Holding tightly onto her staff and hand wrapped tightly around her Palisman, a large and bulky bear that pressed into her chin, trying to comfort her. After many months that had quickly become five years, it was time for her to return home. After much struggle and heartache, the portal was restored, and she had a way to see her Mami. But instead of celebrating like they should be, Luz and her family were left with heartbreaking news. With so little Titan's Blood left, there was just enough to go one way. If she went through the portal, there would be no way for Luz to return to the Boiling Isles. No more seeing her Mama and Auntie, or spending long nights with Amity or the other moments that had created her home in the Boiling Isles.
It wasn't until a few hours ago that Luz managed to get the courage to speak to her Mama, Auntie, and Mama's partner, Nini. With many hugs and tears, she explained that Mami needed her. Even though it would hurt and break her, she needed to return to the Human Realm. It was the Human Realm where she, a human, belonged.
"I will find a way to bring you back," Amity whispered from where she stood to the side of her girlfriend, her hand grasping her's. "No matter how long it takes, human, I will not rest until you are by my side once more."
"You going soft on me, Blight?" Tears gathered in her eyes, and her voice wobbled. "You can't do that. Not now. Not when the others need you to best-" Nearly dropping her items, Luz buried her face into the crook of her neck, trying to soak up the last bits of comfort before they had to separate. "I will never forget you, Amity Blight," she promised, grasping tightly onto the back of her shirt. "You are the one and only person who has a claim to my heart."
"You will always be my human," she muttered, ears pressing into her hair. Golden eyes watering and hands guiding her to stand in front of her, Amity leaned down, pressing her lip's against her Beloved. "You will always be the center of my world, Luz Clawthorne."
"Nothing will separate us," she agreed, holding her free hand and crossing her fingers. "I love you, Amity."
"I love you too," she whispered, giving her one last kiss before taking a step back. "Stay safe and don't become the Human Realm's version of Eda."
Nodding and raising a hand to cover her face, Luz turned around, fighting the sob that was building up in her throat. After everything she had been through, couldn't there be a way for her to get her own happy ending? Wasn't the trapped princess always destined to have their Prince Charming swoop them off and carry them to the sunset? Then why did she have to choose? The Boiling Isles and her entire world or the Human Realm and her Mami. Why did her whole life have to fall apart when it felt so perfect?
"Kiddo." Eda, supported by her crutches and her partner, Raine Whispers, approached her. Reaching one shaky hand up, she tenderly caressed the teen's face, fading golden gaze softening. "I know that we are asking such a big decision from you, but the portal won't stay open much longer. If you are to return to your native realm, you need to go in the next few minutes."
Leaning into the tenderness of her adoptive mother, she felt tears slipping down her face. "I'm going to miss all of you, Mama, Nini." Picking up her Palisman once more and hugging him close, Luz felt like she was a little kid again. The terror that once came the dark was now the fear of what lay beyond the portal. With so many years passing since she last saw her Mami, there was a big chance that Camila had moved or transferred to a new work location. There was a chance that she may not even want to see her again. It would make sense after the heartache of five years and the trouble from her youth. "Promise to keep an eye on Amity and the others," she whispered, leaning into the embrace of her Nini and Auntie and getting lost in their heartbroken purrs. "And don't let King forget about everything that we have gone through."
"We love you, Darling." Lilith, rising stiffly from her floating staff, approached her. "And I am very proud to see how far you have come. Let nothing turn your light out."
"I won't let my colors change the same of my environment," she promised before turning to face the portal. Seeing the color beginning to fade around the doorway, Luz took a deep breath. "I love you, guys," she breathed before approaching the portal.
Gripping onto her staff one more and taking a step forward, Luz closed her eyes, taking the final action away from the Demon Realm. "Thank you, Titan, Goddess, but this isn't goodbye," she whispered, knees shaking. Tears spilled down her face. The teen hadn't had time to react before she found herself on the ground. "This is just a diverging path."