Chapter Text
LUZ POV:
The rest of the morning had gone in a blur. Once everyone had woken up, the chaos of twelve people, a palisman, and a hooty really became evident. Luz didn’t want to imagine how cramped it would be if the Bat Queen hadn’t already left. Everyone was doting on Luz; doing checkups, cracking jokes, catching her up on everything, and a lots of crying and hugs. Luz made sure to match the energy the best she could, but after three days of mostly isolation and lots of stress, it was a bit overwhelming to take in. Her only moments to somewhat breath for even a second was when she had to use the bathroom (which, with all those potions she was guzzling, was often). But, even then, Amity would stand guard right outside, pacing anxiously until Luz emerged.
Which is where Luz was now, staring into the bathroom mirror. She stared at her face, lost in a trance. She blinked out of it as she noticed something peaking out from her bangs. Lifting up her hair, a thin line cut across part of her forehead. She touched the new scar gently, processing her new feature. She looked down at her abdomen before gripping the bottom of her gray shirt. She took a small breath, then slowly lifted it up.
Her brows knit together as she surveyed her stomach, which was now covered in large, round areas purely made of scar tissue. Her hands started to shake at the sight, flashes of spikes shooting towards her flooding her mind. She hovered a hand over the marks for a moment before lowering it onto the soft scar tissue. Panic shot through her whole being as she swore she could feel the impalement ripping her open once again. The memories of the pain and panic became too much, and she felt her breathing become unsteady.
“Luz?” Amity’s voice ripped through the thoughts, reminding her where she was.
“Be there in a sec!” Luz called out as she quickly yanked the shirt back over the evidence. “Just washing my hands!”
Luz turned on the faucet and washed her hands, allowing the feel of the water ground her back in the moment. She couldn’t go back out there all frazzled. Everyone had already gone through so much due to her being stupid and running into that tent alone. They have their own trauma thanks to her now. She could see how much they grew worried and more stressed out whenever she let slip being tired, or sad, or worried…
After all she put them through, she couldn’t expect them to take on more burdens because of her own dumb mistakes. They got her out of that cage, so the least she could do is act normal and handle her own emotions. They deserved that much.
Luz hadn’t even realized she was staring at the water in another trance until a bang at the door caused her to jump out of her skin.
“Hey, Kiddo!” Eda’s voice yelled through the door. “Hurry up in there and meet us downstairs in the living room! We got stuff to talk about!”
“R-right!” Luz stammered back. “Sorry!”
Looking in the mirror one last time, she forced a wide smile for practice, then turned off the faucet.
“I can do this,” she said to her reflection with more confidence than she felt.
She dried her hands on a towel and opened the door. Almost immediately, Amity was at her side.
“You okay?” Amity fretted. “You were in there for quite a while.”
“Oh, yeah, sorry,” Luz gave her the practiced smile. “I’m okay!”
Amity suddenly froze, a look of fear flashed in her eyes. Before Luz could respond, Amity’s hand reached out and checked Luz’s ear again.
“Still me!” Luz reassured, making sure to hold her positive smile.
Amity’s fear gave way to a look of confusion instead, still not dropping her hand from the ear.
“I- but your-…, ” Amity trailed off, carefully observing Luz’s face.
“My what? Is something on my face?” Luz asked, wiping her face with her arm. “Did I get some syrup on my face from breakfast?”
Amity stood silent for a moment longer, making Luz a bit concerned, before finally pulling back.
“No, sorry,” Amity gave a sigh. “I thought I saw something. It’s nothing. Wanna head downstairs?”
Amity held her hand out, and Luz relaxed a little. Luz slipped her hand in Amity’s, causing a feeling of warmth wrap around her. This time, her smile wasn’t as forced as she nodded.
“Yeah, let’s go!”
The two of them headed down to the living room, where everyone was casually chatting. As the two of them entered, Eda sat upright on the couch and cleared her throat.
“Alright, losers,” Eda yelled over the crowd. “Everyone shut your pie-holes and listen up. I know a lot has happened, but we need to talk about making a plan before all you kids head home.”
With all the seats taken, Luz plopped down cross-legged on the ground by the coffee table next to Barcus. Amity sat down beside her, much more gracefully, already locked in to what the owl lady was discussing. Once everyone stopped their side conversations, and Eda was content everyone was settled in, she continued.
“Now that we are all caught up, we need to stay informed on any and all encounters or discoveries relating to this CL and the unknown witch running around. You all have my number now, so call me if you see anything suspicious.”
“CL is also very powerful,” Lilith added in a very serious tone. “She is not to be taken lightly. She has never failed a mission before for the emperor, and I doubt she plans to start now. If she tries to attack you, do not fight. Find somewhere safe until we can come help you.”
“And since no one has any information on the second witch,” Eda scowled in annoyance, “she is a complete wild card. She warned King to stay away from CL without harming him, but she also clearly tried to charge at you guys when you were leaving that house. Without knowing her goal or endgame, its best to not approach or let her get near you.”
Lilith nodded, “Stay in groups with one another, and never go off alone. That can make you an easy target.”
Luz raised her hand, but didn’t wait to be called on before asking, “What do we do when we have to split up during school today?”
“School?” Jerbo grew nervous. “It’s the weekend. This is the weekend, right? Or did I mix up my days?”
He turned to look at Viney, who gave a nod and said, “It’s the weekend. We don’t have to worry about that for another couple of days.”
“Oh, duh,” Luz gave n embarrassed chuckle as she playfully facepalmed. “I knew that.”
She made sure to keep her smile, despite the churning gut within. The weekend already? That much time had passed? She knew she had lost track of time while in there, but she hadn’t realized how many days it had been. A whole school week, stuck in a cage, missing out on everything and everyone.
“Lastly, and most importantly,” Eda glared at all of Luz’s friends, “I want someone watching over my kid at all times. No leaving her alone.”
Luz blushed, feeling even more embarrassment of having to be protected like a weak child. She understood it was the smart thing, but she didn’t like how it made her feel.
While everyone else was nodding, Luz caught sight of Willow’s shoulders caving inward and her eyes fall to the ground.
“And you!” Eda’s voice pierced through before Luz could fully process Willow’s behavior.
Luz looked up at Eda and tensed at Eda’s finger pointing right at her.
“No more wandering off alone! At least not until I finish getting my claws into the two idiots who dare to mess with us and tear them-“
“I got it,” Luz interrupted. “I will stay in sight. Promise! I learned my lesson.”
“Good,” Eda nodded. “And with that-,” she stomped one foot on the coffee table dramatically and pointed forward, “-Mission Stop-the-Baddies is a go! Let’s do this!”
Everyone just stared at Eda for a moment in silence. Amity groaned slightly, mumbling something about “that’s who he gets it from.”
“Soooo,” Emira pointed towards Eda, “is this you trying to tell us all to leave?”
“Yes. It’s crowded, all my food is gone, and momma needs a nap,” Eda said. “Plus, I don’t need a hundred parents trying to fight Hooty because all their kids suddenly ran away for days to the local wild witch’s house! So all of you need to go home.”
“Safely, though!” Lilith added, shooting daggers at her sister with her gaze. “We want you to be safe.”
“Well, duh,” Eda rolled her eyes. She crossed her arms in annoyance and said, “I did tell them ways to not get jumped, sis.”
Lilith rubbed her head in annoyance as well but waved her off in surrender. And with a final “shoo”-ing from Eda, the group moved into action to tidy up their mess and prepare to leave. Luz stared at the door, the feeling of being trapped slowly crawling up her spine. The more she stared at it, the faster her knee started bouncing. She finally leapt to her feet and walked over to her mentor.
“Hey, Eda?”
“Yeah, kid?” Eda turned away from her supervision. “What’s up?”
“Um… I was hoping I could go to the market today.”
“Nuh-uh,” Eda made an ‘x’ with her arms. “You just got back on your feet after being gone for days. I don’t want you leaving this house just yet.”
“Please, Eda?” Luz asked, hands folded together as she begged. “I neeeeeed to be outside for a bit! I’ve been stuck indoors for days! And I need a new shirt, since this one is the only one I got left.”
“I can go with her,” Amity offered. “I’m not ready to go home yet, anyway.”
“Gus and I can also go!” Willow quickly added.
“Yeah! Please, Eda?” Gus joined in the begging with giant puppy eyes.
“I don’t know…,” Eda frowned, true concern etched on her features.
“Sister,” Lilith spoke from her spot on the couch. “I barely know the human compared to all of you, and even I know she will sneak out the first chance she gets if you say no.” Lilith glanced up at Eda with a raised brow, “In fact, I know because I grew up along someone who was the same way. She’d be safer going with our knowledge and with a group than if she tried sneaking out on her own, wouldn’t you say?”
Eda let out a long groan of frustration before saying, “Fine! But only if you stick together! And come right back after you buy your shirt. Deal?”
“Deal!” Luz nodded vehemently, relief flooding over her. “You won’t regret this!”
“I’m sure I will,” Eda corrected.
“Alright! Ready to head out?” Luz spun towards the others.
“Hold on, Luz,” Emira said, appearing with Edric behind Amity. “Before you go, mind if we have a word with our little sister?”
“Oh, of course,” Luz gave two thumbs up. “I gotta grab my snails from upstairs anyway.”
Amity looked urgently at Luz, seeming uncomfortable as she was lead outside without Luz. Once Amity was gone, Luz went to go towards the stairs, only for Willow to grab her collar and pull her back dramatically.
“Willow?”
“Nope! Don’t worry about getting your snails,” she said. “I’ll buy you a new shirt. It’s not right you have to buy yourself a new shirt after everything.”
“It’s fine,” Luz explained. “I don’t mind.”
“Well, I do,” Willow stood her ground. “I couldn’t do much to get you back from CL, but I can at least buy you a new shirt.”
Luz frowned, “Willow-“
“Nice try, little one,” Eda interrupted, leaning on Luz’s head. “However, Luz is my ward, so I am the one who is responsible to make sure she has clothes to wear.”
A satchel of snails dropped in front of Luz, and she barely caught it in time before it spilled to the floor. Luz felt her own guilt gnawing at her again at the burden the others were once again covering. She forced another smile, trying to hide it.
“That’s really sweet guys, but I really-“
“No arguing!” Eda firmly, but gently, bopped Luz on the head and said, “That’s an order. Don’t come back until you’ve used all those snails to buy some new outfits. Got it?”
“Got it,” Luz gave another thumbs up, forcing herself to hold the grin.
“Good. Now scat.”
“Shopping trip!” Gus pumped his fists in the air as he ran outside.
“We will go outside and wait for Amity to be ready to go,” Willow said.
Willow looped her arm in Luz’s and pulled her gently out the door after their friend. Once outside, Luz spotted the Blight siblings off a little ways. Amity looked extremely agitated, and it seemed that the twins were actively lecturing her about something. Whatever it was, Luz hoped it wasn’t because of her.
A hand began ruffling her hair. She looked over to see Viney next to her, with Barcus and Jerbo standing just behind her.
“We are heading out. Be safe, okay?” Viney said. “And if you start feeling sick or any pain, let me know so I can check up on it. I’ll be able to ride on Puddles and get here extremely fast if need be.”
“Sounds good! Thanks you guys for everything,” Luz replied.
“Ruff!”
“Barcus said ‘you don’t have to thank us for doing what you would do,’ and I agree,” Jerbo translated. “Just don’t go doing that again. My nerves are already shot!”
“Your nerves are always shot, Jerbo,” Viney rolled her eyes.
“All the more reason to be careful!” Jerbo huffed back defiantly.
“Aaaand with that, we’ve got to get going,” Viney grinned. “Talk to ya later!”
“See you guys!” Luz waved.
“Wait up, cutie!” Emira saddled up next to the buff witch, arm slinging over her shoulders and a grin flashing her way. “Why don’t we walk home together?”
“It’s only romantic if there weren’t three other people here, Emira,” Edric mused as he joined the group.
“Whatever,” Viney rolled her eyes, though her cheeks got slightly pink at the comments. “You can walk with us if you want. I won’t stop you.”
Edric, Jerbo, and Barcus all gave knowing looks, fully entertained, as they followed after the two women. Luz watched the group in amusement before Amity approached them, mood looking sour as she glanced at her siblings walking off.
“You okay?” Luz asked. “What did they say to you?”
“Nothing important. It was just a stupid sibling lecture,” Amity waved off.
“About what?”
Amity glanced at Luz with concern before quickly looking away with a shrug, “Just banter. You know how the twins get. Just trying to get on my nerves.”
Luz knew it was a lie. The look Amity just passed Luz made her worry even more it had something to do with herself again. Something that happened during all this that earned Amity a lecture. Another issue caused my Luz’s mess. But Amity was clearly not going to share whatever it was with her, so Luz forced another smile, hoping to ease the moment.
“If you say so!” Luz faked enthusiasm, trying to hide her worry. “If you are ready, we can start heading to the market now.”
Amity faltered as she met Luz’s eyes again. Luz swore she noticed fear in her girlfriend’s golden eyes, but it was gone as fast as it came.
“Right. I just gotta grab my bag inside real quick,” Amity agreed. “Then we can go get you some new outfits.”
After Amity came back out with her satchel and the group waved goodbye to Hooty, the four of them started walking towards town. Luz tried to listen in as the others spoke, but her mind couldn’t seem to focus. She stuck her hands in her pockets, only for her hand to brush something folded up within. She pulled it out, and only then did she remember what it was. She had snuck CL’s picture of her and her mom into her pocket back when she broke that picture frame. Though it still sat folded in her hand now, Luz stared at it as if she was staring at the image tucked within.
Thinking back on the conversations they had, it was eerie just how similar CL was to her. After all, CL was her, right? Did that mean Luz was for sure going to end up like CL? Would Luz eventually drive all her friends away again, just as CL had done? Were they both doomed to CL’s end? If Luz proved too much of an annoyance or bother, would she also go insane? Willing to accept manipulation just for some semblance of a connection, just like CL had done?
Was she just destined to be alone?
“Boiling Isles to Luz,” Gus said, waving a hand in front of her. “You in there?”
“Sorry!” Luz forced a smile as she frantically shoved the folded photo back in her pocket. “Got lost in thought. What did you say?”
“We asked what you were holding,” Amity asked, pointing at the pocket.
“Just some stupid picture,” Luz shrugged as she kicked a rock off to the side of the path. “I just forgot it was in there. So what store are you guys thinking we should go to first?”
***
Being out on the town really gave Luz the fresh air she needed. Being away from the bars of her cage, out of any confining walls, and back in the bright world again helped clear her head a bit. It didn’t take long for Luz to be fully immersed in her friends’ shopping enthusiasm, and her dark thoughts cleared as they worked their way through town. It was exhilarating hopping from store to store, trying on a variety of styles and outfits. Some seemed similar to human realm clothes, like the leather jackets, graphic tees, and so on. However, others were clearly unique to the Boiling Isles, such as witchy robes, jackets with fangs of an unknown beast trailing down the back, and outfits that had holes for wings, tails, or extra sets of arms.
Luz ended up trying on as many fun ensembles that actually fit her. Every time she walked out of the changing room she would walk as if on a runway, and the group would either cheer and whistle their approval, or boo dramatically if it looked bad. Amity even went on to pretend being snooty again, giving pretentious sounding critiques of the outfits like she was a famous fashionista. Of course every time she did, the mask would break as they all burst into laughing fits.
In the end, Luz found herself leaving with a fairly decent haul of outfits. She had even went ahead and changed into her favorite of the outfits they found. It consisted of a graphic tee of the Titan’s skull on a blue background, a black bomber jacket, a beanie, some cargo pants, and of course her special cape from Eda. She even managed to find some decent shoes so she could get the old emperor coven boots off. The old clothes were shoved in one of the shopping bags, minus her special cape and the pocketed photo (which she had transferred to her new pants for safekeeping).
“You know, you have a bit more snails left over,” Amity pointed out as they walked down the street. “We could grab something to eat before heading out.”
“Oh! Like some eyes cream cones!” Gus pointed at a nearby stand.
“I could go for something sweet,” Willow agreed. “What do you think, Luz?”
“Someone else can eat the eyeballs, but I’ll gladly eat the frozen cream part of it!”
“Deal! Last one there is a rotten egg sack!” Gus yelled as he began to run.
“Oh, no you don’t!”
Luz raced after him. She thanked her much longer legs as she managed to surpass him just before skidding to a stop in front of the stand and giving it a dramatic slap.
“Victory is mine!” Luz laughed maniacally as Gus collapsed to his knees, trying to catch his breath.
“No! Curse my tiny legs!” Gus cried out, shaking his fists in the air.
Amity and Willow followed right behind at a casual walk, both clearly entertained by the antics.
“It’s okay, Gus,” Willow comforted, patting his back. “Maybe next time.”
The four of them placed their order to the unamused eyes cream man, then watched with excitement as he began the scooping. As Luz waited, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck rising. She looked around, scanning the area. She swore she felt like they were being watched.
That’s when she noticed the hooded figure. The person just stood there, facing their direction. The mystery person wore a crimson cloak, which shaded any features from Luz’s gaze. A brown purse was slung across their body, with an oddly familiar purple heart trinket. A memory clicked in her mind, and she finally realized who was watching them just as the person made a sharp turn, vanishing down a small alleyway.
Luz took a couple steps to chase the witch, but froze as a feeling of dread hit her. She whipped around to her distracted group and grabbed Amity’s hand.
“Luz, what are you-“
“No time! Follow me!” Luz yelled before practically dragging her girlfriend behind her.
“Luz, wait up!” Willow called after them, clearly trying to follow.
Luz fought to shove through the crowd of people on the street, ignoring complaints as she barreled past. She could hear Amity frantically apologizing to everyone they passed in Luz’s pursuit, but Luz was laser focused on the alleyway the cloaked witch had vanished to. She had to catch up before they vanished.
Luz finally stopped in her tracks as they entered the passageway. Her stress rose as she realized there were three other small alleys branching off of the empty one they stood in.
“Luz, what are you doing?” Amity asked, a twinge of fear edging her words.
“What- did you- see?” Gus asked between gasps of air.
“Was it CL?” Willow asked.
“No, I just thought I saw- there!”
Luz had spotted a glimpse of the cloaked person peaking around the corner of another path before vanishing again. She once again yanked Amity behind her as she took off after the spying stranger. This time, however, as they turned the corner, Luz felt an abomination hand- no, it was a mud abomination hand- grab her ankle. A yank threatened to pull her underground, only stopping at chest level thanks to Amity’s grip holding firm, refusing to let Luz fully sink under. Luz’s free hand frantically scratched at the dirt, trying to claw her way out.
“Amity! Don’t let me go!” Luz shouted, tears rising in panic as she started sinking slowly despite the hold on Amity.
“We got you, Luz!” Willow shouted, summoning a green spell circle.
Luz was suddenly shot out of the ground by a large flower bursting up beneath her. Amity and Gus caught her as she fell off. They helped her get steady on her feet, but Luz could only register the overwhelming terror of nearly being ripped away once again.
“Luz, you’re okay,” Amity reassured in her ear.
“Y-yeah, I’m okay,” Luz repeated, trying to get a handle on her anxiety. “I’m okay.”
“What just happened?” Gus squeaked.
They didn’t have time to talk before several of the abomi-mud hands burst up from the ground, all surrounding Luz.
“Ah, fudge buckets,” Luz mumbled aloud.
The hands shot forward and gripped her tight, once again yanking her down. Darkness engulfed her as she went fully under this time. Even as she felt herself being pulled further and further down in the dirt, she somehow still felt Amity’s hand in hers.
The ground surrounding her vanished, and after a second of free falling, she landed hard on the ground. Something landed on top of her once- twice- three times, and the wind left her lungs at the impact.
“Luz!?” Amity voice called out from one of the forms crushing her.
Luz just let out a pained groan beneath her while someone summoned a light spell. The area brightened around them, revealing the surroundings to be a pitch-black tunnel. Luz realized that everyone had been pulled down with her, hands all linked together. The others jumped off of her the moment they noticed Luz being crushed underneath, and Amity sat her up.
“Sorry, Luz,” Amity apologized. “Are you hurt?”
“Just had the wind knocked out of me,” Luz gasped with a thumbs up. “Where are-“
“Back away from Luz,” a woman’s voice commanded from the darkness.
Everyone jumped to their feet around Luz, who was still fighting to get her lungs working normal again. The crimson-cloaked figure emerged from the dark, hand at the ready for casting.
“I think that’s our line,” Willow shot back as she summoned a spell.
Vines burst from the ground towards the witch, who quickly burnt them up with a fireball.
“Wait!” Luz tried to speak past the lack of air.
But her plea fell on deaf ears as a full on battle erupted between the three others and the witch. Luz slowly clambered upright, using the brick wall of the tunnel for support. She went to take a step forward, but a vine grabbed at her ankle, and she was dragged along the painful concrete ground towards the attacker.
“Wait! Hold on!” Luz shouted at the witch as she tried digging into her pocket.
She was released as one of Amity’s abominations ripped the vine apart.
“Luz, get back!” Gus ordered as he jumped in front of her protectively.
“You don’t know who you are protecting!” the cloaked witch shouted as she avoided another cast spell from the group. “I’m trying to help you kids!”
“Everyone, stop!” Luz interjected, brushing to withering vine off her leg.
“Nice try!” Amity snarled at the enemy. “You aren’t-“
“I said STOP!”
Luz jumped between the opposing sides and slapped two ice glyphs to the ground. Large pillars of ice shot up on either side of Luz, forcing both sides to stumble back from the new barriers. As the shock seemed to cause a lull in the fight, Luz went to dig in her pocket.
“Luz, look out!” Amity cried out.
The ice blocking Luz from the other witch exploded into flying shards of ice around her. The other witch approached, preparing to cast another spell.
“Wait! I know who you are!” Luz quickly stammered, unfolding the print from her pocket and holding it up. “Camila Noceda!”
The witch froze in place at the sight of the photo. Luz stared at the witch’s spell circle, which was only a hand twitch away from connecting. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as Luz held the photo out slightly closer.
“This is you, in the picture, right?” Luz pointed at CL’s mom in the photo. “You are Camila.”
The spell’s glow vanished as the witch’s hand reached up, then slowly pulled her hood down. Standing directly in front of Luz now stood a near identical image of her own mother. However, the pointed ears and crimson eyes that matched the woman’s cloak made it clear which realm’s version of her mother it was. The witch Camila stared at the photo a moment longer before meeting Luz’s eyes. As her mother’s doppelgänger glared at her, Luz felt a strange swirl of emotions churning in her gut.
“Wait, who?”
Gus’ voice finally broke the tense silence, the group having melted the ice spell.
“I’m Luz’s mom,” the witch version spoke firmly, “and I’ve come to stop her from hurting anyone else.”
“Wrong Luz,” Amity spat venomously, saddling up beside Luz.
“I don’t care what you- hold on, what do you mean, ‘wrong Luz’?” Camila’s threatening tone vanished as Amity’s words sunk in.
Luz felt Amity’s hand slip back into hers, giving a small squeeze of reassurance. The comforting touch helped pull Luz from her paralyzed state.
“You… do know there are two of them, right?” Willow asked, pointing at Luz.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Camila spoke, though a waver in her tone betrayed her uncertainty. “I only have one daughter.”
“You do only have one,” Luz agreed cautiously, “in this realm. I’m your daughter from another realm. The human realm. Well, actually, I don’t know if that would make me your daughter. But I am a daughter of a Camila. I mean, Camila Noceda is my mom, but it’s the human version of you that is the mom of the human me, which is who I am… do you get what I’m saying?”
Camila stared with a look of pure confusion.
“Okay, you lost me,” she admitted, crossing her arms.
“Look,” Willow said with a sigh. “It is a long story. But to put it simply, the person you are looking for is not our friend here.”
“If you want, you can come with us to the owl house,” Luz offered. “If you do, we can all sit down, and the others can help explain what all is going on. How about it?”
Camila looked each of them over once, glanced again at the photo Luz held, then met Luz’s gaze once more.
“And why can’t you explain it to me right here?” Camila asked, glaring down Luz.
“I mean, like Willow said, it’s a long and confusing story to explain. And to be completely honest, I’m kinda having a hard time explaining it while I’m currently down here, wherever here is. I did just get out of being trapped for days, and it’s really messing with me being pulled into yet another trap almost immediately. I don’t think I can properly explain until we go somewhere less… dark and creepy?”
Camila seemed to be weighing the options before letting out a defeated sigh, “Alright, fine. But if you try anything funny, or if I start to think this is some sort of trap, I’m ending it immediately and taking you with me as originally planned. Understood?”
The clawing fear of being taken once again raked through her nerves, causing her to only be able to force a smile and offer a single thumbs up in agreement.
“Alright,” Camila nodded preparing to cast a spell. “Then I guess lets get out of here, and you can lead the way to this… owl shack of yours.”
