Luz had no idea where she was running to. All she did know was that she couldn't stop, she had to run, had to get someplace and hide. Just long enough to think about how to deal with the two people running after her.
"Luz Noceda Clawthorne you stop running this instant!"
"Please Luz we just want to talk!"
But she already knew what they wanted to talk about. The very same thing she'd pushed to the back of her mind after the battle.
Still clutched firmly to her chest, King, seeing this, did the one thing he could think of to get Luz to stop.
"Sorry Luz" he muttered before chomping down on her arm. She let out a scream before throwing him over her shoulder here he landed safely in Camila's arms as Luz ducked into a room, only to realize it was a storage closet with no way out. So, she did the only thing and turned the bolt locking it.
Amity was the first to the door franticly banging on it. "Luz, you open this door this instant!"
"Just...Just give me a minute!" panicking, she was looking for a way to escape.
Come on give me anything! A window, an air vent, anything! But no matter how hard she looked the only thing in there was a series of coats. Not knowing what else to do she tried to hide behind them as Amity used her new skills to turn her hand into goo and slip int under the door to turn the lock. Luz was both amazed and horrified as the door swung open and she saw the look on Amity's face.
"Hey-"
"Don't..." she whispered as she walked over and quickly hugged her. The grip she had on her was so tight, as if she was worried, she'd disappear if she let go.
"You died, died without me ever knowing." Luz tried to respond but seeing her mom standing in the doorway petting King like a thereby doll as she stared at her made her shut up.
"And don't you dare say that you technically didn't die because we both know that's not true. The first time you were just nearly petrified, nearly being the key word! But this time... this time...you vanished body and all. I'm not sure if it was the titan's will that you went to the in between world but without that you'd be dead right now."
She pulled back and Luz saw the tears streaming down her face. "Luz don't you ever scare me like that again! Do you hear me!?"
Unable to stop herself from crying all she could do was nod as Camila shut the door as she and King joined the girls as they hugged and cried it out.
When their sobbing finally stopped Camila pulled out Luz's scroll. "Amity, can you tell me how to use this?"
"Sure, but why?"
"Because I'm finding Luz a therapist. We both know our Luz tries to hide her emotions. I don't care how much it costs but we are getting her the help she needs." Luz tried to protest but the glare she gave her shut her up.
Deep down she knew therapy was probably a good idea. "Now Luz do you want to go back? Or head home?"
"I... I think I can handle some questions."
King climbed up her shoulder resting atop her horned head. "Don't worry Luz, if those...uhhh...what human animal did you call them?"
"Jackles?"
"Yeah! Well, if those jackals get to rowdy, I'll shout them out the building."
Amity held out her hand, which Luz happily accepted as she was led back where Eda was angrily answering a reporter's question. "For the last time buddy, I'm just their adopted mother. King already hatched from his egg when I found him and as for Luz..." she stopped seeing Luz eagerly waiting for her answer. "Well Luz kind of found me."
Every reporter turned to Luz as she sat down, each one using what restraint they had before Gus's father shot up. "Perry Porter BBN-HXN News, first of all I think I speak for everyone when I say sorry for making you show such a horrific moment, even if it was necessary to receive the full picture."
"It's fine really, what was your question?"
"Yes, again I apologue but I and the viewers at home are curious to know just what are your plans for the future?" Beside him other reporters nodded.
"Well, I think we can all agree that the isles have had to much action for a while so namely I'm just planning to enjoy as much of a normal life here as I can. You know going to Hexside, hanging out with my friends, just taking it easy."
"I see, well I wish you the best." Gus, proud of his father, gave him a thumbs up.
Having broken the ice a women shot up. "Glixa Thornstone, current head of the PCA, a two-part question if you will."
"Suuurre..."
"Excellent, now your titan magic or glyph magic if you prefer, you used it before your current transformation while attending Hexside, my old hexing grounds I might add which just shows Hexside is the best school of the isles." Luz couldn't help but groan already seeing Odalia on this girl as she went on. "Anyway, my question is this, if you learned it does that mean it could be taught? Because I'm sure the PCA wouldn't mind donating to the school to ensure they add it in. Perhaps even making it a official track."
The look Bump was giving her was that of a silent, but also curious pleading. Admittedly, Luz did imagine teaching people this magic when she first found it, and she'd had good results with Eda and Lilith.
"Unfortunately, that's not possible right now. You see before my glyphs relied on King's dad's magic, apparently each titan as their own magic and glyphs. So, when he died so did all the glyphs I knew."
"But does that mean you have your own?" she asked, still hopeful.
"Kind of, it's better I show you." she said clawing a fire glyph which for the first time was a actual fireball. "Before I knew the basic four and their combinations, right now I only kind of know fire and light. Can't really teach something I'm still figuring out myself." To her surprise Glixa didn't question that and sat down.
The damn broken the questions came from all around. "Will you and King lead the isles to a better future?"
"Me no, him maybe in a few decades."
"What did the titan's magic feel like?"
"Like being infused with sugary fire as lightning struck me. Awesome but also terrifying."
More and more seemingly random questions came before a hooded women rose from the back. "Yes, do forgive my series of questions but first of all I think all the isles would like to know is just how much titan are you? Is it half? Or more? I'm sorry if it sounds rude but before today you didn't have a tail so I'm wondering if you're still changing."
"...Well... I'm pretty sure I'm still forty percent human. Probably just one more cosmetic change and that's it." unable to stop, her hand went to her back feeling her wing bumps starting to hurt.
Oh god please not now, not here!
The hooded women went on. "Well, that's good to know, but if by chance you had a child with a witch would they be half titan? Or just quarter titan?"
In that moment Amity let out a squeak before hiding behind Camila. Luz didn't have the words to respond but thankfully Eda did.
"Ease up there lady, treading into really dangerous waters right now."
"So sorry, I truly don't mean to offend, I'm just speaking generally, after all I'm sure we'd like to see more titans in the future, be they full blooded or witch hybrids." Eda pointed to the door transforming into her harpy form. The women bowed and started walking away when the collector floated toward her.
"Wait a minute... mamadalia ?" the figure froze in place.
"Who? I'm sure we've never met." but the collector simply snapped his finger causing their disguise to fly off showing a flustered Odalia.
"I knew it was you!" in his excitement he floated her over to the stage. "Amity check it out it's your mom! Did I ever tell how mamadalia used to clean up my toys... I mean put the people back away safely when I was done playing. Oh, and she served us pizza bagels!" He snapped his fingers transforming her back into her mamadalia outfit. "Speaking which I could go for some pizza bagels right now."
"Make it a massive platter for the whole table mamadalia" Eda added not bothering to contain her laughter. Odalia fumed before approaching Luz.
"Of course Edaylin, anything for future realt-" Eda shot out her hand and clamping her mouth shut. "Nope, none of that." Odaila pulled her hand free a grin forming. "And why not? I just want to show Luz here some proper hospitality, after all I've always approved of her relationship with my daughter." she attempted to reach into her pocket where Amity saw a magical contract and gasped. Camila saw this as well and surpassingly everyone picked up Odaila. "Odaila was it? I think we need to have a talk mom to mom. Collector some privacy if you please." A second later a massive stary curtain separated them from everyone else. However they could still faintly see as Camaila dropped Odaila before taking off her chancla.
What happened next was possibly the most satisfying and terrifying moment of Amity's life. Odaila tried to speak only to be repeatedly slapped with the chancla, even her summoned specters quickly retreated, one even flew through the screen and hid behind Amity as various angry things were shouted in Spanish.
When Camila relented Odalia tore up the contract before bolting out a side door. But not before one last long shot hitting her in her backside making her cry out in pain. Camila came back and calmly sat down next to Amity, her chancla half destroyed.
"Well Amity your mother and I had quite the lovely chat and she's decided to leave you and Luz alone. Oh, and Collecter I'll make sure to fix you some snacks later." He quickly floated down trying to hide behind Eda who gulped in fear.
All Amity could say was "I will never anger you."
"Amity, you could never make me angry. Now are there any further questions for my mija?"
Not a single person made a sound. Even the various coven heads looked a bit terrified. "Well then I think everyone for coming here today, I know it was a lot and probably not what you were expecting, but then again that's life."
As the adults stayed behind to answer any other questions Luz met up with her friends who glommed onto her in a massive pile. Willow and Gus as well as Emira and Edric were among the criers while Hunter and Viney simply gave her bone crushing hugs. What they didn't expect was for Skara and Boscha to walk up to them. Amity was quickly on edge remembering what she'd tried before.
But to her surprise Boscha walked up to Luz and after a moment hugged her. "Thanks, for you know everything."
"Huh?"
"Boshca..." Skara warned. Growing a bit Boscha surprised them. "And I'm sorry for asking you out earlier. That was wrong of me but come on your so freaking hot right now!" Skara elbowed her ribs making her wince.
"Boscha like we practiced."
"Fine! Luz... you're a good person, goofy, nerdy, adorably fluff... I mean... oh, screw it! Just when you come back to Hexside know I'll have your back. I'll make sure nobody tries anything with you alright?"
Everyone could only stare while Luz gave a massively surprised "Okay..."
"Good, and you know if you're up for it maybe sometimes you could play some grudgby with us. Or maybe you and Amity could have your book club at our hideout sometime. I stared reading Azura while in hiding and while still flowery it's pretty good."
Luz shot to her feet wanting to ask but Boscha stopped her. "Ease up Luz I've only finished book one so far. Now I've had enough of this mushy emotional crap for now. So, I'll see you around Luz."
As she walked away Luz turned to a smiling Skara. "Did we just become friends?" Only for Boscha to turn back. "We're not friends quite yet Luz, but we're also no longer enemies!"
Luz was fine with that. What she wasn't fine with was the pain in her back. Viney heard her wince and rushed over. "Luz I'm sorry for what's about to happen." before she could ask Viney turned her around and raised her shirt. Luz heard a series of gasps before Amity moved to face her. "Luz you're not gonna like this but I promise it's for the best."
Already panicking Luz had to be restrained by Willow and Hunter when she heard "Okay Luz just hold still I should be able to pop them out in three...two-Now" Luz felt the magic hit her back, followed by the worst pain she'd ever felt before falling atop Amity faintly hearing the words "they're amazing" as she blacked out.
