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Chapter Text

Vines wrapped tightly around her arms and legs, Luz tried to hold the portal together, trying to keep her grip from slipping on King’s claws and being pulled towards the door by Amity. She had to keep them together. They couldn’t split again. This was her family , her people! 

“We gotta stick together. We gotta stick together!” Luz cried.

King looked at her with a sorrowful look, saying “I’m sorry, not this time. But I can keep you safe.”

Tears started to stream down her face as she realized what he meant. “No!”

But… he kept on… “Luz, I’m so happy I had you as a big sister.” And with his final thanks, King inhaled deeply before screaming out, forcefully pushing Luz and her friends through the portal door to which it shuts. Permanently. 

“No!” Luz yelled. No. This couldn’t be it. This couldn’t be how it ended! Despite the pain from the pushback and fall, despite her twisted ankle, despite the weird, numb feeling in her body, Luz sprung to her feet and sprinted back towards the door in a frantic state. She swung the door open in a panic and… all that was left was a rotting, wooden shack with papers and trash scattered on the floor. “King!” She yelled the young titan’s name, slamming the rotting, splintered door open and close. Open and close. A decaying house. A decaying house. That’s it. That’s it? It’s all gone, just like that?

Luz turned around slowly, hesitating to face her friends, fearful of the anger her friends would express towards her. She deserved it anyways… but it never came. They all just stared… processing.

Gus is the first to snap. The youngest of the group yet the smartest, one who traumatized Graye unintentionally, now hunched over himself. He looked so broken and his sobs were heart shattering. How could Luz have let this happen to him?

Willow moved to his side to support the younger but… she was barely holding herself together. Luz could tell just by the violent trembling in the plant witch’s body. Willow, a powerhouse who didn’t take anything from anyone, someone who was always by Luz’s side… she didn’t look like herself. Willow looked shattered. It wasn’t usual and it scared Luz. 

Amity, a cotton candy haired goddess, hadn’t moved an inch. Hand’s not even flinching or shivering; a statue in the rain. Amity was always so expressive, even more so around Luz, but now… her awesome, supportive girlfriend was a shell of herself. Amity lost that spark, her golden eyes looking numb to Luz. She broke the love of her life.

Hunter, the oldest and most experienced. Luz knew the frozen, stoic expression on his face. She learned he used it as a mask, even if she barely knew him other than their… dangerous encounters. Hunter, the child soldier, the infamous (retired) Golden Guard, the bad but sad boy, Luz’s newest friend. He was the one who had brushed death the most, coming too close just a few hours- wait no, it had only been minutes ago. How was he even holding himself together? How could he even make eye contact with Luz when it was her fault everything that happened?

Luz blanked out for so long she didn’t even register the figure approaching her until it pulled her in a hug. She blinked out of her zoned out state and found herself nuzzling her face into Amity’s wet hair. When had Amity come over? When did tears start streaming down Luz’s face? When did she collapse to her knees? Everything felt fuzzy and she couldn’t feel anything in her legs or arm. Luz couldn’t focus her vision and her head angrily rang. What’s that sound? Wait, was that voices? Was someone talking? Oh! They were talking to her!

”Luz!” Amity yelled out, her voice choked up and full of concern. 

“I…” Luz mumbled before being hugged tighter by Amity.

”Finally! Luz, you- you were not responding! We got so scared. I got so scared,” Amity said, cupping Luz’s face in her palm and brushing away tears uselessly with her thumb.

”I’m sorry… for everything,” Luz spoke as loud as she could, unable to muster anything but a soft whisper.

”Don’t be,” Hunter spoke up. Matter-of-fact as always. “There’s nothing to be sorry about and you are not a sorry person. Even if you were , which you’re not!” He quickly added as Amity glared at him, “We still have priorities. We need to find shelter and get rest before anything else.”

”Yeah, Hunter has a point… I know it’s not boiling but who knows what human rain can do?” Willow added more justification.

 “But… we’ll talk about… this later,” Hunter quickly added, gesturing to Luz and then the others. “All of this has been…” he trailed off with a shutter.

”Heavy,” Gus finished in a soft, raspy voice. “It’s all been… heavy.”

Willow and Amity simultaneously nodded in agreement.

”Y-yeah. Later… we’ll think about it later,” Luz numbly nodded. “But for now, I know where we can go.”

”Where?” Gus asked, a hint of his usual curiosity slightly peeking through the clouds of exhaustion. 

“Home…” Luz answered. 

“Luz… not to discredit your judgment, but… are you sure? Isn’t that your mom’s house? Didn’t she, like, try to send you away?” Amity asked.

”I- no! I mean, yes but- she only wanted the best for me, she won’t turn you guys away. I swear,” Luz tried to reassure, still sounding weak.

The Emerald trio exchanged an unsure glance but nodded in agreement as Amity gave them a confident smile. Luz couldn’t help but notice that. They didn’t trust her. They didn’t trust her judgment… Good . She didn’t deserve to be trusted anymore, not after causing… everything .

”She’s trustworthy,” Luz assured, hoping they would trust her mother since she was much more worthy of it. “Mamí will love you guys. She’ll be happy to meet you and have you around; I’m sure of it.”

Willow nodded firmly. “Alright,” she spoke with a soft smile. Was she trying to comfort Luz? Why?

”Okay then, lead the way Luz!” Amity said cheerfully although audibly tired. The spark that Luz adored returned to Amity’s eyes as she smiled at her. Even though she was just as worn down as the others, Amity kept her spirits up. For them. For her. For Luz. Luz simply nodded in response, hating herself for accepting Amity’s comfort; she didn’t deserve it. 

Luz went to stand up but stumbled, her legs still feeling frozen like stone. She looked down and… no, no stone. So why did she feel so… paralyzed? Luz decided not to dwell on it, it’d go away soon enough. She glanced back up as Amity reached out her hand with that unforgettable smile. Luz couldn’t help but accept her girlfriend's help, momentarily forgetting her guilt in the soft presence that radiated from that lavender haired girl. 

Amity wrapped her arm around Luz, hoisting her up and helping her walk. 

“Just tell me where to go, okay Batata?” Amity asked.

”Right,” Luz nodded softly. “Sorry…”

”Don’t apologize. You’re hurt like the rest of us, Luz,” Willow softly frowned.

Luz couldn’t pull herself to verbally respond, knowing whatever spilled out of her mouth would only make things worse, so she just nodded. Clearing her throat, Luz quickly changed the subject and started to direct the group back to her house. The rain never lessened up, the sky grew from the colors of evening into the dark of night, and Luz’s friends were on edge and freezing. Luz felt a pain in her heart each time one of them shivered violently or anything touched their untreated wounds. Eventually, from what felt like forever and through feeling slipping from her limbs, Luz finally arrived at that familiar doorstep. It’d been so long since she was here, she was honestly shocked she still remembered. Then again, how could you forget the house tied to… no. That isn’t important. Not right now.

Luz hesitated as she stared at the door, she heard her friends talking but couldn’t make out the words, zeroed in on that familiar door. She slowly walked up the steps, suppressing a wince of pain from her ankle, at least there was still feeling , she thought. Reaching the door, her hand rested on the wood, running her fingers across the painted door before she finally brought up the courage. She pulled her hand back and knocked on the door. Luz stepped back and regrouped with her friends.

Amity lightly placed a hand on Luz’s arm, giving her a comforting smile before looking back at the door expectantly. Willow took a deep breath to console herself, holding her arm and focusing back on the door. Hunter held onto Gus protectively, guarding him while Gus just looked… tired. The door soon opened and the world felt like it stopped moving. 

“Hey mom… I’m back,” Luz opened her arms with a faltering smile, choking on tears as they slipped again. Her mom rushed forward, grabbing Luz and pulling her into a tight hug and Luz sobbed into her shoulder.

”Luz… you’re here,” Camila whispered, her voice full of motherly love.

”I-I’m so so sorry Mamí… I did-“ Luz stuttered before being cut off.

”Hey, hey. Baby, it’s okay,” Camila said softly before pulling back from the hug and looking behind Luz at her friends.

“Mamí, these are my friends… from the demon realm. We can’t get back. Could… could they stay with us?” Luz asked.

”Of course! Come in, come in. You all must be freezing,” Camila stepped aside for the disheveled teens to enter, glancing at each of them as they passed by. “Vee, can you get the first aid kit?” She called out. 

“Sure?” Vee’s voice called back. Luz lightly smiled hearing her voice. She missed Vee, even if they barely met months ago, Luz still found Vee as the sibling she never had. 

“Here, sit down. You all look tired,” Camila said softly, gesturing them to the couch. “I need you all to tell me what happened.”

Chapter Text

Hunter hesitated at the door, staring at the pile of green, rotting goop that was once Belos. What just happened? It all happened so quickly, everything in the past week had. Yet it felt like no time passed at all. All thoughts of his were blasted away the moment King’s scream shot them through the door and the portal collapsed. Hunter’s mind was spinning, he was sure the others felt the same. What they probably didn’t feel was the sharp stinging. 

He winced as he reached a hand to cover the singeing skin around his coven sigil. The draining spell was stopped, they were in a new realm. So then… why did it still feel as though the entire right side of his body was in flames? Lesser so but it was… weird. It was probably just phantom pain though and Hunter’s been through worse, so why worry?

Hunter finally came back to his senses after hearing faint sobs. He turned his gaze to Gus and reached a hand out to help Willow comfort him but pulled back. Was he even going to help if he tried? 

“Luz? Luz please ! Please respond!” Hunter heard a voice cry out. He looked over to see Luz standing there, swaying slightly, as the human tried to process everything. 

Hunter stood up, hiding a slight stumble as even walking hurt. He held his right arm, careful not to bump it on anything as he stepped closer to the human before she collapsed in the youngest Blight’s arms. 

”Luz!” Blight yelled out, her voice sounding pitiful. 

“I…” The human finally responded

”Finally! Luz, you- you were not responding! We got so scared. I got so scared,” Blight exclaimed.

”I’m sorry… for everything,” Luz barely spoke.

Hunter continued stepping closer as he spoke; ”Don’t be. There’s nothing to be sorry about and you are not a sorry person. Even if you were ,” Hunter emphasized, feeling Amity glare daggers at him and causing him to quickly add, “which you’re not!” He cleared his throat before continuing “We still have priorities. We need to find shelter and get rest before anything else.”

”Yeah, Hunter has a point… I know it’s not boiling but who knows what human rain can do?” The Captain agreed. 

 Hunter spoke up again though. “But… we’ll talk about… this later,” he gestured to the whole group. “All of this has been…” his voice quoted as he shuttered, the events of the day finally catching up to him.

”Heavy,” Gus finished for him. Hunter hated the way his friend sounded so broken. “It’s all been… heavy.”

The Captain and the youngest Blight- Amity simultaneously nodded in agreement with Gus.

”Y-yeah. Later… we’ll think about it later,” Luz numbly nodded. “But for now, I know where we can go.”

”Where?” Gus asked and Hunter didn’t miss the slight enthusiasm in his tone. At least Gus wasn’t fully gone.

“Home…” Luz answered. 

“Luz… not to discredit your judgment, but… are you sure? Isn’t that your mom’s house? Didn’t she, like, try to send you away?” Amity asked.

”I- no! I mean, yes but- she only wanted the best for me, she won’t turn you guys away. I swear,” Luz tried to reassure but she sounded… off. A rush of suspicion hit Hunter. He’d have to be on guard.

And thankfully, when he glanced at Willow and Gus, they seemed to agree with him but nodded anyway when Amity looked sure of the human’s choice. It was their best bet after all.

”She’s trustworthy,” Luz haphazardly assured. “Mamí will love you guys. She’ll be happy to meet you and have you around; I’m sure of it.”

Willow nodded firmly. “Alright.”

”Okay then, lead the way Luz!” Amity said cheerfully but Hunter could see through the facade. 

Hunter took a step. Back to give them room, raising an eyebrow when Luz visibly struggled to stand. He’d have to ask about that later. It wasn’t a good sign.

“Just tell me where to go, okay Batata?” Amity asked the human.

”Right,” Luz nodded softly. “Sorry…”

”Don’t apologize. You’re hurt like the rest of us, Luz,” Willow softly frowned and Hunter found himself nodding in agreement with the Captain.

Luz quickly changed the subject from her pain to the directions and Hunter knew there was something up. Although he would never admit it, he always ignored his own pain to the point he could easily tell when others were doing it too. Looking up at the clouds, the rain never lessened up, the sky grew from the colors of evening into the dark of night. Hunter couldn’t help but stare. Of the things Belos lied about, this wasn’t one of them… 

Hunter held Gus close to him, feeling the need to protect him. He flinched a few times when Gus would lightly bump his arm, trying desperately to hide it but he knew Gus wasn’t believing him and judging by the looks that Luz gave to the group whenever one of them showed any signs of pain, she probably knew as well. Finally though, Luz instructed the group to stop in front of a small house.

Just looking at it from the outside, it wasn’t anything like the castle. It looked messy and lived in, giving off a warm feeling, even from where he and the others stood on the porch. Nothing looked in a proper place yet it felt right just where it was. Hunter knew he probably shouldn’t be feeling a greater distrust due to the home’s atmosphere yet… what if it was all a trick? He wasn’t used to environments like this, he couldn’t trust it. 

“Hey mom… I’m back,” Luz said as she opened her arms to an older woman that shared a similar appearance to her. The human’s mother rushed forward, grabbing Luz and pulling her into a tight hold and Luz sobbed into the woman’s shoulder. Hunter felt himself tense up, not understanding it was a sign of affection. What if this human tried to hurt Luz? He stood on guard, looking for any sign of malicious intent and watching her movements carefully. 

Hunter spaced out of the conversation, focused solely on making sure the older woman made no threatening movement. He then zoned back in as the woman stepped aside, welcoming the group into her suspiciously cozy home. Hunter didn’t enter at first, not until everyone else had, examining the home wearily. He tried not to draw attention to the weird way the human looked at their tattered group. He couldn’t let her knew he was onto her.

“Here, sit down. You all look tired,” The woman said, gesturing them to the couch. “I need you all to tell me what happened.”

She had to be scoping out their weaknesses… right? Hunter felt a bit of distrust with himself; was this woman worth his suspicion? No, what is he thinking! He thought Belos was good, and look where that got him! He still needed to be on guard. The group walked over and sat- well, sat would be an understatement, they more like fell onto the couch. But in any case, Hunter kept standing, leaning against the wall as he looked at the group. He needed to protect them while they rested, it was the least he could do after everything. 

Hunter watched as his friends glanced away, refusing to say anything to the woman. What shocked Hunter though was less that the group didn’t respond but the woman’s reaction. She wasn’t angry with them but simply nodded, focusing on something lighter… weird.

”Hm, what about you tell me about yourselves? What are your names?” She asked.

Hunter wanted to argue and tell the others to keep their mouths shut but… she seemed genuine. And… this was Luz’s family, she was probably the one who taught Luz how to act like how his unc- Belos taught him. Plus… he had no authority here and she was the one in control. It was her home and she was willing to let them in… he shouldn’t be suspicious. Hunter needed to make it up to her. He needed to earn his place.

”I’m Willow Park,” Willow spoke up first, gesturing to the others and urging them to follow her lead.

”My name is Amity Blight, ma’am,” Amity said, receiving a… chuckle(?) from the woman.

”There is no need for such formality, Amity. You can call me Camila, sweetheart,” The woman, Camila, said with a smile.

”Right, my apologies,” Amity nodded.

”I’m the illusion master, Augustus Porter! But you can call me Gus,” Gus introduced and Hunter couldn’t help but smile, glad to see the boy’s enthusiasm start to return.

”It is wonderful to meet you, Gus,” Camila smiled before looking Hunter’s way and her expression shifted to one that Hunter couldn’t quite read. Hunter tensed when the woman made eye contact, silently reminding himself to not screw up. “What is your name, young man?” She asked.

”Hunter,” he replied with no other words said. She gave him an order and he would fulfill it to the exact point. He couldn’t mess this up.

”Well then, it is wonderful to meet you all. I’m so happy to meet you all. You all seem to be wonderful niños!” Camila smiled. “I am so sorry that we must meet this way, you all seem so hurt. But please know I am so grateful.”

”Mamí,” Luz said exasperatedly. Why would Luz’s mom say that? And why did Luz respond like that? More questions to ask, Hunter decided.

”I’m back, Mamí,” a voice spoke up and around the corner came a girl that looked identical to Luz. Where had he heard that voice before… and why did she look like Luz?! Another question…

But before Hunter could think up any more questions, the girl glanced at him and the moment they made eye contact, she screamed.

”What is he doing here?!” The Luz twin yelped, dropping the plastic box she was holding onto the ground.

Hunter started to panic. How did he know this person? Why were they so panicked? Why was her voice so familiar?! “What- what do you mean?” Hunter asked, trying to keep his voice in line and stay cool. If only he had his mask; he needed that confidence.

”Don’t play dumb with me,” the girl scowled. “I would recognize the Emperor’s right-hand-man from a mile away!”

”What?!” Camila yelled, glancing between the Luz double and Hunter. “You mean that Emperor Belos guy?!”

”No! No! Vee, you’ve got it all wrong!” Luz spoke up, barely mustering the energy to stand up and face the now-named Vee. 

“Luz, how can I be wrong? I trust you, I do. But I also trust my instincts and memories and that… person right there is the Golden Guard!” Vee argued, pointing an accusatory finger at him.

Glancing at the two identical people, all questions that Hunter previously had about this Vee character vanished as he realized he was breathing faster than he probably should be. 

“Vee! I know! But you-“ a voice was cut off, presumably Luz but he couldn’t distinguish the voice… only the argumentative words thrown around.

”You knew ?! Then why in Titan’s name did you bring him here?!” The strangely familiar voice argued back, that was probably Vee.

”Let me explain! Please , Vee!” Luz. “He doesn’t work for Belos anymore!”

”Is that what he told you now?” Vee…? 

“Vee, I was there! I was there when Hunter ran away!” Luz again… but what Hunter assumed to be her voice started to blur.

Everything started to blur. All he could hear was static and his vision became unfocused. Was he even breathing at this point? He couldn’t tell. When did the pain around his coven sigil start to worsen again? How did that even happen? He surely didn’t know. Hunter gave up asking himself questions, they would only make him worry after all. All he cared about now was getting it to stop!

And thankfully, his desire was granted as he blacked out.

Chapter Text

Vee set the table, glancing up when she heard a knock on the front door.

”Don’t worry baby, I’ll get it,” Camila said softly before walking off to the front room. Vee watched her for a bit before returning to the task at hand, hearing the slight sound of muffled voices. 

“Vee, can you get the first aid kit?” Camila’s voice called out to her after a bit.

“Sure?” Vee called back, confusion and worry clouding her mind as she wondered why Camila would need first aid supplies. Vee didn’t ask any of her questions out loud, keeping them to herself as she rushed for the bathroom to look for first aid supplies. Scrounging through the many cabinets, she grabbed a white plastic box and transformed into her Luz-lookalike form. She couldn’t take chances, even more so with whatever was going on.

”I’m back, Mamí,” Vee called out as she turned into the living room. Upon entering, her eyes locked onto that familiar blonde-haired, magenta-eyed soldier and she screamed, dropping the first aid box.”What is he doing here?!” She questioned angrily.

Vee watched as the Golden Guard panicked. Good, she caught him in his tracks. What was he even doing here anyways?! She hadn’;t seen them since his last shift watching over the basilisks the night of the escape. 

“What- what do you mean?” The guard stammered, clearly caught off guard by her. Good, that was a weak point in case he tried anything. Now… to dig to the point.

”Don’t play dumb with me,” Vee scowled. “I would recognize the Emperor’s right-hand-man from a mile away!”

”What?!” Camila yelled, glancing between her and the dreaded Golden Guard. “You mean that Emperor Belos guy?!”

”No! No! Vee, you’ve got it all wrong!” Luz spoke up, barely mustering the energy to stand up and face Vee. What was Luz even going on about? Why was she supporting the Golden Guard? Didn’t she know who he was? Did he lie to her?

“Luz, how can I be wrong? I trust you, I do. But I also trust my instincts and memories and that… person right there is the Golden Guard!” Vee argued, pointing her finger at the culprit. She noticed how the moment she focused back on him, the guard started to panic even worse. Admittedly, that kind of made Vee feel guilty but… he wouldn’t feel guilt for doing the same, right? No no, she won’t stoop that low. Vee still had empathy, unlike the soldier before her.

“Vee! I know! But you-“ Luz started only to be cut off. Vee felt a sting of betrayal at the knowledge that Luz willingly brought him here.

”You knew ?! Then why in Titan’s name did you bring him here?!” She countered.

”Let me explain! Please , Vee!” Luz pleaded. “He doesn’t work for Belos anymore!”

”Is that what he told you now?” Vee said in a bit too harsh of a tone she didn’t intend but… she wasn’t going to apologize.

“Vee, I was there! I was there when Hunter ran away!” Luz hastily yelled. 

“‘Ran away’…?” Vee couldn’t help but question. Why would he need to run away? He was living the best life possible… right? Did he want to be the Golden Guard or was he forced? And with that, a seed of morbid curiosity formed in Vee’s mind. She knew it probably wasn’t a good idea to investigate but… she couldn’t help but be intrigued. Plus! It could be some closure for her.

However, all thoughts dissipated as she noticed the guard sway slightly. He always looked unmovable before so… wait, he’s way scrawnier then she remembered, too. And… what is that faint burning magic smell? Something was definitely up. And her thoughts were reinforced as she watched the Golden Guard collapse.

The girl with the glasses instantly stood up and rushed to the unconscious guard. Vee couldn’t help but wince as she noticed the painful-looking branched scars set deep around the guard’s right arm. Wait… focusing, Vee noticed that that was where the weird burnt magic smell was from. 

As much as she hated to do it, she asked “Titan… is- is he okay ?” 

She watched as Luz snatched up the first aid kit from where she had dropped in and Camila rushed to the Guard’s side. Camila wasn’t anything if not caring for everyone, even the bad… was he bad? Watching from afar, Vee noticed how the soldier just looked like a hurt kid, almost like herself… weird.

”No,” Vee finally got an answer, turning her focus to the short, curly-haired boy. “The draining spell must’ve been… not good on him.”

”Draining Spell?! What is that? What happened?!” Camila asked, voice soft but full of concern.

Vee found herself asking the same question as her adoptive mother. What was a ‘draining spell’? It almost… it almost reminded her of her ability to drain magic. But… why would there be any connection? It was stupid!

Luz and the witches with her all looked grim at Camila’s questions. It looked as if none of them wanted to answer but eventually, the lavender-haired witch answered. “A spell using coven sigils to… kill all witches.”

Vee felt a chill go down her spine. A spell to kill all witches?! She would get it if it was an assassination attempt on the guard but… the sigils were all mandated by the very person he worked for. It didn’t make sense.

” What?! ” Camila yelped, looking horrified as all color drained from her face and she faced the other witches.

”Hunter was the only one of us who had one,” The curly-haired boy said, probably as a way to reassure Camila that it didn't affect the others. Camila still looked sick from the revelation. And frankly, so did all of them, Vee included. 

Impulsively, a question escaped her lips. “The Emperor was the one who set that all up; why would he try to kill everyone? Thorns, even the Golden Guard?”

A long p[ause came before Luz finally said, “That was Belos’s plan all along… he wanted to wipe out all life in the demon realm…”

Vee felt sick to her stomach at that. Everything had just been… an elaborate plan to commit a genocide! Did the people know? Did people working for him know?! But then…

”If the sigils were… designed to do… that , then… why did the Golden Guard agree to get one?” 

“No one knew… until today.” 

Oh… now it made sense… all viciousness Vee felt flooded from her. No one asked for this. She didn’t ask for this. 

They didn’t know…

Until it was too late.

Chapter Text

Camila watched as she saw the subtle nod that Hunter exchanged with her daughter. The duo discreetly left the group in the living room and to the basement. Curiosity getting the better of her, Camila silently followed. She peered past the slightly cracked open basement door, noticing her daughter and the oldest of her friend group take a seat at the bottom of the steps.

“What’s up Hunter?” Luz asked in a noticeably weary voice.

“That’s actually what I wanted to ask you, Luz.” The blonde responded.

Camila internally sighed, realizing this was probably a conversation that they didn’t want her to walk in on. These kids needed to talk things out and if they couldn’t with her, then she was proud that they could be with each other. Just as she turned to leave, the next few words tugged her back to keep listening in. 

“Huh? What’d ya mean?” Luz asked. “Nothing’s wrong! It’s all good!” She lied poorly.

Hunter deadpanned, letting out a sigh before simply saying “We both know I’ve been lied to enough, Luz.” Camila felt her heart strain from those words, a motherly feeling washing over her as she felt the need to protect him. 

Luz sighed with a stiff nod. “Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. Sorry just- things are so hectic and I just- things are rough.”

Hunter nodded in understanding. “That’s what I was expecting. But why do you feel the need to hide that? We can all tell you’re not being honest, Y’know.”

Luz snorted humorlessly. “Like you’re any better.”

“I am, thank you very much!” He snapped. “I’m fine. Completely good.”

“Look, we’re in the same position here, Hunter. If anything, you have it way worse. You had your entire life uprooted in one week ! I doubt you’re handling that well.” Luz stated, causing a few more questions to be raised in Camila’s mind.

“And you had your’s in a matter of hours. My life was nothing but a lie, you actually had a life that was stripped from you.” Hunter countered, letting Luz put the pieces together. Camila felt that protective feeling grow stronger at those heartbreaking words.

“Hunter… I didn’t belong there. And don’t act like you didn’t have a life! Even if it wasn't good and was a lie, that was still your home and you believed in the good of everything. It’s not your fault and all the good you had was thrown away. That’s gotta be rough,” Luz sympathized. Oh how Camila wanted to scoop them both into her arms and give them all the love they both deserved.

“Luz… I shouldn't exist. None of what happened matters,” Hunter shrugged. 

“Doesn’t matter? Doesn’t matter?! It does matter! I don’t care if you shouldn’t exist or any of that bologna! Cause you do exist and I care about you , idiot!” Luz argued. 

“And yet you don’t care about yourself?” Hunter pointed out and Camila couldn’t help but silently agree.

Luz stammered, fumbling for an answer. She wasn’t expecting to be called out like that. She knew what she was about to say would probably not go over well but she also knew that not being honest would go over worse with Hunter. “I just… I was the one who caused all this! It’s all my fault…”

“Is it?” Hunter asked, receiving a shocked look from the other. “You didn’t willingly help a genocidal maniac, you helped someone who you thought needed help. You were doing your best and messed up. It happens. I know that all too well.”

Luz paused, processing his words and thinking of a response while questions swarmed her mind. “You know… the same applies for you. You didn’t know Belos’s plan.”

“But I should’ve,” Hunter replied matter of factly. 

“No. You were manipulated by him. We all were. It’s not fair to blame yourself. That’s just what Belos does, he tricks people. And if it wasn't you, it would’ve been someone else.” Luz said firmly.

“Apply those words to yourself, Human,” Hunter said smugly. “Plus you said it yourself, we’re in the same situation. Anything you say to me also applies to you , Luz.”

“Well aren’t you a smart ass,” Luz rolled her eyes. 

“But you know I’m right,” Hunter smirked.

Luz roughly shoved his shoulder with the back of her hand, letting her expression shift to an amused smirk as she said “Oh shut up, Goldie!” 

Camila felt her heart warm at the sibling-like banter the two shared. At least they could confide in the other and still have enough life in them to tease the other.

Hunter chuckled halfheartedly before his gaze shifted elsewhere and his smirk fell. Luz noticed his change in attitude and followed his gaze to the coven sigil burned into his wrist.

“Does… does it still hurt?” She asked hesitantly.

Hunter shrugged, saying “Honestly… dunno. I think it should, if that makes sense, but I also know I’m just kinda… used to that kind of thing. I do know it probably would’ve affected me worse… since, y’know…”

Luz nodded, understanding what he meant. “That’s fair… but why would that make it worse?”

Hunter sighed. “The draining spell was designed to drain magic. A normal witch is normally able to replenish that magic but of course… I’m not a… witch. I’m… made of magic. So when the draining spell activated…” he trailed off

“It was worse on you,” Luz finished, her eyes widening with horror. “I didn’t even take that into account! Oh Titan! You literally grazed death, even more than expected! How are you even coping with that?!”

Camila couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by concern and confusion at that. What did the teens even meet by what they were saying? There was something deeper going on and Camila didn’t like that for the concern of her children- wait, when did she even start considering Hunter as her child? She didn’t mind though.

Hunter shrugged again. “Honestly, I’m still not even sure… I’ve processed everything… It hasn’t been long and it’s… it’s a lot,” he finally admitted.

“Yeah… there’s still a lot I haven’t processed either,” Luz added. “So much happened so fast and… I’m not quite sure about anything anymore.”

”Neither am I,” Hunter smiled bitterly.

“Um… I, uh, noticed something,” Luz randomly brought up.

“Huh? What?” Hunter asked with genuine confusion.

Luz pointed to his right hand as she said “Ever since the draining spell activated, your hand’s been shaking, like, a lot. You think that’s a side effect?”

Hunter’s expression darkened as he nodded softly with a half shrug. “Probably. I’ve kinda noticed that too. It’s not insanely annoying but it can be… bothersome. I’ll just deal with it,” he said as he glanced at his gloved hand as it trembled uncontrollably.

Luz was quiet for a while before saying “There’s something I’ve been dealing with too. During my uh… my fight with him , he tried to petrify me.”

“He what ?!” Hunter asked with concern.

”Mhm,” Luz hummed with a nod. “I was able to trick him to stop it, that’s clear enough, but… ever since I’ve just kinda felt… paralyzed? I don’t really know how to explain it.” That made Camila’s blood boil at the man who hurt her daughter.

“Hm… I don’t know much about petrifaction, it was one of those forbidden subjects and it didn’t really catch my interest but I do know a few things. I remember reading that in an incomplete petrifaction, there was the possibility that certain affected personnel would have their nerves shot if they were more perceptible. That’s probably what it is.” Hunter proposed the theory.

”Oh…” Luz looked away. “That makes sense… Is it permanent?” She asked.

“I… don’t know. It could get better but I doubt it’ll ever be perfectly fixed. Not to mention since you’re younger and not a witch, It could have had a stronger impact on you. Sorry I don’t know more…” Hunter sighed.

Camila felt the sharp pain of anger spike through her at the one who ever dared to hurt her babies. She would do anything to get back at the man who had not only traumatized them, but also permanently caused them physical discomfort, as she’s now learned. 

“No no! It’s fine, dude. It’s… nice to have at least a bit of information… and hey, we’re kinda in a similar situation there too, huh?” Luz smiled halfheartedly.

Hunter paused, thinking over her words before smiling softly with a nod. “Yeah, I guess so. It’s… nice knowing there’s someone to relate to… that’s not too strange to say, is it?”

”Not at all, hermano, not at all,” Luz smiled.

Camila silently chuckled as she realized that just as she had accepted Hunter as her son, Luz had accepted him as her brother.

“What… what does that mean?” Hunter asked.

“Oh, heh, nothing important,” Luz said coyly.

”You find new ways to confuse me, Human,” Hunter admitted, receiving a devious giggle from Luz with no other response.

Camila smiled as she finally walked away from the basement door, wiping a tear from her wet eyes. When had she started crying? She didn’t care. She was glad that her kids had each other. But she also had new information and another drive. Camila vowed to protect these kids and give Belos the terror and pain that only the wrath of a mother whose children have been hurt could give. 

She would do anything for them…

Chapter Text

“Oh, there you are,” Vee stated, walking into the girls’ shared room.

“Hey Vee, did you need something?” Luz asked, looking up from the laundry she was folding, trying to put on a smile. Vee saw right through it.

“I… need to apologize,” Vee admitted.

“Huh? What for?” Luz asked, tilting her head in confusion. “If it’s about what happened the night we arrived, that’s-“

“-No.” Vee interrupted. Vee looked over the doubly confused girl in front of her, the scar still healing on her furrowed brow. Vee could already tell the wound caused some minor nerve damage. “I need to talk to you about what happened the day you contacted me through the mirror.”

Luz paused at that, eyes widening in shock. If she her assumption on what Vee was talking about was correct, she’d totally forgotten about that argument amongst everything else. Luz took a deep breath and let it out with a sigh. “There’s no reason to apologize, Vee. You were totally justified and you were right. I did have things good.”

Vee froze, ignoring the slight bubble of anger that started to form, not towards her newfound sister but… something else. “I shouldn’t have said all that,” Vee argued. “Just because your life looked good on the outside doesn’t diminish the things you went through.”

“What are you talking about Vee?” Luz asked with a wary smile, trying to hide her nervousness and confusion. “I lived a normal life before I found the Boiling Isles. You’ve been through worse.” Luz tried to explain, although she sounded… off.

Vee let out an exasperated sigh, looking at Luz sadly. Luz shouldn’t compare trauma… and even then, she didn’t even realize she had it…

Vee took in another breath to steel her nerves before she admitted, “I learned what happened to your dad.”

Luz instantly froze at that, mind running a million miles a minute and she instantly looked away from Vee, unable to face her sister.

“I learned because of those mean kids. Why did you never tell M- Camila they were making fun of you about it…?” Vee asked, slithering in closer and settling down next to Luz. “It’s really messed up.”

“Exactly!” Luz blurted out before calming herself down to explain. “Mamá already had so much going on and… she was already so worried about me. I couldn’t have her worrying about that too.”

“Luz-“ Vee started before being cut off.

“Did… did you tell Mamá about it…?” Luz asked cautiously, fearing the worst no matter how irrational she felt it was.

Vee simply looked away.

“Vee!”

“I had to!” Vee argued. “You can’t just ignore something like that and… look, when I got home that night I asked Camila about what happened… she told me and- and asked where I learned about it…”

Luz listened and couldn’t hold onto her anger. Why was she even getting mad? It was irrational and Vee didn’t know and she had the right to, considering she was practically her sister now. Wow, she was irritable lately…

“Luz… none of that is fair to you - and before you argue - nothing of what happened to me was fair either,” Vee stated, quickly adding in the last part once she saw Luz start to open her mouth.

“I shouldn’t have said the things I said because, truthfully, I didn’t know everything. I understand why you ran away now, you felt you had to, just as I did. I shouldn’t have assumed your life was perfect,” Vee apologized.

“No one’s lives are perfect,” Luz spoke softly.

“And maybe that’s okay,” Vee added, matching Luz’s tone with a soft smile. “In the end, it brought us together?” Vee offered a hug.

“Yeah… yeah, it did,” Luz smiled back, taking Vee up on her offer.

“Thanks Vee,” Luz whispered after a long moment of calm silence.

“Anytime.”