Luz slumped in her chair, waiting for the bell to signal the end of yet another school day at Manubrius. She couldn't bear to focus on any work right now, her mind racing with dozens of thoughts. Luckily, the last half of class today was just for working on a simple assignment, so she could afford to lose focus.
Mama wanted Luz to stay at home, and do what exactly? Just help make potions for the family to sell? Luz understood her point of view to an extent, but the idea of becoming a wild witch gave her endless amounts of stress.
A wild witch. It was a concept Luz couldn't make up her mind on. Just like her own future. At home, she was always taught that wild witches are the only true users of magic, and that covens only hurt witches. But Mama never explained why, why were covens so bad? Luz hated the thought of her Mama hiding something from her, yet it was always in the back of her mind.
Mami encouraged Luz to do whatever she felt was right. But, Luz knew she wanted her to stay home as well. Mami always seemed to take the side of whoever she was taking to, always mediating any arguments. Luz grew numb to it over the years, resenting parts of her Mami it.
Why couldn't Mami just, stand up for her on beliefs? Luz never knew what she was really thinking. How did she truly feel about being on the Boiling Isles? Mami seemed to romanticize Earth, and Luz could see her true feelings seep out whenever she recounted stories.
Luz felt so terrible for her Mami. The only human on the Isles. That's why she wanted Luz to stay home. She's her only connection left to the Human Realm.
But Luz wasn't a human, she was just Luz. It felt wrong to say anything else. It seemed like Mami saw Luz only as a human, never wanting to talk about magic. Luz remembered how as a child, she always tried to show Mami what Mama was teaching her. Now, Luz realized that she never cared. She just wanted Luz to be her daughter.
And, her Mama always saw her as a witch. The most powerful witch on the Isles, she always said. There were so many times during training that Luz believed it, too. It always felt wrong when Luz was alone after training, remembering time after time that there were in fact no fangs in her mouth.
No, wrong wasn't the right word. It just felt, strange. Luz is Luz. Nothing more, nothing less.
And then there was Manubrius. Endless affirmations from teachers. She was one of the top students in not just the potions track, but the entire school. But, she never felt like one.
It was always just, so easy to her. She always had help at home, even if she rarely needed it. While her Mama took little interest in magic, she loved potions. And Luz realized now that, Mama simply pushed her love of potions onto Luz.
But Luz still didn't know if she liked potions. It was just, the easy choice for her. It always felt wrong for her teachers to praise her, she was just doing what came naturally. But, was it really natural? Luz couldn't stand thinking about it anymore, she despised the school's special treatment of her.
Kikimora. The thought of the red demon sent unrecognizable emotions through Luz's entire being now. It almost felt like, everything that was taught to her was entirely useless. Not only at Manubrius, but at home too. Luz had a purpose beyond what anyone knew, except for Kikimora.
And, Emperor Belos? Surely he had something to do with everything. It was so confusing, time after time she just thought about how they were paying a wild witch to raise a human-witch. Witch-human? It didn't make any sense, nothing made any sense to Luz anymore.
Amity. Except for Amity. The mystery girl that lives in the woods, Amity. Luz wanted to see Amity tonight. Even though she had school the next day, it didn't matter. She needed a friend right now.
"Hey, did you hear about Willow?"
Luz's ears perked up, a whisper? To her? She turned her head to the left, as a frown filled her face. No, it was simply so quiet in the classroom that she could hear two students talking to each other.
What were their names? It was hard to remember right now. Wait, they were talking about Willow? Luz didn't know much about Willow, except she was the top student in the plant track. Easily set to lead the Plant Coven at a young age, or perhaps take a specialized position in the Emperor's Coven. Luz continued to eavesdrop.
"Yeah… she's hurt pretty bad. Some kids are saying she…" Luz couldn't hear the next part of their chatter, as the bell just so happened to scream, signifying her release from the grasp of school.
Well, hopefully Willow was okay. But Luz couldn't really find much empathy for the plant witch. She always seemed so cut off from everyone else. Luz opted to focus on Amity instead, a calm washing over her as she envisioned tonight. What secrets did this mystery girl truly hold?
Amity felt wrong. No, wrong wasn't the right word. She felt like something was just, strange about her life. She was sitting on the foot of her bed, legs loosely dangling. Lilith was supposed to meet with her tomorrow. Amity could feel her limbs clench at the thought of it, but why?
Lilith was, Lilith. That's all Amity had ever known of her. Leader of the Emperor's Coven, trying to take it down from the inside. And that Amity would kill Belos. But, was that it? The thought repeated in her head so much after Luz's visit, was that all Amity was? A tool?
A means to a better world. But, what was that world really? Beyond the short amount of time she spent in Sternham, she had no idea. Amity was simply a way of making the world, the Boiling Isles, a fair place for all of witch-kind to live.
But, was Amity a witch? No, a human. Why should she care then? Does it matter if she even cares at all? It shouldn't, right? She does what Lilith wants. What she needs. What everyone needs. To heal from Belos's reign.
Amity released the illusion spell that forced her face to appear, normal? What Lilith said was normal. Two pointy ears, and sharp fangs. Amity cupped her now rounded ears, a connection to her real self.
Why was she here? The thought passed her head from time to time but, it didn't do good to think of it too much. Lilith never said anything about where Amity was from, just that she was a human. But, humans rarely came up in her textbooks. The only mentions were that they were largely unknown creatures from another realm, the Human Realm.
Amity removed her hands from her face, and placed them in front of her face. Magic. It was all Amity could feel at this moment, the magic coursing through every part of her body. The sensation felt normal to her, as though she was always meant to have magic.
The pain. She felt pain so often in her chest, a constant ache to the left side of her body. Lilith gave her pills to dull the pain, but every day it helped less and less. Amity wouldn't dare speak of it to her mentor. For it would be a sign of weakness, unacceptable in a growing wi-
A growing human. A human that was alone, in a room. Amity's home. The walls were plain, just like how she felt now. Plain. But, Lilith told her she wasn't plain. Amity knew she was special, but couldn't accept it after what happened. After what she did to Florus.
What was it that Amity did to harm the plant girl? Amity refocused her vision on her now closing hands, and stared directly at her left pointer finger. It was starting to shake now, as she remembered the blinding white light that beamed out. She rushed her hands to her side, closing her eyes in tandem.
Nothing. No thoughts left. All she had thought about was settled once again for the day. It would certainly come back to haunt her another time but, for now. She was Amity. The human gift, to save the Boiling Isles. Nothing more, nothing less.
Knock-knock
Luz. That must be Luz now. Amity wasn't sure if she was really going to come back, but lo and behold she did. Amity jumped off the bed, recast her witch illusion spell, and went over to open the door.
"Hey Amity, uh. How are you?"
Amity could feel the doorknob pressing against the palm of her own skin. Her socked feet making direct content with the floor. Her empty hand felt strange, she had to close it to feel something.
How was she?
Amity tried to open her mouth but, no response could be formed. What did Luz mean, how was she? She was just, Amity. It never mattered what she felt, how she was.
Luz thankfully spoke up. "Oh, uh. Sorry, uh. Well, may I come in?"
Amity stepped aside, a puzzled expression lightly filling her face. Why would Luz ask to come into the house? Surely, a friend wouldn't need such permission. A friend should be able to do whatever. Whenever. It seemed that way to Amity.
"So, this is where the great Amity resides, huh?"
Amity slowly shut the door, and watched Luz wander around the small room. Amity studied the face of the girl, and saw something in her face. Disappointment? Sorrow? Amity couldn't know.
"Mmm, remind me to bring some stuff next time. Your parents must not know how to decorate."
Amity froze in place. Her, her what? Her parents? Amity had parents? Right, of course she had parents. But, the thought never crossed her mind. Parents?
"Uh, Amity?"
Amity never saw Lilith as a Mom. Just, Lilith. Her mentor. But, wait, did Amity have parents? She never saw them before, and Lilith had never brought them up. Was Lilith actually her Mom?
"Amity?"
And, decoration? Why would Amity need any decoration? It was her home, it seemed fine to her. Decoration seemed unnecessary, a distraction that would only take away-
"Amity!"
Touch. Amity felt something on her shoulder, touch. It, was from Luz. Right. Luz was here. With her. Her friend, Luz. Amity placed her own hand on top of Luz's, but continued to stare off into nothingness.
"Amity, I. I'm sorry, I didn't know that, something. Uh. Something happened, I'm so sorry for assuming you, had,"
"It's okay." Amity could barely feel her own vocal cords vibrate as the words passed through her numb lips. Luz was distressed, all because of Amity. Amity had to make it all feel better. Conceal. Everything must stay fine.
"Well, okay. I, get if you want me to go now. I messed up, you probably-"
"Stay."
Amity lightly pushed Luz's hand off, and stood still. Time was now frozen, she didn't know what to do next.
"O-okay. Uh, maybe we, we should go outside. Yeah. The night sky always looks so uh, cool, and it might help to get out of the house? Sorry, if you want to that is."
"Okay." Amity turned to walk outside, as it was something to do. If Luz felt like it was right to do that, it surely must be.
The two of them were now standing side by side, alone in the night of the Isles. The Gladiolus forest was so dense, the moon-light only barely peeking out beyond the thick branches.
Amity saw Luz turn to her, as she rubbed her own shoulder. "Yeah, sorry about that. I don't really have any uh, friends. Besides you, I mean. I uh, don't know how to talk to people really. I hope that's okay? If not I can leave, it's-"
"That's okay." Amity could see Luz give a soft smile at the words. There was nothing for Luz to worry about, Amity was confused why she felt that way. Friends are friends, they trust each other.
"Okay, uh well. If I'm being honest, I need to leave in a bit. I kinda have some stuff I need to do, mainly go to sleep. But, I do want to uh, keep talking to you. Right now, that is."
The two of them stood still in the night, simply staring at each other. Amity didn't know what to say, what was there to say after all? Luz was good at talking, and Amity liked listening to her voice.
Luz spoke up after a bit of silence. "So, what's it like?"
Amity raised an eyebrow in concern, what's it like? "Huh?"
"Oh! Sorry uh, I mean. What's it like not going to school? That must be a real stress-reliever."
School wouldn't be right, Lilith always said. Her explanation didn't make much sense though, that Amity would only be brought down by what school has to offer. But if Lilith said it, it had to be right. "It's fine."
"Mmm, yeah. School is weird. You learn these things that they tell you are right, but you never really know if they're telling the truth or not. It could all be one crazy lie just to keep us all in line! But hey, that's just what Mama says."
Well yeah, Amity thought, of course they weren't right. But, did Luz want to hear that? Amity didn't want to upset her, maybe it would be best to just keep Luz happy. "Yeah."
"Hmm, it's really late. Man, you're so lucky Amity. Out here in this house, no school, mixing magic! Do you like magic, wait. How do you even learn magic? Ohh, do you have some wild witch mentor person?"
Lilith always told Amity to never reveal her identity, if anyone happened to find Amity. She never said why before a few weeks ago, but Amity understood now. It could compromise the plan. But, she could always just not say who. "Yeah."
"That's awesome! My Mama is kinda a wild witch too, I wonder if they know each other." Amity saw Luz yawn, and worried a bit. Was Amity boring her?
"Ah shoot, looks like my body needs to rest yet again. Sorry, I wanted to stay longer. Maybe next time you can get the wild witch, or show me more of your magic, or something else cool! Oh, or we could just talk. It's nice talking to you, Amity."
Amity felt a light blush fill her cheeks, and was glad it was hidden by the darkness. Amity felt that she didn't deserve it, and wanted to tell Luz that she didn't need to say those things. It did feel good, though. "Alright, bye Luz."
"Bye, Amity! Oh shoot, oh wait I totally forgot. Okay scratch the whole showing me magic or talking thing, uh not that those things aren't good. I was wondering if uh, you wanted to go in town next time I come back? Sorry I uh, don't know when I'll be back here, my schedule's a bit unpredictable. But, I don't know, I kinda just wanna explore Sternham with you. Would that be, uh, okay with you?"
"Yeah."
"Cool! Alright, seeya Amity!"
Amity saw the girl run off, as she herself returned to her home. It felt empty now, that something was missing. Maybe Luz was right, it probably did need decorations. Going into town, huh? The offer felt nice, maybe it would be a good distraction. But in the meantime, Amity needed to ruminate on her own being. Something still felt off.
Willow lied in her hospital bed, bones still sore from what happened on that fateful day. It was just a simple tourney, her foster parents said. A good way to pass the time, they said. Show the town more of her power, they said.
Masked. Who was that. That, that wild witch. Willow hated plant magic so much already, but now? The thought of using it sent her into a fit of rage. Her foster parents forced her to restrict herself to only plant magic at a young age, sealing every other type away.
She was so talented with plant magic. And she hated that fact with every fiber of her being. She didn't know much about her real dads, but she knew one thing was certain. They were killed by plant magic, when she was young. A terminal illness, she wasn't aware what.
The same had happened to the parents of Augustus, her foster brother. They were very close to each other, luckily he wasn't hurt. He faced that wild witch in the tourney as well.
Willow knew she would mostly make a smooth recovery. Her legs, however, were now completely non-functional. That wouldn't stop Willow. It didn't matter at all to the vengeful witch.
Willow was going to kill Masked. For the glory of Emperor Belos, she had to find the witch. Do what was right. For Emperor Belos.
A/N
Hello to all my readers. Quick note, this fanfic was made for AO3. I'm cross-posting it here so all you can read it, even if there aren't that many of you. I appreciate it, and I do see you! This A/N will be deleted when Chapter 7 is posted. This fic may be going on hiatus, I'm not sure if I want to keep posting every Friday. I might end up posting a chapter on Friday anyways, so who knows. But just like Amity and Luz, I am burnt-out. I haven't said so on here, but feedback is appreciated as always! I hope this short chapter balances well with how long Chapters 4 and 5 were.