Chapter 1: Chapter 1: New Beginnings
Chapter Text
"If two people are meant to be together, they will eventually find their way back into each other's arms no matter what."
Luz Noceda awoke to the soft rustle of wings and the faint smell of Apple Blood. The usual comfort of the Owl House surrounded her: the dim lighting, the odd, quirky artifacts scattered around, and the warm presence of the beings who had become her family.
She stretched, yawning as the sunlight filtered through the windows in warm streaks. It was a new day, full of magic, chaos, and possibilities. And it was a school day. Luz had been looking forward to it ever since she'd made the decision to stay in this strange world full of witches, demons, and wild creatures. Magic was her destiny, she was sure of it. No more mundane life in the human world. This was her chance to belong somewhere, to learn, and to prove that she could be a great witch.
After a few more minutes of trying to shake off the lingering haze of sleep, Luz rolled out of bed, thesound of Eda's loud cackling echoing through the halls. Eda, the mighty Owl Lady, was probably up to something mischievous again, and Luz couldn't help but smile. Life with Eda was always full of surprises.
As she trudged into the living area, she saw Eda leaning back in her chair, drinking what appeared to be too much Apple Blood for one's comfort.
"Morning, Luz!" Eda greeted, her grin wide and mischievous. "You ready for another day of magical mayhem?"
Luz stretched her arms above her head, trying to hide her excitement. "Ready as I'll ever be, I guess. I just... I still can't believe this is all real. Magic, witches, monsters! And now I'm going to school with other kids who are just like me!"
"Just like you, huh?" Eda smirked. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. You've got a lot to prove, kid."
"Yeah, but I can do this!" Luz's voice had that hopeful, determined ring to it, like she was ready to take on the world. And she was. She had to be.
King, who was perched on his usual spot near the window, watching the world go by with exaggerated grandeur, added in his tiny, but very confident voice, "School is full of stupid losers! But don't worry! I'm here to teach you how to be awesome and not a loser like the other kids!"
Luz laughed, walking over to ruffle King's fur. "Thanks, buddy. I think I'll manage." She headed toward the door and glanced back at Eda. "I'm going to head out! I gotta get to school!"
"Good luck, kid!" Eda called after her, not really seeming all that concerned.
Outside, the morning air was crisp, the sky painted in hues of soft purple and gold. The Owl House was situated on a cliff, overlooking a vast, enchanting landscape that seemed to stretch on forever. It was a land full of magic, where strange creatures roamed and the very air hummed with power.
But as much as Luz loved it here, school was still... complicated.
Sure, there was the promise of learning magic, which was exactly what she had dreamed of. But there was also the overwhelming uncertainty about her place at Hexside, the magical school where she was now enrolled. She was a human in a world of witches, a girl who had no magical abilities of her own—at least not yet. Everyone was either talented, smart, or had something special to offer, and Luz... well, she didn't always feel like she fit in.
As Luz made her way down the winding path leading from the Owl House, she was already trying to mentally prepare herself for whatever awaited her. She was so focused on that that she nearly ran into Hooty, who suddenly popped his head out from the door.
"HEY THERE, LUZ! YOU'RE LATE AGAIN!" Hooty's voice boomed with his usual enthusiasm, making Luz flinch and laugh at the same time. "OWLBERT IS GETTING IMPATIENT. HE'S SAYING HE'LL DROP YOU ONCE YOU REACH SCHOOL"
"Oh no, not again!" Luz groaned, picking up the pace as she hurried to the bus stop, Hooty's voice still echoing behind her.
Luckily, Owlbert decided against dropping her. Luz hopped on, waving to Hooty, who shouted his usual friendly nonsense after her. She waved back, feeling a bit better. At least she had Hooty's enthusiastic presence to help her start the day on a light note.
The ride to Hexside wasn't long, but it gave Luz plenty of time to think. She couldn't deny that her feelings for the school were a little... mixed. She was thrilled to be a part of something bigger than herself, but there was still the gnawing uncertainty about how well she would fit in with the others. Most of the students were witches, after all. They had their magic, their training, their place in the world.
And then there was Amity.
Luz's thoughts wandered to her, and her frustration began to mount. Amity Blight. The top student at Hexside, a witch with enough skill and confidence to make everyone else look like they were just pretending. She was beautiful, talented, and—frankly—a bit intimidating. The way Amity held herself, so composed and poised, always made Luz feel like a total mess in comparison.
And yet... there were times when Luz couldn't help but notice how lonely Amity seemed, how defensive she was, especially when it came to her family. Luz had heard bits and pieces from Willow, who was far more vocal in her dislike of Amity. To Willow, Amity wasn't just a show-off; she was a reminder of everything that was wrong with Hexside's "perfect" students.
A memory lingered in her head about a conversation with Willow, her closest friend in The Boiling Isles, featuring Amity.
"Don't let her get to you," Willow had said one day, her voice barely above a whisper as they sat together in the library. "She's got that whole 'I'm better than you' thing down, but she's not nearly as perfect as she thinks. People like her are the worst."
Luz hadn't really agreed, but she hadn't fully disagreed either. Amity wasn't exactly friendly, but Luz also wondered if there was more to her than the tough exterior. What made someone like Amity so cold, so judgmental?
Owlbert slowed as he neared Hexside, and Luz's thoughts snapped back to the present. As they disembarked, she made her way toward the entrance, but not before noticing Amity ahead, surrounded by her usual group. She couldn't help but feel a bit... uneasy, like there was something she should be paying attention to but couldn't quite figure out.
Hey, Luz!" A voice called from beside her, breaking her thoughts. It was Willow, her closest friend here. Willow's green hair bounced with every step as she hurried to catch up.
"Morning, Willow!" Luz smiled at her. Willow was always quick to lift her spirits—her kindness was something Luz could always rely on.
But that smile quickly faltered when they both saw Amity. Willow's face twisted into a frown.
"Ugh, I hope I'm not in any classes with her today," Willow muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing as Amity passed by with her usual smug expression.
Luz glanced at Willow, then back at Amity. She couldn't help the flicker of discomfort that stirred inside her. On one hand, she agreed with Willow—Amity had been rude the few times they'd interacted. She had a way of making Luz feel like a total outsider, like she didn't belong here. But then... there were those moments, those strange glances where Luz could've sworn she saw something else in Amity's eyes. A crack in the armor.
"Let's just get to class," Luz said, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. "I'm not in the mood for drama."
They both entered the school, walking through the crowded hallways toward their first class. As they passed by, Luz caught Amity's gaze again, and for a split second, she almost felt... challenged. It was like Amity was daring her to be better, to prove that she could belong.
But Luz couldn't quite decide if she hated it or if she wanted to take that challenge.
The bell rang, signaling the start of their first class. Luz and Willow made their way to their seats, and the classroom buzzed with the usual chatter of students getting ready for the lesson. Luz could feel the weight of her uncertainty pressing down on her. School was starting, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was still trying to find her place.
As they sat down, Luz couldn't help but glance at Amity. She was sitting in the front of the class, of course, surrounded by her usual group of students—others who were just as talented and sharp as she was. Amity's posture was perfect, like she didn't have a care in the world. The way she held her head high made Luz feel like she was the one who didn't belong in this room.
But what really bothered Luz, beyond Amity's confidence, was the way Amity acted around her. It wasn't just the cold, dismissive attitude—it was the way Amity acted like Luz wasn't even worth acknowledging. There was something about it that really irked Luz. It felt like Amity was trying to put her in her place without even trying.
Willow, sitting next to Luz, nudged her with her elbow, pulling her out of her thoughts. "Don't even look at her," Willow muttered, her voice tinged with bitterness. "You know she doesn't like you. Or anyone, really."
Luz didn't respond immediately. She wasn't sure how she felt about Willow's comment. Part of her agreed—Amity did seem like someone who was always looking down on others, who couldn't be bothered to treat anyone as an equal. But there was another part of Luz, one that was starting to wonder if there was more to Amity than that. Maybe... maybe she was just misunderstood.
"Yeah, I know," Luz said quietly, her eyes drifting back toward Amity. "But I can't help but wonder... why does she act like that? What's her deal?"
Willow shot her a sharp look, her lips pressed into a tight line. "She's a brat, Luz. I don't know what you see in her, but she's not someone you should waste your time on."
Luz opened her mouth to protest, but before she could respond, the door to the classroom swung open. The professor entered with a flourish, and the students quickly quieted, all turning their attention to the front.
"Alright, settle down, everyone!" Professor Henry's voice rang out as he began writing complex runes on the chalkboard. Luz tried to focus on the lesson, but her mind kept drifting back to Amity. She couldn't help it. There was something about her presence that made Luz want to understand her, even if it meant dealing with the sharp edge of her attitude.
"Today, we'll be focusing on combining elemental magic with abominations," Professor Henry announced. "This is a difficult technique, so you'll need to concentrate. Everyone partner up!"
Luz felt a nervous flutter in her stomach. She wasn't great with abomination magic yet, and the thought of pairing up with someone made her uneasy. She glanced around the room, hoping she could find a partner who wouldn't judge her too harshly.
But of course, Amity was already making her way over to a different group of students. And by the time Luz turned her attention to Willow, she saw her already paired up with another student who had a far more approachable vibe. That left Luz with... no one.
"Uh, Professor Henry?" Luz raised her hand tentatively.
"Yes, Luz?" The professor looked up, his glasses perched precariously on the edge of his nose.
"I... uh, I don't have a partner."
There was a moment of silence, and then he nodded. "Ah, no problem! You can pair with Amity. I'm sure she'll be happy to help you out."
Luz froze. Amity? Of all the people in the room, she had to be paired with Amity? Her stomach twisted into knots. She could already feel the cold, judgmental stare that was about to follow.
Amity turned slowly, her green eyes narrowing in a way that made Luz feel like she was under a microscope.
"Amity," Professor Henry continued, "Luz is your partner for the day. Help her with the abominations, alright?"
Amity's lips twitched into a barely noticeable frown, but she didn't argue. With an air of reluctant politeness, she walked over to Luz's desk and sat down beside her. The moment their eyes met, Luz could feel her heart race, the tension thick in the air.
"Great," Amity said, her voice flat. "I'm thrilled."
Luz didn't know what to say to that. The sarcasm was clear, and she couldn't tell whether it was aimed at her or just part of Amity's general attitude. She forced a smile, trying to keep things light. "Uh, yeah, this is going to be... fun, huh?"
Amity didn't respond right away, instead pulling out a book from her bag and flipping it open to a page that was covered with abomination information and diagrams. Luz watched, a little awestruck, as Amity quickly scanned the page, her fingers brushing over the complex lines as though they were second nature to her.
Luz felt a stab of frustration. It was like Amity was made for this world, and Luz was just... stumbling through it. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't keep up. It was the same feeling she had whenever she saw Amity in action—this sense of inadequacy that kept creeping up on her.
"So, what's the trick to this?" Luz asked, trying to sound casual.
Amity didn't look up from the book. "The trick is to understand the relationship between the elemental magic and the abominations. You can't just mix them together randomly. It's about balance."
Luz nodded, but she didn't quite understand. She watched Amity's hands as she started drawing circles in the air, the circles glowing a light purple as they formed. It was incredible. Mesmerizing, even. Amity was so confident with her magic, like it came naturally to her.
Luz couldn't help the bitter feeling that started to creep into her chest. She hated it. Hated how easily Amity made everything look. Hated how much better she was. But at the same time, there was something else... something like envy, mixed with curiosity. Why did Amity have to be so perfect? Was she even a witch, or was she just a product of all that pressure to be the best?
Luz tried to ignore the strange knot in her stomach as she began to draw her glyphs and set them off. They weren't as clean, nor were they as big as Amity's, but they were a start.
"So," Luz asked, breaking the silence between them. "You always this... serious?"
Amity glanced at her, her eyes momentarily laced with hatred before she closed off again. "I take my magic seriously. You should too."
There it was. The distance. The wall that Luz couldn't quite break through, no matter how hard she tried. And for some reason, that bothered her more than it should've.
The rest of the class passed in a blur. Amity's perfection was hard to ignore, and Luz's feelings—frustration, confusion, and a strange, gnawing curiosity—only grew stronger.
When the bell rang to signal the end of class, Luz stood quickly, eager to escape the tension. But as she walked toward the door, she couldn't shake the thought that had been lingering in her mind the entire time:
Why did Amity make her feel this way?
Chapter 2: Chapter 2: A Day at Hexside
Chapter Text
The morning air in Bonesborough was brisk and carried a hint of mischief, as if the Isles themselves knew Luz had started her newest adventure. Clutching her journal close, Luz adjusted her Hexside uniform and set off down the path. Today, she was determined to embrace life as a Hexside student. She decided to walk to school today and King tagged along.
"Ready to conquer the day, King?" Luz asked, looking at the tiny demon perched on her shoulder.
King yawned dramatically. "Conquer? Please, I'm already the ruler of this house. But I'll allow you to assist me in spreading my dominion."
Luz giggled and gave his tiny horn a playful flick. "Let's go, Your Majesty."
As they walked, King crossed his tiny arms, glancing at her journal. "What's in there, anyway? A guide to being a weird human in a magical world?"
Luz held the journal up proudly. "Nope! It's my guide to making the Boiling Isles even weirder. Step one: Befriend every cool person at Hexside. Step two: Take copious notes on all the wild stuff here."
King snorted. "Sounds like a recipe for chaos. I approve."
Luz leaned closer, whispering dramatically, "You know, King, you could help me write it. Imagine: The Kingly Guide to Being Awesome in the Boiling Isles."
King's eyes sparkled. "Finally, a title worthy of my greatness!"
Their laughter carried them down the path until Hexside's gates loomed ahead. Though, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched—a creepy sensation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hexside buzzed with the energy of students hurrying to their respective classes. Luz's first stop was the abomination track, where she was supposed to observe and take notes. Though she wasn't enrolled in the track herself, the experience was equal parts fascinating and nerve-wracking. She narrowly avoided getting splattered with purple goop when an abomination exploded in the middle of class.
"Note to self: stand farther back next time," Luz muttered, wiping her journal clean.
By mid-morning, Luz found herself in the plant track's greenhouse, where she reunited with Willow.
"Luz! Over here!" Willow waved from her workstation, where a cluster of glowing mushrooms sprouted under her care.
Luz jogged over. "Hey, Willow! Whoa, those are amazing. Are they glowing because of magic?"
Willow smiled proudly. "Yep! These mushrooms absorb light spells and use it to grow. Want to try?"
Luz eagerly took a handful of enchanted soil and mimicked Willow's movements. Though her mushroom sprouted unevenly and flickered like a faulty lightbulb, Willow gave her an encouraging nod.
"Not bad for a first try," Willow said.
Luz grinned. "Thanks! If my magic track doesn't work out, maybe I'll become a plant witch. You make it look so easy."
Willow chuckled. "It's all about patience and practice. And having a green thumb doesn't hurt."
As they worked, Gus joined them, fresh from his illusion track session. "Ladies, behold!" he declared, conjuring a miniature illusion of Luz and Willow that performed exaggerated versions of their movements.
Luz burst out laughing. "I look like I'm flailing! Is this how you see me, Gus?"
Gus smirked. "Just a little artistic liberty. Willow, though—pure grace."
Willow rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Sure, Gus. Next time, try to capture my good side."
Their banter continued, and Luz couldn't stop smiling. Being with Willow and Gus felt like being part of a team—a feeling she cherished.
The trio's lunch break was just as lively. Luz sat cross-legged on the courtyard grass, her tray of bubbling Hexside gruel forgotten as Gus spun tales of his latest illusions.
"So there I was, surrounded by elder wraiths, and I—wait for it—conjured an illusion of a golden chalice. They totally fell for it," Gus said, finishing with a dramatic hand gesture.
Luz clapped. "Legendary! You're like a wizard...of wizards."
"That's nothing," Willow teased. "Last week, he accidentally trapped himself in one of his own illusions. We thought we lost him forever in a mirror dimension."
"Hey! That's...strategic practice," Gus countered, feigning indignation.
Luz's laughter rang out, drawing a few amused glances from nearby students. For the first time since arriving in the Boiling Isles, she felt truly connected—like she belonged.
"Okay, okay," Luz said between laughs, catching her breath. "But seriously, you two are amazing. This place wouldn't be the same without you."
Willow smiled warmly. "We're glad you're here too, Luz. It's nice having someone who makes even the craziest days fun."
"Speaking of crazy," Gus said, his tone shifting to conspiratorial. "Did you hear about the shadow sightings near Bonesborough last night?"
Luz tilted her head. "Shadow sightings? What's that about?"
Gus shrugged, leaning closer. "Rumor has it there's some kind of rogue magic messing with people. A couple of students said they felt like they were being watched on their way home."
Willow rolled her eyes. "It's probably just a prank. You know how people like to make up stories to spook the first-years."
But Luz's curiosity was piqued. "Rogue magic, huh? Sounds like something straight out of an adventure book."
"Or a horror story," Gus added, grinning.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After classes ended, Luz, Willow, and Gus decided to hang out in the courtyard, enjoying the late afternoon sun. Willow conjured a patch of grass for them to sit on, and Gus entertained them with stories of his latest exploits in the illusion track.
"Show us something new," Luz encouraged, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Gus smirked. "Prepare to be amazed."
With a flourish, he conjured an illusion of a shimmering portal, complete with swirling lights and faint whispers. Luz leaned forward, utterly captivated, while Willow examined it with a critical eye.
"It's so real," Luz said in awe. "I feel like I could step through it."
"That's the idea," Gus replied, clearly pleased with himself.
Willow reached out to touch the portal, and her hand passed through it harmlessly. "Impressive, but you're going to give someone a heart attack with this."
"Only if they scare easily," Gus said with a wink.
The camaraderie made Luz feel at home, even in this strange, magical world. As the sun dipped lower, she remembered she had promised Eda she'd pick up some potion ingredients on her way back to the Owl House.
"I'll catch you guys later," she said, standing and dusting off her uniform. "Duty calls."
"Bye, Luz!" Gus and Willow chorused, waving as she walked away.
As Luz wandered through the bustling halls of Hexside, her mind was still replaying the day's events. She turned a corner and—
BAM!
She collided with someone, nearly dropping her journal. As Luz scrambled to steady herself, she looked up and froze. Standing in front of her, scowling and clutching her own stack of books, was Amity Blight.
"Oh no," Luz whispered under her breath.
Amity's sharp golden eyes narrowed. "Watch where you're going, human," she said coldly, brushing herself off.
Luz gulped. "Uh, sorry about that. I didn't see you there."
Amity didn't respond immediately. Instead, she studied Luz with a mix of irritation and something else—something unreadable. Finally, she huffed. "Just...watch where you're going next time."
Luz straightened her posture, determined to stand up for herself. "Hey, I said I was sorry! You don't have to be so mean about it."
Amity's eyes widened, then narrowed again. "Mean? You're the one who wasn't paying attention. Maybe if you focused instead of daydreaming all the time—"
"Daydreaming? I was thinking about important stuff!" Luz interrupted, her cheeks burning.
Amity's lips twitched, as if suppressing a smirk. "Sure you were. Just stay out of my way."
As she walked away, Luz's frustration simmered. "Great job, Luz. Way to make things worse."
She didn't have much time to dwell on it. That creeping sensation returned—the feeling of being watched. Turning her head, she saw it again: the shadowy figure from before. It lingered at the edge of the hallway, unmoving.
Luz's breath hitched. "Not this again..."
The figure tilted its head, almost mockingly, before fading into the dimness. Luz stood frozen, her heart pounding. Whatever this was, she knew it wouldn't be the last time she encountered it.
Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Eerie Whispers
Chapter Text
Luz and King sat cross-legged on the wooden floor of the Owl House, their eyes locked in a fierce but playful competition. Between them lay a deck of Hexes Hold'Em cards, enchanted and shimmering faintly with magical energy. King squinted at his hand, clutching the cards like they were a life-or-death secret.
"Ha! You're doomed, human," King proclaimed, slapping a card down on the floor with dramatic flair. "The King of Shadows strikes again!"
Luz leaned forward, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Oh yeah? Let's see how your King of Shadows deals with the... Portal of Peril!" She laid down a card that sparkled ominously.
King gasped. "Not the Portal of Peril! That... that's cheating!"
"It's not cheating," Luz said with a laugh. "It's strategy."
Eda lounged on her throne-like chair, sipping a mug of apple blood and chuckling at their antics. "You two are ridiculous. You've got no poker faces. I could've wiped the floor with both of you by now."
"It's called Hexes Hold'Em, not Eda Wipes the Floor," Luz shot back.
King stuck out his tongue. "Yeah, old lady. You just sit there and keep your commentary to yourself."
Eda rolled her eyes "Who ya callin' old?!" she said as she smiled fondly. The warmth of their laughter filled the room, a rare moment of peace amidst the usual chaos of the Owl House. King slapped down another card with a victorious yell.
"Ha! You activated my Oblivion Trap! Say goodbye to your Portal of Peril!"
"NOOO!" Luz groaned dramatically, flopping onto her back. "How do you keep winning?!"
"I'm a tactical genius, that's how," King declared, puffing out his tiny chest.
"More like a lucky gremlin," Luz muttered, narrowing her eyes as she plotted her next move.
King shot her a smug look. "Don't hate the player, hate the magic."
Eda's laughter rang out again, but her expression shifted subtly. A strange, heavy feeling seeped into the air, like the tension before a thunderstorm. Her smile faded. She excused herself and went over to Hooty. "Hooty," she called, standing and setting her mug aside. "I need to check something. Keep an eye on these two. Under any circumstance, do NOT let them outside. Don't let anyone other than their friends come inside either. Do I make myself clear? "
"You got it, Eda!" Hooty's cheerful yet obnoxious voice echoed through the house.
Eda stepped outside, her golden eyes scanning the horizon. The Owl House's strange architecture creaked softly in the breeze. She turned to Hooty, who stretched his face out to meet her.
"What's up, boss?" Hooty asked, tilting his head.
"Something's wrong," Eda muttered. "Do you feel it?"
Hooty nodded, his usual goofy demeanor replaced by something more serious. "Yeah. There've been whispers lately. Shadows are moving where they shouldn't be. I... didn't want to scare anyone, but it's been happening at night. Midnight, usually."
Eda's frown deepened. "And you didn't think to tell me?"
"I thought it was just some nocturnal creatures messing around! You know, creepy-crawlies being creepy. But this... this feels different. Stronger."
Eda nodded, her gut churning. She glanced back at the house. Luz and King's laughter still echoed faintly, blissfully unaware of the growing unease.
When she returned, the game was finally wrapping up. King had declared himself the undefeated champion and retreated to his corner with a bag of snacks for his victory feast. Luz picked up Owlbert, who had been perched nearby, watching the game with silent judgment. She stroked the staff's wooden frame thoughtfully before turning to Eda.
"Hey, Eda," she began hesitantly, "can we talk?"
Eda's gaze sharpened. "What is it, kid?"
Luz explained the strange presence she'd felt in the forest during her last outing. The way the shadows had moved, the whispers that seemed to call her name.
Eda's heart sank. "You felt it too. Not only that, but you saw it?!"
Luz nodded, her expression serious. "I thought it was just me. Is it... bad?"
Eda sighed. "Bad doesn't even begin to cover it. Listen, stay here with King. Don't go wandering off, got it?"
Luz frowned but nodded. "Got it."
Out of boredom, Luz decided to invite Gus and Willow over. It was Saturday, and school wasn't a concern. Within an hour, the trio was gathered in the living room, playing a mix of games. They started with Monopoly, which devolved into chaos when Gus became obsessed with owning all the railroads.
"So, you're telling me that in the human realm, people fight over fake money to own rectangles of paper?" Gus asked, bewildered.
"Yep," Luz said proudly. "It's a time-honored tradition of capitalism."
Willow chuckled. "I think I'll stick to growing plants. They're much less stressful."
King joined in briefly but quit in frustration when Luz refused to trade him Boardwalk. They moved on to Jenga, which turned into a chaotic mess when King insisted on pulling blocks out with his teeth.
"That's cheating, King!" Willow scolded, though she was laughing too hard to be serious.
"It's called strategy," King retorted, echoing Luz from earlier.
Next was Uno, where Luz unleashed a barrage of Draw Four cards on an unsuspecting Gus.
"This game is evil!" Gus exclaimed, throwing his cards in the air. "I demand a rematch!"
After a few more rounds of games, including an intense memory game that King somehow dominated ("I have the memory of a titan!" he claimed), the group collapsed into a pile of laughter and snacks.
Luz unveiled her secret weapon: a marathon of the Harry Potter movies that she found in Eda's storage along with a 35-inch TV. The first movie started with Luz explaining the premise.
"So, Harry's an orphan who finds out he's a wizard. He goes to this magic school called Hogwarts, and everything gets crazier from there," Luz summarized.
They watched in awe as the story unfolded. Gus was particularly fascinated by the moving staircases.
"Imagine the logistics of that," he said. "How do students not get lost?"
"They do," Luz replied with a grin.
King, who had woken up from his nap, quickly became invested in the villains. "This Voldemort guy has potential," he said, munching on snacks. "Bold branding with no nose."
Willow gasped at the first Quidditch match. "This sport is wild. Kind of like a mix of Flyer Derby and Grudgby. Why don't we have brooms like that?"
"You have Palismens. Also, budget cuts," Luz joked.
By the time they reached the fifth movie, the sun had set, and the cozy atmosphere was broken by a loud bang outside.
"What was that?" Willow asked, sitting up.
Hooty immediately intervened. "Oh, nothing to worry about! Just some rebellious teens setting off fireworks, I bet."
Luz squinted at him. "Rebellious teens? Really?"
"Yup! Nothing suspicious here," Hooty said, his voice a bit too cheerful.
Unconvinced but unwilling to argue with the bird tube, they returned to the movie. Yet, Luz couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them. The presence she'd felt before now seemed closer, almost suffocating. She glanced at the window, but the darkness revealed nothing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eda had reached her sister's home. her relationship with her sister was fixed a long time ago with the help of Luz. Lilith greeted her with a raised eyebrow. "What brings you here, Edalyn?"
Eda wasted no time explaining the situation. Lilith's expression darkened. "This presence... if it's as strong as you say, it's likely drawn to Luz. She's human, and humans don't belong here."
Eda cursed under her breath. "What do we do?"
"We prepare," Lilith said grimly. "We research every possible angle. You should stay here for a while. It's too dangerous to go back without answers."
Eda hesitated, then pulled out her crystal ball and called Hooty. "Hey, bird brain, listen up. I'm staying with Lilith for a couple of days to figure this out. Luz and her friends can have a sleepover, but you better keep that house safe and clean, got it?"
"Don't worry, Eda!" Hooty replied, puffing out his chest. "I'll guard this house with my life! But hurry back, okay?"
"I will," Eda promised before ending the call.
Back at the Owl House, the fifth movie continued. Luz, Gus, Willow, and King were engrossed in the story when a louder, more deliberate bang sounded outside. The room fell silent.
"Hooty?" Luz called.
"Still just those rebellious teens!" Hooty said nervously.
"Yeah, sure," Willow muttered, feeling uncomfortable the longer they talked to him. "Let's just finish the movie."
They dimmed the lights and resumed watching, but the tension lingered. Luz's grip on Owlbert tightened as the presence pressed closer. Something was coming, and it wouldn't be long now. Although, as time went by, she relaxed and forgot about the creepy presence that was felt earlier.
And so, the shadows crept ever nearer, leaving Luz and her friends oblivious to the danger awaiting them.
Chapter Text
Sunday passed in a blur of games, laughter, and makeshift adventures at the Owl House. Luz, Willow, and Gus had a surprisingly great time despite the eerie absence of Eda. The house, as chaotic and unpredictable as its owner, felt like a sanctuary—a weird, slightly creepy sanctuary. Hooty, ever the eccentric host, ensured that no one forgot his presence for too long.
Monday morning arrived, bringing with it the familiar hum of routine. Hooty, ever vigilant, stretched his owl face towards the crystal ball and called out, "Eda! Hey, Eda! Can the kids go to school or what?"
After a long pause, Eda's voice crackled through the enchanted communication orb. "Yeah. Just make sure they're safe."
Luz grinned at the confirmation and turned to her friends. "Guess it's time to face another school day."
Willow and Gus groaned but quickly perked up. "We'll head home to change and grab our uniforms," Willow said. "Don't worry, Luz, we'll be back after school. We're not leaving you alone until Eda gets back."
"Yeah! Sleepover part two!" Gus added enthusiastically.
With that, they left the Owl House, promising to return as soon as they could. Luz waved them off, already anticipating their company later that day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
School progressed as usual. Luz's classes were filled with moments of awe and wonder—she still couldn't get over the fact that she was learning actual magic. Willow and Gus were a comforting presence, and the trio managed to sneak in some laughs between lessons. But as the day wore on, Luz found herself increasingly distracted, her mind wandering to thoughts of Eda, the house, and the strange bond she was slowly building with the Boiling Isles.
Towards the end of the day, as students began filtering out of Hexside's hallways, Luz rounded a corner in a rush and collided with someone. Books and papers scattered everywhere.
"Ugh, watch where you're going!" came the sharp voice of none other than Amity Blight.
Luz froze. "Oh, Amity! I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention..." She crouched to gather the papers.
Amity crossed her arms, glaring. "Do you even think before you act? Honestly, it's no wonder you're always in trouble. You're reckless, irresponsible, and overall the worst person ever! Did your parents not teach you any manners? I bet your father works day and night to provide for you, yet here you are—"
Her words hit harder than Luz expected. Unbeknowst to Amity, Luz's father had already passed on. The usual playful deflections didn't come to her this time. She bit her lip, trying to keep her emotions in check. "I... I didn't mean to cause trouble. I'm really sorry."
Amity's eyes widened slightly at the genuine sadness in Luz's voice. Before she could respond, Luz quickly stood up, handed over the papers, and mumbled, "I'll... I'll get out of your way now."
She hurried off, her chest tight. By the time she reached the courtyard where she was supposed to meet Willow and Gus, she was still replaying the encounter in her head.
"Wait!"
The voice stopped her in her tracks. Luz turned to see Amity jogging toward her, her expression uncharacteristically uncertain. "Luz," she began, catching her breath, "I... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said all that. I went too far."
Luz blinked, surprised. "You... you mean that?"
Amity nodded, fidgeting slightly. "Yes. I... I've been under a lot of pressure lately, and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. That wasn't fair. I hope you forgive me.."
Luz studied her for a moment before a small smile tugged at her lips. "It's a start."
Amity's lips curved into a hesitant smile in return. For a brief moment, the tension melted away, and they shared a quiet understanding.
"See you around, Amity," Luz said, turning to head back to her friends. She felt lighter, the encounter leaving a strange but pleasant warmth in her chest.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Willow and Gus were waiting with their bags packed. They had not only brought clothes and uniforms but also blankets, snacks, and a few magical trinkets. "We told our parents we'll be staying at the Owl House until Eda gets back," Willow explained. "They're okay with it as long as we check in."
"Wow, you guys are the best!" Luz said, genuinely touched.
As they walked back to the Owl House, Luz recounted her encounter with Amity. Willow's expression darkened immediately.
"Luz, I know you're trying to see the best in people, but Amity has been awful to me for years. She doesn't deserve your kindness."
"I get it, Willow," Luz said earnestly. "But I don't think she's a bad person. She's just... confused. Misunderstood. Maybe even lonely. I think she wants to change."
Willow hesitated but eventually sighed. "I trust you, Luz. Just... be careful, okay?"
"Of course," Luz said with a grin. "You two have my back, right?"
Gus gave her a thumbs up. "Always."
The three friends arrived at the Owl House just as the sun began to set, the warm hues of twilight painting the Boiling Isles in shades of orange and pink. It felt like a fresh start, a chance for new beginnings. As they settled in for another night, Luz couldn't help but feel hopeful for what lay ahead.
The trio entered the Owl House, their stomachs growling audibly after a long day. To their surprise, the aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air.
"Dinner is served!" Hooty's voice rang out cheerfully. The animated doorframe revealed a table adorned with steaming dishes of what looked like magical delicacies. King stood proudly next to him, holding a napkin over his arm like a tiny waiter.
Luz exchanged a nervous glance with Willow and Gus. "Uh... thanks, Hooty. It smells... amazing."
Tentatively, they each took a bite. Their eyes widened in shock.
"This is actually... really good," Gus said, his voice muffled by a mouthful of food.
"Yeah, Hooty! Who knew you could cook like this?" Willow added, genuinely impressed.
Hooty giggled, clearly pleased. "Oh, you know, I have many talents!"
While Hooty and King set up the table, the trio went to freshen up and change. Luz directed Gus to the washroom and Willow to her room, while she headed to Eda's quarters.
Gus emerged first, wearing his Hexside uniform but swapping the standard cape for a bright, patterned scarf. Willow chose a comfortable green dress with vine-like embroidery, a nod to her plant magic. Luz returned last, donning a loose, patched-up sweater and dark pants borrowed from Eda's eccentric wardrobe.
They sat down to eat, offering genuine thanks to Hooty for the meal. "You really outdid yourself," Luz said, her grin stretching ear to ear.
After dinner, they moved to the living room, pulling out board games, card games, and even some paper-based challenges. Laughter filled the air as they played, the tension of the day fading away. When Hooty hovered nearby, they invited him to join.
"Really? You mean it?" Hooty's voice cracked with emotion.
"Of course!" Luz said. "You're part of the team!"
As the games continued, they realized Hooty wasn't as annoying as he seemed. "You're just lonely, huh?" Gus remarked. Hooty nodded, and they all promised to include him more often.
Eventually, they dug into Eda's stash of DVDs, laughing at the eclectic mix of titles. As the movies played, the cozy atmosphere turned eerie. Luz felt a strange presence growing stronger. She scooted closer to Hooty.
"Hooty," she whispered, "something's wrong."
Hooty straightened, his demeanor shifting to one of vigilance. He locked all doors and windows. Moments later, a crash echoed from upstairs—from Luz's room.
They froze. Hooty turned to them. "Don't. Make. A. Sound."
The TV was turned off, and they hid under blankets. Hooty slithered upstairs to investigate. Shattered glass littered the room, and the air felt heavy with malice. Hooty's nerves tingled. No one had come upstairs, yet the damage was undeniable.
Outside, a storm raged, boiling rain pouring down in sheets. Hooty activated a shield around the Owl House. The crystal ball buzzed to life with Eda's frantic face.
"Good job with the shield, Hooty," she said, her relief palpable. But when Hooty described the broken glass, her expression darkened. "Hooty, find the intruder. Throw them into the boiling rain if you have to."
Hooty nodded and hung up. He returned to the room, his body coiled in readiness. A pair of glowing red eyes stared back from the shadows.
"Humans. Must Die. Portal. Don't belong." The figure's deep voice was chilling. Before Hooty could react, it vanished into the darkness.
Hooty stayed alert, guarding the house through the stormy night, while the others huddled together below, their unease growing until eventually sleeping. As they slept, they clung onto each other as if something might happen to them if they let go. Hooty decides to tell Eda in the morning to avoid disturbing her in case she was sleeping. It was midnight after all.
Notes:
Sorry if the chapters are too rushed and short. I've been busy lately :/
Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Through the Stillness
Chapter Text
The dimly lit living room of the Owl House was filled with the glow of the TV screen as Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix played. Gus was on the edge of his seat, captivated by the battle between the wizards and the Death Eaters. Willow munched on a handful of snacks, her eyes wide with excitement, while King had draped himself dramatically over a beanbag, declaring himself the Supreme Sorcerer of Snacks.
Luz, however, was struggling to focus. The eerie presence she had felt earlier in the forest now seemed to press against the walls of the Owl House, suffocating and oppressive. Hooty had convinced the kids that it was just those same troublesome teens again. This was hard for Luz to believe. Kids? In the boiling rain? She gripped Owlbert tightly, her eyes darting toward the windows every so often.
Willow nudged her. "You okay, Luz? You've been really quiet. Not like you at all."
"Yeah," Luz replied, trying to sound casual. "Just... really into the movie."
"Is it Voldemort?" King asked, pointing a claw at the screen. "Because if it is, I can't blame you. That dude's creepy."
"It's not Voldemort," Luz said with a weak laugh. "I'm just..." She hesitated, glancing at the window again. "Never mind. Let's just keep watching."
King gave her a suspicious look but didn't press further.
Outside, the forest surrounding the Owl House was unnervingly still. The usual sounds of nocturnal creatures had vanished, replaced by a suffocating silence. Shadows danced unnaturally, twisting and stretching as if alive. A faint whisper echoed through the trees, words too quiet to understand but chilling nonetheless.
Hooty, ever vigilant, stretched his face out to peer into the darkness. "I don't like this," he muttered to himself. "Not one bit." He tightened his spiraling body around the Owl House, his glowing eyes scanning the forest.
Back inside, the group decided to pause the movie after a particularly tense scene.
"I can't believe they killed Sirius," Gus said, his voice filled with genuine distress. "He was just starting to feel like Harry's real family."
Willow sighed. "It's so unfair. Why do the good characters always die?"
"Because pain builds character," Luz quipped, trying to lighten the mood. "And because J.K. Rowling has no mercy."
King raised a claw. "I don't know who this J.K. is, but if she were here, I'd give her a piece of my mind. Killing off perfectly good villains is one thing, but good guys that I like?! That's just bad form."
The group chuckled, though the mood remained somber. Luz stood and stretched. "Let's take a break from the wizarding world. How about another game?"
They pulled out a deck of Uno cards and began a chaotic match. King, unsurprisingly, played dirty, hoarding Draw Four cards and cackling every time he unleashed one. Gus and Willow formed an alliance to take him down, while Luz played the role of the unpredictable wild card, switching allegiances at random.
"This isn't Uno," Willow said after King made Luz draw eight cards in a single turn. "This is war."
"War?" King said with a sinister grin. "I'll have you know, I'm undefeated in card-based warfare."
Gus snorted. "Not for long." He slammed down a Reverse card, and Willow followed it up with a Draw Two.
King gasped, clutching his chest. "Betrayed by my own comrades! How could you?"
The game ended with Luz emerging victorious, much to King's dismay. "I demand a rematch!" he declared.
"Later," Luz said, ruffling his fur. "Let's check on Hooty. He's been too quiet, and that's never a good sign."
The group gathered by the door as Hooty's face emerged. His usual cheerful demeanor was gone, replaced by unease. "Everything okay, Hooty?" Luz asked, trying to sound casual.
"Oh, uh, yeah," Hooty said quickly. "Totally fine. Just, you know, keeping an eye out for those rebellious teens I mentioned earlier."
"Rebellious teens?" Gus repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Yup! Fireworks and all! Nothing to worry about!"
Willow crossed her arms. "Hooty, what aren't you telling us?"
Before Hooty could respond, another loud bang echoed outside, followed by a low, guttural growl. The group froze.
"What was that?" Luz whispered, clutching Owlbert tightly.
Hooty straightened up, his eyes glowing fiercely. "Stay inside. Eda told me to keep you safe, and that's exactly what I'm going to do."
The growl came again, louder this time, accompanied by the sound of branches snapping. Shadows stretched unnaturally across the walls, flickering and writhing as if alive. Luz's heart pounded in her chest. She glanced at her friends, who looked equally frightened.
For just a moment, Luz's thoughts wandered to Amity. Was she safe? The distant echoes of their shared laughter and the warmth of her smile lingered in Luz's mind, grounding her. "We'll be okay," Luz thought to herself. "We have to be."
"Hooty, if something's out there, we can't just ignore it," she said.
"You're not ignoring it," Hooty replied firmly. "You're staying safe, and I'll handle whatever's out there."
King stepped forward, puffing out his chest. "Let me at it! I'll show that thing who's boss!"
"King, no," Luz said, pulling him back. "We stick together. No one goes outside unless we have to."
The group huddled together, their earlier laughter and games now a distant memory. Outside, the whispers grew louder, their words still indistinct but filled with an undeniable malice. Luz gripped Owlbert tightly, her knuckles white. Whatever was coming, it was getting closer... and they weren't ready.
The tension in the room was palpable. Luz could feel the air thickening around them, the once-comforting walls of the Owl House now feeling more like a prison than a sanctuary. The growl outside grew louder, reverberating through the walls. It wasn't just some wild animal. It was too... deliberate.
"What do you think it is?" Gus asked, his voice barely a whisper. His usual bravado was gone, replaced by genuine fear.
"I don't know," Luz replied, trying to steady her breath. "But I think it's hunting us."
Willow's face was pale, her hands clutched tightly in her lap. "We need to get to my house" she said, a note of panic creeping into her voice. "If we can get to my house, we'll be able to get help—"
"No," Luz interrupted, shaking her head. "Not yet. We can't leave the Owl House, not with whatever that thing is out there. Hooty said we should stay inside, and I trust him."
Hooty's face loomed large above the door, his expression now stern and focused. "Listen to me," he said in a low voice. "Whatever's out there, I'll take care of it. You all stay in here, and don't make a sound. Got it?"
The group nodded, and Hooty withdrew from the doorway. Outside, the growling seemed to intensify. The ground shook ever so slightly, and the shadows in the trees swelled ominously, twisting like dark tendrils searching for prey.
Willow nodded, her arms wrapped around herself as she shivered. "But what if it knows we're in here? What if it's looking for us?"
"I don't know," Luz replied, swallowing hard. "But we're not going to make it easy for it."
A deep rumble shook the walls, followed by another bone-chilling growl. The tapping intensified, now a steady beat, like fingers drumming on the glass. The shadows outside danced wildly, flickering like flames, moving in unnatural ways.
Suddenly, the door rattled, as if something on the other side was testing it, pushing against the hinges. The tension was unbearable.
"Is it trying to break in?" King whispered, wide-eyed. "What if it's not just one thing? What if it's a whole army?"
Luz clenched her fists, trying to steady her racing thoughts. "We don't know that for sure, King. But we can't let our guard down."
Outside, the creature—or whatever it was—seemed to be moving again, the sound of heavy footsteps thudding through the underbrush. The whispers, faint but growing louder, hummed through the air like an incantation just out of reach.
Luz stepped closer to the door, her back to her friends. She could feel the pulse of the creature's presence, like it was breathing on the other side of the walls. Whatever was out there, it wasn't going to just go away.
Without warning, a loud crash rang out from the direction of the window. The tapping stopped abruptly. Luz jumped, her heart leaping into her throat. Something had broken through.
Hooty's voice echoed from outside, sharp and commanding. "STAY INSIDE!" His face reappeared at the door, glowing brightly. "I've got it. Just hold on."
The door rattled once more, but this time it was different—there was an urgency to it, a desperation. The whispers grew frenzied, as though they were closing in, ready to consume the space around them.
Luz gripped Owlbert tighter, her knuckles white, but she didn't let the fear take hold. "No matter what happens, we stay together," she said, her voice steady, a quiet resolve settling within her.
Outside, the growls were joined by something else—a strange, guttural voice that seemed to stretch the very air around them. It was too distorted to understand, but it was unmistakably close. It was only a matter of time before it left.
The group decided it was safer to go to bed instead. They even had a school day tomorrow. They had a wind down and went to bed. The Boiling Isles was challenging Luz.
And Luz would be ready.
Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Fleeting Escapes
Chapter Text
The morning sun cast a pale glow over the Boiling Isles, its light muted by the swirling clouds overhead. The Owl House's residents gathered in the kitchen, a nervous energy hanging in the air as they prepared for the school day ahead. Luz, Gus, and Willow shared quiet glances, each still shaken by the events of the previous night. King perched on the counter, munching on a stale scone as if to convince everyone that all was normal. But it wasn't.
"So," Luz said, breaking the silence, "anyone else get, uh, zero sleep last night?"
Gus raised his hand, dark circles under his eyes. "What was that thing out there? It felt like it was staring right through the walls."
"Whatever it was, it's gone now," Willow said, though her voice lacked conviction. She adjusted her Hexside uniform, her fingers trembling. "Let's just focus on getting to school in one piece."
Luz nodded, though her thoughts were elsewhere. She couldn't shake the memory of the whispers, the shadows twisting unnaturally in the dark. She glanced at Owlbert, perched on her shoulder, as if seeking reassurance.
The walk to Hexside was unusually quiet. The usual chatter of the group was replaced by the crunch of gravel underfoot and the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. As they approached the gates, Gus and Willow split off to their respective classes, leaving Luz alone to navigate her first period.
When Luz entered the classroom, she spotted Amity already seated near the front, her nose buried in a textbook. Amity glanced up as Luz approached, a small smile softening her features. "Hey, Luz."
"Hey, Amity." Luz hesitated but slid into the seat beside her. "Ready to destroy Abominations this morning?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Amity said with a light chuckle. But her smile faltered as she noticed Luz fidgeting with her pen, her gaze unfocused. She hesitated whether she should or shouldn't ask Luz what was going on. After all, they just fixed things between them yesterday "You okay?" She finally asked after a lot of hesitation.
Luz hesitated, debating whether to share her thoughts. Finally, she sighed. "I just... last night felt off. Like something bad is about to happen. I can't shake it."
Amity frowned, her golden eyes filled with concern. "I felt it too," she admitted softly. After a pause, her expression brightened slightly. "Hey, maybe we need a distraction. Have you been to the Fair yet? It just opened near Bonesborough."
Luz's eyes widened. "The Boiling Isles have a fair?! Is it fun?"
"Yup! It's amazing," Amity said, a hint of excitement creeping into her voice. "Rides, games, food... I think you'd love it. Want to check it out after school?"
Luz grinned, excited. "Yeah, that sounds perfect. I could definitely use some fun!"
Amity just smiled at that and thought of something. "Hey...uh...what's your Penstagram? It could be useful to exchange details"
Luz's cheeks now had a slight blush over them as she pulled out her scroll that Eda had gotten her. She gave it to Amity as Amity typed in her username. She followed herself from Luz's scroll, pulled out her own scroll and followed back Luz. She gave Luz's scroll back to her.
"Here, now we can contact each other!" Amity said, excitement clear in her voice. She noticed that she was acting childish and remembered her mothers words
A Blight never acts soft in public. Showing emotions makes a Blight weak...
Amity immediately stopped her childish acts and started to focus on the topic the teacher was teaching. Luz noticed this and was concerned, but it wasn't her place to ask. She didn't know Amity that well yet. Hence, she'd have to keep her guard up at all times just in case this was a trap.
The day passed in a blur of lectures and assignments. Luz found herself looking forward to the Fair, her earlier anxiety replaced by a growing sense of excitement. When the final bell rang, she quickly messaged Amity.
Good.Witch.Luzura
Elooo! This is Luz!!!! Where do we meet up????
btw I love your username lmaoo
Minutes later, Luz got a ping on her scroll. She saw that she had a notification from Amity
WitchChick128
Fair entrance.
Good.Witch.Luzura
u r so dryyy >:(((
WitchChick128
What? I applied moisturizer this morning. I am not dry
Good.Witch.Luzura
LMAOOOO I DIDNT MEAN IT LIKE THAT LOLOLOLOL
I MEANT YOUR REPLIES ARE SIMPLE. TOO SIMKEE YOU BOOMER
SIMPLE*
WitchChick128
I still don't get it...
Nevertheless, you ought to prepare for the fair; the tardier our arrival, the swifter its cessation
Good.Witch.Luzura
Bro speaks in English Premium 💀💀💀
WitchChick128
???
Good.Witch.Luzura
Loaf it, I'll get ready. HAH BREAD PUN
WitchChick128
Okay...
By the time Luz arrived, the Fair was alive with vibrant lights and lively music. The smell of fried food and sugar filled the air, and laughter echoed from every corner. Amity was already waiting, her eyes lighting up when she spotted Luz.
"You made it," Amity said, a smile spreading across her face.
"Wouldn't miss it, WitchChick128" Luz replied with a snarky smirk plastered across her face.
"Say that again and I'll ditch you." Amity glared
"Jeez okay okay feisty. So, where do we start?" Luz jokingly defended herself with her hands up.
Amity hesitated for a moment, her fingers brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, there's the Ferris wheel, the games, or the food stalls. What do you feel like?"
"Games," Luz said immediately. "I'm a pro at carnival games."
Amity raised an eyebrow. "Really? Care to prove it?"
"Oh, it's on," Luz said with a playful grin.
They wandered to a ring-toss booth, where Luz confidently handed over a few snails. She tossed the rings with exaggerated flair, missing every single one. Amity laughed, a sound that made Luz's cheeks warm.
"Pro, huh?" Amity teased, her eyes sparkling.
"Hey, I'm just warming up!" Luz replied. "Watch and learn."
After several attempts, Luz finally managed to land a ring, earning a small stuffed griffin. She handed it to Amity with a mock bow. "For you, m'lady."
Amity blushed, clutching the plush tightly. "Thanks. It's cute."
They continued exploring the Fair, stopping to try various foods and laughing as they navigated the crowded stalls. At one point, they shared a Lenuff cake (Funnel cake in the human realm), powdered sugar dusting their hands and faces. Luz attempted to spin a tale about being a "funnel cake thief," complete with dramatic gestures, earning a genuine laugh from Amity.
As they walked past the Ferris wheel, Amity hesitated. "Do you... want to ride?"
Luz glanced at the towering structure. "Only if you're okay with it. Heights don't bother me."
"They don't bother me either," Amity said quickly, then added with a small smile, "but, uh, maybe you should sit next to me. Just in case."
The ride was slow and peaceful, the bustling Fair below them looking like a sea of lights. Luz couldn't help but steal a glance at Amity, who seemed lost in thought as she stared out over the Boiling Isles.
"Thanks for inviting me," Luz said softly.
Amity turned to her, her expression serious. "I'm glad you came. You... you've been through a lot, haven't you?"
Luz hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, but tonight's been a good escape."
Amity smiled. "Then I'm glad."
By the time the Fair began to wind down, both girls were laughing and exhausted, their earlier worries forgotten. As they walked back to the Owl House, the night felt lighter, the shadows less ominous. Amity decided to spend the night at The Owl House as she found out that Luz had the 6th Azura book. They promised to read together and make voices.
When Luz opened the door to the Owl House, she was greeted by an unexpected sight. Eda stood in the living room, her expression grim.
"Eda! You're back" Luz said, but when she noticed her expression, her heart sank. "What's wrong?"
Eda sighed, running a hand through her messy hair. "Kid, we've got a problem. A big one."
Luz exchanged a worried glance with Amity, her earlier joy replaced by a knot of dread. "What kind of problem?"
Eda's gaze darkened. "The kind that doesn't wait."
To be continued
Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Fears And Feelings
Chapter Text
Luz sat by her bedroom window, staring out at the dimly lit Boiling Isles. The fair trip with Amity had been almost two weeks ago, yet the warm glow of that night still lingered in her mind. But tonight, she wasn't thinking about the fair or the fun she'd had. Tonight, her mind was clouded with the conversation she'd had with Eda.
Flashback to the Night Before
Luz sat across from Eda in the dimly lit kitchen, a cup of hot bean blood steaming in her hands. The room was quiet, too quiet, and the tension made Luz shift uncomfortably in her seat.
"So, what's the bad news?" Luz asked, attempting to keep her voice light, though a nervous pit settled in her stomach.
Eda sighed, rubbing her temples. "Kid, you ever hear of Grometheus the Fear Bringer?"
Luz blinked. "Uh... Grom? The thing Hexside locks up every year for their messed-up prom night?"
Eda nodded. "Yeah, that Grom. Turns out, it's been after you."
Luz nearly choked on her drink. "Excuse me—what?"
Eda leaned forward, her golden eyes serious. "I did some digging. Grom isn't just some random fear-eating monster—it's ancient, older than most things on this island. And for whatever reason, it's taken an interest in you."
Luz swallowed hard. "But why me?"
"That's the thing. Grom feeds off of fear, but it doesn't just consume it—it controls it. It's like a parasite, latching onto the biggest, juiciest fears it can find. And kid... you're practically an all-you-can-eat buffet."
Luz frowned. "Gee, thanks."
Eda shook her head. "I'm serious. It doesn't just want to scare you—it wants to take over. If Grom manages to latch onto your biggest fear, it could twist it, use it against you."
Luz shuddered, gripping her mug tighter. "So... what do we do?"
Eda sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. "For starters, you're not leaving this house past 7 p.m. That's when it hunts."
Luz's eyes widened. "What?! But what about my friends?"
"They can visit, sure, but they can't stay overnight. And at exactly 7 p.m., I'm putting up a protection bubble around the house," Eda said firmly. "Nothing gets in, nothing gets out."
Luz wanted to argue, to insist she could handle it, but the look in Eda's eyes told her everything. This was serious.
"Okay," Luz whispered. "I'll be careful."
Eda ruffled her hair, giving her a rare, gentle smile. "Good. You're tough, kid. But even tough people need help sometimes."
Back to the Present
Luz sighed as she gazed out at the night sky. The golden shimmer of Eda's protective spell cast a faint glow over the house, reminding Luz of the streetlights back on Earth. It was funny, in a way—she had left her world to escape reality, and now she was trapped inside her own home, just like before.
Shaking off the thought, she picked up her scroll and opened Penstagram, mindlessly scrolling through her feed. It was mostly the usual—ads for weird potions, meme pages, and random Hexside drama. But as she kept scrolling, familiar faces started to appear.
A post from Willow showed up first. She stood in the middle of a field, vines wrapping around her arms as she posed dramatically, a giant grin on her face. The caption read: "Vine magic training success! Feeling powerful today 💪🌿" Luz smiled. Classic Willow.
Next was a post from Gus. He was getting a piggyback ride from Mattholomule, both of them laughing and not even looking at the camera. The caption simply read: "Best Illusionist Duo™". Luz chuckled, making a mental note to tease him about it later.
Then she saw it.
Amity's latest post.
It was a picture of her and her siblings, Edric and Emira, sitting on the floor, playing some console game. Edric was mid-scream, Emira was laughing, and Amity—Amity had the softest smile on her face, her focus entirely on the screen. The caption read: "Sibling Night! #HomeAlone"
Luz hesitated before clicking on Amity's profile. Her heart beat just a little faster as she scrolled through Amity's older posts. Some were of her and her siblings messing around, some of her studying, and a few from various Hexside events.
Then she found it.
A post from nine months ago. Amity stood by the ocean, the golden glow of the summer sunset behind her. She wasn't looking at the camera—she was gazing out at the horizon, lost in thought. The way the light hit her hair, the soft expression on her face... Luz felt her face heat up.
"She looks..." Luz muttered to herself, but stopped before finishing the thought.
Beautiful. That's what she wanted to say. But that was normal, right? She could acknowledge that her friend was beautiful. That was totally normal.
Before she could overthink it, she turned off her scroll and buried herself under the covers. Maybe if she just slept, her brain would stop being weird.
Then—
Ping!
Luz groggily picked up her scroll, expecting some random notification, but instead, she froze.
WitchChick128
You stalkin me?~
Luz's heart nearly exploded.
Panic. Panic. Panic.
She fumbled to type back, hands shaking.
Good.Witch.Luzura
What makes you think so?
Almost instantly, Amity replied—with a screenshot.
It showed the notification where Luz had accidentally liked that sunset picture from nine months ago.
Luz practically screamed into her pillow.
She scrambled for a response.
Good.Witch.Luzura
Oh uh maybe one of your pictures resurfaced on my fyp heh
WitchChick128
Oh
Luz let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She stared at the ceiling, heart still pounding. That was too close.
But even after the panic faded, she found herself staring at Amity's Penstagram page again. She didn't know why, but something about her kept pulling Luz in. There was something different about the way she felt around Amity—something warm, something safe. And yet, it was terrifying.
She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts a tangled mess. It was too late for this. It was too late to think about why Amity's smile made her heart race. It was too late to wonder why she kept going back to her page. It was too late to question why she felt so drawn to her.
As the hours passed, Luz's eyelids grew heavy. Scroll still in hand, she finally drifted into sleep, her dreams filled with golden sunsets and minty hair.
Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Unexpected Reunions
Chapter Text
Luz groggily woke up on a lazy Sunday morning, her scroll resting beside her on the bed. She reached for it to check the time but instead found Amity's Penstagram page still open from last night. A deep blush spread across her face, and she let out a small squeak before quickly closing the app and returning to her home screen. It was already 11:23 AM—she had slept in longer than expected.
Deciding to spend the day with her friends, Luz freshened up and made her way downstairs. There, she found Eda and King deep in a discussion about King's eating habits. Curious, she stayed quiet and listened in.
"King, you can't just eat everything in the pantry overnight!" Eda scolded.
"I was HUNGRY, Eda! My royal appetite knows no bounds!" King retorted dramatically.
Eda groaned. "You're not even that big, how do you fit so much food in you?"
"A king must always be prepared for battle. My stomach is my strongest weapon!"
Luz chuckled, finally stepping forward. "Alright, you two, what’s for breakfast?"
Eda smirked. "Toast made from scream dough and two griffin eggs. That’s all you can handle."
Luz sat down and started eating while King eyed her plate. "You're really gonna eat all that?"
"Yes, King. Unlike you, I actually eat at a normal pace," Luz teased before finishing up. As she placed her plate in the sink, she turned to Eda. "I'm heading out."
"Alright, but turn on your scroll locator," Eda reminded her. "I need to pick you up before 5 PM."
Luz nodded, grabbed her scroll, and messaged Willow, Gus, and Amity. They all agreed to meet up—unaware that it would be an unexpected reunion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Willow and Gus arrived first at the famous Not-Dog stand. When Luz asked them to wait, they were confused but complied. Their confusion turned into surprise when Amity arrived.
Willow’s expression darkened. "Why is she here?"
Gus stayed silent, not having the same history with Amity as Willow did. Luz quickly stepped in. "Look, it’s water under the bridge. Amity’s changed."
Willow hesitated, arms crossed. "Really? After everything?"
Amity shifted awkwardly. "I... I wanted to apologize. For all of it. I know I was awful before, and you had every right to be mad at me. But I want to make things right."
Willow studied her carefully before finally sighing. "I don’t forgive easily. But... if you really mean it, I guess we can try being civil."
A relieved smile spread across Amity’s face. "Thank you."
Willow just simply smiled. "It's a start"
With the tension somewhat eased, they moved on to their plans for the day. They first hit up The Boiling Isles version of an arcade, where Luz and Amity teamed up against Willow and Gus in a heated battle of Hex Trixx. Amity’s strategic mind and Luz’s quick reflexes won them a surprising victory, earning Luz a triumphant fist pump from Amity that made her blush.
Afterward, they visited a grand museum dedicated to the history of the Boiling Isles. Inside, Gus was mesmerized by the exhibits, particularly the illusion magic displays. Willow, on the other hand, was more interested in the section about plant-based witches of history. Luz found it boring meanwhile, Amity started to take notes.
Luz, being Luz, suggested they have some fun. "How about we mess with the coven guards?"
Amity raised an eyebrow. "Luz…"
But Gus was already on board. "Oh, I have just the thing."
Using illusion magic, Gus and Luz conjured up images of beautiful witches floating through the halls, capturing the attention of two coven guards stationed nearby. The guards, utterly enchanted, followed the illusions down a corridor, completely distracted.
Willow sighed but couldn't hide her amusement. "You two are the worst."
Amity shook her head but smirked. "I can't believe this is actually working."
As the guards chased the illusions into a restricted section, Luz whispered, "And that’s our cue to leave."
They quickly snuck out before they could get caught, laughing as they exited the museum. "That was way too easy," Gus grinned.
With their adrenaline still high, they strolled through the park, chatting and goofing around. They stopped by a small pond, where Willow challenged them all to skip rocks. Luz, despite her enthusiasm, failed miserably, while Amity, to everyone's surprise, got her rock to bounce four times. "It's all about angles," she explained smugly. Gus managed three skips, and Willow, ever the perfectionist, got five.
Later, they stopped by a magical petting zoo, where they fed tiny dragonettes and watched a group of griffin cubs play. Gus was fascinated by an illusion-casting chameleon beast, while Willow cooed over a fuzzy bat-like creature perched on her shoulder. Amity, though hesitant at first, eventually let a small spark-hare curl up in her lap, making Luz grin at the sight.
"See? You're good with creatures too," Luz said.
Amity blushed slightly. "I guess."
As they continued walking, they passed a charm stand selling enchanted bracelets. Luz excitedly bought matching ones for everyone, each embedded with a small glowing stone. "Now, even if we get lost, we can find each other!" she said enthusiastically.
They then stopped at a small café, ordering different kinds of magically infused drinks. Luz got a caramelized potion coffee that gave her a slight energy boost, while Amity sipped on a calming lavender elixir. Gus tried an experimental invisibility tea—only for it to turn his hands see-through for ten minutes, which sent them all into fits of laughter.
Willow, checking her scroll, suddenly frowned. "I have to go. Family emergency."
Gus also glanced at his scroll. "Mattholomule and I have a big test coming up. I need to meet up with him."
That left Luz and Amity alone.
They wandered into the local park, chatting comfortably. "I had fun today," Amity admitted.
Luz grinned. "See? Told you we'd all get along."
"Well, mostly," Amity teased.
They ended up sitting on a wooden bench, watching a group of witches fly overhead. The golden afternoon light cast long shadows across the park, and for a moment, everything felt peaceful.
"I was really worried about today," Amity admitted after a pause. "I didn't think Willow would even listen to me."
Luz nudged her playfully. "Hey, progress is progress. At least she didn’t hex you."
Amity huffed but smiled. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
As they walked, something in the nearby woods caught Luz’s attention.
"That looks... off," she muttered.
"Luz, maybe we shouldn’t—" Amity started, but Luz was already dragging her along.
They ventured deeper into the woods, getting closer to the Titan’s skull. The trees grew denser, the air heavier with an eerie stillness. The further they walked, the more the atmosphere shifted. It was as if something unseen was watching them.
Then, out of nowhere, the ground trembled, and a dark figure rose from the earth. The shadows around them seemed to twist unnaturally, pulling the light from the surrounding trees.
The air around them seemed to freeze as the clocks turned to exactly 5 PM.
A gust of unnatural wind swept through the clearing, causing the trees to shudder as if whispering secrets between their branches. Suddenly, a figure emerges from the ground.
The figure’s voice rang out, cold and knowing. "Hello, Luz."
Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Unseen Changes
Chapter Text
"Hello, Luz". Luz, recognizing the voice, venomously responds, "Grom."
She glares at the entity before her and demands, "What do you want?"
Grom smirks. "You seem to have potential in you. Either you sacrifice that greenie"—he gestures toward Amity—"or you live out your worst nightmare."
Luz immediately rejects both options and launches a series of fire glyphs at Grom. "Not happening!"
Grom chuckles. "Okay, I see how it is." Without hesitation, it retaliates, launching a barrage of dark tendrils in her direction. Luz dodges swiftly, countering with more fire glyphs, creating waves of searing heat. The flames lick at Grom's form, but it merely absorbs the heat, using it to grow even stronger.
Amity quickly forms an abomination, and Luz enhances it by covering it in vines using a plant glyph. When the abomination punches, the added force makes it actually hurt Grom. Furious, Grom sends a massive shadowy claw slashing at the abomination, tearing through it like paper. The shockwave from the attack sends Luz and Amity flying backward.
Luz rolls to her feet, summoning multiple glyphs at once—fire, ice, and plant—launching them in rapid succession. Grom dodges effortlessly, its movements fluid and unpredictable. It retaliates by summoning nightmare-fueled illusions—visions of Luz failing, of her being alone, of Amity turning her back on her. Luz's mind wavers, but she grits her teeth and pushes forward.
Amity, seeing Luz struggle, creates another abomination, this time reinforcing it with hardened obsidian armor. Luz covers it with explosive vines. When it lands a punch, the explosion forces Grom to stumble, its form shifting erratically.
Grom lets out a piercing shriek, shadows expanding and swirling in a chaotic storm. The ground beneath them quakes as darkness seeps into the cracks, tendrils reaching for Luz and Amity. Luz grabs Amity's hand and pulls her away just in time, dodging another devastating strike.
Luz presses her hands against the ground, activating multiple overlapping glyphs—a ring of fire erupts around Grom, trapping it. Amity, catching on, sends her abomination charging into the blaze, its hardened form resisting the flames. Grom howls as the combined attack lands, parts of its inky form sizzling and evaporating into the night air.
But Grom isn't done.
It surges forward with alarming speed, forming jagged black spikes in the air and launching them toward Luz. She barely manages to roll away, but one slices through her sleeve, leaving a burning sensation on her arm. Gritting her teeth, she responds with a rapid barrage of ice glyphs, trying to freeze the creature in place.
For a moment, it works. Grom's body stiffens under the layer of ice, its eerie glow flickering. Amity summons another abomination, sending it to strike while it's vulnerable. But just as the attack lands, the ice shatters, and a surge of dark energy explodes outward, sending both Luz and Amity tumbling through the dirt.
Before they can react, Grom sends a massive, swirling void of darkness crashing down upon them. Luz barely has time to throw up an ice wall, but the impact shatters it instantly, sending shockwaves through the clearing.
With a burst of dark energy, Grom throws Amity against a tree, stunning her, and then engulfs Luz in its shadowy grasp.
As Luz struggles, Grom smirks, growing stronger from her fear. After absorbing a significant amount of her terror, it spits her out, now more powerful than before. With eerie satisfaction, it prepares to cover the entire town in its inky essence. Thinking fast, Luz shields Amity just before everything goes dark.
In an instant, the entire Boiling Isles blacks out. When Luz and Amity regain consciousness, they panic. "What did you do?!" Luz demands, her voice shaking.
Grom merely grins. "You'll see." And with that, it vanishes.
Still shaken, Luz and Amity rush back to the Owl House, finding Eda, King, and Hooty waiting anxiously for them. "There you are! What in the Titan's name happened out there?" Eda asks, concern evident in her voice.
"Grom did something—something bad," Luz says, breathless. "It wasn't like before. It attacked earlier than expected, and before we knew it, the whole Isles just... blacked out."
Eda's expression hardens. "That's not good. I was already on my way to get you when I saw the sky go dark. I've been keeping the house warded just in case."
Luz runs a shaky hand through her hair. "Eda, it—it got inside my head. It showed me things. And when it left, it said 'You'll see.' I don't know what that means, but I have a bad feeling. I don't even know what my greates fear is!"
Eda places a hand on Luz's shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "Kid, Grom feeds on fear, and if it got in your head, that means it saw something personal. But that doesn't mean it wins. We're gonna figure this out."
Willow and Gus, who had been hanging out at the Owl House and had been safe from the attack, come rushing in. "Luz! Amity! Are you guys okay?" Willow asks, eyes wide with concern.
"We're... fine. I learned some healing spells from Emira and used them on our way here. Plus I carry around healing patches." Amity says hesitantly. "But something isn't right."
Eda reinforces the protection spell around the house, just in case. "I don't know what Grom did, but until we figure it out, I don't want anyone going out alone. Gus, Willow, Amity—you all can stay here tonight. It's too dangerous to go out there right now."
The kids call their parents, leaving out the details about Grom. Later, in Luz's room, everyone settles in with spare sleeping bags. Gus and Willow head downstairs for a drink, leaving Luz momentarily alone. She makes her way to the bathroom, only to stop short—Amity is in the middle of changing her shirt.
Amity squeals, startled, and Luz's face turns bright red as she quickly slams the door shut. "Sorry!" she calls from the other side, her voice an octave higher than usual.
Flustered, she rushes to use the downstairs bathroom instead. When she returns, she finds everyone in their designated spots: Gus on the left, Willow beside him, then Amity, and finally, Luz's sleeping bag on the right.
As Luz prepares to lie down, she catches Willow giving her a knowing look, making her blush even more. She playfully rolls her eyes, but her heart is pounding. Sleeping next to Amity? This was going to be torture.
When Luz finally lays down, she notices Amity blushing as well. Their earlier encounter in the bathroom lingers between them. Amity's hair is down, and Luz can't help but admire it. The moment Amity looks at her, Luz quickly shuts her eyes, pretending to be asleep.
As the others drift off, Luz remains awake, unsettling questions echoing in her mind.
What did Grom do? What's her greatest fear? Why is Grom after her?
Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Fear Has a Familiar Face
Chapter Text
[TW. Please read the description before continuing ]
Luz slowly stirred awake, blinking against the soft morning light filtering into the room. She felt warmth pressed tightly against her side—and then realized Amity was curled up beside her, arms wrapped securely around her like a Koala demon refusing to let go. Her heart did a little backflip.
She's holding me... in her sleep...
A deep blush spread across Luz's cheeks, but she gently unwrapped Amity's arms. As much as she wanted to stay in that cocoon of safety forever, nature was calling.
Padding into the bathroom, she closed the door behind her and did her business, then lazily brushed her teeth, still daydreaming a little about the girl now snoozing in her bed. But as she looked up into the mirror to rinse—
Her reflection warped.
For just a second, barely a blink—her face wasn't hers. It was Grom's. Twisted, shadowy, grinning.
She gasped and stumbled back, the toothbrush clattering into the sink. Her knees hit the floor with a soft thud as her breathing sped up, heart hammering like it wanted to escape her chest. No no no no no—
The door opened.
"Luz?" Amity's voice was laced with concern. "You've been in here a while and—wait, are you okay?!"
She knelt beside Luz, cupping her face. "Hey—hey, look at me. You're okay. Breathe with me. In... and out. Just like that. I've got you."
It took a few minutes, but eventually Luz's panic subsided. Her breathing evened out, and she finally whispered, "I saw... Grom. In the mirror. Just for a second. I swear it was real."
Amity hugged her tight. "You've been through a lot. Maybe your mind's just playing tricks on you after yesterday. I'm here now, okay?"
The scent of warm bread and sizzling sausage filled the kitchen as Luz and Amity walked downstairs together, both freshly changed into their Hexside uniforms. Amity stuck close to Luz, her shoulder brushing lightly against hers every few steps. Neither of them commented on it—but neither moved away, either.
Willow and Gus were already at the table, halfway through their breakfast. Gus was gesturing wildly with a fork, crumbs flying everywhere.
"—and then WHAM, the scroll exploded in the dude's face! Turns out, he was trying to mix a truth hex with a noise curse. Classic rookie move."
Willow rolled her eyes with a smile. "Maybe if he actually read the safety instructions like I told him..."
"Oh no," Luz said dramatically as she sat down. "Not another Gus Prank Disaster. Is that three this week?"
"Four," Willow corrected, sipping her juice.
Gus puffed out his chest. "I prefer to call them experiments in magical innovation."
Luz reached for a slice of toast. "Innovation shouldn't involve getting detention."
"I didn't get detention," Gus grinned proudly. "I got banned from the Illusion track room until further notice."
"Progress," Amity deadpanned, sitting beside Luz and grabbing a piece of fruit.
They all chuckled.
"So," Luz said between bites, "what's everyone got today? Anything exciting?"
Willow perked up. "I've got a plant healing class! We're gonna learn how to revive withered firebuds. Supposedly they scream when you water them wrong."
"That's exciting to you?" Gus muttered.
"It is when you're me." Willow grinned proudly.
"I've got combat practice," Gus said. "Hoping to not break a wand this time."
"You broke two last week," Amity said, amused.
"Okay, hoping," Gus emphasized, raising his spoon like a sword. "Hope is key to success."
"And I've got... history," Luz groaned. "Because the universe hates me."
"Just doodle again like last time," Gus offered. "I liked your 'History of the Isles but Make it Fashion' sketches."
"Oh yeah," Willow smirked, "especially the one where Emperor Belos was wearing sunglasses and a crop top."
Amity covered her mouth, hiding a giggle. Luz beamed. "See, that's how you teach people history. I should be on the syllabus."
They all laughed again, the weight from earlier finally starting to fade. For a moment, everything felt normal. Peaceful, even.
Maybe Grom really is gone, Luz thought. Maybe it's just my brain messing with me.
She reached for the butter and accidentally brushed Amity's hand. Neither moved.
After finishing breakfast, the group grabbed their bags and headed out the door. The path to Hexside wound through a few crooked lanes of uneven cobblestone, lined with colorful houses, wild flora, and the occasional flailing demon or two trying to sell cursed trinkets.
The early morning sun shimmered gently through the cloudy Boiling Isles sky, casting long, soft shadows. It was calm. Peaceful. Almost.
Except, of course, for the fact that Amity Blight was currently losing her mind.
Luz had casually slipped her hand into Amity's as they left the house. No warning. No "Hey can I hold your hand?" Just whoop, hand grabbed like it was the most natural thing in the world.
And to Luz, it probably was. Or so Amity thought.
To Amity? It was an apocalypse of gay panic.
She's holding my hand. She's literally holding my hand. Oh Titan—what do I do with my other hand? Is it sweating? Am I sweating? Why am I sweating?? Did I put on deodorant?
Meanwhile, Luz was completely oblivious, chattering happily as they walked, swinging their hands between them like besties on a playground.
"Oh my gosh, look at that demon!" Luz pointed with her free hand, eyes wide. "That one has, like, four eyeballs and they're all blinking at different times. That's SO unsettling—I love it."
Gus leaned over to look. "That's a Seeing Sludge. They're harmless. Unless you owe them money."
Willow sighed. "Luz, please don't stare at every demon we pass—wait, are you sketching it right now?"
Luz held up her notebook with a proud grin, still holding Amity's hand like it was glued there. "Of course! I call it 'Blinkies.'" She turned the page. "Oh! And check this out—I saw this one demon yesterday that looked like a melted toaster with legs. I named it Crumb-burnt."
Gus clapped. "Instant classic."
Willow shook her head, trying not to smile. "You're such a dork."
"I know," Luz beamed, practically bouncing as she walked. "I'm your dork."
Amity glanced away quickly, cheeks burning red. She tried to will herself invisible. Why can't I just—be normal?!
Amity's brain was going haywire: thoughts of She's so close, Her hand is warm, Is this a date?!, and OH NO WHAT IF I SWEAT ON HER tangled into one big spiral.
"Y-you okay, Amity?" Luz asked, noticing how quiet she was. "You look kinda... pink?"
"I'M FINE," Amity blurted, voice higher than intended. "I mean—fine. Totally fine. Great. Good. Peachy."
Gus raised a brow. "You sure?"
"YES."
Luz just shrugged, content as ever, and swung their hands again. "Cool cool cool. Oh, also—look over there! That demon's tail is literally playing the flute. I NEED to learn how to do that."
They passed a stand selling "Hexcellent Breakfast Crystals" with a sign that read "Buy One, Regret None." Luz paused to look and gasped.
"Guys, we HAVE to try these sometime."
"Last time you said that, your tongue turned into a kazoo for three hours," Willow muttered.
"Exactly," Luz grinned. "Adventure!"
As they got closer to Hexside's front gates, Amity finally managed to take a deep breath, heart still doing backflips. She glanced down at their joined hands again.
She doesn't even realize what she's doing to me...
And yet, part of her didn't want to let go.
They finally reached the school premises, making Amity slightly relieved.
"Hey Amity!" Skara called, jogging up to them. "Did you see Fled's new—wait... why are you holding Luz's hand?"
Amity jolted. "W-what? I—what's wrong with that?"
Skara raised an eyebrow. "Are you two, like... dating or something?"
Both girls flushed beet red. They looked around for Willow and Gus, only to find their friends had already slipped into class.
"N-no! It's nothing like that!" Amity said quickly, stepping back as Luz just awkwardly stood there and scratched her neck.
Skara tilted her head. "Good. 'Cause she's a girl. And girls shouldn't date girls. Thought I'd remind you. Belos might petrify you if he sees you both holding hands and misunderstands, I mean, he is after Luz already." She said nonchalantly and walked away.
The world stopped.
Amity stood frozen, stunned. Boiling Isles didn't have homophobia. Even Odalia accepts of Amity being a lesbian. Luz's hand dropped to her side, her heart sinking like a stone in her chest. No... no, this isn't right. This isn't how things are here...
And that's when it hit her.
This wasn't Skara. Not really.
This was Grom. Playing its cruelest trick yet—using Luz's deepest fear: rejection for being who she was.
Luz clenched her fists, tears welling in her eyes as the truth settled in.
That's what he did. He used Luz's fear of rejection and spread it all over the Isles.
Grom's not done with us yet.
Chapter 11: Chapter 11: The Heart Under Siege
Chapter Text
[TW: Please read the description before continuing ]
"No. This can't be possible. I'm dreaming."
Luz blinked, trying to make sense of what was in front of her. Her surroundings were a blur—colors and shapes swirled together like wet paint. Her head was spinning. Her knees buckled beneath her.
And then... darkness.
The bell had rung, and students were already heading to their class. Amity, still nearby, turned just in time to see Luz collapse. Her heart jumped into her throat as she rushed over, dropping to her knees. "Luz?! Luz, wake up!"
She lightly slapped her cheek, panic rising when she got no response. The hallway was still half-full, and someone could come by any moment, so Amity scooped Luz into her arms—bridal style—and darted toward the janitor's closet.
She kicked the door open and slipped inside, closing it behind her with her foot. Gently setting Luz down against a wall, she fumbled for her scroll.
WitchChick128
Emergency. Janitors closet. Make excuse 4 class. Come now.
She stared at Luz, who was completely unresponsive. Her breathing was shallow but steady. Not even a minute passed before the door burst open again.
"Amity?!" Willow said, eyes wide. "What happened?"
"She just collapsed," Amity said, voice trembling. "She said something like 'this can't be happening' and then... she just passed out."
Gus rushed over and checked Luz's pulse. "She's alive. But this doesn't look like a regular fainting spell."
"I know," Amity said, hugging her knees. "Something's wrong. And it's not just Luz."
Willow and Gus exchanged a confused look.
"Skara said something earlier. Something awful," Amity continued. "She told Luz that... that being into girls is wrong. Like, just casually. Like she really believed it."
"What?!" Willow looked horrified.
Gus blinked. "Skara? As in, the literal co-president of the Boiling Rainbow Alliance? She was handing out glitter flags a week ago! Not only that, but she's been waving rainbow flags since second grade!"
"I know," Amity said. "That's why it scared me. What if... what if it's not just her? What if something is making people act like this? What if it's Grom's doing"
Willow looked down at Luz. "We need to find out how deep this goes."
"I'm going to try talking to Boscha," Amity said. "If I ask her something like 'what if I liked girls,' maybe she'll show her real thoughts."
"Good idea," Gus said. "In the meantime, let's try to wake Luz up."
The three turned back to Luz, still unconscious. They gently tried to wake her—no response.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The world was dark. No floor, no sky. Just an endless black void that seemed to stretch on forever.
Luz floated in the nothingness, arms limp at her sides, body spinning slowly. Her voice echoed as she spoke, but the silence swallowed it whole.
"Okay... Not creepy at all," she muttered. "Where the heck am I?"
Something flickered in the corner of her vision. She spun around—nothing. Then again, a dark blur zipped past her, faster than she could react. Cold sweat formed on her brow, even though there was no air here. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay steady.
"Show yourself!" she demanded.
From the darkness, something slithered forward—thick, black, gooey tendrils twisting into a monstrous shape. Yellow eyes glowed from the forming mass, and slowly, the figure stepped into the faint light.
Grom
Luz's stomach dropped. "You? Again?"
"You're mine, human," Grom snarled. "I've tasted your fear once before. Now I want your heart."
Luz stared him down, trying to hide her shaking limbs. "Get in line, buddy. I'm not giving anything to you."
Grom smirked, sharp teeth flashing. "Your heart is more than just flesh. It's human. It's magical. Fused with Titan blood. It's the perfect vessel. With it, I become invincible."
He slithered closer, the void around them warping with each step. "And if I can't have it now, I'll take your sanity instead. I'll haunt your dreams. Twist your thoughts. Every moment of doubt, every whisper of fear—you'll hear me. Then I'll settle for your mind. I'll haunt your thoughts. Infect your dreams. You'll feel me in every breath. And when you're broken... I'll take what's mine."
Luz backed away, hands glowing faintly with glyph energy she couldn't quite summon here. "I've beaten you once. I'll do it again."
Grom growled, tendrils lashing out. Luz tried to fight—tried to summon a glyph—but nothing worked. The void seemed to absorb her magic, rendering her helpless.
Without a warning, Grom lunged. Luz threw her arms up—and then, suddenly, she was falling. Falling fast. The shadow closed in around her like a tidal wave of ink. A scream tore from her throat as everything crashed into black.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luz jolted upright with a loud gasp, nearly slamming into Gus.
"LUZ!!" Amity, Gus, and Willow shouted together.
All three tackled her in a huge group hug.
"Are you okay? What happened?!" Willow asked.
Luz looked at all their worried faces and tried to slow her breathing. "I saw Grom."
Gus and Willow froze.
"What?" Amity asked.
"He said he wants my heart. Like, literally. That combining it with his magic would make him invincible or something. And when I refused, he said he's going to haunt my thoughts and ruin my life until he gets what he wants."
Everyone fell silent.
Amity tightened her hold around Luz. "Nope. Not letting that happen."
"We need to get you out of here," Gus said.
Amity didn't wait for more discussion. She stood up, grabbed Luz again, and carried her straight out of the closet. (No pun intended)
They rushed back to the Owl House. Amity didn't stop running until she was right at the front door.
"Hooty!" she yelled, out of breath. "Help! Please!"
Hooty's eyes widened. ""YeeEEESsSSS?! AHHH! You're carrying Luz again?! Okay! Owl Express, baby!!"
He twisted around them like a spring, launching the group toward the door. They landed with a thud right in front of Eda.
"What the—NOT AGAIN!" Eda snapped. "Why is she unconscious again?! What is happening?!"
"Wait—Eda, please," Amity begged. "Let me explain."
Eda looked down at Luz, then back at Amity's worried face. "Start talking."
Amity explained everything from the start—Skara's strange behavior, Luz passing out, what she saw in the void, everything.
Eda listened carefully, jaw clenched. When Amity finished, she turned toward her scroll and made a call.
"Lilith. Drop whatever nerd thing you're doing. Emergency at the Owl House."
Minutes later, Lilith appeared, panting. "What?! What's going on?!"
Amity and Eda both started talking over each other again.
"ONE AT A TIME!" Lilith shouted. "Eda. Go."
But instead of explaining, Eda looked at her dead serious.
"What's your opinion on girls liking girls?"
Lilith raised an eyebrow. "I support it. Obviously. Why? What kind of question—"
"Just checking," Eda said with a sigh of relief.
Even Amity let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Eda quickly explained the whole situation, and Lilith's face turned serious.
"If I haven't been affected," she said slowly, "it's because of the protection spells I keep around my house. I never take them down."
Eda nodded. "Then we need to figure out how to expand it. Come on, let's look for some useful information to stop Grom inside my mini library"
Amity slowly turned to look at Eda "I didn't know you could read." Amity said with a mischievous smirk.
"EXCUSE ME?! I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW I'M NOT THAT ILLETRATE, MINT HAIR." Eda argued, clearly offended.
"GIRLS! This is not the right time! Stop it!" Lilith intruded and dragged Eda as they disappeared into the house's little library.
Amity stayed on the couch with Luz sleeping in her lap. She stroked Luz's hair gently, her other hand scrolling Penstagram mindlessly. Then she saw it.
A post from Gus. From two months ago.
A goofy selfie of Luz, Willow, and Gus—tongues out, crossed eyes, all three smiling like dorks.
Just us against the world! #BestFriends
Amity's chest ached. Luz looked so happy. So... Luz. She looked so dorky. So cute. She brushed Luz's cheek. How could someone make even a silly face look adorable?
"You dork," she whispered.
Her scroll suddenly buzzed. Willow was calling.
She picked up.
"Willow?"
Amity froze.
Willow was sobbing.
"What's wrong?! What happened?!"
Willow's voice cracked. "My dads... they got divorced. They... they said it was because loving each other was wrong"
Amity's stomach dropped. "WHAT?!"
"I—I think it's Grom. I think he did something to them. They're acting like... like men loving men is evil. Like they were cursed."
Amity stared in horror as Eda and Lilith rushed back in.
"What's wrong, kid?" Eda asked.
Amity put Willow on speaker. The sound of her crying filled the room.
Moments later—a knock.
Willow and Gus stood there, tear-streaked, shaking. Amity ran over and hugged Willow tightly.
"We've got you," she whispered. "You're not alone." They all sat on the couch, broken and quiet, surrounding Luz. Willow curled up next to Amity.
"I'm scared," she whispered. "What if we're the only ones left who haven't changed?"
Amity didn't answer. She couldn't. That was a question which even the top student didn't know. She just cradled Luz closer.
"Oh, Luz," she murmured. "I hope you're okay..."
Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Fractured Light
Chapter Text
[TW: Please read the description before continuing]
The silence was too still to be real.
Luz blinked into a fog of pale gray, the world hazy and shifting like a half-remembered dream. The air felt thick, clinging to her skin like static. She sat up slowly, her head pounding, her heart thudding against her ribs like a warning drum. Around her stretched a landscape of emptiness, except... no, not empty.
The ground beneath her was fractured—cracked remnants of the Owl House floating in a void of black mist. Bookshelves hovered crookedly in midair, half-burned scrolls fluttering like dying birds. The sky above her wasn't a sky at all, but a swirling mass of purple storm clouds, pulsing with veins of shadowy light.
"Hello?" Her voice echoed into the nothingness. "Eda? Amity?"
Silence answered. Then came the sound.
A scraping, like claws dragging against stone. It came from everywhere and nowhere. Luz stood, her fists clenched, instinctively reaching for her glyphs, only to realize they were gone—no paper, no ink, no light. Just her.
She turned, and the shadows parted like curtains.
In their place stood a figure cloaked in oily darkness, too tall and too still. The figure looked too real, smiling and cackling. Grom.
"You're awake," it rasped, the voice like rotting silk. "Finally. We've been waiting."
Luz staggered back a step. "What is this? Where am I?"
"This..." Grom raised a clawed hand and gestured around them. "...is your mind. And soon, your heart."
The storm above throbbed brighter, and for a moment, Luz heard voices—distant screams, sobbing, the sound of fire. She clenched her jaw.
"What did you do?"
Grom tilted its head. "The Boiling Isles now dances to your worst nightmare. All the things you fear... loss, rejection, helplessness... I've given them life. And they are thriving."
Luz's hands shook. "You're lying."
A chuckle, low and knowing. "Am I? Look."
The mist twisted, swirling into images: King crumpled beneath a pile of rubble. Eda shackled and dragged by coven guards. Her friends screaming her name as they vanished into the dark. And Amity—oh, Amity—standing alone in a burning forest, tears falling as she called for Luz again and again, unanswered.
"No!" Luz squeezed her eyes shut. "You're just trying to scare me!"
"I don't need to try," Grom said, stepping closer. "You're already scared. That's why I'm getting stronger. Your fear is delicious, Luz."
The cracks in the world deepened beneath her feet.
The mist thickened, curling around Luz like smoke from a dying fire. The dreamworld trembled—then shifted. The cracked ruins of the Owl House faded, replaced by something quieter... more familiar.
She stood in the middle of Hexside's courtyard.
Except it wasn't bustling with students. It was silent. Still.
She turned slowly—and saw them. Eda. King. Gus. Willow. Even Lilith and Hooty. They were all there, standing in a loose half-circle. Their eyes were cold. Unblinking. None of them smiled.
Amity stood at the center, arms crossed, looking right through her.
Luz's heart skipped a beat. "Guys?" she said, voice small.
No answer.
She took a step forward. "Amity? I... I don't understand."
"You never did," Amity said quietly.
"What?"
"You're exhausting, Luz," Willow added. "Always jumping around, talking too fast, dragging us into chaos."
Luz's breath caught. "I—I'm trying. I know I can be a lot, but—"
"But it's too much," said Gus. "You never listen. You don't slow down. You're always the center of everything."
King's little voice piped up. "You're annoying."
Hooty's normally cheerful tone was flat. "You're weird."
Eda didn't even look at her. "You're not my kid."
Luz staggered backward. Her chest felt tight, like the air had been sucked out of the dream. "This isn't real. You're not them. You can't be."
Amity stepped forward, her eyes empty of the warmth Luz loved. "Why would I ever want someone like you? You're loud. You're awkward. You can't focus for two seconds. You make everything worse."
Luz shook her head, fists trembling. "Stop... stop it. I know who I am! And they—they love me! They accept me!"
The voices grew louder, overlapping.
"Too hyper."
"Too sensitive."
"Too much."
"Too different."
"Too gay."
"Too you."
Luz dropped to her knees. Her eyes burned. Her hands clutched at her ears, but the voices pushed through like knives made of words.
And through it all, Grom watched.
He stood at the edge of the courtyard, towering and still, feeding on every crack in her armor. "You hide behind magic and jokes and hope," he said smoothly, "but deep down, you know. Don't you?"
Luz looked up at him, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Know what?"
"That if you show the world who you really are... they'll never love you again."
"No." Her voice was a whisper.
"Yes." Grom leaned in, shadows coiling around him like smoke. "You try so hard to be accepted. But you'll always be too much for them. Too different. Too broken."
The courtyard crumbled beneath her. Luz fell into darkness—cold, weightless.
Then—
She was in her room. Earth-side. Her real bedroom.
Her phone was open on her desk. A dozen messages filled the screen. All from teachers, classmates and bullies. Each one the same:
"You're just doing this for attention."
"Why can't you be normal?"
"This is why no one likes you."
"Stop being so you."
The last message blinked in from "Mom."
"Mija, where are you?"
Luz stared at it, mouth dry.
"You see?" Grom's voice echoed from everywhere. "This is the truth, Luz. They don't want you. Not really. Not if you don't change. And deep down, you know it."
Luz clenched her fists, tears dripping silently onto the floor of her dream. The voices still echoed—cutting, endless. The kind of words she'd always feared hearing from the people she loved the most. Words she'd tried to bury under laughter, under hope, under glyphs and light.
She shook her head violently.
"No..." she whispered. "That's not them. That's you."
The shadows stirred.
"You don't get to define me," Luz said, louder now, chest heaving. "I'm loud, I'm weird, I talk too much, I hyperfixate, I ramble, I love too hard, and I mess up all the time—but they've never made me feel like that's a bad thing."
Grom's form flickered at the edge of her vision, growing larger with each heartbeat. His grin stretched impossibly wide.
"Oh?" he said, voice oily. "Then why do you hide? Why do you shrink yourself around new people? Why do you hold your breath every time someone hesitates before saying your name?"
Luz froze.
"You don't have to say it," Grom cooed, circling her like a wolf. "I see it all. The masks. The doubt. You're scared—every day—that someone will finally say it. 'You're too much.'"
"No—"
"You want to be loved so badly, but you're terrified it's conditional," he hissed. "One wrong word, one moment too raw—and they'll walk away. You know they will."
Luz covered her ears again, but this time... the words came from inside her.
She thought of Amity's soft smiles, the way she looked at her like she saw her. The way she said Luz's name, like it was safe in her mouth. But what if it wasn't real? What if one day Amity woke up and regretted her?
What if being queer, being neurodivergent, being Luz just... wore thin?
Her hands trembled. The shadows around her thickened like tar.
But then—
A spark.
A memory.
Bright, bold, real.
Amity, nervously holding her hand at Grom night. "You're an awesome person, Luz. Strange, but awesome"
Willow standing in front of her, defiant. "We've got your back. Always."
Gus, laughing. "Your weird is my favorite kind of weird."
And Eda—grinning wide, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Kid, you're a chaos gremlin, but you're my chaos gremlin."
Her breath hitched. A small, fragile light began to grow in her chest.
"They do love me," she whispered, voice cracking.
For a heartbeat, the world paused.
Grom's body faltered.
Then his eyes blazed red.
"And you think that's enough to stop me?"
The shadows lunged.
Luz screamed as the light inside her shattered like glass. Every fear she thought she'd beaten came crashing down all at once—like an avalanche of shame and self-loathing she'd held off for too long.
The mindscape exploded in red and black, the floor beneath her dissolving.
She fell again—faster this time. Her body felt like it was splitting apart.
Grom's voice followed her down, loud and victorious.
"You thought love could save you, Luz. But fear is what makes you mine."
The fall never seemed to end.
Luz plummeted through darkness, her heartbeat pounding in her ears like war drums. The echoes of Grom's laughter faded into silence, leaving only the weight of her fear pressing in from all sides.
Then—
Light.
She gasped.
Her whole body jolted upward like she'd been yanked from underwater. Her chest burned. Her eyes flew open.
The room was dim. Real. Familiar.
She was back in the Owl House.
Blankets tangled around her. Glyphs scattered on the floor. Her head throbbed. Her hands were trembling.
She wasn't alone.
Amity was at her side, clutching her wrist, her free hand shaking as it hovered inches from Luz's cheek.
"Luz?" Amity's voice cracked. "Oh, Titan—you're awake—"
Luz blinked rapidly, disoriented. Her gaze darted around the room.
Willow lay slumped nearby, breathing slowly. Gus was curled up beside her, still unconscious. Pale. Motionless.
But breathing.
Everything felt off. Like the nightmare had followed her.
"Amity...?" Luz croaked, voice barely a whisper.
Amity's lip trembled. "You weren't waking up. I—I tried everything—"
Luz didn't hear the rest.
Because suddenly, the shadows in the corners of the room felt too thick. The air too cold.
Like something was still watching.
She sat up fast, clutching her chest. Her heart thundered.
"Luz?" Amity said again, alarmed now.
Luz stared past her—at nothing.
Or maybe not nothing.
Her mouth opened slowly.
"...he's still here."
Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Almost Safe
Chapter Text
"...he's still here."
The words slipped from Luz's mouth like frost, barely audible, but enough to freeze the air around her. Her body trembled as she sat upright, eyes wide, darting around the room like a cornered animal.
Amity's breath hitched. She gripped Luz's wrist more firmly, grounding her. "Luz—hey—it's okay. You're safe, you're here. He's not—"
Luz flinched at every shadow.
The corners of the Owl House—her room, her safe place—felt stretched, wrong, like Grom had left fingerprints on the walls of her mind.
Willow and Gus remained unconscious nearby. Their steady breathing was the only sound in the otherwise silent room. Hooty wasn't flapping or screeching. Even the boiling rain had gone quiet outside.
It felt... too quiet.
Like the moment before something awful happens.
"I saw him," Luz whispered, clutching the blanket around her like a shield. "I saw him, and it wasn't just in my head. It was... like he was inside it."
Amity's eyes shimmered with worry. "You're safe now. Whatever he did—it's over."
But Luz shook her head slowly. "No... he fed on it. On my fear. That made him stronger."
Her hands trembled as she looked at them. "I felt him feeding on it."
Amity stayed silent. She didn't know what to say—not yet. So instead, she reached for Luz's hand.
Luz didn't pull away.
The silence stretched again. Heavy. Uneasy.
Then, from down the hall, a loud, awkward crash followed by a high-pitched "I'M FINE!" echoed through the Owl House.
Luz blinked. Her chest stilled for a moment.
"...King?" she murmured, confused.
Amity gave her a lopsided smile, trying to ease the tension. "Yup. He's been trying to make a tray of tea and toast for you for twenty minutes. There've been... casualties."
A weak laugh slipped past Luz's lips before she could stop it.
There it was. The first sign of light through the fog.
From downstairs, Eda's grumbling could be heard, followed by King yelling something about "ancient human rituals involving soup and song."
Amity squeezed Luz's hand, just a little.
"You're back," she said softly. "And we're not going anywhere."
Luz looked around once more—at Amity's hand in hers, at Willow and Gus still breathing, at the flickering glyphs on the floor.
Luz swallowed hard, feeling the fragile thread of hope stretching inside her chest. For the first time in a long while, it felt like maybe, just maybe, she could breathe again.
Luz gave her a small smile. Not her usual big, goofy one. Just the kind you give when you don't know what else to do.
Amity scooted a little closer. "Do you... want water? Tea? A glyph-powered blanket? A bat?"
That earned the faintest chuckle from Luz. "Maybe just... company?"
"You got it."
Willow stirred from the sleeping bag placed next to the couch, rubbing her eyes groggily. "Is it morning already?"
"Sort of," Gus mumbled beside her, still half-asleep. "Unless we're dreaming inside a dream... again."
Luz blinked, watching them with quiet relief. They were okay. Real. Breathing.
The nightmare was over... wasn't it? But it wasn't a nightmare...it was real. She felt Grom's presence in her head
King leapt dramatically onto the armrest of Luz's couch, nearly spilling the mug. "Also, Eda's mad that someone used her sacred abomination-stirring spoon for soup. She says you're forgiven since you 'almost died,' but barely."
Luz's lips quirked upward.
Eda appeared in the doorway next, her wild hair even wilder than usual. "She said what?"
Lilith poked her head in from behind. "She said nothing. I'm confiscating that spoon later."
The chaos... it was comforting. It was them.
Still, Luz felt the weight of everything pressing on her chest. The fear Grom had conjured—her fear—wasn't gone. It still lingered, heavy in her bones, like a bruise that refused to fade.
Amity noticed the shift in her eyes.
She leaned in just a little. "You don't have to talk about it yet. Or ever. Just... let us be here, okay?"
Luz's throat tightened. She nodded.
Gus, now sitting up and yawning, glanced around. "Hey, what if we... did something fun today? Like a cheer-up day?"
Willow perked up. "Yeah! We could decorate! Or play games! Or make cookies with way too much sugar and then regret it!"
King pointed dramatically. "I vote for karaoke. I found an ancient human device labeled 'karaoke machine' in Eda's basement! It still works—mostly!"
Eda blinked. "Wait, that still exists? I used that to annoy my neighbors in the '90s."
Luz let out a genuine laugh.
Amity caught the sound like it was precious.
Then, with the gentlest of smiles, she looked at Luz. "What if we made today about you?"
Luz hesitated, then looked around—at her friends, her found family, this wonderfully weird house full of love and chaos and warmth.
"...Yeah," she whispered. "Okay. I'd like that."
The others exchanged quick grins.
Plans were forming. Decorations would go up. Music would be weird. Nothing would be perfect, and that made it perfect.
The Owl House felt alive again.
Warm light spilled from the hearth as the rain drummed softly on the windows. The earlier tension melted slowly, replaced by quiet laughter and the hum of familiar voices.
Amity had moved to sit beside Luz on the couch, pulling a soft blanket over both their legs. King pranced about proudly, clutching a strange rectangular box with buttons and a glowing screen—the human karaoke machine Eda had "borrowed" from somewhere in the mortal realm.
"I don't understand why humans sing into these," Eda grumbled from the kitchen, balancing a teapot with one hand and stirring a steaming pot with the other. "Seems like a very loud way to torture yourself."
"You're just jealous," King shot back, posing like a pop star. "They worship performers like me where I come from."
Lilith snorted. "Yes, in the kingdom of delusion."
King ignored the sass and slammed a button with his paw. Music burst through the speaker, way too loud for how small the machine was. He launched into his performance with the confidence of someone who had no idea what the lyrics meant.
"CAUSE I'M HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF—AWOOO!"
Luz giggled, a warm bloom spreading in her chest. Her limbs still felt heavy, and the echo of Grom's voice lingered deep in her bones, but in this moment, laughter felt real again.
Willow and Gus, now wide awake, exchanged amused glances. Then Gus, with a theatrical bow, extended his hand.
"Milady Willow, may I have this dance?"
Willow gave him a mock curtsy and took his hand. "You may, kind sir."
The two started dancing—badly—around the room, bumping into furniture and laughing through every spin. Gus dipped Willow at one point, but lost his balance and they both collapsed onto the rug in a fit of laughter.
Luz rested her head on the back of the couch, smiling softly. "This is ridiculous."
"But the good kind of ridiculous," Amity said beside her, quietly.
Luz glanced at her, then quickly away. "Yeah."
Silence settled for a beat.
Amity shifted, her cheeks a little pink now. "I'm... glad you're okay."
Luz nodded, brushing a stray curl from her face. "Thanks to you."
Amity's face turned redder. "I didn't do much."
"You stayed," Luz said gently.
Amity's hand inched closer on the blanket, their pinkies barely brushing.
Downstairs, Eda yelled, "If any of you knock over that bookshelf again, I'm feeding you to the Echo Mouse!"
Lilith reappeared holding what looked like a chart. "Also, for the record, I'm keeping score for karaoke. And King is somehow losing."
"I'M OFFENDED AND FUELED BY HATRED!" King screamed and threw himself into his next song.
Amity giggled. Luz laughed louder than she had all day.
They didn't need a plan right now. They didn't need to think about nightmares or fear or darkness or whether Grom still lingered somewhere in the world.
They just needed this.
The warmth of a found family.
The closeness of friends.
The fluttering in Luz's chest when Amity leaned just a little closer and asked, "Do you think they'd let us do a duet?"
Luz blinked. "Us? Together?"
Amity turned pink. "O-or not! I just thought—never mind—"
"No!" Luz sat up straighter. "I mean—yes! I'd love to. I just didn't think you'd want to."
"I do," Amity said, then looked very pointedly at the floor.
Luz smiled, nervous and a little dizzy. "Cool."
"Cool," Amity echoed.
King's next howl cracked a window upstairs.
Later, after the chaos of soup, dancing, and an intense karaoke battle between Lilith and King (which ended in a very heated debate about vocal range), things began to quiet down.
Willow and Gus had fallen asleep again, curled together under a heap of mismatched blankets, soft snores filling the corners of the Owl House's lounge. Eda disappeared somewhere upstairs with a muttered, "Five more minutes of this 'togetherness' and I'm gonna start crying." Lilith, trailing behind, offered a half-hearted salute before vanishing too.
It left just Luz and Amity on the couch, with the fire casting flickering shadows across the room.
Luz's eyes were half-lidded, exhaustion slowly overtaking her again, but she fought to stay awake. Amity was still sitting close, so close their shoulders occasionally brushed when one of them shifted.
They hadn't gotten around to the duet. Amity had claimed sudden "stage fright," and Luz had been too flustered to push it.
Now they just sat there. Quiet. Together.
Luz fiddled with the corner of the blanket. "Today felt... weird. I mean, fun. But still weird. Like I'm not sure if I'm actually awake yet."
Amity tilted her head slightly, her golden eyes softer than Luz had ever seen. "You are."
Luz looked over, puzzled.
Amity shrugged one shoulder. "It's real. You're here. We're here. That's all that matters."
Luz offered a small smile. "You always say the right thing."
Amity looked away quickly, cheeks darkening. "I try."
The silence that followed wasn't awkward. It was the kind that existed between people who didn't need to fill every moment with sound. But there was a tension there too—something unsaid pressing just beneath the surface.
"Back when you weren't waking up," Amity began slowly, "I stayed up the whole time. I didn't want to miss it if... if you came back."
Luz blinked. "You didn't sleep?"
Amity shook her head. "Didn't feel right. I couldn't leave your side."
Their eyes met, and something passed between them. Something raw and honest.
Luz opened her mouth to say something—anything—but Amity looked away first, nervously brushing her hair behind her ear.
"I mean," she mumbled quickly, "we're friends. Of course I stayed."
"Right," Luz echoed, her voice catching a little. "Friends."
There was another pause. A breath. A space.
"I, um..." Amity started, then hesitated. She gripped the edge of the blanket and said, "It's weird, but... I don't think I've ever been more scared in my life than when you wouldn't open your eyes."
Luz's heart thudded. "You were scared?"
Amity smiled without looking at her. "Terrified."
The fire crackled. Somewhere in the rafters, Hooty muttered in his sleep.
Luz didn't know what to say. She wasn't sure she could say anything. Her brain felt like it was short-circuiting.
But something inside her—something warm and vulnerable—reached out and gently leaned her head against Amity's shoulder.
Amity went completely still for a moment, like someone had just hit pause on the world.
Then, slowly, she relaxed.
She let her head tilt slightly to rest against Luz's.
They stayed like that.
No words.
No big declarations.
Just quiet closeness.
Unspoken, but understood.
The living room of the Owl House had quieted into a kind of sacred stillness. The only sound was the occasional soft creak of old wooden floorboards and the crackle of the fireplace. The flames cast warm shadows that flickered across the walls—dancing slowly, gently, like they were trying not to wake the house.
Willow and Gus were tucked under a woven blanket nearby, fast asleep on a heap of enchanted cushions Eda had grumpily fluffed. King was curled up in a fuzzy nest of his own making, his snoring oddly rhythmic. Eda and Lilith had retreated upstairs, muttering about needing "at least one hour of sleep before someone explodes the plumbing again."
Luz sat nestled on the couch, still wrapped in her blanket, legs tucked underneath her. She stared into the fire for a long moment, her breathing finally steadying. The ache behind her eyes had lessened, but it hadn't quite vanished.
Beside her, Amity sat with her hands folded in her lap, glancing over now and then to make sure Luz hadn't drifted away again—mentally or emotionally.
"I keep thinking it's gonna snap back," Luz said quietly, her voice almost lost under the fire's pop. "Like I'll blink and be back in it. Still trapped."
Amity shook her head gently. "You're not. You're here. With me."
That last part lingered in the air between them for a second too long.
Luz turned her head slowly, giving her a tired smile. "You sound so sure."
Amity smiled back—awkward and earnest. "I have to be. One of us should be."
Luz huffed a small laugh and let her shoulders relax against the couch. "Thanks for staying up with me."
"Of course," Amity said, like it wasn't even a question.
They sat in silence a while longer. It wasn't awkward—it was comforting, like both of them were still soaking in the fact that they were here. Alive. Safe. Sort of.
Luz noticed Amity shiver slightly.
"Hey," she said, shifting the blanket. "Here. You'll freeze."
"I'm fine," Amity replied too quickly. But when Luz threw the edge of the blanket over her anyway, she didn't argue.
They sat shoulder to shoulder now, the blanket pooled over both of them. Luz stared at their hands, resting awkwardly close.
"You know," Amity said softly, "when you weren't waking up... I kept thinking about what I should've told you. What I wish I'd said sooner."
Luz turned her head, eyes wide.
Amity blinked, suddenly looking like a Hexside student who'd raised their hand and immediately regretted it. "I mean—not like—uh—just things! Like important stuff. Like how strong you are. And brave. Even when you think you're not."
Luz's cheeks pinkened.
"Oh," she whispered. "Thanks..."
The silence came again. But this time it was louder. Warmer. Softer.
"Do you remember," Luz said after a moment, "that time we all got trapped in that magical mud bubble and you tried to impress me by lighting a fire with your eyes closed?"
Amity groaned. "I remember Willow laughing so hard she almost choked on her snack bar."
Luz grinned. "It was kind of cool, though."
"You're just saying that because I singed my eyebrows."
They both laughed—Amity's muffled by a hand over her face, Luz's quieter, but real.
It felt good. Real. Like the nightmare couldn't reach here.
Amity glanced toward the hallway, where the rest of the house lay still. Then she leaned just a little closer.
"I was scared," she admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "Not just of what Grom did to you. But... of losing you before I got to know you better."
Luz blinked. Her heart thudded once, strong and dumb and way too loud.
"Oh."
"I mean—not that I don't already know you!" Amity rushed. "Just... there's so much more I want to. Know. About you."
Luz smiled again. This one a little bashful. "Same."
Their hands brushed, and neither moved away.
Luz leaned back into the couch, her head brushing against Amity's shoulder for a moment before she froze. "Sorry—"
"No," Amity said quickly. "It's okay."
So Luz let herself rest there.
The fire dimmed a little, casting everything in deeper amber tones. Amity shifted so Luz could rest more comfortably, tucking her arm behind her back. It was quiet again—but a full, peaceful kind of quiet.
Luz's eyes fluttered half-closed, the warmth, the closeness, the safety of it all lulling her like a lullaby.
"Amity?" she mumbled sleepily.
"Yeah?"
"You... you always make me feel like I can breathe again."
Amity didn't respond with words. Just a quiet nod, and the softest smile she could manage.
Luz yawned. "Do you think... things will go back to normal?"
Amity looked into the fire for a long time before answering. "I don't know. But if they don't, we'll make a new normal. Together."
Luz hummed. "That sounds nice."
Her breathing slowed. The tension in her limbs softened.
Just a little longer, Amity thought, watching her.
Just a little longer like this.
The room was still.
The kind of still that settles only after laughter has faded, after the last ember glows low, after the world decides—for a brief moment—to stop turning.
Luz drifted somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, her head leaning softly on Amity's shoulder. Every so often, her fingers twitched, as if chasing something in a dream she hadn't meant to follow.
Amity stayed awake, her back stiff but her expression gentle. She didn't want to move. Not now. Not while Luz finally looked peaceful.
A low creak echoed above them—just the house shifting, probably. Maybe Eda stomping to the bathroom in her sleep. Or Lilith arguing with herself again. Amity glanced up at the ceiling, then relaxed.
But Luz flinched.
Just slightly.
Amity glanced down. "You okay?"
Luz's brows furrowed in her sleep, a faint sound slipping past her lips—something like a word. Or a name.
Her breathing hitched.
"Luz?" Amity leaned in closer. "Hey, you're okay. It's just the house. Nothing's wrong."
But Luz didn't answer.
Her face twitched. Her shoulders tensed. She mumbled again—louder this time. Amity caught only fragments.
"Don't... don't let it in..."
The fire sputtered, casting a long shadow across the room.
Amity gripped Luz's hand.
"Luz, it's just a dream. You're safe."
But then Luz's eyes snapped open.
Wide. Unfocused. Terrified.
"Luz!" Amity gasped.
Luz bolted upright, chest heaving, eyes darting to the corners of the room—the shadows, the hallway, the empty staircase.
"No," Luz whispered. "No, no, no—"
Amity stood with her, holding both shoulders now. "Hey! Look at me. It's okay. You're home."
But Luz didn't seem to hear her.
Her gaze locked onto something—nothing—at the far wall, where the fire's glow couldn't quite reach. Her mouth trembled.
"Luz, what is it? What do you see?"
Luz's lips parted.
Her voice was barely audible, thinner than the wind that rattled the windows.
"...He never left."
Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Even In The Quite
Chapter Text
"...he's still here."
Her breath came in jagged gasps.
The warmth of the Owl House faded beneath the cold rush of fear clawing at her chest. Luz gripped the edge of the couch like it was the only thing keeping her grounded, her knuckles bone-white. Her skin prickled. Her throat felt like it was closing.
Amity was at her side in an instant. “Luz—hey. Hey, look at me.”
But Luz couldn’t. Her eyes were fixed on the shadows stretching across the far wall, the corners untouched by firelight. Her mind spun like a glyph gone wrong. Her lungs screamed for air, but it felt like the whole room was shrinking.
“He’s still here,” she whispered again, her voice hollow.
Amity reached forward, placing both hands gently on Luz’s shoulders. “It’s not real. It’s just a memory—Luz, breathe. Please, just breathe with me, okay?”
Luz’s head snapped toward her, eyes wild and glassy. “I-I can’t—I can’t stop seeing him—he was in my head, Amity. He—he knew everything—”
“You’re safe,” Amity said firmly, guiding Luz’s hands into hers. “Right now. You’re safe. Just match my breathing. Okay? In… and out.”
It was uneven at first, every inhale catching in her throat, but she clung to Amity’s rhythm like a raft in a storm. Her fingers squeezed Amity’s shirt tighter as she gasped and shuddered, but her chest slowly began to rise and fall in sync with hers.
In.
Out.
In…
Out.
She was still trembling, but her chest wasn’t collapsing anymore. Her hands still shook, but her eyes began to focus
“I’ve got you,” Amity whispered. “You’re not alone.”
Luz finally dared to blink, eyes wide and glassy. “I… I felt him feed on it. My fear. It made him stronger.”
“I know.” Amity’s voice was soft but sure. “But he’s not here now. I promise.”
There was no way Amity could be sure. Luz knew that. But something about the steadiness in her voice anchored her. Amity wasn’t trying to explain it away. She was just here.
Luz blinked hard and let a few stray tears slip past. “I hate this. I hate feeling this small.”
Amity hesitated before cupping her hand around Luz’s. “You’re not small. Not even close.”
Silence fell between them again, thick but not heavy. Just tired. Bone-deep tired.
After a while, Luz tried to sit back, but her limbs felt like overcooked spaghetti. “I don’t… think I can sleep.”
Luz’s breathing began to slow, and a tear slipped down her cheek. “I-I don’t know what’s real anymore. It all felt so real.”
“I know,” Amity whispered. “But this is real. Me. You. All of it.”
Luz sniffled, curling slightly into herself. “I’m so tired…”
Amity stood slowly, gently guiding Luz up from the couch. “Come on. Let’s get you to bed. You need to rest.”
Luz nodded, rubbing at her eyes. Her whole body sagged from the weight of everything she’d been holding in.
They made their way up the stairs together—slowly, with Luz leaning against Amity more than she intended. Her legs ached. Her chest felt hollow. But Amity didn’t let go. She walked beside her, one arm behind Luz’s back the whole way.
Inside Luz’s room, the glyph-powered nightlight buzzed faintly, casting star-like patterns over the ceiling. The bedsheets were rumpled from hours of restless sleep and dreams that didn’t feel like dreams at all.
Amity helped her sit on the edge. Luz looked like she might fall apart any second.
Amity hesitated, brushing her hair behind her ear. ”Alrighty then. I’ll go and sleep on the couch. If you jeed anything, you know where to find me”
Luz stared at the door and looked down at her knees. As Amity started to leave, Luz grabbed her arm. Her voice cracked as she said.
“Amity, wait—please…”
Her hands slid from Amity’s arms to her hands
“ Stay ”
She said it before she could second-guess it. Before the guilt or pride or fear could rise.
Amity froze in place.
Her eyes softened. And slowly, she nodded.
“Of course.”
She moved to the other side of the bed and sat down, careful not to crowd Luz. The silence stretched between them, heavy but not uncomfortable.
Luz finally curled under the blanket, still watching the shadows. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Amity reached over and gently took her hand again. “Always.”
And even as the firelight dimmed downstairs… even as the warmth of the room pressed gently against the cold edges of Luz’s fear… something still hung in the air.
A presence. A shadow just out of reach.
But for now, Luz was safe.
And Amity would make sure it stayed that way.
Morning came softly.
Golden light filtered through the curtains of Luz’s room, warming the edges of her blanket cocoon. For a moment, everything was still. No nightmares, no cold air, no lurking shadows. Just warmth, softness, and… the sound of slow, steady breathing beside her.
Luz stirred, blinking groggily at the gentle pattern of stars still glowing on her ceiling. She didn’t remember falling asleep. Only the trembling in her chest. The guilt. The fear.
And Amity’s hand, always close.
She turned her head slightly.
Amity was curled on top of the covers, still in her Hexside uniform, her arm draped over a pillow that had clearly been tossed to her sometime during the night. Her hair was tousled, and one hand was loosely fisted near her cheek. She looked peaceful. Soft.
Luz didn’t move.
Because if she did, it might break the spell.
For the first time in what felt like days, Luz felt… okay.
Tired, still sore and foggy, but okay.
She turned back onto her back and stared at the ceiling again, letting her fingers curl in the blanket. Last night’s memories lingered like smoke—Amity’s voice grounding her, her hand steadying hers, her promise to stay.
And Luz’s own words.
Heat rushed to her face.
Titan, she really said that, didn’t she?
Before her brain could spiral further, a soft murmur broke the silence.
“Mmh… Luz?”
Amity’s voice was thick with sleep, scratchy and low in a way that made Luz’s heart do a tiny cartwheel. She looked over again, and sure enough, Amity was stirring, blinking blearily as her eyes met Luz’s.
“You’re awake,” she mumbled.
Luz nodded. “Yeah.”
Amity sat up slowly, her hair floofing out even more. “Did you sleep okay?”
Luz hesitated… then nodded again. “Better than I thought I would.”
A small smile tugged at Amity’s lips. “Good.”
They sat in silence for a moment. It wasn’t awkward. It was just… gentle.
Then Amity’s eyes widened. “Wait—school.”
Luz winced. “Ugh. Right. Hexside.”
Amity stood, stretching her arms overhead with a soft groan. “We still have time to get ready. Eda left out clothes for you in the hallway. Said she enchanted them to ‘not smell like doom and death.’”
Luz giggled. “That’s the best I can hope for.”
As Luz pulled herself out of bed and they began getting ready, there was a quiet understanding between them. They didn’t talk about Grom. Or the shadows. Or how close Luz had come to giving up.
They didn’t have to.
But before they left the room, Luz paused in the doorway.
“Amity?”
Amity turned. “Yeah?”
“…Thanks. For staying.”
Amity’s ears turned red. “Always.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They arrived at Hexside a little late. Not enough to get detention, but enough that some heads turned.
Luz walked a bit closer to Amity than usual—not quite clinging, but not wanting distance either. Amity didn’t seem to mind. She carried herself with a quiet protectiveness that Luz noticed, and maybe kind of adored.
It wasn’t until mid-morning that Luz noticed something… off.
In the hallway near the Illusions track room, a younger student stood near her locker, quietly crying. A group of other students walked by and whispered behind their hands, snickering as they passed. Luz frowned, stepping closer.
On the locker was a sticker of The Good Witch Azura.
That wasn’t unusual. But the graffiti written across it?
“ Dumb baby trash ”
Luz’s stomach twisted.
The girl sniffled and tried to peel the sticker off like she was ashamed.
Luz walked over gently. “Hey… that’s Azura, right? Volume five?”
The girl blinked up at her. “Y-yeah?”
“That’s my favorite one.” Luz smiled. “Did you know I met the author once? She called Azura fans the bravest people she knows.”
The girl’s eyes widened. “Really?”
Luz nodded. “Really. And those jerks? They’re just scared of stuff they don’t understand.”
Amity appeared beside her and gently used a glyph to clean off the graffiti in a flash of magic.
The girl looked between them. “Thanks…”
Luz winked. “Keep being awesome, okay?”
As they walked away, Amity leaned in. “You handled that really well.”
Luz shrugged, trying to brush off the weird feeling in her chest. “It just… felt familiar.”
Amity gave her a long look but didn’t push. Not yet.
Luz didn’t say it aloud, but she knew what she saw.
That was her nightmare.
Being judged, laughed at. Being hated for what she loved. For who she was.
And it was bleeding into the real world.
The rest of the school day passed in a strange haze.
Luz tried to focus in class. She really did. But the shadows under her eyes weren’t just from exhaustion anymore—they were from what she saw in the hallways, the quiet whispers, the flickers of something wrong behind normal moments.
In Potions, the teacher knocked over a vial and muttered, “Ugh, typical. Always messing things up,” under their breath.
It didn’t sound like them.
In Beast Keeping, a student burst into tears after someone commented on her lisp.
In Abomination track, a pair of students refused to partner with a boy because he liked healing spells more than battle magic. “That’s not normal,” one of them had whispered.
Luz knew that voice. She’d heard it before.
In her head.
By lunch, her stomach had twisted into a knot. She kept catching her reflection in hallway windows and seeing… herself. But tired. Afraid. On the edge of unraveling.
Like something had cracked inside her and pieces were slipping out into the world.
She sat down with Willow, Gus, and Amity in the courtyard, picking at her sandwich while Gus told a dramatic reenactment of his and Willow’s failed baking attempt.
“We didn’t burn the kitchen,” he insisted. “We just… creatively caramelized the walls.”
Willow elbowed him. “You turned the oven into a portal.”
“It was an honest mistake.”
Amity chuckled, her lunch untouched. She was watching Luz. Closely. Quietly. Protectively.
“Luz?” she asked gently. “You okay?”
Luz blinked. “Yeah. Yeah, totally. Just tired.”
Amity didn’t look convinced.
But Luz wasn’t ready to say what she was really thinking. That Grom hadn’t just gotten stronger inside her head—he’d gotten out.
And he was using her fear to twist reality.
She needed to hold it together.
Still… Amity’s presence next to her helped. They sat closer than usual. Not touching—but so close their shoulders brushed every now and then. Each time, Luz’s stomach did an embarrassing little flip.
“Hey,” Amity said quietly, so only Luz could hear. “You were amazing this morning. With that girl and her Azura sticker.”
Luz blinked at her. “Really?”
“Yeah.” Amity was looking at her like she hung the stars. “You were kind. Brave. You didn’t just help her—you reminded her she didn’t have to hide.”
Luz looked down at her hands. “I guess I just… didn’t want her to feel like I did. In the nightmare.”
Amity’s expression softened. “You’re stronger than you think, Luz.”
Their eyes met.
Luz’s breath hitched.
Before either of them could say something else, a loud crash echoed from across the courtyard. Several students shouted as a locker suddenly exploded in a puff of illusion magic, sending glitter and spell dust everywhere.
A voice shrieked, “You lied! You said I could trust you!”
Another illusion student was backing away, palms up. “I—I didn’t do anything—!”
The shouting one, eyes wide with panic, looked around frantically. “Everyone’s laughing at me, I know it—stop looking!”
Luz stood abruptly, heart pounding. That voice—that fear—it felt identical to her own from inside her head during the Grom attack.
Gus was already moving to help calm things down. Willow ran after him.
Luz stood frozen.
Amity rose beside her. “This isn’t normal, is it.”
Luz shook her head. “It’s like… it’s spreading.”
“Then we’ll stop it.”
Luz turned to her, startled.
Amity’s expression was steady. Fierce. “Whatever’s happening—it’s not your fault. And you’re not alone.”
Luz swallowed hard. The knot in her chest loosened just a little.
“I… I don’t know what to do.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Amity promised. “Together.”
Luz wanted to believe her.
She wanted to believe this wasn’t her fear poisoning everything she loved.
But when she glanced at the reflection in the courtyard window again—
—for just a second—
—her own eyes were pitch black.
And smiling.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By the time they returned to the Owl House, the sky had gone dusky. The purple clouds overhead shifted with lazy swirls, and the light from the windows spilled out into the wet grass like golden thread.
The school day had been… a lot.
Luz didn’t talk much on the way home. None of them did, really. The girl who’d panicked in the courtyard was taken to the Healing Coven’s temporary Hexside office, but the haunted look in her eyes stayed with Luz. That kind of fear—that feeling of being judged for just being yourself—it struck too deep.
It felt like her own reflection staring back at her.
Eda, seeing the somber group arrive at the front door, didn’t ask questions. She ushered them in with a knowing look, her usual grumbling softened into a gentle, “Go rest. I’ll handle dinner.”
King scampered up to Luz immediately, dramatically hugging her leg. “I declare a snuggle tax for today’s gloom!” he said, then scurried off again to prepare “emergency cocoa” for everyone.
Later, after everyone had changed into their comfy clothes and Gus and Willow had curled up on the sofa under enchanted blankets, Luz sat quietly on the floor near the fire. Her knees pulled to her chest. The warmth helped, but the chill never quite left.
Amity sat beside her—not too close, but just enough.
“You still thinking about earlier?” she asked.
Luz nodded. “Yeah. It’s like… my fear is echoing. Bouncing off people.”
Amity reached into her bag and pulled something out. A Good Witch Azura bookmark, its edges slightly crumpled from age and love.
“I, uh… brought this for you. I thought you might like it.”
Luz stared at it. Then at Amity.
Her chest ached. In the best, worst way.
“Thank you,” she whispered, taking it with careful fingers. “You didn’t have to—”
“I wanted to,” Amity said simply. “You matter to me.”
Luz looked at her, startled.
But Amity was already turning red. “I mean—you matter to all of us, of course. Just. I wanted you to have something. Something real. Something you.”
They sat in silence, a warm one this time, broken only by the crackle of the fire.
Willow, barely awake, muttered something about sparkly cupcakes in her sleep. Gus snored softly. King, now curled in his nest with marshmallow crumbs on his cheeks, let out a sleepy “FOR THE THRONE” and rolled over.
The house felt safe. For now.
Luz rested her chin on her knees and glanced sideways at Amity.
“Do you… wanna stay here? I mean—not just now, but like—sit with me, for a while?”
Amity smiled. “Yeah. I’d like that.”
She didn’t move closer immediately. But after a few minutes, their shoulders touched. It wasn’t by accident.
Luz felt herself breathe easier. Like her lungs had been tight all day and suddenly remembered how to work.
“You always do that,” she murmured.
“Do what?”
“Make it easier.”
Amity ducked her head, hiding the pleased twist of her smile behind green-tipped bangs. “Guess I have a talent.”
Luz giggled. It was small and tired, but it was real.
For a long while, neither of them spoke. The fire dimmed. The house settled.
And just when Luz’s eyes started to flutter shut, she turned toward Amity and said, “Hey, um… would you maybe… stay? Like, tonight? I just… I don’t wanna be alone again.”
Amity’s eyes widened.
Luz rushed, “It’s okay if you don’t want to, obviously. It’s not weird! I mean—it’s weird—but like, a normal weird? A ‘two-girls-sharing-a-blanket’ kind of weird?”
Amity touched Luz’s wrist, gently. “Luz.”
Luz froze.
Amity looked her in the eye.
“Of course I’ll stay.”
Luz blinked fast. “You will?”
“I was already planning to.”
Luz smiled. A real one. Wide and soft and sleepy.
They lay down on the couch together, under the warmest blanket Eda owned. Luz curled toward Amity without thinking. Amity let her. Their legs tangled a little, then more, until they just… fit.
No declarations. No labels. Just this.
Safe. Together.
“I like this,” Luz mumbled, already half-asleep.
“Me too,” Amity whispered.
Time passed.
And somewhere in the deep silence, the fire gave one last crackle before dimming low.
Everyone else was asleep.
And then—Luz stirred.
Her eyes opened slowly. The room was dark.
Something was wrong.A low hum thrummed under the floorboards. Like a heartbeat.
Amity, still asleep, murmured something and shifted closer.
Luz sat up. Slowly. Careful not to wake her.
The hallway was pitch black.
She squinted toward it—and for just a second—
The shadows moved.
Her heart stuttered.
A whisper—right by her ear—breathed:
“Still watching.”
Luz gasped and whipped around—but no one was there.
The shadows danced.
She scrambled backward on the couch, panting.
Not loud or obvious. But off.
The warmth that had wrapped her up like a blanket now felt… hollow. Like something had peeled it back while she slept.
She sat up, gently, careful not to wake Amity.
There was a sound.
Barely a whisper.
It wasn’t outside. It wasn’t in the room.
It was inside her. A hum, deep in her chest. Familiar in the worst way.
Her eyes scanned the shadows, the corners of the room.
And for a second—just a second—her reflection blinked out of sync with her.
Her breath caught.
Luz didn’t scream. Didn’t move.
She just stared at the window where her reflection stood a moment longer than it should have.
It smiled.
Then it was gone.
She curled tighter under the blanket, back beside Amity, forcing herself to stay still. Forcing her eyes to shut.
But she couldn’t stop the chill creeping back into her bones.
And she knew it now.
Whatever this was—it wasn’t done.
Not even close.
Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Still With Me
Chapter Text
Luz stood in front of the bathroom mirror, holding her toothbrush like a sword she didn’t quite know how to wield.
Her reflection stared back, calm. Normal. But it still didn’t feel like her.
She blinked once. Then again. It didn’t move out of sync this time.
Still, the memory of last night lingered like fog behind her eyes.
She rinsed her mouth quickly, splashing cold water on her face like it could wash away the unease growing in her chest. She couldn’t keep doing this—this second-guessing, this quiet unraveling. Today had to be normal. It needed to be.
Downstairs, the Owl House bustled with gentle morning chaos. Willow and Gus were finishing breakfast, chatting softly with Eda while King made dramatic threats to whoever had touched his mug. The fireplace crackled with leftover warmth from the night before.
Amity stood near the front door, quietly packing lunch boxes with practiced hands. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes kept flicking toward the stairs—waiting.
Luz descended with forced energy, her backpack slung over one shoulder. “Morning, everyone.”
Willow smiled. “Hey, Luz! Feeling any better?”
Luz nodded a little too fast. “Yeah. Totally. Just tired, you know?”
King gave her a suspicious side-eye. “You look like someone who’s emotionally suppressing a ghost infestation.”
Luz blinked. “That’s… oddly specific.”
“I read a scroll on it once,” he said, sipping dramatically from his mug. “I’m very educated.”
Despite herself, Luz snorted. It didn’t make the fear disappear, but it pushed it back an inch or two.
The walk to Hexside was quiet. Early sunlight filtered through the Boiling Isles' swirling clouds, casting golden patches on the mossy path. Willow was humming something under her breath. Gus kept trying to get his scroll to work "I swear I charged it last night!" but Luz barely heard any of it. Her steps felt heavy. Her skin itched. Her lungs were working fine, but every breath felt… off.
Just nerves, she told herself.
Just fear lying to her again.
She could do this.
Hexside’s tall gates loomed ahead. The bell rang just as they stepped inside. Students flowed around them, laughing, trading scrolls, and ducking into classrooms.
Luz’s stomach twisted.
She made it as far as the hallway near her classroom before everything hit.
The lights above flickered once, just a glitch, maybe—but it was enough. Her throat tightened. Her vision swam. Her hands went numb.
Not now. Not here.
Her breath came too fast. Too shallow. The hallway felt too narrow, the crowd too loud. Someone brushed past her shoulder and she flinched like she’d been burned.
“Luz?” Amity’s voice cut through the noise instantly. “Hey, hey, look at me.”
Luz couldn’t. Her eyes were locked on the floor, her pulse pounding in her ears. “I… I can’t-”
Amity didn’t hesitate. She stepped in front of her, blocking out the rest of the world. “Okay. You’re okay. Just breathe with me, alright?”
Luz wanted to. She really wanted to. But the fear clung to her ribs like ivy.
Willow’s voice came from behind. “What’s going on?”
“She’s having a panic attack,” Amity said calmly, quietly. “We’re gonna step outside for a minute.”
“I’ll come too,” Gus offered, already moving forward.
But Amity shook her head gently. “Go to class. I’ve got her.”
Willow hesitated, then nodded. “We’ll cover for you.”
Luz barely registered any of it. She just followed Amity’s guiding hand out the side door, into the courtyard’s cool morning air. She sat on a low stone bench, trembling, eyes wide.
Amity knelt in front of her, hands warm on her knees. “Okay. Just us now. Can you breathe with me?”
In. Out. In…
It took time. But Luz slowly matched her rhythm. Her vision cleared. Her fingers steadied.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Don’t be,” Amity said gently. “This isn’t your fault.”
“I thought I could handle today. I thought if I just… acted normal-”
“You don’t have to pretend with me.” Amity’s voice softened even more. “You don’t have to do anything today except be.”
Luz looked at her. Really looked. At the steadiness in her eyes. The quiet determination. The care she wasn’t trying to hide.
“I don’t wanna go back in there,” Luz admitted, voice small. “I just… I can’t. Not right now.”
“Then we don’t,” Amity said simply.
“But school-”
“I’m excusing us.” She stood and offered her hand. “Today’s yours. However, you need it to be.”
Luz hesitated only a second before taking it.
Amity helped her to her feet and pulled her into a quiet hug, brief but grounding.
“We’ll take today slow,” she whispered. “Just me and you.”
The Boiling Isles were unusually quiet that morning, like the world had hit pause just for them.
Luz and Amity walked without talking, their footsteps soft against the moss-lined trail behind Hexside. Amity had taken the lead, guiding them past the school's perimeter, past the twisting vines of wild flora, until they reached a gentle hill shaded by an old willow tree.
The same one they used to study under after school.
“Still here,” Amity said softly, smiling as she looked up at the hanging branches swaying in the breeze. “Even after all the storm seasons.”
Luz sat slowly in the grass, letting her backpack drop beside her. “It feels the same,” she said, “but different. Or maybe I’m the one that’s different.”
Amity didn’t respond right away. She just sat beside her, letting their shoulders brush.
The willow tree’s long leaves rustled above them, catching the golden sun like a curtain made of light. The shade was cool, but not cold. It was… peaceful.
Luz pulled out her lunch box. The sandwich inside was a little squished—King had accidentally sat on it during his morning “cocoa rampage.” She still smiled. “Trade you half a sandwich for something that didn’t get flattened by a demon-dog?”
Amity opened her perfectly packed bento with a small laugh. “I may be convinced.”
They traded bites in companionable silence. Luz chewed thoughtfully, watching the wind ripple through the field. She didn’t feel sick or panicked. Just… quiet.
Amity pulled a small bottle of juice from her bag and handed it over without asking. Luz accepted it with a mumbled “thanks,” taking a sip before setting it between them.
Minutes passed without either of them speaking. But it didn’t feel awkward. It just felt like… rest.
Eventually, Luz broke the silence.
“I still feel broken.”
Amity’s hand stilled on her lunch. “Luz…”
“Not in a dramatic way,” she added quickly, fingers plucking at the hem of her shirt. “Just… like there’s pieces of me still stuck back there. With him.”
Amity didn’t speak right away. She let the words settle like petals around them.
“I know that feeling,” she said finally. “Like you’re trying to move forward, but your shadow keeps pulling you back.”
Luz nodded, her throat tight. “I keep wondering if I’m just… too much. Too messed up. Like maybe everyone’s better off when I’m being ‘the fun human girl’ instead of this.”
She didn’t mean for it to sound bitter.
But it kind of did.
Amity looked at her carefully. “You don’t have to be fun, Luz. You don’t have to be anything. You just have to be you.”
Luz stared at the grass. “What if I don’t even know who that is anymore?”
Amity leaned back on her hands, looking up through the willow leaves. “Then we find out. Together.”
Luz blinked. Her eyes stung, but she didn’t cry. Not yet.
“You really mean that?”
Amity turned to her, all soft confidence. “Of course I do.”
Luz hesitated. Then asked, “Why?”
Amity smiled, a small, sincere thing. “Because you’re the bravest person I know.”
Luz let out a short, broken laugh. “I’m literally shaking half the time.”
“That’s what makes it brave,” Amity said gently. “You’re scared, and you keep going anyway.”
Luz looked at her then—really looked.
Amity’s eyes held no doubt. No pity. Just this quiet, unwavering certainty.
“I don’t get how you always know what to say.”
“I don’t,” Amity admitted. “Most of the time I’m just hoping I don’t mess it up.”
“You don’t,” Luz whispered. “You never do.”
Amity’s ears tinted pink, but she didn’t look away.
They sat in silence again, but it felt warmer now. Lighter.
The sun shifted. Shadows moved across their legs like soft waves. A breeze lifted Luz’s hair. She leaned her head against Amity’s shoulder without thinking.
Amity didn’t move. She didn’t flinch. She just let her stay.
“You know,” Luz said quietly, “if I could live in any moment… I think I’d pick this one.”
Amity turned her head slightly. “Why?”
“Because everything’s quiet. And it’s just… you and me. And I don’t feel like I have to be anything else.”
Amity’s breath caught, but she smiled.
“Then let’s stay a little longer.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Boiling Isles stretched wide and golden around them as Amity led Luz along a winding trail through the woods.
They had walked this path before—ages ago, it felt like—when magic still felt like a game and Grom was just a word whispered in passing. Now, the trees stood taller. Wiser. The air was filled with the soft hush of breeze and bird-chatter.
No classrooms. No whispers. Just them.
Luz let her fingers brush the leaves as they passed, grounding herself in the texture of the world. “Where are we going?” she asked, not minding the silence that had followed them most of the way.
“You’ll see,” Amity replied, and her smile was small but sure.
They stepped into a quiet glade—a ring of tall trees surrounding a sun-dappled patch of grass. At its center, a mirror-still lake shimmered, light dancing along its surface like magic too old to name.
Luz’s breath caught. “I remember this place…”
“You found it first,” Amity said, settling onto the grass and patting the spot beside her. “You said it reminded you of Earth.”
Luz sat slowly. “I forgot how peaceful it was.”
“Me too.”
The sunlight fell through the leaves in patches, casting soft gold onto Luz’s cheeks. Her hands twisted in her lap, fingers nervously plucking blades of grass.
After a long pause, she whispered, “Why are you always so patient with me?”
Amity turned her head, blinking. “What?”
“I mean—lately, I’ve been a mess. I panic, I spiral, I see things that aren’t there. You’re always the one pulling me back.” Luz looked down. “Why?”
Amity was quiet for a moment. She picked up a smooth pebble and rolled it between her fingers. “Because I want to.”
Luz laughed, but it came out brittle. “That’s not a reason.”
Amity gently set the pebble down. “It is to me.”
“But you could’ve walked away so many times,” Luz said. “People do that. They get tired. They stop caring. Or maybe they never really cared. Maybe they just felt bad for me.”
Amity’s brow furrowed. “Luz…”
“I mean, be honest.” Luz’s voice cracked. “If you weren’t… you, would you really want to deal with someone who keeps breaking like this?”
There was a beat of silence. Not cold. Just heavy.
Then Amity shifted closer.
She didn’t say anything right away. She just reached into her satchel and pulled out a tiny cloth pouch. It was worn at the edges and tied with a ribbon that looked suspiciously like a piece of her old hair bow.
“I made you something,” she said softly.
Luz blinked. “What?”
Amity placed the pouch in her hands. “It’s small. But I wanted you to have it.”
Luz untied the ribbon slowly. Inside was a delicate wooden charm, carved in the shape of a star. Not perfect—its edges were a little uneven—but it was clearly made with care. Glowing faintly along the grain of the wood was a tiny glyph: light.
Luz stared at it. “You made this?”
Amity nodded. “It’s a guiding charm. From old Bonesborough tradition. They say if you give one to someone, it means you believe in them—even when they don’t.”
Luz’s throat went tight. “Why would you—”
“Because I do believe in you,” Amity said. “Not out of pity. Not out of obligation. Because I know who you are.”
Luz looked up, eyes wide and glassy.
“You’re smart. And kind. And stubborn in the best way. You make people feel seen. You fight for what’s right even when you’re scared out of your mind.” Amity’s voice stayed steady. “You don’t have to be perfect for me to care about you.”
Luz blinked hard. “You really mean that?”
“Every word.”
There were so many things Luz wanted to say. So many things swelling in her chest like the tide—but she couldn’t find the right ones. Not yet.
So instead, she reached over and took Amity’s hand.
No words.
Just warmth.
And Amity squeezed back like she’d been waiting all day to do just that.
They sat in the glade for a long time, sunlight filtering through the trees, their hands joined between them.
They didn’t say the three magical words.
But it was close.
By the time Luz and Amity returned to the Owl House, the sun had begun its slow descent, casting amber streaks across the sky. The trees whispered their goodbyes with soft rustles, and the door creaked open with that familiar squeal that somehow felt like a welcome.
Eda looked up from the kitchen, a ladle in one hand and a suspiciously bubbling pot in the other. “Well, well. Look who survived the wilds of teen feelings.”
King peeked over the rim of the couch. “I prepared cocoa. Two mugs. Extra marshmallows. Pay your snuggle taxes.”
“Thanks, King,” Luz said with a tired smile, toeing off her boots and sinking into the couch cushions with a sigh.
Amity sat beside her, setting down her bag. She didn’t press close, but she didn’t need to. The space between them was already glowing with unspoken things.
“Rough day?” Eda asked, giving the pot a half-hearted stir.
Luz nodded. “Kinda. But also… not.”
Eda didn’t push. She just ladled stew into mismatched bowls and waved a lazy hand. “Then eat up, kiddo. Nothing like too much garlic and emotional stability in a bowl.”
Dinner passed quietly. King was surprisingly well-behaved—probably sensing the heavy stillness hanging over Luz’s shoulders. Eda chatted about a coven scout who tried to sell her cursed spoons. Amity actually chuckled once. Luz almost dropped her fork.
Later, when the dishes were done and the light dimmed to a soft golden glow, Luz and Amity found themselves in front of the fireplace, bundled under one of Eda’s oversized patchwork blankets. The others had drifted elsewhere—King snoring upside-down in his beanbag throne, Eda upstairs humming some old tune, probably raiding her sock drawer.
Luz stretched out her legs, her body finally relaxing for what felt like the first time in days. The charm Amity had given her rested gently in her palm, warm from being held so long.
“I meant what I said earlier,” Amity said softly. Her voice barely rose above the crackle of the fire. “You don’t have to be okay all the time.”
“I know,” Luz replied, and for once, she really did. “But it helps. When I have you around.”
Amity tucked her knees up, resting her chin on them. “You know what helps me?”
Luz tilted her head.
“You. Even on your bad days. Especially on your bad days.”
Luz felt something shift in her chest. Like a piece of her that had been coiled too tightly finally letting go.
“I used to be scared,” Amity continued, “that if I let people see the messy parts of me, they’d leave. But you never did. You stayed.”
Luz leaned her head against Amity’s shoulder. “I guess we’re just really good at not leaving.”
“Yeah,” Amity whispered, resting her head on top of Luz’s. “We are.”
They sat like that for a long time. No need to fill the silence. No rush to change it.
Eventually, Luz spoke again, her voice a sleepy murmur. “I know things aren’t over. With Grom, with… everything. But for the first time in a while, I’m not scared of what’s next.”
Amity didn’t say anything. She just squeezed Luz’s hand and slowly drifted off to sleep.
Luz looked down at their tangled fingers, at the star charm tucked between them. She let out a slow breath.
“Whatever comes next…” she whispered, eyes fluttering shut, “I’ll be ready. As long as she’s here.”
Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Behind Closed Doors
Chapter Text
The street outside the Owl House was damp from a morning drizzle, the air carrying that earthy scent of wet grass and rain-washed stone. Luz stood in the doorway, arms crossed loosely but eyes warm as she looked at her friends.
“Alright,” she said, trying to sound casual but not quite hiding the tiny quiver in her smile, “you three… take care of yourselves, okay?”
Willow grinned and gave a playful salute. “We will. Don’t worry so much.”
Gus adjusted his satchel with mock seriousness. “We’re professionals at surviving questionable situations. Mostly.”
That earned him a small laugh from Luz, and Amity caught the sound like it was a lifeline. The past few days with Luz had been… safe. Unexpectedly safe. And the thought of stepping back into the life she’d left behind made her chest tighten.
Luz’s gaze lingered on Amity, softer now, more private. “You too,” she said quietly, “take care.”
Amity nodded, the corner of her mouth twitching in something almost like a smile. “You know I will.”
They parted at the fork in the road — Willow and Gus heading toward the main market together, their chatter fading into the distance, while Amity turned down a narrower lane that led away from town and toward the looming shape of Blight Manor.
The further she walked, the quieter it became. The playful noise of Bonesborough’s streets gave way to still air and muted footsteps. By the time she reached the tall iron gates, the world felt different — colder, heavier.
Blight Manor towered ahead, every window polished to a pale gleam, each one staring down at her like an unblinking eye. Its spires pierced the gray sky, shadows spilling long and dark over the cobblestone drive.
She paused at the gate, fingers curling briefly around the cold metal bars. For a moment, she thought of turning back — of finding some excuse, any excuse, to delay. But she wasn’t that girl anymore. She’d spent too much time with Luz to retreat now.
The gates swung open with a low groan, and she stepped inside. The scent of the grounds hit her first — that faint, sterile mix of rainwater on stone and neatly trimmed hedges. Too clean. Too controlled.
Inside, the manor was just as she remembered: silent, spotless, suffocating. Portraits lined the hall, perfect and smiling in frames that caught the dim light. One of herself hung near the grand staircase — her painted smile so perfectly poised it almost felt like mockery.
Her boots clicked against the polished marble floor, the sound echoing faintly through the stillness. No voices. No sign of anyone. But the air carried that same charged stillness she’d grown up with — the kind that made every breath feel measured, every movement observed.
She moved past the library, catching a glimpse of the untouched fireplace and perfectly ordered shelves. Memories tugged at her — her mother’s voice correcting her reading posture, her siblings smirking when she got something wrong. The urge to leave the room entirely was so strong she didn’t even step inside.
Upstairs, her room was exactly as she’d left it. The bed was made so tightly the blanket barely shifted when she set her satchel down. The curtains were drawn to allow the smallest sliver of afternoon light, casting long, narrow shadows across the floorboards.
She sat on the edge of the bed, running her fingers over the carved headboard. It felt like the past few days had been a dream, one she could still feel in her chest — Luz’s voice, the sound of her laugh, the way she’d looked at her like she was worth listening to. That memory steadied her, but it didn’t make the tension in her stomach vanish.
A distant sound reached her ears — the sharp click of heels against marble. Measured. Deliberate. Odalia.
Amity froze. The sound didn’t come closer yet, but it was enough to send a ripple of dread through her. She knew her mother would have noticed she’d been gone. She knew she’d have questions. She knew there would be consequences.
Unlike the chaos outside of The Owl House, The Blight Manor was in a closed property. It deepened the stillness inside, made the air heavier. She crossed the room and glanced outside. Bonesborough’s rooftops were blurred in a light fog, the gray sky pressing low.
On her way back downstairs, she passed her father’s old study. The door was closed, as always. She knew the desk inside was still stacked with unfinished designs and neatly arranged papers. His quiet absence had always felt different from her mother’s presence — less suffocating, more… ghostlike.
The grand hall below was dim, the light from the chandelier flickering faintly. Staff moved about in silence, keeping their eyes lowered. Even they seemed to sense something brewing.
From the dining room came the faint sound of Odalia’s voice, cool and clipped, likely mid-conversation about some deal or meeting. Amity stopped at the base of the stairs. She wasn’t ready to walk into that room yet.
She veered into the side sitting room instead, closing the door quietly behind her. The air inside was faintly dusty despite the spotless surfaces. Shelves of untouched books lined the walls, their spines perfectly straight.
For a few moments, she just sat in the stillness, hands clasped in her lap. She knew the storm was coming. She could feel it in the way the house seemed to lean in on her, in the way every sound carried like it was waiting for something to break.
But for now, for this one small, stolen pocket of time, she let herself breathe.
The peace in the sitting room lasted all of five minutes.
The door creaked open without a knock, and Odalia stepped inside like she owned not just the house but the very air Amity was breathing. Her hair was perfectly styled, her coat a deep, rich purple lined with gold trim, not a single wrinkle in sight. She carried the faint scent of lavender perfume — delicate on the surface, but cloying when you stood too close.
“Amity,” Odalia said, her voice smooth as glass. “You’re home.”
There was no warmth in it. Not a question, not a greeting. Just an observation laced with quiet judgment.
Amity straightened in her chair. “Yes. I am.”
Odalia’s eyes swept over her like a merchant appraising a flawed item. “And where exactly have you been?”
“I stayed with a friend,” Amity said, keeping her tone calm, even.
“A friend.” Odalia’s gaze narrowed slightly. “One of your little school acquaintances, I assume.”
“Yes.”
Odalia’s lips curved into something between a smile and a sneer. “Well, I suppose it’s good you’re learning to network. Though some connections are… more valuable than others.” She moved further into the room, her heels clicking against the floor in precise rhythm. “I hope this ‘friend’ isn’t distracting you from your priorities.”
Amity’s jaw tightened. She knew what that meant. “No. She isn’t.”
“She.” Odalia caught the pronoun instantly, and her eyes flickered in sharp interest. “Ah. That one.”
Amity felt heat rise in her cheeks but refused to look away. “Luz is my friend.”
“Mm. The human girl. I heard enough from Edric and Emira to know she’s… spirited.” Odalia’s voice wrapped around the word like it was an insult. “I trust she isn’t filling your head with childish nonsense?”
“She’s not,” Amity replied, but she could hear the tightness in her own voice.
Odalia tilted her head, studying her. “You’ve always been impressionable, Amity. I’d hate to see you throw away your potential on trivial distractions. Your father and I have invested far too much in your education for you to waste it on silly adventures.”
That word — invested — always made Amity’s skin crawl. As if she were a business venture, not a daughter.
Odalia turned toward the window, clasping her hands behind her back. “The Abomaton project is ahead of schedule, by the way. I spoke to the factory managers this morning. There may be opportunities for you to contribute — assuming you can focus on what matters.”
Amity said nothing. She wasn’t sure she could keep her voice steady if she spoke.
Odalia glanced over her shoulder, catching the silence. “You’re quiet.”
“I don’t have anything to add,” Amity said.
“Nothing to add?” Odalia’s voice sharpened. “You’re my daughter. You should always have something to add.” She stepped closer, her presence filling the space. “Unless, of course, you’ve been too busy running around with your little friends to remember how this family operates.”
Amity’s nails dug lightly into the fabric of her skirt. She kept her eyes level. “I remember exactly how this family operates.”
For a moment, Odalia just looked at her — that still, calculating stare that always seemed to search for a weak spot. Then, as if deciding to change tactics, she smiled. “I suppose a little freedom isn’t the end of the world. As long as you know when to set it aside.”
Her voice had softened, but the barbs remained. Every word was a reminder: your freedom exists because I allow it.
Odalia reached out and brushed a strand of Amity’s hair back into place. The touch made Amity’s shoulders stiffen.
“You’ve grown more confident lately,” Odalia said lightly. “That can be a strength… or a liability.”
Amity didn’t answer.
“Still,” Odalia went on, stepping back, “confidence without discipline is nothing. Remember that.”
With that, she turned toward the door, her heels clicking again — but she didn’t leave. She paused at the threshold and glanced back.
“Oh, and Amity?”
“Yes?”
“You should consider changing your hairstyle back. This… looser look doesn’t suit you.” Odalia said, gesturing to Amity’s open hair. Luz said she looked prettier that way.
The words hit harder than they should have, pulling at old insecurities. Odalia didn’t need to raise her voice to make them cut deep.
When the door finally closed behind her, the air seemed to expand, but not enough to breathe freely. Amity sat very still, forcing herself not to pace, not to react. That was the trick in this house — never let her see you flinch.
Somewhere in the manor, a clock chimed. The sound was low, almost mournful.
She knew this wasn’t over. Odalia had been probing, testing. And soon, she’d push harder.
Amity exhaled slowly and stood, her reflection catching in the glass of a nearby cabinet. She looked the same as always — calm, composed. But her pulse still hammered beneath the surface.
She left the sitting room and began making her way upstairs again, her footsteps muffled against the carpeted hall. The house seemed darker now, the light from the windows muted by thick, gray clouds outside.
The storm was coming.
The rain had started by the time Amity reached her room — soft at first, then steadier, a constant hiss against the windows. She stood there for a moment, watching the droplets trace uneven paths down the glass, little distortions of the world outside. The muted patter was almost comforting, masking the faint creaks and groans of the manor.
She set her satchel down on her desk and lowered herself onto the bed, the mattress dipping under her weight. For a fleeting second, she let herself imagine she was somewhere else — anywhere else — where the walls didn’t feel like they were closing in.
But the feeling didn’t last.
It never did here.
The knock came less than ten minutes later.
Not a polite, hesitant knock. Three sharp raps, quick and decisive.
Before Amity could even answer, the door opened.
Odalia stepped inside without so much as a greeting, her heels clicking against the polished floorboards. She looked immaculate, every strand of hair perfectly in place, her amulet catching the low lamplight. But her expression had shifted from the earlier, cool mask to something sharper, more surgical.
“I spoke with your father,” she began, her tone clipped. “He tells me you’ve been declining opportunities to assist with the family business.”
Amity stayed seated at the edge of her bed, her hands folded in her lap. “I’ve been focusing on my studies.”
“Your studies.” Odalia’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And what, pray tell, do you think the purpose of those studies is? To prepare you for the real world. For work. For responsibility. All of which you seem determined to avoid.”
“I’m not avoiding anything,” Amity said carefully. “I’m choosing what matters to me.”
“Choosing,” Odalia repeated, as if tasting the word and finding it sour. “And what, exactly, qualifies you to make such choices? You’re a child. A child with a very narrow understanding of how the world works.”
Amity looked down at her hands, trying to keep her voice steady. “Maybe I understand more than you think.”
Odalia took a slow, deliberate step forward. “I know exactly what this is about. That human girl — Luz. She’s been filling your head with romanticized notions about friendship, loyalty, doing what you ‘feel’ instead of what’s practical. It’s pathetic.”
Amity’s head shot up. “Don’t talk about her like that.”
“Like what? As though she’s a bad influence?” Odalia tilted her head, eyes glinting. “Because she is. I’ve seen this before — you grow attached, you let yourself be swayed, and suddenly, you’re not thinking clearly. You’re wasting time on pointless adventures instead of building a future.”
“A future you want for me,” Amity snapped before she could stop herself.
Odalia’s lips curved into a thin, humorless smile. “Of course I want it for you. Because unlike you, I understand what’s at stake.”
Amity stood now, the hem of her skirt brushing against her knees, her hands trembling despite her effort to keep them still. “You don’t get to decide who I am. Or what I want.”
For a moment, silence hung heavy between them.
Then Odalia’s smile vanished. “You are a Blight,” she said, voice low and cold. “And being a Blight means living up to certain expectations. Discipline. Image. Respect. If you throw that away, you throw away everything we’ve given you.”
“You’ve given me nothing I didn’t have to earn by being exactly who you wanted me to be,” Amity said, her voice shaking now — but not with fear. “Every compliment, every ounce of approval… it was always conditional. And I’m done chasing it.”
Odalia’s heels clicked again as she stepped closer. “Watch your tone.”
“No,” Amity said, louder this time. “For once, you’re going to hear me. I’m not a project. I’m not an investment. I’m your daughter. And I’m not going to let you keep—”
The slap came fast.
A sharp crack, skin against skin, cutting through the steady rain outside.
Amity’s head jerked to the side, her cheek stinging instantly, heat radiating from the spot where Odalia’s hand had struck. Her breath caught in her throat.
The room felt smaller now. The air heavier. The rain outside was suddenly deafening in her ears.
Odalia’s hand lingered in the air for just a fraction of a second before she lowered it, her face unreadable. “Do not speak to me like that again.”
Amity slowly turned her head back, her hair falling slightly into her face. She met her mother’s eyes, her pulse a steady drumbeat in her ears. When she spoke, her voice was quiet but unshaken.
“You can hit me,” she said. “You can insult me. But you can’t control me anymore.”
Something flickered in Odalia’s eyes — not remorse, not even guilt, but the faintest twitch of irritation, as though Amity’s defiance was simply an obstacle to be managed.
“We’ll discuss this later,” Odalia said, already turning toward the door. “When you’ve had time to cool down.”
She left without another word, the door clicking shut behind her.
Amity stood in the same spot for a long time, her cheek still burning. She brought her fingers up to the sting, touching it lightly. She didn’t cry.
The rain grew heavier, rattling faintly against the glass. She could feel the walls of the Blight Manor closing in again, the familiar cold settling deep in her bones.
But beneath it, something else was there now.
Not peace. Not comfort. But a steady, unshakable resolve.
If Odalia thought this would break her, she was wrong.
The rain hadn’t stopped since the argument.
It poured in heavy, unrelenting sheets against the tall windows of Blight Manor, streaking the glass until the gardens beyond looked like they were melting away. The once-pristine hedges blurred into dark, jagged shadows. Somewhere in the distance, thunder rumbled low, as if the Boiling Isles itself was holding its breath.
Amity sat on the edge of her bed, back straight, hands folded loosely in her lap. She hadn’t moved since her mother’s footsteps had faded down the hall. The faint sting in her cheek had dulled to a slow, pulsing ache — not sharp anymore, but present. It was the kind of ache that made itself known only when she was still.
The room felt cold, but not in the way a breeze or draft could explain. It was the kind of cold that seeped in from the walls, from the air itself.
Her gaze drifted to her scroll, lying facedown on her desk across the room.
One message — one little “Hey” — and Luz would reply in seconds. Probably with some ridiculous human phrase Amity wouldn’t understand until it was explained to her in far too much detail. Luz would find a way to turn her evening into something warmer, lighter.
Her fingers twitched.
She didn’t move.
Because if she reached out, Luz would hear the strain in her voice. She’d notice something was wrong. And then the questions would come — questions Amity didn’t have the energy to answer. She didn’t want Willow’s gentle frown or Gus’s worried glances. She didn’t want to take the light they all had and replace it with this.
Her friends didn’t deserve to carry it.
She stood finally, the motion slow, deliberate. Her steps toward the window were silent against the plush carpet. She pulled back the curtain with two fingers, watching the rain trickle down the glass in erratic paths. For a moment, she caught her reflection faintly in the pane — minty hair slightly out of place, yellow eyes sharper than she wanted them to be, a faint redness marring her cheek.
She tilted her head just enough to study it. The mark wasn’t obvious yet. Tomorrow it might be.
Her lips pressed into a thin line. She let the curtain fall back into place.
The manor was silent around her. No footsteps. No voices. No sound except the rain and the faint, rhythmic tick of the clock on her desk. Even the usual hum of distant machinery and enchanted lighting felt muted.
She crossed back to her bed and lowered herself slowly, sitting first before pulling her legs up and wrapping the blanket around her shoulders. The fabric was cool against her skin, heavy in a way that felt almost protective.
Her cheek brushed the pillow, the pressure reigniting the dull throb. It wasn’t unbearable. She’d had worse bruises in dueling practice. But the source of this one made it different — a quiet, raw kind of hurt that sat somewhere far beneath the surface.
She stared at the ceiling for a while, tracing the faint lines where the wood panels met. Her breathing was steady, almost too steady, like she was afraid that if she let it waver even once, she wouldn’t be able to stop.
The memory replayed unbidden — her words, Odalia’s sharper ones, the way the air between them had felt like it could shatter. And then… the slap. A sound that seemed to ring louder in her head than it had in the room.
Amity shut her eyes for a moment, exhaling slowly through her nose. She couldn’t let herself get caught in that loop. Not now.
She rolled onto her side, turning her back to the door. The blanket shifted with her, the weight settling over her shoulders and chest. The cold air in the room bit at the small gaps the fabric didn’t cover.
This wasn’t the first time her mother had hurt her. Usually it was with words. This time it was different.
She knew she should tell someone. She could imagine Luz’s face — angry, protective, warm all at once. She could imagine Willow’s quiet, steady comfort, Gus’s attempts to make her laugh through tears.
But then she pictured their smiles now, unburdened. And she wanted to leave them that way.
So she wouldn’t say anything. Not tonight.
The rain softened, becoming more of a faint patter than a downpour. In the quiet, the clock’s ticking grew louder, each second stretching into something that felt heavier than it should.
She thought about what it would be like to walk out of this house and never look back. No cold walls, no sharp comments, no calculating glances. Just… freedom.
The thought was dangerous in its warmth, because it wasn’t hers yet. Not completely.
But someday, it would be.
Her hand tightened in the blanket before relaxing again. She let her eyes close, the darkness behind her eyelids only slightly darker than the dim light in the room.
She wouldn’t break. She couldn’t.
If Odalia wanted to make her small, she would do the opposite — she would grow, she would learn, she would become something her mother couldn’t touch.
And when she finally left, she wouldn’t just be walking away. She’d be walking toward something better.
That thought stayed with her as she lay there, listening to the quiet, listening to the rain return with slow persistence.
The house was colder now. But in the hollow silence, she found a strange kind of resolve.
Not peace.
Not yet.
But something she could hold onto.
Chapter 17: Chapter 17: The World Beneath The Mask
Chapter Text
Morning light filtered down on Hexside, catching in the tall crystal windows until they shimmered with hues of green, gold, and purple. The academy always looked imposing from the outside — tall spires, enchanted gargoyles perched on the corners, banners fluttering with the colors of each track — but mornings were oddly peaceful. The chatter of hundreds of students filled the air, a patchwork of voices rising and falling like waves. Scroll screens glowed as witches swapped assignments, memes, and gossip. A group of Illusions track students were already pulling pranks, painting the air with fake creatures that startled anyone too distracted to notice.
Luz climbed the stone steps, nearly tripping over her shoelace in her excitement. She had her notebook tucked under her arm and a grin plastered across her face. Everything about Hexside made her feel alive — the rush of voices, the smell of chalk dust mixed with potion fumes, the way the school practically hummed with magic.
She spotted Willow and Gus waiting by the entrance, standing just to the side of the crowd. Willow had her arms full of books, two of them clearly heavier than they had any right to be, while Gus fiddled with his satchel as if it had too many pockets and not nearly enough organization.
“Morning, besties!” Luz called, waving so hard her notebook nearly slipped from her arm.
Willow’s smile bloomed the moment she saw her. “Morning, Luz. You look… awake.”
“Awake?” Luz blinked.
“She means you look like you had way too much sugar before breakfast,” Gus said with a smirk, tightening his satchel strap. “Like, enough to keep a coven scout running for three days.”
Luz laughed nervously. “Okay, okay, fine, King might’ve let me have an extra marshmallow cocoa. Or… five.”
“That explains the energy,” Willow teased, shifting her books.
Before Luz could defend herself further, Amity appeared from around the corner, walking with her usual poise. Her uniform was perfectly ironed, her hair in her usual half up half down style, and her satchel hung neatly at her side. But there was something different — slower steps, heavier than normal. And though her golden eyes still shone, they looked dimmer, ringed by faint shadows underneath.
Luz’s stomach flipped like it always did, but now there was something else too — a tug of worry.
“Hey, Amity,” Luz said, a little too quickly.
“Hey.” Amity’s voice was soft, her smile fleeting but genuine.
“Ready for another totally normal day of totally normal school things?” Gus asked, his tone full of mock seriousness.
“Define normal,” Amity replied dryly, though the corner of her mouth twitched upward.
Before anyone else could answer, a familiar pair of voices chimed in.
“Define boring,” Emira said as she swooped in, tossing her hair over one shoulder and draping an arm around Amity.
Edric leaned on his sister’s other side, already scrolling through messages. “Because that’s what school usually is.” He sighed dramatically. “Except when our favorite little sister’s here to make things interesting.”
Amity groaned, ducking out from Emira’s grip with practiced ease. “Don’t you two have your own friends to annoy?”
“Why would we need them,” Emira teased, “when we have you?”
“Exactly,” Edric said, sliding his scroll into his pocket. “Besides, you love us.”
Amity shot them a glare, but Luz noticed the faintest smile tugging at her lips.
The six of them walked together into the buzzing halls. The air smelled faintly of potion smoke and burnt parchment, and every corner carried movement — students chatting, lockers snapping shut with enchanted locks, a few stray spell sparks zipping through the air where a duel had clearly broken out before class.
Willow launched into a story about her newest hybrid plant, hands gesturing enthusiastically as she explained how it could grow leaves shaped like glyphs. Gus kept interrupting with jokes about what spells the plant might accidentally cast. Edric and Emira chimed in with sarcastic commentary, which made Willow groan and Gus laugh harder.
Luz tried to listen, she really did, but her eyes kept drifting to the girl walking beside her. Amity’s expression was calm, but her posture was a little stiffer than usual, like she was holding herself together with sheer will. And those shadows under her eyes…
Stop staring, Luz told herself, cheeks heating. Friends can think their friends are pretty. Totally normal.
She shoved the thought aside, forcing herself to focus on Gus, who was now describing what would happen if his illusion spells worked on plants. “Imagine a tree that looks like it’s on fire, but it’s not! Or a bush that pretends to talk back to you—”
“Gus, that already exists,” Willow said flatly, though her grin betrayed her amusement.
By the time the bell rang, they were all laughing, even Amity, her golden eyes brighter for a moment. The group splintered off into their tracks, but not before Willow called, “Lunch, same spot!” and everyone nodded in agreement.
For now, the morning passed like any other. Classes, chatter, notes traded under desks. Normal. Almost peaceful.
But peace had a way of shattering quickly at Hexside.
And none of them realized how soon it would.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sun had shifted just enough to paint the glass panes in golden streaks by the time lunch rolled around. Hexside’s courtyard buzzed with energy — potion students carried cauldrons that sloshed dangerously, and a group of bard-track kids strummed enchanted instruments that played slightly out of tune on purpose.
Luz, Willow, Gus, and Amity gathered beneath their usual tree in the yard. The shade was cool, a welcome break from the warm rays that had started sneaking through the clouds.
Willow unpacked her lunch neatly, pulling containers from her bag with organized precision. Gus was already balancing his on one knee while flipping through his illusion notes. Luz unwrapped a sandwich from Eda that was… questionably purple, though she decided not to ask what the filling was. Amity sat cross-legged, her own box resting neatly in her lap, but she hadn’t touched it yet.
“Okay, so picture this,” Gus said suddenly, waving his scroll like a stage prop. “You walk into class late. Everyone’s staring. But then—bam!” He snapped his fingers, and an illusion flickered above his hand. It showed a miniature Gus waltzing into a classroom with a parade of fireworks behind him. “Instant entrance!”
Willow rolled her eyes. “Or instant detention.”
“Details,” Gus said, grinning.
Luz laughed, nearly dropping her sandwich. She turned to share the moment with Amity, but her smile faltered when she saw the other girl staring off toward the main building, her food untouched. The distant look in her golden eyes made Luz’s heart squeeze.
“Hey,” Luz said softly, nudging her with her elbow. “You okay?”
Amity blinked, snapping back to the moment. She forced a small smile. “Yeah. Just… thinking about class.”
Luz didn’t buy it, but before she could press, a loud crash echoed from the nearby hallway. The group twisted to look. Smoke curled from the open archway, followed by shouting voices.
“Uh-oh,” Gus muttered. “That doesn’t sound good.”
A moment later, three abomination students bolted into the courtyard, coughing from the smoke. Behind them, a puddle of purple goo oozed out the door, sparking with unstable magic.
“Oh, Titan,” Willow said, standing up.
The goo hissed, then erupted in a spray of sparks, staining the stone black. Students screamed and scrambled back. Luz and her friends instinctively backed away too, though none of them had even been near the explosion.
And yet, when the smoke cleared, the first eyes that turned suspiciously were on them.
“Of course it’s the trouble group,” one student whispered.
“They’re always hanging around when something weird happens,” another muttered.
Luz’s mouth fell open. “Wait—what? We didn’t even do anything!”
“Try telling that to Principal Bump,” said a voice behind them.
Sure enough, Professor Hieronymus Bump himself strode through the archway, cloak billowing dramatically despite the chaos. His beady eyes swept the courtyard before landing on Luz and her friends.
“Detention,” he barked, pointing at them with a crooked finger.
“What?!” Willow exclaimed, her braids whipping as she spun toward him. “We didn’t cause this!”
“Excuses,” Bump said, adjusting his spectacles. “Every time there’s an incident, somehow you four are in the vicinity. Until I determine the full story, you’ll spend your afternoon in detention. Perhaps the lesson will finally sink in.”
Luz gaped. “But that’s not fair! We were just eating lunch!”
“Life isn’t fair,” Bump replied curtly. “Report to Classroom C-17 after your final class. And bring your scrolls — they’ll be turned in during detention.”
Luz opened her mouth to argue again, but Amity touched her arm lightly, shaking her head. “It’s no use,” she whispered. “He’s made up his mind.”
By the end of the day, their fates were sealed.
Classroom C-17 was tucked in the farthest wing of the school, its door creaking loudly when opened. The room smelled faintly of chalk and dust, the air stale from lack of use. Desks sat in neat rows, though the group claimed a cluster in the back corner.
“Four hours,” Willow muttered, dropping her stack of books onto her desk. “Four hours of wasted time.”
“Think of it as four hours of productivity,” Gus said, pulling out his quills. “We can finally finish those assignments we’ve been putting off.”
Willow glanced at him, then sighed. “Fine. At least it won’t be a total waste.”
At the front of the class, the supervising teacher, a stern woman with steel-gray hair and sharper eyes, stretched out her hand. “Scrolls. All of them.”
One by one, the group placed their devices on her desk. Gus handed his over reluctantly. Willow hesitated, then sighed and passed hers forward too.
Amity held hers back for a second, thumb flying across the screen as she typed a quick message:
Need cover. Tell Mom I’m at library after school. Please.
Her finger hovered, then she hit send. Within seconds, both Edric and Emira responded with a thumbs-up emoji and a “Got it.” Only then did Amity hand over her scroll, her face calm, hiding the tiny storm inside her chest.
Meanwhile, Luz sat down with a grin, slipping her own human phone under the desk. The teacher’s demand had been for scrolls, and no one in the Boiling Isles even knew what a “phone” was. She tapped the screen until Bubble Blast appeared, the colorful little bubbles bobbing happily across her screen.
For the first twenty minutes, the room was filled with scratching quills and low whispers. Willow and Gus compared notes, muttering about spell structures. Luz popped bubble after bubble, humming under her breath. But eventually, even the game lost its charm.
She set her phone aside and glanced around the room.
Willow and Gus were still buried in their work. The twins weren’t here to crack jokes. The supervising teacher looked half-asleep. Luz’s gaze shifted to her right — and froze.
Amity sat by the window, sunlight pouring over her face, making her pale hair gleam like silver. The light caught in her golden eyes, turning them molten. She looked like she belonged to another world entirely, some untouchable storybook painting. Luz’s breath caught, and her cheeks flamed.
Friends can think their friends are pretty. Totally normal. Totally fine.
But the longer she stared, the more she noticed something else. The faint shadows beneath Amity’s eyes. The way her shoulders sagged when she thought no one was looking. The small, tight set of her mouth.
Luz leaned closer, her voice low. “Amity… are you okay? You look… tired.”
Amity stiffened, glancing away quickly. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“I said I’m fine.”
But her voice cracked.
Luz’s voice hung between them like a fragile thread. The quiet scratch of Willow and Gus’s quills filled the room, but Luz barely noticed. Her whole world had narrowed to the girl sitting beside her.
Amity had turned toward the window, her profile outlined in light. From this angle, Luz could see the faint tremor in her fingers as she gripped her quill. Her knuckles were pale. Her breath was shallow.
“Amity,” Luz whispered again, softer this time.
Amity’s eyes flicked to hers for the briefest moment, golden irises bright in the sun, before darting away. “I said I’m fine,” she repeated. But her voice wasn’t steady — it wavered, like glass about to crack.
Luz frowned. She leaned in just a little closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “You don’t have to be fine with me.”
That did it. Amity’s quill stopped moving. She pressed her lips together tightly, but Luz saw her jaw tremble. The sunlight spilling through the window made the dark half-circles beneath her eyes impossible to hide.
“You haven’t been sleeping, have you?” Luz asked, heart tightening.
Amity shook her head, just once, like she was trying to shake the thought away. But the motion only made the truth louder.
Luz’s hand twitched on the desk, itching to reach out, but she held it back. Not yet.
“Amity… what happened?” she asked gently.
Amity didn’t answer. For a long moment, the only sound was Gus muttering something about illusion theory up front. Then Amity exhaled sharply, like she’d been holding her breath for days.
“My mom,” she said finally, her voice so quiet Luz almost didn’t catch it.
Luz froze. “Odalia?”
Amity nodded once, still staring out the window. Her hand tightened around the edge of her desk until her knuckles whitened.
“She… she wasn’t happy when I came home yesterday,” Amity admitted, her tone flat, practiced. “I tried to stand up to her, for once. I thought… maybe if I just used my voice, maybe if I showed her I wasn’t afraid—” Her words broke off, brittle and raw. She swallowed hard. “She slapped me.”
The words hit Luz like a physical blow. She stared, breath caught in her throat, eyes widening.
“She what?” Luz whispered fiercely.
“Luz, please,” Amity hissed, glancing toward the front of the room. The supervising teacher hadn’t stirred, and Willow and Gus were still deep in their notes. No one had heard.
Amity dragged her gaze back to the window, shoulders curling inward. “It doesn’t matter. It’s not the first time she’s hurt me. And… it won’t be the last.”
Luz’s stomach twisted. Heat rose in her chest — anger, sharp and blinding. But she forced it down. Amity didn’t need fire right now. She needed something else.
“Of course it matters,” Luz said, her voice fierce but low. “Amity, that’s not okay. It’s never okay.”
Amity laughed softly, but it wasn’t a happy sound. More like an exhale of defeat. “You don’t understand. She’ll never stop. She’ll always find a way to remind me that I’m hers to control. That I’ll never be enough unless I’m exactly what she wants.”
Luz’s throat burned. She wanted to grab Amity by the shoulders and shake her free from those words. But instead, she inched closer, her voice barely above a whisper.
“You’re not hers, Amity. You’re you. And you’re more than enough. For me. For Willow and Gus. For everyone who actually matters.”
Amity finally turned to look at her then. Really look. Her eyes were glassy, golden fire dulled by exhaustion, by hurt. For a second, Luz thought she might finally cry — but Amity blinked hard, forcing it back.
“I don’t want to burden you with this,” Amity whispered. “You already have so much on your plate. With… everything.”
“You’re not a burden,” Luz said instantly. The words shot out before she could stop them, steady and certain. “You could never be a burden to me. Don’t you get it, Amity? I want to be here for you. Always.”
Amity’s lips parted, but no words came out.
The silence stretched, heavy and fragile. Luz couldn’t stand it anymore. Slowly, carefully, she slid her hand across the desk until it brushed against Amity’s.
Amity flinched at first — but then her fingers relaxed, curling around Luz’s as if they’d been waiting for that touch all along.
For a heartbeat, neither of them breathed.
Then Amity whispered, so soft Luz almost didn’t hear it: “I’m scared, Luz.”
Luz squeezed her hand gently. “I know. But you don’t have to be scared alone anymore.”
Amity’s eyes shimmered in the fading light. She didn’t cry. She didn’t break. But something inside her shifted — like the tiniest crack in the armor she’d built so high around herself.
And Luz was right there, holding her hand through it.
For the rest of detention, they stayed like that. Side by side. Fingers tangled together beneath the desk, hidden from the world but stronger for it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The final bell rang like a liberation spell. The classroom door creaked open, and the supervising teacher dismissed them with a curt wave of the hand. Four hours had crawled by, but somehow Luz felt like they’d lived a lifetime in that cramped detention room.
Willow stretched her arms above her head with a groan. “Finally. I thought I was going to become part of the furniture.”
Gus shoved his papers into his satchel, grinning. “Hey, at least we’re all caught up on assignments. Silver linings!”
Luz chuckled, though her eyes flicked sideways to Amity. Their hands had parted when the teacher approached, but the warmth still lingered on her skin. Amity looked composed again, her walls rebuilt, but there was a softness around her eyes now. A quiet gratitude.
The four of them walked out into the fading evening light, the school courtyard was unusually empty, but that was expected considering the squad had stayed after school.
Scrolls lit up with chatter, wings of paper glyphs fluttered overhead, lockers slammed and clicked shut. Life was back to normal — or so it seemed.
Amity pulled out her scroll and typed a quick message, fingers flying with practiced ease.
The group pushed through the school gates together. The sun hung low, bleeding red and gold across the horizon. Shadows stretched long across the ground. For a fleeting moment, Luz thought it looked beautiful.
Then she noticed it.
The dirt beneath their feet — blackened. Charred, almost, as though scorched by fire that left no smoke.
She slowed, her brow furrowing. “Uh… guys? Is it just me, or is the ground… weird?”
Willow glanced down. “Oh. That’s… not normal.”
Gus crouched, poking at the earth with a stick. The blackened surface crumbled into dust, but beneath it was more of the same — layer after layer of unnatural darkness.
“Creepy,” Gus muttered. “Very creepy.”
Before they could investigate further, a familiar voice called out.
“There you are!”
Luz’s face lit up. Eda stood a few yards away, leaning lazily against her staff, King perched smugly on her shoulder, and Amity’s siblings, Edric and Emira, waving lazily from the path.
“Detention already? You kids are making me proud.” Eda called out, her grin sharp.
Edric smirked. “Four hours, huh? That’s a personal best.”
Emira added with a wink, “Mom would be so proud if we told her… which we won’t.”
Amity rolled her eyes but couldn’t help a tiny smile. “Thanks for covering.”
Luz’s face lit up as she jogged forward to meet them, the others trailing close behind. Relief bubbled in her chest — for once, everything felt normal.
But then she noticed it.
The ground beneath their feet — blackened, charred, like ash painted across the earth.
Her steps faltered. “Uh… guys? Is it just me, or does the ground look… wrong?”
The words barely left her lips when the earth shuddered. A low rumble vibrated through the stones, and the black surface pulsed outward like spreading ink.
“Uh oh,” Eda muttered, straightening.
“Uh oh?!” King squeaked, clutching at her shoulder.
Before anyone could react, the blackness surged upward. Shadows coiled around their ankles like living smoke.
“Luz!” Amity grabbed her hand. Willow clutched Gus’s arm. Edric and Emira both froze, their usual jokes dying on their tongues.
“Hold on!” Eda shouted, raising her staff. But even she wasn’t fast enough.
The world dissolved in a rush of darkness.
Colors vanished. The courtyard disappeared. The sound of the schoolyard faded into nothing.
When the shadows spat them back out, the six stumbled onto solid ground in a world unlike any other.
The grass was gray. The sky was washed-out violet. The air smelled stale, heavy. And ahead of them stood a single house — large enough for a family of eight, but bleak and empty, its walls drained of all color.
The silence pressed against their ears.
Then, from the shadows of the strange house, a voice slithered into the air.
“Well, well,” it drawled, smooth and cold.
“We meet yet again… Luz.”