.....empty."

Amity looked around. There were many closed doors that lead to many rooms. Luz could be in one of them.

"I am gonna search for Luz." Amity said, flying to the nearest door.

"I will search for another room. Maybe I should take some people with me." Emira said.

Eda nodded. "You two, join the Blight sisters to search for Luz."

"Yes Mam !" The two scouts said, joining Em in the search.

"Something about this doesn't feel right Eda. We got here way too easy. Little resistance..."

"Maybe Odalia just gave up. Man would that be a dream."

"Odalia giving up...that is unheard of. She is smart, she is......oh no."

"What is it Lilly ?"

"Edalyn ! This is all a distraction ! Odalia meant for this to be easy, we need to go back !"

"YOU CLAWTHORNES ARE GOING NOWHERE."

Suddenly, masked witches appeared out of nowhere.

"Dam it, I should have known this was an illusion."

From the top of the factory, a familiar figure stood there.

"Well well, Is isn't the Clawthorne sisters. Lilith and Edalyn. What a suprise."

Lilith growled. "Adrian."

Adrian smirked. "I see you are still the smart one Lilith. And you are correct. Odalia saw this coming all the way. And now, Bonesborg doesn't have their protectors anymore."

"Bastard." Eda growled. "Is Luz even here, or was this all a trap ?"

"Oh, the human IS here. I can guarantee you that. But....I am afraid none of you are leaving with her. SOLDIERS, ATTACK !"

Terra smirked as she placed her scroll away.

It was time.

"Look at all those witches in town. Thinking that they are all equals...blew. After all I did as coven head, and they don't want me in power anymore. So ungrateful. Hey Kiki...Do what you do best, and blow them up !"

Kiki laughed and launched her attack,

"AAAAH !" Witches yelled as a couple of buildings were destroyed by the sudden blast.

Raine looked in horror.

"No....WE ARE UNDER ATTACK ! EVERYONE, PREPARE YOURSELF !"

"Luz, are you here ! Luz, its Amity ! Luz, LUZ !"

Amity opened every door she could to look for her wife.

There was nothing.

"LUZ, ARE YOU HERE, LUZ !"

Amity walked threw other doors and...then she heard it.

A voice. A voice she had known to dam well. A voice she loved so much...

It...it was her. She found it !

Amity took one sigh, and opened the door to find...

"LUZ !"

"Huh...AMITY !"

Her Luz, her wife...she was there...she is safe !"

Amity quickly destroyed the bars and rushed to her.

Luz wasted no time and returned the big hug her wife gave her.

Amity gave her a big kiss on those perfect lips she loved so much, one which Luz returned.

The two stood there for a while.

"Luz...I'm so sorry, I should have.."

"Sweet Potato no....don't you dare blame yourself. You tried to protect me, as you always do..."

Amity chuckled, typical Luz.

"How's Azura ?"

"She's fine....she misses you. We should take you to her right now..."

"Yeah...wait...oh no. No no no. ! Amity we need to go, NOW !"

"What...Luz what's wrong !"

"This is all Odalia's plan ! She's attacking the town right as we speak ! We need to leave fast, she is in grave danger !"

"Who...who is in danger !"

"Azura ! Odalia wants to capture her !"