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"Raine is still in there, they're aware of what's going on and just can't get out" Hunter told the group. "I don't want to hurt them but I'm not sure what else we can do – but I can tell you it is not a pleasant experience"
"We need to wake them up somehow, like how you woke up" Luz started pacing trying to think of a plan.
"But if they were a puppet, would it be harder? Because they were already possessed first? I'm not sure how this all works and if we'll be able to save them, mija." Camila put her hand on Luz's shoulder to comfort her daughter.
"We have to, Mamá!" She suddenly turned to Eda with wide eyes "We really have to..."
Eda felt the group’s eyes on her and sighed, not knowing what to do herself. Raine was usually the one to bail Eda out of situations when they were younger and usually when Eda bailed Raine out, they had to then work together to fix whatever Eda did. She groaned inwardly. This was going to be a very tough task and she had to think of something quick. If only life was as easy as those cheesy books Luz was so fond of… Eda’s head shot up as she got an idea. It was a long shot and more than a little reckless but it was the only thing she had.
"It's okay kiddo, I think I have an idea…" Eda said cautiously.
"You do?! What is it?" Luz looked like she was going to burst.
Eda walked over to Luz "You know I promised to always let you in on my ideas from now on but I really don't know if it'll work and I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up with it. I also don’t want anyone to try and talk me out of this one." Eda glanced over towards Lilith.
"Is it some sort of glyph that you've been working on?!"
Eda snorted, "Well it is a sort of magic I suppose," She smiled as she gave Luz a quick hug, ruffling her hair for good measure. "Lily, I need you to cover me."
"Edalyn I'm not sure this is a good idea!”
"Lilith! Please. Cover me," she gave her sister a quick pleading look.
"Okay... please be safe…”
Eda laughed out loud at that "yeah sure."
"I'm serious, Edalyn!"
"Me too..."
The sisters walked out of the building the group took refuge in and spotted Raine – or rather Belos – immediately.
They turned to face the pair "Ah Clawthornes... why is it always your family?"
"I don't know what you mean by that but I'm warning you: let Raine go now! I may not have my magic like I used to but I can still beat you... well one handed!"
Belos chuckled, sending a shiver down both sister's spines at the melodic Raine chuckle "Oh you're so confident aren't you?"
"I am actually.” Eda’s voice shook, giving her away, “I don’t think you realize just how important Raine is to me.”
“I think I have some idea… after all, I am in their head. No matter what you do, though, you will not win this Edalyn.” Belos growled out.
Seeing Raine like this was unnerving to say the least. It made Eda shudder thinking about how Raine was just under the surface. There was no turning back now and Eda knew what needed to be done. She wished she briefed Lilith a little bit more on the plan but knew her sister wouldn’t disappoint.
“LILY NOW!" Eda shouted, rushing towards Raine fist raised high.
Lilith panicked but quickly threw glyphs landing all around causing explosions and fog and, in the confusion, wrapped the possessed Raine in vines. Belos struggled under the vines and braced for the punch he was sure was coming. Eda ran through the dust and fog before quickly catching Raine's face in her hand and leaned in to meet their lips squeezing her eyes closed.
Titan I hope this works she prayed until she felt Raine return the kiss. Her eyes popped open as she pulled away.
"That was quite a risk, Calamity" Raine chuckled. Eda burst into tears laughing lightly as she hugged Raine.
"Oh my gosh, true love's kiss" Luz murmured from behind the three of them. The rest of the group had all come running when they heard the explosions.
"Not to break up this sweet moment, but I don't think we're finished!" Lilith cried out, pulling more glyphs out.
Eda pulled her eyes away from Raine and quickly spotted the rapidly decaying Belos.
"I cannot" cough "BELIEVE you would have the AUDACITY witch !" the form cried out, rearing back. It looked like something out of King’s demonology books met a horror movie from the human realm. Eda turned to face him fully, pulling glyphs from her bag.
Raine ripped the vines off of themself and drew a spell circle, summoning their violin into their hands. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
"You think you can stop me this time? You witches have been so easy to trick all these years. I will be back on top! There is nothing you can do that will prevent that. I have been doing this for over a hundred years."
The young witches all turned their staffs at Belos and Hunter quickly looked around and raised his fists but started to glow golden.
"Kids we’ve got this," Eda said, looking over at them, "I don't think he can survive much longer like this anyways..." As she spoke, Belos's form started to deteriorate more and more.
"Even with this form failing me, it will not stop me!"
Lilith and Eda threw glyphs nearly at the same time as Raine shot a spell at him. The glyphs burst on impact, causing ice and fire to explode against the sludge that was Belos as Raine’s spell sliced through the air, clearly ripping the form in two. The mass wriggled and squirmed as it desperately clung to life. With another quick note plucked out, Belos was splattered along the road.
"Not but that will," Eda snorted.
It was very apparent that Belos would not be getting back up, and, for good measure, Hunter threw a rock at it as Willow put a wall of vines around it, ensuring no one would go near it. The kids rushed forward and embraced the trio.
"I still can't believe True Love's Kiss worked!!" Luz shouted enthusiastically, practically jumping on Eda.
"Heh, yeah I can hardly believe it myself," Eda blushed, realizing their reunion had a larger audience than she anticipated.
"I'm just glad it did," Raine smiled as they turned to Eda and finally leaned in to kiss her properly.