It had been an eventful week for Lucia Isadora Noceda… or was it Noceda-Clawthorne now? That was just one of the questions that swam through her mind since she woke up after her eventful trip to the Conformatorium, and the revelation of her new reality. This morning was different though. Luz was going to start figuring out what it all meant for her and start moving forward again just like her Mami taught her. She decided she would start with something easy. The last few days Luz had avoided looking in the mirror. She knew she looked different now, but until she saw herself in the mirror a part of her could forget that, and she could just keep believing that she was still her old usual brand of 'normal'. That ended now, no matter who she saw looking back at her, Luz would come to accept it, but what she saw made her begin to cry.

"I'm beautiful," Luz gasped. She wasn't a supermodel, but she had never felt this way before. Sure she had never thought she was ugly or had any issues with her appearance, but she couldn't lie to herself she had never felt truly pretty before. Content, unimpressed, normal even, but never how she felt when she looked at herself now. The gold in her eyes looked more vibrant, complementing her new ebony 'L shaped' horns that point up, and new pearly white witch fangs making them all pop. Her hair now hung down to her shoulders with just a slight curl at its end perfectly framing her face. After experimenting a bit Luz found that it looked just as nice in a ponytail as hanging loose. She also experimented with how she looked with her wings out, and retracted to wherever they went when she didn't need them. Luz couldn't lie between her now six foot frame and her stunning golden wings, she felt powerful and confident in a way she had never been before. This felt right, and after talking to E… her mom she knew this was only the beginning. Once her actual physical training began she could finally work on getting the muscle tone she had wanted ever since that failed trip to the Gravesfield Gym. No more weak nerd arms. She was going to get strong enough to protect her new siblings, and she could finally start seeing herself 'maturing' into a young lady which felt like frosting on her 'new me' cake. All in all Luz felt beautiful, powerful, and confident, and while she knew she'd never be able to show it off to the haters she had to deal with growing up it made her feel good to know this Luz Noceda would have turned heads. With a small laugh at herself Luz finally got into the shower to clean up for the first day of the rest of her life.

Now wearing a purple sleeveless tank top and black gym shorts with a pair of red hiking boots her mom had 'found' in her size, Luz made her way into the kitchen to find Eda making breakfast while Vee tried to observe and learn, and King sat in his booster seat playing with his stuffed 'minions'. "Good morning my amazing family. How's everyone doing," asked Luz as she flared her wings, and did a little happy spin as she walked into the kitchen.

Eda let out a small chuckle, "Feeling extra peppy today aren't we Luz, and congratulations you really seem to have adapted to your new wings."

Luz blanched, but Vee started laughing loudly, "I guess you can say that." Eda looked confused before Vee explained.

(Two days ago)

Fenris and Luz were standing on top of Luz's tower with their wings out as Fenris said, "Ok Luz, this training is going to start very easy. All we got to do is…" Fenris shoves Luz over the side, and she lets out a scream in surprise. "Do as the birds do." On instinct Luz flared her wings and began to glide, but in her panic she got her angle wrong resulting in a rough, but not terrible landing. As Luz began to stand back up nursing a fractured right arm, Fenris glided down on his flaming wings while clapping. "So the landing was a little rough, but…"

Luz tried to punch him in the jaw with her right hand only for Fenris to catch it. "What the hell's Fen! You could have killed me," yelled Luz.

Fenris rolled his eyes, "Don't be ridiculous. Even if your instincts didn't kick in, I could have gotten to the ground fast enough to catch you, and even if I missed your magic would have just healed you."

"My magic?" asked Luz.

"Dear Titan, did you never notice? Luz every time you get hurt your magic instinctively kicks in to heal you. It's not uncommon among some beast demon species, but I've never seen it work so fast or thoroughly. Either you are a prodigy when it comes to healing magic or…" Fenris admonishes before getting angry as he draws a spell circle and uses a healing spell to check her out, finding evidence of thousands of healed breaks and fractures. "Holy Titan, who did this to you?"

Luz chuckled awkwardly, "Some of it was me. I was an adventurous child, but… I wasn't exactly a well liked kid growing up. Mami taught me to not fight back, looking back it was probably so that I didn't accidentally kill someone, but some only took that as a challenge to try to "break" me. I never did though." Luz let out a small laugh.

"And your mother just let it keep happening?" Fenris roared.

"Kinda hard to prove it when the wounds heal so fast. No, I never said anything. Sure it always hurt, but she worked so hard to take care of us, and I didn't see the point," Luz let a single tear slip out. "I'm a strong girl. I could take it."

Fenris surprised Luz with a hug, "That you are Luz. That you are."

(Present time)

Eda is performing the same spell Fenris did to look over Luz, and as they watch, feathers begin to sprout from all over Eda's body as her rage grows, "I'm going to kill'em. I'm going to track down every last one of these slimeballs, and I'm gonna tear off their limbs. Nobody hurts my Owlet. You hear me nobody."

While feeling touched, Luz still forced an elixir into Eda's mouth, "Don't worry mom. Nothing like this will ever happen again now that I have my magic, and let's be honest would you really take this away from me. If anyone should get the chance to 'educate' my old bullies it should be me. So, how about instead we go train for a while? I really want to learn staff fighting, and swordsmanship has always been something I wanted to look into."

Eda let out an angry groan, but threw her hands up in frustration, "Fine kiddo. I'll let you fight your own battles, but the next time we see Cammy you are telling her about all of this. Got it?"

Luz gave Eda another hug, "Sure mom, I got it, and don't worry I'll set aside a few adults from back in the human realm that are all yours. I can't have all the fun." Luz grave Eda a mischievous grin.

Eda let out an amused snort, "I don't think I've felt this proud since King picked his first lock. I love you Luz, mi preciosa lechuza (my precious owlet)."

Luz gaped in amazement, "Te amo, mom. I didn't know you knew any Spanish."

Eda laughed, "I don't know much. It was never my thing, but a few things stuck from your mothers lessons. Now finish your breakfast kids, and when you're done I want all three of ya to meet me in the training room. We are going to have a busy day."

Once Eda had left, Vee asked Luz, "You're not really going to hunt down your old bullies for vengeance are you?"

Luz laughed evilly, "Of course not. They're just stupid kids. I don't know why they did it, but I want to believe there was a good reason." Luz's face got stoney after that though, "But that doesn't mean I won't tear apart anyone who picks on either of you. Mom was right about one thing. Nobody hurts my family, and gets away with it." Vee and King gave Luz a warm hug before they finished their food in peace.

To only Eda's surprise Luz took to combat training like a mermaid to water. Sure her fighting style with a staff was basic, but she had a great sense for fluid motion and improvisation. It wasn't until they pulled out the wooden swords that the real show started though. What was supposed to be a simple exercise to just get a feel for the basics of sword combat quickly turned into the most difficult sparring session of Eda's life, and in the end Eda found herself completely overwhelmed and defeated. "Dang kiddo, I thought you said you'd never held a sword before," snorted Eda with a small chuckle from the floor.

"And it wasn't a complete lie. I did own a sword once, for about five minutes, when I was ten, but I tried to cut my hair with it, and it didn't go well. Mami took it, and I never saw it again. I wonder where it ended up?" stated Luz with a tilt of her head.

After Eda was helped up from the floor she went over to a chest under the stairs, and started searching only to pull out a familiar sword making Luz practically start dancing in her excitement. It was a simple hand-and-a-half or short sword with a faux gold guard and a cheap red stone for looks. "I thought it was weird when Cammy asked me to hide this for her, but after that little performance I think I should give it back to you," Eda laughed, but before she handed it over she got serious. "You have to promise me though Luz. If I let you have this you have to be careful with it. Someone could get very hurt if you don't. Am I understood?"

Luz stood straight, and gave Eda a salute as she vowed, "I understand Mom. The things you're teaching me might be fun, and useful sometimes, but they aren't toys. I have to treat them with due respect. I will, I promise."

Eda ruffled Luz's hair as she handed over the sword. "Ok, kids. I think that is enough physical training for now. How about we move on to potion making. As you know potions are my main trade these days, officially. Sadly not everyone has the same love for human junk that I do, and it's a steady flow of snails. Maybe if you two show a talent for it we can expand a bit… 'Three Owl's Potions' has a nice ring to it, or maybe 'Eda and Daughters'... I'll workshop it, but for now let's get those cauldrons bubbling."

While Luz let out an excited fist pump, Vee was apprehensive about what Eda had just said, but regardless they both made their way over to the alchemy station for their first potions lessons. For the next two hours the tower was filled with the sounds of bubbling brews, joyous laughter, and occasionally small explosions until finally they took a break to let their current brews simmer. "I think it's time for lunch ladies. Hey King, feel like coming with me to make some tasty treats," asks Luz. King happily clambered onto Luz's shoulder in response.

Once Luz and King were gone Eda leaned back to relax and rest her eyes, but then she heard Vee in a small voice say, "You don't have to go through this much trouble on my account. It's ok. I can make up an excuse to tell Luz."

Eda let out an annoyed groan and looked at the young basilisk, "What are you talking about Vee?"

Vee looked away and started to ring her hands as she said, "All of this, the lessons, the attention; I really appreciate the effort, but you don't have to include me if you don't want to. It's enough that you let Luz take me in, and gave me a cover story. I know I'm a burden, but…"

Eda practically jumps from her chair and storms toward Vee, making the young girl flinch and close her eyes awaiting punishment… that never comes. Instead Vee finds herself wrapped in a warm embrace, "Victoria, sweetie… I never want to hear you talk like that again. I spend time with you because I want to. I go out of my way to teach you things because I want to. I let you stay with us because I…WANT… TO. You are not a burden. You are a child who didn't ask to be born, but you have every right to live. You may not be of me, but as long as you live under my roof, and call my daughter your sister you are a Clawthorne. Congratulations kiddo, you are a member of the most belligerent, resilient, bad asses these isles have ever seen, and from what I hear you earned that membership. You went through something most people can't even fathom, and you survived it all. Now it's time for you to get your reward. A loving family, and the opportunity to stop surviving and start living." Eda let out a sigh as she stroked Vee's hair, "I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want to do. If you decide you want to leave tomorrow, I'll respect your decision, but until then I'm going to treat you the same way I treat Luz and King. Am I understood?"

Vee let a few tears leak out as she hugged Eda back, and whispered, "Ok Mama. I understand." When Luz and King returned with sandwiches, they found Eda and Vee napping off to one side with Vee still held protectively in Eda's arms. After a quick picture for 'reasons' Luz and King carefully wake them up to eat.

Towards the end of their meal Luz asked, "Hey Mom, I was thinking. Do you think you could show us how to do that thing you do with your hair? It would be really useful so that we don't get bogged down with equipment."

Eda thought about it before saying, "The Clawthorne family secret hair trick? I guess. If you want, but there are some limitations you should be aware of. Like the pocket space's size is dependent on the size of your hair, so in order for it to be useful Luz, you probably couldn't cut your hair any shorter than it is now, and given the fact that Vee can change shapes, I don't think it would work for her." Eda ponders that problem for a second before she adds, "I could probably make up a belt or vest though to serve a similar purpose eventually, but I would need some supplies first… I'll think about it, and if this is something you're interested in Vee let me know."

Vee smiled, "Thanks, Sis. I… think I'd like that Mama."

Luz was shocked for a half second before she summoned her wings for a single flap as she flying tackled Vee with a happy hug. After a few minutes of giggles and more hugs Luz said, "No problem Vee. I'll always look out for my adorable little snek sister."

Which led to a new challenger to the hug pile as King jumped in groaning, "No hugs for your King?" Making both girls laugh even more as they separated enough to allow King to crawl between them, and resulting in both sisters giving him a kiss on the skull at the same time. All the while Eda looked on and just enjoyed the sight of this little group of weirdos… her weirdos, and she was loving it… until one of the cauldrons started to belch black smoke, and she had to quickly stop it before it blew up the tower.

Once all the potions were done and bottled for sale Eda looked at her kids and said, "Alright then. That takes care of the first two parts of your training for today. Who's ready for the last part, spellcraft?" Luz let out a gasp before starting to positively vibrate in excitement. "Don't get too excited. We are going to start small. First, some spell theory. Does anyone know why spell circles work the way they do?" When nobody answered Eda went on. "There are two factors to remember when casting spells with a spell circle, and they will determine the spell's properties just as much as the spell itself will. First is your magical reserve. The more magic you have at your disposal the more power each of your spells will possibly possess. Second is the size of the circle." Eda makes two spell circles in the air. One the size of a silver dollar, and the other the size of her fist. "As you can see the bigger the circle, the more magic that is used. If I had to put a number to them, let's say the small one is at one percent, and the larger is ten. With both of those concepts in mind, do you understand why two witches can end up with vastly different spell results when casting the same spell?"

Vee and Luz nod. "Yes mama. It's kinda like having a hundred small rocks versus ten large ones, and needing to break a bunch of windows. Given enough time and coordination you can get similar results using either pile, but each one has a drawback. The hundred smaller rocks will possibly require more to do some tasks, but you have a larger supply so it gives you more control to dial in how much it will take. Whereas the larger rocks will always do more damage per rock, but you will run out quickly making each rock more valuable by comparison," answers Vee, making Eda nod, and smile.

"Well done Vee, and bonus points for including mischief in your example. Sticking with that let's say we replace the large rocks with dirt clods, and the smaller ones with steel balls. How will that change things?" posits Eda.

"Well, not only do you have one pile with less ammunition, but what is there kinda sucks as well, whereas the steel balls only make that pile more effective, meaning you need to use even fewer to break each window. Right Mom?" answers Luz.

"Exactly. So one last situation. You have the initial two piles back of various rock sizes, but now the windows are no longer all the same. Some are thicker, some thinner, and some will only break if the rock used to break it is sharp or blunt. What now?"

Vee chimes in again, "So now it matters just as much the rocks size as its type. There are probably going to be some windows that neither can break because neither pile has the right combination of factors to do the job. In that situation the larger rocks might be more effective at breaking specific windows because finding one rock with the right requirements could be easier than finding potentially ten smaller ones that all match, but at the same time having more rocks means more chances to have what you need in order to break more windows… making both piles more specialized to a particular purpose depending on whether you're going for more destruction, or specific targets."

"And that's magic theory. Some people have a lot of power, but their reserves run out fast. Others have very deep reserves, but no power. Then there are people with unique magics that drastically change everything like how effective magic is on or against them, or even having special properties. These are all factors you need to remember when you cast your magic," explains Eda.

"Ok, but I saw that demon Kikimora make a circle, and then forceable alter it afterwards. What does that mean," asked Luz.

"Well that's an advanced trick. In that case, think of the circle as the end of a hose. By altering it you can force the magic to become more or less focused, or even change its direction, but doing so after the cast is dangerous because it can cause a spell to fizzle or blow up in your face if you don't know exactly what you're doing. Best not to try anything like that until you have a solid grasp on your magic. Ok kiddos?" After they nodded Eda moved on. "Now onto the fun part. I'm going to show you how to do a basic light spell. So what you want to do is think about what you want, and what you want it to look like and do. Once you have these things in mind, make your spell circle, and we will see what cha got."

After a couple minutes to get a good picture both girls each held out a finger, and made their circles. Vee made a fist sized one that created a brown orb of light that shone about a quarter as bright as Eda's example, but as soon as she created it Vee's stomach started to protest. Only Vee noticed it though because as soon as Luz's half-dollar sized white circle completed everyone was blinded by the small sun that was created.

"Can ya turn that thing down a bit Luz? Ya know I might need to see again sometime this week," shouted Eda.

"Sorry, Mom… how do I do that by the way?" asked Luz with a little embarrassed laugh.

"I got it," said Vee as she started to siphon off some of the orb's magic until they could see again, bringing the orb down to about half strength.

"Thanks sis. So what does magic taste like anyway?" asked Luz.

"Depends on the source. Ambient magic tastes kinda like water. Kinda bland, but with a slightly spicy aftertaste. That barrier from the Conformatorium tasted like… ugh my best guess would be feet with an oily slick texture. It was nasty. How I didn't immediately throw it back up is a miracle that even I don't fully understand. As for yours… oh Titan don't take this the wrong way, but it's good… like wow. Imagine a perfectly seasoned and moist fire hen, served with a slice of light chocolate cake, like the one we had last night. While I was imprisoned I was forced to try a lot of different types of magic, but yours is the first one that makes me feel 'better'. I don't feel even slightly hungry anymore, and gauging by how full I feel I probably won't need to absorb any more magic for at least a few months if I just stick to maintaining my witch disguise. Probably longer if I ration it, but I want to train with you. I know you said you'll protect me, but I want to protect you too. You and the rest of my family. I finally have one, and I never want to lose you guys so I want to get stronger too."

Eda snuck up behind them and wrapped her arms around their shoulders, "See I told ya you have that Clawthorne spirit. Let's head outside so you can show me what else you got now that you understand the basics. I want to see what comes natural to you. Every witch has a flavor of magic that feels most comfortable for them. For me it's construction magic, namely constructs, beams, and bursts, but since I wanted to be like… well who isn't important. I ended up taking the potions track instead. That's not to say I don't dabble in the other eight types, but those two are the ones that come easiest to me." Once they all moved outside Eda continued, "So for this exercise I want you to just let your magic come to you, and take the shape it wants to take. Let your magic guide you. Keep your reservoirs in mind though. I wouldn't want to see you guys go boom or exhaust yourselves just because your magic is a bit 'explosive'. Vee, I'd like to see what you've got first. If that's ok with you."

Vee smiled and took a few steps away as she let her magic flow through her with her eyes closed, and as her family watched her form bubbled and shifted until she was in a new form. Vee grew to around eight feet, and now sported a longer maw filled with sharp teeth. She had stronger looking arms with backward pointing spines and her hands now ended in claws. Along her spine now sat a row of sharp spikes that ran all of the way to her tail which now sported a large mace-like ball at its end, and finally from her shoulder blades sprouted a pair of gorgeous feathered wings, not unlike Luz's. They all watched as Vee drew three chocolate brown spell circles, one with each hand, and one with her tail, but instead of firing off a spell Vee drove her limbs through them while they hung in the air making one arm crackle with electricity, and sparks to fly as she moved. While the other arm started to exude a yellow miasma that seemed to eat away at anything that got too close to it, and a solid block of ice to form around the ball at its end. As a finale Vee reared back her head and, seemingly with a new forked tongue, she drew one last circle in her open mouth and with a mighty breath she sent a jet of flame a couple dozen feet into the sky. Once it was over Vee took a calming breath in and out, and slowly shrank back to her usual basilisk form before shifting back into her witch disguise, finally opening her eyes, and tentatively asking, "So… how was that? Did I do good?"

Eda and King just looked on in shock, but Luz ran towards Vee, scooped her up, and began to spin her. "That was amazing, Vee. I never would have expected such a sweetheart like you to be hiding that much beastly strength. Oh My Titan, I'm just so proud of you. Coolest sister ever." Vee just blushed and laughed with Luz.

Once Eda found her voice again she said, "Luz's right Vee. That was impressive. I think your flavor would fall under Beastkeeping, but you showed a real aptitude for potions earlier so you have options. That being said, I think it's Luz's turn to wow us. I do have to ask though, how much magic did that little display cost you?"

As Luz moved a little farther away then Vee had, and got herself ready. Vee admitted, "About a week's worth. The physical changes didn't cost much, maybe slightly more than my disguise, but the elemental effects were a bit draining, and the fire breath, oh Titan. It was cool, but I think it's going to be a while before I try that one again. But enough about me. I want to see what Luz's got."

Much as Vee did, Luz started with her eyes closed, but after a few moments her eyes snapped open revealing the dark pools they had been when she blew away Kikimora and Wrath. In an instant Luz's wings were out, and she began to rise into the air once more until she floated nearly twelve feet in the air, but something felt off to Eda. Luz's wings had a lighter coloring then she remembered, and something felt 'unbalanced'. It was a complicated feeling to put into words. A golden ring of light flickered into existence, and began to float just above the tips of her horns. Undenounced to everyone, dark clouds began to take form above them. Luz effortlessly created two fist sized spell circles, an ebony black one from her left, and a pure white from her right. A gauntlet of golden ice began to take shape around her right hand as a pitch black flame took form in her left. As her family watched, Luz used the flame to create a large wall of black fire around herself at least fifteen feet in diameter and ten feet high. Once that was done Luz used her gauntlet to send a wave of golden ice directly below her creating dozens of golden ice spikes, and a golden pillar that stopped just below her. As if flicking water from her hands, Luz banished the flame and gauntlet before slowly raising her hands directly above her. To those watching Luz's hands seemed to spasm only for ten golden fingertip sized circles to appear at the end of each of her fingers, and then she drove them all straight down toward the ground making ten bolts of white lightning to streak down from the clouds above evaporating her firewall and golden ice. When everyone could see again they saw Luz slowly drifting down into the crater she created during her performance until she was kneeling in a daze leaving only a small campfire size pool of black fire to her left, and a single thin pillar of ice to her right.

When Luz just continued to sit there dazed, Eda, King, and Vee rushed to her side, and while Vee and Eda's attentions were instantly focused on Luz's dazed form, King couldn't take his eyes off of the lingering reminders of Luz's magic. Without intending to, he found himself reaching out to them only to find that the fire wasn't hot, and the ice wasn't cold, but before he could grasp them or give their uniqueness too much thought they dissipated leaving only the vaguest impression in his mind, two distinct symbols. Almost ironically, the moment they dissipated was the same one Luz came back to focus. "Hey guys… um that was weird. How did I end up in a crater," awkwardly asked Luz.

Her siblings and Eda just looked at each other before Eda asked, "Kiddo, do you remember anything about the last couple minutes?"

Luz laughed, "Oh course Mom. Vee showed us her amazing magic, and then I was getting ready to show mine… And then I was kneeling in a crater… huh… Ok, that's odd, but I'm sure it's nothing. I probably just spaced out. It happens."

To say her family looked unconvinced would be an understatement, but Vee asked tentatively, "How often do you space out sis?"

Luz cocked her head, and thought for a second before responding, "Not too often, I think. It would happen in class sometimes, but that was only in the boring classes back in human school, and it never mattered because I always ended up with great notes. Beyond that I think it happened a couple other times, like when I got hit by that car, or the time some guys tried to mug me, but that was normal from what I read. Blacking out from pain is normal."

While Vee and King looked confused, Eda was concerned, "Ok kiddo, can you give me more info about those incidents? Like did you get hit in a parking lot, and how many guys? Were they armed?"

Luz looked at Eda, and they could both tell that Luz didn't want to answer those questions, but after looking at her Mom's pleading look Luz let out a groan. "I don't know why it matters, but…" Luz lied. "It was four or six guys with bats. It's kind of rough for me to remember because they caught me by surprise, and I didn't really see much before I went down. As for the accident, a car jumped a curb. I was told it must have not been moving very fast because I only had a few cracked ribs when they found me a while later, but that never really made sense to me because I wasn't near an intersection, and the speed limit over there was thirty-five (fifty six kph). Why does it matter, Mom? So I spaced out for a minute. It's not a big deal, and I definitely wasn't bored or in pain so… this seems unrelated."

Eda wasn't so sure, but without more information she could only speculate. Choosing to put those thoughts aside for the time being Eda said, "Well back to business then. I'm not entirely sure where to categorize your magic. It's odd. There are usually a few ways to narrow it down, but they can be hit-or-miss, which is why I didn't explain them before you both started. I didn't want to subconsciously affect the results. First would be circle color. The shade can be unique between witches, but there are a few standbys like green usually being plant, or brown like Vee's relating to beastkeeping. The other common way is to look at the magic itself, its form and results. Like regardless of color if you form an abomination, then that's abomination magic, or if you summon a spirit, then that's Oracle magic. In your case neither way really helps. I saw three different colors from you during your test. Which is extra odd but it makes me believe that your color varies with what type of spell you're using. It's not unheard of, but it's rare, and usually runs in families, but you're the first, I know of, for us. As for the other way I'd say construction because of the pillar, but that doesn't sound right. All I really saw was you use fire, ice, and lightning. Yes, they were all unique examples, but still. Best guess, your magic seems to be more elementally focused which is good to know in general, but unhelpful in this case." When Eda saw Luz's face start to drop she added. "No need to worry about it though. The test still gave us a starting point to work from, and that was the point. Magic is wild and alive so categorizing it is kind of short sighted anyway, especially when it can change anytime. Case in point, I've seen someone actively force a change in their circle color over time because they didn't like the original color, and while it's rare I have seen someone's magic change over night into something very different from their original type. In that case it was due to major psychological trauma, but regardless it can happen."Eda gave Luz a reassuring smile.

"Ok Mom. Actually I've got an idea for something I've always wanted to try so why don't we get out of this hole, and give it a try," asked Luz with a bit more pep. A few minutes later Luz was back in the newly designated 'outdoor training area' with her sword on her hip and a smile from ear to ear in a very Eda way. "Ok, so you said that all I have to do is get a clear image in my mind of what I want, and draw a circle, right?" asked Luz.

"Ya, basically. There are other limits, but that's based more on your imagination, will power, and reserves for the most part," stated Eda, still unclear on what her daughter's idea was. "I don't know what you got cooking behind your horns, but i recognize that smile so just promise me you wont blow up the house."

"I'll try… now, small one please," stated Luz as Eda sent a fist size rock into the air only for Luz to make a finger gun, and draw a small circle with her pointer finger causing a burst of light to fire from it destroying the rock. Seeing it work Luz did a little giddy dance before she took up a new stance with her wrists together. "Bigger rock this time please." Eda let out a sigh while she smiled and did as requested. Luz whispered something while drawing a bigger spell circle between her open hands while holding the stance until the rock was at its highest point then she thrust her hands forward with a yell of 'Ha', and firing a large light beam evaporating the rock. With that done everyone just saw Luz laugh and giggle so hard it was almost off putting. Once she had calmed herself she took out her sword and said, "Ok one more test, and then I'm done. Probably about the same size again please." This time Luz drew a circle around the blade making it glow with light, and she performed a swinging motion with it yelling 'Tensho', but unfortunately nothing happened making Luz pout for a second before she shrugged, "Two out of three's not bad, and who knows maybe I'll find a way to make it work later."

As Luz canceled her spell, sheathed her sword, and walked back over still looking proud of herself Eda asked, "Ok, I'm guessing the first two worked the way you wanted, but what was the last one supposed to do?"

"Sword beam, or fire off a crescent of light to cut or explode the rock," Luz admitted without losing her grin.

Vee just looked at Luz confused, "I can kinda see the first two, even though you made them a bit over complicated, but what made you think of the third?"

Luz laughed some more, "Remind me later, and I'll show you some anime on my phone Sis. You'll understand after that. Matter of fact maybe I'll make a list to try nex-" Luz was cut off as a blinding flash went off next to them. When they could see again, they saw a very surprised King looking around dazed with a couple of symbols drawn in the dirt in front of him. "King, what was that?"

After King shook his head to clear it he said, "Magic I guess. I saw patterns in your magic earlier, and I thought why not. I think this one will do something different." King slapped one of the patterns, and suddenly they were all in pitch darkness unable to see anything. "Weh, where did everyone go? I don't like this."

Eda tried to cast a light spell, but it fizzled, and she could hear King start to freak out. With a steady calm voice Eda stated, "Relax King. I think we are still here cuz I can still hear you. I need you to close your eyes, and focus for me. Ok, little guy?" King made a noise to confirm he understood. "Ok now, you should be able to feel a connection to whatever this is. I need you to focus on it, and try to cut it like snipping a string." King made a few frustrated noises before finally the darkness dissipated, and as soon as it did King jumped into Eda's arms letting out a few scared tears.

Almost on instinct Vee and Luz immediately went to hug King while he was in Eda's arms, making an impromptu group hug while Eda just soothingly stroked his back and whispered, "It's ok, my ferocious tyrant. It's ok. Mama's got you. I know that was kind of scary for you, but we're right here…"

"And we'd never leave you alone in the dark, hermanito. We're your family, and we love you," added Luz.

"Don't worry King. I promise, if you ever feel alone or scared like that again just call out for one of us, and we will come right away to hold you close until that feeling goes away," said Vee with moist eyes and a smile. "After all, us weirdos have to stick together, right? And we are a family of weirdos so it's doubly true." King just continued to hug them all, but inside he had never felt so warm.

After about ten minutes of hugging and consoling King they finally got him calm enough for him to carefully show them his 'glyphs'. With a bit of hesitation King said, "This one made the flash so I think it's light, and this one made everything dark."

"And you said, you saw them in my magic?" asked Luz.

"Ya I saw the light one first in the tower after your big light spell, and then again in that gold ice you made. Dark was in your fire. Maybe that's why they were so weird. I thought dark might have been fire, but yours wasn't hot… so maybe it wasn't real fire, and your ice wasn't really ice? This seems a bit too much for me so I'll let you all figure it out, but in the meantime…" stated King as he slapped another light glyph, and made a ball of light in his paws, "I'll just play with this one." For the rest of the night the foursome laughed, and showed each other little light tricks while someone else looked on suspiciously, and occasionally let out a quiet 'hoot'.

Author's Notes: Undated first. After thinking about why I ended up getting burnt out before I've decided to try a more fixed schedule again. Meaning Thursdays are where this story will live for now, and once I finish a chapter of one of the others it will probably take that day going forward. Thank you for being patient.

As for this chapter… this wasn't what I originally had planned. It was supposed to be a small paragraph to set up that training is happening and set up that this Eda is much more on point about teaching, but as it went along it just kept unfolding until I sat back and decided to make it its own chapter. No worries though. I love how it turned out, and Hexside is still coming. Matter of fact the next chapter is going to be a big one in terms of length (probably 8k) so next week will be fun.

As for changing Vee a bit, I think this version works better for what I have planned. I don't remember it ever being said basilisks couldn't do spells, In canon it never made sense for her to learn how and she didn't really have access to magic anyway. Since this one is staying in the Isles I thought that giving her a way to 'reclaim her power' after the trauma and torture she experienced was very important. Both approaches are valid but since she can't run, she's going to fight. I know I'm rushing the family bonds a bit, but I want to believe it's not by much. Eda's kinda had years to have her maternal muscles grow, King is 8 so he's just more accepting of things like that, and Vee literally has nobody else/has never experienced this kind of love and care so she is going to latch on and not let go. Beyond all that Luz is at its center being the awesome star she is acting like a gravitational force and glue for her little family.

All I've got for now, until next time. Shine on and have a great week.