In a grotto by the sea, we see a young sailor land, who gets up again, drawing his sword in front of a huge pirate with a scruffy beard.

-Stupid boy!- shouted the pirate waving his sword -I'm going to split you in two!

-Don't trust yourself so much, Dirty Beard, I am The Great Marine Red Rogers, champion of justice... Now eat this, fool!- he shouted as he rushed towards Dirty Beard and stabbed his sword into his chest.

-No! The only thing that can kill me, Metal!- Dirtybeard yelled as he fell dead.

Changing the scene we see how the above was part of the narration of a pioneer sitting on the stairs of the newly built town hall, a quiet and typical summer morning in the year 1655.

-And that's the end- he finished narrating as he closed his book in front of a group of children who applauded him enthusiastically.

-Read it again, read it again- the children asked in unison.

-Well, maybe just one more time- the young man said as he reopened the book.

-Caleb- another pioneer said, similar to him, but with a more severe look, drawing his attention.

-Uh-oh, it seems I'm in trouble- Caleb said, trying to joke around to cheer up the kids who had been scared, making them laugh -we'll finish reading for today, now go home- he said as he got up from the stairs, putting his coat back on and picking up his book.

The children obeyed and, between laughs and happy shouts, dispersed to return to their homes, while Caleb began to walk next to his brother towards the forest on the outskirts of town.

As they walked, the citizens of the humble town of Gravesfield viewed them with great respect and homage, recognizing them as the Wittbane brothers, witch hunters and local heroes.

-Come on Phillip, you can't be upset about a little reading," Caleb said trying to break the tension.

-You missed your shift on duty- Phillip answered annoyed.

-Actually I changed it to Edwing, he owed me a favor because the other day I...

-That's not the point- Phillip interrupted him sternly -I had to cover you with the witch-hunting general, lately you've been neglecting your obligations, and why? Because of a book you bought from a traveler?

-It's a good book- Caleb answered with a smile, but he recover the seriousness when he see his brother's face -and it's not that bad, it's not different from the book about witches that we usually read to children at school.

-It's very different," claimed Phillip, "we try to warn children of the danger of witches and magic, but your story about that Regenio...

-Red Rogers...- Caleb corrected.

-... Sure... that book, it's starting to cause problems- Phillip concluded.

-Problems? For a book?- Caleb questioned.

-Some parents have started talking about how their children neglect their homework because of fantasies of ships, treasures and distant lands, doesn't that sound familiar to you?- Phillip said with his gaze fixed on his brother's book.

-Maybe that's not so bad- Caleb replied, looking at the same book -to think that it's possible to reach different places, found new towns, new families, without letting fear stop you, is that so bad?

Phillip remained silent at his brother's words, for a second he was about to snatch that book from his hands, yell at him and hit him for questioning the rules of their community, but instead he took a deep breath, looked into his eyes with a look full of serenity, and with a calm voice he began to speak.

-Of course not, that sounds wonderful, and maybe one day it can come true- Phillip said at his brother's new cheerful look -but not today- Caleb's face went dark again, and Phillip continued talking as he walked placing his hand on Caleb's shoulder -Of course it would be wonderful for them to travel and explore, but right now they are just small and fragile creatures, look at them Caleb- he said as they passed by a group of children working in a garden -you and I know better than anyone how cruel this world can be when you don't have someone to take care of you, and even so, many dangerous things can come from outside... several of them will not make it to adulthood, but as long as they are here, following the instructions of their parents and they following ours, they will be safe and happy... one day they can become heroes like Red Rogers, but right now that is too big a temptation for their little minds, don't you think brother?

-...May...maybe you're right- Caleb replied, reflecting on his brother's words.

-We all like to imagine, but if they can't differentiate between fantasy and reality, how could we protect them? We need them here, brother, I need you here.

Caleb continues to listen to his brother, as he approaches a box full of junk with his book in hand.

-They have the opportunity to be better citizens, but only if we do our part, you understand, right Caleb?

-Yeah, I get it- he said as he put his book in the trash and walked back to Phillip, who congratulated him on his decision.

Just at that moment the church bell was heard, announcing twelve in the afternoon.

-Well, I have to go to my watch duty- said Phillip as he fixed his coat -and you should go home, eat, take a bath, think of an apology for the general, and we'll see each other tonight-

-Or you could skip your turn, and join me to the bar for a couple of drinks- Caleb suggested recovering his good spirits before his brother's inquisitive look -I'm just kidding, of course I'll go home, I need that bathroom, dear Phillip, sometimes I forget that you are my little brother.

Both brothers laughed and said their goodbyes, apparently satisfied with his decisions, but when Phillip was out of sight, Caleb returned, made sure no one saw him, and tried to retrieve his book from the trash.

-Where?, where is it?- he questioned while searching among the waste, until the trilling of a bird caught his attention.

In front of him was a strange red cardinal that was dragging a sack with its beak, Caleb realized that his book was in the sack, and upon being discovered, the cardinal began to escape by jumping into the forest.

-Garbage thief- he declared before starting to chase the cardinal.

Not knowing where he was going, Caleb chased the bird for a long stretch of the woods, into a part he had never seen before, until he finally saw it enter a beautiful little cabin.

He was puzzled by this unusual dwelling, but he continued to chase the cardinal and went through the door that closed behind him as a golden glow enveloped him.

-Stop, adorable jumping creature...-

Suddenly, Caleb stopped in wonder at what he was seeing, for suddenly he was surrounded by shelves full of carved wooden animal figures.

-Wow, I thought I was good at carving, but this, this impresses me, they almost seem alive- he said as he held one of the wooden animals in his hands.

-You finally came back- a female voice was heard from the other room in the place.

Hearing this, Caleb tried to hide while looking for the source of that voice, carefully moved a curtain and saw a pale-skinned girl with pointy ears and orange hair, who was standing behind a sideboard in the middle of what appeared to be a woodworking shop.

-Well, let's see what we have here- the girl said as the cardinal that Caleb was chasing stood on a cane and turned into wood before Caleb's fearful gaze.

Realizing instantly that he was facing a witch, Caleb thought about leaving and returning with reinforcements, but his curiosity was greater and he stayed a few more seconds.

-Trash, trash, trash- said the witch as she searched among the objects in the sack -but this- she said while taking out a broken compass and playing with the needle -this will make me rich... and this?- she exclaimed when she saw the book from Caleb -it could be for a bonfire- I conclude before trying to burn the book with a candle before the frightened look of its owner.

-Sorry, I'm sorry, it's mine, thanks- Caleb exclaimed, storming out of his hiding place, taking his book from the witch, and then returning to the back room.

Quickly, Caleb tried to leave the way he had entered, but the door disappeared before his eyes.

-You're not going anywhere?- said the witch behind his with a key in her hand and an obvious anger.

Finding himself cornered, without, any weapons or defenses against hexes, Caleb jumped over the shelves and escaped through an open window, but once outside he could only run a few steps before stopping in wonder.

In the distance on the horizon you could see a giant skull with horns, and around were creatures of different shapes and sizes, beings that he only recognized from books of myths and ancient legends and others that he would not have imagined even in his most bizarre nightmares. all walking and talking among themselves in a pleasant and casual way and even greeted him with great courtesy while creating circles of light that caused extraordinary phenomena.

-Oh, no, no, no, no, no, what's happening? - he exclaimed to himself, trying to understand, until he saw a small humanoid creature flying next to him -hello little fairy, will you tell me that all this Is it some kind of strange dream? - he asked with a bit of hope, but when the fairy pounced on him claiming his skin, Caleb hit her and returned to the uncertainty - where am I?, am I dead?, am I in the bad side?- he wondered when he felt the touch of a hand on his shoulder.

-You wish- answered the same witch from before, still annoyed.

Before he knew it, Caleb was dragged back into the lumber shop, quickly regaining his composure and standing up to show he wasn't scared.

-I don't know who you are or where you brought me, but if you're going to eat me, I warn you that it won't be without a fight- Caleb exclaimed as he grabbed a coat rack and got into a fighting position.

-Eat you?- the witch questioned while she hung her cape and placed herself behind the sideboard -why would she eat a potential client?- she finished with a smile.

Not understanding what was happening, Caleb let his guard down for a moment and listened to what the witch had to say.

-Welcome to "Clawthorne's Furniture and Curiosities" where wood comes back to life, I'm Evelyn and today we have discounts on chairs and coat racks, ideal for resting after a long day of work, but since you human, surely you are looking for another Kind of curiosities- she said enigmatically before creating a circle of light and making a box fly towards her -are you interested in some leather shoulder pads? (shoes without the sole), bubble sour candy? (broken soaps), or how about this piece of flat stone that only reflects sadness? (a piece of broken mirror).

-... you don't know what these things are for, right?- Caleb questioned, surprised to see how the witch who had scared him now tried to sell him garbage in such an enthusiastic way.

-It's just garbage! - exclaimed from the entrance a huge monster with one eye and a blue fang that protruded from its mouth, Evelyn welcomed him with a subdued tone and he continued with his claim -a few days ago I bought him a metal club and I destroy it at the first blow- he said as he placed the remains of a telescope in the showcase.

-There are no returns, customers are responsible for the merchandise once it leaves the store- Evelyn answered annoyed.

Dissatisfied with her mutual words, they both glared at each other for a long moment, looking like they were ready to fight, when Caleb interrupted.

As quickly as possible, he took the pieces of the telescope and using the leather of the shoes, the malleability of the soaps, the glass of the broken mirror, rope and other objects from the box, Caleb managed to put the telescope together clumsily, I quickly explained its use and operation to Blue Fang and he left the place still annoyed, but without causing problems, and having avoided the fight, Caleb breathed a sigh of relief for a moment, until the witch extended her hand in front of his face.

-It would be 100 snails please- she said with an evil smile.

Caleb chuckled a little at that comment, but after a short silence he realized the witch wasn't kidding and was charging him for the items she used to repair the telescope.

Caleb claimed that he had done it to avoid a fight, but the witch just laughed, arguing that Blue Fang was just a talker who could easily be beaten at any time, and insisted that he pay her for the items he took without permission, something Which Caleb couldn't do, because whether he was human or witches, he didn't have a single coin with him.

Hearing this, the witch began to laugh, something that Calep imitated out of nerves, but as the witch's laughter increased, he became more and more nervous, and when he stopped laughing, fear returned to him.

With a severe tone, the witch began to complain to him for having entered her store without permission, breaking a shelf while trying to escape and then having taken and given away her items only to be paid nothing in the end, and fearful and not knowing what to expect, Caleb said the first thing that came to mind and promised that he would do whatever it took to repay him, a proposal that interested and calmed Evelyn, who after thinking about it for a moment decided to accept his offer.

Immediately, Evelyn summoned her cane, emptied the cash box into her bag and they both left the store, she closed the door with a strange owl-shaped padlock, and without giving Caleb time to speak, she climbed on her cane and picked it up from the ground to start the flight.

Even afraid, Caleb dared to open his eyes to be amazed at the landscape that now lay at his feet, a land of red plants and purple skies, with giant bones that seemed to rise from the ground.

-What is this place?- He said, breaking the silence of the sky with evident fear and emotion.

-These are The Boiling Isles- Evelyn responded dramatically -every human legend is the product of a bit of our world that crosses into theirs, griffins, vampires, giraffes...

-What is a giraffe?

Caleb's question was left unanswered as he began his descent to the ground, towards the top of a cliff by the sea and in front of a strange stone tower adorned with a stained glass window in the shape of an eye.

Evelyn walked towards the tower door, where she opened another owl-shaped lock and with a gesture invited Caleb to come in, he didn't know whether to enter or not, but considering that it would be safer to be inside than to stay outside, he steeled himself. and entered the witch's tower.

Welcome to The Claw Thorne Tower- Evelyn exclaimed as she snapped her fingers.

Instantly several candles were lit, illuminating the room, the fireplace was also lit, the broom began to sweep by itself and the books scattered all over the floor began to be arranged on the shelves, all while the figure of a giant bird shone decorating the room. ceiling, but what caught Caleb's attention the most was a table covered by a sheet, surrounded by pieces of wood and carpentry tools, the only thing in the room that didn't seem to be moved by magic.

-Impressive, isn't it?- Evelyn said as she admired her own home with pride -it's a good place to work and rest, strong, wide, safe, distant, isolated... lonely...- she said this last with a sad tone .

-Do you live here by yourself?- Caleb questioned.

-Well, you know how it is, when you grow up the nest is too small for you and you have to risk jumping and flying alone, you can't stay in the same place all your life, right?- he said, recovering his good spirits.

-Yeah... right- Caleb replied as he listened carefully to his own words.

-Well, let's get back to business- Evelyn shouted, pulling Caleb out of his trance -I have something very important to do today and you're going to help me- she said as she moved non-stop throughout the tower, collecting jars, bottles, books, capes and tools.

-And what would I have to do?- Caleb finally questioned, continuing to follow her with his eyes.

-We'll stop a stagecoach- Evelyn responded excitedly.

-What?!, no!, forget it!- Caleb shouted annoyed -I said that I would do anything, but I won't help you steal from someone else- he said trying to hold on to the principles of his whole life that he sought to form.

-Is it "stealing" when you try to recover something that is yours in the first place?- Evelyn regained Caleb's attention -let me explain it to you- she said as she made a circle with her fingers, showing what looked like medieval paintings that moved before your eyes.

"A couple of years ago, disreputable merchants came together to form something they called "The Night Market", under the protection of the night they meet to do their fraudulent business, buying and selling strange, dangerous and/or stolen items, and the most sinister of them is a pig demon named Grimm Hammer... an old friend- Caleb was impressed by the image of what appeared to be a boar with human dimensions -the only thing greater than his greed is his love for comfort, so he occasionally calls to buy custom furniture, but let's say my last chair didn't include the 9 extra pies for his lunch- Caleb saw a picture of Grimm Hammer sitting and eating before his chair broke down -angry, Grimm raided my shop and took some of my furniture as retribution, given our history and that those geezers were on sale, I decided to ignore it, until I discovered that he had taken something else- the Image changed to show a strange hexagonal box hidden inside a drawer, ending Evelyn's presentation".

-Tonight the Night Market will hold an auction of stolen goods, the box included- he continued explaining -by itself it's worth nothing, but its contents are invaluable, that's why I know that Grimm hasn't opened it, or he wouldn't have it surrounded by so many delinquents, less to sell it for few snails.

-So your plan is to break into the market?- Caleb questioned, understanding Evelyn's intentions, but questioning her reasoning.

-What? Are you crazy? That would be suicide- Evelyn answered between laughs and anger -the best chance would be to recover the box before it reaches the market, while it's being transported- she said as she removed the sheet from her table, showing wooden figurines carved with great detail -Grimm will leave his castle and transport his merchandise through the Drycrust ravine- he spoke while moving his figures on the model to show his plan -as soon as they reach the bottom I will stop them with one of my spectacular performances, and while they're distracted, you'll sneak out to extract my box- he showed Caleb's part with an amorphous piece of wood -as soon as you have it we'll run away, and that's all.

Caleb didn't know much about robbery schemes, but this sounded like a good one to him, yet he couldn't help but worry.

-It looks like you already have it all figured out," Caleb said as he watched Evelyn puff out her chest with pride -but then why do you need me?

-There is one last part that I had not been able to solve- Evelyn explained -the carts will be closed with a magical padlock that absorbs the magic of those in front of it, making it stronger while weakening the thieves, the only way to open it without being damaged is using the key... or if the thief has no magic to lose- she said insinuatingly before Caleb's puzzled look, who had finally understood his role in that plan -as soon as the mission is complete, I will erase your debt and I'll send you back to your kingdom, so what do you say?... besides, who can deny this sweet little face?- she said with puppy dog eyes -well, it's not like you have any other way to come back anyway .

-So I guess I don't have a choice, right?- Caleb said with a resigned tone.

-No, and there's no time to lose- Evelyn replied as she took his hand to quickly leave the tower and fly towards the Drycrust ravine.

After a short journey, they finally reached their destination.

-Admire the Drycrust ravine- Evelyn exclaimed proudly -had you ever seen something so magnificent in your life.

-I've definitely never seen anything like it- Caleb replied, not knowing how to react to the set of shattered rocks that made up what he thought was a hole in the ground.

-It was once the entrance to a mine filled with riches- Evelyn continued her introduction, ignoring Caleb's discomfort -but blinded by their greed and desire for power the ancient warlocks drained his veins until nothing was left and he finally collapsed on his own weight- now it is only a route used by criminals, those rocks react in strange and unpredictable ways with magic, it is recommended not to use it while inside, and in close combat swords have the advantage.

-I understand, as in "the battle of the grotto", when Red Rogers takes advantage of Dirty Beard's cannons for fear of a landslide and challenges him to a sword duel to...- Caleb stops his narration when he sees the Evelyn's confused face -it's just a scene from the book you took, I doubt this is so easy- he said embarrassed.

-That Red guy seems smart, and if you're half as skilled this will be very easy- Evelyn replied trying to revive him.

They both smiled at each other, and seemed to have the intention to continue talking, when suddenly the sound of carts caught their attention, from where they were they managed to see a large caravan pulled by what seemed to be a combination of spiders and unicorns led by beings and creatures scary looking.

-It's time- Evelyn began to explain the plan -you will sneak behind and check the carts while I take care of distracting them.

-Wait, which of all? There are like 10 wagons- Caleb questioned.

-I don't know- Evelyn answered, then justified herself before Caleb's annoyed look -well, it's not as if Hammer had put a sign "Evelyn's things, do not steal", take this- he gave her a bottle marked "explosive yeast -awesome for bread, bad for metal, put just a pinch in the padlocks and let the yeast do the rest, find the drawer, get the box out and run, as soon as you're far away throw the jar on the floor and that It will be my signal to go.

-Shouldn't I at least know what's in that box?- Caleb questioned.

-It's better if you don't, you'll be safer without any information they can get from you- Evelyn replied with a tone somewhere between joking and serious.

At the end of the explanation, they both looked at each other with determination and began the plan.

Not knowing what awaited them, the group of criminals continued on their way, until they were stopped by an unusual scene, an elderly miner who stumbled in front of them, throwing all his things everywhere; He didn't seem like a threat, so some of them got out of their wagons to move him out of the way, but the miner, clearly scared, begged for his life, telling them they could take anything they wanted, but begged them to let him go with only one. bag that looked heavy.

Guided by his instincts and ill will, they immediately snatched the bag from him and opened it to see that it contained a huge stone; Stunned by this, everyone demanded explanations from the old man, who instantly and with a trembling voice confessed that this was the best stone for soup in the world, which only confused those present more.

Impatient for the delay, from one of the wagons under a huge swine-like being, he was Grimm Hammer, who angrily demanded an explanation from his men, and they immediately told him about the miner and his stone for soup.

Incredulous by what he was hearing, Grimm Hammer ordered his men to kill him and continue on his way, but the miner again begged for his life, asking them for an opportunity to prove that he was telling the truth, to which Grimm agreed thinking that no matter what it was true or false I would eat a delicious mining meal one way or another.

Immediately the miner gathered some dry herbs from the road and lit a fire, then, while complaining about the pain in his back, he asked for help to recover his metal pot that had been left behind, something they did on Grimm's orders.

None had realized that the miner was Evelyn in disguise, who was distracting them to allow her partner to check the wagons, and while she asked them to borrow water to start the soup, Caleb placed a pinch of explosive yeast on the first lock, he was surprised to see a small explosion that opened it immediately and then he went in looking for his partner's furniture.

As Caleb scrambled around trying to find the box, Evelyn continued to ask for salt, meat, and vegetables to help make the stone soup taste better than eating it without seasoning, everyone was so busy looking in surprise how a stone was used. to make soup, that no one noticed that the human, slipped behind his back.

Finally, Caleb found the cart where Evelyn's furniture was, he quickly opened the drawer and found the hexagonal box with a golden logo in the shape of a bird, for a moment he thought about opening it and seeing its contents, but managed to contain himself enough to put it away in his coat and got out of the cart, but when he got down he found himself face to face with a group of three witches and demons who pointed their swords and axes at him while using violent gestures to ask him to move forward.

Finding himself at a disadvantage, Caleb complied without resistance and was led to the front of the caravan, where he saw how Evelyn had been discovered, stripped of her disguise and her hands tied in front of Grimm Hammer who seemed very pleased with the situation.

-Well, it looks like you're at my mercy now, Evelyn The Bird Without Nest- Grimm began between growls -I knew that if I took your precious carved furniture you'd come running to get it back, but to bring a new pet if it was a surprise, and he is a human nothing less, perfect for opening locks, I wonder what it tastes like- he said while holding and looking at Caleb's head.

-Enough Hammer- Evelyn exclaimed angrily -what do you want from me? According to your dirty trade rules, I could try to get my things back.

-What I want is for you... to go out with me- Grimm said as he knelt down with a box of sweets in his hands.

Both Caleb and Evelyn looked at him with faces of complete surprise and confusion, at the same time as Grimm's minions cheered on his boss.

-You are an unusual woman, strong, intrepid, you are not afraid to get your hands dirty, and that seems very attractive to me- Grimm continued saying with a bad attempt at a seductive voice.

-The way you say it gives me chills- Caleb interrupted with a tight face.

-You do not meddle!- Grimm yelled annoyed, grabbing Caleb by the neck and holding him up in the air -well, what do you answer Bird Without Nest?, the most talented Craftswoman and the most feared Merchant of the Boiling Isles, we could be an a millionaire couple- Evelyn didn't seem to like the idea -well, it's not like you can say no in this situation either.

Evelyn watched as Calep struggled to get free of Grimm Hammer's hand, then looked at her armed men and aware of the situation she made a difficult decision.

-Okay Tibbles, you win, I just wanted to tell you something first, come closer- faced with Evelyn's apparent defeat, Grimm put his ear closer to listen -come on, come a little closer... just... if that's okay... AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!- Evelyn screamed with all her might, causing Grimm to let go of Calep to cover his aching ear.

-Aaahhh!, you crazy witch!, you know my ears are sensitive!- He said angrily while he caressed his ear and Evelyn laughed.

-Forget it, you stole my things and then you cornered me in a trap, I won't have a date with you" he said arrogantly.

-If you don't accept, I will have no other option but to destroy...- Grimm's words were left incomplete when he received a blow to the head that made him faint.

While everyone was distracted by the scene, Caleb had freed himself, recovered Evelyn's cane, and knocked out Grimm Hammer before the astonished gaze of all present who remained motionless for a few seconds.

-We have to go, quickly- Calep exclaimed as he took Evelyn who still had her hands tied, both mounted the cane, and Caleb tried to fly even without having any idea how to do it -abracadabra!, opensesame!, shazam!- he shouted all the magic words he knew.

-Fly, Flapjack!- Evelyn yelled as she saw how Grimm rose from the ground, causing his staff to lift them up at full speed.

-Bird Without Nest, you won't run away again- Grim declared before using his massive brute strength to chase Caleb and Evelyn across the rocks of the ravine.

Grimm was not fast but Calep's inexperience made them maneuver in an eradicating way, finally Evelyn managed to break free and turned to cast spells against her pursuer.

-You said you shouldn't use magic in this place- Calep exclaimed as a question.

-It's a suggestion, not a rule- Evelyn declared trying to keep her balance -you fly and I shoot.

And so, as Calep struggled to stay airborne between unstable chunks of rock, Evelyn used her magic against the huge pig demon that was chasing them, some spells hit their mark, but most of them were sucked into the rocks, causing that these shone in nine different colors and caused nine different effects that served as an advantage and an obstacle for them.

Some rocks glowed red and out of nowhere a mysterious music began to be heard that seemed to change to the rhythm of what was happening, unless what was happening was caused by the rhythm of the music, when they glowed violet or green they emerged from the ground giant plants or a strange mucus that tried to trap them, when the colors were brown or yellow the rocks grew or were dissolved by strange liquid substances, they had to be careful with the orange and light blue colors, because when they appeared they were attacked by wild animals or by mirages of these and it was difficult to differentiate them, they were surprised with the blue color that seemed to cure them of their injuries, but the one that confused them the most was the purple color that showed them strange images of events that never occurred in places they had never seen before, a great show for all who saw it from afar.

Finally, the purple light showed them an image of themselves being knocked down by Grimm with a fireball, but realizing how similar that scenario was to the current one, they managed to dodge the attack and Evelyn counterattacked, knocking Grimm down and finally escaping.

As the mysterious music ended, Caleb and Evelyn were excited and celebrated for a moment, until they were caught by ropes that Grimm's minions threw at them, because during the great chase none of them had realized that they had circled and returned to the same place.

Falling to the ground, Evelyn quickly got up again creating magic circles with her hands, but being at ground level she knew that bad things could happen if her magic was absorbed by the rocks, that's what she was thinking when suddenly noises of fighting began to be heard from the rear, it was Caleb, who with a trident pushed his way through Grimm's minions to reach her.

Evelyn was surprised that the human knew how to fight, but he snapped her out of her thoughts to return her magic staff, and surrounded by both land and air, they both prepared to fight.

Grimm's minions charged at them with axes and swords, but as if it were a dance Caleb and Evelyn managed to dodge and counterattack the different attacks, some got desperate and tried to cast spells, but Evelyn used her magic to block and use the magic against while trying to keep from touching the rocks, but it was evident that they weren't trying to win and just wanted to advance among their minions to reach a specific place.

They were surrounded again when suddenly Grimm Hammer reappeared, annoyed and with his clothes semi-burned.

-Silly human, who do you think you are? I'll crush you with a single blow- Grimm told Caleb with his voice cracking with fatigue.

-Don't trust yourself so much, Grimm Hammer, I am The Great Caleb Wittebane, champion of justice... Now eat this, fool!- he shout while throwing a jar at Grimm's face, but he just dodges it.

-Haha, you missed- Grimm scoffed, but his uneasiness returned as he saw the confident look in Caleb's eyes.

The jar that Caleb had thrown was the explosive yeast, which ended up falling into the boiling pot of stone soup, it began to bubble violently, drawing the attention of everyone present, who, anticipating the disaster, began to run.

A huge explosion of soup filled Drycrust Ravine, a distraction Evelyn and Caleb used to escape, and as they flew away, Grimm's voice broke the silence that had followed the chaos.

-I'll take revenge Evelyn, I swear I'll take revenge, in this life or the next- he yelled full of anger.

-So... your first name is Tibbles?- asked one of his henchmen to break the tension, instantly regretting it when he saw his boss's look full of anger.

After another short journey, they both returned to the tower exhausted and covered in soup, Evelyn being so wedded that she just placed her cane against the wall and lay face down in her chair.

-Well, that was a disaster, I'll have to think of a new plan- her voice was barely heard between the cushions.

-You could do that, or you could just take the box from my hands- Caleb said as he took the box out of his coat.

Hearing that, Evelyn looked sideways, and seeing her box recovered all her strength, taking it from Caleb's hands while she hugged him and thanked him with great joy.

She paused for a moment as she asked if he had seen what was inside her, but Caleb assured her that she hadn't, but after that adventure they had shared, Evelyn decided it was only fair to show him why they had risked his life...

"You see, human, centuries ago, my people settled on the remains of a fallen titan, a gigantic creature with such great power that it never became extinct, each part of its body had the power to control or alter the forces of nature. , what is recognized as magic, and of this, there are five elements that help to this end, Earth, Bone, Bile and Breath are the most abundant and in their pure form they help sorcerers and demons to improve and strengthen their own powers, but the rarest and most powerful of all is Blood, a magical element with the power to open holes in reality and cross into other realms- Evelyn opens the box and from inside takes out a glass vial with a lid in the shape of owl, which seemed to contain a bluish-black liquid -The Demon Realm, mine and The Human Realm, yours, are next to each other, so it is easy to cross between them- Caleb listened with much attention and surprise this explanation without looking away was the glass tube that Evelyn was holding".

-Is that titan's blood?" He finally asked to remove the last doubts from her.

-Yes, the little I managed to get- Evelyn answered, continuing with her narration.

"Once there were entire lakes in the depths of the mines, but with greed came scarcity, and now you are lucky if you find a few drops, when they fall In the water, temporary portals are formed through which all kinds of strange objects and clueless creatures cross, my ancestors were smarter, and they built stone arches to cross safely between our worlds, a jar like this was used to open a portal for four minutes or so, but I- she paused dramatically -I've gone much further".

At that moment, Evelyn took out a key with one eye from her dress, squeezed the eye and as if summoned, a wooden box appeared floating, and immediately afterwards, the box increased its size before Caleb's gaze, showing that it was the door which he had come to that world.

-Impressive, isn't it?" Evelyn was saying with obvious pride, "a great combination of magic and mechanics, and not to brag, but I hand-carved all of its decorations myself, it takes a long time," she continued while Caleb looked at the door more than once. close in an attempt to understand how it worked -but it's still not complete, at least not until I add its power source- Caleb stopped and looked back at Evelyn -this amount of blood used to keep a stone portal open for a few minutes , but with this - she said while he poured half of the blood inside the key -this portal will be able to function for years without interruption.

At the end of his speech, he walked towards the door with the key in his hand, inserted it into the lock, and at the moment of turning it, a great brightness filled the tower, the door opened showing a strange world full of cubes, but the image was I clear up to show an immense green forest.

-Is it the same forest?- Caleb asked, marveling at what he saw.

-The geography of our worlds is very different between them, I didn't want to end up on the top of a precipice or at the bottom of the sea, so I built a cabin in your world to serve as an anchor... anyway, a deal is a deal, your debt is settled, so you're free to go.

Hearing this, Caleb was about to leave, when he was stopped by Evelyn, who immediately dumped a bucket of water on him and then dried him up using her magic.

-Now if you can go, you smelled very bad, so consider it my parting gift, goodbye human" she said goodbye while she gave Caleb back his book of The Adventures of the Great Marine Red Rogers.

Caleb remained for a moment in front of the door thinking about the adventure he had lived, comparing it with what he lived in his own world, and without knowing what to do, he looked at the cover of his book which showed Red Roger in front of a treasure chest, and then, as if fate were speaking to him, he looked back at Evelyn who was organizing a dusty trunk of clothes, and letting the words flow from a place in his young soul that he had never dared to explore, he broke the silence.

-My name is Caleb- he said calling Evelyn's attention -look, I don't know how things are around here, but where I come from, you don't leave until you pay your debts, and I don't know about you, but an old box and a A bottle of blood sounds like too little to pay for everything I use from your store, don't you think? - he said nervously and with an obvious blush on his cheeks.

-Well, if that's what you think- Evelyn began to answer with the same blush on her face -I think you still owe me a couple of snails- she returns to her tone of confidence and arrogance -if you really want to pay me, you can come tomorrow and help me with a couple of jobs.

-Done deal- Caleb said with a smile as he held out his hand in confidence.

Evelyn gave Caleb an hour and told him that to return he only had to knock on the door of the cabin 7 times, Caleb accepted and finally walked through the door to return to his world, as Evelyn closed, Caleb tried to enter again, but as expected, without the magic of the portal that was just a lonely cabin in the middle of the forest.

On the way back to his town and home, Caleb could only think about everything he had seen and done, he seemed to be in a trance as he ignored everyone he met on his way, and upon entering At home he could only think about magic, creatures, witches and Evelyn at the same time he compared them with every story and tale they had been told since childhood, and for the first time in his life, Caleb questioned the truth of all that, and of the justice that he was once proud of professing, that's what he was thinking about when suddenly his brother Phillip entered the house, scaring him and taking him out of his thoughts.

Phillip was tired, at the same time that he tried to tell his brother how tired his patrol had been, and even tried to explain to him that sightings of paranormal events in the area had increased, which made him suspect the presence of a new witch, but Phillip cut off his explanation when he realized how distracted his brother was, but this only argument that he felt tired and excused himself so he could retire to sleep, but Phillip stopped him in a threatening manner, stood in front of him and watched closely making Caleb nervous, but his nerves vanished when Phillip told Caleb was glad he had taken the bath he had recommended in the morning, adding that it smelled even better.

Relieved, Caleb thanked Phillip for his advice and said goodbye to go to sleep, because the next day, he along with other hunters would perform the morning watch and this time if he planned to attend, Phillip was glad to hear that and left his brother to go to rest without asking him any other questions.

Calep felt bad about keeping secrets from his little brother, but he knew him perfectly well and knew how he would react if he told him that there was a witch living in a cabin in the woods, whether Evelyn was a threat or not, he still didn't know. but he was willing to find out, but for that he needed time.

And while Caleb went up the stairs, Phillip looked at him curiously, there was something different about his brother, he couldn't guess what it was, but without giving more importance to the subject, he walked to his kitchen and built a little fire to heat the soup from the morning, that was when something else caught his attention.

At the entrance of the house, hanging on the coat rack was his brother's coat as always, but this time something stood out, Phillip approached, and very carefully took something from the back of the coat, a long orange hair.

The End of the Beginning, The Beginning of the End.

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I don't know how the true beginning and end of The Owl House will be, but this is my version based on what I would like to see, let's see how wrong I was.

I wrote this for fun, and I don't plan to give it any sequel, but if anyone wants to include my story in their own fanfic, just don't forget to give me credit, thanks.