Chapter Text
Eda and Lilith were both trying out for the Emperor’s Coven. This was common knowledge honestly, but Raine was rooting for the two of them anyways. They weren’t there on the field to the sign ups, their moms were pressing them to join the Bard Coven instead. Apparently there were more opportunities for time off, which was disappointing that they would get less time with Eda after the Clawthorne sisters got into the Coven, but what could Raine do?
“RAINSTORM!” Eda called, running over to them.
“Eda!” Raine replied, “how did the tryouts go?”
“Awful. Apparently only one of us can get in, they didn’t say why. We’re going to duel for it. Rainstorm I can’t throw away Lily’s shot at her dream. I can’t.” Eda flopped down onto the pavement next to them. “But I need to show off and be dramatic and powerful.”
“Well, you could make a show with flashy magic but throw the match for Lilith?” That got her attention.
“Nah.” She shook her head. “She’d know. And then she’d be annoyed. She wants me to take this serious.” She looked up, eyes huge. “I could walk away! I don’t have to do the duel!” She threw herself onto the floor. “That wouldn’t work either. Lily would complain I threw my future away.”
“Well if you want to give her the spot, then you’ve got to do either of those.”
“I know! I’ll figure something out though.”
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Lilith was marching through Bonesborough. She’d find a way to win that duel. Maybe there would be a power boosting item. Power glyphs would be searched for, power potions would also leave a trace. There had to be something however. Eda was the stronger witch, Lilith would not be able to win. She stepped into the Night Market. Her blue cloak billowed in the wind. It was a quiet night, the Market would close early tonight. She felt a storm building in the distance. She had left her palisman back at the house, both to alert her when Mother went to bed, as well as to see if Father returned tonight. Although the distant lightning meant she had to move quickly.
Here was something. A incantation that could remove her magic. “This is for one day right?” Lilith asked.
“Yeah something like that,” Grim Hammer (or perhaps an assistant) replied. “It might be only for 12 hours however. If you want specific ones I have stuff that can take their powers away for 73 and a half days.”
“I need them to have their powers back by the day afterwards.”
“This will guarantee this then.” Lilith handed the demon payment and returned home as quickly as she could. She could do this. Betraying Edalyn was awful but she had to make her sacrifices. She would not let herself be defeated by Edalyn for this. She entered her sister’s room. And stopped. Edalyn moved just a little. But she went back to her deep sleep. She trusted Lilith. She shouldn’t.
Lilith moved closer to Edalyn’s bed and pulled out the scroll. It had very basic instructions pinned to it. She shoved the scroll into Edalyn’s head and a red light leapt off of the page and into her forehead.
“I am sorry Edalyn,” Lilith whispered. “I hope one day you can forgive me.” She left and closed the door behind her. She’d have to brush up on her healing magic for a bit, just in case her spells did more damage to Edalyn tomorrow without her magic.
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Today was the day. Eda climbed out of bed. Bed. That felt weird for some reason. She spelled on the lights, and those were hurting her eyes too. Nothing too much, or else she’d worry one of her enemies had cursed her, but enough to give her a headache. She had her plan all figured out, she was going to give Lilith the place in the coven. Lilith deserved it. And hey, if Eda decided she wanted to join next year she could trounce anyone who stood in her way. Her head hurt, like something was moving in there. She strode down to the table and the silverware was so shiny and beautiful and she wanted it.
This was odd.
Lilith came downstairs and sat down across from her eating her gryphon eggs and not looking at Eda. At all. “Hey sis,” Eda said, “ready for the tryouts?”
“I- I believe so,” she said, “all my preparations are complete.”
Eda was debating what manner she’d give Lilith the win, whether a refusal or throw the match but still duel. Lily looked nervous. Very much so. Well, Eda had a lot of preparation to do, got to figure her plan out after all.
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Oh Titan, she really did that. She really hurt her own sister like that. Lilith was feeling so guilty. At least it was just for today. Eda seemed weirdly quiet during breakfast. At least she didn’t seem to say anything. Maybe she hadn’t noticed? Maybe it hadn’t worked? Maybe she knew. And hated Lilith. She seemed to be playing with the silverware and eating the food like it had personally offended her. Lilith finished her gryphon eggs and put her dishes in the sink. And she left for Hexside.
Oh Titan, what if this was permanent? What if she had permanently taken away Edalyn’s powers? All to cheat in a duel. She was a monster. She stepped foot onto the grudgeby field and waited.
Edalyn came walking up with Raine, who she hugged tightly and then they climbed into the stands, the other witches following too. The captain stood there, clipboard in hand. “Begin!” they shouted.
Lilith and Edalyn went back the 13 paces, turned around, and Lilith charged with blue flames enveloping her hands.
“No!” Eda said. What? Lilith stopped the flames dying in her hands. “I refuse to battle my sister.” She walked over to Lilith who stood there dumbly. “I’ve decided covens aren’t really my style.” Did she just say she’d be a criminal? “Hey, don’t forget me when you’re a big shot, sis.” She began to walk away. Lilith just stood there. She felt herself stand there. And Edalyn walked off before collapsing to the ground in pain. Feathers burst from her arms and wings sprouted from her back and she turned into a beast. There were several shouts from the crowd and people threw rocks and jeered.
Vaguely Lilith felt the captain grab her arm and say something about her joining the coven. It didn’t matter. Lilith felt horrible. Awful. She was the worst sister. The captain let go of her arm and Lilith summoned Mike, and flew off after Edalyn. She could still fix this.
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It was dark, wet, and cold. That was the first thing Eda realized. The second was that there was something in the dark with her. And that something was mad and upset. And it screeched and Eda ran. She ran and ran and ran and ran. The water was cold and getting colder. Eda glanced over her shoulder and saw a giant avian demon, an Owl demon, only more beast like. She ran and ran and ran and ran and ran. It was chasing her, screeching and howling as it ran after her. She would push herself to keep going. She would not lose to this. Her lungs burned and it was so cold. A bright light filled her vision.
Eda felt herself return to her witch self in the woods. She was covered in feathers, her head hurt and everything made sense. This was why she was feeling off today. Her body ached. She sobbed, this was awful. She was supposed to be an impressive witch. A strong witch. Lilith landed and embraced Eda. Well, at least she’d always have her sister. Her sister was there to protect her. And keep her safe. She couldn’t process what Lilith was saying but she knew Lily was there for her. Through everything, Lily would never hurt her. And she’d always be there for her. Raine ran up to her as well and joined the hug pile. Eda was trapped between her favorite two witches, and nothing would separate her from them.
“Eda I’m so sorry.” Lilith’s words made sense again. Typical Lily, apologizing for something that wasn’t her fault.
“Don’t worry about it, Lily,” Eda said, or at least she thought she did. The words seemed to not help Lily’s worries. Made sense. She saw what had happened better than Eda did. Lily spun a spell circle and a healing spell touched Eda, reducing her pain. It was one of the ones Lilith put together. Good at healing bruises, and apparently wing pain. Wing pain? Her head still felt fuzzy. Like the thing was still there.
“How are you feeling?” Raine asked.
“My head really hurts, but I’m good, Rainstorm.” One lie wouldn’t hurt. She knew it was still there, but no need for them to find that out. She could beat this. She was strong enough to handle this.
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Lilith seemed extra worried about her sister. Raine couldn’t blame her, they were extra worried about Eda too. She hadn’t responded for an hour. And when she did, her words were incredibly slurred, even after Lilith had healed her. Also she was covered in feathers, although those seemed to be falling off as time progressed. If Raine found who did this, they were going to blast them into smithereens. Or turn their blood to something lethal.
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Lilith had messed up. She wouldn’t say that normally, but she knew. At least it was for one day. She needed to make this up to Eda. Edalyn seemed tired and scared, even if she wasn’t admitting it. “Hey Eda,” Lilith said, “let’s go home.” She let Eda use Mike’s staff to pull herself up, before she let Eda cling to her side.
“Lily?” Eda slurred her words again. “Can we not tell mom? Or dad?” Yeah, to the best of her abilities. She wasn’t going to admit to either of her parents what she had done.
“I won’t tell them Eda.” Lilith hugged her sister tight to her. “I’m sorry. This wasn’t supposed to happen.” Raine gave a glance over their glasses.
“Course not,” Eda muttered, “I was supposed to walk away from the duel and you get into a coven with cheers.” Yeah. That was how it was supposed to go. Too bad Lilith was an awful sister. But that ended today, she would choose her sister over the coven each and every time going forward now. She would be there for her sister. She wouldn’t let something like this destroy what they had had, and maybe someday she could apologize and tell Eda it was her. Not today, Raine was going to kill her if she said so around them. She’d deserve it, but she didn’t want to die.
“We’ll get you home, and maybe find something for you to eat, transformation spells require a lot of energy.”
“Yay, you’re the best Lily.” If only she was.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Eda and Raine were on the grugdby field, tossing the ball back and forth. It was after school so Faust couldn’t throw them to detention. “I’m worried,” Rainstorm said, “what if someone does that to you again?” Well it wouldn’t. Eda was still under the effects of the spell, but another transformation seemed unlikely.
“It won’t Rainstorm,” she replied with a smirk on her face. “I got this.”
“Edalyn Clawthorne,” Faust said behind her, “I thought I told you to go to the detention pit after classes for the next 6 months.” Eda felt something bubbling in her bilesack. “For being out here despite that,” he paused, a twisted grin forming on his face. “I sentence you to an extra six months in the detention pit.” He pointed at Raine. “And as for you! You’re going with her!”
She screeched and.
Felt.
The.
World.
Fade.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
She came to on the grudgby field, with another splitting headache. Raine was looking panicked. “Eda!” They called, their voice was blurry. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine Rainstorm,” Eda replied. Somehow they were less convinced. “Really I am.” Shame about the headache. And the nightmares for the past week. She stood up, and landed face first on the ground. Okay maybe she wasn’t okay. “If it makes you feel better, maybe you can get Lilith?” Raine ran off, and Eda stood up. Where was Fausty anyways? And why did her mouth taste like blood? She didn’t kill him, did she? Raine, Lilith, and Bump ran over.
“I am so so sorry Edalyn,” Lilith began, while casting her pain relief spell. Her head at least was beginning to clear. Lilith finished the spell, and hugged Eda tightly.
“Edalyn?” Bump asked. “Are you going to be okay? Are you able to keep up with your classes like this?” Eda shrugged. She would be the most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles if it meant she’d never transform again. Lilith was muttering about repression potions and had dropped the hug (which was fine, Raine gladly would hug her). Lily was making notes next to Eda in her old notebook. Writing was hurting her brain, but hey, she didn’t need it at the moment. Raine cuddled up against Eda.
“Where’d Faust go?” Eda asked. Raine and Bump refused to make eye contact.
“He won’t be causing any more outbreaks, Edalyn,” Bump replied. “He has retired.”
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Retired huh? That was a nice way of putting too injured to do his job. The beast had bitten his hand off, and clawed him. If it weren’t for his fire gateway spell he’d probably be dead. Raine was not the bravest witch, but they knew you didn’t make sudden moves on a large bird of prey. Which Eda turned into. Lilith was weirdly apologetic again. At least she was a good sister, Raine’s uncle apparently was a terrible sibling.
“Seems a little sudden,” Eda said.
“He must have had a change of heart,” Bump replied.
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They were walking through the marketplace, Eda and Lilith. Edalyn was playing with the grudgby ball, Lilith was writing notes. “If I tried to make a potion cure or treatment for the curse, would you take it?” Lilith asked.
“I mean,” Eda said, “if you made it? Absolutely. I trust you Lily.” She shouldn’t. Lilith was a rotten sister.
“Ugh,” Damion called walking past them, “out of my way Owl Lady.” He shoved Eda aside. Eda growled, but didn’t seem to change. “Oh she growls. What’s wrong, bird brain? Afraid you’ll hurt me?” He pointed a finger at Eda. “You can’t, I’m the better witch.” Eda lunged forward, Lilith grabbed her arm to keep her from punching Damion. She was holding Eda’s arm but it was detached from Eda. Damion, Lilith, and Eda screamed. Eda grabbed the disembodied arm and instinctively shoved it back into position.
“That was frightening,” Eda said, moving all her fingers. Her hand seemed fine. Daminon grinned, grabbed Eda’s other arm and pulled it off.
“What’s wrong Owl Lady? Afraid of little old me?”
“Give. That. Back.” Lilith growled. Mike materialized in her hands. “Or I will do to you what has been done to Eda.” She meant it too. If Damion didn’t respect this, she would curse him too. She still had the scroll. And she knew where he lived. Damion to his credit, gave Eda her arm back. Feathers were starting to sprout from Eda’s arms and neck when she put the arm back on, although they started falling off afterwards.
“Thanks Lily,” Eda hugged her sister.
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Lily was the best, protective when Eda needed a protector, supportive when Eda needed a supporter, loyal to Eda regardless of the curse. Odalia and Alador had started to distance themselves from Eda, but she could always count on Lilith.
“Think fast, Owl Lady!” Damion threw a burning rock towards her. Eda panicked and ran. And ran. And kept running even though the world was an empty void with a cold liquid surrounding her. She ran and ran and ran and heard an angry screech as the beast pursued her.
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The Owl Beast ran off, with Lilith in hot pursuit. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go! Lilith spun Mike Socks in a circle and teleported in front of Edalyn. The Beast screeched and smacked Lilith into the wall. Lilith flew after the Owl Beast on her palisman, but she felt tired and sore and agony. She deserved it. But she also knew Eda would be horrified if she ever found out. Lilith spun a spell circle and her wounds healed. She also spun another and her uniform repaired itself. The Owl Beast slowed down and collapsed onto a park bench, before turning back into Edalyn.
Eda. Eda who was tired and sore and would spend several minutes recovering. Lilith landed next to her sister and began trying to heal both of them. If she hadn’t cheated her way into the Emperor’s Coven, maybe she would’ve switched to the Healing Track.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
She awoke next to Lilith who had apparently followed her this entire time. Lilith was casting her healing spells on Eda, clearing her head. “I know we weren’t going to bring this up to mom,” Lilith said, “but this is out of my skill set.” She brushed more feathers off of Eda’s head. “I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t hurt anyone, did I?” Eda asked.
“You didn’t hurt anyone, Eda.” Lily hugged Eda tighter against her. Eda felt her head swim, but it was fine. It was fine. Lilith was here. Eda was fine.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Lilith was folding napkins into a swan. It was something fun she could do. Edalyn came into the dining room. “Mother, do you like my napkin folding?” Lilith asked, showing off her masterpiece. She hadn’t even put any magic in it.
“That's nice, sweet flea,” Mother said, not looking. Again. “Edalyn, help us set up, won't you?”
“Sorry mom, I don’t have time for this,” Eda said, walking down the stairs. “I’m on a mission.” Father opened the door. “Dad!” She hugged him.
“Hey pumpkin!” He said, patting Edalyn’s hair. “Here to see me off?” Lilith got out of her chair, and walked towards him. “I know I won’t be here for a while, that’s why tonight,” he paused, reaching into his pockets. “I’ll be leaving in style!” Lilith smiled, Father always was a little goofy, but he was amazing. He pulled out a party explosion. Eda screeched. And turned into the Owl Beast and began attacking Father.
The outbreak didn’t last long, and Eda returned to being herself shortly afterwards. But the damage was done. Lilith was a horrible sister, and a horrible daughter. “Dell!” Mother called, running over to Father. “Lilith! Call the healing coven!” She could do this. She ran off to the crow phone. And sobbed into the receiver. She should have been the one hurt by the Beast, not Father. She should never have considered that curse. She should’ve been willing to risk it, use her know-how of skills and techniques. And Eda’s weaknesses. Not cheating. She should never have cheated. She’d never cheat in a duel again.
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Eda was sitting on her bed, in front of a healer. “It always starts the same way,” she said to them. “I wake up somewhere dark. And then it appears.” She shuddered. “And eventually, I wake up, knowing I turned into,” Eda paused, drawing herself inwards. “That thing.” She didn’t like to admit it, but she was scared.
“I see,” the healer grabbed a clear gem. “Here take this. It will tell you when the beast’s energies are near.” Eda picked up the stone, and it glowed gold. “Also I hear gemstones are quite fashionable for young witches.” The healer was trying.
“Oh what a lovely stone,” Mom said. She grabbed the healer’s shoulder. “Might I have a word with you, outside?” The healer nodded and they stepped out. “Just a minute, hun.” Mom called over her shoulder and shut the door behind them.
Edalyn was many things, but above eavesdropping was not one of them. She snuck over to listen in. “What the Titan’s Tumors was that?” Mom wasn’t even trying to be quiet. “I thought you were in the healing coven, not the trinket coven!”
“Mrs Clawthorne,” the healer, bless their heart, was trying to keep mom patient. “We’ve never seen a curse like this before. I’m not even sure it can be cured.” Oh well, Lilith had an idea for maybe it could have been contained. “Perhaps if we worked with the Potion Coven, they might know a way to keep it at bay.” Okay, there was hope. Eda just needed hope. Hope was the important thing.
“Keep it at bay? No! My daughter is suffering! I want that thing out! Cut it out if you have to.” Eda ran at that point. Vaulted onto her bed, and leapt out the window. Once on the ground outside she called for Owlbert, and ran. She stumbled behind the Clawthorne residence and tripped over a wooden box with an eye on it. She touched it and it flung itself open, smoke and sparks shooting off of it, before it started humming and a hazy view of a land with green trees and blue skies. Owlbert perched on her shoulder. Eda picked up the key that popped out and the hazy view cleared up. She heard mother approaching, and jumped through the portal. She’d come back for Raine and Lilith. But for now she had to hide.