Lilith walked down some decrepit stone stairway. Faded and cracked like they were left alone for years to decay. It was dark and dingy with nothing but the dim light of flickering candles lighting her way. Below was a dirty dungeon, but this wasn't any old dungeon. This area was reserved for some truly dangerous individuals.

When she made It down she scanned her surroundings looking for the right cell. So far she only saw the barren rooms and rusty Iron bars. Eventually, her gaze met with what she was looking for.

It was a cell with a man occupying it. He was bound to the wall in chains. Both his hands suspended upwards and constricted so that he could not move them and perform magic. He stared down at the ground with an unreadable expression. That man was Illushi

"Illushi," Lilith said, getting the attention of the imprisoned man.

"Ahh. Lilith. You've come to visit me? How surprising." Illushi grinned as he spoke. looking into Lilith's eyes with his own."How does it feel? To officially be The second in command of the whole isle? It must be nerve-wracking."

"Quiet," Lilith growled. Only getting a small chuckle in response.

"Still hate me just as much as ever, huh? You even threw me in here the moment you had the chance"

"You attacked the Emperor. Of course I did." Lilith said harshly with her anger dripping like venom.

"I guess so," Illushi admitted. His smile never faltered. Only ever-growing "But if it was Belos I would've been set free in a heartbeat."

"That's why I'm here. Tell me. Why did Belos keep you around? Despite how many times you've blatantly broken the law for your own sadistic pleasure? " Lilith asked.

It made no sense. There had to be something she was missing. Belos was someone who valued the rules. Yet This witch was the only person he ever pardoned of their crimes. It didn't make sense. To her, he was probably the most dangerous witch she ever knew, and Belos did nothing but defend him. For what purpose?

"Why? Because the Titan said so. At least that's what Belos has always told you, right?" Illushi looked into Lilith's eyes knowingly. Lilith was shocked by what Illushi told her. How would he have even known what Belos had told her?

"You were spying on me?" Lilith gasped.

"Maybe," Illushi muttered vaguely. "I doubt that really matters right now." Illushi was trying to derail the conversation. Bringing up something like that. He knew Lilith would have been sidetracked after learning she may have been spied on. However, Lilith quickly shook those thoughts out of her head. She needed to stay on topic.

"Enough! Tell me already! Why did Belos value you so much? None of this because the Titan said stuff. There has to be more than that. Why are you the sole exception to the rules?" Lilith demanded an answer.

"Who knows? It's none of my business to speak for Belos. You should ask him. Oh, wait a minute. That's right. He's dead." Illushi broke out into a fit of laughter, causing Lilith to quickly lose her patience.

"I see. You clearly have no intention of cooperating. Rot down here for all I care. You damned assassin." Lilith spat turning away from the prisoner harshly. Then she quickly walked away. She still had something else to do. She couldn't be interrogating an unresponsive person when the emperor was counting on her.

Lilith soon vanished from Illushi's view. She had left the dungeon entirely. Illushi's smile faltered for a moment, but it came back with a quiet chuckle.

"Hehehe. Lilith. One day I'll change that anger of yours. After all, I've made even the proudest of nobles pathetically cry out for their mommies." Illushi smiled wickedly. "It's only a matter of time."

Luz's eyes fluttered open gently as she stared blankly into the dark ceiling. A ceiling barren of a light fixture, or anything really. Just a flat plane of pristine dark wood. She was a bit groggy as her senses attempted to return to normal after a long slumber.

Luz tried to blink away the lingering fog that clouded her drowsy vision. When that wasn't working she decided to sit up In the bed she was laying in. The sheet and blankets falling down to her waist with a soft thud.

When did she fall asleep? She couldn't remember much about what happened for a while. It was just something that eluded her. The last thing she remembered was speaking with Lilith. Then there was a big blank after that. All she recalled was a dreamless sleep.

She noticed her covers were straight and undisturbed. Other than the part that fell from her rising. It was like she didn't move at all in her sleep. Which was strange since she knew she was quite the restless sleeper. Tossing and turning all over the place.

She pulled away the rest of the blankets covering her and put them aside. She turned to get off the bed with a stretch and yawn. For some reason, she felt so relaxed and at ease. Despite everything she experienced yesterday. The familiar air this room gave off made her feel almost at home. Then there was something else she felt like she was forgetting.

She walked over to her window and pulled the drapes out of the way to see the giant pit of spikes and the large city in the difference. This really was going to be her life now, isn't it?

"Morning. Terrifying fantasy world." She mumbled as she rubbed one of her eyes with a yawn. Her exhaustion overwhelmed her usual energetic self in the morning. That was until her morning haze began to recede, and she remembered what exactly she was talking about with Lilith. That's right. It started today. Her magic lessons started today!

Almost instantly she felt all that calm and exhaustion wash away into an ocean of excitement. She couldn't believe that she was about to learn magic. Real magic. Her excitement made her forget all her woes of yesterday.

Quickly, she made her way to the door and pulled it open. She ran out the door for a few steps, only to suddenly halt in place. She looked around in awe at the size of everything around her. That's right. This place was massive. There was no way she would be able to find Lilith on her own. How would she?

"My Emperor. You're awake." Said a deep voice in surprise. Luz looked behind her and saw two guards that stood directly by her door. One was tall and lanky. While the other was short and stocky.

"Are you feeling well? you slept for quite a while." The short one said with a light voice. The tall one elbowed the short one harshly in the shoulder, getting a large 'oof' from the short guard.

"Don't ask the Emperor something so personal, newbie." The tall one whispered harshly.

"Ah! Right. I'm sorry my Emperor. I was out of line." The short guard apologized nervously with a bow.

Luz looked at the display awestruck. They apologized for showing concern? Then there was that nervousness in their voice. It was odd. It was almost as if they were afraid of what she would say.

"Oh, no. It's okay. You don't have to apologize." Luz waved her hands in front of her dismissively. Feeling awkward the whole time. She still wasn't used to the way people have been treating her as of late.

"Huh? Really?" Both guards questioned, completely baffled.

"Yeah. Thank you for worrying about me. It's nice really." Luz rubbed the back of her head. Honestly, she felt like she wasn't ever going to get used to the being Emperor thing.

"Thank... You?" The short guard repeated agape. The tall one just looking at Luz shocked through their mask. "Y-your welcome. My lady." The short one continued hesitantly.

Luz was even more confused. They acted as they've never been thanked in their life. It was strange, but she put that aside when she remembered something The guards said.

"Um, you said I slept for a while, right? Just how long?" Luz asked curiously. She's never been one to sleep in. So the fact she did to some extent surprised her. She was usually always the first to wake up. Starting the day bright and early.

"Oh! It's a little past afternoon right now my Emperor." The tall one answered swiftly as both guards returned to a more upward and attentive state.

"Afternoon?" She really slept for that long? Apparently, she was really tired yesterday. "Guess I missed breakfast," Luz muttered.

"Oh, that's right Lilith requested an audience with you as soon as you woke up." The tall guard informed Luz dutifully.

Lilith requested an audience? Wait, was this about the training? It had to be!

"Oh! Okay, yeah! Take me to her please!" Luz blurted out excitedly. She felt pumped about it. It was like a dream. She was actually going to live it out.

"Of course. We'll lead you to Lilith." The two guards then left beside Luz's door and began to walk forward. Luz followed closely behind her excitement boiling up in her body.

Lilith ran her finger over the spines of the books. She was looking through them trying to find books on beginning magic. She found it surprising just how little of those types of books were in this library. Of course, it probably was due to the fact this library really had no need for such books. Considering only select people were allowed to browse through the castle's library. It made sense.

Lilith eventually managed to find three books on magic. They were textbooks from the Emperor's School. The most elite school in the boiling Isles. Those who went to that school were all but guaranteed to be a part of the Emperor's Coven. Especially if they were taught there their whole educational career. Of course, It was only natural that the school endorsed by Belos himself was the one with the highest percentage of those joining the Emperor's Coven.

"Hmm? I guess this will work. Even the lowest level is a little more advanced than I was looking for, but if this is all there is." Lilith thought to herself. She took the three books and placed them down onto a small pile of other books that lay on a nearby table. She found what she was looking for. She only lamented the fact that it took her far longer than she intended.

"What are ya doing with those, huh?" Lilith jumped a little upon hearing that familiar voice. She looked up and saw Goran sitting at the other end of the table. Leaning back into his seat with his feet elevated on the table. Lilith's shock quickly became annoyance.

"Goran." She said flatly. Unamused by Goran's mischievous smile.

"Ah, so cold! And here I thought you were starting to warm up a little" Goran spoke mockingly. It was like he was trying to elicit a reaction from her.

"What do you mean?" Lilith asked sternly. She didn't know what Goran was up to, but knowing him he was probably just trying to get a rise out of her.

"Did you know you were humming while you were looking for these books? Made me believe you were actually in a good mood for once. Like you were looking forward to something."Goran stated matter of factly.

"I was, humming?" Lilith asked. She didn't realize she was doing such a thing at all.

"Yup. Real shocker to me too. You were even smiling a little. I thought I was dreaming."

"I-is it really that odd to see me happy!" Lilith blurted out, flustered.

"Let me guess It's that kid emperor of ours right? Somehow she activated those long-buried momma bird instincts of yours. Am I right?"

"S-shut up!" Lilith denied. Her cheeks glowing a slight pink. She experienced an emotion she barely remembered. Embarrassment.

" Haha! I'm right, aren't I? Why else would you be looking for these books here? You're gonna teach her yourself, aren't you? That's real sweet of ya Lilith. You're not even being paid to do it unlike with the Blight girl." Goran leaned even further into his chair until the chair started to stand on its back two legs. Goran balancing the chair as he kept rocking back and forth. "And I have a feeling she didn't order you to teach her, considering your good mood. Ya old softie you." Goran teased Lilith. That mischievous smile of his never faltering.

Lilith began to feel overwhelmed by Goran's words. What was with him? This wasn't his normal annoying self. Why did it sound like he was complimenting her? What was he trying to do?

"You got it wrong! I'm just... doing my duty." Lilith explained, trying to alleviate her embarrassment.

"Sure, whatever you say mama bird."

That was it. Lilith couldn't handle it anymore. So in a quick bout of flustered frustration, she kicked at the bottom of the chair Goran was leaning into and balancing on. Suddenly Goran found his chair falling backward as it plummeted down to the floor with a thud. Goran grunting in pain as he hit the ground.

"Ah, man. Okay, I Get It. No more. Geez. It was just a little teasing." Goran said with an aching voice. Slowly he stood up from the ground trying to ignore the slight pain.

Lilith didn't say anything. She just looked away from Goran and ignored him like she always did when he got on her nerves. She just stood there waiting for him to leave.

She wasn't expecting to have a gentle hand placed on her shoulder from him, however. She glanced behind her, confused by Goran's gesture. He was looking at her with an uncharacteristically genuine smile. Something that shocked her even more.

"You know. I know I can be a real annoying bastard most of the time but, sometimes It feels better to embarrass someone rather than annoy them. Lets me know they care." Lilith was in awe. The way he said those words. They were filled with some kind of strange Goran version of kindness. Why was he acting this way?

"What are you talking about?" Lilith asked, getting a shrug from Goran.

"I don't know. Probably a dad thing."

"You're a father!?" Lilith gasped.

Goran didn't respond. He just grinned then harshly patted at her shoulder with his signature laugh. After that, he went on his way. Heading past Lilith as he walked over to the exit. " Later Crow Girl! Good luck with that kid emperor of yours!" He bid farewell waving his hand in the air casually without ever turning to face Lilith. Then he was gone.

Usually, Lilith would bark at Goran in disdain for calling her Crow Girl, but for some reason, she found herself unable to do so this time. Somehow the words Goran spoke to her got to her. She was just teaching Luz. That was it. She couldn't understand why he would be calling her soft-hearted, or mama bird. What did preparing for lessons have anything to do with any of that?

Of all things she never expected him to be a father. It made her ponder. Did she actually know who Goran was? No. No, she didn't. She barely knew any of the coven leaders for that matter. Her thoughts were shattered, however, when she heard the voice of Luz coming from behind her.

"Lilith I'm ready for some lessons now!"

Lilith was brought out of her thoughts when she heard that familiar energetic voice behind her. She turned around and saw Luz running up to her from behind. Behind Luz were the two guards that escorted her to Lilith. They just sat back and nodded towards Lilith before taking off to return to their post.

"Oh, Luz you're here?"

"Mm-hm! I'm super excited for those magic lessons! What are we doing first?"

"Hold on Luz. This isn't exactly an appropriate place." Lilith stated. She hesitated just a little when she saw Luz was wearing the same thing she was wearing yesterday. "Not to mention you'll need the proper training attire."

"Oh! Do I get a cool witch hat?"

"Not exactly," Lilith said.

Suddenly The two of them heard a low grumble. Luz placed her hands on her stomach realizing she hadn't actually eaten anything in a while.

"Sorry, I haven't eaten since yesterday's lunch," Luz explained. Lilith looked at Luz perplexed.

"Really? You haven't eaten anything yet?"

"No."

"Well. Before training, we will eat, then we'll prepare. Okay?" Lilith advised, a small smile coming to her face.

"Okay."

"Good. Come with me I'll get you some food. "

1 Hour later

Luz stood in the empty training hall looking out in awe. It was so large. It was like It was supposed to accommodate many people. There were so many different types of equipment stored on racks. The practice targets seemed to be made of a variety of materials as well. From simple straw to durable crystal. It was more than what Luz was expecting honestly.

"Wow, this place is so cool!" Luz exclaimed excitedly, as she fiddled with the button on her cape she now wore. It was a small golden cape that split down the middle forming two triangles that stretched to just beyond her shoulder blades. The sigil of the Emperor's Coven printed onto the button that held the cape together. She also wore a white tunic with golden trimming along the hem of the sleeves. Her tunic was tucked into her pants which were completely black with a dark brown belt fastened around it. The dim bronze of the belts buckle standing out slightly. Her shoes were also completely black.

Apparently, this was the uniform of a magic school called the Emperor's School. Lilith had told her that it also served as good protection against any magic mishaps that may occur. That was really the main reason she was made to wear it. One weird thing she noticed was that the gold parts of the uniform were originally grey. They turned gold almost immediately after she put the uniform on.

She ran over to the many racks that were lined around the room and looked at all the weapons individually. Swords, lances, spears, maces, axes, there were even many other weapons she didn't even know the names of. Luz reached out to pick up one of the swords that stood out to her. A glistening blade of silvery material, that darkened at the edges to a shining black. The hilt was golden with intricate designs etched into the handle.

She looked into the sword awestruck, seeing her own face reflected back at her. She was really here. Ready for what lay ahead in her path. She just had to take that first step. She had to train. She had to learn. She decided there and then that she would become the best Emperor she could. One that worked for the people, and protected them. She wanted to be just like Azura. That was her goal.

Luz put the sword back onto the rack and looked over to Lilith. She was placing down the books she took from the library onto one of the tables that sat away from most of the training equipment. Six in total

Luz ran back over to Lilith. Determined to do the best magic she possibly could.

"Lilith I'm ready!" She stood there excitedly waiting for Lilith to respond. Lilith pulled away from the table and books making her way to Luz.

"Okay. Let's begin then shall we? to start with let's try a simple light spell. Though first, Just to be sure how much do you know about magic?"

"Not a clue."

"I... See." Lilith sighed a little disappointed, but it wasn't really surprising. "Okay, then I'll start from the beginning. Magic is performed through circles we draw in the air. Like this." Lilith then proceeded to trace a circle in the air with her finger. A trail of blue energy followed her finger until the energy connected into a glowing circle. The circle glowed, as a ball of light began to form inside the circle. The circle disappeared and in its place was a glowing sphere of light. "This is the most basic way for a witch to cast a spell. Even though your human and don't have a Grimrrot I'd like for you to try casting a spell this way."

"A Grimrrot? What's that?" Luz asked curiously.

"Oh! That's the organ connected to our hearts. Every witch has one. It produces our magic. Without it, one would be unable to cast any spell at all." Lilith explained.

"Oh cool! A little gross, but still cool. Wait If I don't have this Grimrrot, then how could I still use magic?"

"You are connected to the Titan. Even though you don't have one yourself, you should still be able to tap into the latent power of the Titan. At least that's the prevailing theory I have."

"Oh, okay!"

"Now I want you to try to imagine what exactly you're trying to make. As you draw out the circle, envision The light coming forth and materialize it with your magic. Don't make the circle too big though. You might make the light more powerful than you envisioned. Just a simple subtle glow that's all we need."

"Alright. Here I go." Luz raised her hand into the air and squinted her eyes to focus. She tried tracing a circle in the air like Lilith did, but nothing happened. "It didn't work," Luz said, disappointment dripping from her voice.

"Don't worry. Try again. Try drawing in the Titan's magic instead of trying to make your own." Lilith advised. She wanted to explain a little more, but honestly, she had no clue how to. Luz's source of magic was beyond Lilith's understanding. She just had to try and brute force it somehow, and have Luz stumble upon how to use it herself.

"I'll try," Luz said, a bit unsure. She didn't exactly know what Lilith meant, but she had to try. She tried to draw the circle again with Liliths advice in mind. Still nothing. She frowned as she looked to Lilith for more guidance.

"Keep trying. Don't give up just yet." Lilith encouraged Luz. Who nodded in affirmation. Over and over Luz tried to create that circle. Groans of frustration and disappointment coming from her every time she failed.

Encouraging Luz to try new ways of thinking was really all Lilith could do. She tried to brainstorm a lot of different ideas of hers to try to tap into that power she knew Luz had. After all, Luz said she had done magic once before, though it was by accident. Wait. That's it. That may be the key to it all.

"Luz," Lilith said, pulling Luz out of her insistent drawing.

"Yeah?"

"You said you've done magic once before by accident right?"

"Uh-huh." Luz wondered just what she was getting at.

"What exactly were you doing when you accidentally cast that fire spell?"

Luz looked a bit surprised by Lilith's question. She wasn't really expecting it but thinking about it. It made sense. Looking back at that time may actually help her figure this out.

"I was... pretending. Pretending to throw some sort of fire punch." Luz explained. Trying to only remember the details she needed to.

Lilith hummed in thought.

"What exactly were you thinking while you were pretending? what were you imagining?" Lilith asked. If she got the right answer from Luz, Lilith might just be able to pull together the source of her magic.

"Well. I was imagining flames bursting from my fist. Swirling around like a vortex. Hot and fierce like the Sun. Something like that I think."

Lilith pondered on what Luz just told her. It seemed like standard visualization. That was good, but was there something in that sentence she was missing. She mulled over those words a couple of times trying to extrapolate something from them. Then it hit her. There was something about Luz she didn't think to put into account until now.

"Your fist? Which fist?" Lilith asked urgently. She felt like she was close to the answer.

"I think It was this one." Luz raised her right hand up to show Lilith. The mark sitting proudly on the back of her hand.

"That's it! The mark! The circles aren't working because you already have one." Lilith was a bit glad she thought that up. It made a lot of sense to her. She just hoped she wasn't celebrating prematurely.

"I do?" Luz asked. Her excitement slowly returned.

"The mark on your hand. I believe It serves the same purpose that the circles do. Instead of making a circle and trying to put power into that. Try putting it into your mark. The very thing that's connecting you to the Titan." Lilith instructed. This had to work. If it didn't she had no idea how she would continue.

"Okay! I'll try!" Luz's voice came out determined again. She squinted her eyes once again trying to focus the best she could. She stared at her palm as she focused on the mark trying to pull forth the light she saw Lilith conjure. A few seconds passed when Lilith noticed the mark beginning to glow a pure white. It was working.

Soon after Luz noticed the Light bleeding into her palm. It made the mark appear on her palm glowing as brilliantly as before. Then the ball of light began to form in her grasp. She did it. Right in her hands, there was a ball of light floating in her cupped palm.

"I did it," Luz whispered in pure astonishment. She couldn't believe her eyes. She just performed her own magic. On purpose! She did magic! Real magic! Her smile spread across her entire face as she felt an unquenchable excitement overtake her. " I did it! I did magic! I actually did it!"

Lilith couldn't help but feel a small sense of pride for Luz. Despite the spell being one of the simplest. Luz still emanated this aura of pure joy. It made her remember when Eda did her first spell. The excitement her family shared together. From what her mother told her once. The first spell was comparable to one's first step or first word. Honestly, seeing just how happy Luz was, Lilith was inclined to believe that as a smile crawled onto her face.

"Congratulations Luz. You're a witch now." Lilith said encouragingly. Eliciting a gleeful grin from Luz.

"Yeah!"

"Now, training isn't over yet. I want you to create as many lights as you can and sustain them for at least one minute."

"Right!"

The dungeon was rank. That was really the one thing Illushi hung onto. The stink of mold and rust permeating through the air is the only thing that kept him company. Usually, he would use his magic to cover up the smell with a more pleasant scent, but he couldn't do that in his current condition.

"Illushi." A familiar voice called out to him.

He looked up only to see something he honestly wasn't expecting. It was Kikimora.

"Kiki? Well, what sort of business does the former Emperor's assistant have with me?" Illushi questioned. The smile he always wore coming back to him.

"I require your assistance for a certain task I need done. I need you to fetch me some important ingredients I need for-." Kikimora wasn't able to finish her sentence when Illushi erupted into a fit of laughter.

"Hahaha! You need me to fetch ingredients like some delivery boy? Get one of your coven lapdogs for that. I'd rather not, thank you very much." Illushi was insulted by Kiki's words. Asking an assassin to fetch ingredients. That was beneath him.

"No. You misunderstand. These ingredients I need. You are the only one with the skills necessary to obtain them." Kiki's words slowly began to intrigue Illushi. He looked at Kikimora with a hesitant interest. What exactly were the ingredients she was speaking of?

"Hmm. Tell me what it is and I might just be interested."

"The blood of powerful witches." Kikimora stated quickly and simply.

All at once, Illushi's interest spiked to its peak. A malicious grin sprawling across his face. And his eyes burning with a wicked desire.

"I'm listening."