Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He was watching the desolation from afar, the ridge just above the encampment. It had been 50 years since his campaign began. His personal guard went down to capture those who could be turned and remove those who wouldn't when one of them reported back to him early.

"Sir there is an anomaly here."

"Well then what is it?"

"An infant sir."

"I see. Kill it like the rest of them."

"But your glory..."

"I said kill it. Unless you seek to disobey my orders."

"Sir, it being an infant isn't the anomaly. The infant appears to be a human."

"Human you say? Bring it to me."

"Yes sir."

The emperor rubbed his temples as the camp burned and the screams faded to silence. Then the ivory cloaked guard who alerted him of the anomaly ran to him. The infant was wrapped in a part of the cloak the coven member ripped off. It would make no sense to allow an infant to freeze in the cold weather of the knee. The coven member kneeled and presented the infant to the emperor like a gift.

“Here she is my liege. We have no name.”

“Are you certain that she is human?” Belos asked coldly as the coven member revealed the ears of the girl. Round as a quarter. “I see.”

“The wild witches claim to have no idea who she is, at least the ones who were still able to talk.”

“She’ll be coming with me, continue your sweep of the camp. Take the ones who bow to the conformatroium. Leave those who refuse to their fates. It’s been awhile since I had a new test subject.” Belos said as he took the girl. He was busy thinking about all the experiments he could perform on his new toy.

Then he paused as he felt a slight tug on his own cloak and saw the girl gazing at him with wide brown eyes. A single babbled word issued from the girl and it was enough to almost drop the emperor despite all his prowess and his peak health for such an old age.

“Papa.”

No time to react he pushed forward and moved to dry his eyes. At least what remained of them. The thoughts of experimentation faded from his mind, instead a feeling began to well in his chest. Some of his subordinates who were forming their own families have mentioned this feeling in passing as their own children were born. The rumored fatherly pride that life never saw fit to share with him as it was deemed that progeny shall never come to him or any unions he had.

“Hmmm, what to call you. I had names at one point, though they elude me now. I guess I’ll give you one once you learn to cast a spell.” “He thought to himself for a moment Guess I better dust off those old tomes. Humans lack some parts of the anatomy all witches are gifted with.”

He brushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes and then rocked her gently to sleep.

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The bustling city hummed with life for the couple. They were well known everywhere they went, them and their two kids pulling small amounts of mischief in good humor. They were known for being well behaved if odd and at times hyperactive.

Many contributed it to the parents, which was only partially true. While Odalia and Alador were strict with their children, they weren’t abusive and were often charitable to anybody that didn’t have the good luck they were born with. Through their patronage hundred of kids who were displaced in the coven system were placed into loving homes.

Still despite that he and his wife often times seemed sad. Such a pervasive gloom also extended to his twins. They would often ask for a little sibling. Once who had more than a passing resemblance to Alador and his jovial personality.

And so the Blights were there at one of the orphanage they set up when they stumbled upon her. A two year old with ribs that could be seen when she stood up. Her hair was the same glossy amber as Alador and her gold eyes reflected the same curiosity he had.

Looking at her righteous indignation welled up in Odalia as she began to ask her connections about who the girl’s parents may be. Who was willing to inflict such neglect on a young, promising witch.

In record times, papers were signed, snails were exchanged, documentation was provided and the girl was now in the care of the Blights.

Edric and Emira took an instant shine to her as well. With such a quick friendship they decided on the name Amity. Then came the caring. To the adults and even her new siblings she could be standoffish. Over time however she began to warm up to her foster family.

She somehow managed to keep herself at a healthy ego despite her parent’s attempts to seemingly spoil her rotten. In reality it was Odalia providing her with all the things she should’ve been if she was with any other family.

Despite all that they never treated it as a substitute for what the young girl needed most of all.

Love, pure, in an undiluted form. The crimson sensation of acceptance where all others would rebuff you if you tried to say it. Though they never made her feel isolated or that they would be the only ones to ever love her.

Instead they brought Amity out into the world and allowed her to experience it for herself. A dizzying cavalcade of sights and sounds. Warm beaches perfectly contrasted by the cool waves, lights in the sky which people named and gave hope for, others like her who displayed incredible abilities which she strived to mimic succeeding in bringing goop to life after drawing a circle at the age of 4. Her father applauded her for doing so and despite the mess it created her mother never admonished her. Just gave her advice to prevent it from happening again.

Chapter Text

Belos roused himself from the bed and walked over to the crib he had, his daughter was snoozing happily away, under his mask he smiled. A soft warm smile. He chuckled softly, the noise rousing his daughter from her bed rest.

“Papa, spells?”

“Yes, daughter, Papa spells.” Then he held a finger up, “Don’t go anywhere.” Alador reached around his bookshelf before he pulled out a dusty tomb, blowing it off to clean it and then passing it to his daughter. “Here, read this. Copy the drawings you see, it will determine your name.”

“Me have name. Mama name Luz.” The girl announced proudly.

“Luz huh? That’s a very cute name. Shake your head if I’m wrong. Do you feel lonely?”

Luz nodded.

“Well that’s no good at all.” Belos tapped his chin for a moment before the name came back to him. “I may have a friend who can help with that. Instead of studying a dusty old book that you can’t even understand how about I tinroduce you to him and his own children. Does that sound fun?”

Luz’s nodding sped up at the prospect of others like her to share the world with. To discover and get in and out of trouble with. The idea made her jump for joy, tumbling towards the sone floor until Belos caught her.

“Don’t scare me like that again. I was certain you would detonate when you moved that quickly.” he whispered as the panic died down. “Now let’s get you dressed and fed.”

The first step was brushing her teeth. The minty paste was applied to the exposed portion of her skeleton. Then he gave her an old shirt of his when he was a mere witchling, it was maybe a size or two too big, but still worked with a set of shorts rounding out her outfit.

“Do you have any allergies?”

“Mama said no drink milk.” Luz responded.

“Ah lactose intolerance I see. No fear I have a recipe you may enjoy.” The skillet sizzled as did the griffin eggs that were cracked into it. Then came the medallions of spider demon filling the room with a delicious meaty smoke smell.

Luz’s mouth was watering when Belos transported a plate and a glass of milk in front of her which she eyed suspiciously.

“Don’t worry it’s simply a potion that mimics the taste and look of milk without being the real deal.” Belos assured her as he slid the eggs and sausage onto her plate. “Enjoy my dear.”

Then he got to his own breakfast as he sent a message to Alador via his scroll with a time and location. The two of them were cryptic like that. Ciphers were their preferred form of contact though very little information also worked. It was their favorite game after all. He waited before Alador confirmed meeting there with 1 more in tow which peaked the Emperor’s interest, but not enough to ask about it.

“Good. We’ll see them soon Luz.”

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Odalia was reading the “Good Witch Azura” to Amity while Edric and Emira listened along. Then Alador walked in checking something on his scroll.

“Odalia, dearest, do you have any plans for later today?” he asked.

“Not at all Darling. Why do you ask? Not suspicious just curious.” She said pausing from the book.

“A friend of mine has invited us to play. It seems recently his daughter turned 2.”

“Oh how recently? I shall get her a present.”

“Honeslty I just learned he has a daughter. According to what he has told me, she has a penchant for Owls and Otters. She also wants to learn magic, but can’t due to an operation she had on nher bile sac?’

“What about one of the Palisman in the orphanage we set up for them?”

“Are you sure Odalia? Palismen are not toys. They are living breathing creatures to be treated with respect.”

“Then perhaps we can help teach her that.”

“Fine then honey, but not today, in the future. Get her high quality paper and ink for her to practice glyph magic on. You know The Emperor will issue exceptions on a case by case basis.”

“Are we meeting with The Emperor?” Odalia inquired.

“We are.” Alador admitted.

“The Emperor?” Edric and Emira asked in unison.

Alador was scooped into a hug by his wife. She was practically whooping with joy, her face bright as a sunny day, hard to believe her last name was Blight when she was such a boon to the life of everyone close to her. “That’s amazing Alador, I recall you having trouble making friends back in school. Yet look at you now, friends with the greatest witch to ever live! You’ve come so far hubby.”

“You don’t have to bring it.” Alador said bashfully “However thank you. I tried to improve to feel worthy of being with you.”

“I’m doing the same. How did a woman like me ever wind up with such a wonderful man?” she asked to the resounding groans of her children as they snapped back to reality.

“So Amity, Emira, Edric, do you feel like meeting another child around your ages?”

“Yes please.” Amity answered.

“Sure.” Edric replied, yawning.

“Of course.” said Emira as she stretched.

“Then let’s get going.” Alador said “And next week if things go well we can all go to the beach together.”

“Hooray!” cheered his children as Odalia drooled a little from her memories of shirtless Alador.

He packed his bag with a few things, a mug that wouldn’t spill, a few nice books, a parasol, and of course, his scroll.

Odalia packed her bag with the copy of “The Good Witch Azura” she had before opening the door and carrying Amity in her arms.

Alador on the other hand was giving piggy back rides to his twins as they left the house and headed to the slayground. On such a sunny day it was sure to be packed, hopefully his friend wasn’t too overburdened.

Chapter Text

He ditched his mask as he left and informed everybody that Kikimora was in charge for the period that he would be gone. They knew better than to question his orders, but not well enough to not spread rumors.

“Hey is it just me or has Belos seemed to be kinder lately?” Opediah asked Eric.

“I know right?” Michael added in.

“It’s unnerving.” Joan told them.

“Frankly I think it’s a nice change of pace.” was Steve’s view. Then again he was always a bit of a strange one.

“Were you hoping for more shoulder pats, Steve?” asked the coven head, Lilith Clawthorne.

Steve’s response was immediate and unashamed “Yes!”

“Keep hoping, Steve.”

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His appearance was odd. At least to one with a trained eye. To everyone he simply appeared to be wearing a mask. However under that was a young face with no blemishes or wrinkles, no scars, that was (in quite simple terms) beautiful. The only indication of his age was his hair starting to show signs of whitening near the edges. It hung down nearly to his eyes and operated on a color gradient that was white at the tips, greying for the main part, with black as the base color starting at the roots and ending around the ears.

His clothing as well was made to not draw attention. A nondescript button up shirt and a pair of cargo shorts. Typical dad wear. He also had a pair of sunglasses on. After all his eyes were easy to pick out if not covered.

Seeing as his friend had not yet arrived he took a ball out and turned to Luz.

“Would you like to play catch sweetie?”

“Yes papa.”

He smiled warmly, his teeth razor sharp and unnaturally white as he began to toss the ball back and forth with his little girl. Not a single odd look was shot to him that day. It was common to see fathers and their kids playing at the slayground. Then there were two balls, four balls, six, all headed towards him at the same time. Luz watched, spellbound as the balls kept multiplying and upon impact with Belos turned into cyan smoke.

“Pesky Illusions.” He grumbled as he looked around for the offending witch who saw fit to interrupt a father’s time to bond with his daughter.

The answer of that was revealed by two heads of dark green hair that ran over to him. He was stunned that two random kids would run up and hug him and was beginning to get odd looks. Then the kids, noticing how it must look to others broke off the hug, backed up and said to him.

“Good to see you again Uncle Charbydis.”

Charbydis was a name Belos hadn’t used in a while. Only with family before his revolution. Yet some ultra powerful witches still managed to learn of his name.

He saw the father walking towards him. He was lean and tall with hair that was slicked back and a well kept goatee. His eyes danced with a fire that seemed just barely contained. A fire that hungered for knowledge as its fuel. Along with that he wore a warm smile. Mirthful and welcoming.

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Alador easily picked him out of a crowd. Such a simple appearance seemed to suit him, not that he would say it to his face. The two of them had worked together in the past. Though the exact natue of their collaboration isn’t fully known to anybody besides the two.

Then again, that was probably for the best. If they knew, the two would be shunned or hunted down. Possibly tried for their horrid acts.

Still that wasn’t what today was about. Business could wait. Luz was hiding behinds her father’s legs looking at Edric and Emira. Compared to her, the twins had maybe half a foot on her. Then she noticed another girl in the monther’s arms and thus gravitated towards her.

Odalia knelt and let Amity walk out of her arms. The two girls shared a long look at each other. Circling each other as if enemies or sharks. Then they smiled and laughed at each other. Or perhaps it was with each other.

They began babbling about interests and Azura came up. A positive role model for both of them to emulate. Strong, independent, just a bit sassy. Though above all, they were a spellcaster of the highest calibre.

Considering the brutality of the isles, you either excel in your filed of spellcasting or your face the possibility of dying each and every day. Speaking of spellcasting Amity began to show off with her conjuring an abomination.

The purple goop monster rose and stared at Luz with wide eyes before stumbling around on unsteady legs. Amity forced her will onto it, making the hollow shell of a mind bend backwards and be dominated by her will. Sweat dotted her brow as she focused and eventually the abomination relented. It stopped moving and followed what Amity thought it should do. And so the abomiantion danced. An unsteady goopy dance.

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“Hello Alador it seems you’re doing well.” Belos said to his colleague.

“I could say the same about you Charbydis.” Alador said with a handshake. “This is my wife Odalia, I don’t believe you two met yet.”

“We haven’t, Charbydis Talassan. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He said to her.

“Odalia Houghton Blight, the pleasure is mine.” she responded with a smile.

“So Char, who’s your daughter? I though you ssaid your marriage failed.”

“Oh it did. Luz, she’s my adoptive daughter. I… found her one day while attending some important discussions. She wandered in and I decided to covertly take her in to glean any information about humans that she knew.”

Alador took in exactly what he meant and what he wouldn’t say. The decision was to be respected as the divorce was a touchy subject to him. The last time it was brough up, what could only be described as an arcane barrage destroyed ¾ of the palace.

Chapter Text

The two girls got along like wine and cheese. Despite their differences they were easygoing to each other. Despite neither know each other’s names they still played until the sun was beginning to sink into the deadly sea.

They hugged and waved goodbye before they were to depart with their respective parents. Though just before they did they talked one last time.

“This was really fun. My name is Luz by the way.”

“I’m Amity.”

“Am-I-tea” Luz slowly sounded out “That’s a pretty name.”

Amity felt a pink creep into her cheeks as Alador and Odalia called for her. Luz began to walk back to the palace with Belos.

“Papa?”

“Yes my dear?”

“Will we see them again?”

“That depends?”

“On what?”

“Would you like to see them again?”

Luz’s face lit up as she nodded so rapidly Belos worried her head would come off “More than almost anything.”

“Then you will. I’ll let them make the plans.”

“Awesome, now come on it’s bedtime.”

Luz let out a loud yawn as Belos carried her to the palace.

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“Mom, dad?”
“Yes Amity dearest?” Odalia asked

“Will we see her again?”

“If you desire it, we’ll make it so.” Alador assured her

“Thank you.” she said as she toddle along flanked on either side by Emira and Edric.

“Maybe we should visit the beach with them.” Odalia suggested

“You say simply because you want to see me shirtless.” Alador joked

“Everybody does. I mean you’ve spent years working alongside construction coven members despite being the head of the Abominations coven. You look like you were sculpted from marble.”

Alador stiffened “While I am incredibly proud of my physique and the fact I was able to keep it even during fatherhood, can you not treat me like a sex object every time I need to remove my shirt?”

“Fine, fine. I’ll stop ogling you so much.” Odalia huffed

“Thank you.”

“Unless other witches are swarming you.”

“I’m fairly certain my wedding ring will dissuade them enough from attempting that.” he pointed out

“Well it’s such a small thing that they may not notice.”

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The walk into the castle was calm and the entering quiet. Yet as they walked in the halls were a constellation of eyes locked onto the unfamiliar sight.

“Emperor Belos, my liege, who is this child?” asked the operative, possibly the second highest ranked member of the coven just under Lilith. They were known for conducting dangerous raids and exploring the world often under no direction save for the Emperor himself.

“This is Luz. I trust you would have no problem teaching her magic.”

“With all due respect Emperor Belos, you haven’t answered my question.”

“An astute observation and you didn’t get sidetracked. Now wonder I made you the operative” Belos stated matter of factly “Luz is my daughter. Now, now before you get slackjawed at seeing her and my real face, it seems having her around the palace could be a positive influence for us. She’s a bit of a firecracker, but I trust none of you will have any problems.”

“None at all sir.”

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The door to Blight Manor was thrown open as the five walked back in.

“Amity, tonight would you like to hear the story of Otabin the bookmaker or of the Good Witch Azura?” Odalia asked.

Amity considered her two options for a moment “Otabin please.”

“Alright I’ll read it to you when you get in bed.” Odalia told her.

Amity raced to her room as Odalia followed after her and hopped into bed.

“Are you nice and comfortable dear?” Amity nodded as Odalia began to read. “Otabin spent his days alone amongst the many books he'd sewn. With needle and thread the pages he mend, but all the while he longed for a friend."

Amity shivered and squealed in delight with the rhymes. They flowed freely as if they were a product of nature rather than ink on paper. The story was an upbeat one that mirrored the challenges her older siblings faced due to their place in high society and the assumptions made about them. Still Amity had a bit more luck as she had met Luz.

Luz, a stranger in an even stranger land. The not quite a witch as her ears gave it away. Witches had sharp ears while Luz’s were round and soft.

She was snapped out of her thoughts by the candle going out. “Goodnight Amity, now rest up, you start your schooling at Hexside tomorrow.”

“Goodnight Mom.”

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Belos had something on his mind. That was evidenced by him pacing. As he walked back and forth down the length of the room Kikimora walked in.

“Something troubling you my Lord.”

“Kikimora, I assume you know of the human I have taken in as my own.”

“Of course I do, is she trouble to you? Shall I dispose of her.”

Belos looked shocked if for a moment “It is not that. I worry if I may not be a substantial teacher in regards to her leaning magic. Perhaps I should contact an old enemy or hire a tutor. I would like a second opinion before I make a choice though.”

“Perhaps you could enroll her in Hexside.” Kikimora suggested

“Hexisde you say?” Belos whirled on her “That’s not a bad suggestion. I shall enroll her tomorrow. Thank you for hearing me out Kiki.”

“I am glad to be of service my lord. However are you aware of what is occurring tomorrow?”

“I am, I’m aware The Operative is conducting another raid. They should be moving into position right now.”

“Well yes, but no. As I’m sure you are ware, the potion Coven head has passed away recently. Elections are taking place for a replacement and there is one name being whispered among the coven about who should do it.”

“And that name is, Kikimore?”

“I’m sure you know it well.”

“I’m certain I do, but I’m not a mind reader, yet, so would you mind simply telling me instead of playing these games?”

“Clawthorne. Edalyn Clawthorne.”

Chapter Text

“Edalyn Clawthorne you say? The outlaw?” Belos asked as he stroked his chin “I see, she does have a certain skill when it comes to unconventional methods. Still do you think she’ll be a positive influence on Luz.”

“The reverse actually sir.” Kikimora said.

“So you believe that we could utilize a four year old to make her a better person under the systems we have in place?” mused the Emperor. “I like the way you think dear Kiki.”

“Thank you Emperor Belos, I am truly blessed to have you think so high of me.”

“I’m not one to lie Kikimora, any praise I offer is genuine, now if you don’t mind I have some enrollment papers to fill out.”

“I understand, goodnight my lord.”

“Goodnight Kikimora.” Belos retreated to his study as he pulled out the paperwork and began to write his letter.

“Hello Hieronymus Bump,

I hope this letter finds you well. I have an interesting exchange student to enroll in Hexside. I understand that the semester is about to begin and you may have your reservations about enrolling so late, but perhaps we can both benefit from this.

Her name is Luz. I have not figured out her last name in any of my interactions with her. That is not the interesting part. The interesting part is the fact that she is not a witch, but rather a human. Due to this she cannot cast magic the usual way, but instead must draw glyphs like the wild witches of old.

I am willing to turn a blind eye to Edalyn Clawthorne’s wild ways and provide a generous donation to your school should you be able to convince Edalyn Clawthorne to instruct Luz.

That is all.

-Emperor Belos.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Amity Blight!" rang out the voice of Odalia as the morning sun was to rise soon. Class was always early. She stretched as her mother gently opened the door. "Have a good day at Hexside sweetie." Odalia said, smiling.

“Thanks mom. “ Amity said as she roused herself from the grasp of her bed and yawned again before getting dressed and forming a little goopy assistant to help her. “I think I’m gonna call you gooey.” she said to the abomination who made it’s odd noises in response. Somewhere between a groan and a hacking cough.

It followed her and they hopped onto Alador’s staff. Her and the twins. It was the first day of school for the year and semester. Amity was interested in her father’s coven as well as liking the pretty magenta that marked it from the others.

As the trees sped by with her and the twins travelling at subsonic speeds. The school came up quickly and the three hopped off as Alador passed each of them a lunch bag. Amity’s was decorated with pictures of Otabin.

“Have a good day at school my darlings, we’ll be celebrating when you come home. Also if you make any new friends, you simply must introduce me.” Alador told them before speeding off to work.

As amity walked in, three sights caught her eye, a wild mane of bright orange hair, azure locks, and a round ear.
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Luz was lead by the hands of Liltih Clawthorne who she had only seen a few times “Where are we going Miss Lilith?”

“I’m taking you to Hexside on orders from Belos, he believes you could flourish with a proper education.” Lilith explained “And I know somebody who could teach you magic despite your differences.”

“Oh. Will I have the opportunity to make new friends?”

“You will indeed. Those who can cast other kinds of magic.”

“Hooray!” Luz shouted flinging her arms above her. Even Lilith had to begrudgingly admit the girl was cute. Still she had no time to waste here and set about getting the girl to Hexside and to the principal.

“Ah Lilith Clawthorne, so nice to see you again. And who is this?” he asked his former student.

“Her name is Luz, we have some things from Belos to deliver to you and a new student.”

“I see.” Lilith passed him the letter which he scanned over quickly “Oh” he knelt until he was eye level with Luz. “Luz, welcome to Hexside, you start today. Lilith will guid you to your classroom.” he turned to the coven leader “I trust you remember where Mrs. Montivaga’s room is.”

“I do, thank you Principal Bump, now about her teacher.”

“I know, I know. I was already in contact with Edalyn earlier today. I decided that somebody of her intelligence could help the students here graduate with bright futures, so long as he doesn’t convince them to just drop out during their third year.”

Lilith nodded and turned on her heel as she lead Luz down a long hallway until she reached the baby classes. She opened the door and entered. In fron of the other witchlings was a spider headed lady.

“Hello again Mrs. Montivaga.”

“Liltih Clawthorne? It’s been too long. How have you been?” The teacher asked.

“I’m doing well, but I’m not here to reminisce. I have a new student of Hexside. Her name is Luz. Is that a problem?”

“Not at all.”

“Thank you and goodbye. I’ll pick her up when class is over.”

With that Lilith left and returned to the palace as Luz waved hello nervously to her new classmates and scanned the room until she picked out a familiar head of auburn hair. She toddled over and upon seeing the golden eyes, confirmed her suspicions.

“Am-i-tea?” she asled the girl.

“Tea I am.” the girl responded with a smile “Luz?” the two embraced as friend tend to do.

“Oh Amity you know this girl?” asked a three eyed girl with pink skin and fuschia hair

“I do Boscha, I do. Her name is Luz. She’s a human. She’s super cool!”
“Ok, then, nice to meet you round ears, my name’s Boscha.” said the triclops to the human.

The sound of clapping ended the conversations “Alright class, since today s everybody’s first day how about we go around introducing each other?”

Chapter Text

The first to start was a chubby girl with round glasses and green eyes. Her hair was a dark torquoise. “Hello I’m Willow Park. I’m interested in plant magic and I’m from Bonesborough.”

Then Boscha went “My name is Boscha Itha. I’m interested in potions and brewing them. My home is farther north in Wairua.” she said as her third eye blinked out of sync with the other two.

Skara followed up “You can call me Skara Genva. I’m interested in music so that would be the bard track and I’m also from Wairua.”

Eventually the rest of the class filled in their names and stories until it came up to Amity. “I am Amity Blight. I’m from Blight Manor just outside Bonseborough and my favorite track is abominations.” that choice earned a few gasps from her classmates as they had all heard of how grueling abomination rearing could be and that only a few threw themselves into it willingly. Especially when somebody with the resources she had chose to toss themselves into it when it was nearly guaranteed that they would succeed no matter what track they chose.

After the surprise died down and everybody turned to look at Luz, the biggest anomaly in the room. She felt nervous from the stares, but took a deep breath as Belos taught her to do when nervous as she was to be his heir. “My name is Luz. I’m still trying to figure out what form of magic is my favorite and I don’t know where I’m from.”

The stares intensified before her teacher clapped drawing attention away “Children, be nice. Luz is an exchange student brought here by a recommendation by Emperor Belos. It’s only natural that she is interested in every magic considering that she lives with the ones who are still allowed to cast all types.” Then she turned back to the chalkboard “Today we’ll be practicing basic runes to help you prepare for your later years here at Hexside.”

When her back was turned the students turned back to Luz “Is it true you’re part of the Emperor’s coven?” Boscha whispered to her human classmate.

Luz turned to face her and reached towards the third eye before being stopped “Is that eye real?” she asked.

“Of course it is, and very sensitive. Please don’t touch. Now answer my question.”

“I’m not. I just live with them.”

“That’s even more like being one of them!”

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The orange haired lady leaned back in the chair as the principal glared at her “Edalyn could you at least try to take this seriously?”

“Oh I am Bump. I’m taking this so seriously I’m about to fall off the chair.”

Bump sighed and shook his head “Can you at least listen to what the offer is.”

That caught her attention and soon all four legs of the chair were resting on the floor. “Go ahead and tell me.”

“Good. We have recently received an exchange student who doesn’t posses the ability to cast magic via use of a spell circle. In exchange for a hefty payment and for your security being secured from the emperor’s coven you will teach her the old way of magic.”

“I’m intrigued. What’s the catch?” Eda asked Principal Bump.

“The catch is if she doesn’t improve her skill by the time of her 14th birthday I am allowed to turn you into the coven.”

“But you’re not going to right?”

“I’ll be honest with you, you caused massive amounts of trouble despite being a prodigy. If I had it my way I would’ve preferred you stayed and graduated, but you almost killed another student thus resulting in your expulsion.” Bump explained.

“Hey, she had it coming. Nobody is allowed to mess with Lilith, but me.” Eda said with a hint of sisterly pride in her voice.

“I see, well I can assure you that nobody will be messing with your sister anytime soon.”

“Okay when do I start?” Eda told him, accepting the deal.

“You will meet your pupil tomorrow after school, do be kind to her and don’t introduce her to that house demon of yours. I fear you might traumatize her if you do that.”

“Fine, fine.”

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When class had a break for lunch Luz picked a new table and had a few of her classmates as well as two kids she recognized from before sat with her. They had deep green hair and gold eyes.

“Heya choco mint.” They said as they approached the table, eyes locked on Amity.

“Hey Ed, Em.”

“Come on, you can come up with a better nickname than that.” the girl said to Amity.

“I know, I know. It’s just difficult.”

“Take all the time you need.” then their heads swiveled to Luz. “Oh hey, I don’t think we introduced ourselves yet.”

The boy jokingly bowed “I’m Edric Blight and this is my twin sister Emira. We’re Amity’s big siblings, nice to meet you properly.”

“I’m Luz.” and their nickname was beginning to form a nickname for her friend. She leaned in a tapped Amity on the shoulder, motion she wanted to whisper. “Is it okay if I call you Mint-tea?” she asked.

Amity’s cheeks reddened followed by the rest of the face and she found herself tripping over her words “U-um--um y--y-ye-ye-ss-yes.” she managed to get out. With that settled Luz shot her a blinding grin

“Wow, the only thing that makes Choco mint that red is seeing fan art of Malinghale the mysterious soothsayer.” Emira chuckled.

“Please stop.” Amity muttered.

“Hey, hey, we know when we’ve gone too far.” Edric assured her “So what tracks are you guys planning on?”

“I was thinking maybe all of them.” Luz told them and Edric responded with a low whistle

“Impressive. Do you think that it might be too hard?”

“No way!” Willow responded to the older student “Luz picks up on this really quickly!”

Boscha nodded “It’s true, she knew some of the runes without even looking at the sheet, almost as if she recognized them.”

“If she can get a proper teacher or personally tutor she might become top student.” Skara finished.

Chapter Text

Eventually the end of the school day rolled around and so they said their goodbyes as they began to meet with those who would take them home.

Luz met with Ms. Lilith Clawthorne and her new friends had stars in their eyes as they saw her. The Coven head grinned and then asked the new students “Hello. I am Lilith Clawthorne, head of the Emperor’s Coven. Would you like an autograph?”

Amity and Boscha nodded as Lilith wrote them 2 autographs and her poster of recruitment. “Thank you, thank you Ms. Clawthorne.” Amity said “I hope to join the emperor’s coven one day!”

Lilith grinned in response “And we hope to see you there one day Ms. Blight. Now if you don’t mind, this girls father wants her to be back at the palace soon. I bid you farewell.” With that left in the air Luz hopped onto the staff and waved goodbye as they rocketed off towards the palace.

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Amity was positively spellbound that Lilith knew her name without even telling her. It seemed their reputations preceded them. It took a few shakes from Emira to snap her out of idol worship mode and back into the present. She was still amazed even a few minutes later when Alador finally showed up.

“Hello, I assume you three had a good day?” he asked as he saw their smiling faces, mischief alight in their eyes, except for Amity who didn’t have much a penchant for pranks like her siblings.

“It was, Choco mint met Lilith Clawthorne.” Edric said, proud of his little sister.

“And she knew her name.” Emira added.

Alador’s eyes grew wide at that small tidbit, but he expected this “That is fantastic, what else did she say?”

“She said that she hopes to see Amity in the emperor’s coven one day.” Edric told him.

“That is splendid I hope she rises to the call as well. Considering her natural proficiency with her chosen track it seems like a natural. Why, my first abomination was summoned when I was ten.” he said sheepishly before scratching the back of his head “I was a late bloomer.”

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Eda tossed herself onto the couch after taking a swig of apple blood “Hey King, get the good apple blood out, I have some good news.”

“Oooh! Is it food? I can’t remember the last time I actually ate something that wasn’t caught.” the miniscule demon asked.

“Close. I got a job and now we can actually buy a little taste for the pot, just try not to freak out when I tell you what this job is.”

“Fine, Eda.”

“I’ll be training a student in lost ways of magic like when I was young and from even before then.” then she noticed the glint in King’s eye “No they’re not going to be our next meal king.”

“Could they be my next meal hoot hoot?” Hooty asked.

“No, Hooty. You better be on your best behavior as well, no scaring the girl the moment she walks in and no talking.”

“Fine, jeez, hoot!” the angered house replied.

“It seems we’re moving up in the world huh Eda?”

“Sure are King, sure are.”

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When Luz dismounted she went straight to her adoptive father “Papa, papa, I made new friends!”

“You did? Excellent, you must simply tell me their names.” Belos ordered softly.

“Well there was Boscha, she had three eyes, and Willow, she was cute, and Skara who looks like a fashion model and helped me with basic runes.”

“I’ll be sure to thank them properly should we meet during the next PCA meeting. Now tell me how your day went.”

“It was good, I came up with a nickname for Am-I-Tea. Mint tea. She seemed red from it.”

“That is called embarrassment, I’m sure she’ll get a handle on it eventually. Still that is good to know that you are making connections with your peers. As much as I hate to admit it, I was worried you would be somewhat of an outcast due to your unique heritage and your living situation.”

“Ahem, am I interrupting my liege?” came a voice from the door. Their form was relaxed as he leaned against the doorframe, energy radiated from the figure.

“Ah yes, come in Golden Guard, what do you have to report?” Belos asked.

“I have successfully retrieved the blinding beaker as you have asked. Shall I place it in the hall of the relics?”

“Yes, thank you. I’m sure Christopher Wyld will be relieved that his best potion is back in its rightful place.”

“I understand, do you have any other orders for me?”

“Tell me if Edalyn Clawthorne has taken the teaching job or not.”

“She has, her schooling shall start tomorrow.”

“Very well, deliver her this letter and tell Lilith Clawthorne of this development.”

“I shall. Thank you for your time Emperor Belos.” the golden guard replied before exiting.

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The next day was calm for the Owl Lady as she began a slow fly to Hexside, her new student should be outside by the time she reached it, dropped off by a friend or parent.

To her surprise it was Lilith dropping the girl off. The round ears didn’t surprise Eda due to her numerous forays into the human no what surprised her was Lilith.

“Lily, you didn’t tell me you got married. Who’s the lucky man and what’s the girl’s name?” she asked as she landed.

“Edalyn, good to see you again. I haven’t gotten married, this girl is the Emperor’s daughter and he believed you best suited to teach her due to your… unique methodology.”

“Well he’s right about it being unique, so this is my student? What’s your name kiddo?”

“Luz, Luz Talassan. I’m a witch.”

Eda cocked her head “Well Luz, not yet you aren’t but after today you will learn everything that I know how to teach as well as more on your own. I am Eda the Owl Lady, the most powerful witch on the boiling isles.”

Chapter Text

“Edalyn don’t you have something to do now?” Lilith asked her younger sister.

“Oh yes, hon on youngling, we’ll be taking you off site to gauge your skills.” We don’t need you blowing up anything important at Hexside by accident and considering not much is known about humans other than anatomy we’re going to be doing a lot of trial and error,” Eda said “Though you’ll have to go to Hexside for some more practical lessons. Ready to go?”

“I am!” Luz shouted from the tail end of the staff as Eda planted her feet and pushed off slightly. The staff took to the air quickly as they began to travel through the red woods of the isles, a sight that Luz was familiar with.

Then they whipped around a sharp left as they went off the beaten path to a strange house. It looked like something from the human realm that she was regaled with stories of, but never visited herself. She hoped maybe one day she could see it in splendor.

Her father called that day the day of unity. When this realm would make it’s presence and existence known to their sister dimension. They first had to find the place where the barriers between realities were dangerously thin. A place where they could push just enough to shatter only one layer rather than all the layers between each reality.

Then they stopped and Eda led Luz off the staff, “Welcome to my home, the owl house.”

“Why is it the Owl House?” Luz asked quizzically.

“That’s because of me hoot hoot!” shouted an abomination in the mocking guise of an owl that stretched out from the door. Instinctively Luz brought her hand down on the owl’s head.

“Jeez, ow hoot!” the creature said as it retreated back into the door.

“Hooty is the reason for this building having the name and my own being.” Eda explained to her protégé. “Now then if what Lily told me is true, you’re some sort of prodigy when it came to basic runes, so we’ll skip them and go straight to ancient magic. How are you with a pen and paper?”

“I’m still learning to write.”

“Good, we’re not going to be working with words, but more so with pictures. Are you a talented artist?

“I was fairly good according to the coven.”

“Good, I hope you can do circles well and copy details, if you don’t well we may have a magic catastrophe on our hands should any line be misplaced.” Eda said getting the student to worry before you grinned “Just kidding around kiddo, I’m certain we’ll be fine and even if you make a mistake I’m here to protect you.”

The peace of the moment and the heartwarming tone was shattered by a small little bony creature walking it, it’s fushcia eyes locking onto Luz with a grin as they licked their lips and in a flash was leaping at her with two words leave it’s mouth “Fresh meat!”

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Luz had disappeared a little bit before midday and Amity was concerned. She wasn’t sure why, but she certainly hoped she’d eventually come back. Her friends were picking up on the lack of the exchange student too, seeming a little more sullen than usual.

Even her siblings noted it when they found her at lunch. Edric and Emira tried to cheer her up with illusion tricks and jokes, but other than a quick grin or stifled laugh it failed heavily, souring the mood further.

“Okay Amity, talk to us.” Edric coaxed “Tell us what’s wrong.”

“It’s Luz, I’m worried.”

“About what specifically, little sis?” Emira asked.

“About if she’s okay or not. She just seemed to vanish before the day was even half over.”

“Oh, you didn’t hear? Luz is taking special human classes in addition to the ones taught here. She even got a powerful teacher to help her.”

“Who?”

“Edalyn Clawthorne, The Owl Lady.”

Amity gasped and held a hand to her mouth. Any witchling worth their salt had heard of The Owl Lady. A drop out from Hexside. She still rose through the ranks and was amazing in all forms of magic that was part of a coven or otherwise opting for a jack of all trades, master of none approach.

After thinking on it she realized she was a perfect match for Luz’s strange skillset. She had no means to cast magic in the modern style of bile and spell circles, so of course finding a teacher well versed in more archaic methods when witches had to rely on symbols and the magic in the air of the isles to manipulate their environment and cast spells to keep themselves safe and alive against each and every threat that the Isles had to throw at them.

“That actually makes a lot of sense.” Amity admitted. “Still are we certain she’s safe?”

“Of course she is. I mean it’s not like she has to deal with the king of all demons whether this world or another one.”

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He pounced towards her, maw open, revealing long canines and Luz instinctively caught him, hold him out at arms length so he could bite her. The hands on his side made it so he couldn’t get his jaws at the right angle to bite at her.

“King! What did I tell you!” Eda roared at him.

“Fine, fine. I won’t try to eat her, yet.”

“KING.” Eda replied, deadly serious.

“Fine, not ever. I’m sorry for jumping at you and trying to eat you.”

“It’s okay Mr. Um.”

“My name is King.”

“Okay then, Mr. King.”

They were interrupted by Eda clearing her throat “Alright Luz, forget everything Hexside and Belos have taught you about magic. While under my tutelage we will take no shortcuts and instead opt to do things the hard way.”

She gestured to the world “The entire titan is filled with magic right down to the air itself. As such most magic is wild and thus we will learn by a hands on trial and error approach combined with travelling all of the boiling isles.”

Chapter Text

At the prospect of seeing the entire Isles, Luz mouth split into an absolutely massive grin. She imagined all the beauty that could be hidden away in such a place. The thought was staggering as she imagined what sort of wizards and castles might lay hidden just out of view.

Of course she was familiar with the Emperor’s castle and was well like enough by the coven to be given tours and a map. While it was impressive she heard it pales in comparison to the ruins of the knee and the structures you could find in the Astral Plane. Considering she had a field trip schedule there for the next week she could put those rumors to the test.

Then Eda brought out a large book of magical theorems before cracking it open. “In the old days, wild witches would record their spellcasting in notebooks made of demon hide. Unfortunately Emperor Dorkface destroyed most of them, what we do have is some surviving notes that I compiled into this book.” she announced as she flipped a few pages and displayed a few handwritten notes.

One in bright red and Eda’s handwriting read “Don’t stack Glyphs”

“What happens if you stack glyphs?”

“Bad things, kiddo. You might die.”

“Or wind up frozen.” Chimed in the demon.

“As much as I hate to say it, we should start with.,” Eda sighed “the basics” she groaned “Let’s start with a light glyph, if you look in the ksy you can often see stars forming this shape and considering light is the easiest form of spell to cast it’s a perfect start.” she passed her student a pad of paper and a pencil in case she made a mistake.

Luz set to work copying the pattern, noting each detail as she started with the circle. She moved onto the central using it as the halfway point of the triangle and leaving just barely enough for the second triangle at the top. When she felt she was done she tapped it. The sound came soon.

Paper crumpling as the sheet curled in on itself forming a small ball. The girl’s eyes grew with wonder as she looked at what she did. She cupped her hands around it and lifted it, to her surprise, she could feel it, but it wasn’t hot enough to burn.

“The isles are filled with magic kiddo, keep practicing and you’ll do amazing things. I can assure you of that much and with me as your teacher it’s only natural.”

“Thank you miss Eda.”

“Okay drop the miss. I don’t like formal titles. Other than “The Owl Lady”

“Did you get that because of Hooty?”

“No I got it because I’m so wise.”

“No you didn’t! You got it because you sleep in a nest and get distracted by shiny objects.” Kind protested.

“Can’t argue with that.” She relented.

“Now what would you like to learn next?”

“Boom crash, light!”

“Oh lightning and thunder then. That’s sort of advance stuff, are you certain? You might get hurt.”

Luz nodded vehemently

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
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Amity, Edric, and Emira were heading home after another day of classes at Hexside. For Amity her afternoon classes consisted of learning of the coven leaders and the core magic of each. Her main was Abomination which was about control, strength of will and adversity in the face of overwhelming odds.

It fit her to a T.

As for the magic there was of course crating the abomination and keeping it subservient by making sure it wasn’t quite sentient by giving it only a third of a mind. The ego, superego, or id. The part was determined by the purpose.

Combat abominations were all id, active, aggressive, dangerous.

Servant abominations were the superego.

The other types were the ego.

Then there were the elemental magics that you could use to keep them under control should one go berserk or gain a full mind. Fire was particularly useful as the goop was highly flammable and considering lightning would just go straight through it, was the most powerful you could launch at it from a distance.

Aside from flames, spikes and other solid objects could be a sensible precaution, especially if you could set them like a trap. Even with a full mind, the creatures weren’t exactly smart or good at seeing.

Edric and Emira however were taking Illusory basics, learning of the tricks that would help an illusion seem real even if it was just smoke and mirrors. Or in their case, just mirrors. It would be hard to say they weren’t gifted considering they picked up on it like time to a clock.

They opened the door behind them and walked in, greeted by a thick smell. Hearty and savory it invaded the air and hung over them. No doubt it was slitherbeast stew with a healthy serving of spider demon on the side.

Odalia and Alador were both known for being amazing cooks. Between the two Odalia had a more versatile repertoire of recipes, but Alador’s always had a little extra flavor which made both of them welcome among others.

The stew was a favorite among the Blight children as it reminded them of when Amity first came to their home and the day she first decided to dye her hair, to solidify her place as one of them of her own free will. Even Alador had gotten in on it, though he quickly washed it out when it got in the way of his tinkering. A hobby to earn a little extra money for them so they could enjoy the finer things in life and afford the best possible future for their children no matter where life would lead them.

Tonight Odalia was cooking meaning that while it lacked a little salt, it would be served at the perfect temperature for them to dig right in. Oracle magic did have it’s advantages compared to the other six covens after all. They were professionals.

Chapter Text

He sat at his throne, the heart beating behind him in a steady rhythm. It was calming and maddening. He turned over the palisman of the day in his hand. An armadillo. The renegades were getting smart. Making palisman that were hard and harder to crack. Luckily his gauntlets were regularly sharpened and so he sliced it open before consuming the bile within to replenish his own.

“Kikimora do you have knowledge of her location?”

“Yes. She is at the Owl Lady’s home. Practicing one of the more esoteric forms of wild magic.”

“Oh, what form would that be? Verbal? Somatic? Material?”

“Glyphs it seems. The most powerful form of wild magic.” Kikimora reported to the Emperor.

Belos considered it for a moment “I suppose that makes sense. She lacks a bile sac after all so a magic she can focus on the output of makes the most sense. Still I hope she isn’t biting off much more than can she chew.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------=

“Get behind me kiddo!” Eda shouted as the massive thundercloud boomed and scorched the carpet. “How the heck did it get this big?” she asked looking to her student.

Luz shrugged in response “I focused really hard on the glyph and this happened. She said gesturing at the stormcloud.”

“I say we get this out of her before it zaps king. Be a dear and open the door will ya?” Eda said as she began to make a spell circle around the stormcloud. An orange almost liquid shell formed around it on one side as Eda began to push it outside. Luz opened the door and it was outside as Eda dropped her spell on it and the cloud floated upward, dispersing into multiple pieces.

“What happened?”

“You put a little much force into a glyph. While some spells are determined by the size of the spell circle, emotion also plays a factor when it comes to spell force and size. If you focus too much then the spell will become much larger and more dangerous.”

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The three Blight children were seated and began showing off what they learned. Edric was first making his face reflect various historical figures. The 9 coven leaders, Kikimora, Witch Hunter Caliphant, and of course Uncle Char.

“You’re doing wonderful Edric.” Odalia commented without hesitation or sarcasm on her son’s skills.

“Mom, watch this.” Emira said as she began her own show. Limbs stretching past the limits, joints multiplying and disappearing, muscles growing or shrinking in he own display in mastery of the illusory arts.”

“Very impressive Emira. And you Mittens?’

Amity looked around for this member of this family she had yet to meet before pointing at herself “Me?”

“Yes you, Amity dear. I feel this nickname fits you like a glove or rather,” Odalia chuckled “perhaps a mitten.”

Amity’s cheeks reddened before laughing as well “A friend gave me a nickname not too long ago. She calls me mint tea.”

“Oh do you mean Cahrbydis’ girl Luz?”

“I do. I wonder what her name means.”

“Luz,” Alador said as he stepped in “is a word in one of the thousands of human languages that means light.”

Odalia swept her husband off his feet “Alador, how ever did you become so wise?”

“Emperor Belos once had me go into the human realm. I once got stuck there for nearly a decade as a young boy. When I came back he rewarded me for my dedication and my time hence why we’re able to afford to make such miracles happen despite my familie’s humble background.” he admitted with a scratch to the back of his head.

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She waved goodbye as the lesson concluded and Miss Lilith arrived to pick her up. “So Luz, what did you learn today?”

“I learned glyphs and how to properly use them or make them grow larger or smaller.”

“Really? That’s so very interesting. You must simply give a demonstration when we return.”

“Can I take a nap instead? I’m feeling sleepy.” Luz told her as she nearly fell from the staff as her eyes closed. Lilith’s arm shot out to prevent the human from becoming a red stain on the ground.

“Yes Luz, you can take a nice long nap when we get home so long as you wake up on time for school tomorrow.” She said as she landed on the balcony of Luz’s room. She carried the human and laid her in bed before tucking her in. “Goodnight hu, Luz.” she whispered, catching herself almost calling her human.

She slipped out quietly, the afternoon sun hanging high in the sky as she met her comrades in the mess hall. Tonight was spider demon on pasta. A delectably filling and warm meal provided the sauce was in order.

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Shy and quiet she walked home and opened the door. She went to her room and cracked open a book. Names were listed on the two pages. One of those she tolerated and the others she had a subconscious desire to kill.

She knew it was wrong. But she couldn’t quite contain this evil way, or explain why she’s not sane. At least writing it down kept her from committing it. She found some solace in that before a knock came on her door.

“Dear are you done with your homework already? You know the rules.”

“Fill it in first thing at the kitchen table before dinner unless I haven’t eaten all day. Just give me a moment, I’m writing myself a reminder to meet with a few friends over the weekend.”

“Alright.”

She finished penning it in the ink of the names ‘Amity Blight and Luz Talassan’ on the left page.

Then she went down the stairs looking at her two fathers. She took the pages out of her backpack and began to fill them out. Showing excellence in reading writing and remembering facts from the day so she could go on next week’s field trip if she kept her grades up.

Success for Willow was assured.

Chapter Text

They had the day off from class and chose to meet up at the beach. Alador was the first there. Due to the scorching heat he eschewed his typical clothing in favor of board shorts and no shirt. With a physique that looked like it was chiseled from marble it was no surprise he turned heads whenever he walked.

Though thankfully due to his kids those that would’ve asked for his name or number kept their distance. And those that did found him unrelenting in telling them he wasn’t interested. Odalia was the only one for him in this cruel, social Darwinist world. He beckoned his children to join him in the water, but first took the time to inflate a ring floatie for Amity and some water wings for Edric. Emira was already able to swim.

Finding a non boiling sea was difficult, but this was only allowed to a few, he was here due to the jobs he performed for Belos. Speaking of which he saw him coming down from the hills with Luz in tow.

“Ah Charbydis, this way!” he yelled with a large smile waving his arm to show his position. In response the emperor in a disguise ran towards him, his ghoulike features unnoticed by others. His outfit was similar with no shirt, though instead of clearly defined muscles, he had scar tissue for a torso. His eyes glowed slightly though it was hard to see in the sunlight and his daughter was quickly escaping his grip due to the large amount of sunblock she had on.

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“George would you like to go to the beach?” Gilbert asked his husband.

“Of course sounds fun. Think we can bring Willow?” George replied.

“Absolutely, it’s been a while since we could do a little family bonding, just the three of us.”

“Amazing. Willow, honey we’re going to the beach!” he called back to his daughter who was studying in her room.

Willow closed her journal and headed downstairs.

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Luz wriggled out of his loose grip, the sunblock acting as grease making it easier. She ran over to Amity and greeted her with a hug “Hi Mint Tea, did you miss me?” she asked her pale friend.

“I did, where were you?” Amity asked the human.

“Learning with the Owl Lady. We made thunder. Also I may have found a cuv-in” Luz told her sounding out the words “Po-shuns.”

“Interesting.” Alador noted as he gave Amity her ring floatie. “I suppose it would work well for you human. After all you don’t need spell phlegm to craft potions and it is perhaps the wildest coven.”

Odalia entered the water and draped her arm on the wolfish witch “Alador dear, you know the rules for trips” she said with a soft smile.

Alador sighed “No talk of covens or business while spending quality time with my family.”

“Exactly, now how about we spend a little ‘quality time’ away from the kids?”

“Maybe later Odalia, the water has yet to rouse my mind from it’s slumber, when I feel it’s full effects then maybe.”

“Perhaps a little swimming can help. I heard rumors that you were an amazing swimmer at Hexside.”

“Just rumors dear?” he asked with a dry smile “I did not forget the letter or the lock of hair you left in my locker.” he teased.

“Can you blame me? You always looked like you were carved out of the strongest stone and chiseled by the best of the bard coven. Watching you was like listening to the emperor in person.”

The Alador cleared his throat as he began to recite her letter word for word “Oh Alador, how I wonder what thoughts lay behind those umber eyes. Such joy and melancholy disguised and displayed. The contrast is enough to make me shiver. Many have seemed to avoid you or refer you to the beastkeeping coven as if you were a werewolf. If that is so then let this lock be your full moon allowing you to break free of the social pressures that would make you groom your rakish demeanor into a respectable meekness. Signed you secret admirer’ I believe that was what it said.”

Odalia stood speechless before squeeing and leaping to hug her husband “You remembered every word of it, how sweet of you.”

“How could I not. It was the first love letter I ever received. Also that lock was my good luck charm from that day forward. I wore it as a necklace to all major events at Hexside. Swim meets, exams, rallies, you name it I wore it there.

“You know Fenrir, I was quite a swimmer myself back in the day, how about we see who the better athlete is?” suggested Belos.

“You’re on Charbydis. Shall we swim to that buoy and back?”

“Of course.”

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Willow loved going to the beach, aside from all the plantlife that blossomed there it gave her ideas on how to deal with those who made it onto her list. She often tested it herself and her record was three minutes.

If they could hold their breath longer than that she could adapt using her vines to keep them under until the struggling stopped. She was certain it would be easy.

Still today was for bonding with her fathers, the only two people she truly loved. Not like most of her classmates who she just managed to barely tolerate. Her heart soared at the thought of the beach being empty for them and then sank when she saw maybe 10 other families there.

Then she recognized two of them, Luz and Amity, the names she recently added to one of her two lists. Considering what they could be capable of she may need to make a third list.

Gilbert picked an empty spot and set up their things “Nothing quite like a beach day?”

“I know, Gil. It’s been so long since it was just the three of us, ever since our little flower started school.”

“Hey dad, papa, do you mind if I talk to some friends of mine from school? I’ll be back in six minutes. Promise.”

Chapter Text

He considered it for a moment “Alright, just introduce us to them as well, okay?” Gilbert asked.

“Of course.” Willow replied as she dashed over to them, thinking of all the ‘fun’ they could have. The sand that was kicke dup behind her was rapidly rising as she ran to the two girls. She had so many plans involving those two specifically, but that would mean nothing if she didn’t introduce herself. Hopefully they wouldn’t run screaming from her.

That always made them harder to catch up to. Especially if they coated themselves in grease and squirmed. Still she always had a way to make sure her plans would work.

Failure by herself was something Willow park would never abide if she could help it.

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The two girls continued chatting while treading the shoulder deep water.

“So what did you think of Heck-ah-tea in book 2?” Luz asked Amity, sounding the goddess’ name out.

“Mysterious and kinda weird,” Amity replied “She had three faces and each one looked different, a young lady, a girl, and a hag.” Then she though for a moment “Though she’s a lot like us actually. Magical and loving the mist.”

“Witches like mist?” Luz asked as she considered the though, she didn’t see any fog for the 4 years she lived here. Unless you count the steam of the rain.

“We love it. It marks that the boiling rain won’t come for a few days due to the air cooling down enough to prevent the rain from boiling. Then her eyes turned towards the beach as she saw the girl rushing towards them.

There was something alien about the girl. Her hair was a dark teal and her eyes were glowing green behind round framed glasses. The ground had long lines in her wake and Amity swore she saw vines writhing underground.

She was trouble.

Then the girl entered the water and was next to them in a few seconds.

“Hi I’m Willow. You’re Luz and Amity right? We go to the same homeroom alongside Boscha and Skara.” She rapid fire chattered off leaving even Luz behind in what she was saying when she finally stopped.

“Yeah, I’m Luz and this is Mint Tea.” The human said as she gestured to her auburn haired friend.

Amity gave a small wave “Amity Blight. You can call me Amity.”

“What do you want to talk about?” Luz asked sensing something off about their new ‘friend.’

“Oh, just what tracks you’re planning on. I feel like if we become powerful witches then knowing each other might be a good idea.” she responded, her grin sharp.

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“Ready, set, go!” Odalia shouted and the the two were off.

Alador immediately shot into his signature crawl. He didn’t need magic to back him up when it came to the water. His skills with abomination allowed him to pull himself through it like a blazing knife through butter. His work with the construction coven only aided in him rocketing away from shore.

Charbydis on the other hand was writhing through the water in the the butterfly stroke. He was moving quickly enough to generate a clear wake in the water. He caught up to Alador quickly and kept pace before he made it to the buoy, tagging as he passed it before circling around back and heading towards the shoreline again.

Alador tagged it a moment later, but as he turned to head back shoreward he was grabbed, his ankle was held fast and he looked for what would dare snare him.

Unsettled by the fact that his opponent was letting him slow down, Belos turned and saw Alador go under and swam back towards and dove under.

What he saw could only be described as a mass of tendrils surrounding a bloodstained beak. If he didn’t know better he would’ve sworn it was an artificial creation of a powerful plant witch, but time was off the essence. He swam over rapidly and clamped his jaws around the tentacle that was holding Alador. His bite force kept growing as he hung on. The creature shrieked and tried to shake him off as his teeth kept digging in deeper and deeper until the tentacle was severed from it’s owner and Alador was free.

The two looked at each other and called a temporary truce as they kicked towards the surface. Determined to finish their match another day, after taking down the monster in the depths and bring their families along to witness it as well.

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Amity and Luz were still talking to the odd girl. Both sensed an aura of malevolence from her. She seemed to radiate a quiet anger at everything besides plants and her fathers. The two saw her enter with them maybe 15 minutes ago. And then saw one of them approach.

He was tall and resembled Willow, sharing the same dark teal hair and glasses with her. “Willow, are these girls your friends?” he asked.

“Yes, Luz Talassan and Amity Blight. We’re in the same homeroom.”

From the father Amity and Luz did not sense the same malevolence his daughter had. Instead they sensed a jovial demeanor with shades of troublemaker. Dangerous, but several degrees less than the girl.

“Hello, nice to meet you, I’m George Park, Willow’s dad. Thank you for being friends with my daughter. She can be a bit intense.”

‘That’s an understatement.’ thought an uncomfortable Amity as she nodded “Our pleasure she heard herself say.”

“Yeah Will-oh, is a sweet girl.” Luz responded as well. She was better at disguising her discomfort and theories about what Willow planned to do to others, including her.

Suddenly her father and Alador were there, looking half drowned as Belos opened a portal and drew what looked like a small flails and passed it to Luz.

“Daughter, Alador and I found something simply amazing, you must see it.”

“I agree. Amity, get your sibling and Odalia. Tell them to get ready to dive. We’re going to monster slay.”

“Why?” Amity asked, apprehensive at the thought of a monster.

“Because it’s fun” the fathers replied in unison.

Chapter Text

Luz and Amity were brought out to the deep water where the monster writhed in the deep. Tentacles lashed up towards them. Belos and Alador repelled the tentacle with their spells as they began to form the weapons. Powerful curving blades lighter than steel yet tougher than tungsten. The blades were one single piece of metal forged in magic and non serrated to not impeded their cutting ability by catching.

So they examined the creature and dived, the weather splitting between them as their daughters followed, their focus unfettered as their fathers imposed their will to have the water form a shell around their daughters and nourish the lungs rather than burst them. This would be a failure if they had to divided their choices between two dead girls and one dead monster.

“Now watch carefully Luz. This will be an important lesson for when you’re older this creature is large and quick so going in a straight up brawl is not advisable, your best option is to play to your strength and hack it apart to lower that speed.” Belos told her as he began to rim it like a hedge.

“And when it pulls you, you go with it, just take a deep breath first to gain a little wriggle room. Then when you see it’s face you drive your weapon or your bones into it deep enough that no matter what lies within, it will feel it.” Alador shouted as he swam towards it with a wake following him. He was lookin for his opening and when he saw it he would take it.

Now he just had to focus on dodging its attacks. He knew the eyes were the weak points, but something about the creature disturbed him as it sprouted thorns. It’s movements were too precise, it wasn’t an animal, it was thinking and its thoughts ended with him in the dirt. He was snapped out of his musing as it grabbed his ankle and pulled him rapidly towards it and her drew his blade, the point down for the skull.

2 seconds, 1 second, 1/2 a second, now! He thrust the blade down into the skull, it encountering little resistance as the metal began to sink into the monster’s flesh.

The grip loosened and he began to rocket back towards the surface with his daughter in tow. Belos followed suit as they bobbed back to the surface like two gasbags.

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She was furious. Her plan foiled by those that were supposed to fall prey to it. If she could just remove those two from the equation then she could get to the daughters. She could adapt though and plans were meant to change. She watched them make their way back to the shoreline blissfully unaware of what she was planning as she watched them. Taking stock of their movements and speech patterns.

“Hey Amity, Luz, would you guys like to have a sleepover with me?”

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The odd girl asked her question and Luz looked back at her father, her eyes asking for permission. He sighed and relented “Yes, Luz you can stay over her house for the night. Just please don’t cause any trouble for your hosts when you’re there.”

Amity looked to her father and he replied “Go ahead, you seem to be fast friends.”

Willow chuckled in the back of her mind “Definitely not friends” she thought. “Thank you, would you like to meet up after you’ve had dinner?

“Sure, see you then.” Luz responded as she dried off. Shaking her head like a shaggy dog and the water hitting her friend and family.

“Odd girl huh?” Amity asked.

“Yeah, I feel something’s off about her. The expression she looked at us with is the same you’d give to a fresh plate of eggs.”

“Maybe more like roasted griffin.”

“Oh I’ve been meaning to ask, why do they breathe spiders?”

“No idea and I’d prefer to keep it that way.” Amity replied.

Alador nodded and so the two families continued enjoying their day at the beach while Willow met back up with her fathers and let the gears spin as plans were made.

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He was getting anxious. It had been four weeks since his last paladin raid and he was worrying for his uncle and his adopted cousin. She was studying wild magic and that made her a potential threat for his position. He would’ve loved to pick her brain under any other circumstances. At this point though he had no way to allow failure. It wasn’t an option in either sense.

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The Park family home wasn’t large by any stretch of the imagination. After all there were only three of them. Despite that it was quite comfortable for five to fit in and had an impressive basement filled to the gills with bookshelves.

Then there was Willow’s room which boasted a mini greenhouse that all manners of strange plants grew in. It was honestly impressive how proficient she was. Even at such a young age very few could prove a match for that skill, save for Amity and abominations.

Plants was seen as a basic form of magic, simply doing what was necessary to alter the environment it was in so it could thrive, providing a little water, and sustenance. Still that didn’t mean you couldn’t go far if you put the time and effort into the flora.

The isles were dangerous and only half of that danger was animals.

Luz and Amity entered in and were greeted by their classmate “So Willow, what’s the plan for tonight?” Luz asked her.

“Well we could stay up late.”

“No we can’t. We have school tomorrow.” Amity pointed out.

“Oh then maybe we can tell stories and talk about our interests and what you plan to do after you join a track.”

“A track?” Luz asked

“Yeah, classes for specific magics.” Amity explained “I’m shooting for abominations obviously and then the Emperor’s coven.”

Willow filed the information away, it would serve her well when she put everything into place.

Luz noticed the glint in Willow’s eye and smiled quietly in recognition of a kindred spirit.

Chapter Text

George knocked on the door with a jolly “May I come in?”

Willow opened the door to reveal her father with a plate of cookies. Fresh from the oven and piping hot as he set them down on a plate “Can I get you three anything else?” he asked with a smile.

“Milk please.” Amity requested.

“Apple blood if you have any.” Luz requested.

“Don’t you think you’re a little young for that?” George asked with a wry grin.

“Fair enough. My mentor lets me have it though, but the low quality stuff.”

“Your mentor?”

“Yes, Ee-da-lin” Luz sounded her name out like reading class taught her to do for longer words.

“The infamous Owl lady?” he asked.

“Why do people keep calling her that?” Luz asked, confused “Eda is nice.”

“You’ll understand when you’re older. So no apple blood tonight okay?”

“Fine, then just some water then please.”

“Alright I’ll be back soon.”

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“Eda you seem strange.”

“What do you mean by that King?”

“I don’t know, just friendlier after you met that kid. Luz was her name, I think.”

“Nonsense King, this is just business, nothing more.”

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He was wandering around the palace, he was wondering at the time as well. Wondering where his uncle had gone. Wondering where his cousin had gone, wondering where his new friend was.

Then a voice colder than ice rang out “Hunter.”

He stopped cold, and turned to see the Emperor, his uncle “Yes Uncle?”

“Would you like to play catch? Luz is staying with some friends tonight.”

Hunter’s grin lit up which caused his scar to split open again “I would,” and then the pain caught up “Ow, ow.”

“Does your scar still hurt Hunter?”

“It does and won’t seem to stay closed.”

“After our game I’ll take you straight to a member of the healing coven, they should be able to make sure it won’t hurt as much in the future, though I fear the scar won’t fade.”

“That’s fine.”

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Luz and Amity took a long gulp of their respective drinks as they looked around the room.

“So Willow how did you learn that you wanted to be a member of the plant coven?” Luz asked, curious about her sister in arms.

“I always had a talent for botany and just loved plant life even more than the lives of others. I mean how could I when plants prove a little more useful than them.”

Amity was getting concerned with how casually Willow rattled off the fact that she saw others as little more than potential sources of fertilizer. She calmed a little as Luz squeezed her hand and pressed onward “So do you think you’ll be a coven leader one day?”

“Absolutely, no doubts at all.” Willow said with a wide grin and her eyes glowing faintly.

Amity noticed the glow and the slight writhing of the plants in the miniature greenhouse it reminded her of something, but she couldn’t quite tell what. It unsettled her though and seemed oddly hypnotic as she watched the writhing. She inched further from it and closer to Luz.

“That’s really cool. Amity here is planning to be an Abomination witch and I think she already has skills that could make a coven leader tremble. She’s able to summon them even when the ingredients aren’t there, they just appear out of thin air almost.”

“Wow impressive and Luz, what do you think you’ll be doing?”

“Maybe potions. Papa thinks I enjoy pouring things into other things and that I’d be skilled at it should glyphs not pan out for me.” she admitted with the back of her head being scratched.

“Not interested in heading a coven?” Willow asked.

“Not really. I don’t think I’d be much of a leader.“ she said.

“Shame, I think you’d be a nice change,” Amity told her, earning a blush as Willow kept the gears of her plan turning only to be shaken from her thoughts by Amity yawning.

“Yeah it’s kinda late and we have school tomorrow. Do you mind if we turn in for the night.” Luz asked as Willow’s glow died down.

“Sure, sure.” Willow said “Did you bring sleeping bags?”

“Sure did.” Luz said as she pulled two from a satchel that Lilith had gifted her. She passed a deep green one to Amity as she unrolled her own purple one and got inside. As soon as her eyes closed she was out like a light. A similar result for her auburn haired companion.

The same was not true for their hostess. She planned ahead for this and had none of the cookies her dad made. She knew what she had to do as she went to her closet. The roped was on the top shelf and she had to make this quick and possibly look like an accident.

When she got it down she tied one end together. Testing the strength of her knot as she tightened and loosened it. She gave their heads a once over and figured out how large to make the opening in the rope. Then the bucket, the crux of her plan, able to hold plenty of the liquid she’d need and with a sturdy metal construction to make sure that it wouldn’t degrade considering the eventual contents.

Lastly a nail this would help her in ways that the two wouldn’t ever guess and had no way to ever counter. She remembered their names written in her notebooks etched deep as the scar she inflicted on that boy. He knew she didn’t have to go that far, but in all honesty she would’ve gone a lot farther. She was nearly done with setting everything, but concealed the bucket like she learned to do from her dads.

Then the rope went up tied sturdily to make sure they wouldn’t be getting away, after all she was swift that way. Everything was set up and ready, now she just had to wait for morning to come and then her companions would fall prey. She could hardly not laugh as she went to sleep.

Chapter Text

Luz woke from a surprisingly deep slumber. The coven she grew up with always commented on how her sleep was restless. She blinked her eyes, allowing the light to become less painful to her. Then she saw a razor toothed smile and the face that framed it.

“Hey fffffrrrriiieeeennnddd, sleep well?”

“Um, yes I did. Can you please get off of me?”

“And why would I do that?”

“Because it’s getting kind of hard to breathe.”

“All the better to make things easier, just remember to roll your head when you start getting blurry and your vision begins to fade. “

And so she did, the lack of oxygen making the rational part of her mind fail to resist. Luz blacked out.

As Willow smiled she drew a knife and flipped Luz over, pulling her shirt enough to expose her back and brought her knife down it, just enough to break the skin, but not to cause bleeding. She took one of her special seeds and put it into the opening before having her roots close it.

Then she moved to Amity and repeated the process before waiting for them to wake up again. It was her favorite game and why plant witches shouldn’t be underestimated. Her proficiency in it was also a bonus to what she was doing.

Then the two friends woke up. “Aw my back is sore.” Luz said as she rubbed it.

“Mine too.” replied Amity as she sat up.

“I’m not surprise, you two were thrashing a lot.” Willow said as she rubbed ehr eyes and put her glasses on “It seems you were having nightmares. I hope your feeling better.”

Then a voice from downstairs called “Willow, breakfast is ready! Have your friends come down. We’re having fungfins.”

“Well are you gals hungry?”

“I sure am.” Luz replied.

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It was a long day for Hunter after lessons and catch with his uncle. He was laying in bed despite the early morning. Then again as a night owl such as himself he was thankful for some time to rest up and recover before the next day. His nocturnal tendencies were both a boon and a curse.

Still there was something about all this that bothered him. When he walked out of the palace to explore he’d see witches with little animals on staffs. Yet none in the emperor’s coven had these with them preferring for smooth staffs with plain heads made of cold stone.

He wasn’t sure why this felt wrong to him, but it did. A strange contrast seeing the life in the town as opposed to the cold utalitarianism within the palace’s walls. An uncanny valley stretching to where his vision would blur and the scar would fade. A worrying rabbit hole.

Still he pushed such thoughts from his head as he laid down with the windows blocked of light and let the grip of his bed and blankets take hold and pull him under into a restful sleep. He needed this after all.

This was to be the fate of a Grimwalker after all.

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Luz opened the door and then the trap was triggered. The bucket was placed over the door and fatened with a rope to prevent it from falling to the floor. The contents of the bucket, ice water spilled onto the human.

“Uhh come on!” she moaned out “Hey Willow, you got a spare change I can borrow until these get dry?”

“Help yourself,” the plant witch said with a nod to her dresser “It might be a little loose.”

“Thanks Willow.” Luz told her kindred spirit as Amity and Willow exited. Once the other two were outside Luz stretched her arm again. It felt like there was something there that shouldn’t be. Coiling into her bones, writhing through the ligaments and sprouting thorns that almost pierced the flesh. As she took her hoodie off she saw her fears be confirmed as there was a long green streak running down her arm and she froze. She flexed her arm and saw the line move with it and then blinked a few times as the line disappeared.

It must’ve just been her mind playing tricks on her. She grabbed a sweater, cornflower blue, and pulled it on before trading her shorts for a skirt that was a polka dot leaf green piece.

She put it on and heard her limbs creak like dry branches, evidently she could use a little more sleep to cut down on these delusions. Otherwise she would slip up and end up dead.

That would be a major inconvenience.

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Amity’s skin felt slightly too tight on her frame. Something changed and it wasn’t just the place she stayed the previous night. Something felt stiff in her back as if another bone decided to form there or if a frozen abomination chose to you her as its pot.

She stretched trying to get the kink out of her neck and to her surprise it didn’t fade. Maybe she slept in a funny position or thrashed around. She was told that when she had a bad dream she thrashed like a drowner.

It was one of her quirks after all considering what she had gone through before being adopted by the Blights.

Still now was not the time to worry, now was the time to eat. The fungfins were traditional isles fair. A small single piece of fungus baked and mixed with fresh fruit inside of it. It was easy to eat and make often sold when schools needed more snails.

She took a bite out of hers and savored the taste. Something about it seemed amplified for lack of a better word. A taste with more potency than ever before. She had to hand it to the parks they were wizards of the kitchen, their food was perhaps even better than her father’s cooking.

“Hey this is really good.” she said between bites as the sound of Luz coming downstairs made itself known.

Amity looked at the girl and her world flipped with a smile.

“How do I look?” Luz asked.

“Perfect.”

Chapter Text

“Yeah Luz, you look amazing.” Willow shouted after Amity called it out.

The auburn haired girl however was dealing with a lot of thoughts. Most of them of a romantic tilt as she felt her face heat up. Standing there, Luz was like a goddess in a slightly oversized sweater looking nice and warm. Then a pain shot up in Amity’s arm. Almost like she swallowed thorns.

She pushed her thoughts out and went back to eating as Luz took her seat next to her, the pink creeped back into Amity’s cheeks. It only increased when Luz whispered to her “Hey can I talk to you alone for a moment?”

Amity nodded just a little too quickly as Luz chowed down and then beckoned her into the hall.

“Okay, something happened to us and I’m a bit scared.” Luz confided.

“What of? Willow’s harmless.” Amity replied as the pain came back.

“I doubt that. You know how she said we had nightmares? Mine was of her choking out. While changing I’m starting to think it wasn’t just a dream.” Luz told Amity as she pulled the collar of her sweater down enough for the bruises to show. Clear signs of strangling. “There was also a huge bruise across my chest. Almost like she was driving a knee into my lungs.”

“That is concerning.”

“That and one of my veins. It turned green for a split second and I thought I was just imagining it. Something’s wrong Am-I-tea. I don’t want to be a tree!”

Amity took a deep breath “It’s okay Luz. We’ll be fine. We’ve made it out of worse situations, at least I have.”

“Really Mint tea?”

“I’m certain Luz, trust me.”

With that settled they went back to the table “Hey I’m not feeling at all well? May I go home now please?” Luz asked the parks.

‘Of course.” answered one of the fathers “You live with the emperor right? Your classmates must be so jealous of you, already on a bright path.”

“Are they? I haven’t noticed if they are. Everything seems the same to me at least.”

“And such a humble girl, truly a witch to emulate.”

“May I please go home now?” she repeated.

Ah yes.

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The flight back to the palace was refreshing to Luz. She landed outside the gates and waved goodbye to mister park as she entered her one home for the past 2 years. The doors were light to her despite their massive size. However as she pushed she felt something in her trying to make her stick to the massive oaken doors as if welded. She pulled away quickly before truly becoming bonded.

She pushed the experience out of her head as she briskly walked to the throne where Belos lay on his throne, nodding off until he spotted her. Even without hearing his oice she could tell he was smiling under his mask and his voice confirmed it. “Luz, my light welcome home. I trust you and your friends had fun?” he said as he opened his arms.

She dashed straight into them, being lifted up and spun “Hello papa, it was awesome, but I wasn’t feeling well.”

When he let her feet touch the ground he nodded “I see, I’m not too knowledgeable in human biology, but when ill you should rest and ingest plenty of fluids. Go to bed dear. I’m certain you’ll feel better after resting.” He said with a soft smile hidden behind gold.

“Alright Papa.” she said before leaving as Belos slumped back into his throne, observing her.

He looked at the girl in front of him and was starstruck. Perhaps starstruck was the wrong word. Horrified was more appropriate. It was completely abhorrent. This, this pale mockery of his dear daughter. True it bore her flesh, but only wore her as if a suit. Attempting to subvert what he knew and knock him off balance. "Luz I will get you back." he told himself as she exited the throne room.

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There was a knock on the door as Odalia waited outside, her staff at her side. The spider palisman tipping it chattering slightly. “Hello, I’m here to pick up Amity.” she said as the door opened.

Amity was standing there like a copper haired angel with Mr. Park right next to her.

“I hope mittens wasn’t too much trouble.” she told the man.

“Not at all. Feel free to have her over anytime. She and her friend Luz were great to meet and very polite.”

“Speaking of which, where is Luz? I could give her a ride home.” Odalia offered.

“Oh my husband, George, he’s taking her home.”

“Oh thank you for that.” Odalia said as Amity walked to her. “We’ll be going now, once again thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

And with that, Amity and Odalia mounted chatter and flew off “Did you have fun Amity?.” Odalia asked her youngest daughter.

“I did, mom. Willow and her daddies are real nice.”

Odalia pursed her lips “That’s nice dear, what would you like for dinner tonight?”

“Can we have dad’s chili?” she asked.

“Of course we can.” Odalia responded as they landed outside of Blight Manor where Alador seemed to be tinkering with a big metal abomination.

“Alador dearest, what is this?” Odalia asked with a slight sparkle of wonder in he eyes.

Alador rubbed his sleepless eyes as they focused on Odalia. “I had a nightmare, Amity got hurt in it so to take steps to avoid that I decided to make this. I call it the abomiton. While it isn’t ready to go to market yet, it should be able to perform one specific task. It will protect Amity at all costs and will not stop until the threat to her has been unlimited.” he said before cackling like a mad scientist.

“I see, and how long have you been working on this?”

“Since I woke up due to the nightmare.” he responded cheerfully.

“And when was that?”

“Five minutes since we settled in.”

“Alador Blight, you are forbidden from working on this until you get yourself some sleep.”

Chapter Text

It was dark. Her room was inky black and immaculate, just as she remembered it. Yet the darkness she was used to suffocated her, pressing in from all sides. It was a rail, a covenant, a forest, pressing into her. She couldn’t blame anybody though, not least of all the vines she felt, writhing against her flesh, crushing the bones as the branches grew to replace them, The thorns that threatened to rupture her guts. Each prick pressing against the wrong side of her skin. Pain blooming even further outward in an explosion of sensations that she couldn’t quite describe.

It was agony, or was it ecstasy? All she felt was annoyance as she was trying to fall asleep only for each little thorn to press something vital and she had to switch lest she prefer to become a bag of blood and not much else.

Creak-creak-crack. The ribs splintered, wenge growing in their place. A cage less so than a part of her as then thorns spouted. A reminder that she wasn’t herself anymore. She was claimed by the vines, she would do as they commanded and if she didn’t, then pop would go the heart, better people have met worse fates.

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It was strange to her. She was at a funeral. That wasn’t the strange part. Death tolls on the isles are high due to the deadly flora and fauna. It was odd because it was her funeral. The casket said as much, the body inside the casket proved it.

Her hair had a green tinge as she lay still. Her siblings and parents crying their eyes out. Luz and her father were missing from the mourning party though. Pricks ran along her skin, but if she was standing there, how could she be in the casket, much less a corpse.

She ran for her father, to give him a hug and let him know she was there. And she passed right through him. Skin growing colder.

She must’ve been like on of the spirits that haunted the outside of Hexside. She could chill there. She tried to float that way only to be pulled back to the casket, shrieking as it was slowly lowered to the ground, dirt closing in crushing her.

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Her eyes shot open, tears welling from them. The fear still very real. She looked at herself and thumped her chest a few times, the sound of bones being hit reverbed outward. She was still herself. That was emboldening as much as it was worrying, That dream scared her as it broke down the doors of what she could be. If it lasted longer would she become a slavering ghoul like those she had seen in the deepest chambers of the dungeons. Beholden only to her appetites and base instincts, a creature made only to feed? She couldn’t let that happen, she was Luz, she was a human, not a simple animal that feasted on magic and rats. She was better than the basilisks.

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Amity woke with a sweat finding herself drenched to the bone in a cold sweat. She stood up and walked to her parent’s room and knocked to the door.

“Who is it?” asked what sounded like a groggy Odalia.

“Amity.” replied the young girl as she slightly opened the door.

Odalia roused herself quickly flicking the lamp on “Come in sweetie.”

Amity entered as Alador woke himself and patted a part of the bed between them which Amity took a seat in.

“What’s wrong Mittens?” Alador asked tracing small circles on her back to calm her.

“I had a nightmare, I was dead and dragged down screaming into the ground. I tried to float away, but something tethered me there. I wasn’t able to get away.”

Alador hummed “Do you still feel trapped?”

Amity turned to look at him. For the first time she noticed their eye colors matched. Then she shook her head.

“If you want you can stay with us for the night, we’ll protect you, dearest.” Odalia said as she gave Amity’s forehead a kiss.

“You’ve got the heart of a warrior forged in strife.” piped up another voice.

“And you masked with resolve all your fears and pain Amity.” came a fourth,

Odalia and Alador turned to see Edric and Emira waiting.

“How long were you going to stand there?” Alador asked with a sly grin.

“Well it was an adorable scene it wouldn’t have been right to interrupt.” Edric replied in kind with his father’s trademark smirk.

“C’mere you two.” Odalia said as the twins slipped into the large bed as well, the four forming a cuddle pile around Amity, finally feelin secure and untouchable. She fell asleep that way even as something inside awoke and got to work.

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The tomes he pored over did not aid him. Plant magic had no ways to blight the seed. The potions had no herbicide strong enough to kill it. Healing magic could not extract it. Even the detestable wild magic could not remove it. He was at a loss and it was showing. He was having his episodes more and more often and no palisman could keep him in his public guise for long.

“Milord, maybe it’s time for a rest?” Suggested Kikimora as she entered the room.

“No, Kiki, it’s fine. I’m just seeking all there is to know.”

“Phillip I really think-”

“She was cut off by a spike rapidly streaking toward her, stopping an inch from her eye.”

“That man is long dead.”

“I’m sorry, Emperor Belos. Such obsessions are not good. The guards are picking up on your anxiety, so far there have been no less than four attempts in the last 8 hours on that girl you took in during that bloody raid.”

“It was not a raid, it was a reformation. Yes of course Milord, please remember to care for yourself.”

“I know Kikimora and thank you, but you need not worry for me any longer.”

“I understand Emperor Belos, supreme witch of all the isles.”

She left and he closed the book, looking to the large mirror on the wall, noting that the rot that started nearly a month ago was slowly creeping across his face.

Chapter Text

An explanation is an order. So there are three things you should know.

1) I am working on the actual chapter 18.

2) I am working on two other fics an office romance, and a yandere fic.

3) I cannot thank you enough for sticking with me.

So regarding 1, the chapter is currently totaling over 2500 words and should be done by mid july (high motivation) while the other two are 3/4 ways done each. In addition I will be returning to College this fall so I am hunting scholarships so don't send any anthrax my way please be patient and then when I get my dorm you can send me stuff to my PO box.

Hey orangecat you here? I may have a work for you to beta if you don't mind.

Chapter Text

He rubbed his eyes and then it was gone, chalking it up to exhaustion as he turned away to return to his studies and make sure his daughter was safe at least for the night. He floated through the palace halls like a phantom as he entered her room, lying down tih her, shielding her form with his own should a ruffian choose to make trouble for the both of them.

“I promise you, nothing here will harm you, my precious daughter. As long as my body remains in mainly one piece nothing out there will harm you and live long enough to tell others about it” before he drifted into the warm grip of Hypnos.

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His dreaming was fitful as always, his mind had no dark corners for him to hide himself away from, unlike the palace. The flames burned around as he held the warm grip of the blade in his hand. It was a memento from one he truly cared about. He had been in this situation for nearly 400 years by this point. He didn’t know whether it was the glyphs he carved into his arm or the magic that suffused the very air that sustained him. He gazed out across the boiling water from atop one of the ribs as the flames descended below the waves.

Then he was in another area, snow softly fell around and he remembered exploring these woods before with his companions in his search for Eclipse Lake. In those foolish days when all he thought of was returning home rather than doing what he could to learn the ways of this area.

Then he was awake again, cold sweats as the branding on his arms seared themselves deep in his flesh. He roused himself before waking his daughter.

“Luz it’s time for school.” he said to the groans of his adoptive blessing. After a short period of protest she got up and went to prepare herself for the first day of the true teachings by the owl lady.

Lilith delivered her to the location with a packed meal that was safe for humans. The eldritch beast that her sister called a security sister greeted her and to her chagrin he was beginning to grow on her. She left as her sister greeted the child.

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She put on the provided hat and coat.

“Alright kid, today we’re going to the knee, it’s always chilly down there so we’re gonna make sure that you’re not uncomfortable otherwise the emperor’s coven would have my head.” and then as if to demonstrate she pulled her head off.

Luz screamed in horror before the lady attached her head “Calm down kid, just a joke.” she chuckled.

“But yo- head- off- how- put-down!”

“It just happens as you get older, now come one, Owlbert will get us there today.” she said motioning to her palisman as he transformed into a stave. And she hopped on as if about to ride a bicycle and motioned for Luz and king to join her.

Luz rocketed onto the staff and wrapped her tiny arms around the waist of her mentor as to not fall off as the demon sat in her lap and they sped South from the sternum. She wondered what the knee was like besides cold. She felt that something new could be learned in her time down there.

“I know what you’re wondering kid.” Eda replied, orange mane flowing behind her like a flame “Can I really learn magic despite not being born here and therefore no bile sac.” she chuckled and snorted “The isles themselves are suffuesed with magic if you know where to look, that how the wild witches did it before the Deadwardian era at least.”

The young human’s eyes lit up at the prospect of learning magic and casting the spells that her ‘father’ told her about and had shown off during her forays around the castle, hoping to see her hard work bear fruit.

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Amity’s sleep was not fitful per say, she felt safe with the other Blights forms pressed protectively against her as her father was the first up as he gently roused her “Amity, it’s time for breakfast and then school, but I can’t start cooking with you on top of me.” Alador gently whispered to her clinging form as he sat up.

She rubbed her eyes before shifting so her father could get out of the bed and head to the kitchen as she stuck close to him as if safer by him. Perhaps she was considering his brawler background and connection to the current head of the abominations coven even despite the rift that wa driven between them by Terra of the Plants Coven. He still could fix the relationship hopefully and if that didn’t work he wasn’t afraid to get rough and tumble with whoever intended to hurt his family.

That calmed the youngest Blight somewhat as she saw a kindred spirit in the sleepy inventor. Even as he sloppily tied an apron over his night clothes and got the stove sizzling under a pan, cracking two eggs into the skillet. The smell filling the kitchen quickly to the delight of Amity’s rumbling stomach, she hadn’t eaten much the previous day as the nightmares left her feeling nauseous. So the light breakfast was a welcome change of pace to her. She was thankful that even if she was plagued with nightmares she could still eat and function like any other witch, possibly even better than other witches due to her aptitude for magic. She was already in advanced classes for those who manipulated goo and life to give rise to abominations, though her other grades were not much to scoff at even if she was middling in plant studies. She could always improve as she progressed through the grades, maybe make up for it in P.E. when they played grudgby, a sport that exemplified the sink or swim life the isles forced. Survival was paramount.

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The Knee was snowy, ramparts set up and blown down when the emperor took power. Set up by the wild witches who refused to listen to the Emperor’s truth and ignored the 9 lights he brought to guide them.

“Beatiful!” Luz exclaimed upon viewing the landscape, she spun around to take in the view, the frosty air clear and alive. Snow still sprinkling to the ground. Slitherbeasts still fast asleep in the fresh carpeting of the world. Every few minutes one would roar and turn over, waiting for something to mess with it.

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The morning in the Park home was quiet. Gilbert and Harvey woke in the shared bed they owned, One of the four in the household. The other three in Willow’s room and the guest room. The two were well aware of their daughter’s tendencies. Yet considering there was no harm to others they saw no reason to stop her. Perhaps her work could even leave to a breakthrough in plant magic that others had been missing for decades.

Willow on the other hand knew she was deceiving them. This fact may have hurt, had she bothered to think on it for long enough, but she didn’t do pain. So she kept doing what she could in a futile attempt to be liked by her contemporaries.

Though recently she had informed that she had come up with a way to make her classmates accept her as one of her own. They simply hoped that it wouldn’t involve mind controlling several people at once.

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After her teeth were brushed and she was dressed and fed Amity was dropped off at Hexside for classes, as she walked through the halls she felt rejuvenated as she walked in the light of the sun and then began to sweat profusely. She felt almost like she was riding a sugar high as she kept walking in the light, but as soon as she stepped into the shade that high faded and she was back to her baseline energy as she trudged to magic and covens 101.The history of the isles and the emperor himself being taught to help enforce the survival philosophy of the isles and the history of the Golden Guards too, the mysterious masked hunters who served as the emperor’s right hand. The coven leaders trained by the Guard themselves.

She looked up to them, not to mention encouragement from her parents, siblings, and teachers encouraging to try to join the emperor’s coven once she was old enough for tryouts.

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I have a plan Arthur! I figured out where to go with this. Now I need to wait for the advil to wear off.

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Dying to see you.

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Hey guys, how long has it been since we last talked? 5 years or so? Where have the times gone? I know you guys really want to see more of this, but here's the thing.

I just can't get my spark back. That flow I had when we were locked down, yeah it's gone, poof, vamoose, goodbye. Maybe it'll come back? Who knows. Even if it does I have like zero reasonable free time due to my work in a hospital.

I'll try to make another chapter someday.

Yours forever come hell or high water,

Ozymandius "Greavedash" Yams