After a while of traveling, the four arrived at a small plateau under dark stormy clouds with lightning flashing across the sky in jagged bursts. Before them, in the distance, stood a tall, fortress-like tower rising from a hostile landscape filled with jagged, fang-like rock formations that curved inward as if enclosing it. The structure itself was tiered and heavily fortified, with minimal openings and a single circular window resembling a watchful eye near its center. At the very top, a domed structure glowed faintly with a golden light, hinting at something important hidden within. The tower sat on an elevated base connected only by a narrow path, making any approach feel exposed and controlled.
Within the walls, the fortress complex was visible from below, with worn stone walkways and arched structures leading upward toward a massive, ominous tower looming in the background.
"The Conformatorium," Eda said. "A place for those considered unsuitable for society."
Luz leaned slightly to the side and noticed a familiar poster nailed to the rock wall nearby. She reached over and pointed at it, recognizing Eda's face immediately.
"Whoa," Luz said. "These guys really have the hots for you."
"Yep," Eda smirked faintly. "But we've never been caught. We're too slippery."
King, who had been perched on Luz's head, puffed himself up proudly. "Try to catch me when I'm covered in grease. I'm a squirmy little fella."
He immediately lost his balance and slipped off her head, landing on the ground with a small thud.
Eda ignored him and shifted her attention toward the tower again, her tone becoming more focused. "I'm going to make sure the warden's distracted so they don't catch us."
She then turned her head toward Sora. "Sora."
Sora looked up at her. "Huh?"
"You remember what I said earlier about finding your friend?" Eda asked.
Sora nodded as Eda gestured toward the fortress.
"The Conformatorium holds people who don't fit into society," Eda explained. "And you said your friend is human, right?"
"Yeah," Sora confirmed.
"Then she'll most likely be here," Eda said. "Humans don't exist in this world. She'd stick out immediately."
Sora's expression shifted as the logic clicked into place. "Oh. Now I get what you meant. This is the best place to start my search."
"Mm-hm." Eda nodded.
"Alright, listen up," King said as he stepped forward, snapping his focus back to the mission. "You two and I are sneaking up to the top of the tower, where they're holding my crown."
Sora and Luz both nodded in agreement. But then, Luz suddenly gasped as an idea hit her. "Will I need a disguise?"
Eda hesitated, but Luz didn't wait for an answer.
"I've been waiting to use this," She said, pulling her hood up over her head and flicking up a pair of cat ears attached to it, striking a confident pose. "Meow, meow."
There was a brief pause as the others stared at her.
"It's hideous," King said flatly.
"Oh, you'll fit right in," Eda added while pointing a finger at Luz.
Sora chuckled, clearly amused.
Eda tapped the base of her staff against the ground, and a glowing circular platform formed beneath Luz, Sora, and King. The light shimmered softly beneath their feet, lifting them off the ground.
"Hang on tight," Eda said.
"Whoa!" Luz exclaimed as the platform began rising toward the tower.
The glowing disc floated smoothly upward until it reached a narrow window near the side of the structure. Without warning, the platform vanished, leaving the three of them suspended midair for a split second. Luz yelped as she grabbed onto the edge of the windowsill, King clinging tightly to her as he scrambled for balance. Sora reacted instantly, launching into motion and using Flowmotion to propel himself toward the wall, his feet making contact as he stuck to the surface with controlled precision.
Behind them, Eda tossed her staff into the air and casually hopped onto it as it lifted her upward.
"Meet you guys at the top of the tower," Eda called out.
Sora pushed himself off the wall and slipped through the window with ease, landing inside before turning back toward Luz. King climbed up first, scrambling over Luz's shoulder and into the opening while she struggled to pull herself up. Sora stepped forward and extended his hand toward her with a small, reassuring smile.
"Need a hand?" Sora asked.
Luz smiled despite herself and let out a light laugh as she reached up and grabbed his hand. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," Sora replied.
Sora pulled Luz inside, and the three of them stood together in a dim interior space. Rows upon rows of prison cells stretched out before them, each one holding shadowy figures of different shapes and sizes. Glowing eyes stared out from the darkness behind the bars, watching their every movement in silence. The atmosphere inside the tower felt heavy and suffocating, filled with a quiet tension that pressed in from every direction.
Sora scanned the rows carefully, his focus sharpening as he looked from one cell to another. With so many prisoners held here, the possibility that Kairi might be somewhere among them felt suddenly real. He clenched his fists slightly, determination settling in as he continued searching.
Then, from somewhere within the cells, a voice spoke.
"Hey, you three."
Sora, Luz, and King turned toward the sound, their eyes adjusting to the darkness until they spotted the speaker leaning against the bars of a nearby cell.
The prisoner was a humanoid witch with pointed ears, dark skin, and black hair tied into a high ponytail, with a few loose tufts framing her face. Her hazel eyes were sharp and slightly upturned, each lined with distinct lashes, and faint fangs peeked out when she spoke. She wore an off-the-shoulder indigo dress that covered her upper arms and part of her forearms, along with calf-length boots that clicked faintly when she shifted her weight. Even locked behind bars, she carried herself with an ease that suggested she didn't think she belonged there.
"Yeah, you," the witch said, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Cat lady, little furry guy, and spiky hair. How'd you get out of your cells?"
"Oh, no, no, no," Luz sputtered, immediately shaking her hand and pulling her hood down. "I'm not a cat. Also, we're not criminals."
"Not yet, you're not," King added.
"Neither are we," the witch said as she leaned against the bars. "The warden just likes locking people up who don't fit in."
She reached down and pulled out a small book, holding it up proudly.
"I write fanfics about food falling in love," she explained. "I like food, I like love… just let me write about it."
From another nearby cell, a strange voice chimed in.
"I'm here because I like eating my own eyes."
Sora glanced over and immediately froze for a second as he took in the sight of the speaker. The creature was a grayish-blue demon with multiple empty eye sockets scattered across its face, some filled and others hollow, each containing sea-green irises that shifted unevenly. It had a small tuft of orange hair and wore ragged capris, standing barefoot with an ankle restraint clamped around one leg. The demon leaned forward slightly as if preparing to demonstrate his claim.
"I'm sorry," Sora raised a hand quickly, his expression tightening. "But can you please not do that?"
Before anything else could happen, another voice echoed from a different cell.
"We awe agents of fwee expwession!" the voice declared. "They will nevew silence us!"
Sora and Luz both turned toward the source and found a small, round, white demon whose entire body initially resembled a floating head. Large blue eyes stared out from a yellowish sclera, and long red hair draped down from the top of her head. Her limbs extended directly from the sides, giving her an oddly animated appearance.
"She's really into conspiracy theories," the fanfic writer added casually.
"The wowwd is a simuwation!" the floating demon shouted. "We awe but pwaythings fow a highew being!"
Luz began pacing in front of the cells, her expression shifting from confusion to frustration as she looked from one prisoner to the next.
"Wait," Luz said. "These aren't crimes. None of you actually did anything wrong."
[Play The Owl House - A Lying Witch and a Warden - Score Excerpts (5:50)]
She reached into her pocket and pulled out Eda's wanted poster, holding it up as she looked at it.
"You're all just a bunch of weirdos," Luz continued, her voice softening slightly. "Like me."
Sora watched her for a moment, thinking over what she said. The more he listened to the prisoners, the more the situation felt wrong to him. None of these people seemed dangerous; they were just different.
Before he could say anything, a heavy thud echoed through the hallway. The prisoners stiffened instantly.
"It's Warden Wrath!" the fanfic writer whispered urgently. "Hide!"
Without hesitation, Luz grabbed King while Sora moved alongside them, and the three quickly slipped into an empty cell nearby. They pulled the barred door down just as the sound of approaching footsteps grew louder, each step heavy enough to shake the ground beneath them.
The footsteps stopped as a door creaked open somewhere down the hall. A massive shadow stretched across the floor before the figure itself stepped into view.
"I can hear you," the Warden said.
Luz shrank back slightly, letting out a quiet whimper as she pressed closer to the corner. Sora shifted beside her, lowering his voice as he tried to steady her breathing while keeping his eyes fixed on the approaching figure.
As the Warden stepped further into the light, his full appearance became clear. He wore a dark hood and a beaked mask with yellow, button-like lenses, resembling something out of an old plague doctor's uniform. Beneath the mask, a glimpse of a massive mouth filled with sharp teeth could be seen, though his eyes remained hidden in shadow. His uniform was stark and formal, marked with brass buttons, a leather belt, and a triangular badge that made his authority unmistakable.
"Just what are you fools whispering about?" Warden Wrath demanded.
His gaze dropped to the floor, where Eda's wanted poster had slipped from Luz's hand.
"Ah," he said. "The Owl Lady."
He bent down, picked up the poster, and crumpled it in his fist. Without warning, he slammed his other hand into the cell door with enough force to rattle the bars violently.
"I'll get my hands on her soon enough," he said coldly.
He leaned slightly closer, peering into the cell where Sora, Luz, and King were huddled.
From the cell of the conspiracy theorist, she began shouting defiantly. "Fight against the oppwessow! We wiww wait! We wiww conquew! We wiww nevew be afwaid of you, you owd cweep!"
Warden Wrath turned slowly toward her cell and walked over. The door creaked open as he unlocked it.
The prisoner stared at the opening in disbelief.
"Hooway!" she shouted. "I'm fwee!"
The moment she moved forward, Warden Wrath's hand shot out and grabbed her completely, his grip wrapping around her entire body. She squeaked in alarm as he lifted her into the air and turned to face the others.
"Let this be a lesson," he said, his voice heavy with authority. "You have no place in society if you cannot fit in."
He tightened his grip slightly, making the prisoner squeak again.
Without another word, he turned and stomped away, crushing the crumpled wanted poster beneath his foot as he exited. A heavy door slammed shut somewhere down the hall, the echo lingering long after he was gone.
The silence returned.
Sora pushed the cell door open first, stepping out cautiously before Luz and King followed. Without hesitation, they ran toward the fanfic writer's cell, and Luz rushed to the lever and grabbed it with both hands, determination written all over her face.
"Don't worry," Luz said quickly. "I can get you out."
She planted her feet and pulled upward with everything she had, but the mechanism barely moved, refusing to budge under her effort. Her arms trembled slightly as she strained against it, only for the resistance to hold firm.
"No!" Luz groaned. "My weak nerd arms!"
The fanfic writer sighed softly, her expression settling into reluctant acceptance. "Just get out of here while you still can, kid. Enjoy freedom for us."
She turned and began walking deeper into her cell, but Sora stepped forward and raised his hand.
[End The Owl House - A Lying Witch and a Warden - Score Excerpts (7:00)]
"Wait," Sora said.
Both Luz and the prisoner turned toward him.
"Let me give it a shot," he added.
Luz blinked in surprise. "You can open the cages?"
The prisoner leaned forward slightly, equally curious. Sora nodded once before glancing at Luz.
"Luz, you and King go on ahead," Sora said. "I'll take care of things here and catch up with you."
Luz hesitated. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah," Sora replied with a small, reassuring smile.
Luz looked at him for a moment, still unsure, but then remembered why he had come here in the first place. She gave a small nod and stepped back.
"Come on, King," Luz said. "Let's find your crown."
King nodded and followed her as the two of them disappeared down the corridor. Sora turned back toward the prisoners and stepped closer to the bars.
"Alright, guys," Sora said. "Ready to get out of here?"
A wave of excited agreement echoed from the cells.
"Hang on a second," Sora added.
He extended his right arm outward, and in a flash of light, his Keyblade materialized in his hand.
The Kingdom Keyblade is seen as a classic skeleton key approximately 3.5' long with a long silver Keychain and a token on the end of the Keychain that resembles the head of King Mickey. The blade and teeth of the Keyblade are silver, the rain guard is blue, and the guard is bright gold. The teeth of the Keyblade form the outline of a crown, which matches the crown charm Sora wears.
Without hesitation, he aimed the Keyblade toward the row of lever mechanisms.
Thin beams of light shot out in quick succession, striking each lock precisely. The mechanisms clicked and shifted internally, and one by one, the cell doors unlocked and slid open with a metallic groan.
The prisoners stepped out cautiously at first, then with growing excitement as they realized they were free. Voices of gratitude filled the corridor as they passed Sora, some nodding, others offering quick thanks before hurrying away.
The fanfic writer moved to leave as well, but Sora raised a hand again.
"Wait," Sora said.
She paused and turned back. "What's up?"
"Quick question before you go," Sora said.
"Shoot."
Sora's expression grew more serious. "Have you seen a girl here? Red hair, blue eyes, wearing a pink and black dress with ruffles on one side and plaid on the other, with thick belted boots?"
The woman's expression softened slightly. "Sorry. I haven't seen anyone like that." She glanced back toward the rows of cells stretching upward. "But with this many cells, and more on the upper floors, she could still be around."
"Okay," Sora nodded. "Thanks anyway."
"Good luck," she said as she placed a hand on his shoulder briefly before turning and leaving with the others.
Sora remained where he stood for a moment, looking up at the endless rows of cells. The thought that Kairi might be somewhere in this place weighed heavily on him, uncertainty mixing with determination. He clenched his right hand into a fist and exhaled slowly before turning his gaze toward the direction Warden Wrath had gone.
I've got one more prisoner to save... Sora thought.
Elsewhere in the tower, Eda flew down a narrow corridor and landed beside Luz and King.
"Hey, I just checked." Eda started as she hopped off her staff with ease and rested it on the floor. "The warden's distracted, tormenting some tiny creature. He won't be coming around here anytime soon."
She looked around quickly and frowned.
"Hey," Eda added, "where's spiky hair?"
"He stayed behind," Luz said. "He's helping the false prisoners escape and looking for his friend."
Eda blinked. "False prisoners?"
"They're not criminals," Luz said firmly. "They just want to be themselves. Why does everyone think being a weirdo is so bad?"
Eda didn't answer right away, her expression shifting slightly as she thought about the question.
Before she could respond, King suddenly pointed ahead.
"My crown!" King shouted. "It's close! I can feel it!"
The three of them reached a massive door labeled "CONTRABAND".
King rushed forward and grabbed the oversized doorknob, struggling as he tried to turn it.
"Aww," Eda said with delighted amusement. "He gets so cute when he's thirsty for power."
[Play The Owl House - A Lying Witch and a Warden - Score Excerpts (7:01)]
King grunted as he twisted harder until the knob suddenly came loose in his hands. It dropped to the floor with a loud clink, and without hesitation, he pushed the door open and ran inside, laughing triumphantly.
"Come on," Eda said. "Before he hurts himself."
A loud zap echoed from inside, causing King to yelp.
Luz and Eda walked into the room and found King rubbing his head. The chamber is a vast, cathedral-like chamber with a gothic, ceremonial design, featuring tall arched walls, torn banners depicting repeating insignias, and a heavy-beamed ceiling. The space is bathed in muted green tones, giving it an eerie, ancient atmosphere. At its center stands a massive, blinding column of white energy stretching from floor to ceiling, contained within a circular base that suggests a ritual or controlled power source. Small figures near the base emphasize the immense scale of the room, making the structure feel like a sacred or dangerous site built to house something immensely powerful.
King shook off the pain and charged at it again, only to bounce backward the moment he made contact.
"We have a human, remember?" Eda said.
King paused. "Oh, right."
[End The Owl House - A Lying Witch and a Warden - Score Excerpts (7:18)]
Luz stepped forward and took a steady breath. She placed her hand against the glowing barrier and slowly pushed through it, her body passing through without resistance. Inside, the space was filled with piles of strange objects stacked haphazardly—books, skulls, trinkets, and even a dead fish sitting in a tank among the clutter.
At the very top of the largest pile, a glowing crown rested.
Luz began climbing carefully, reaching upward as she made her way toward it. Halfway up, something caught her eye—a unique-looking star-shaped object partially buried among the objects.
Upon closer look, the star seems to be made of thalassa shells that are pale yellow toward the center and pale pink toward the tips. Grey, X-shaped stitches hold the shells together. The token in the center is a brown crown somewhat similar to the one on Sora's necklace. A simple, brown drawing of a smiling face on the topmost shell of the charm, and a chain is attached to the tip of this shell.
Not knowing why Luz was intrigued by it, she picked it up and slipped it into her pocket before continuing her ascent. As she reached near the top, her expression shifted.
"Wait a second," Luz said quietly. "Is that a…"
[Play Kingdom Hearts Ⅲ OST - Organization XIII ~Legacy~]
Elsewhere, in a small stone chamber deeper within the tower, the air felt heavier and colder than the rest of the prison. The walls were bare and damp, the only light coming from a dim torch flickering near the doorway. The conspiracy theorist prisoner hung from chains fixed to the wall, her wrists bound tightly above her head. A fresh bruise darkened one of her eyes where the warden had just struck her, and she whimpered softly as tears welled in her eyes. Standing before her, Warden Wrath loomed like a shadow, his masked face tilted slightly downward as his presence filled the room with suffocating authority.
"I told you to be silent or else, didn't I?" Warden Wrath said, his voice low and threatening.
The prisoner sniffled loudly, her small body trembling as she tried to hold back sobs.
[End Kingdom Hearts Ⅲ OST - Organization XIII ~Legacy~]
Just outside the doorway, hidden in the shadows, Sora watched everything unfold without making a sound. The sight of the warden striking her made his expression harden instantly, anger flashing in his eyes as his grip tightened at his side. For a brief moment, he considered rushing in and confronting the warden head-on, but he forced himself to stay still. He couldn't afford to lose control, not when he still needed to find Kairi. Taking a steady breath, he scanned the hallway and quickly reached into his pocket, pulling out a handful of crystal shards.
Sora stepped back slightly and hurled the crystals down the corridor with all his strength. They shattered loudly against the stone floor, the sharp echo ringing through the hallway. Warden Wrath's head snapped toward the sound. Without another word, the warden turned and stormed out of the room to investigate.
As soon as the footsteps moved away, Sora moved. He leapt upward and used Flowmotion to latch onto the ceiling, pressing himself flat against it as the warden passed beneath him. Once the hallway cleared, Sora dropped silently to the floor and rushed into the chamber.
The prisoner looked up in surprise, her eyes widening as she recognized him.
"It's you," she whispered, barely able to contain her relief.
"Yeah," Sora replied quietly. "Don't worry. I'm getting you out of here. The others already made it out."
"Hooway," she whispered, her voice trembling with excitement.
Sora reached into his pocket again and pulled out a small blue bottle marked with a glowing green star.
"What's that?" she asked softly.
"A potion," Sora explained. "This'll take care of that black eye."
He opened the bottle and carefully helped her drink it. The effect was immediate as the bruising faded from her face, her eye returning to normal within seconds. She blinked in amazement, clearly stunned by how quickly the injury disappeared.
Sora didn't waste time. He summoned his Keyblade in a flash of light and aimed it at the locks binding her wrists. A quick pulse of energy shot from the tip, unlocking each mechanism with precise accuracy. The chains fell away, and she dropped lightly to the floor, finally free.
"Thanks so much," she said in a hushed voice. "I owe you big time."
"No need," Sora replied. "The warden's gone. You should get out of here."
"Thanks again," she said.
She turned to run, but paused after a few steps and looked back.
"Hey," she added. "What's your name?"
Sora gave a small grin. "Sora."
"Good to meet you, Sowa," she replied. "Call me Tiny Nose. See ya, and thanks again."
They exchanged a quick wave before she dashed out of the room, disappearing into the corridor as fast as she could.
Sora stood there for a moment, letting the quiet settle again before turning back toward the main cell block. His expression shifted back to focus as he moved, his thoughts returning to the reason he had come here.
Kairi, I hope you're here… and that you're safe. Sora thought.
With that, he ran back toward the cells, ready to continue his search.
In the contraband chamber, Luz stood beside Eda and King, holding a flimsy Burger Queen paper crown in her hands, a growing look of frustration on her face. The room was cluttered with piles of discarded objects, but the glowing pillar at the center still cast an eerie light over everything. King suddenly perked up, his eyes locking onto the crown the moment he saw it.
"My crown!" King shouted.
He jumped up, snatched it from Luz's hands, and quickly placed it on his head with dramatic flair. "Yes, yes! I can feel my powers returning!"
He spun and pointed toward a worn stuffed rabbit with one loose button eye, sitting among the clutter. "You there, nightmare critter! I shall call you Francois, and you shall serve as a minion in my army of darkness!"
He scooped up the toy and laughed triumphantly.
[Play The Owl House - A Lying Witch and a Warden - Score Excerpts (7:19)]
Luz watched him for a moment, then leaned slightly toward Eda. "That crown doesn't give him any powers, does it?"
"Uh, no," Eda admitted.
Luz turned and gave her a frown while folding her arms.
Eda sighed and softened slightly, glancing at King as he continued celebrating. "Look at us, Luz. King and I don't have much in this world. We only have each other. So if that dumb crown is important to him, it's important to me."
"And besides, us weirdos have to stick together, you know?" She gave a soft smile and a wink.
Luz's expression eased, and a small smile spread across her face as she blushed slightly.
"Well," Eda began, moving toward the door. "We owe you one. Now let's go find spiky hair and warden finds us and loses his head."
"Too late."
Before anyone could react, Warden Wrath stepped forward, his arm shifting and morphing into a sharp, blade-like form. With a single swift motion, he swung it across Eda's neck.
Her head separated cleanly as Luz caught it instinctively, screaming in shock. Eda's head hung in Luz's hands with her tongue sticking out, completely still.
"Ow," Eda yelled. "I hate it when that happens."
Luz screamed louder, but then regained composure. "Eda! Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Eda replied. "This just happens when you get older."
Luz stared at her in disbelief. "Does it?"
"Finally," Warden Wrath began as he stepped forward, his hand shifting back to normal. "I have you cornered, Eda the Owl Lady."
The warden reached down and grabbed the paper crown from King. As soon as he felt it off his skull, the warden walked closer while King desperately tried to jump up to get it back. "My guards could never get you, but I knew if I took your pet's toy, you'd come running."
The warden crushes the cardboard crown in his hands.
"No! My power!" King cried, stepping back and kneeling in defeat.
Eda's head narrowed her eyes. "What do you want with me? I've never actually broken any of your stupid laws… in front of you."
"I want you..." Warden Wrath straightened slightly and reached behind him, then held his hands forward, pulling out a bouquet while kneeling. "To go out with me."
"Wha...?" Eda blinked.
"What?" Luz recoiled in disgust.
"Go, boss!" One of the guards yelled out while pumping a fist as the other gave the warden a double thumbs-up.
Warden Wrath gave a confident thumbs-up before turning back to Eda. "You've always eluded our capture. You've always been the one who got away. I found that alluring."
Eda stared at him, completely baffled. King scowled, and Luz's expression hardened with visible disgust.
"I hate everything you're saying right now," Luz said.
"You stay out of this!" Warden Wrath snapped.
He tossed the bouquet aside, and his arm shifted again, splitting into writhing tentacles that shot forward and wrapped around Luz. She yelped as she was lifted off the ground, struggling against the tight grip.
[End The Owl House - A Lying Witch and a Warden - Score Excerpts (8:43)]
"So," Warden Wrath continued, turning back to Eda, "how about it, Owl Lady?" He picked up Eda's head by the hair and held it closer. "The most powerful witch of the Boiling Isles and the feared Warden Wrath," he said. "We'd be the strongest power couple ever."
He leaned in slightly. "I mean, it's—it's not like you can say no right now."
Eda's expression shifted as she looked past him at Luz struggling in the air, then over at King, who had been grabbed by one of the guards and was flailing to get free.
"Alright, warden," Eda said with a quiet sigh. "You win. ...I'd just like to say something first. Come closer?"
Warden Wrath leaned in.
"No. Just come a little bit closer."
Warden Wrath leaned closer.
"Just..."
Warden Wrath leaned even closer.
"Yeah, that's good."
Eda blew a raspberry directly into his mask, making Warden Wrath recoil instantly, dropping Luz as he wiped at his face in disgust. Luz yelped as she hit the ground.
"Impudent wench!" Warden Wrath shouted as Eda laughed. "Do you know how many germs are in your mouth?! Blegh!"
"Get over it!" she snapped. "You had your guards stalking me, and then you cut off my head! I am not going out with you!"
Warden Wrath frowned under his mask. "If you don't accept, then I have no choice but to—"
*WHACK*
[Play The Owl House - A Lying Witch and a Warden - Score Excerpts (8:44)]
The warden suddenly felt something strike him across the head, resulting in him being knocked out and falling flat onto the ground with a heavy crash. Of course, this was caused by Luz swinging Eda's staff as hard as she could.
"Nice," Eda said with a chuckle.
The two guards moved toward Eda's head, but before they could react, Eda's body walked up behind them and yanked their hoods down over their eyes. They stumbled blindly as she pushed past them.
"Okay," Luz said quickly. "We're going now."
She grabbed Eda's head and ran forward. Eda's body moved in sync, freeing King from the guard's grip before Luz grabbed her by the waist. In one fluid motion, they all climbed onto the staff as it extended outward.
The small owl staff unfurled its wings with a sharp hoot.
"Expecto… flying? Magicus… escapicus!" Luz said hurriedly.
Warden Wrath groaned as he pushed himself up from the ground.
"Gun it, magic stick!" Eda shouted.
The staff shot upward, bursting out of the chamber and into open air. Behind them, Warden Wrath staggered to his feet, fury radiating off him. "Owl Lady! I won't let you get away again!"
His arms twisted and transformed into long, writhing tentacles that lashed outward as he launched himself forward in pursuit, chasing after the fleeing staff through the air.
[Pause The Owl House - A Lying Witch and a Warden - Score Excerpts (9:06)]
Elsewhere, far above the lower levels of the tower, Sora moved swiftly through the upper corridors using Flowmotion, his body gliding from wall to wall with controlled bursts of speed. He rebounded off stone surfaces and narrow ledges, checking each cell as he passed, his eyes scanning every shadowed corner with growing urgency. One by one, he found them all empty, the silence inside each cell pressing heavier against him with every step. The higher he climbed, the quieter it became, until only the sound of his own movements echoed through the halls. At last, he pushed off one final wall and landed on the top floor, stopping in front of the final cell.
He stepped forward and looked inside. It was empty.
For a moment, Sora just stood there, staring into the vacant space as the weight of it settled in. The last place he could think to check, and there was nothing there. His hands slowly curled into fists as frustration rose in his chest, sharp and immediate.
I've checked all the cells… and every single one of them is empty, Sora thought.
He slammed his fist against the stone wall, the impact echoing sharply through the empty corridor.
Sora's shoulders dropped slightly as the tension gave way to something quieter, heavier. He leaned forward just a bit, his breathing slowing as his thoughts drifted away from the present and back to memories he couldn't ignore. Images of Kairi surfaced in his mind—her smile, her voice, the moments they had shared—each one hitting harder now that she wasn't here.
Kairi… Sora thought
He leaned forward slightly, resting his hand against the bars as his other hand curled into a loose fist at his side. His eyes glistened, and he blinked quickly, trying to hold himself together, but the emotion pushed through anyway. Tears were inching to slide down his cheek as he looked into the empty cell, his breathing unsteady as he struggled to keep his composure.
The outer doors of the Conformatorium's tower burst open as Eda's staff shot through the opening with Luz clinging tightly and King holding on for dear life. The sudden exit threw them into open air, and for a brief moment, they were suspended before gravity took hold. Luz let out a yell as they dropped sharply, the wind rushing past them as the ground came up fast. Behind them, Warden Wrath leapt through the same opening, flipping forward off the stone ledge with unnatural precision. Both the staff and the warden fell in parallel, closing the distance between them rapidly as the chase continued downward.
[Play The Owl House - A Lying Witch and a Warden - Score Excerpts (9:24)]
Just as they began to level out, Warden Wrath's arm shifted, splitting into a long, whipping tentacle that lashed forward. It struck the back of the staff with enough force to send it jolting sideways, throwing Eda, Luz, and King off balance. All three were launched from the staff and hit the ground hard, rolling across the rocky surface before coming to a stop. Warden Wrath landed smoothly in front of them, his arm reforming into a blade as he stepped forward with controlled menace.
"Ow, my bones!" King groaned.
Eda pushed herself up quickly, grabbing her head and reattaching it with a practiced twist before immediately reaching into her hair. She pulled out the small key and pressed it into Luz's hand.
"Luz," Eda said firmly, "keep this safe with you and get out of here."
She didn't wait for an answer. Eda turned and rushed toward Warden Wrath, putting herself directly between him and Luz.
"What about you guys?" Luz called out.
King scrambled to his feet and ran after Eda. "If you think this guy is bad, you should've seen her last boyfriend!"
"Not my boyfriend!" Eda snapped as she grabbed King mid-run and leapt backward, narrowly avoiding a slicing strike from Wrath's blade arm.
"Go! Go!" she added, pushing Luz back toward the staff.
"But— I—" Luz stammered as she struggled to find her balance.
She slammed her hand against the base of the staff, sending it shooting upward into the air with Luz still on it.
Below, Warden Wrath tore off his mask, revealing a grotesque face dominated by a massive, gaping mouth. It opened wide as he inhaled sharply, then unleashed a blast of fire toward Eda. She reacted instantly, drawing two glowing spell circles in front of her. The first caught the flames midair, containing them, while the second redirected the energy forward, launching the fire back toward the warden.
The blast struck him and slammed him into the side of the fortress with a heavy impact.
Luz whimpered as the staff wobbled beneath her, her grip tightening as she tried not to fall.
Wrath pushed himself off the wall, his arms reforming into blades as he charged forward again, relentless in his pursuit.
At that same moment, higher up along the tower, Sora heard the distant clash and shouting. He turned toward the sound and ran toward a nearby balcony, stepping out just in time to see the chaos unfolding below. His eyes locked onto Eda fighting Warden Wrath, and then shifted upward as he spotted Luz struggling to control the staff in the sky.
Luz saw him too.
[End The Owl House - A Lying Witch and a Warden - Score Excerpts (10:03)]
Without hesitation, she steered the staff toward the balcony and brought it down in a rough landing. The staff scraped against the stone as she jumped off, her breathing unsteady as she looked toward Sora.
"Sora! Did you find your friend?" Luz asked.
Sora's expression fell, and he slowly shook his head.
Luz saw it instantly, the quiet disappointment in his eyes, and her expression softened with sympathy. "I'm sorry, Sora."
Sora didn't respond. His gaze drifted downward as Luz followed his line of sight and saw Eda below, redirecting Warden Wrath's fire back at him while clearly beginning to struggle against his relentless attacks. Luz's concern returned immediately, and she turned back to Sora with urgency.
"Sora! You have to help Eda beat Warden Wrath!" Luz plead.
Sora remained silent.
"Sora?"
Sora hesitated, his voice quieter than before. "I'm sorry, Luz. I…"
Luz stepped closer, her tone desperate but understanding. "Sora, please. I know you're sad that you couldn't find your friend, but we can't let Eda and King get captured or hurt."
Sora lowered his head slightly, caught between hesitation and responsibility, when something in Luz's pocket caught his eye. A small object peeked out just enough for him to recognize it, and his focus snapped toward it instantly.
Sora raised his hand and pointed. "Luz, what's that?"
Luz blinked, then reached into her pocket and pulled the object out, holding it up so he could see it clearly. "Oh, this? I don't know. It looks like a charm. But, Sora—"
Sora's eyes widened. "Luz! Please give it to me!"
"Huh?"
"That charm belongs to my friend!"
"Really?!"
Without hesitation, Luz placed it in his hand. Sora took it carefully, almost reverently, and examined it closely. His grip tightened slightly as recognition settled in, and emotion quickly followed.
"Where?" Sora whispered as he brought the charm to his chest and looked back at Luz.
"I found it in a pile of other stuff when I was looking for King's crown," Luz answered.
Sora looked down at the charm again, his thoughts racing.
"Wait," Luz said, realization dawning on her face. "This has to be some good news. If that's her charm, and it was here, then that means—"
"Kairi was here." Sora finished.
"Kairi?"
Sora blinked, then let out a small breath as he realized he hadn't said her name before. "Oh, I guess I never told you her name."
He wiped at his eyes quickly and forced a steadier expression, though the emotion hadn't fully left his face. "Thank you, Luz. Thank you so much."
Luz smiled, relieved to see even a hint of hope return to him. "You're very welcome."
A sudden scream cut through the moment.
Both of them turned sharply toward the edge of the balcony and looked down. Below, Eda had been thrown hard against the ground, and King landed in her arms a split second later. Warden Wrath loomed over them, his presence overwhelming as he prepared to strike again.
Luz and Sora exchanged a glance, the same thought forming between them without needing to be spoken.
"Ready?"
"You bet!"
Sora stepped onto the staff as Luz steadied it, and together they launched off the balcony. The staff shot downward toward the battlefield below, cutting through the air as they rushed to rejoin the fight.
Eda knelt on the ground, catching her breath, with King clutched tightly against her chest as he whimpered and hid his face. Warden Wrath loomed over them, his presence dominating the space as his blade-like arm glinted under the storm-lit sky. Lightning flashed overhead, casting sharp shadows across the ruined ground as he raised his arm to strike.
[Play The Owl House - A Lying Witch and a Warden - Score Excerpts (10:14)]
"No more running away, Owl Lady. Today, I capture you once and for all!" Warden Wrath declared.
Eda glared up at him, refusing to show fear despite her position, while King pressed closer into her for protection. Just as Warden Wrath brought his arm down to attack, a sudden force slammed into him from the side. Sora and Luz tackled him together, knocking him off balance and sending him stumbling backward. The two of them landed firmly in front of Eda and King, forming a protective barrier between them and the warden.
"Luz? Sora?" Eda said in surprise.
Warden Wrath pushed himself back up, his anger immediately flaring as he turned toward them. "You runts!"
Sora stepped forward slightly, his focus locked on the warden before glancing back over his shoulder at Luz. "Luz, stay back with Eda and King."
[End The Owl House - A Lying Witch and a Warden - Score Excerpts (10:35)]
"Huh?!" the trio exclaimed.
Eda quickly stepped in, her voice firm. "Hold it, Sora! I know you took care of that one guard, but he was nothing compared to this guy. Your Kung Fu won't be enough!"
Sora didn't move. He stood with his back to them, then turned his head just enough to look at Eda. "Trust me, I've got this."
He turned forward again, facing Warden Wrath fully.
"By the way," Sora added, his tone sharpening, "I saw what you did to that conspiracy prisoner. She was chained up, and you punched her and gave her a black eye."
Luz, Eda, and King all froze in shock.
"You did what?!" Luz shouted.
"Even more reason not to go out with this freak!" Eda added.
Warden Wrath scoffed. "So what? That runt had it coming for her weirdness."
Sora's expression darkened slightly. "Weirdness?"
Luz stepped forward, frustration boiling over. "Weirdness, weirdness, weirdness! I've had it with people badgering about weirdness! Why is being a weirdo so bad?!"
Warden Wrath straightened, his voice cold and certain. "I should think it's obvious. It simply just is."
"Just is?!" Luz shouted.
[Play Kingdom Hearts Ⅲ OST - Organization XIII ~Legacy~]
"Here in the Boiling Isles," Warden Wrath continued, "we have a system in place for all witches to serve in. Every witch is born to follow a path of normalcy: behave properly, study at an academy, pursue a specialty, join a coven, and live that life to maintain the status quo. That is our purpose."
He pointed toward the distant tower. "Those who refuse that order must be dealt with. That's what the Conformatorium is for. It doesn't just imprison criminals—it removes the oddities within a being… by any means necessary."
His hand shifted as he pointed directly at Eda. "And the Owl Lady is a prime example of breaking our laws and taboos. Theft, misdemeanors, illegal activity—and a complete wack job who throws her detached limbs at people while drinking apple blood. Seriously, who does that?!"
[End Kingdom Hearts Ⅲ OST - Organization XIII ~Legacy~]
Luz, Eda, and King all stared at him blankly.
"And yet… you wanted to go out with said 'wack job,'" Luz said flatly.
Sora blinked. "Wait, what?"
"Oh yeah," Luz added, "this guy tried to hit on Eda while she was captured."
Sora slowly turned his head toward Warden Wrath, his expression flattening completely. "You went on and on about what should be normal, and yet you, a cop, tried to ask out a criminal."
Warden Wrath said nothing, his silence giving away the realization of his own contradiction.
Sora let out a quiet breath. "…Okay." His tone then shifted, firm and final. "So not only do you treat your prisoners inhumanely, you're a hypocrite… and a total sleazebag."
[Play Kingdom Hearts Ⅲ OST - Sinister Shadows]
He extended his right arm outward, and in a flash of light, his Keyblade appeared in his hand. The weapon gleamed under the stormlight as he lowered into a fighting stance, a small smirk forming on his face. "That settles it. I'm going to beat the daylights out of you."
Behind him, Luz, Eda, and King stared in stunned silence.
"He has a magic sword?" King said.
"He has a magic sword," Eda echoed.
Luz's eyes sparkled as she immediately pulled out her phone. "HE HAS A MAGIC SWORD!" She began recording instantly.
Across from them, Warden Wrath flexed his hand as it shifted back into a blade, his posture lowering as he prepared to fight.
"What?" he said. "Do you think a giant key will save you from me?!"
Sora didn't hesitate. "I know it will."
"Then show me," Warden Wrath said, tightening his stance.
Warden Wrath rolled his shoulders, the joints cracking audibly as his body shifted into a more aggressive posture. The blade that formed from his arm extended slightly, its edge catching the light as he leaned forward just enough to signal intent. His stance was heavy and grounded, built on power and intimidation, while Sora's remained lighter, balanced, and ready to move at a moment's notice.
[End Kingdom Hearts Ⅲ OST - Sinister Shadows]