The next fragment began with a cauldron.
The red-haired witch held up a torch.
The black-haired witch spread a parchment covered in curling symbols, and Astrid checked a blue readout.
Before them rose a golden figure so large that the trees seemed to shrink around him.
He had the shape of a warrior made from inflated armor, every muscle catching the firelight.
“By the oath of pop and pulse,” the black-haired witch began.
“Inflate, protect, and slay,” the figure answered, closing a hand big enough to hide Astrid’s helmet.
The girls fashioned horned armor for him, and Astrid’s display registered ARMOR INTEGRITY 109%.
She liked that number.
It was reassuring to know somebody on the team exceeded the recommended amount of protection.
“Your name shall be…” The black-haired witch lifted her wand.
The armored giant straightened, awaiting something suitably grand.
“Edgar,” said Astrid.
There was a long silence within the helmet.
“Nice,” Edgar finally said.
Their first group photograph was taken outside a store with a sign that read BUTTHOLE.
Astrid was certain it was a cosmic joke, but the red-haired witch bought snacks there and refused to discuss it.
Later, another photographer set up an elaborate backdrop and charged three hundred twenty-nine dollars and ninety-seven cents, including a mystical disruption tax.
The red-haired witch offered him a much closer look at “the total.” He floated into the ceiling.
Astrid kept the photograph anyway.
The black-haired witch’s transformation spell turned the photo session into a parade of disguises: old screen stars, matching suits, a performer in red.
The photographer’s mouth stayed open through all of it.
Astrid suspected the camera would never develop the same picture twice.
Time did that now.
Pictures hung on walls before they had been taken; faces appeared where the team had not yet gone.
Back in the treehouse, Edgar stood watch near the rounded door while Astrid checked the joystick.
The red-haired witch lay on the sofa reading a book of hexes and offered to test a new sarcasm bolt on their next visitor.
Astrid felt a pulse through the controls.
The screen warned of a strange energy spike.
“That might be the next visitor,” she said.
Outside, far beyond the trees, something sharp caught the light.