There was a weightlessness to her body, an ethereal sense that made Amity question if she were really awake. Eyes stared wide, open, and swirling into the darkness of her ceiling above, her entire body unmoving, still recovering from the violent push and pull on her consciousness. Uncertainty gave way to dismay, and then, quickly, to panic, as if all of her recent emotions swelled and overcame her in a sudden surge. Ambivalence permeated her thoughts, her physical self at last catching up to her mind as she sat up straight in her bed, allowing her to truly recognize the silent, still solitude of her bedroom.
"Luz," the name slipped from her lips in a quavering whisper. Over and over again, she looked about the room as if expecting Luz to reappear beside her on the bed. "Luz!" The choking, constraining feeling returned as she felt tears begin to well in her eyes. Arms now clutched against herself in a feeble attempt to settle her nerves and bring a halt to the coursing shiver that was slowly beginning to spread about her entire self. Her gaze drifted lazily to the window, the faintest sign of dawn against the dark, star studded sky was beautiful and awe inspiring. Soon, the sun would rise and the darkness would dissipate, the stars would begin to fade away like small, distant memories, hidden sparks of wonder ever present but hidden by the day.
With newfound fervour, her anxiety and trepidation had extinguished, overtaken by the desire to take action, the refusal to sit idly by and acquiesce to failure. As deftly as she could with the hindrance of her cast, she changed into her school uniform, grabbed the crutch leaning against the door, and exited the room into the darkness of the hallway. She hurried down the hall, the bleary outline of door after door past by her as she made a sharp turn towards the stairway. The stairs down to the main hall were a little tricky due to her cast, but Amity carried on her brisk pace, at last sighting the large, front double doors, hazy morning light shone through the opaque glass that adorned its surroundings. Her breath hitched at the proximity to her freedom, the excitement beginning to build as she approached the door, her hand reaching for the lock and turning, the click eliciting from her the slightest gasp. Tentative exhilaration filled her as a hand hovered over the door handle, she stared wide eyed, mouth slightly gaped.
"Wherever are you going, dear?" pierced a cold voice through the silence, sending a shiver down Amity's spine and paralyzing her in place. "You should be in bed. You need all the rest you can get if you wish to return to your studies. Come here, Amity."
Wordlessly, Amity turned around, head hung low, she slowly raised her gaze to see her mother standing at the bottom of the stairs, a faint ray of light revealed her nightgown but her countenance was still mostly hidden behind the darkness of the room. Amity's look steeled as her brow furrowed, teeth grit in response to the impassive expression just barely perceptible on her mother's face.
"Where is Luz," Amity said, slowly, clearly, deliberately, somehow unphased by the slightest shift in her mother's features. The woman took a step forward, her entire, imposing self now revealed in the light, eyes widened at the sight of her daughter standing so defiantly before her, the corners of her lips now curving downwards.
"Whatever are you talking about-"
"You know what I'm talking about! Luz! Where is she? What did you do?"
With a nonchalant sigh, her mother shook her head, hands rising to her sides like a lazy shrug of feigned innocence. "Oh, dear. Surely, you are still not feeling well. Let me help you. Come now, follow me." She turned without another word, taking a few steps before coming to a halt as Amity had kept her place.
"No," Amity said, glare unwavering, body stiff and poised.
A single chuckle escaped her mother, still managing to elicit the slightest flinch out of Amity. "Let us try this again. Amity, follow me. Now." Her voice was calm, almost apathetic, every word twisting at Amity's insides.
"I-I," Amity paused for just a moment, taking a long breath, bringing a hand up to her chest, feeling the beating of her heart begin to subdue. "Mother, I won't. I'm not going to anymore! Not now, not ever! Now… tell me, where is Luz!"
"How dare you…" she turned, the near scowl on her face clear in the dim light. "How dare you!" at last came the outburst from her mother, the rarity of such a tone of voice taking Amity aback. "After all that I have done for you. After everything I have taught you. Can you not see how far you have gotten because of me? You are so close, dear. So close to achieving the greatness you have always desired. Are you truly willing to throw it all away?" her voice softened once again, "for that human?"
Their eyes locked, neither wavering from each other's glair. "You're right… I remember what you've told me. Everything you've done for me," she sighed, the features on her countenance falling, "I do want to achieve greatness. I want to be the best witch I can be. But… not like this. I will do it on my own accord. I will achieve everything you ever wanted me to, and more! And I'll do it with Luz by my side!"
The room fell to silence, only the hushed sound of Amity's rapid breathing permeated the air. The indignant girl stared towards her mother, unable to help the trembling of her clenched fists. The feeling in her legs was leaving her, as if she could fall over at any moment if it weren't for the crutch she was heavily leaning on. Words were caught in her throat, preventing her from swallowing, nearly suffocating her now. She didn't know how much longer she could withstand the heavy, palpable weight of her mother's piercing gaze.
"I won't ask again," her mother said, taking a step forward, hand gently rising, index finger erect in preparation for a spell. "Now, daughter, come along."
Amity stiffened, bracing herself but knowing full well there was little she could do to counter any spell from her mother. How badly did she desire to simply close her eyes and rid herself of such a burden, the incredible weight of something so simple as a surname. Never before had she done this, relented against her mother's demands, stood her ground, stared fear and uncertainty in the face and refused to look away. Even so, deep down, she felt something. It was an odd, unexpected feeling of something akin to excitement. Was that perhaps the right word for it, she did not know, but nor did she care to overthink it. All she knew is that this new, serendipitous emotion that had sparked deep within was now beginning to rage and course through her entire body.
"I won't…," she said, her mother's brow furrowed in response. "I'm going to find Luz. And you can't stop me."
Her mother said no more, taking another step forward, arm rising and index finger now pointed directly at Amity, who only continued to glare, resolve unbroken. Magic began to emanate from her mother's finger as she traced a perfect circle through the air, nearly completing the shape before coming to a sudden stop, the spell now dissipating into nothingness.
"There will be no need for that," came the gentle, monotone voice of her father from the top of the steps, his footfalls descending upon them. "Odalia, dear, whatever do you think you're doing?"
Instantly, her mother's countenance shifted at his approach, turning to him with a strained smile, demeanor relaxing in an instant.
"This is a matter between Amity and myself," she said with a feigned sweetness that made Amity stomach churn. "No need to worry yourself, dear. We will be brief."
"Do not attempt to dissuade me, Odalia. Not this time." He let out a deep and heavy sigh as he reached the bottom of the stairs, arms crossed, he stood erect, a posture Amity didn't often see. "I know what you are doing. And I must say… I have let it go on for much too long."
"Oh? Is that so? I do not recall ever stifling your words."
"No, no, certainly not. Up until recently, as a matter of fact, I was very much under the same belief as you. I have always wanted what is best for our daughter. As have you, no doubt. However…" he paused, looking over to Amity who could only watch in awe, a wry smile creeping onto his face. "I believe Amity has outgrown our guidance."
Her mother looked towards him incredulously, "What a sudden change of heart. Must I remind you that now, of all times, is perhaps one of the most critical moments of her life? All eyes will soon be on her. In due time, she will be inducted into the Emperor's Coven, secure the good graces of the Emperor and fall beneath his direct tutelage. That… and that alone will grant her endless possibilities! And everything she has ever desired will come to fruition! Can you not see that is what she has been working towards? She does not need the burden of that… that Human!"
"This is a critical moment," Amity interjected, drawing their attention, the pressure of their gaze alone nearly being too much for her to handle. "I have a lot of important choices to make. But they are my choices! And whatever happens… I will face it. And I'll be ready for it. With my friends by my side. And perhaps... just maybe, with my parents beside me as well."
Her mother's eyes widened before she quickly turned away, unable to match her daughter's steeled look of ardent resolution. Her father returned a subtle nod before moving to his wife's side, a gentle hand wrapping around her, escorting her back towards the stairs. Amity watched them for a moment, her heart beating rapidly in her chest, feeling beginning to return to her legs. In an instant, she found herself lunging towards the door, turning the handle, and escaping out into the cool, morning day.
She moved as quickly as her cast burdened leg would take her, finding herself greedily inhaling the cold air as growing fatigued came faster than anticipated. Even so, she carried on, limping and stumbling along the dirt path towards the owl house. The sky above, now in the later phase of dawn, was ignited in a brilliant glow of oranges and blues, colliding in a beautiful dance, the brightest stars still shining faintly, guiding her along. The sun continued to rise behind her, warming the day and overcoming the darkness that lay along the distant horizon. She quickened her pace, knowing she was getting closer and closer to her destination, to Luz. Fatigue had encroached itself upon her, everything seemed so heavy, dragging her down, the torrential feelings and emotions that came and went, tugging at her heart and mind. She knew, however, that she must put all that aside now. Looking on, it was Luz that kept her going, the chance that she was still remembered, the opportunity to simply see her again even if she didn't. The thought of her smile, her laughter and vivacious demeanor, filled Amity with newfound strength to carry on. Her shadow stretched far out before her, guiding her towards the owl house that was now within her sights in the near distance.
With a heavy sigh and a near stumble, she at last found herself at her destination, taking a few heaving breaths before rapping harshly against the door. The sleeping face of Hooty blinked awake, suddenly wide eyed and beginning to stretch out of his door socket. Amity couldn't help but be repulsed slightly at the unnerving sight. He opened his beak, but before he could let out a single word, the door was swung open, Eda the owl lady, completely disheveled and unkempt in her sleep attire of an oversized shirt and baggy pajama pants, stood before her. There was a tense moment of silence as they both stared at one another, Eda unable to withhold a heavy yawn, rubbing her eyes before looking back with a lazy expression.
"Eda! I need to talk to Luz," Amity said, tossing aside any inhibitions. "Please, tell me she's here."
"Hey, you alright, kid?" Eda said, eying the girl quizzically, "You're not looking too good."
"I know, I know, just… please let me speak to Luz."
"Luz? Sorry, you just missed her."
'W-what?" Amity couldn't help her exasperation, "Where… where did she go? It's too early for school!"
"Yeah, I said the same thing," Eda said in a rather lackadaisical manner, crossing her arms and learning against the doorframe, "She seemed pretty off all morning. Not sure what her deal was, but let me tell you, I wasn't too fond of being woken up this early."
"What did she say? Where did she go?" Amity said, almost frantic now, taking an eager step forward.
"Woah, woah, you sure you're alright? Look, Luz is fine. She just said she needed some time to think. Maybe she went for a walk or something?"
"To think…" Amity whispered to herself, pensive for a moment before going wide-eyed. "I gotta go!"
Eda didn't concern herself to call out to her, the frantic girl already moving at a hurried pace down the path with which she had come. She managed to get a short distance away before coming to a halt and turning back to the witch that was still leaning in place against the door, watching her with a subtle, friendly smile.
"Thank you! Eda!" Amity said before quickly turning back down the road.
It didn't take long for Amity to stray from the worn path, pushing through dense brush and branches, nipping and grabbing at her from all sides. She found herself struggling to pull her crutch along, ultimately deciding that it was becoming more of a hindrance once it caught against a tangle of vines and branches. With a frustrated yell, she released the walking aid, trudging on with a limp, occasionally leaning against trees for support. Again, her body struggled to keep up with her determination, limbs beginning to ache and shake all over, heart beating faster and faster against her chest. She was slowing down, there was more effort exerted behind every labored step, struggling more and more with every branch and wild growth pushed aside.
Reluctantly, she stopped, leaning back against the jagged trunk of a large, long dead tree, she stared fixated at a small break through the foliage above, the sky just visible. Her breathing slowly began to settle as she watched the clear, beautiful colors of the morning day now permeate throughout the entire sky. The stars had disappeared, their delicate, comforting glow no longer watching over her. A slow breath escaped her lips as she remained transfixed at this portal to the beauty of the day, at last noticing it, the faintest glimmer of what seemed to be the final guiding star, its light defiant against the rising of the sun. Inexplicably, Amity felt a resurgence throughout her body, again her thoughts were bombarded by the images and feelings of Luz. She closed her eyes tightly and with another drawn out breath, she pushed off the tree and carried on through the thicket of the forest.
"Luz… I'll see you soon," she said to herself, the words that spun over and over again in her head now manifesting through her voice. Again and again, she repeated the phrase, every time she found it gave her the ferver to carry on over a fallen trunk or push through a particularly dense thicket of branches. Time was imperceptible now, everything falling into a blur of dark greens and browns, seemingly endless forest at all sides. Was she, perhaps, still trapped in a bizarre dream state? The thought instilled a momentary dread. Still, Amity refused to relent, fighting through the fatigue, the doubts and fears that continuously pestered at her mind. She knew there was no other option, she knew she had to find Luz. She couldn't give up hope.
At last she spotted it, the bright, shining light of a clearing through the dense treeline just a short distance away. Another burst of emotion coursed through her, fear, anticipation, trepidation, excitement, and more, all at once in a flurry of anything and everything she's ever felt before. None of it made sense, yet she didn't care to try to make sense of it all. The only clarity in her mind came in the form of Luz and the thought of seeing her again. With a clumsy leap, Amity burst into the clearing, landing unsteadily on her feet, the bright light forcing her eyes to blink and adjust before bearing witness to the large, pink tree before the promontory. The sight alone was almost cleansing, all of a sudden everything felt right. This is where she needed to be.
Holding her breath, she began to approach at a wide angle, circling the tree to get a view of the other side. She had just realized this, but up until this very moment, she had no idea what she would do or even say to Luz. Could she keep her composure, reach out to someone who potentially doesn't even remember her? Would she be prepared to withstand the inevitable emotional onslaught coming her way? Finally, she allowed herself to take an unhindered breath, finding the opportunity to allow the sight before her to sink in.
There she was, sitting upon the large, twisted root that protruded from the base of the tree, staring out into the distant waters. Her demeanor was pleasant and relaxed, leaning back slightly on her arms, the cool, morning breeze delicately brushed her hair. It was difficult for Amity to discern her expression from afar, but from what she could see, Luz seemed calm and peaceful, yet pensive at the same time, deep thought swirling in her wide, watchful eyes. The sights, the sounds, the calm, gentle nature of such a picturesque scene warmed Amity's heart. Just like that, the anxieties, her worry, her apprehension vanished. If things could stay just like this, Amity would be perfectly content. But she knew that wasn't possible, to move forward was necessary, she needed to take that step and come what may, she would face it.
Amity moved closer, but the sitting girl's eyes remained transfixed towards the horizon. Unable to formulate any coherence in her brain, Amity was only able to struggle in mouthing silent words. Only a short distance away now, she swallowed, attempting to clear away the choking feeling in her throat but failing.
"L-Luz," she said in a fragile whisper. The oblivious girl gave a little jump before turning to face Amity, startling her and making her retract ever so slightly. Their wide eyes locked with one another, staring silently into the thoughtful depths of their irises. Luz stood up, her expression of awe unchanging. Amity couldn't help but take a step back, a pang of fear striking her heart. Still there were no words spoken as the two girls faced each other, a gentle breeze blowing between them, the sounds of nature and waves filled the air, and the morning sun bathed them both in a pleasant, warm light.
"H-hey… Luz," Amity said, a strained smile appearing on her face. The other girl looked on, and then Amity noticed the tears beginning to well in Luz's eyes. Her trembling lips twisting into a smile, and then a broad grin.
"Hey, Amity," Luz said, walking forward and pulling Amity into a tight embrace.
The sudden catharsis that overcame Amity at that very moment was overwhelming, exhausting, relieving, and so much more than she could ever perceive to understand. It was as if her spirit had left her, her body was weightless, her mind was empty, filled only with the futile attempts to understand the current feelings and emotions that were overtaking her. Before she knew it, tears were streaming down her face, her arms had raised to return the embrace, involuntarily tightening around Luz, clutching at the back of her uniform as if she were in danger of disappearing if released.
"Luz… thank you."
This elicited a stifled giggle from the other girl. "You're welcome, I guess… but for what?" Luz's embrace loosened, but Amity's hold was steadfast.
"For… for not forgetting me," she said through unabashed sobs, burning her face into Luz's shoulder.
"Y'know… the scary part is that I almost did. I woke up this morning… confused and hurt. It felt like there was a hole in my heart. Like, like there was something missing. I tried so hard to figure out what it was, but I couldn't. That's when I decided to come here. And everything… just starting to come together, somehow."
Luz's warm, gentle voice soothed Amity's nerves, allowing them to reluctantly part, their hands falling but meeting between them, grasping the other's tightly. A few tears continued to fall down Amity's face, but she paid them no mind. Luz gave her a reassuring smile, forcing Amity to return her own before she continued to speak.
"When I was here, I felt something. Something so warm and familiar and comforting. But even then, there was a missing piece. Something was missing. Someone… missing. And then you showed up! I remember now, Amity. I remember you! You were the source of all of those feelings! And I'm never going to forget them! Never again. I promise."
Amity couldn't help but return meek laughter. "Y-yeah?"
"C'mon, you look terrible, sit," Luz said, pulling Amity along and onto the large root of the tree. Luz sat beside her, shoulders touching, both now looking out into the horizon, only the smallest remnants of night remained, the morning sun rising behind them, creating a beautiful spectacle of shimmering light against the waters. It looked like a path, a trail made of light, full of hope and new surprises. Here they sat, relishing in the moment.
Luz's head fell limply onto Amity's shoulder, who tensed for only a second before relaxing and leaning back into the now pleasant gesture.
"Thank you, Amity."
"Yeah… hey, Luz, do you remember… everything that happened. When I was in your head, I mean."
Luz hummed to herself, closing her eyes in thought. "That's a bit more fuzzy. I remember it happened, but not all the little details."
"Oh… that's OK. Maybe… I can tell you about it another time?"
"Yeah, I'd really like that," Luz said, nuzzling her head into a more comfortable position against Amity.
There they sat, with each other's presence warming their hearts, the pink flora that perpetually fell and danced about them celebrating such a quiet, peaceful moment. For Amity, this was the beginning of something different. Something frightening, exciting and so wonderful. It was her life, so full of uncertainty and potential. And there was nothing more she could have asked for.
And... that's that! Finished!
I had a really, really fun time doing this. And I look forward to writing more and continuing where this leaves off. Currently planning my next story idea, so let's see where it goes!
Also... for anyone that might be disappointed at the lack of explicit lumity... sorry. I really like relationships to slowly build and develop. There's a lot to unpack with lumity, if you ask me. I do plan my next story to be more Luz centric, so there is a lot more to look forward to!
So... I just want to say, thank you to everyone that read, liked, and commented. It just made the experience all the more enjoyable. Thank you!
It would be super awesome to hear what you all think. Please leave your thoughts and comments below. I'll respond to any questions you may have!
Until next time! Cheers! Thanks!