Chapter 19 Is Out.

Demons, magic and owls (1)

Chapter 1: New feathers in an already weird flock

Disclamer: Similar to previous. It is a crossover. Criticism and opinions are welcomed. All that belongs to someone belongs to their respective owners.

Solid ground met him surprisingly soft. Yet not soft enough to land completely harmless. His head still rung from the ritual's aftermath and body refused to move. Besides that his back really hurt. Strangely, the pain wasn't from the fall, but it was pain as if he got scratched by a claws of some beast.

There little owl decided to open his eyes. It's sight was strongly blurred and clouded, creating the worst case of tunnel vision, but guy could still understand what he was looking at.

Sky that met him was similar to one he was used to, but still different. Tropos was really high in the atmosphere, but only recently has Otus discovered that it wasn't natural. "Maybe this is how the sky is supposed to look like on the actual surface?" He thought, but then his theory was shaken by a sight of completely normal ground, and an unnaturally red leaves in trees. He couldn't have been out for so long, that seasons could change and once scattered across the sky dirt merged together. And, even if, how did he survived that fall in the first place? Questions were coming and coming, piling on inside his head, making it hurt.

"One issue at a time." Otus thought, closing eyes again to rest better. Yes. Rest was a good idea. Before going anywhere he needed to go. Without movement he couldn't get far.

After a bit of it young owl opened his eyes again, now able see more. On branches around, presumably, hole in tree crown through which he fell, were seen peaces of his owl cloak. That was sad. Asio will be furious when he'll find out. And it also explained now why his back hurt. Most likely he got himself some scratches duaring the fall. Pretty lucky outcome considering what could happen. But thinking about Asio didn't help to improve the mood. They were most likely worried sick about him. All who were in Vellie, old and new. Little owl didn't want to upset them. Otus needed to get back. If he was Alive then it was possible.

With improved confidence owlboy started to work towards it. But his body didn't really want to move. Worst scenario - he broke his spine somewhere. Yet, it was dismissed as bruises from battling Molstrom still hurt. Then he was just exhausted beyond all recognition. A bit of sleep wouldn't be exactly bad at this situation. He needed atleast to check surroundings first, though.

With some struggle the guy could look around. Fortunately that were just leaves and branches he brought along the way down, but it was better than landing on a clearing with rocks or a.. boiling water in the sea?! "Surface really is a weird place." Thought he before drifting in to sleep.

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It was just a day after the night-conjuring. Luz's already eventful life was now even weirder. A crack in the sky was really not something you would wish normally to see in the morning and she would rush downstairs to see surprisingly awake Eda looking in the window with King in hands.

- Did you see that?! What happened?

The girl nearly screamed, in mix of shock and excitement

- Yes. Yes we did. I don't know what that was, but it surely was powerful.

The owl lady replied and fastly changed.

- We need to look around. Who knows what that thing could bring. Maybe something valuable.

She continues with a smirk, staff in hand, along the fluff ball that King was. The search wasn't long, as their target was hard to miss. On branches and leaves was laying a person. A young looking one. They were short, around Luz's shoulder level, and with rather unusual choice of clothing both for human or a witch. A remnants of a cape or a cloak, yellow-ish vest with some strange puffy neck thing, gauntlets on hands, baggy pants and brown shoes.

- That is surely something unique. Yet, I declare mission successful. Now, let's rob the body.

Suggested Edaz as they got close and tried to take off gauntlets, but instead pulled the guy whole. They were irremovable. There she noticed that the person was breathing.

- Oh. They are alive. Well. I suppose that entitles us to help them.

Said the owl lady.

- Why are you so mean? You, kinda, accepted me. Plus they are really in need. We will help them no matter what

Said Luz.

- Kid, listen. You helped us and we went through some stuff. This is who knows who that appeared, basically out of nowhere with some magical gauntlets. We will help them, but we will require a reward for our trouble. Atleast they can help with the house.

Said she and put guy on the staff before they took off.

Setting and treating injuries was a bit hard and couple interesting facts were discovered. One, gauntlets were indeed irremovable and in attempt shoved like they were now fused to poor guy's skin. And two was, that what presumed to be their hair, instead were many tightly packed thin feathers.

- Maybe they are cursed as well?

Luz said.

- Most unlikely. Their feathers doesn't look like something that came from magic. Only cursed thing on them, are cape and gauntlets. All three aren't moving off from them. But I found something nice in their pocket.

Said she, taking out some disk-shaped device, that seemed to be made of stone with a button jutting out. Pressing on it created a flash of light, that made Luz appear right next to Eda.

- Hah! Now I can get you out of trouble to me. Nice.

She said, looking more at the item, while human girl didn't feel so good.

- Ooh......I feel like I'm gonna puke.

- Are you alright?

Asked Eda, as Luz took a moment to breath.

- Y-yeah. That thing is scarry. It is almost like in split second I felt like being in two places at the same time.

- Weird. Usually teleportation magic is more fluid and careful. Well. Then it will be punishment for walking in one more dangerous adventures if it gets out of hand.

Said they, as owl lady looked more closely at the thing. It had some strange symbols on it, one of them resembling an owl head.

Come to think of it, that person also looked really close to an owl. That bothered both of them, while king was just relaxing. There surely was some sort of story behind it. Atleast they fit the asthetic.

- Anyway, on second thought, you should have this. If it brings you to me, than use it if you are in trouble.

Said Eda, handing the thing over.

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Otus didn't know how long he was asleep, but when he woke up, his sight met an unfamiliar house. It was early morning. The krange sky was seen through the window. He felt much better now and tried to get up. It was hard, but possible. He sat, looking around properly. The place was pretty comforting. Candles, pouches with contents he desided not to think about and other stuff fit for some crazy kitchen.... Or Kernelle's lab.

But turning around, behind the couch he was sitting on, was something that could be described only as the trophy wall. Umbrella, couple swords, strange pictures, a bovine skull and some other things he didn't pay attention to, as all his gaze was taken by the big reward poster "Wanted; owl lady". That was at most peculiar. Besides Asio, Strix, Fib, Bonacci and Solus, he didn't know about any other alive owl. Could there actually be more? That motivated Otus to meet them. Most certainly they will help him get to his friends.

Now he needed to get up. That was a harder challenge. One leg on the floor, then the other. It was a good start. He could feel the floor. The carpet was pretty nice. But as soon as he tried to switch balance on to them, he plummeted face-first onto the floor. It was bad, but next attempt was better and now the young owl could stand. With a bit of support against the couch, yes, but still good enough to move. Then the guy heard footsteps.

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What could make such noise so early? Thought Luz, going downstairs. There she saw their guest struggling to stand, using the couch as a support. There they meet looks and terrified the feather headed guy fell back, scuttling back to the nearest wall with sounds of a distressed owl. Their hair-feathers were up and they shook like a leaf.

- Hey-hey. Easy there. My name is Luz. We found you in the forest. Everything is fine and you are safe.

She said as positively and as friendly as possible, carefully approaching them. After a bit of breathing, person calm down and nobbed. Yet, feathers on their head didn't go down. They were tense.

- Good. Good. Um. What's your name?

She said, sitting on the floor on some distance in from of them.

Their reply was shake of a head and crossed hands around the level of their throat.

- Oh. You can't speak?

The human asked and person nobbed. After a bit of thinking Luz took her notebook and a pen.

- Can you write?

Nob once again, but then they tried to take off gauntlets and panic returned. The guy was trying to take off the gauntlet, terrified of the situation.

- Calm down calm down. You might hurt yourself.

She said worryingly, trying to stop him. This time he didn't calm down, breathing heavily, panic settling deeper.

- What is going on down here?!

Eda asked from somewhere upstairs, walking down and seeing the situation.

- Our guest started freaking out. Looks like they didn't know about gauntlets till now.

Luz said and assumed correctly. The guy nobbed, fear and a bit of tears in his eyes. Too much was happening at a time.

- They are strangely quite about that.

The owl lady pointed out, coming closer and distressing him even more.

- They are mute. I tried to give them note and pen, but I guess it will be hard to write in gauntlets . Well it still worth a shot.

The girl suggested and tried to give pen and notebook again. A bit more of calming later and some more time on getting used to moving pen without actually feeling it due to metal around hands. They finally wrote "My name is Otus".

- Otus? I heard some call owls that way.

Eda commebte, after which he replied with a new note, this time he wrote it faster. "I am an Owl."

That was a bit strange, yet still could be questioned.

- How can you be an Owl? I mean, we know your hair are feathers, but calling yourself an owl is rather.... Odd?

Luz said, while Otus pointed at Eda and then at a poster.

- Hey! If I'm called the owl lady that doesn't I'm an owl. There are reasons for it. Personal ones at that.

She said, what made Otus sad. It would seem ither he was brought really far away where were no owls, he thought, before writing "Where am I?".

- Well. You are in Owl House, where the owl lady lives on Boiling iles. Do you know anything about a giant rift or something that appeared couple days ago?

Luz fastly told and longer she spoke more expression of the guy was turning from sad, to confused to terrified again. Clearly he had no idea.

- Well. This won't go smoothly like that.

Eda concluded and with magic, lifted Otus off the floor and to a nearby chair. First, waking up at completely unknown place. Meeting some unknown people, then finding out he is cursed to wear his gauntlets forever and finally some unknown force, that clearly was magic of sort was too much to already shaking guy, as his body didn't find any other solution, but to pass out.

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After Otus was returned to his senses, questioning returned and along with a fluffy skull wearing little beast.

He was now in land of demons and magic. His injuries made him sleep an entire day, that was somewhat of a personal record. Here was nothing close to what could be found in Tropos, Mezos or even Stratos. And they never heared about such places. And most important was that whatever this place was it had never bee in the sky, like any place around here at that matter. Putting all facts together lead to a conclusion. They were in a different world.

Eda, Luz and fluffy creature that insisted on a title of a king of demons weren't so shocked. As he learned later, that they have already done it. Unfortunately, their path lead to so called "human realm", which was nothing like where Otus was from. He was now stuck here. Truly stuck.... Yet, if not that strange cosmic event, he would have been dead. Maybe even with complications he could return. This was place of magic, there must be a way.

But his train of thought was interrupted by a talking owl head stretching from somewhere outside.

- OOH! A fellow owl is awake!

Said Hooty loudly and voice rather irritating, sending already sensitive to surprises owl jumping up and off the chair.

- Hooty, Don't scare them. The guy here basically survived a certain death and now is having some hard times.

Eda said. The thing, otherwise Otus couldn't consider it, went away. But then he looked at his cloak. It was...... Surprisingly intact. Back in the forest he saw a lot of peaces of it. If they restored it a bit, then this was really nice of them.

The young owl tried to take it off and found out, that owl cloak was now attached to him permanently. Not that the guy already was wearing it constantly before, but this was not funny at all.

- Hey, chin up, owlboy. We understand situation is difficult. I and Luz will get something. While you rest and look after King.

The owl lady said, walking out with a staff and Luz.

- Have a good rest, Otus.

Wished the girl and he waved them goodbye with a smile. That's right. The guy was alive and just needed some time to get healthy again and he will start his search. Only problems were a loud child with superiority complex and a living house with annoying voice. That was a good start.

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- Hm.....

- Hm indeed. It is working stable so far. Yet, it doesn't branch itself. There are not enough variables yet. Any ideas?

- Truly not. We could implement them and optimise so they would work, but there are almost no purpose for them. We need something to work with.

- Should we..... Release Him?

- Perhaps. There is a chance it can benefit us after all.

- Are you sure the one who flows won't make things a bit.... Too much?

- We can restrict them if something goes wrong.

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Town of Bonesborough was on the edge after the sky anomaly event. Through many news channels and sources went stories of the most unusual captor in Conformatorium. Besides that activity on market was rather low, except for one particular shop, that no-one seemed to remember where it came from. On the front was hanging a sign "Snake paths. Everything for everyone for a fair price". Not much folk seemed to be interested in, but it got attention of Luz and Eda on their way back from stocking up on some essential items.

- Snake paths. Never heard of it. Let's see what there is.

The owl lady suggested with the human girl excitedly nodding, opening the door. Inside them met a dim light of blue fire on candles, berely enough to see the stock. There truly was everything. Different kinds of food that wouldn't spoil, clothes, armour, weaponry of different kinds, potion components and many-many more, yet no-one inside.

- Strange. Who leaves a shop unintended? If they left for lunch they could put something on a door.

Luz said going in deeper, reaching to a counter, on which was put a bell. When she was about to ring it, owl lady stopped her.

- Hold on for a second. If the shop keeper isn't on place, then we can get our hands on all of this.

Said she with a excited grin, as she started taking whatever she could take away.

- That's stealing! Don't you think that's a bit too much?

The girl complained, trying to calm down a witch.

- It isn't my fault that whoever owns the place didn't close it when left. Now, come on. They can return any second.

She argued and attempted to make a run for it, but door shut itself.

- Hey! What's the deal?!

Said Eda and tried to use a spell to undo whatever it was, but her magical circle couldn't form.

- Looks like there are some defences.

Luz commented and tried to ring the bell. It's chime soon was replaced by a roaring of a portal, through which came a demon. A classical at that in the human girl's understanding. Horns on a head, face that looks more like a skull with a bit of flesh, long hands with claws height around eight maybe nine fit, slightly floating above the ground and many artifacts that were put on them. It looked at them, eyes making a smiling expression on their lipless face.

- Ah. Welcome to my humble shop. My name is Vulgrim I see you have already selected the merchandise. In what do you prefer to pay it off? Local currency, by trade or maybe some soul shards.

Said demon. His voice soft, yet somehow a bit raspy and full of deviousness of the worst ot best merchant possible.

- Soul shards? Do you want us to pay with our souls? For a commodity? Last time someone asked something like that outside was sixteen hubdreds.

Complained Eda, placing most of picked up items on the counter.

- Well. I respect classic. Your or someone else's soul would suffice. Soul shards just don't have a peaky personality behind them, therefore more healthy. What you took would take you around three hundred thousands of soul shards, excluding commodity that you try so desperately to hide.

The demon said and snapped it's fingers, as items from wherever Eda was hiding them got in a separate pile on the counter.

- With them it would be all full million, with inclusion of thievery fee.

Added he a bit later. Luz was watching them, two however they are old magical tricksters. Yet, something that confused Eda was him making spell without a magical circle.

- And how do I get those soul shards?

Eda Asked.

- Every time a living being dies, it's killer gains peaces of its soul as it leaves to respectful afterlife realm. Your current count together is berely enough to afford one third of your chosen goods. But you can have them all for free if you will help me twice. Once now and one more time later.

Explained demon.

- I didn't get at the beginning, but what would you like us to do for the free stuff. Especially all that.

The owl lady said with excitement, making Luz scared.

- Marvelous.

The demon chirped abd laughed lightly, before taking from many shelves a peace of parchment, which appeared to be a map of boiling isles.

- To the north from here is a peace of forest with a portal. I want you to destroy it.

He continued.

- Portal? To where?

- And that is above the payment you can provide. Only thing I can tell, is that I don't exactly appreciate an unhealthy competition. Yet task is highly important not just for me. If you don't wish to do it. Oh well. All those ingredients, books and formulasa with potions will have to wait for those who will purchase them.

The demon said, clearly manipulating them, but relishing in anger of the owl lady it caused.

- Fine. We will do it. We will leave our stuff here, while we work on that and then you also will nearly pack all what we will take.

The witch bargained. This made demon think about it. That was a rather fair thing to ask for a trouble he was going to put them through.

- Very well. Just a shake of a hand and we can proceed.

He agreed, giving her his hand with huge claws for an informal contract. She accepted it.

- Wonderful. Good luck on your work. I will get to mine then.

Vulgrim said joyfully, as he used his magic to get all the items to carefully pack them, while Luz and Eda left.

- I have no idea how to react....

- What's wrong? It is just a barter. Yes, a guy is the biggest weirdo I have ever seen, but he has a really nice goods. We just need to brake something.

Eda said to Luz, as they got on her staff and flew to the place.

There they saw an arch, in which swirled a red portal. On top of it was carved an image, depicting an eight edged star.

- The thing is genuinely terrifying. I have a really bad feeling about this.

Luz commented, unnerved by the sight..

- Nah. Don't worry a good smack with a spell and thing will crumble apart.

Eda said confidently and started drawing a big magical circle. As it was finished, a blast of magic hit the thing, but instead of braking - it held together.

-... Okay. Maybe it will need more than that.

The witch added, as the arch started to shake.

Ornaments started to glow, when a dark mist went through the portal, forming a thin figures, covered in spikes and with big claws. It was impossible to call the something other than monsters. They would charge at a human, ignoring the witch and she sent a spell to protect the girl, evaporazing creatures nearly instantly, but more was to come.

- Now this is trouble. Luz, run! I will try to destroy it as soon as possible.

The witch suggested and started to conjure spell to maje several pillars from the ground to push against the arch of a portal.

While Eda was occupied with it, Luz ran like she have never ran before. Creatures were following along, but it would seem that portal couldn't bring more than ten at a time. Couple jumps and some time of that pace showed that it would be impossible to maintain it for long. So she would make a light glyph in attempt to scare them off. Result was surprisingly effective, as it surely drained some strength from the breasts, helping with running away. But as soon as lights faded or if they had some distance, they resumed their chase as fast as before, meaning she still was very much in danger. And she was running out of strength to run and make glyphs at the same time.

Then, Luz met a cliff, pinning her to the place, as beasts started to surround her. In panic looking through pockets she got a thing they took from Otus and didn't return. This was really dire situation.

- I hope she already broke the thing! I will be so thankful to Otus if this thing works.

She said fastly and pressed a button. Near her appeared a flash of light, stopping advance of monsters.

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Time with king was rather amusing. Little guy was really cute and now he understood that he was just playing. Although, most of words and "stories" he was telling Otus about missed him, as his disturbance rose from the fact, that his owl-cloak was restoring. It was.... Freaky, yet helpful. A little bit more and it will be like before the fall. That was one of few good news from many bad or unusual ones.

- Even for a mute guy you are really quite. And boring.

King said. Otus fell like he was stabbed from how straight forward it went. The guy always knew he wasn't a perfection of social interactions, but saying it so directly hurt a bit.

- Atleast you are a good listener to my great plans.... Is it hard to be unable to talk?

Said little fluffy thing. That was surprising, yet yong owl replied with a nob. Fib and Bonacci really put it to the limit. He can't say something back and even if he could, the young owl was too nice to say something back. No matter the situation being mute and only able to whistle or give similar to it sounds was harsh. He couldn't even scream properly. Most likely it would result in a screeching of an owl.

This thoughts made him sad and feathers on his head went down. If only Otus could speak it would've saved him so many time. He was weak. But, hopefully, this was a perfect place to get stronger.

While this whole though process was going through Otus' head, King already walked off somewhere. The guy was messing up again. Owls must be vigilant and careful all the time. So, he got up, fortunately more rest helped him with that, and closed his eyes to listen. After a bit he could get where little fluffy demon was and went there. And King was doing something. Getting some pillows, a blackboard and some other things. There little one noticed him.

- Oh. You are a bit too early. Since you are a newcomer I must teach you everything I know about the place, like a true king I am. Would you help with that.

King said and Otus nobbed, helping him to bring some books. There was no sight prettier then those for him as then came a lesson on demons, although, some books little fluff used had some crude editing, but it was relatively interesting to know what to expect.

Everything was great until a flash if light, a similar sensation of dizziness and discomfort and now he was in the forest. Luz, terrified a d out of breath was looking at him and around them were some scarry shadowy figures.

- H-how that thing even works?!

The human shouted at a friend-teleporter. Otus realized finally that they took it. That made him angry as he with an owl screech looked at her, taking device of owls of old times back to whom it belonged, staring at a human squinting his eyes in unhappy expression.

- It isn't time to be angry! We are doomed here!

She shouted terrified, as beasts were approaching. It was time to try that out. Like this, Otus grabbed Luz by shoulders and jumped up.

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She thought it was over and closed her eyes. There, she felt like otis grabbed her under the arms, pulled ot and second after the girl couldn't feel the ground underneath her feet. Only couple seconds after, human opened her eyes. She was flying, or, if to be precise, she was carried up by Otus, who's cloak have turned in pair of big, nearly silent wings, resembling ones if an owl. They weren't kidding about living near the stratosphere. Now it put things in to perspective.

Shadowy creatures shrieked and ran towards Portal, most likely targeting Eda.

- This is crazy and so cool, but we need to help Eda. I have a plan.

Luz said and Otus nobbed, following her directions.

While that was happening, owl lady struggled. The thing was repelling magic and now approaching her shadowy monsters didn't help. She kept in pushing with magically controlled peace of rock. Throwing didn't prove much, but this method made the thing budge, weakening the portal. Then she saw Luz flying through the sky with Otus holding her. "Boy is full of surprises" thought she and kept on pushing the arch.

Duaring they flight human girl got some sturdy branch and started flying around the portal, giving directions where to move, as she scraped in the soil light glyph. This was going to be powerful, maybe even too much, but hopefully it would make shadow creatures stay low. Couple more moves and it was done with monsters meters away from eda. A bright flash of light floated up and creatures were incinerated and, hopefully, owl lady kicked off the arch and portal was closed. Then the two landed with Otus. Or yo be precise - crashlanded. Flying still was a bit too hard and with another person it was even harder. Besides a bright flash for his sensitive eyes was a bit too much. It didn't blind him, as he could close his eyes in time, but the young owl have nearly passed out. Eda came to them.

- Are you alright?

The owl lady asked, worryingly.

- Yeah. If not for Otus. Thank you for save back there, pall

Said Luz and owlboy, gave her a warm smile and a thumbs up in appreciation.

- This is a really nice thing. If it wasn't irremovable, I would happily take that cloak.

Said Eda, sending feathered guy in to a state of fear, feathers perking up.

- Calm down. Calm down. That was a joke. Yet, still you did great.

Said she and gave him a pet on the head, sending owlboy blushing.

- Aw. He is so nice.

Commented luz, making the guy blush even more.

- By the way, weren't you supposed to be looking after King?

Said Eda, making Otus panic for a second.

- I used the thing when I was cornered and for some reason it moved him here.

Explained Human girl, as Otus took it out and wrote name of the device "Friend teleporter".

- Friend teleporter. So you say it teleports friends to itself?

Assumed Luz. He replied with a nob.

- Huh. Well. Anyway. We were in a bit of a thing to get some free stuff. After risking our lives I will make that merchant give us a bonus. If you are here, grab that stone with a star and carry along. Sending you back home without knowing where to go would be such a pain.

Eda said as now all three headed to the merchant.

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- Welcome back. I see you are with a friend and a proof of a success.

Vulgrim said eith crinkled for a smile eyes, welcoming his clients. Or they were workers now.

- Quit joking. Give us stuff and something to compensate for losses. It was really hard and we basically almost died there.

Sait Eda and demon nobbed, presenting their staff. Intact and packed for easy transportation. Besides that he gave them a coupon.

- Understandable, then here's a coupon on one hundred free magical item examinations. Works only on not alive. Lasts only this season. Don't miss it.

Said he and Luz desided to use it, pulling Otus by hand, while demon was putting stone of the portal's arch somewhere.

- Can you get what kind of curse are on this gauntlets and cloak?

She said, making owlboy confused.

- As you wish.

The demon said and started examining the guy. After about five minutes he looked at her.

- It isn't a curse. Yet magic or, at the very least, something really close to it was used here. From work with some really powerful magic, unfortunately, his hands have been melted with gauntlets. About the cloak, it is similar, but instead cloak itself became part of his body due to, let's call it magical mutation.

Explained demon. Sending Otus in a bit of apathy.

- Well, younglings, come out. I will follow you a bit later.

Commanded Eda and two followed outside with purchased stuff. Luz comforting the guy. Being sure they weren't heard Eda spoke.

- So. You aren't from around here. Aren't you?

She said, looking qt a demon angrily. Reply to her was his wider smile and more attention.

- How did you make such an assumption?

He asked, clearly pretending like he doesn't know what she is talking about, mocking.

- Quit playing around. None of the times you used magic I say you use a magical circle. What are you?

The owl lady called him out, suspecting something.

- I'm but a demon merchant. It just happened to be I have everything you can think of. Else is out of your concern.

He said, sounding less jolly and more serious now. Without much questions, owl lady left.

- We will meet again. Your debt isn't fully paid, Eda Clawthorne.

Vulgrim said to himself, disappearing in to a portal, smiling. It was a great day for him.

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Way home was slow and relatively silent. A lot of events and all needed nothing but rest, until Luz broke it.

- So. What are we going to do next? I mean, Otus is almost fully healed. An all.

She muttered a bit. The guy was flying nearby. He understood. They were nothing but a guest. Eda felt the mood and with a sigh said.

- Well. I suppose he still owes us. Yet I won't hold him if he decided to fly off.

Said she, lifting his mood up.

- So. Want to repay your debt?

She continued and gave him a hand for a handshake. This one felt great. And the rest of the path went seamless, but with positivity.

When they entered, they saw a mess King did without overseeing. Some dirt, thrown from place to place, items and something else none could recognise.

-.... Well. Here's your first work then.

Eda said and with magic gave Otus a broom and mop. This surely wasn't exactly what he expected, but from nothing, living like this was pretty great outcome.

Life seemed to be pretty promising.

I am back and I brought this. I am in an inspiration rush and during my rewriting, I was figuring out this particular piece and ahead. I hope you all will like it, my ear readers!

One more project.

This is the experimental thing. It was out for couple days and still no-one saw it besides 1 beta-reader. Thanks to them a lot.

Also, I updated a bit "From beyond comes adventure. Most of it are just grammar and some spelling, as I started using Google docs instead of word to edit my works. So... Yeah. I hope it will be not as cringy.

The first fanfic on There is no light on the internet. Check out the game. It is gorgeous.

Demons, magic and owls (4)

Chapter 4: Shaken, but not stirred

That was some time after the library incident. Life was rather questionable. Otus had troubles sleeping lately, but not in the sense of sleeping too little. Quite the opposite, sleeping too much. His cycle of sleep was more and more shifting to be active at night. He suspected that was exposure to magic of that beast. He already had troubles with teleportation and there was a lot of weird things scholars of his people could do in the past. Maybe it was even more natural. For a half-blood like he was somewhat proud of it. But that made some tasks harder to so. As sometimes it seemed like Hooty was testing his patience with how fast he could get himself covered in dirt

Luz seemed to be alright. But summoning that bird monster still was a really big mistake. She could swear she could hear crows even when there was none around the place. It was rather haunting, but she decided to move on and try to forget about it. New day a new problem to solve.

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Eda had a more practical problem. That tiny, annoying shorty was appearing whenever he could, attempting to pass through Hooty's defences and call her for a duel. One time he used his strange magic to twist a tree and send him right in to the chimney, like a crazy Santa. Unfortunately for him the thing was lit. The sorcerer, burning and screaming in fear, run off. The most successful attempt was when Veigar packaged himself and have sent via post. Unfortunately Hooty got that first and the guy spent several hours unable to move until Otus got him out duaring his checks on basement. The dark magician was shaking a lot from numerous cramps he was experiencing on the way out.

Today's slow market wasn't helping at all. The owlboy was at home, sleeping after night of work, preparing for the cleaning ahead. This changes in life style were concerning. Have something happened to him? And that whole situation with strange demons arriving at their realm weren't helping. For now she was distracting herself with checking in wares. Many items Owlbert snuck in through the door-portal. Thinking about items, she would remember snake paths and Vulgrim.

That devious demon was slowly taking over the market. After events with that time-space tear everything was getting more active and he used it. His stock seemed to be endless and it provided the most rarest of items. Even some folk from emperor's coven came to check on that guy's shop. Quite possible that they were investigating that rift as well and shop that have appeared right after that was really suspicious.

Too much thoughts for an already busy day.

But, fortunately, there came a proper distraction. Customers. She jumped in front of Luz to get to them.

- Hey kid! Can I offer you the latest fashions from....the human realm?

Tye owl lady said, at the end of the phrase making a magical circle to get on some clothes from her storage. What she got was a mishmash of random items put as much as possible. Such a ridiculous look made them leave, laughing at the witch.

- Well. I hate her.

The woman said, crossing her arms, following a bit where teens were going, lead by some girl.

- Yeap. Teens can be a little sour, but I'm a little sweaty. Look what I made you!

Luz said, pointing at a glowing sign with an illusion of Eda's head blinking. It took a moment for an Owl lady to comprehend what that was and she fastly went tear it off.

.

Living in this world wasn't exactly easy, but it was manageable for Veigar. Due to his reputation in bis original world, scavenging and living on opened air was an easy task. And increasing efficiency on usage of the magic was helping even more. But, still there was a lot of problems that needed to be solved. Mostly a demon crisis. What locals called demons were just citizens. What that human have accidentally summoned was a real demon. Abhorrent manifestation of magic. It even took a living creature to attempt to manifest itself. Yet he have never found in his memories a demon that showed itself as two headed bird. There was that red crow of secrets, yet that blue menace was completely different.

Nevertheless, his main goal now was get stronger. To chase that demon out and to overcome that emperor.

And there his target was. Eda Clawthorne. The owl lady. Infamous witch, that can go het to head with leader of the emperor's coven. He was trying to challenge this woman for some time, but her... House was stopping him. That was a rather peculiar result of magic. Veigar thought Hooty to be a golem of sorts, a construct. And that only reinforced his opinion about her power, as she could make and maintain such thing. The owl lady was a worthy opponent.

.

- You maybe forgetting something Luz. I'm kinda On The Run. Remember? Every guard at town will be at my doorstep if they would see my name in lights or maybe someone worse.

Eda said, shaking off the lights from the sign and taking away a demonstrative poster, before a familiar hight pitched voice shrieked at them.

- Eda Clawthorne! I finally can properly challenge you to a duel and you can't avoid it!

The dark mage screamed victoriously, as if he have already beaten her.

- Oh. Hi Veigar. Are you good m

Luz said, while King was eyeing the arrogant tiny wizard.

- Greetings, human, yes, but that isn't important. What I need is to challenge you, owl lady.

- No. I won't accept. Why should I?

Eda declined.

- Oh. Are you scared of my power and already concede. I expected more from the infamous owl lady. I guess I shouldn't judge local judgement system. That actually was rather expecting after I saw that Conformatorium.

He said, clearly mocking the place.

- Could you keep it down. I have just told Luz about bad idea of such advertisement. And you, screaming my name isn't helping.

The witch argued, irritated.

- But you are powerful, Eda. You could just poof all your problems away.

Luz said, making the dark magician chuckle in amusement.

- Even human understand capabilities a power can provide. Even is arcane powers are extremely unstable here, you and your dumb circles are just do the work and are an insult to any scholar of magical arts. You have no idea how much work and how many life times people threw away to study magic to get even a fraction of understanding it. While you folk relish in just drawing a circle in the air and stuff happens.

That made them slightly confused. Most of things that shorty was talking about made little to no sense to them.

- Who are you to argue. After what Luz told us, you can resist nearly anything in that armour. Many would kill for such a thing. And you believe you have more problem? I don't even talk about Luz, she has nothing bad her teen age drama.

King said, finally finding an apportuna partake in the dialogue.

- Who are you to talk? A mere pet in service of a witch without care in the world other than own miniscule ambitions. Your bolstering has nothing behind it, while I hold powers beyond your comprehension.

The wizard angrily replied.

- Hey! He is no pet! He is a significant part of our group, - Eda said angrily, before looking at the fluffy demon-child,-   Although Veigar is right you have the easiest among us all. All you do is fool around like a baby.

- I'm not a baby! That shorty is more of a baby than I am.

He argued, before turning around at a sounds of magical sparks crackling in the air between fingertips of the clearly angered sorcerer.

- Prepare to loose your life, filthy fur ball!

He raged, about to use something before Luz smacked the sorcerer on the back of his head slightly, just enough to interrupt the whatever spell he was using..

- No-one touches him. Got that!

The human argued protectively, as the mage glared at her as equally enraged.

- I see this is going to last forever. There's one good thing to make people appreciate one another's struggle. Although I hesitate to include you.

Eda said, rubbing her hands together, staring at Veigar. A bit uncomfortable pause hung in the air until she continued.

- Body swap!

Such an announcement made a silence even more potent, but it was shaken, by high pitched laughing of a wizard. He was nearly rolling on the ground from how laughable the idea was.

- What's so funny, funny-guy?

Eda said, looking at the shorty with raised eye brow. He was going for quite a while, calming down after good five minutes.

- I laugh not at the idea of the swapping bodies. I actually find facinating that such art exists here. Yet I am mesmerised by how much of audacity you have to claim to possess an art of controlling mind or soul on such level of efficiency.

Veigar explained himself, occasionally chuckling.

- Eda is powerful! I bet you, outside of your body will be unable to do much.

Luz argued.

- Ha! Ridiculous claim. My magic usage is built on understanding of reality and arcane knowledge at large. Bring it on, witch. I will show how much of a difference in power there is between us.

He said approaching them. The owl lady would take her stuff and shout "body swap", before a bright flash and cloud of smoke engulfed their vision.

.

He felt weird. It was expected from something like that.

- Ough.... What kind of magic is that.... How can you make something so complex so fast?!

Veigar complained, trying to get out from the smoke and look at his hands. And there they were. Pale, almost completely white with gold-like coloured nails.

- Oh no. I'm in the Owl lady's body. That's just "perfect".

He said before stumbling in a new tall form, eventually falling back from inability to keep balance on legs like that. He could berely understand what was going on, as world suddenly became bleaker, more dull, more... Ugly. And that wasn't malicious kind of ugly he could draw power from. It was just unpleasant to look at.

- Well. Be happy you got a capable in magic one.

Said Eda, getting dark magician's attention. The witch was put in a body of that tiny beast she was keeping as a pet. It's eyes were replaced with hers. That made him question something and the dark magician went to something reflective. Fortunately there was a mirror.

Veigar looked in it and saw what he expected. Face of that witch with his yellow eyes with vertical pupils. Not fitting for her, but even more unnerving to him.

- Wait, your eyes aren't just yellow things flying in the shadow of your hat?

Exclaimed King, who's conciseness seemed to reside in a body of that human.

- Phew. That's a relief. I would never wish my power to get in hands of a beast. That means...

Sorcerer said looking where Luz stood. Was Veigar really this short? Such thoughts rarely visited him, but with higher posture that was rather paramount.

- I need new boots....

The dark magician said rubbing his chin.

The human was motionless, looking down. The spell still worked and because of this instead of yellow devious eyes in the darkness under the hat were flying two round white dots in an expression of distress..

- So. Much colour. Everything is so big and.... wonderful. I feel like my life is full of.... Full of.... Full of....

She mumbled, clenching and releasing her fingers.

- Luz, are you alright?

Said Eda, concerned, approaching her student in a shorty's body.

That talk about colours made Veigar think. Before he attempted to draw a magical circle, thinking of that light spell and glyph the human showed him last time. Underneath the tip of a long-nailed started to come a glowing substance, that was staying in the air, creating a circle. After finishing it, a ball of light appeared. There a realisation hit him and he started to laugh. This one was firstly full of disbelief, starting as series of chuckles and giggles, before going in full on laughter, that was radiating superiority.

Eda was trying to get luz together and couldn't understand what was so funny.

- Quite laughing, you freak of nature. Luz is not alright and you are laughing at it?

King argued, walking closer to the bent over wizard in a body of a witch. He would calm down pretty soon, compare to gis previous fit of laughter.

- Fools and idiots. You all are fools. You have no idea.

Veigar said, eyes glimmering a bit, as he fell in more laughter, confusing everyone around even further.

- We would if you could explain instead of insulting.

The owl lady grumbled, slightly shaking the human in sorcerer's appearance.

- She is seeing the world from my eyes right now, of one influenced by magic. My kind has feeling for arcane from birth. She experiences a sensory overload. Leave her be for a bit and she should be fine.

He explained, making Eda look at him.

- Well. It is still bad. And what were you laughing about?

She asked angrily.

- Because here's the funny part. You aren't attuned to arcane. Those organs I have read about in the time at the library, aren't designed to be able to use arcane, but to shape it. You give form to chaotic magic around you and only resource it uses is a little bit of that glowing magical conductor. You cannot feel magic, even if you have it in your body. Pathetic. Now I understand why your society is so impossibly idiotic. With such power in hands, I will be possible to do anything!

Said Veigar, boasting and laughing even more.

- Okay. Let's make a deal then. Who-ever have the easiest time in another body, owner of that body will be cleaning instead of Otus for an entire week. The lad have been struggling a bit with the hooty lately.

Eda suggested.

- Agreed. I have no interest anymore to fight with pathetic parody of a witch. This two will partake as well. Besides, I have something similar to a sympathy to Otus. The young one has a lot of potential.

The dark magician proclaimed.

- No objections.

King replied. All three waited for Luz to say something, but she was too concentrated on the new world that opened to her eyes.... Or a rock she have found on the ground.

- I think you should watch over her. After all. It's your body.

The owl lady said.

- Hm.... I will comply. It would be rather amusing to see how none magic user reacts to sudden feeling of arcane.

He nobbed. There were more things to it that needed personal control.

- Well. I'm off to get some appraisal and do some relaxing of a kingly level.

Said Eda, heading away.

- Don't steal my lines! But I shall go as well to bestow my tyrannical rule on Luz's demographic!

King proclaimed and left as well. Leaving The sorcerer to babysit his own body.

That was a rather bizarre feeling. Fortunately the sensory overload was ending and it was delivering a crush on her nervous system. Just half an hour and she will fall unconscious.

To entertain himself, waiting for her to wake up, he started to organise that mess of a shop Eda was running. Their parlay was built around proving who's life was easier. So running that shop to a success was an obvious choice. And first thing he knew for sure was that there's nothing more profitable than monopoly.

.

.

.

It was hell of a time for Luz. After Eda used that spell everything was so bright and more in general. Colours were too deep, sounds too loud and smells were too powerful. She could see what others couldn't. Imprints on reality itself from events which' scale can not be comprehended. But then the strongest migraine hit her, knocking for some time. And there her met nightmares of some place. It was similar to Conformatorium. But it was much worse. She was smaller, weaker and overwhelming loneliness were breaking every single fiber of her soul, but it slowly but steadily grew to become anger and resentment. It was getting worse and worse, until enraged she felt a surge of power and place was torn apart in purple sparks.

There the human woke up. That was one strange dream..... But reality was even weirder. She was locked in chains in a cell, along with Eda.... Or if to be prices, someone in Eda's body, drooling on the floor. Both trapped, berely able to move a muscle. "What did Veigar do to deserve such treatment?" She thought, wiggling hopelessly in chains. But the girl had to bear with it. Hopefully she could feel reality more normally.

Even if her movements were limited, Luz still get to push the Eda's body. Three was enough to make a familiar angry voice shout out something unrecognisable, before calming down a bit.

- Oh. Wonderful. Now that stupid witche's body brought me behind the bars of this world again.

Veigar muttered. Still angry, but more annoyed than enraged. Slightly surprised that he got Eda's body.

- We aren't in Conformatorium, yet. I don't know where are exactly.

The human replied.

- I believe it is some sort of temporary containment. Preposterous! Temporary containment is a redundant for someone with bounties. Most likely their precious "Conformatorium" haven't recovered still.

Veigar boasted, giving a victorious laugh. The human looked surprised and shocked at the wizard.

- Wait. Thise news about trashed Conformatorium were your doing? I saw you using magic, but get Warden Wrath so much he had to be sent on forced vacation, from how he loved his job. Sheesh. What kind of monster are you?

- The worst kind, of course. But my actions are fully justified! They dared to imprison me for stating the truth. They didn't believe me and took away my freedom. Such crime can not be unanswered!

He said, suddenly seriously. This day surely was getting out of hand.

- How did we even end up here?

The human asked, while Veigar looked aside.

- Well.... I was engaged in a civilized debate with one of junk selling merchants to relocate their-

- ... You was trying to chase them away....

She interrupted him, yet he still continued.

- Yes. But it was required. Otherwise, they didn't want to go.

He attempted to justify himself, making Luz roll her eyes away.

- Nevertheless. Then I tried to set it on fire, but the circle sent a powerful beam. I must admit, it was getting needed results, but then I realized that I couldn't do anything with it, besides destruction. No utility.. Only other thing I could do is that light spell, but still it needed concentration and clear image if that sign. Then guards have come and I needed to throw them away. The beam was too much for that and I tried to use one of familiar for me spells without those stupid circles. And then I passed out from hitting magic overuse. What is wrong with this body? Usually living things gave bought arcane energy for one or two, even without practice, but this is rediculouse.

Veigar complained, yet the situation really sounded like something concerning.

- Is it... That bad? I mean, is it dangerous, loosing all your magic?

Luz asked, more worried for Eda than the dark magician.

- Not necessarily. Even calling yourself demons and witches this folks are nothing but weird humans in one way or the other. They don't rely on additional arcane power to live, while my body does.

He said. That was an interesting revelation for the human.

- You aren't a demon? And not a witch? What are you?

Sge asked. Veigar went silent for a bit.

- Well. I believe we have enough time to explain. I am a yordle.

He said proudly.

- What?

- Yordle, you ignorant being. For you humans we are close to ferries and spirits, yet we are different. We are beings really close to magic.

The dark magician's angrily explained.

-..... That sounds really cool. Although how do you use spells? You don't use circles. What it is then. Is that Arcane you keep talking about?

- Indeed! Finally. Someone interested in a primordial knowledge. It is built on using mana as an inner magical resource to form and shape reality to welder's will. The more changes you want - more mana required.

He proclaimed, a smug expression on Eda's occupied body's face. The human loomed memorised.

- Are you telling you are using classical magic? Like with four elements like fire, water, wind and earth?

She continued asking to the dark magician's delight.

- Ah. I see in you, humans have atleast basic understanding of elements. Although they are a bit different. In actuality, where I am from they are life, fire, water, celestial and the abyss. Yet here I could only sense a bit of celestial, along with separating light. The thing is, the carcass of that Titan jumbles magic even more, twisting and creating territory with separate elemental group. One of which is light.

Veigar explained and went on rambling something she couldn't understand and that was getting tiresome.

- Okay. This is cool an all, but we need to get out. Can you use magic to break the cuffs or chain?

She suggested. He Wiggled a bit, trying to move his hands from behind ti get a better sight.

- Won't do. If I mess up your stupid magic that might lead to this body dying along with my mind. And I believe you can't use my magic ither.

- Nope. But there's that strange feeling like there's something not material on my face. It is really weird.

- Most likely it is my shadow enhancing magic. I suppose you have still my magical pull.... Hmmm....

He said, stopping their dialogue with his widely grinning face.

- Oh boy.... One more plan of yours?

- Precisely. Do you wish to learn....proper magic?

.

.

.

Lilith came to the police precinct 128 as soon as she heard, that Eda was captured there and brought unconscious. Arrival of such high figure made a bit if yhe fuss, but also made ones in charge of the place sigh in relief, as there was no question where to get those two criminals. She was worried as the curse might have acted too much, but when it was told that she was phisicaly alright and was up again, she went, along with an expert with seal of an emperor's coven. It was a perfect chance.

Edalyn was unusual angry and she was put along with the infamous dark mage. She expected that guy to be taller or more intimidating. Yet, the shorty was somewhat cute, sitting chained up and mumbling something. Reports said he was unconscious from the very beginning. Could her sister doe something good for a society? She needed to be sure.

On the way to interrogation room, the leader of emperor's coven made sure that Owlbert was isolated from her sister. All measures must be taken.

- Hello, Edalyn.

She said coldly and stoic, looking in to owl lady's eyes. They looked strangely yellow and cat like for some reason, but it could be a trick to mess with her around once more to escape. She wouldn't follow it. Yet, Eda kept herself quite as well, slightly unnerving.

- Charming display to your own sister. Why are you here?

Lilith continued, but got nothing but an annoyed glare, before taking out a list if owl lady's recorded crimes, starting to read through them outloud.

.

Veigar was unnerved. He was trying to jeep gis cool. Not to speak. His eyes were already enough of a lead, but that woman was too absorbed in her rambling that she didn't notice them. That Brute she brought along with Branding glove were getting the most amounts of hatred from glares of his yellow eyes. Especially that preposterous sigil. There was something wrong about it. He could see it in a glow. It was clearly a mark.

Nevertheless. He needed to make as much time for a human in his body. First attunement would require some time for one who never did it.

Yet hearing local list of crimes were amusing. Yet the only understandable things he could get as a legitimate crime was owning a stand without permit. He might be a dark mage, but laws of ownership were still important to him.

- This are serious crimes. But I see you have already started a way of redemption. You got the dark mage. All we need to do is to five you a brand of emperor's coven and you will be on your way to redemption!

Finally that woman finished, more positively than she has begun. That was rather unnerving, as one of the coven guards put in the glove with a brand and started to approach her. "This woman is Eda's sister. How peculiar." He thought and placed at his original body. Even if he couldn't feel magical movements in this one, the sound of its distinct crackling was unmistakable. Event have startled people here, as their attention got to Luz. That rate of catching flow of magic was rather impressive.

- Hm. Let me give a small speech then, since you provide to me such "generous gift". I was considering couple options. But I believe one word would be enough, - The dark magician replied, startling Lilith even more, leaning closer to say with the most malevolence he could give, - Kaboom.

As the human in his body flashed with raw magic, creating an explosion, big and powerful enough to blast several walls, brake cages and loosen cuffs for him and giving all those who didn't brace for impact a bit of a concussion. It shook the ground and and sent many folk in panic, but it worth it. He was free once more.

.

That was .... Something. Luz was laying on the floor uncuffed, slightly charred, a bit in pain across the body, that was fastly fading away. This guy was resilient beyond all. Yet, she still looked angrily at the wizard, who was going to the hole she made.

- You tricked me! You said this was a spell! You wanted me dead or what??

The human protested, getting up, clearly in not of the best of moods.

- Pfff. Don't be ridiculous. I could withstand even more, but we are free now and we need to run.

They argued, but luz would deaper, hearing a familiar hooting.

- Owlbert!

She called and staff would fly in her hands, angering the dark magician.

- Don't waste time! We need to find Eda. I'm sick of this body and want to return to mine.

Veigar shouted, making Luz increase pace on tiny legs legs.

- I do my best. You are too short!

- I'M NOT SHORT YOU ALL ARE JUST TOO TALL!

They argued, making their way through the streets. Guards and Lilith would gather themselves after a bit and ran after them.

Duaring that case the human held Owlbert closer to her, worried beyond all.

- Oooh. This is bad. Where could Eda be?

Luz panicked, trying to keep up with the mage.

- That's a bad way of thinking. We swapped bodies, therefore placed in the world. Think the other way around. Where that demon-child and you would be at such a time?

Veigar said, running accidentally hitting the wall of a building, a pet caffe to be exact. There, on the other side of the window Eda in king's body wearing some ridiculous bee suit and a "volunteer" t-shirts on king and in the human's body in a relatively similar predicament.

- In trouble.

Both exclaimed, more tired than angry.

.

Finally. A salvation. The witch and a demon had rather rather curious days themselves, getting stuck in that mind scaring place.

- Get us out of here!

They asked, while Veigar made a circle and blasted the shop window, getting a death glare from two elderly owners. Getting the two and now four, all dashed as fast as they could from another chance.

- Can this day get any worse?!

King panicked, and almost instantly they were met by the chase from the coven guards and Lilith.

- As you was saying?

Eda said, glaring at the demon in a human body. Besides that a group of teens that were after King arrived as well.

- Alright. Have we learned a valuable lessons about eachother's hardship?

The Owl lady asked quickly, getting yes, from the human and a demon, while Veigar gave much more questionable "Eh".

- Close enough. Body swap!

She continued and after a spin of a staff she took from Luz, everyone were back in their bodies.

- Finally! Ah! I missed a smell of magic!

Exclaimed the dark magician, jumping up victoriously!

- Sister! Time and again I try to help you, but once again you return to your worthless life and seem to sink even deeper. I'm tired of this. Your days of running are over! And you, dark mage, will be put to justice!

The leader of the emperor's coven proclaimed, striking a pose, as all sides started to rapidly approaching. There a shorty-mage glowed with cracking purple magic, that he sent to the ground. Luz have already told eda about this. One of the Veigar's signature spells, as he called it.

- Event horizon!

He shouted and four black curled like claws pillars with yellow runes carved in them rose from the street. Between them appeared a field of some sort, forming a box, that made all those who hit it, freeze in space.

- Do... Something.... Can't.... Hold .... Forever!

The dark magician shouted, clearly struggling, as he was falling to his knees, magic still going from him to keep it up. That really was rather facinating display, but Eda needed to act.

- Eda, hurry!

King screamed, snapping the owl from that, as walls of that "event horizon" were getting weaker, cracks forming on runic pillars.

- Body swap!

She shouted and spun Owlbert around the ground, sending a beam of that spell to everyone in the vicinity. A chaos have started. People were running and trying to make sense of things, while some were acting in some sort of delirium.

- Eda! You rotten excuse for a sister! Change me back!

Lilith shouted in a body of multiple headed dog, while Veigar fell face-first, summoned pillars crumbling to dust. The dark magician was out and Eda lifted him up and shoot. He dangled like a sack of potatoes, limp and unconscious.

- Will they be alright?... All of them?

Luz asked, concerned by everything

- Eeeeeh? Let's get out of here.

She said and all for were on a staff, flying away with an accompaniment of chaos in a town.

Like this, they headed to the owl house. Finally, all of them could breath out as the hard day was coming to an end.

- That was.... A hogepoge of the worst possible things at a time.

Luz shivered, rubbing her shoulders, remembering an experience in the magic feeling body.

- You won't say. Although, a question who lost in a bet still remains.

King commented. Veigar was behind, held by the witch so he wouldn't fall.

- Actually...

The human said and shook the dark magician gently, making him wake up.

- Ugh. Why are we flying?

He said groggily. Looks like it needed more time than that for him to fully recover. Better for her idea.

- Hey, Veigar. Do you believe you have the greatest of fates?

She said, with a bit of glee and obviously playing admiration. That still invigorated the mage, as he got up to stand and balance on a staff, head up proudly.

- Of course! Do you finally see my magnificence?

The sorcerer boasted, posing a bit.

- Sure . That means you must have the beat life of them all. Yes?

She continued and the guy replied.

- Undoubtedly.

- Than it is settled. You have the easiest life among us all.

- Yes!... Wait what?

He said, finishing their back and forth, understanding what he have said a bit too late.

- That's great. We are honoured to have such infamous mage help our house custodian.

Eda cought with Luz's plan and gave the girl a fist bump, while King giggled a bit. Veigar, on the other hand was devastated. He was tricked. Yet soon he composed himself back to his seemingly cool demeanor.

- Touche, human. Touche. One for one.

Only thing sorcerer could reply with.

Once they arrived, all saw Otus, cleaning especially grimy Hooty, his head feathers were covered in whatever the demon got himself in to, along with the owl-cloak, clearly distressed and tired fighting the house an entire day.

- Hey! Otus. We got you help. Veigar will get to cleaning.

Eda said, dropping the dark magician off her staff. The owlboy helped the yordle to get up, looking at him with expression "brace yourself", before heading to clean himself. The shorty would angrily go and get cleaning utensils.

- Alright. Earlier I start, less that thing will be bothering me.... I hope

Commented he and jumped headfirst to the task, with help of a slight amount of magic, the work would be done, yet clearly not without a struggle, especially with how their impression of each other was built with the dark magician trying to enter the house multiple times.

The sigh made the other three inhabitants of the owl house, relax a bit. The guy was rather amusing. Still, they needed a bit of rest after today.

.

.

.

After what felt like eternity, Lilith finally was put back in her body. It was a hard day. Another failure at working thibgs out with her sister. That dark mage. They surely was up to something.

She was heading to her living quarters. There, ber waited an unpleasant surprise. A creature, she presumed it to be a demon. It was floating there, leaving a blue smoke around them. This thing was exuding an unnerving presence. Yet, she already knew who they were. That was infamous Vulgrim, owner of so called "snake paths". Her scouts reported about him this morning. Yet all could get only that his name and impossibility of his wares. Any other detail that they tried to get, was seemingly taken away, as soon as scout stepped out from the shop.

- Ah. Greetings, Lilith Clawthorne, leader if emperor's coven. I offer you an accord.

The demon said in a slightly raspy voice, with a slight chuckle, bowing.

- What do you want?

She said, ready to fight if needed. But the demon straightened and sat on the armchair, that have appeared behind him.

- I know of your problem and I wish to offer you some help....not for free of course.

Vulgrim said, fingers tapping against eachother, while a lipless face was clearly grinning.

- How much do you know and how are you doing all that? Are you associated with the dark wizard?

She asked, not relaxing at all. Demon gave one more chuckle, before replying.

- Unfortunately, not. Yet we have one similarity. We have access to powers your world haven't discovered, one way or the other. I can help you with your situation. Not as far as you might believe. Curses aren't my specialty.

Vulgrim clearified. The head of the emperor's coven visibly shaken, but she could gather herself to keep a formal appearance.

- You seem to know a lot. What can you provide then?

She demanded.

- Information, items and, what most likely you will need, power. Your sister is more talented than you and she is able to gather around herself much more competent people than show-offs in your coven. Yet, like I said, I can provide a power to overcome such a setback.

He complied. That demon knew a lot. Somewhat too much even. Yet, at this point she really would use a help.

- An what is the price?

Lilith asked, making the demon chuckle once more, this time longer and more satisfied.

- A favour in the future. But, I cannot bestow that help right now. Let's day, there is a small delay in shipment, due to some... Unforseen interests. Yet, there's something you can help me with it, so the required shipment would arrive faster. For helping with like that, I will give you a rather....generous reward. An answer on one your question for free.

Vulgrim explained, standing up, hunched to reach her face and look right in the yes if a witch.

- So. What will you decide?

He added, leaning more.

After some minutes of consideration she would shake her head.

- No. I will not agree to both options... I have no idea who you are, what you are and why are you doing this all.

The coven leader said, doing her beat to use all her will power bot to follow such a shady offer.

That made him laugh.

- Marvelous! Such a relief to see a client able to fully comprehend the situation. About your concerns. I am just a merchant with rather..... Unusual benefactors.

He replied, pleased with conversation. On the other hand, she wasn't pleased even the slightest.

- Who are those benefactors?

She asked and that made demon rather puzzled, spending several minute forming a proper reply.

- Hm. How should I put it..... My employers are.... Unusual... Beings. They are extremely busy ever since they tried grafting. That is all I can share. Have it changed your mind?

Vulgrim said, the same grin back at full force.

- No. Not even the slightest.

She gave a definitive answer. That slightly saddened the being.

- Very well then. Oh. Before I go, here is a things. I would like to ask you. Don't speak about this encounter to anyone. Otherwise consequences will irreversible for both of us.

He finished, before disappearing in a puff of a blue smoke, taking an armchair with him, not giving a chance for the leader of emperor's coven to reply. Yet, he would leave a small note with a circle surrounded with different other writings. On the back side was written "in case if you have changed your mind, draw the sign...." and after that there were listed required ingredients:

"Strand of hair of betrayer,

Drop of liquefied despair,

Mix it all in cauldron grey

Draw with ashes from despair. Pour it all in to the circle,

Say the words that are most crucial."

This made no sense to her, yet, she put the peace of paper in a pocked.

Life keeps getting more interesting.

Yeap. I made a new thing. Hope it will get attention to my other works as well.

150 kudos on "From beyond comes adventure"

It was a long journey of 8 months of work. I appreciate every single one of you, whoever of those 150 sees this. My gratitude is eternal.

Maybe I can't provide anything more than those stupid fics, but I am determined to continue making them.

30 followers on AO3 "From beyond comes adventure."

One more milestone. A really big number. Thank you all who are these 30 and not only. I appreciate this a lot.

Chapter 43

Now we are truly back!

So. We are here. Over 100k words huh.

Well, I will be getting to making a new one then.

New chapter

Maybe a bit fast but I was making it on a rush of motivation. Now I need a bit of rest and maybe change of subject to something new. It isn't abandoned, for those little number of people who are interested. Just a minor pause to get myself together and think things through, while also creating basis for other ideas that are brewing in my mind.