Where My Heart Belongs

by MrSova

Amity woke up paralyzed in her sister's Clinic with no memory of what had happened to her. With Odalia gone, she must take upon her the role of the Blight Industries Heiress. But she had to get better before she could do any of that. To achieve that, Emira assigned her sister the best Volunteer in Bonesborough - Luz Clawthorne. Originally posted on AO3

2. Chapter 2 - The Denial

It had been a few days since Amity woke up in her sister's Clinic with no memory of what had happened to her. She felt weird about her current situation. The witch knew she had Memory Gaps, and many things she knew to be true just seemed wrong.

She thought her sister abandoned her, but her gut told her Emira was doing everything she could to heal her baby sister. She brought in the best Mind Healer to cure Amity's mind. She employed a personal Nurse, Danielle, of whom the lavender-haired witch was very fond, to help with her daily needs. Lastly, she found a Volunteer to help with her Physical Therapy.

That last person was often on Amity's mind. Luz, the human, turned out to do so much more than just help with the witchʼs mobility. The human that the Heiress despised and initially feared was the light of her days spent in the Clinic.

Unfortunately, whenever Amity noticed that fondness for the strange creature, she needed to remind herself of who she was. She was THE Amity Blight, Heiress to the Blight Industries. She had responsibility for her family name. The way she became fond of that human woman was unacceptable.

"This is just a job to her…" Amity kept reminding herself, knowing that once she was discharged, she would never see the human again.

Yet, the witch could not deny that the moments she spent with Luz made her forget the responsibility weighing on her, threatening like a guillotine. The time spent in the game room, playing games that helped increase her dexterity, the time spent in the Gym, working on regaining her strength, the time they raced on wheelchairs through the empty halls… The time spent with Luz returned a smile to the witchʼs face, surprising everyone, especially Amity herself.

Luz took pride in those rare moments when her fiancée could not keep up the facade of indifference and lack of emotions. She considered those moments her personal victories. Seeing how Amity opened up since the day that she bit her forearm made the human hopeful. However, she knew that bringing back the woman she loved would not be easy, if at all possible.

The spell cast on the witch left her weak, and every progress she made had to be paid for with an indescribable amount of pain. It looked as if Odalia had taken safety precautions to ensure Amity would never regain her health or memories.

"The spell was supposed to put her into Everlasting Sleep, imprisoning her Inner Self, blocking access to her memories. What we see are safety measures her mother placed into the spell in case Amity would ever wake up," Zariyah explained after another session with Amity.

Luz, Emira, Danielle, Eda, and Willow listened carefully, sitting around a small Brew table in Emira's office. The younger Clawthorne clenched her fists in anger, trying to remain calm, afraid her emotions would affect her fiancée.

"Why would she do that? I don't understand… This makes no sense…" Luz whispered, shaking her head in disbelief, not realizing Willow shared a quick look with Eda.

"I can't answer that," The Mind Healer replied softly, understanding how difficult it must have been for the young human, "But I must say, I'm very impressed with the progress you've made," Luz arched her eyebrow questioningly, "Amity is much more open and cooperative. She talks about you quite a lot," Luz blushed at that comment, "She seems to be fascinated by your kind," She added with a smile. Willow snorted, surprising everybody.

"Sorry," The short witch said, smirking, "When Amity was a child, she was practically obsessed with humans," It was Zariyah's moment to look questioningly, "I mean, her Palisman is a cat, for Titan's sake!" She explained, and it was Luz's moment to chuckle.

"Thatʼs good," The Mind Healer said, "Is there anything else she started doing that reminds you of the old Amity?" Luz smirked, and everyone looked at her.

"She still remembers 'Otabin' by heart. She recited it to the children from a Juvenile Ward a few days ago," The young human extended her index finger, "She still loves 'Azura'. Even if she says she doesn't. She spent a good two hours just yesterday proving my theory wrong, using the same arguments she did when we had that argument for the first time before we even got together," She extended her middle finger, "She still eats jello…"

"We get it, Kid," Eda interrupted, "You were testing what of the real Amity remained intact," She added, and Luz nodded.

"Thatʼs good…" The Mind Healer noted.

"Also," Danielle butted in, "Whenever she makes progress, she's paralyzed with pain…"

"Oh?" Zariyah was interested in hearing more, "How do you deal with it?"

"Um… We help her through it," Danielle replied, facing Emira, "However, Luz shares her pain. The first time it hit her, she practically passed out," She explained, and the younger human looked away in shame.

"Iʼm sorry to hear that…" The Healer said, "But all in all, this is good news…"

"Not entirely," Luz interrupted, "She gets overly defensive whenever something reminds her of being a Blight…" She said, looking back into the Mind Healer's eyes, "Then again, she still can't do magic… Even paralyzed with pain, she didn't let an ounce of magic escape her body…"

"That indeed is worrying…" Zariyah fell silent, thinking everything over, "She should feel better by now, and it's even dangerous to keep this amount of power in…"

"I'm betting dollars on donuts that it has something to do with her mother, wanting Amity's power for her gain…" Danielle spat venomously.

"Whatʼs a donut?" Emira queried, making the older human realize witches led a sad, donut-free life.

"Iʼm certain you are right," Zariyah ignored the Blight sister, "Let's keep up with our plan then," She added, "Help her regain her health, be patient, and try to jump-start her memories delicately. With that, I hope we can help the Inner Amity escape her prison…"

"Hope?" Willow and Emira asked in unison.

"Yes, hope. The damage Odalia did… This spell is like nothing like I have ever seen before. She combined Oracle and Illusion magic… Mixing magic is not even a thing!" She exclaimed in frustration.

"Well, it is now," Eda said, "They even let you multitrack at Hexside," She added with a proud smile, facing her daughter and leaving the Mind Healer shocked.

"Thank you, Zariyah…" Luz addressed the Healer, interrupting her mother, "We'll follow your instructions and see you in the next few days," She added, returning to her feet to leave the room, too tired from everything she had just learned.

"Sheʼs not doing so well, is she?" The Mind Healer worried about the young human.

"Can you blame her?" Willow said snarkily.

"She feels Amity's pain, discomfort, and emotions and must keep herself under perfect control to not freak Boots out…" Eda explained, tying her hands on her chest, "I can't imagine how devastating it has to be for her… Being Bonded to a person who doesn't recognize you, is disgusted by your origins, but, at the same time, is unknowingly drawn to you. It could drive the strongest person crazy…" She concluded.

"Please, have her see me about that. I think I might help," The Mind Healer said, "If there's anything I can do…"

"Bring my sister back," Emira interrupted in a stern yet begging tone.

"I'll do my best!" Zariyah vowed.

With that promise, everyone left, returning to their duties. Eda's words resonated strongly in everybody's mind. They knew Luz needed help. Yet, they all felt helpless, making it look like they left the young human alone to deal with this situation.

Luz walked toward room number twelve-oh-eight. She took a deep, calming breath, put on her best smile, and entered. The witch was lying on her bed. Despite the blinds partially open, the surroundings were dim. The moment the human walked in, Luz's expression faded.

Amity stared at her forearms. Her white pajamas' sleeves rolled up for the first time since she woke up. Before today, Danielle took care of her, cleaning and clothing the witch. Since she was regaining her strength… The golden eyes roamed the scars, glistening with tears while her breathing was quick and shallow. She looked up at the human, and her lips quivered.

"What happened to me?" Amity asked with a trembling, high-pitched voice, barely controlling her emotions.

"Oh, Baby…" Luz thought with a broken heart.

She could feel her fiancée's distress rising. The witch was on the verge of a panic attack, not knowing what happened to her, what hurt her so much she was scarred for life. Luz walked over, sat on Amity's bed, and took a delicate hold of pale hands.

"Amity… Miss Blight, it's okay…" She tried to calm the witch down.

"Okay? Okay?!" Amity yelled, frightened of knowing the truth. The tears rolled down her face, "Why don't I remember those? What else don't I know?!" She hollered, her ears twitching in panic while Luz rolled down her sleeves, delicately forcing her hands to rest.

"Miss Blight," The human was careful not to upset the witch any more than she already was, "I can't tell what happened to you. I can only imagine how difficult it is to not remember something so crucial about your body…" Luz whispered and placed her hands in the pale palms, squeezing them delicately in support, "I know we don't really know each other, but I can tell you are strong and brave," She retrieved a tissue to wipe Amityʼs tear-stained face, "I am sure that whatever happened to you, you dealt with it like a pro," She hid the tissue and smiled warmly at the witch, "I know that, with the proper support, you can do it again," She added and watched the hurt woman watch her with wide, frightened eyes.

"Youʼre really good at your job," Amity whispered, and Luz did her best to hide how hurt she was.

"Oh… She thinks it's just a job for me…" The human realized and mustered a smile.

"Then why don't we continue making you feel better? What do you say?" Luz offered the warmest smile she could, making Amity scoff.

"How can you always be so optimistic?" The witch was confused. She retrieved her hands from the warm hold, realizing she wanted to caress the tan knuckles with her thumbs.

"I just had a lot of bad things happen to me, so I'm willing to take all the good life offers," Luz replied. She felt hopeful again when she noticed a frozen, gawking expression. The golden eyes roamed the tan face, "So what do you say, Blight? Ready to hit the Gym?"

"Why would I hit the room?" Luz laughed, forgetting how Amity tended to take things literally.

"It's just an expression, silly," The human explained, giggling a little. She stood up from the witch's bed, "Do you want to try to get to the wheelchair by yourself?" She proposed, hoping Amity would enjoy this show of trust.

"Will… Will you…" The hurt woman hesitated.

"Of course, I'll help you," Luz said, smiling supportively, "Iʼm not going anywhere as long as you want me around, okay?" She added, rolling the wheelchair closer to the bed, and Amity nodded in reply.

Luz carefully observed how the witch uncovered herself. The pale body was still thinner than the human would want, but with the muscle loss, it was all considered normal. They had to work on that, too.

Amity hesitantly pushed herself up and toward the edge of the mattress. She placed the wheelchair in the correct position before locking the wheels with the brakes and grabbing the armrests.

Luz noted how Amity's hands shook in exhaustion, but she could not deny how proud she was. The witch was determined to be more self-sufficient and has been proving it since day one.

With a small grunt, the witch moved the center of her weight toward the wheelchair, and just as she was about to move her body, her hand slipped. Luz caught her in time and helped her to the correct position.

"I'm sorry…" Amity mumbled with ears slanted in shame, averting the warm hazel-brown gaze.

"Are you kidding me?!" Luz exclaimed in joyful disbelief, "You did amazing!" The pale woman looked at the human questioningly, "Just last week, you couldn't even move a muscle, living with full-body paralysis. Today, you made it to the wheelchair all by yourself!" She pointed out.

"Without your help, I would have made it to the wheelchair without my fangs…" Amity muttered angrily.

"Then we would have matching ones!" Luz joked, pointing to her white-gold tooth, making the witch snort at her antics.

"Dork…" Amity snickered, surprising Luz, before rolling away in the wheelchair, "Are you coming?" The witch asked, making the brunette realize that she froze in shock.

"Does that mean something?" The human wondered while she followed Amity as they headed to the Gym for another PT session.

The progress Amity made was unbelievable. In barely a week, she went from practically total paralysis to walking without the bars. Even though her immobility was mentally induced by her motherʼs spell, her progress was incredible, and everybody noticed that. Even if only Luz had the guts to praise the witch.

For many hours, they practiced Amity's hands and feet mobility. They passed each other small balls to end the session with squats and a walk around the fully equipped room. They used it as a unique type of obstacle course.

Luz was the only one the witch trusted enough to touch her hands and guide her as Amity was now practically walking without assistance. Every step cost her a grand effort, but she had difficulty pretending that the human's proud smile did not make everything worth the pain.

"Are you doing okay?" Luz asked. They sat by the table, having a small snack.

"Y-yeah… It's just…" The pointy ears slanted as the witch hesitated.

"What is it?" The human encouraged, trying to understand the other woman, "Are you worried about something?" She asked, and Amity fell silent for a longer moment before speaking again.

"If I may be honest and you'd forget about everything I say…" The witch said, looking away sheepishly with ears constantly slanted in shame, "Iʼm worried about the moment I feel better…" She said, and Luz thought she understood.

"Is that why you haven't tried doing magic?" She asked worriedly, and Amity looked at her in a way that proved that the human had made the right guess.

"I tried…" Amity admitted. Luz knew that expression. Full of shame and disgust toward herself, "It sounds stupid, but it's as if something is blocking me…" She admitted and rubbed her palm with her thumb nervously, "If we're about to pretend I didn't say anything, I have to admit…" She glanced at the hazel-brown eyes, finding safety in their warmth, "It's freaking me out…" She added in a higher pitch, "I remember being a Titan-damned prodigy. I may not have been too powerful, but no one was as skillful as me, and now…"

"Hey, hey, Amity…" Luz moved her chair closer to the witchʼs wheelchair, "Easy, we'll get through this…"

"Together…" Amity replied. Instantly, both hers and Luz's eyes widened in shock, "S-sorry, I don't know why I said that…" She whispered in shock, "And it's Miss Blight," She added, her expression hardening, and the human's expression faded.

"And we're back to that…" Luz thought bitterly.

"It's okay. I'll help you to the best of my ability," The human promised, smiling warmly, ignoring her fiancée's resurfacing defensiveness, "What do you say we'll get back to your room and have a round at Hexes Hold'em?" She tried to lighten the mood.

"I would like that," Amity agreed with a small, concealed smile.

The witch rolled her wheelchair away from the table before she helped Luz clean up the mess they made. She rolled quickly, hoping to pretend they never had this conversation, and she did not just confess to her fears.

Amity did not want to admit how exhausted she was from everything that had happened that day. Starting with the Mind Healing session in the morning, through her panic afterward, and then to the Physical Therapy with Luz. Yet, the most challenging part was opening up to the human about her insecurities.

She hated herself for showing weakness but felt lighter after unloading that burden. Amity knew it would not last. She felt better with each passing day and knew that sooner rather than later, she would have to leave Luz behind to face the responsibility awaiting her.

"Are you okay?" Luz asked, feeling the witch's unease as they approached Amity's room.

"Yes, everything's alright," She replied dryly. Her tone let the human know something indeed bothered her.

"Please, sir! You need to calm down!" They heard Danielle's alarmed voice in the distance, focusing on the commotion by the Nurses' Station, "I know you're unwell, but you need to control yourself," The undercover human tried to approach the large, gray demon, huffing fire in panic.

"Wrath!" Lilith appeared on the floor, trying to calm down her major.

"Wait here, Amity," Luz instructed quietly, blocking her wheels, leaving the witch at a safe distance, away from the commotion, "Whereʼs a Healer? Anyone?" The human asked the Nurses, but no one replied, as they were too busy with the distressed patient.

"They said he was bitten by a chimera," Danielle told Luz, who nodded in understanding.

"Get them off me!" The demon roared in panic, patting his body as if fighting a swarm of invisible insects.

"Lilith, what the hell happened!?" Luz addressed her aunt, who struggled to control her subordinate.

"He was supposed to make a simple watch by the Right Arm Forest… He returned bitten and… AH!"

Wrath released a powerful puff of fire. Lilith cast a Protection Spell, creating a safety barrier over the Nurses in her proximity as Luz covered Danielle with her body to protect her from the inferno.

She then looked aside, ensuring Amity was safe in the distance. She noticed how the witch watched the fire with awe, enchantment, and longing. Something was brewing within the Heiress. The fire called to her, reflecting in the golden orbs.

"Wrath, for Titan's sake, you need to…" Luz never had a chance to finish that sentence.

The poisoned demon let out a gray tentacle. Wrath caught the human's body, squeezing it painfully, plastering it to the ceiling with all his might, making everyone freeze in fear for the young woman.

"Gah!" Luz coughed.

She watched everyone from the height, realizing a dangling string of blood-mixed saliva left her lips, and the maroon beanie fell off her head. Someone yelled something, trying to free her from his hold, but she could not distinguish the words anymore.

When Luz thought she would be returned to safety, Wrath smashed her body on the floor. Viney appeared and tried to help Lilith contain the confused demon. It did not do much good. In his distress, he pulled the woman in his grasp closer, only to throw her into Amityʼs room.

"N-n-no…" The lavender-haired witch whimpered when she lost Luz from sight, feeling dread spreading across her body.

"Hold him down!" Someone yelled, but Amity could not hear them.

Not knowing what she was doing, the young Blight got to her feet. Her entire body was surrounded by a bright fuchsia-purple aura, illuminating the corridor, making the weaker witches and demons gasp in fear, having trouble breathing close to such dense power.

With each shaky step, Amity marked the floor with the abomination slime. She did not even draw a spell circle when she engulfed Wrath's body in purple goo, holding him down and helping to appease him.

"L-L-Luz…" The witch whispered fearfully.

The Heiress slowly entered her room and noticed the human lying on the floor by her bed. The blood oozed down the full lips, and Luz's chest heaved heavily in shallow, rasp, wheezing breaths.

"Talk to me," Amity pleaded, kneeling by the brunette's side, afraid to hurt her with her touch.

"A-Am… Amity…" Luz croaked hoarsely, sending a pained smile at the witch.

Amity was just about to say something snarky about her round ears, witnessing them for the first time. The witch paled down when she realized Luz's expression had faded, and her face was contorted in fear. Without warning, the human pulled the Heiress down by her pajamas and rolled on her, shielding her from harm.

It took Amity a few seconds to realize Luz saved her from Wrath's last fire breath before he was finally given a sedative. The curtains caught fire, illuminating the room. The witch looked at the human above her. The hazel-brown eyes roamed the pale face in an expression of pain and relief that the Heiress was safe.

"You… Unblocked…" It was all Luz managed to gasp before she fell onto Amity's chest unconscious, painting the witch's snow-white shirt with blood.

"N-n-no… No, Luz!" Amity tried to reach the hurt woman, rolling her to her back, "Somebody, help!" She yelled with a shaking voice, "Anybody!" She pleaded, her voice breaking, but no one was coming, too busy with the commotion in the corridor, "Don't you dare die on me, human," She warned.

Not knowing what she was doing, Amity drew a spell circle that illuminated the entire room in bright blue light, unaware her magical aura erupted from her body in a powerful wave that put out the fire.

The pale hands shook above the human's torso. Amity had no idea what guided her movements, but she could have seen the main bronchus clearly before her eyes. The main pulmonary artery was broken, leaking blood into the left atrium, drowning Luz in her own blood. Unknowingly, the witch tilted her head, her ears slanted, and she applied the energy to the wound.

"What the…" Amity did not notice Viney enter her room, who worried about the sudden illumination.

"Get him out of here!" Another voice erupted from the corridor, ordering to take Wrath's unconscious body away.

The Healer slowly approached her sister-in-law, carefully watching her heal Luz, who was still coughing up blood. Viney noticed Amity's frightened gaze, her pajamas soaked in blood, and her hands shaking above the human.

"Amity, it's okay. I'm here," The Healer whispered, gently touching the lavender-haired woman's shoulder, scaring her.

"What…" Amity jumped away, dropping the spell instantly, her aura disappearing.

The golden eyes roamed the room. The Heiress looked frantically from Viney to Luz, back to the Healer, and then to her hands. She was frightened, breathing heavily, turning her palms, confused about what she had just done. Another cough brought the witches from their stupor.

"Danielle!" Viney hollered, seeing her sister-in-law on the brink of a panic attack as she drew the spell circle and focused on healing Luz.

"N-no…" Amity shook her head.

She could not comprehend what had just happened. A sudden vision blinded her. She had seen herself create her first abomination. She had seen Emira teach her the Fire Spell. Vision after vision of her performing magic haunted her.

"It can't be…" Amity muttered.

"Dani!" Viney called out again.

"I'm here…" The older human could not finish. She noticed Viney heal Luz while Amity was covered in blood, frightened, panicked, and confused.

"AAAAA!" Suddenly, the lavender-haired witch roared like an animal. Her upper body was upturned, and she fell to the floor.

"iMija!" Danielle exclaimed, rushing toward the younger woman, kneeling beside her, unsure about the right approach.

"Not again!" The doctor thought, realizing Amity must have unlocked something.

She looked at the pale body contorted in excruciating pain. The pale hands spasmed, long fingers locked in a claw-like position with lengthened nails. Her legs kicked in strange contractions. Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths between screams of pain. When suddenly Amity's head hit the floor uncontrollably, Danielle knew she needed to act.

"It's okay, Cariño. I'm here," The human cooed, holding the lavender head delicately, placing it on her lap, and brushing the hair away soothingly.

"D-D-Daa…! Dani!" Amity exclaimed when she noticed a familiar face above her. Tears rolled down the pale cheeks like a waterfall while the pointy ears, slanted in torture, twitched deliriously.

"I'm here. You're safe," The older woman confirmed, watching the hurt witch struggle in her lap.

Amity's jaws clenched in agony, and her limbs suddenly straightened, stiffing up and locking in a position. Danielle prepared, knowing by now that the young witch was about to start seizing. What surprised the older human and Viney was that once Blight's eyes rolled up, her magic roamed free.

Danielle tried not to panic when surrounded by a bright purple glow that circled them like an enchanted fire. Once the brunette realized she was not being hurt or suffocated, she continued securing Amity's head.

Danielle whispered words of comfort and guided the Heiress through the painful experience, not realizing the Healer's spell protected her. Amity spasmed hard, foaming saliva as she struggled in the human's secure embrace.

Viney wrapped up the Healing Spell and was relieved that Luz was safe. The Healer was amazed when she realized Amity did the most difficult part of closing up the broken aorta despite not remembering a thing about Healing Magic.

The Healer watched her sister-in-law spasming in another seizure. Amity's entire body was tense. The golden eyes were engulfed in purple light and rolled up. Her clenched jaws released whimpers of pain.

Her lengthened nails suddenly retracted, only to lengthen again a moment later with another feral howl, scratching the floor. Amity let out an abomination, pooling by her body and spreading across the room.

"Are you okay here, Danielle?" Viney asked, worried about the human whose concerned look never left the pale face, "I'll take Luz to another room," She informed. Danielle nodded in understanding, ignoring the cold slime pooling around her.

"Amity…" Luz weakly murmured when Viney used a levitation spell to bring her to the gurney.

"She's safe, Luz…" The Healer whispered, knowing she needed to hurry, "Dani's with her."

"She's… Hurt…" Luz gasped before she let out a loud, owlish screech.

The human turned to the side, curling in pain, trying to control herself, hoping the agony would not trigger the transformation. Viney sped up, hurrying as if her life depended on it. They passed Emira's office, alerting the older Blight, who already knew what seeing Luz in this amount of pain meant.

While Viney sped with her patient toward the magic-restricting room, Emira rushed toward Amity's. When she made it there, her sister's seizures were finally calming down. The pale body was limping, spasming in less frequent jolts of pain, lowering the amplitude of magic eruptions.

"Mittens?" Emira whispered, slowly approaching her sister, kneeling by Danielle's side in the pool of abomination. She watched Amity's expression relax when she lost consciousness, making the slime disintegrate, "What happened?" She addressed the human.

"She used magic…" Danielle looked up, facing the Healer, "There was a commotion, Luz got hurt, and Amity protected her, healed her…" She tried to explain, but her voice was shaking in distress, "When I came here, she was already having another attack…" She concluded, looking back down at the witch sleeping in her lap.

Danielle let out a quiet whimper and started sobbing. She could not control her emotions, blaming herself for the witch's state. If only the human had not let Odalia speak. If only she had been faster.

"Dani, we talked about this," Emira whispered, getting the brunette's attention, "You can't blame yourself for what happened…" She added, and Danielle nodded.

"I know… I just can't stop thinking about this…" The Healer placed her hand on the human's shoulder in support.

"Let's get her cleaned up and back in bed. Then I'm gonna take you home?" Emira proposed.

"O-okay…" Danielle agreed, and they did as the Healer suggested.

When Amity started to stir in bed, regaining her consciousness, she heard someone breathe beside her. The pointy ears perked up, listening carefully to the calm, regular breaths, feeling a strange sense of relief.

"L-Luz?" The witch croaked. Her throat was parched. She tried to open her eyes and face the other person.

"Shh, Cariño. Luz is safe," Danielle whispered, trying not to hurt Amity's sensitive ears, "Here, drink some water," She helped the lavender head up. The witch gratefully took a few sips of the cold drink before resting on the pillow.

Amity finally managed to open her eyes and looked at the Nurse tiredly. The woman seemed worried but also relieved to see the witch better. The younger woman tried hard to ignore the disappointment that it was not Luz beside her. She was definitely not missing that human.

"How is she?" Amity whispered, frowning in discomfort, trying to sit up and failing miserably.

"Sheʼs fine, sleeping off in the room on the second floor," Danielle informed with a smile, and Amity let herself relax again, "Thank you for saving her…" She added, and the witch stiffened, facing the Nurse again.

"I didn't do anything," Amity replied in a high-pitched voice, not understanding what the other woman had in mind.

"Um… Miss Blight," Danielle started hesitantly, "What do you remember?" She asked, and Amity fell silent again.

The witchʼs brows tied in a deep frown. The pointy ears slanted in concentration, and the woman struggled to remember. She recalled most of the day, but when it came to the moment the human was hurt, it was as if someone placed a veil on her memories.

"I was with Luz… In the Gym… And then there was this demon, fighting the Nurses…" Amity was gasping out, staring into the void. The images flashed before her eyes, "Then she pushed you aside and…" The witch's head shot up, and her eyes roamed the womanʼs tan face. Her breathing increased when she recalled something that could not have happened.

"I couldn't have healed her… I don't know how…" Amity thought in panic.

"Then everything hurt…" The witch concluded, and Danielle nodded.

"You don't remember containing the demon and healing Luz, I presume?"

"I donʼt know Healing Magic…" Amity immediately snapped.

"It's okay, calm down…" The Nurse said softly.

"Viney was there. She healed Luz," The witch continued, bringing her hand to her head.

"Try to relax. Everyone is safe now," Danielle continued to try to calm Amity down, but it did not have any effect.

The young witch noticed how easily she brought her hand up and looked at it with a frown. She then focused and gulped before igniting her hand. A beautiful, small, bright purple flame danced above her hand, illuminating the pale face.

Amity did not understand why she felt a sudden surge of fear when she did that, extinguishing the flame immediately. Her ears slanted in shame and panic. An expression that Danielle already knew all too well.

"Amity," The older woman got the witch's attention, "Are you scared of something?" She asked, and Amity sent her a cold, deadly glare.

"It's 'Miss Blight' to you, and no," The pale face hardened, "Iʼm not afraid of anything!" She added firmly, and Danielle noticed a delicate twitch in the pointy ear.

"I'm sorry, Miss Blight," The Nurse corrected her mistake, standing up, "I will let you rest now and let your sister know you're awake," She added, taking her leave.

Amity did not respond. She returned to bed and curled up in despair, hiding her emotions. Danielle closed the door behind her and rushed toward the bathroom, where she shut herself in one of the stalls, trying to recompose herself.

"Dani, are you alright?" The human recognized Viney's warm and comforting voice, "Did Amity say something to you?" The stall opened, revealing Danielle's tear-stained face.

"Sheʼs defensive again…" The human replied with a shaking voice, taking calming breaths and approaching the sink, "She unblocked her magic, though. Even if she still thinks she can't use Healing Magic," She washed her face, "I think that's scaring her…"

"I donʼt understand…" The other woman admitted, leaning on the wall, watching the human.

"Once she stops being Amity, the patient of room twelve-oh-eight, she will have to become Amity Blight… The Heiress…" Danielle explained, closing the tap and staring at her reflection.

"How do you know?" Viney asked worriedly.

"Because I was in her shoes… I ran from home for a reason…" The human explained and thought back to her mother before turning around to face the Healer, "But I had a support system, and despite our best attempts, she still feels alone," She added and ran her fingers through her hair in frustration.

"I'm sorry you had to go through this, Dani," Viney said with honesty, "Do you want to come over with Eda for dinner this evening? Since both Luz and Amity are here, I thought…"

"Thatʼs very kind of you," Danielle smiled, "Thank you. I'll make sure to bring Eda," She added before taking another deep, calming breath, "Let's get back to work for now," She said, hiding her ears under the Nurse's cap.

"Sure, but you know you don't have to," Viney returned the smile.

"It helps me keep my mind off things."

"Very well then. See you in the evening," The Healer added, and they parted ways.

Emira walked Eda and Danielle out of the Clinic, thanking them for coming over after their shared dinner. No matter how weird everything seemed, they felt like a family brought together by Luz and Amity.

She slowly walked back upstairs, exhausted with everything. Yet, she still made a detour to check in on Amity, hoping her baby sister was feeling better. Although, she was still worried about things Danielle had told her during the dinner.

"What the…" Emira wondered out loud when she noticed the empty room, "Have you seen my sister?" She asked the Nurse from the night shift.

"Um, no… The room was empty when I started the shift," They replied, and the green-haired Healer frowned.

"Thank you," Emira said and left in a hurry.

She had her suspicions about Amity's whereabouts. The Healer quickly ran up the stairs to the second floor. The corridor was empty. Hence, it was easy to spot a lean silhouette in the distance.

Emira approached her sister, who was still dressed in Clinic's pajamas. Amity stood on the threshold of the dim room, watching the human sleep peacefully, regaining her health, dreaming of a better tomorrow.

"You know… You can walk in if you want," Emira whispered, dragging Amity from her thoughts, making her ears slant, "Do you want to sit with her?" She asked, placing a hand on her sister's shoulder.

"Don't," Amity whispered angrily, shrugging off the gesture.

"Then what are you doing here watching her sleep?" Emira asked, trying to control her frustration.

"Just… Saying goodbye," Amity admitted, and despite her best attempts to lie, her sister noticed her tension.

"She doesn't want to say goodbye, though…" Emira thought but decided not to push her luck.

"Do you want to sleep in your room in the living quarters upstairs tonight?"

"You mean the room I have no memory of?" Amity looked at Emira with the same dead look in her eyes that she had since Odalia separated them.

"The very same one," The Healer tried to stay positive. Amity scoffed at her sister's expression, turning back to look at Luz one last time.

"She looks so heartbroken… Why is she torturing herself like this? Why won't she let herself be happy?" Emira could not understand her sister but decided against commenting on Amity's behavior.

"You know, this doesn't have to be a goodbye," The older witch tried a different approach, "You can see her outside of the Clinic," She explained and was shocked to see Amity chuckle grimly and shake her head in disbelief.

"You know I can't…" The younger woman whispered. She looked up at Luz one last time, "Let's go…" She added, and her expression faded. Emira noticed how her sister lingered, looking at the human, longing for something she did not understand.

"Goodbye… Luz the Human…"

Emira guided her sister upstairs. She watched the younger woman worriedly. While the lavender-haired witch seemed to have regained most of her physical health, she was still weakened and clearly mentally devastated.

They passed by Viney, who watched them questioningly while Emira guided the young witch to her studio. As per Mind Healer's instructions, and with Luz's help, they removed anything from Amity's room that might have given her any information about her past in a harmful way.

Emira escorted her sister in and watched Amity inspect the loft. It was clean and cozy but soulless. No photos, love notes she used to collect, diaries she used to write in, sketchbooks filled with portraits, nothing that would make the Heiress imagine her past without really remembering it.

"Do you like it?" Emira broke the silence, startling her sister.

Amityʼs eyes roamed the room. She admired that she was given the enormous space above the Clinic while Emira and Viney were squeezed downstairs. She felt uncomfortable under her sister's gaze.

"It shall suffice," Amity replied coldly, which the Healer decided to ignore.

"Here's the wardrobe. All your clothes are as they were left…" Emira opened the walk-in closet.

"You weren't lying when you said I used to live with you…" Amity whispered in awe, eyeing the full closet. Despite not remembering her life, the clothes felt familiar.

"I donʼt know what you remember about me, but I would never lie to you," Emira assured her sister, mustering a small smile. Amity's expression fell, her ears slanted, and she looked away, "You don't have to tell me anything. Just rest, relax, and if you need something, we're just a few steps away," She reassured.

"Thank you for your kindness, but I will be gone as soon as I feel rested," Amity replied coldly.

"Youʼre always welcome here, Amity. You don't have to hurry," Emira assured and slowly left the studio, delicately closing the door behind her, leaving the lavender-haired witch alone in what did not feel like home.

"Fuck…" Amity whispered, falling to her knees like a lifeless puppet and letting out everything that weighed her down.

She tugged her hair before letting her hands down to hug herself, releasing another strained sob, trying to recompose herself, not allowing herself to lose control or magic seep away. She did not know how long it took her to calm down. When she did, she forced herself up to the adjoining bathroom.

Amity walked in and inspected the cosmetics. She sniffed the perfumes and was shocked to really enjoy them. She then turned and noticed a large, tall mirror incorporated into the wall. She realized she had not seen her reflection since she woke up. She stepped closer, and her ears twitched nervously.

Her greasy, lavender hair showed auburn roots growing out. Her golden eyes roamed her face just to land on her neck. She pulled on the neck of the Clinic's pajamas when she noticed bright, pink scars webbing on her neck.

She frantically discarded her top, and her jaw fell in shock. Amity realized that not only her forearms were wearing marks of an unknown origin but also her cleavage, chest, and stomach.

She took another step closer and inspected the scars, tracing their shape with a pale, shaking finger. She then noticed a set of four wide parallel scars on her left arm, right below the shoulder. She inspected them as well with a confused frown.

"What the hell happened to me?" She wondered. It felt as if a stranger was looking at her from the mirror.

"Pathetic…" She heard Odalia's voice echo in her head.

Amity frowned at her thoughts and decided this day was too hard on her. She knew she needed time and chose to ignore everything for now. She entered the shower and readied herself for bed.

It had been about two days since Amity moved to the loft upstairs. In the meantime, Luz had recovered and was discharged home. She did her best to hide how heartbroken she was when she did not find Amity. Her room was completely empty by the time the human had woken up.

Danielle and Eda urged Luz to return to the Owl House, and the human caved with Emira's final push. She felt almost strange returning to her room. The belongings that Willow had brought from the Human Realm were still waiting for her to be unpacked.

She sat on the bed, opened the bag, and almost immediately started crying, slipping down to the floor helplessly. Willow tucked the Polaroid photos from the vacation in between Luz's sketchbooks. The brunette cried out, bawling, looking at the picture where Amity held her protectively in a loving embrace at the campervan's dining area.

She found another book in her belongings. It was a scrapbook Willow made for them. The note inside said it was supposed to be a gift for their anniversary. She flipped through the pages and found more photos. One from the time at home, from the aquarium, from the rapids… It was all too much for Luz.

She knew she needed to keep herself under control so as not to affect Amity's mood with their Bond, but she was so tired of bottling everything up. Luz let out a pathetic yell, and the scrapbook fell to the floor. She brought her knees up in a fetal position and tugged her hair.

"¿Cariño?" Her wail alerted Danielle, who came in to check in, "Mi precioso bebé. Talk to me," She pleaded, kneeling beside Luz. The young woman shook her head, letting the doctor know she could not interact.

"Kid?" Eda came in, worried by the commotion. She walked in when she noticed Danielle trying to calm Luz down, "Luz, you need to breathe," She said, making Luz's head shoot up. Danielle gasped when she noticed pitch-black eyes.

"M-mom…" Luz said in a distorted tone, "Can you… C-can you…"

"Calm down, Kid. Tell me what you need," Eda whispered, placing her hands on Luz's shoulders, rubbing delicate, soothing circles with her thumbs.

"R-room… I can't… Keep it in…" The young brunette stuttered between heavy, strained gasps as her fangs grew out.

"Okay, let's take you to the basement," Eda replied in understanding, ignoring Danielle's worried look for now.

They moved Luz quickly downstairs. Danielle did not even know they had a basement. Yet, below the ground floor, a room was prepared for Luz. It was cozy, homey, similar to the living room. The young woman fell to the floor on all fours the moment they walked in.

"It's okay, Kid," Eda whispered, caressing her daughterʼs back in slow, calming strokes, "Youʼre safe. You can let it all out now," She added calmly.

Luz looked up at her mother with pitch-black eyes and pushed her delicately away. She breathed heavily. Her ears grew out, her hair turned into fur, and random feathers started popping all over her body.

"Easy, Kid, talk to me," Eda tried to connect, but it did not help. Suddenly, Luz started discarding her clothes frantically.

"Eda…" Danielle came closer and showed the witch a Polaroid photo she found in Luz's room.

"Oh, dang," Eda whispered when she looked down at the picture where her daughter slept, curled up in Amity's protective hold during their vacation, "Kid, we're gonna bring her back," She addressed her daughter, not knowing what else she could do or say.

"No!" Luz hollered and hit the floor with her fists, breaking the floorboard. Her back started to crack, expanding, adjusting to the demonʼs physiology, "She's gone…" She cried pathetically, whimpering like a child, her voice distorted.

"I know it's a lot, and it's overwhelming, but I know you too well to know you'd ever give up on her…" The witch added.

Her words seemed to stop her metamorphosis, but her cries increased. Partially transformed, Luz rolled to the side, crying hard while her deformed body shook deliriously. She reveled in her physical pain. It distracted her from the internal turmoil.

"It's gonna be okay, Kid," The Owl Lady whispered, retrieving an elixir from her hair.

"It's okay, Cariño. Try to rest," Danielle butted in, and Eda nodded in agreement, covering Luz's body, cradling her daughter, and helping her drink her medicine.

"Try to sleep, Kiddo. Tomorrow is a brand new day," The witch confirmed, and they both tucked the heartbroken human to sleep in the provisional bed in the magic-restricting room.

Eda stopped at the threshold and watched Luz heaving, trying to calm down. The pointy ears slanted in heartbreak. Danielle took hold of the pale hand and smiled at the witch, trying to support her.

"It's okay. She'll be fine," The human spoke softly, trying to support the woman beside her.

"It's just…" The witch choked.

"I know. You've been through a lot together," Danielle confirmed, "But we're not leaving them to handle it alone," She added, and Eda nodded.

"Thank you, Dani," The witch replied in a shaking voice.

"Do you want some Apple Blood?" The human asked with a warm smile.

"That'll be nice," Eda confirmed, closing the doors behind herself, "Do you want some Tequila?"

"Well, now you're just trying to get on my good side," Danielle retorted with a tease.

They shared an awkward laughter before walking to the kitchen together, unaware they still held hands, loving the closeness they missed for years since their separation. This was too natural for them to notice the simple gesture of affection.

Another day passed, and the residents of the Owl House were disrupted by frantic knocks at the front door while Hooty begged for mercy. It was barely the break of dawn, but the thumping was not ceasing. It was increasing in strength.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming!" Eda yelled across the house. She let out a growl as she stumbled down the stairs, putting on a burgundy robe on her pajamas, "Blight sister?" She asked in surprise when she opened the door and looked at Emira, who wore an unreadable expression, "The hell you're doing here?"

"I tried to caw you, like, a dozen times," The Healer explained, entering the living room with a huff, "Is Luz here?" She asked impatiently.

"Why? Was Amity feeling unwell?" Danielle joined them, slowly walking down the stairs, too.

"I donʼt know. She's been living with us, but I haven't seen her… Wait!" Emira had just realized what Danielle said, "Why would you suspect Amity to feel bad?" She asked and noticed the look Eda shared with Danielle.

"Luz was taking the current situation pretty badly," The older witch explained.

"Maybe talking to you would help her?" Danielle proposed, and Eda mouthed a clear 'What the hell, Dani?' while she kept a friendly face in time for Emira to face the older witch.

"I came to ask for her assistance anyway, so if I can help in return, that would be great," The Healer replied. Danielle smiled, ignoring Eda's semi-frustrated expression.

"Follow me then," The human replied, guiding Emira to the basement.

They both heard Eda's not-so-silent groan, and Danielle smiled. She realized she missed those puffs and huffs. Knowing that the witch left because she was afraid and just as heartbroken by their break-up made the human feel the tiniest bit better.

"Whatʼs wrong with her?" Emira asked when they made it to the room where Luz was resting.

"She just couldn't hold it in any longer…" Danielle replied sadly, "Since she didn't want to affect Amity with her emotions, we got this room prepared for her," She explained. Emira nodded in understanding, "Though it's not as effective as the real thing…" She added.

The Healer did not say that she was more than impressed with how Luz always thought about her sister's well-being. Closing herself out in the basement to ensure her emotions would not affect the already confused witch while keeping her distance from the woman she loved was inspiring.

Emira knew Luz cared about her sister, but the Healer needed to witness yet another sacrifice to understand how much the human cared for Amity. The green-haired woman remembered every time Clawthorne chose her fiancée's well-being over hers.

"Luz, Cariño. Emira is here to see you," Danielle whispered, brushing some hair strands off Luz's face, waking her up, "How are you feeling?" She asked, and her ward let out a pained whimper.

"El-... Elixir…" Luz gasped in a pained voice, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

Danielle's face paled down. She got to her feet and uncovered Luz, only to witness her limbs disfigured, stuck between human and demon form. The doctor ran toward the potion cabinet and retrieved the golden elixir.

"I'm here, shh, shh," Danielle cooed, helping Luz drink the potion that would help her regain her natural form.

"H-h-hurts!" Luz cried when her body started to reform, bones snapping, stretching, and bruising her skin.

"I know, Cariño," The older woman held her ward's head, trying to support Luz in the pain, "What happened? I thought you were okay yesterday?" She asked, realizing Luz might not be in shape to answer.

Emira cursed internally. She tended to forget what kind of pain this human had to experience every day. Luz always seemed joyful and optimistic, hiding the real torment she was living in. The Healer always thought the human was blessed by her Harpy power, but she learned it was a double-edged sword.

"Hey, Luz," Emira whispered, approaching the human, kneeling by her, "Let me check you out," She added and drew a bright, blue spell circle to inspect the tan body, fixing what was hurt.

Luz hardly opened her eyes, looking up at the pale witch, casting a Healing Spell at her, trying to fix her hurt body. Her hazel-brown eyes fluttered, and she gasped, feeling the healing pain.

"Am-... Amity?" She mumbled in confusion when she noticed the golden-eyed, illuminated by a Healing Spell, witch. A sudden scoff directed her gaze to a beauty mark above the woman's lips.

"It's Emira, Luz," The witch replied patiently, "How do you feel?" She asked, dropping the spell. Eda and Danielle joined them. The latter cleared her ward's forehead of the sweat.

"Sore…"

"Rough night?" Emira asked, making Luz huff in annoyance.

"I haven't slept well since Amity left the Clinic," The human admitted bitterly, "She's been having nightmares every night, so I'd rather stay here… It's not much help against her dreams or emotions, but at least she won't feel mine…" Luz added, sitting up, her bones cracked. A white cat appeared out of nowhere, snuggling to the human's scarred cheek and purring loudly, "Hey, Ghost…"

"I remember you!" Emira exclaimed, "I didn't know where you disappeared after Amity woke up," She added.

"Yeah, she was stuck in the Human Realm," Luz explained, "She and Amity bonded before… Before the accident… So now she's here. Since Amity and I are bonded…" She explained to the best of her ability, Emira nodded in understanding, and the Palisman meowed with a purr.

"Luz…" Emira's tone hardened, "I came here to ask for your help… If you haven't given up on Amity, that is," She added, and Luz sent her a deadly glare while the cat hissed in annoyance.

"Wow, even their hiss sound similar," Luz noticed, realizing what happened.

"Did you seriously…" The younger human raised her hand, stopping Danielle's lecture.

"Whatʼs wrong, Em?" Luz asked calmly, understanding the Healer was desperate.

"Amity… Sheʼs distant… Sheʼs been living with us, but we barely see her. I'm not sure she eats anything at all… If I approach her, she's so defensive…" Emira let out everything bothering her, "I just don't know what to do, Luz," She said, looking away sheepishly, "She's like a stranger. I don't recognize her. She's like a miniature version of our mother…" She looked back at the human with pleading eyes, "You were the only person ever to bring her defenses down…"

"Okay, Em…" Luz replied, stretching her hands, shoulder popping into the right place, "Whereʼs she been hiding?" She asked and missed how Emira's expression faded.

"Um… Manor," She replied, and Clawthorne's face went blank. Ghost looked at the human worriedly.

"M-M-Manor? Okay, cool, no problem…" Luz stood up, covered in a blanket to get fresh clothes, "I'll catch her there, alright, no problem… That is no problem at all…"

"Kid?" Eda asked worriedly, knowing her daughter would go, ignoring her well-being.

"Are you convincing me or yourself?" Emira asked, standing up as well.

"Shut up!" Luz snapped, "I mean… Sorry," She scratched the back of her neck sheepishly. Danielle and Eda shared a look.

"Yeah, I see your Bond now," Emira mocked, "Don't go all Amity on me, okay?" She added with a delicate tease.

"Sorry… I'll check in on her," Luz replied and started forming a plan in her head.

"Thank you…"

"Iʼm not doing it for you, Em," The human said dryly, dropping the blanket and putting on a black tee before hopping into a pair of jeans, "Is there anything else I should know?" She asked, and Emira's expression faded.

Amity had no idea why, but despite Emira's best attempts, she did not feel welcome in their home. The young witch realized it had nothing to do with her sister. It was something in her blocking her from feeling safe there. Additionally, she had a strange need to return to the Blight Manor as if she was meant to find answers to the meaning of life there.

She could not force herself past the gate the first time she walked toward her childhood home. She stood frozen before the broken entrance, taking in the sight of the old building in the distance. It looked abandoned, forgotten, and raided by thieves. She did not understand her reluctance but was glad no one was there to witness her discomfort.

It took Amity three attempts to finally enter the Manor grounds. When she approached the entrance, she noticed the front doors were broken. The way they hung down on hinges made it difficult for anyone to enter.

She cleared the entryway and walked into the living room. Amity was confused about why the room was so destroyed. Scorch marks on the walls, blood on the carpet, broken window… It seemed as if the room witnessed a dangerous fight.

Amity felt unease in this place. She could not shake off the feeling she should know why this place looked so trashed. When she walked through, directed toward her father's workshop, she stepped onto something, crushing it with her heavy boot.

She knelt and noticed a glass-like pink object. She had no idea what that was, but the witch could not deny the fear that had entered her heart when she had inspected it. A sudden vision of demonic claws crushing the pink orb flashed before her eyes, confusing and scaring her.

Amity shook her head energetically, chasing the strange vision away. She clenched her jaw and stomped angrily. She passed the living room, entered a small corridor, and followed a tight staircase to Alador's old workshop.

The Heiress nervously gulped when she stopped by the metal doors. Her ears slanted anxiously, and her brows tied in determination. She turned the doorknob, and the dark laboratory stood open.

"Come on, Blight. It's just a dark room. Get over yourself…" She encouraged herself and stepped inside.

She tried the light switch. The workshop was immediately illuminated by a delicate purple and orange glow. The light chased the darkness away, and Amity immediately felt slightly better.

The golden eyes roamed the room. The small library was intact, the tools were still hanging on the wall, ready to be used, and the small couch was covered with a dusty blanket. It seemed untouched by anyone's hand since the last time Amity had been there.

"If that's even my real memory…" She thought grimly and entered, closing the doors behind her.

Amity passed the library corner and quickly approached the workstation. She turned on the small lamp and froze, noticing a small photo frame. Her father smiled at her, holding a five-year-old, auburn-haired daughter who proudly presented her first abomination golem.

The purple figurine was so small it fit in her tiny hands. The witch grabbed the frame and cleaned the glass. Alador looked at her with a warm smile and great pride. She had no recollection of this memory.

"I looked… Happy…" She thought bitterly and suddenly realized she felt angry, "Why don't I remember this?!" Her hand started shaking, and her breathing hitched.

Amity returned the frame to its rightful place and leaned on the table, trying to recompose herself, taking deep breaths, not letting herself feel sadness. She was convinced she had no right to express emotions. She felt so strange, as if she was not herself but more like pretending to be.

"I am Amity Blight, Heiress to the Blight Industries and the last of our line…" She whispered with a shaking voice. It was a mantra that her mother engraved in her head over the years. It always helped her regain control of herself.

"I need to find out why the Industries were shut down and fix that!" She thought with determination and straightened up.

Amity looked to the left side of the workshop and noticed messily stacked papers. She started going through them, searching for an answer to what might have happened. After a while, she pulled in a workstool and took her time to go through her father's project ideas.

When she did not find anything that would be helpful to her, she opened the desk drawer and found Alador's journals. They were a strange combination of design ideas and his inner thoughts.

"I think she knows I'm stalling…" Amity read on one page between his sketches. She traced her finger over the neat drawings, "I can't do anything! I think I'm just as much imprisoned here as the kids are…" Another line on the margin caught the witch's attention. She flipped a few more pages, "She forbade me to see Amity! She took away my Palisman, and now I'm completely alone…"

"What the hell?" Amity thought when she read another few lines of her father's scribbles before she frantically flipped to the last page.

"I always wanted to help people, but she forced me to make inventions that can hurt them. I can't even save my children… I failed Edric, I disappointed Emira… I couldn't even save Amity…" The writing was messy, but the sentences seemed to be written in a hurry.

"This can't be it?" Amity flipped through the journal again, "Where is the rest of it?!" She thought angrily, feeling helpless, not knowing what happened.

"Who is she?" Amity whispered, realizing Alador had not named the person he feared.

A small voice inside her head teased her that deep inside, she knew very well who her father was so terrified of. She shook her head, pushing those ridiculous suspicions away. She knew her mother was strict, but she was fair and kind.

"She would never hurt any of us…" Amity thought and suddenly realized she did not believe herself. It felt wrong, "She wouldn't…" She thought again, but that did not feel any better.

"Agh! Just get over yourself!" She roared at herself and smashed her fists at the table.

Amity could not understand why and how conflicted she was. Everything felt wrong. Despite knowing she was right, she had the strangest sense as if she was lying to herself. Yet, she decided to act against those feelings. She could not wallow in these emotions, afraid they would consume her.

Luz was unsure how she should approach Amity. Emira told her what Odalia expected from her sister as the Heiress. Yet, before, the youngest Blight had her secrets she kept from her mother. Small things that kept her sane: 'Azura', Willow, Healing Magic, H.A.S, but now? Odalia ensured those small rebellions were taken care of.

"I made sure no one would love her…" Echoed through Luz's mind, and the human tied her brows in frustration.

She felt anxious standing before the Blight Manor, but she was determined. She had a mission. The human corrected her beanie nervously, grabbed the paper grocery bags firmly, and walked past the broken door.

She followed Emira's instructions to find the kitchen, where she unpacked the food. She looked around and realized no one used the facility in months. That made her worry about the last time Amity had anything to eat.

Luz was glad the Manor was so big. She could have cleaned the kitchen without alerting the Heiress about her presence, preparing everything to care for the stubborn witch. With a heavy heart, Clawthorne did her best to support her fiancée.

"A woman who doesn't remember us…" She thought bitterly, and before she fell into that ratworm hole of anxiety, she heard a loud roar coming from the other side of the Manor.

Luz left the kitchen hurriedly. She darted past the living room, ignoring how her stomach squeezed with fear, and found the corridor from which the yells originated. Suddenly, everything went quiet, and based on her instinct, the human ran down to the basement, where she found a metal door ajar.

She hesitantly peeked in, trying to keep her breathing calm. She noticed Amity leaning on the table with a lowered head, wearing braided hair, and breathing heavily. The witch wore dark purple work clothes. The abomination goo with no shape was piled on the metal work table. Her ears twitched, and Luz stiffened.

"This is private property," Amity growled, raising her right hand, engulfing it in a powerful purple flame, "If you want to see another sunrise, you better leave," She added and slowly turned around to face the intruder, "Human?" She squeaked in surprise.

Amity's expression faded, her ears slanted, her lips parted, and her eyes softened. Luz leaned on the door frame, tied her hands on her chest, and smiled mischievously when she noticed the witch's face. It gave her hope. Even if only for a mere moment before her expression hardened again.

"What do you think you're doing here?!" Amity huffed at the human angrily, but she extinguished the flame.

"Rumor has it you haven't been eating well," Luz started, entering the room confidently.

"How I have been eating is not your problem," Amity growled, feeling like a scorned child.

"Well…" Luz smirked, angering the witch further, "Not entirely true," She added, taking another nonchalant step closer, hiding her hands in her back pockets, "You see, I promised to help you feel better and if you're refusing to eat you can't do that," She continued, stopping a few steps away from Amity, "And that just makes me look like a liar," She concluded and looked closely at the woman before her.

The witch was exhausted. Her eyes were underlined with dark shadows, her face was paler than usual, and she was clearly dehydrated. Based on how the workshop looked, Luz suspected the witch worked tirelessly for the past few days. Especially considering the couch still wore a thick layer of dust, untouched for months, if not years.

"I'm… Fine…" Amity whispered, and Luz's expression softened.

"Youʼre not fine, Amity…"

"It's 'Miss Blight', human," She let out a growl, but her voice was weak.

Luz could feel the conflicted feelings ravaging the witch. Amity wanted to let someone care for her but knew she could not show weakness. The Heiress slightly wobbled and shook her head, worrying the human further.

"Does 'Miss Blight' know what happens if a witch falls into starvation?" Luz asked in a teacher-like tone, making Amity let out a low growl, "I'll take that as a yes," She retorted.

"You can take that however you please and leave…"

"Listen…" Luz sighed heavily, dropping her taunting facade and looking at the witch worriedly, "I know you don't let it into your head, but there are people worried about you. Let me make you something to eat, and I'll leave if that's what you really want," She offered, and Amity looked like she was considering the deal.

In reality, the witch tried to figure out why she felt so safe around the human. She had no idea why she wanted to cave in and let the trespasser take care of her. Everything told her she should kick the woman out of her home, but her gut disagreed. She shook her head again, making Luz tie her brows with worry.

"When was the last time you ate?" The human asked.

The golden, tired eyes looked up, blinking rapidly. The witch tried to ignore how she felt strangely calmer when she let herself drown in the hazel-brown vastness of the human's warm gaze.

"Um…" Amity wobbled again, and she smirked sheepishly, "With you…" She added and unknowingly fell forward.

"Woah, woah," Luz caught the other woman in time, helping her stand, watching the pointy ears twitch, "And you haven't slept well since then, too?" She asked, and the witch nodded with shame, "It's okay…" Luz whispered, holding Amity, "Will you let me help you?" She asked in a whisper.

"No…" The witch replied despite nodding in agreement.

"What the hell?" Luz wondered, but she knew now was not the time. A delicate hoot agreed with her.

"And scoop!" The human picked the witch up.

She was relieved that Amity did not fight, leaning into the embrace. The Heiress seemed to accept the care, finally letting herself feel vulnerable after days of pushing herself to her limits.

"Try to sleep now," Luz brought the witch to the dusty couch. She removed the blanket that kept the cushions safe from the dust before letting Amity down, "I'll stay here with you," She added, covering the pale body with her jacket to keep her warm.

The witch whimpered delicately and pulled the warm garment closer in, falling deeper into a state of relaxation when she felt the human's scent surrounding her. Luz smiled when she noticed how Amity sniffed the jacket. With a delicate twitch of her ears, she fell asleep.

"Titan, how can I win with the defenses Odalia placed in her head?" Luz worried, plopping down to the floor with exhaustion. She leaned by the couch so she could watch Amity sleep.

"Hoot!" The demon urged her to never give up.

Luz let her head rest on her forearms, feeling her eyes getting heavier, too. She finally felt calmer, knowing she could ensure her fiancée slept soundly beside her. Even if that was about to end as soon as the witch regained her strength to be defensive again.

Luz did not know how much time had passed when she felt herself waking up with a stiff body. She should have known better by now than to sleep on the floor like that. She opened her eyes and realized the witch was still asleep.

Luz sat up, cracked her back, and smiled, feeling her heart melt when she realized Amity was sleeping with her face hidden deep into the neck of the jacket, breathing calmly. She has not seen the witch sleep this peacefully since their last night together in the Human Realm.

"Chirp?" The demon suggested that Amity subconsciously felt safe around Luz and longed for her.

"Even if that were true, she would never admit it," The human replied internally. Yet, it gave her hope.

Finally, after a few minutes under the intense hazel-brown gaze, Amity began to stir awake. Her face contorted in slight discomfort, her ears twitched, and she let out a delicate groan. Luz smiled when she watched the witch clench her fists on her jacket, tightening her possessive hug.

"I'm glad you're comfortable," Luz teased. Amity, slightly confused, opened her eyes, "Do you think I could get that back?" She added, and the witch noticed how she hogged the human's jacket.

"Ugh!" Amity sat up, her face immediately covered in a deep blush to the ends of her ears slanted in shame, "Get this filthy, disgusting thing away from me," She immediately snapped.

"That's not true, and you know it," Luz said, putting on her jacket and watching the witch get defensive again.

"Especially since you bought it for me…"

"Would you like to eat something now?" The human asked and observed Amity's expression carefully.

The witch pulled her knees, hugging them, considering her options. With the way Amity braided her hair to the side, she almost did not look like her wild self. Luz felt something was wrong but knew she should not push anymore.

"Come on, don't make me beg," The human smirked, "I'll make you an omelet. I know you like them," She offered in a singing voice, smiling supportively.

Amity looked up and analyzed Luz's expression. She felt those strange feelings again. She wanted to let the human cook for her, but something inside screamed that she should not allow it. She was a Blight, for Titan's sake.

"Why would I let you cook for me? Away from the Clinic, you could easily poison me…" Luz's laughter surprised the witch. She felt angry that the human dared to laugh directly into her face. Yet, simultaneously, the sound brought a strangely warm feeling.

"Three things, Princess," Luz calmed down and smiled mischievously, "You can watch me cook to ensure I won't poison you, and…" She paused dramatically, leaning closer to the nervous witch, "I brought the black currant jam from the Human Realm. Just for you," She added. Amity swallowed hungrily while her ears twitched.

"And the third thing?" The witch did not let go.

"Iʼm not leaving until you have at least one good meal," Luz added, straightening up, and the witch rolled her eyes.

"Ugh, fine! If that's what it takes to get rid of you, then fine!" Amity replied angrily, but the human felt the witch was trying to hide how grateful she was, "Let me just take off these work clothes," She added, heading toward the small wardrobe. Luz smiled before getting up and turning around, giving Amity a sense of privacy.

Luz felt strange, noticing that the witch wore semi-casual suit-like clothes underneath the work clothes. A tall turtleneck obscured her scars, and the braid rested on her right shoulder. The human thought Amity dressed the way her mother would want her to.

They walked into the kitchen, and the witch immediately noticed that Luz was already there, bringing fresh groceries. The counters were cleaned, the table was brushed, and the pans were prepared for cooking.

"Bossing around my kitchen, Clawthorne?" The witch noted snarkily, but she sat by the table in the center of the kitchen.

"It was filthy, Blight. You may think of me what you want, but I will not cook in a filthy kitchen," Luz retorted, and she fetched the ingredients from the fridge.

The human felt Amity's curious gaze on her back. She could only imagine the witch had no recollection of the many times they cooked together in the Human Realm, making her, once again, a culinary noob.

"Well, I can work with that…" Luz thought with a smirk.

"If you want to ensure I won't poison you, you better come over here," The human pointed to the tall stool by the counter that held the stove.

"Fine…" Amity replied dryly with a frown.

The expression disappeared the moment Luz started mixing the ingredients. The golden gaze followed the human's every move. Pointy ears twitched with interest, and for a moment, Amity's facade dropped.

"Now for the main event…" Luz suddenly broke the silence, getting the witch's attention.

The human poured the mixture onto the heated pan and shook it slightly before pouring the other part into the second one. Amity could not deny how enchanting it was to watch a shapeless mass turn into delicious food. She considered it the highest form of magic. Of course, she would never admit that to the other woman.

"Aaaaand turn!" Luz suddenly exclaimed and flipped the omelet in the air, causing Amity's jaw to fall in shock.

"Okay, that was impressive…" The witch thought, watching Luz continue cooking as if it was the easiest thing in the world.

"Do you want to give it a try?" The taller woman asked when she noticed Amityʼs awestruck gaze.

"M-me?" Luz was relieved that the witch had not tried to get defensive. She must have taken Amity by surprise, "I-I don't cook… I-I don't know how…"

"Thatʼs because no one ever taught you," Luz said warmly, "Come on. Let me teach you," She offered and was happy that the witch compiled.

Amity stood up and removed her suit jacket, leaving her turtleneck on. She approached Luz, who stepped aside, smiling in support, watching the anxious witch. The Heiress was clearly uncomfortable, not knowing what to do.

"It's alright. I'm going to help you, okay?" The human asked, and Amity nodded hesitantly, "You need to take a proper stance to keep yourself safe," She added, stepping behind the witch.

She risked touching Amity, and when there was no aggressive response, she placed her right hand on the pale palm, guiding her toward the panhandle. The left one held the witch's abdomen, helping her maintain a straight posture.

Amityʼs breathing hitched when she realized how the human held her close. She could feel Luz's body heat and citrusy scent surrounding her, overwhelming her senses. Yet, despite everything telling her she should push the other woman away, she felt safe in the caring hold.

"Now, feel the pan in your hand. It's pretty heavy," Luz whispered, guiding Amity, making her ears twitch delicately, "Let the omelet slide on the pan before you try to flip it," She added, guiding the circular movement, "Remember to keep your back straight," The warm hand pulled the witch closer, sending strange, electric sensations across the smaller body, "And flip," Luz whispered, encouraging Amity.

The time slowed down. The witch watched the omelet leave the pan and make exactly one turn in the air before making it safely to the place of origin. The pointy ears perked up, and she could not believe what she achieved.

"Oh, my Titan! I did it!" Amity squealed in excitement, completely forgetting about the entire world. She let go of the panhandle, bounced on her feet, and tugged Luz's jacket delicately, "Did you see it?!" She asked, looking up at the human, realizing Luz was smiling down at her with a strange glint in her eyes.

"Yeap. She's still in there…" The human thought, watching a familiar expression on the pale face.

"I mean," Amity suddenly stopped, turned away from Luz, tied her hands, and cleared her throat, "If you can do it, that couldn't be too difficult…" She added bitterly, but Luz did not mind anymore.

"Whatever you say, Princess," The brunette retorted, "You better sit down. The food is ready," She added with a smirk, and Amity did just that without another word, too ashamed of her outburst.

Luz placed the omelets on the plates, served the black currant jam in a separate bowl, and placed one portion in front of the witch. She took her place on the other side of the table, sitting before the Heiress.

"What do you think you're doing?" Amity asked, surprising Luz, "I have never eaten with the help," She explained. The human scoffed, looking intensively into the golden eyes.

"Get it finally to your thick head, Blight," Luz said in a low voice that brought a strange sensation to the witchʼs spine, "Iʼm not your help. I'm your equal," She said, and Amity sneered.

"You said it yourself that you can't even do magic," The witch retorted.

"I see you have serious memory issues, Blight," Luz smirked, pouring the witch some tea, "I said humans have no natural magical ability," She explained.

"Isn't it the same?" Amity argued.

"If that would be the same," Luz retrieved a small piece of paper from her jacket pocket and pulled in a small vase, placing it between them, "They wouldn't let me attend Hexside," She added with an attitude. The paper shone with bright green light, crumpled, and transformed into a beautiful, blood-red flower. Amity's ears twitched when she sniffed the enchanting aroma, "Now dig in. It's getting cold," Luz added, placing the rose in the vase, and started with her meal.

Amity could not stop staring at the bloom. She could have sworn she knew the scent but could not place it. She looked up at the human, munching her food, and could not understand anything. Her ears twitched in confusion.

"Come on, Princess. I didn't cook for it to go to waste. Eat up," Luz urged the witch, who realized she had been gawking.

"Have I misjudged her? Again?" Amity's mind worked overtime trying to comprehend everything.

"You know, if you have something on your mind, you can ask," Luz said, feeling her fiancée's unease, "Don't be shy…" She added, watching the witch's struggle.

"I'm breaking her whole worldview…" The human realized.

"Chirp?"

"Yeah… Again…"

"Um…" Amity stuttered, swallowing her food hard, unable to look the human in the eye, "Did you… Did we study together at Hexside?" She asked, scared of the answer.

"You tell me. Did we?" Luz turned the question around. The golden eyes glared at her, pointy ears slanted in frustration, "You know the rules. I cannot tell you anything," She added, and the witch's expression softened, "What is your gut telling you?"

"I… I donʼt trust my gut…" Amity looked away sheepishly, "It's just confusing me…" She added, and Luz was surprised the witch admitted to that.

"Whatʼs it telling you now? Or about me?" The human pushed a little, sliding her empty plate aside, watching the witch with warmth and support.

"That there's something about you…" Luz tilted her head questioningly, "Just… Something…" Amity tried to focus on finishing her meal.

"Titan, that's good… I don't care if it's poisoned…" The witch thought, loving the sourness of the jam.

"Are you still scared of me? The hideous human, lurking in the shadows?" The brunette teased, wiggling her fingers mockingly.

"I was never scared of…"

"I literally have scars to prove you wrong, Blight," Luz interrupted, chuckling at the witch. Amity's expression faded in shame.

"I apologized…" The Heiress muttered sheepishly.

"And I accepted," The brunette smiled widely, showing off her fang, "So, I guess I'm not a scary, hideous human anymore?" Luz giggled, retrieving the empty plates to wash them in the sink.

"You were never hideous," Amity mumbled. Her eyes widened in shock, the red tint covered her face, and the tips of her ears slanted in shame when she realized what slipped past her lips, "I mean for a human, that is…" Luz snickered.

"Don't stress out, Blight. You blush anymore, and you're gonna pass out," The human teased, smiling at the witch.

"How dare you mock me?" Amity growled, standing up with her right hand raised as if preparing to strike.

"Why isn't she igniting her flames?" Luz worried when she eyed the witch before her.

"No need to get defensive," The human raised her hands, "I think we established that I mean you no harm. I just want to make sure you eat and sleep well to get back to health," She added.

Luz turned around to hide plates in the cupboards and clean the rest of the kitchen. She hesitated when she approached the rose but noticed Amity's expression and decided against disposing of it.

"Um… Thank you," The witch whispered, her expression and stance immediately softened.

"What was that?" Luz teased.

"I said thank you!" Amity roared, "Titan, you can be unbearable!"

"Well, that's part of my charm," Luz chuckled, hiding her hands in her jacket pockets and lifting her chin faux-confidently. What she did not expect was for Amity to snicker at her antics.

"Youʼre such a dork, you know that?" The witch let out a small giggle.

"I may have been called that once or twice," Luz agreed, smiling warmly, making Amity shake her head in disbelief.

"But um… Thank you," The Heiress's whole aura suddenly changed. The witch hugged herself and looked vulnerable, making Luz drop her act, "For not giving up on me, making sure I'm okay… That's something I'm not familiar with…"

"You have no memory of people caring about you?" Luz asked, and Amity shook her head in shame.

"I know I'm defensive most of the time but can't help it… I know my memory's fucked up, but the worst part is that my gut goes against everything I know!" She exclaimed in frustration.

"Whatʼs going on?" Luz wondered, watching the witch, who started pacing the kitchen anxiously.

"I KNOW humans are dangerous, so why do I feel safe around you?!" Amity asked, and Luz knew better than to interrupt something that looked like a breakthrough, "I KNOW Emira abandoned me, so why do I feel she wants to help me?! I KNOW my mother loved me, so why do I feel like a fucking puppet used for her gain?!" She stopped pacing and noticed her reflection in the metal fridge, "I KNOW this is who I'm supposed to be, but why does it feel so wrong?!" She hollered, removing her hair band, ruffling her hair, letting them breathe, unknowingly letting out a sob.

"Hey, hey, it's okay. You're safe," Luz approached the witch in the hope of helping her through the experience. Amity looked up into hazel-brown eyes, tears stinging her golden ones. She was heaving, panicked by the confusing emotions.

"There's a fucking stranger staring at me from my mirror…" The witch let out heavy breaths, pointing the finger at the fridge, "I don't know how I got hurt, I don't know who I was before, I don't know…" Her voice broke into sobs, and Luz pulled her into a delicate hug.

Despite her mind screaming that she should not allow it, Amity did not fight the affection, allowing herself to cry hard, letting everything out. Every fiber of her body leaned closer to the warmth the human offered.

The pale hands clutched the brunette's clothes and pulled her closer. Luz placed her hand on the witchʼs head, stocking the lavender hair delicately. She embraced Amity's waist with the other one, keeping her secure.

"I know I should not allow you to approach me, let alone touch me…" The witch mumbled, shaking her head in confusion, trying to deal with her inner turmoil, "I know I need to restore the family fortune or die trying…" She added. At that, Luz's heart skipped a beat.

"Did Odalia place any more safeguards in her mind? Would she kill herself if something went wrong?" The human thought worriedly but did her best to leave thinking about it for another day. At that moment, Amityʼs well-being was her top priority.

"Tell me, what do you remember? Any friends from High School? Anyone who made you feel safe?" Luz asked, hoping to guide her fiancée.

"Um… There was Skara and Boscha from the Grudby Team, but they were never friends…" The witch answered shakily, trying to calm her breathing down.

"Would you like me to get Skara? Maybe seeing a familiar face would do you good?" The human proposed. Her voice was calm and soft.

"You know her?!" Amity squeaked, pulling away from the embrace to look at the tan face.

"I donʼt have to know someone to get them to come and talk to you, you know?" Luz replied with a smile.

The human was even more surprised that Amity accepted that explanation, returning to the embrace by herself. Luz decided to cherish that moment for as long as it was given to her. Which, unfortunately, was not long at all. The witch soon calmed down, relaxed by the rhythm of the bile sac-less human heart.

"Thank you for checking up on me," Amity pulled away, and Luz decided against saying anything, "I think I should return to Emira's and try sleeping some more…" She added, and the human smiled at that.

"I'm happy to hear that," The brunette replied. Luz turned off the kitchen lights, guiding Amity toward the Manor's front porch, "Well then… I guess I'll see you around, Miss Blight," She added, looking at the witch before taking her leave toward the Owl House.

"Amity…" The Heiress whispered.

"Huh?"

"You can call me by my first name," Amity explained, and without another word, she left toward the Clinic, leaving Luz in front of the Manor's gate in shock.

"Well, look at that, Beasty…" Luz smiled widely, proud of herself.

She heard a small congratulatory chirp in her head, and with a brand new sense of hope, she left, heading home, excited to tell Danielle about the day she had just had. She could not get rid of the proud grin stuck to her face.

Luz did not walk even ten minutes when, with fear, she noticed the dark clouds obscuring the reddish skies. She knew she needed to hurry if she wanted to make it home with the skin on her body intact.

Suddenly, the sky was torn with a bolt of bright lightning. A loud thunder echoed in Luz's ears, and her chest was filled with paralyzing fear. She froze mid-step, and her pupils shrank with realization.

"Oh, no…" The human whispered. Her expression faded, and her complexion paled down.

Another thunder echoed above Boiling Isles, and Luz was now sure. She recalled the time she spent with her fiancée. Amity was in the forest, paralyzed by pain in her ears and fear in her heart.

"Sheʼs scared of the storm. We need to hurry!" Luz thought and ran through the dark woods, rushing past the trees, hoping to get to the witch in time.

"Amity?!" Luz called, hoping to get a response. Another loud thunder accompanied by lightning rippled through the skies.

"It's getting closer!" The human began to panic, "I need to find her fast!"

"Amity!?"

THUNDER!

"AAAAA!" A loud shriek followed the storm's rumble, helping Luz head in the right direction.

She hurried. Twigs scratched her tan face, but that did not matter. Another yell echoed through the forest when the thunder interrupted the silence again. This time so powerfully, it even hurt Luz's ears, scaring her of the sudden rumble. With that, the rain started to slowly drizzle from the skies.

"Ah, shit!" Luz hissed when she felt the drop on her face, but she did not slow down.

The rain started to drop with more power, and Luz finally found the source of the familiar scream. The human jumped out of the forest, making a sudden appearance. Amity was curled on the ground in front of the cliff, kneeling, covering her ears, rocking herself, and crying in pain while raindrops burned through her clothes.

"Amity!" Luz exclaimed, feeling relieved to have found the witch.

The Heiress raised her tear-stained face and, with all honesty and quivering lips, she was never more relieved to see that annoying human. She hissed in pain when the raindrop hit her face.

"It's okay, Amity, try to stay calm…" Luz pleaded, trying to think of a plan.

"W-why are you here? You're gonna get hurt too…" Amity asked before she hissed in pain when another drop made contact with her immaculate face.

"Don't worry. I'm gonna figure something out…" Luz said with a stressed tone before letting out another groan of pain.

"Think! We covered the Boiling Rain in High School…" She thought, and another thunder and lightning hit Amity's senses, forcing the witch to close her eyes.

"Come here!" Luz urged the witch, but she did not budge, "Come on!"

The human fought through her pain, lifting the smaller woman. She was paralyzed by Amity's discomfort on top of that. Still, she managed to carry the witch in a bride-like embrace to move her toward the line of the forest, away from the cliff's edge.

Luz looked down at the pale woman and recalled how Boscha overwhelmed her senses. Lights, sounds, physical pain… She needed to hurry. The human placed Amity on the ground and fumbled through her pockets.

"Try to stay calm. We'll be safe in a moment," Luz said calmly, feeling the rain increasing.

Amity could not reply when another thunder deafened her, making her whimper in fear and pain. She eyed the human, who found a large twig and started to draw a strange symbol on the ground.

When Luz was done, she slapped the edges of the circle, blinding Amity with bright green light, making her yell in pain again. The human watched the symbol turn into a large tree with purple leaves.

The trunk had a large hollow that could comfortably fit up to five people. Luz quickly got to Amity and carried her inside, laying her on the thick moss that cushioned the inside of the tree.

"Amity?" Luz tried to connect with the witch, but everything was too much for her.

Amity kept rocking, covering her ears with shut eyes. Luz retrieved her glyphs and summoned thick vines that closed them off, muting all deafening thunders and covering them in complete darkness.

"I will cast a little bit of light. I need to make sure you're alright," The human whispered.

Once another sound of crumbling paper was heard, a small, warm light illuminated the inside of the trunk. Luz looked at the witch, and her heart broke into a million pieces. Amity was still covering her ears, her eyes shut, and her breathing was rapid and shallow. At least she stopped rocking. The brunette worried about the blisters on the pale skin from the rain.

"It's alright. You're safe now," Luz whispered, taking off her jacket and inspecting her body.

"Dammit! Without removing the Concealment Stone, I can't see my burns…" Luz thought and decided she needed to focus on Amity.

"Let me take it off. I need to see if you aren't hurt too much," Luz whispered, taking hold of the witchʼs jacket. Amity let her, "It's okay, I'm going to help you," She added, and the witch allowed to be helped and slightly undressed.

The rain burned through her turtle neck, but that was nothing too bad. Luz applied small Healing Glyphs, and once she activated them, Amity whimpered in discomfort and relief. The worst burn formed on the witch's knees, worrying the human.

"Amity? Can you hear me?" Luz asked, and the lavender head nodded hesitantly, "Okay, listen, I know you're overwhelmed with sounds, lights, and pain, but I need you to find it in you to heal yourself," Amity looked up at Luz with terrified, teary eyes, "Your legs are badly burned, and we don't know how long we'll be here. We can't let it get infected…"

"H-how…" Amity choked, "Y-youʼre not hurt?"

"Okay, truth time…" Luz sighed heavily.

"I am… Badly," The human admitted, "But I'm not taking off my Concealment Stone," She added, and Amity glanced at the human's neck in understanding, "Please, try to Heal…"

"I can't…" The witch sounded panicked.

"Amity…" Luz whispered and smiled warmly, fighting her pain away, "I believe in you. Ignore what you know and follow your gut," She added supportively, "At least give it a try, okay?" She asked, and the witch nodded sheepishly.

"O-okay…" Amity agreed reluctantly.

"I'll be right here by your side," Luz vowed and gave the witch her space, sitting back, leaning by the wall, hissing in pain, earning a worried look, "Don't mind me, focus on yourself," She added, and the Heiress fought her worry away.

Amity focused hard, drew a spell circle, and was shocked to realize it was a bright blue color. She applied it to her leg, and a sudden warmth entered her eyes. Her ears fluttered in surprise, but she did not stop.

"Thatʼs it… That's my girl…" Luz smiled at Amity's concentration, watching the blue light enter the golden eyes.

The witch was shocked when she noticed burned skin appear before her eyes. She could have sworn she knew exactly how to connect the broken fibers, debride the burns, and regenerate the organ. She followed her instinct and did just that, surprising herself. She was unaware that Luz smiled proudly at her, but she could feel the sense of pride swelling in her chest.

"Titan…" Amity whispered, dropping a spell, "I did it…" She faced Luz with the widest, proudest smile that Luz missed so much.

"Yeah, you did it…" The human praised in a strained whisper.

"I don't know how I did it. I followed my gut like you said…" Amityʼs expression faded when she noticed the human's proud smile disappear, "Youʼre still hurt…"

"It's okay. I'll take care of it at home…" Luz paused to whimper in discomfort.

"Are you sure?" Amity asked, not realizing she forgot to keep up her Blight facade.

"Hey," Luz smirked at the witch, trying to keep her optimism, "You just unlocked your Healing Magic. Don't get too… Oh, no…" She paled down and sat up rapidly, ignoring her ache.

"Luz? What's wrong?" Amity asked worryingly.

"You unlocked your Healing Magic…" Luz repeated, gulping nervously.

"No…" Amity understood what the human meant. Her ears slanted in fear while her pupils shrank, afraid of what may come next, "No, no, no, no, please… NOOOO!" The witch roared in pain and fell to her back, arching her spine.

"I'm here, I'm here…" Luz crawled closer, taking hold of the lavender head.

"Hoot!?"

"I know it will hurt… I can handle it…" Luz thought, hoping she really could handle whatever came with another unlocked part of Amity's memory.

"L-Luz…" The witch whimpered weakly. She forced her eyes open and was surprised to bore into the hazel-brown ones hovering right above her. The orbs were warm and caring, watching her patiently, helping her through, "P-please…" The pale hand grabbed the tan arm pleadingly.

"Shh, shh, we're gonna get through it. I'm not leaving you," Luz vowed, brushing the lavender strands away from the pale, sweaty forehead.

"AAAAA!" Amity roared, snarling, showing off her fangs, clenching her eyes shut, ears hugging the lavender head, and her whole body wracked with pain, sending a similar experience through Luz's body.

"Oh, fucking Titan!" The human thought, her breathing increased.

With that, Luz knew she had to brace herself for more agony. She watched Amity closely, focusing on the witch, trying to push her discomfort to the back of her head. She tried to control her breathing, but it was not simple.

"Youʼre doing so good…" Luz praised, trying to support the witch.

"L-Luz…" Amity gasped pathetically, and suddenly, her entire body stiffened.

"Just a few more minutes… You're strong, Amity…" Luz choked when she felt the overwhelming, burning heat coursing through her body.

The human leaned heavily on her right hand while she still tried to hold Amity's head with her left one, protecting it from the seizures. Luz could feel the blisters from the rain break, and the water seeped down her back while her insides burned from the Bond-shared agony.

"I'm not strong enough…" She realized, looking at Amity again.

The witch was heaving shallowly through a clenched jaw. Her eyes were rolled up, shining with her fuchsia aura, while her stiff body was shaken with seizures. A sudden flash brought a strange vision of her younger self practicing Healing Magic in St. Epiderm's Library. Amity had seen helping someone. She had seen a dense bone being set to its rightful place.

Luz could not handle it anymore. Another jolt of the witch's pain pierced her body, and she fell to the moss-covered hollow floor. Keeping the pain in overwhelmed the human, making her hyperventilate and blackout.

The last thing she saw was Amity's pained expression when she left the witch alone with her struggle. With the last gasp for air, Luz allowed herself to close her eyes and fall into the vastness of the void. The light spell disappeared.

Amity woke up sore and confused. She opened her eyes only to discover she was still covered in darkness. She felt a familiar warmth right next to her. The citrusy scent helped her relax, and she did not realize she snuggled closer, placing her hand on the back, rising with shallow, pained breaths.

"What the?!" Amity suddenly realized what she was doing.

Not only was she disappointed in herself, but at the same time, she felt a pang of worry. She quickly sat up and cast a Light Spell. The warm light illuminated the tan figure lying on the moss.

Amity tied her brows in worry. She looked at her hand and noticed a bloody plasma. When she looked down at the human, there was no visible sign of her being hurt. She looked down at the crimson-red gem on her necklace. It tempted the witch to remove the Concealment Stone, but she respected Luz's privacy.

"If she refused to take it off despite being so hurt, she must have had a really good reason…" The witch thought and sat up on her heels.

"Luz…" She shook the sleeping figure, but the woman was not affected, "Come on, wake up!" She pleaded, rolling the human to her side and cupping her cheeks. That was when she noticed it.

"Are those?" Amity paused in confusion, caressing the human's right cheek with her thumb, "Are those scars? Is this what she's been hiding?" She wondered as she continued to trail the shape of the markings she could not see, feeling the shape of three deep healed wounds, "Is this worth all that pain?" She thought, continuing caresses when she heard a weak, pained whimper.

"Come on, human! You need to wake up!" She ordered sternly, making Luz mumble something incoherently, "Come on! You tell me about preventing infection while you're clearly running a fever!" She added, her brows tied in a frown.

While she tried to look angry, her worry was adamant. No matter how irritating, that silly human was the only constant in her life since the day she woke up in the Clinic. Amity did not want to see her hurt.

"A-Amity…" Luz mumbled, her eyes rolling up while her breathing hitched, "You okay?" She asked, making the witch scoff.

"Come on, you big dork. I'm taking you to the Clinic," Amity offered, trying to pull Luz up.

"N-no… No Clinic…" Luz slurred in a reply, "H-home…" She added, her head lolling to the side.

"Luz, you need a Healer," Amity argued, "At least someone you trust enough to take off your Concealment Stone," She added, showing her respect for the brunette's choice.

"M-my Mom…" Luz gasped under her breath, "She's a powerful Healer…"

"Your mother's a witch?!" Amity exclaimed in shock, making Luz smile widely.

"And powerful at that…" The human added proudly, losing her balance.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Amity exclaimed, pulling the human back up. She touched the tan forehead and frowned, clenching her jaw, "I donʼt know where you live. You need to guide me," The witch reasoned, and the feverish woman hummed in understanding.

Luz tried to cooperate to the best of her ability. She was angry with herself. She should have trusted the witch and taken off the Concealment Stone, and none of that would have happened.

"What if my appearance would trigger her? What if it would scare her off?" Luz worried while she let the witch guide her out of the tree.

The human deactivated the vines, and they were greeted with a beautiful morning on the Boiling Isles. The tree faced the Boiling Sea, which brought warmth and a salty smell. Amity took a deep whiff of the fresh air, and she could have sworn she had been at this viewpoint before.

"A-Amity…" Luz mumbled, wobbling on her lean legs, making the witch immediately jump toward her.

"Don't you dare faint on me, human! You went through worse!" Amity exclaimed, panic seeping from her voice, "Where do you live?" She asked, trying to get directions before Luz would pass out.

"Five miles south of Hexside…" She mumbled in reply, "There…" She pointed toward the edge of the Titan's Palm.

"Okay, just try to cooperate," The witch replied, taking hold of the taller body, grabbing her arm, and slacking it over her shoulders.

"Why does this feel so familiar?" Amity wondered when she looked at the feverish, barely conscious human holding onto her for dear life.

"Thank you…" Luz whispered, making the pointy ears slant in shock.

"Did I dream it? Or did I know her before the accident?" The confusion was rising.

They slowly walked toward the Owl House. Step by step. Luz could feel her mistake. Her fever was rising. She could feel the skin peeling off her back, rolling under her tee, soaked in the plasma from broken burn blisters.

"But she's safe, and that's all that matters… Right?" Luz thought and paled when she realized she had received no answer, "Oh, no… When did I take my elixir?"

"A-Amity…" The human tried to speak.

"Yeah?" The witch gasped, struggling with the human's weight.

"We need to hurry…" Luz managed to gasp out, panicking.

"It's okay," Amity tried to reassure the feverish woman. She could feel the distress rushing through the tan body, "We're almost there," She added when she noticed the strange house in the distance.

"I don't know if… If I can stay awake…" Luz mumbled hurryingly, "Tell my… My Mom…" She tried to speak as fast as possible, "I need my medicine…" She groaned, and her legs buckled underneath.

"Come on, you can make it…" Amity encouraged, taking a stronger hold on the weak body.

The witch watched the house with hope. She considered its architecture strange and had only read the house demons. Yet one of them was opening doors for them, calling out for someone.

"Boots?" The tall, gray-haired woman with gold eyes and a fang looked down at them in shock, "What the hell happened to my Kid?" She asked, her ears slanted in worry. She stepped closer, cupping Luz's barely conscious face, "Come on, Blight, speak up," She addressed the witch again.

"I'm so sorry…" Amity started her speech.

"Oh, Titan, we're back to that…" Eda mumbled in annoyance, interrupting the younger woman, "No one's angry, Blight. I just need to know what happened to help her," She added in a much softer tone, guiding the lavender-haired woman to the living room and helping her with the human's feverish body.

"Sh-she saved me from the Boiling Rain…" Amity spoke with a Healer-like coldness.

"You weren't hurt?" The older woman asked with worry.

"I…" Amity hesitated, helping Luz to the couch, "She helped me… She guided me…" It was more than enough for Eda to know what happened.

"You remembered how to heal, didn't you?" Amity nodded in shame, "Iʼm so sorry you had to go through that…" Eda whispered, knowing that Luz had to go through the same pain on the top of her burns.

"It's… Okay, I guess…" Amity replied, and her eyes suddenly stuck on the wall above the couch, "Are you a wanted criminal!?" She squeaked, stepping back, taking in the framed wanted poster.

"Hah!" Eda chuckled, "Not anymore…" She smiled, watching Blight's shocked face, "Those were good times, but I went straight when I became a mother…" Amityʼs gaze traveled from the poster to Eda and then to Luz.

Her breathing hitched when she tried to comprehend everything. Luz's mother was a criminal. The human had a witch mother. Not just any witch. THE Owl Lady herself. The most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles.

That explained how the human found a way to perform magic, why she was a Hexside student, and how she knew how to protect them from the Boiling Rain. It explained everything.

"Boots, come on. You need to breathe," Eda approached the young witch and tried to help her calm down.

"N-no!" Amity pushed the older woman away, stepping back while her eyes roamed the house, "I can't be here associating with you," Her voice trembled, balancing on the verge of crying, "Iʼm a Blight…" She tugged her hair while her gaze traveled to the floor, trying to comprehend everything.

"Lily!? A little help, please!" Eda called out, and her sister came out of the kitchen, where she and Danielle waited for Amity to leave.

"M-Madam Clawthorne?" The Heiress squeaked when she noticed the Empire Coven Head just a few yards away.

"It has been a while, Miss Blight," Lilith said coldly, putting on the mask of a disappointed mentor, "Why don't I walk you home to your sister," She offered, eyeing the frightened like a child yet all too powerful witch before her.

"Am-... Amity…" Luz let out, and neither Eda nor Lilith knew if it was a cry for help or a sleep-adorned mumble.

"Luz!" The young jumped forward, falling to her knees, bringing herself to the level of the heated face, "Are you okay?" She asked. Eda and Lilith shared a knowing look.

"That was a quick transition from the Blight to Boots…" The younger sister thought with a smirk, analyzing the Heiress's behavior.

"Okay…" Luz confirmed, slurring words, "Go home… Rest… Get better…" She mumbled, and Amity nodded without another word.

"Let's go, Miss Blight…" Lilith offered, guiding her toward the front door, a white raven perching on her shoulder.

"Wait…" Amity stopped at the threshold, turning around to face Eda, "She said she needed her medicine… Whatever that meant, it seemed important," She added, and the Owl Lady nodded in understanding, "Goodbye…" She whispered.

"How many times will I have to say goodbye to you, human?" Amity's gaze lingered a moment on Luz before she forced herself to turn around and leave.