Chapter Text
“Welcome to, the owl house.” Eda clicked her fingers, illuminating the interior of her abode. “Where I hide away from the pressures of modern life. Also, the cops. Also, ex-boyfriends.”
“Whoa,” Luz gazed in awe, “Do you live here all alone?”
“Well actually, I have roommates.” Eda folded her arms as the house rumbled from large footsteps.
“WHO DARES INTRUDE APON I? THE King of demons?!” A voice approached, getting higher pitched as it grew closer. Finally, a small dog-like demon with a skull on its head and collar around its neck.
Luz gasped as she blushed at the cute thing in front of her. “¡Ay, que lindo!” Luz exclaimed “Eda, he's so cute! Who's a widdle guy? Who's a widdle guy? Is it you? Is it you?”
“No! I don't know who your little guy is! Eda, who is this monster?” King asked in terror, trying to push Luz away.
“Oh, this is Luz, the human. She's here to help us with our little... situation.” Eda explained as she pulled Luz away, who kept trying to make grabs for the small demon.
“Oh, Hooray.” King cheered.
“Wait, wait, wait. I don't like the sound of this ‘situation’.” Luz said, voicing her worry.
“Just... let me explain.” Eda said as she drew a magical circle of light that presented a picture. “King was once a mighty king of demons until his crown of power was stolen, and he became... this.”
“You mean this little bundle of joy?”
"The crown is being held by the evil Warden Wrath and locked away behind a magical force field that only a human can break through...” Eda let the projection fall. “A human like you. If you help us retrieve his crown, we'll send you back to your realm. So whaddya say? Plus, who could say no to this cute face?” Eda asked, lifting up King by the Skull.
“No! Please don't encourage her! Aah!” King protested.
“I mean, we're kinda your only way home.” Eda let king drop.
“So, I don't really have a choice, do I?” Luz asked.
“Nope. Now, we've got no time to lose.” Eda declared.
King squeaked his rubber ducky. “Soon, Mr Ducky, we shall drink the fear of those who mocked us!”
Luz turned back to Eda. “So, where are we going?
“Somewhere super fun.” Eda smiled.
/
After their adventure to the Conformatorium, Eda, Luz and King had returned to the Owl House. There, Eda had kept to her word and created a door for Luz to go home, back to the human realm.
Luz wasn’t too intent on leaving though, her alternative was a boring summer camp after all. So, as she stopped before the door, and looked up into the mirror behind it, a lightbulb went off in her head.
“Okay. I know you got your head cut off, and we started some kind of prison riot, but this was the most fun I've ever had.” Luz said as Eda and King watched her. “I don't fit in at home. You don't fit in here. If I stay, we could not fit in together. I'm not going back to summer camp.” Luz crumpled the camp brochure.
“What's summer camp? What are we talking about here?” Eda chuckled as she made hand gestures, confused.
“I want to stay and become a witch like you and Azura,” Luz announced.
“What? All right, that's crazy. Only one human has ever been able to do magic, and she’s been through more than any of us combined.”
“Maybe that's because they haven't tried,” Luz argued. “If you teach me to become a witch, I'll do anything you want.”
“Let her stay!” King cheered. “She can make us snacks!”
“Well, I could use another set of hands keeping this goofball out of the cupboards.” Eda picked up King. “All right. I'll teach you how to be a witch. But you have to work for me before you learn any spells.” Eda offered a handshake. “Deal?”
Luz passed up the formal handshake to squeeze Eda and King in a bear hug.
“Too tight! Too tight!”
“What's going on?”
“Just accept it,” Luz told the two as she continued hugging. Their attention was drawn to the door by Hooty’s muffled speaking.
“To pass by me, you must answer my riddles three!” He spoke. The was an exclamation of pain from him before another voice spoke.
“We do this every time, Hooty. Just let me in already.”
“Fine. Jeez, buzzkill.”
The door then swung open to reveal another person, taller than Luz but shorter than Eda. The most striking thing about them was the plague doctor mask they wore, sickly green accents running across it like scars. A hooded brown trenchcoat hung over them, concealing most of their figure, the only visible feature was the well-worn combat boots, and a bandolier with rectangular satchels budging along it.
“Eda, who’s this?” the person asked, voice still muffled by their mask.
“This is Luz, she’s from the human realm. She wants to stay here and learn magic.” Eda explained. The person sighed. The reached up and drew back their hood, revealing striking ruby hair. Their hands then went to the mask and took it off to display a female’s features, and rounded ears.
Luz gasped; they were a human!
“Greetings, Luz, I am Paris Craft. A pleasure to meet you.” The girl introduced herself, mask still in hands. Luz studied their features a bit closer. This person didn’t seem to be much older than herself, one or two years at most.
“Whoa...” Luz gasped, unaware of the blush spreading across her cheeks. Shaking her head to focus, she heard Eda speak to her.
“This, kid, is the only human to ever use magic. She may be only 17, but she’s the quickest damn witch you’d ever meet. It’s why they call her, ‘The SpellSlinger’. She one of the most wanted people in the Boiling isles.” Eda explained. Luz danced on the spot and turned to Paris.
“That’s amazing!” Luz cried, “Will you teach me magic too?” Luz asked the older teen. After several seconds of staring at Luz with an impassive look, she answered.
“No.”
“Aww, why not?”
“Eda agreed to teach you. My magic isn’t something to take as lightly as the kind Eda will teach you.” Paris stepped forward and put a hand on Luz’s shoulder, blank face not shifting. “But I do look forward to having you about. It will be nice to have someone a bit... calmer.” She began to walk away. “Good luck, Luz. You’ll need it in the Demon Realm.”
It was as Paris exited the doorway that Luz’s eyes were distracted by the back of Paris’ cloak.
It was a large, golden embroidery of a circle with many symbols inside it.
Like a glyph.