A loud pounding noise drug my foggy mind to the present. Dark shadows drained the color from my surroundings. I knew I was inside a room, against the back wall, but all the details about said room were faded.
The only thing I could vividly see were the chains around my arms and legs, a notepad, and a pen. And when I say vividly, I mean vibrantly! My silver shackles and the white pages in the notebook were so sharp it hurt to look at them for long. Yet they were my ticket out of the mysterious room I was suddenly locked in.
I wasn't confused in the slightest, even though I should've been. Though I couldn't remember how I got to where I was, my memory was more than happy to fill the blanks with static. Not to mention, I knew what to do with the notepad and pen as soon as I spotted them.
I took a piece of paper from the notepad and drew a glyph onto it. It looked just like Luz's, perfect circle and all. Yet another weird thing I oddly wasn't bothered by.
I placed a glyph on each set of chains, then tapped all of them. My restraints were engulfed in ice that shattered like glass after a moment or two. Now free, I tried to walk through the door in front of me, which lit up once I made it onto my feet. Instead, I bumped into it.
Apparently, my ghost powers didn't work wherever the hell I was. I had to think of another way out.
With the pen I'd been given, I carved a different glyph into the door. I tapped it once, then shielded my eyes and braced myself. With a giant flash, the door turned into pure light before fading away.
On the other side of it was a long hallway that was also littered with shadows. It was bad enough that everything was so dimly lit, but the darkness felt empty somehow. All life in the corridor had been sucked out of it until there was nothing but a husk.
I didn't have to walk far to get to where the pounding was coming from, just to a door across the hallway. Unlike mine, all I needed to do to open it was turn the knob.
The sight that sat behind it made me stagger backwards, into the wall. Squirming across the cold wooden floor like a fairy with their wings pulled off was my murderous mother. Her once icy blue eyes now shone like fire, and the wall behind her peaked through a huge hole in her chest. Just like me, she was draped in thick purple shadows.
Upon seeing me, she stopped thrashing against the walls and lurched forwards. She tried to say something, but the word clung to her scratchy throat.
"E…E…ir…".
SLAM!
Out from the darkness, a pale hand shoved the door shut. An older teen crept up to me, her striking golden eyes horrifyingly familiar. Her long emerald hair was a stark contrast from the black dress she was wearing, one being bright and lively while the other was bitter and dark.
An unexplainable terror rushed over me. She helped me escape my mother, I lived with her for a majority of my life. And sure, there were moments where I wasn't too happy to see her, but this feeling wasn't the usual annoyance. No, this was panic.
"Emira?" I whimpered. She reached out towards me, causing me to press myself even more against the wall and cower. "Get away from me! Stay back!".
I gasped for air as I crashed back into the waking world, my horrible dream leaving me breathless. It took a few minutes of just sitting there to find my bearings, but then I hopped down from the windowsill. After that, there was no way I'd be able to go back to sleep.
Luz was peacefully laying in her sleep cocoon, while King rested in her arms. Both didn't stir as I floated around them and out into the hallway. The poor human was still exhausted from being kidnapped, and her entry exam to Hexide was only hours away. She needed all the rest she could get.
What I needed was some time to think. If I was still alive, I would've just called what I saw a nightmare and tried to forget about it as quickly as I could. But I was a ghost, a ghost that has seen visions of the future before.
It had happened twice, three times if you consider this last one. The first was before I left the manor. I had just told my two siblings that mom planned to send me back to the Ovises, and the three of us were trying to think of an escape plan. We were at a loss, really, until a strange feeling suddenly swept over me. It felt as if someone had hijacked my eyes, pulling my gaze far from the isles.
I saw the dagger that killed me, a reflection of Luz's teary eyes sitting in the middle of it. It was for just a split second, but one second was all I really needed. I told the twins what I saw, and that's when they came up with the idea to give the amulet to Luz. At the time I thought they were both nuts. If only I'd known.
The second time was during the conjuring. I wasn't in control of myself, but I could still hear and see everything. That same feeling made the world grow very quiet, to where I couldn't even hear the conversation happening right in front of me. What I could hear was someone whispering something into both ears, something about petrification and a weeping willow.
But both of those times, I was awake. And this time I was in control of all my senses. Yet, my sleep had been dreamless ever since I died. So, if I was having a dream, it had to've been important, right?
"You're up early" a raspy voice hmmed.
I was thrown back into reality. While I was swimming through my thoughts, I had unknowingly wandered into the kitchen. Until she spoke, I had no idea the owl lady was even awake, let alone watching me.
She was sitting at the counter mostly draped in darkness, an empty bottle of apple blood laid in front of her. Her golden eyes shone in the moonlight making the pain in them clear as day.
"Sorry, Eda" I squeaked, my ears falling flat. "I didn't see you there".
"You don't need to apologize. You're allowed to be awake whenever you want".
"I don't want to be awake right now". As I spoke, I joined the older woman. I chose to sit in the air, but I was still at the counter at least. "But I've got too much on my mind to go back to sleep".
"I'm sure you do. The last month hasn't exactly been kind to you, has it".
"It's not that, actually" I explained, fighting the voice inside me that didn't want me to seem fragile. "I had this nightmare, but I'm not sure it was just a nightmare".
"I've been there," Eda admitted as she slightly sunk. "Hell, I'm there right now".
"You had a nightmare too?". The idea baffled me. Eda always acted so zealously. It seemed like nothing scared her.
"I get them a lot, especially ones about who cursed me. They're always so damn clear except for the person's face". With how hesitant I was to reply, the owl lady was quick to change the subject. "What about you?".
"It's probably nothing" I began nervously. "But I had this weird dream that my sister locked my mom in some dark room. When she got near me, I started to feel…scared…really scared".
Eda let out a feigned hiss while her gaze shifted to the ceiling.
"I'm probably not the best witch to get sisterly advice from".
"Right. The last time you saw her didn't go too well, huh".
"It went better than it usually does these days,". The smile on the graying witch's face was solemnly brittle. "For once, she stopped kissing Belos's ass and decided to be my sister again".
"She knows what will happen if she catches you, right?" I pushed rhetorically. "You'll be killed!".
"I've told her that plenty of times. But she really believes that, if she catches me, Belos will just let me join the emperor's coven".
If it hadn't been for the time I'd spent at the owl house, I would've believed that too. I'd been taught my entire life that the emperor was this wise and benevolent witch. But the longer I lived with the oh so dangerous criminal sitting in front of me, the more my trust in Belos disappeared.
"Do you miss her?". I already knew the answer, but I still had to ask.
"Who? My sister?". I meekly nodded. "Of course, I do. Back when we were witchlings, we nearly did everything together. But I was destined to be a troublemaker, and Lilly was destined to be a coven head. And even though I don't have the best opinion of those brown-nosed dorks, I didn't have the heart to stop her from living out her dream".
"So, I'm just supposed to sit here and let Emira turn evil" I muttered under my breath.
"Don't go putting words in my mouth. You're still allowed to talk to her and give her advice and comfort and other sister stuff. But the only witch who can decide what your sister does is your sister. You just have to hope that she'll make the right decision".
"And if she doesn't?".
Eda took a big deep breath out before answering, "what's going to happen, is going to happen. Sometimes life just gives you a shitty hand you have to learn to roll with".
"That's a bit bleak" I huffed, not being calmed by her words in the slightest.
"But it's the truth. Take this curse for example. One day I'm going to completely lose control and turn into a horrible bird beast forever. Yeah, I can push that day off with elixirs, I have been for a few decades now. But I can't run forever".
Eda had to take a moment to return back to the conversation, her own nightmare making it stray slightly. "I've learned not to waste time worrying about the future, because nobody knows how much future I really have left. You gotta take one problem at a time. Don't try crossing a chasm before you get to the bridge".
That hurt to hear, and I let it show. My eyes refused to meet Eda's anymore. My pointed ears dropped to where they pointed to the ground below.
Eda thankfully noticed. She carefully rested her hand on the side of my arm.
"I can't tell you what your dream meant, or if it meant anything at all. Just don't give up on your sister, but also don't forget that some things are out of your control".
"I'll try," was all I could mumble. The owl lady let out a sad excuse for a chuckle.
"That's all you can do".
…
"From humble beginnings, a hero will rise". A cloaked figure made its way to the center of the stage, all lights in the auditorium made her shine like the sun. "I have traveled from another realm, trained with a powerful witch to master dark and forbidden magic, and laughed in the face of death as I steadfastly protect those with little hope. I am…".
The human dramatically paused before tossing the cape to the side.
"...Luz Noceda!".
Luz paused for a round of applause that never came. Her attention traveled to principal Bump, who was apathetically just sitting there. She then glanced over at me. From one of the wings, Eda, King, and I were all giving our friend moral support.
I gave Luz a strong stare in return, reminding her to keep her confidence.
"He's trying to make you crack," I silently told her. "You can't let him get to you".
Her determination rebounding, Luz straightened her posture and took a daunting step forward. She quickly rummaged through the fanny pack she was wearing and pulled out a few slips of paper.
"Behold! I bring to you a new way to cast magic!".
She presented a pre-drawn light glyph before summoning a small ball of light. She then showed off the ice glyph, crouched down to the ground, and created a small pillar of ice. For a moment, principal Bump seemed surprised, though he was quick to go back to his indifference.
"I must admit, I've never seen a spell cast with paper before. But is it enough to pass this exam?". This time, Luz's assurance didn't falter.
"If that doesn't persuade you to let me in…". The human rushed up to her hidden mentor, who handed her a piece of parchment paper. "...then maybe Alador Blight can".
Luz sat on her knees at the very edge of the stage and handed principal Bump the letter of recommendation. My father wrote it for her as a thank you for taking me in. I didn't really think she needed it. In spite of what Bump said, her unique approach to magic was plenty of reason enough to let her study at Hexide. But it definitely didn't hurt.
"Well," the principal began after skimming the note. 'I've seen better presentations".
"But you've also seen worse?" Luz prodded.
"Sadly, yes… So welcome, Luz, to Hexide School of Magic and Demonics!".
The happy cry my friend let out was music to my ears. She excitedly hopped in the air in victory while she pumped her fists. Eda, King, and I joined her at the front of the stage, the latter ruffling up her apprentice's scruffy brown hair.
"Told' yah you'd do fine".
"Yes, yes" principal Bump smiled as he signaled for Luz to calm down. "It'll be great to see you both back in Hexide this semester".
"Sorry to disappoint you Princy B." Eda chuckled jokingly. "But you wouldn't catch me dead in a classroom".
"I'm glad to hear it," he huffed, before his eyes landed on me. "I assume you'd like to resume your studies here, miss Blight".
"Me?" I asked, slightly baffled. "I appreciate the offer, principal Bump, but I'm…I've been…decommissioned from life".
"You wouldn't be the first spirit to attend Hexide. We even have classes specifically for ghosts".
"But those ghosts were born spirits. I'm a dead witch who shouldn't be in this realm anymore" I argued dejectedly.
"But you are," Luz pointed out. "And you can still do magic".
"Really?" principal Bump egged on, intrigued. He summoned a pile of abomination goo. "Could you demonstrate?".
A nervous feeling swept over me. Yes, I could still make abominations, but the only time I'd ever done it was when Luz was in danger. Yet I had to do something. My elder had ordered me to.
With a deep breath out, I drew a small spell circle. The sludge rose and morphed into a sloppy looking abomination golem. It was only half my size, and its back and limbs were crooked. It was abominable…er, literally.
"I'm sorry, principal Bump. I know it looks pitiful but that's all I can muster".
"That's astonishing!" he replied, his jaw dropped. "You don't have a bile sack anymore, but you can still do magic".
"I guess I can, but not very well".
"Are you kidding? You should've seen what she did at the knee!" Luz joined in. "She made this giant firebird while fighting the slitherbeast".
"Miss Blight, I think I speak for all of Hexide when I say we'd be delighted to have you back. Not only could you strengthen your magic, but we could also monitor it. Imagine the discoveries about the souls we could make".
Despite everyone else's excitement, I hesitated. It was odd not being in school for the past month, but also relaxing in a way. No homework, or studying, or protecting my reputation. No one judged and ranked my talent and behavior constantly. If I went back to Hexide, all of that stress would come back. That and just being in the building was a painful reminder of my demise.
But principal Bump had a point. It was almost miraculous I had any abomination magic at all, and this was the perfect chance to learn more about a witch's soul.
"It's up to you," Eda assured from behind me. "If you want to continue being a huge nerd, this is your chance too".
"Can I think about it?" I asked after giving the owl lady a thankful glance.
"Of course. The offer's always open, though I'd prefer if you would make up your mind by the start of this semester".
With that, we headed back to the owl house and my very indecisive week began. I sat on top of the proposition for quite a while. On the one hand, going back to school could make my afterlife seem more normal. But it wasn't normal, and it was probably not the best idea to pretend that it was.
On the other hand, all of the pressure that my mother put on me over the years didn't die with her. If I went back, I would probably work just as hard. I had gotten a lot of physical energy in death, but after everything that had just happened, I could not say the same mentally. But Luz would be with me this time, even if she didn't choose the abomination track. School might seem a lot more bearable with her around.
I could only know if I tried.
On the first day of the first semester, Luz and I entered Hexide together. Our appearance gathered a lot of attention, for good reason. The last time a lot of my classmates saw either of us, we were at each other's throats (well mainly I was at Luz's throat). And now the dead former top student and the human who was rumored to be responsible for her demise were walking side by side.
Not everyone was shocked to see us, though.
"Luz!" a familiar friendly voice called across the hallway. She sounded happy but it still made my heart ache.
Luz barely had time to turn around before Willow and Gus wrapped their arms around their new peer. They stayed in the embrace until the both of them noticed me floating there. Everything turned very awkward from there.
"Amity," Willow nodded after a moment. I could easily tell that the raven-haired teen was holding back her achy exasperation. Whether it was a sign of her healing or it was for Luz's sake, I didn't know.
"Willow," I greeted back with a nod of my own.
"And I'm here too," Gus added from the side in order to break the tension.
"And you're here too. Hi Gus".
"So," Willow drawled. "Congrats on getting in".
"We knew you could do it". The younger illusionist tried to summon a celebratory message. What appeared instead were the words "better luck next time".
"Knew I could do it, huh?" Luz hmmed as Willow slowly shook her head.
"We need to get going," I reminded the new student. "If we don't make it to his office before the bell, he'll kill us". I didn't realize what I'd just said until Luz mumbled a frightful, "literally".
"See you guys at lunch!" the human shouted before bounding her way to the principal's office.
I never really got sent there, so entering principal Bump's office was still intimidating to me. Though we were the exception, most kids who walked through the door in front of us were sorely in trouble. Still, I held my head high as the both of us entered.
"Ah, there you are. Right on time".
"As always," I said while I pulled out a chair for Luz. She regally bowed as a thank you before sitting down. I could feel my face grow warmer after I began to blush.
"So, miss Noceda. Have you chosen a track yet?".
"Do I really have to pick just one? They're all so interesting!".
"According to the rules, society thrives when witches learn to hocus-focus". Yeah, I've always thought that phrase was dumb, even as a toddler.
"Then isn't there supposed to be a hat that magically chooses this for me, by reading my mind or feeling my vibe or something?".
"There used to be" I answered, matter-of-factly. "But it turns out it was a rare vicious predator who tried to infiltrate the school".
"Does that happen often?".
"More often than you think" the older witch hissed while rubbing the back of his neck. "Anyways since we are being visited by an inspector from the emperor's coven, you'll need to choose a track right away".
"Well…" Luz began after pondering for a few moments. "I guess the oracle track would be my best bet, since I'm familiar with it and all. Besides, I'll get to study all day with the best student ever".
"I wouldn't…I mean…thanks" I stammered as the tips of my ears flushed too.
"You're choosing to change tracks?". Principal Bump almost sounded disappointed.
"I've been thinking about it," I sighed. "It might help me better adjust to being a spirit".
"But your talent in abominations is well defined. It would be a crime not to continue it".
"I don't see why she can't do both," someone jumped in from the doorway.
Sliding her way in between me and Luz, my older sister indignantly stood in front of the principal's desk. Her golden eyes were dull, bags hung under them like shutters, and were slightly red. The smile on her face was so clearly fake, it rivaled our stuffy prudish mother's.
And her hands, they were covered in fresh blood.
