Chapter Text
The Owl House: Gale of Darkness
By Saul Ulloa and Gabriel Urasma
-Prologue-
Ahem, today I will be telling the story of how it came to be; eons ago before this realm existed, there was a king of pure heart and hope who brought the world into what it became. Being the Hero King, he tends to fix the wrongs on those who brought ruin, guide those in battle, aid the poor, and help create landscapes for his people to thrive. It was a paradise to all.
One day, he then created a crystal heart in hopes of purifying the souls who once thought were filled with sorrow and balancing out the magic in the realm. However, it did not bring joy and happiness. Instead, it brought hatred, ruin, anger, and sorrow among the poor denizens of the demon realm. It then covered the whole realm in the blackest of night, releasing monsters filled with nothing but negative emotions. Because of this, the heart was called “The Dark Progenitor” due to the fact it was the source of how this chaotic nightmare ever began.
The King had to seal it away in the deepest darkest pit below the realm to dispose of it, but it came at a cost, he had to exhaust all of his power to do so. Since then, the king was drastically weakened and had to recover in secret and had to remain in mystery. But despite the relic’s imprisonment, The Dark Progenitor vowed one day to return and plague the Demon Realm.
Ages have passed, no one remembered the story of this world and its conflict. And yet...the legend is still passed down over time. But it was buried unfortunately by a human who disowned the legend of the Hero King in recent times after crossing into the Demon Realm, believing it nothing more than a hoax as the man said they were "chasing ghosts". But despite them destroying the evidence, none is more believable than this tale of how the demon world was saved from its false salvation. This... is the tale of a young girl and a man fraught with sorrow.
-Chapter 1: Start of the Journey-
It was a peaceful day in the Demon Realm, sure not that it’s that tranquil. While you call it that, it has some ups and downs like the water is always hot like lava, thus named The Boiling Isles by the denizens, the animals are weird and among other bizarre things. Here in the Boiling Isles, the witches and demons alike lived in harmony of sorts though in a twisted way, what are witches? These beings may look human, but they have pointed elf-like ears that differentiate them from humans and cast magic from the gigantic skeleton that they live on dubbed it a "Titan" as it provides the life force and spells they needed. And the story begins with a house under the moniker "The Owl House."
Inside The Owl House, there lived a girl… a girl under the name Luz Noceda.
However, she is not like any other people.
Luz came from the human realm and had stepped into this world from a door leading there.
She always has been a big fan of magic books and wanted to be a magic-user like the stories she read and well, upon stumbling into the demon realm, she got her wish. And sure, when she first started, she went through some- honestly? An immense amount of trial and error to understand how magic works in The Boiling Isles. But she had grown into a witch, a friend and, some would say.
A hero.
As Luz slept in her room, the light shined down on her face.
“Morning already?” Luz groaned as she rubbed her eyes.
She stretched her arms and made a lazy yawn, she got up from her sleeping bag, put on her clothes and adjusted her shoes, and headed downstairs, sat on the kitchen table, the crystal ball was on.
Someone entered the kitchen at that moment, it was a somewhat middle-aged woman dressed in a blue skirt, a purple jacket of sorts, and discarded bunny slippers.
“Ahh good morning kid, I see you are excited on a brand new day."
Luz smiled. "Something like that."
That somewhat middle-aged woman who stood before Luz was none other than Edalyn Clawthorne, the "Owl Lady"! Just Eda for family and friends. Known as “The most powerful witch in the Boiling Isles'', she told Luz that she was the best of the best among the denizens in The Boiling Isles. Not to mention, teaches her on the many ropes of magic through said trial and error Luz went through, and it paid off very well for Luz as her understudy. Next to Eda’s leg is a small cat-dog demon with a skull-like head under the name King.
Sure he might look like some harmless animal, but he packs more bite than bark.
Eda then checked the pantry, and let out a groan.. “….Well, it looks like I’m out of groceries…."
"I thought we bought a lot last time," Luz commented.
"Not enough, it seems… alright Luz, I’m gonna give you some snails, think you can shop in the plaza for supplies?”
“Aw yeah! Me and Luz going out together like the good old days” squealed King as he hopped up and down.
Luz chuckled and nodded to Eda, taking the snails from the woman and a beagle before walking to the door.
“See ya in a bit, Hooty.” Luz said as she waved to the strange door with an owl face.
“Take care! Be careful out there!” said Hooty
Luz was excited to go out and do some shopping, sure it has been a while since she went out and got some supplies for what Eda wants. As she and King walked down the shopping district, they came to the place where Eda usually gets her groceries for her house.
“Good morning, young lady, how are we doing today? What would you like from the store?” said the clerk who was behind the window all happily.
“We’ll take two Guzzlero scales, a jar of pickled screams, and a cup of joe please.” said Luz
With that, the clerk handed over what Luz said, and gave him the snails. And with that, the two grab the bag of groceries Eda needed.
“Guess that’s all we need for now.” Luz said,
As they were walking back to the plaza to hang out. They notice two people talking to each other, discussing what to do today.
Then, Luz saw something in the distance,
“Wait, ...is that?” Luz noticed two faces in the distance
She recognizes those two faces, the one with the slightly pudgy look with glasses is Willow Park and the other who has darker skin is Gus Porter. Best friends and terror of Hexside! At least in Principal Bump's words.
Before, Luz was pretty lonely due to the fact she enjoys the creepy stuff back at home, but no one ever wanted to hang out with her, until she met these two and since then they’ve become the best of friends.
Willow happens to specialize in plant magic, which comes very handy for people with a green thumb, while Gus specializes in illusions, not the best in terms of magic, but it can get really handy in bad situations.
"Guys!" Luz shouted.
"Luz!" they said back, running and crushing her into a hug.
Yes, not lonely anymore.
"I missed you so much!" Gus cried, "quick, conjure an adventure!"
Luz smirked. "What?"
“Please, Luz!"
"I don't know what you are talking about."
Gus sighed. “Think of it this way, Luz. Any moment with you is exactly when the adventure would just pop up!"
Luz grimaced, he had a point.
"It's not like I look for them."
"Most of the time," Willow intercepted.
"The adventures find you, Luz," Gus said, “as if it was a matter of fact, and you always accept, no matter what happens.”
“Gus is right about that," Willow commented.
Luz sighed. "Come on you guys, we did a lot already! Do you forget the whole 'beating the emperor and freeing the magic's thing? I think we deserve a rest… besides, I don't think there's much left to do."
Willow smiled at her. "Wouldn't bet on that, you’ll never know what happens until it does. As if it was rehearsed, Luz, Willow, and Gus passed next to a man wearing dark blue clothes, black boots, and an odd crest on his shirt.
The very next moment, four creatures and a big thug that looks something like a barbaric cat-human hybrid who was trying to mug the poor fellow.
“Stay away from me you brutes!” The mysterious man said to them.
“Do not play innocent with me, I know you have that map! Now hand it over before it can get real ugly!” the thug threatens the poor person, continuing the chase.
Luz and company stared at the alley the group had disappeared in.
“What are we gonna do?” Gus asked, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, "Please say follow them."
"Gus," Willow called him.
"Yes?"
"Luz already went after them."
And she had.
With no time to waste, Luz rushed after them, leaving a shocked Gus and Willow to see her do something brash.
As the thugs chase down the mysterious man into a deep dark alley, he comes to a dead end.
“A dead-end?!” the mysterious man gasped as the thugs cornered him.
“Heheheheh, end of the line...” The flunky said.
“Please, I’m but a scholar, a teacher! Have mercy on me!” The man begged.
“One last chance. Hand that map or else I’ll beat you senseless until you get bruised a lot.” the biggest of the thugs threatens him.
Luz then caught up with the man and the thugs with her friends behind her.
“Now hold it right there you big brute!” Luz snapped at the thug as she pointed the staff at him.
“Now who the heck are you little brat?” The thug barked back at Luz while glaring at her.
“Sorry, but evil-doers don't get to know my name!.” Luz said. "I'll tell you this, though. I'm a warrior of peace…! Now eat this, sucka!" She shouted as she grabbed a glyph.
Her spell activated, she flung it at the thug, a fireball formed and flew at him, blasting him into a wall. As the brutish thug tried to balance out on his feet, he let out a snarl and started to charge like an angry bull towards an unfortunate matador, only for Luz to play leapfrog and bounce on his back leading him straight to a wall and crashing into it. “Come on, Toro! Beat her already!” The flunkies aroused the thug, trying to get him some vocal support “Squash that girl into paste!”
“I’m trying, you ignorant dunces!” growled Toro as he was getting back up to his feet.
He then tries to body tackle Luz, but she manages to dodge the barrage of body slams through quick reflexes.
Luz jumped back, landing in front of the group, she prepared a new glyph. "Time to-"
“That’s it, Luz, teach them bozos manners!” a voice came and she froze before she looked back.
King rallied to Luz.
And it didn't go unnoticed how Luz lost her concentration.
Toro grinned, spinning in a crazy manner similar to that of a small twister lariat.
"King!" Luz shouted when Toro's attack moved towards the little demon.
Without time to stop and consider, Luz got a glyph to the ground, creating a wall of ice, she then threw a second glyph, vines grew immediately. Toro's attacks shattered the ice, but he couldn't avoid the vines, these stopped him, and Luz rushed to him, she stopped in front of him and patted one arm of Toro.
“Huh? What in the…?!” Toro asked.
Luz smugly places a glyph spell on his arm, causing Toro's face to shift from rage to panic.
“Adios amigo” Luz said as the glyph consumed itself and pushed him back with a powerful wind that blasts Toro into his flunkies.
“Yeah! That’s showing them who’s the boss!” Another voice said.
Willow appeared with Gus beside her as they both smiled and cheered for Luz.
"Please! It was easy!" King replied to them as if the cheers were for him.
Luz then smiled as it was so long since she had fought like that. The thugs got up slowly, Toro hoisted over their arms as they carried him.
“This ain’t over yet girl!” Toro yelled at Luz, “You don't understand what you started… I'll get you for this!”
“What a horrible stinky bunch of nitwits.” Gus jeered at them, “But now that’s out of the way, let’s help the poor fellow out.” he said as they picked up the man’s stuff.
Luz approached the man with the bag and said “Are you ok? I hope they didn’t harm you.”
“Much appreciated, you miss,” The man said passionately. "I can't even phantom what would've been of me without your aide."
"Don't worry about it, Mr...?"
"Oh, where are my manners? My name is Fylen, Professor in all truth."
Luz smiled. "Well, Nice to meet ya, Professor!"
The man smiled back at her and looked more... carefully. "You don't seem to be from around here, little miss."
"Oh, yeah... I happen to live out of town, I was just in the middle of something..."
"Then, if I may, why did you help me?"
Luz blinked a few times before answering. "You needed help"
Fylen stared for a moment before a smile formed on his lips. "You are very curious, young lady."
"I get that a lot," Luz replied to the professor.
"I could imagine," he said with a small laugh, "In hopes of goodwill, shall I offer you a reward?"
"Reward? No, no!" Luz shook her head eagerly, "I just did what anybody else would've."
"But nobody but you came to my aid," he replied smoothly, "See, I happen to be an owner of an observatory somewhere between the hills to the south of the plaza. As thanks for helping me, I could give you something… maybe a tour?"
Luz's ears perked up at that, and the man nodded happily, "Why not stop at my place tomorrow so I can show the wonders of inside it?” said Fylen.
"I... well..." Luz looked away and then at him, "won't I be a bother?"
"None of the sort!" He replied and turned around, "I'll be waiting."
This excited Luz, sure she did say she didn't want something to happen so soon after the great war with the emperor, but that was a tour!
King then pulled the pants on Luz’s pants, "Hate to break it to you, but you should get going with the groceries, Gus and Willow need to go, too."
"Why is he talking to us?" Gus asked.
"He's right," Willow said, "so who cares?"
"Sorry, I'll be done in a second," Luz said.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow," the professor said and walked away.
"See you tomorrow!"
“Come on, Luz. Eda is not getting old with those supplies.” King pushed her.
"Okay, okay, I'm moving, I'm moving- King! Don't bite me!"
The very next day, Luz got up from her bed, very excited and eager to go to the observatory the professor told her about.
As she got downstairs, Eda was napping on the couch with a book laying on her. When Luz opened the door, Eda’s ears perked up.
“Where are you going kid?” wondered Eda before Luz exits the Owl House, stopping her.
“Uh…. nowhere important?” Luz replied with a slightly shifty look.
“Don’t give me that look, I’ve used it too many times, just get to the point.”
“...Okay, look, I was, sorta... invited to visit an observatory down south of the plaza," she let out in a single breath, "and I really wanted to see how one of those works here in the isles."
“Ahem, kid. Don't you remember that time where you got fooled by a fake wizard from a monster puppeteer? Or the Golden Guard, Hunter? Or the Bat queen?” Eda replied, "Sorry, Luz. But you don't have the best record with strangers."
Look, it's… it's not… like those times." Luz sighed. "I promise, it’s different this time, after all, I saved him from a bunch of thieves.”
“Well…" Eda kept her eyes on her for far too long before she sighed and nodded. "I guess you’re learning the ropes, and you did stop a tyrant, granted, with my help."
"Careful, Eda," Luz commented, "your ego is showing."
Eda laughed at that. "You know what? Knock yourself out, kid. You are strong enough now. And if he does something fishy...you know what to do.” Eda winked at Luz, stating that she can be ok on her own. "Just… take care."
“No worries, I’ll be very careful this time, see you in a bit.”
“Take King with you!"
"Sure!"
As Luz and King walked down the path to the hills as Fylen stated his observatory would be
“Luz, are you sure about going to this professor guy? I hate to give Eda the reason, but you do have a backtrack record with strangers,” warned King as they were walking on the hills.
“Look, King, as I said to her before, that was when I was completely new here and now, this is... different." She shrugged. "Besides, I can blast him in case he does have some funny business.”
After a mile or two of walking south of the plaza to the address, they approached the observatory
Luz then knocks on the big metal door, Fylen then opens up.
“Oh, it’s you, Luz, welcome to the observatory. Come on in, do not be shy, and see the wonders inside.” he happily guides her inside.
"On second thought, you go," King said, "I'll wait here."
"What? Scared?"
"Of being alone with a weirdo?" King shot back, "Judge me if you want, but I'm not ashamed of that."
"If you say so," Luz replied, "See you in a bit!"
Luz followed the professor inside.
As Fylen showed Luz his workspace, she was amazed by his stuff and explorations of the whole island.
“Que asombroso...” Luz said to herself.
“You flatter me, now miss, I wonder what would you like to see," suggested Fylen
Luz also wanted to know.
Her eyes traveled to the place. So many things she could ask, so many mysteries about the sky, and some others about the relics covering the walls.
How could she choose?
Luz was about to ask for the constellations when her eyes landed on the bag she had seen the professor carry around the day before
He seemed to notice, for he smiled at her again. "Curious, are we?"
Luz blushed and looked away from him. "Huh… kind Of?"
The professor laughed and he walked to the bag. "Usually I'd be more careful," he said, "but now… well."
He looked at her and motioned for Luz to come closer, she prepared a glyph and walked until they were standing side to side.
"Miss, I'd like to tell you why those brutes tried to harass me."
"Oh"
"You see, they wanted the map to a special place that is beyond the isles we stand on,” Fylen explained.
“Wait…. There’s more beyond just The Boiling Isles?” Luz asked.
“Well… for a long, long time. I’ve heard a legend... that beyond the titan we’ve stood on, there is a land that has been secluded for 30000 years. And in that land resides King Azdar.” said Fylen.
“King…..Azdar?” “Azdar…. The one who brought this world how it began….lived among us witches, sorcerers and people and brought harmony to all.”
Luz wondered what Azdar was like, sure, while she knows that he looks very nice, unlike Belos, who is far more malevolent than Azdar, but she did take the word for it.
"That's… a lot," she breathed the words, "I… I think I need a minute."
“I understand, may interest you with some tea? I’ll send Rocky to do the work,” suggested Fylen.
"... Rocky?" Suddenly a big thing made entirely of rock just appeared in the room.
"Whoah?!" Luz shouted, prepared to blast the thing with a glyph.
Fylen let out a small laugh. “Oh, I apologize."
"I didn't know you had guests here, Fylen.” The rock monster spoke nicely
“What is that?” Luz exclaimed.
“Please don't worry, this big fellow here is Rocky, my golem.” Fylen explained with a smile, “You see, while the others have them fancy abominations…. I thought of a... 'cleaner' solution… at least in my opinion… I used my magic to bring a golem and helped me serve at work, cleaning up whatever mess and occasionally mowing the lawn.”
"I'm usually in charge of the tea," Rocky said to her, "please, have a seat wherever, I'll be right back."
Luz watched him go and then heard the professor move, he was moving some books, making room on the table.
“So... what is the big deal about this map you hold?” questioned Luz.
“It's… complicated. You see, while the map does show the road to Azdar’s Domain, it needs the Warp Crystal hidden somewhere in Revenants Peak."
"Why not just get the crystal, then?"
"Oh, I'd love to! But no one has ever found it, and they all gave up,” said Fylen. "I wish I could get it, though. I wish I could prove it...That this is more than a legend.". Luz looked at Fylen. The passion in his eyes shook her, it was like…Like hers, like her passion for magic.
"… let me take the task…"
"Pardon?"
"Let me take the task," Luz repeated, "I know I’m but a stranger, but I want to go to Revenants Peak and find that Warp Crystal you seek,” Luz said to Fylen.
"Why would you help me?"
"Because…" Luz sighed. "Because I believe you should have a chance at your dream."
Fylen then puts his hand on his chin, worried that despite already meeting her very quickly, he fears that a young girl like her would be killed over there. “Luz," he began, "thank you."
He got the map from the bag and handed it to her. "The trip will be harsh once you reach Revenants Peak, and the search for the Warp Crystal won't be easy…"
"I like the challenge."
"I can see that. But for your safety, I must get in touch with the explorative club to gain access to Revenants Peak.”
“Oh, well, I'll leave that to you! Thank you, Professor,” Luz said. " I'll be back with the crystal!" She added as she exited out of the observatory, she then ran back to the owl house, overfilled with joy.
“Wait! You forgot your tea!” Rocky exclaimed, “Now, now, Rocky. Let the young girl go. With her help, she can unravel The Demon Realm’s biggest myth in 30000 years! We must prepare to depart for the explorer’s club first thing tomorrow.” explained Fylen,
“I’m going on an adventure!” Luz shouted with joy. “Wait! Hold up, Luz! Don’t leave me behind!” shouted King as he tried to catch up with her.
And before she knows it...Luz Noceda’s brand new adventure….has just begun.
But...a crow-like creature with eerie glowing white eyes watched Luz and King as if it was spying on them, it then flew off into the distance and opened a black void and vanished into it.
What was that thing? Or rather, what is it?
-End of Chapter 1-
-Interlude-
In the middle of a dark, lifeless wasteland, a castle atop the ash-covered land. The space’s dead, lacking any kind of sign of life, the sky is completely black, lacking any source of light, it’s not a night sky, for the stars would have shown themselves.
It’s an endless void, not light piercing the ominous cover over the building and its hopeless surroundings.
There’s a single light in the entire landscape, a flame flickering glow from one of the windows, inside of the room, covered by darkness and an almost non-existing glow, four figures stood next to the walls.
“Looks like Toro didn’t do his job,” One of the shadows pointed out, its curvy figure contrasting with the faint light, “he couldn’t get the map… such a shame, even more so when considering that we gave him a simple task.” they groaned and something broke. “And yet, some child ruined everything for him.”
“It seems like we won’t be able to remain as always,” another figure said, they sounded… amused. “What should we do if the professor finally decides to go after the crystal?”
“Nothing,” a third voice came, “nobody has been able to find it, ‘Revenants Peak’ has taken care of it.”
“But times are changing.”
“That’s hard of consequence, I think,” the first shadow said,” but if you feel so tense about it, my manor is close by, I could keep an eye on the peak.”
The third voice boomed in the dark space. “We haven’t heard your opinion,” they said, and there was silence.
From next to the window, the last figure remained silent, the flickering light from the center didn’t reach them, contrary to the other three.
“Come on, Yvelor, share your always so faithful opinion,” the second figure said, “I’m sure Mevieu would love to suck it up to you again.”
The first shadow made a sound but didn’t dare to speak.
“... it’s as you said,” the fourth figure finally spoke, “times… are changing.”
“What a surprise, you, stating the obvious.”
“Talbot,” the third figure hissed, and the second one stopped, “What do you mean, Yvelor?”
“Our master is close to coming back,” the fourth figure replied, “We must maintain the past where it belongs, Aleister, so the future can come.”
“Yvelor talking about the future,” Mevieu said, “that’s a first.”
“I speak of what is of consequence.”
“I’ve never said otherwise.”
“So… we wait?” Aleister asked.
Yvelor didn’t speak immediately, and the other considered the silence as an answer, but then, the light from the center of the room died down, and there was a gust of wind that echoed in the empty space.
“For now,” Yvelor finally said, “after all… nobody can escape the dark.”
Somewhere far away from the Boiling Isles during the night, a ship with a group of sailor witches is setting sail on a boat.
“Captain….we’re approaching The Isles soon!” proclaimed one of the sailors.
“Good, good, at long last, soon I will be joining my loved ones for the feast and family. Surely this trip was worth the effort.” said the captain with a hearty smile.
“It has been quite the crazy month we’ve experienced lately.” the other sailor moaned,
“I understand, mate. True that the emperor almost did bring ruin to all of us, but that’s in the past, we’re now free to do what we can do legally and bring home the good stuff for brand new spells!.” comforted the captain, “Not to mention we’ve found something that was never seen before during our exploration beyond there in my quarters.”
As the crew walked inside the captain’s quarters, a glass orb containing something inside, a pitch-black sludge of sorts that resembles a mass of thick slimy ink.
“Y-you sure about this? As you said, captain. This isn’t what we saw in the Demon Realm. What if it attacks us?” stammered one of the sailors, “Nonsense, if it were, we would be ready to strike it down before it can do anything.” replied the captain.
They then exit back outside at the deck, leaving the sludge in the dark.
Then...it started to move, beginning to break free of the glass that sealed it, and eventually, it broke free and crawled its way beneath the boardwalk.
-End of Interlude-