Luz the Dragon Lady

First Fights and Spreading Hope

Eda and Luz sat awkwardly at the dinner table as Eda gently examined Luz's right arm, and carefully ran a finger over the slightly warm soft scales. "D-d-does it hurt?"

Luz shook her head. "Not really. They're a bit tender, but if they're anything like snake skin it's more because they weren't completely ready yet." Luz flashed a small smirk, "I was kinda worried at first, but I actually think it's cool now. My guess, from the amount of tenderness, and how soft they are is that they should be finished hardening in a few days. Until then I just want to keep them wrapped so that dust and dirt don't irritate them." Luz rewrapped her arm, and gave Eda a concerned look, "I think that about covers my physical changes for now. It's your turn Mom. What was that, and why were you a beast?"

Eda groaned, "When I was about your age someone cursed me. I still don't know who did it, but what you saw is half of its result. The other is my magic. Owlet, I'm only about half as strong as I should be magically. A fact that should make old antler head scared, because even at half strength I can match most of his coven heads in a one on one. The curse eats away at my power and stamina though, so if I push myself too far or for too long without my elixir... the Owl Beast is the result. I'm sorry kiddo, but..."

"Are you dying?" Luz cried, looking utterly devastated.

Eda scoffed, and pulled Luz into a hug, "No, I'm not dying. In a way it's worse. Eventually I'll turn into that beast, and never come back. Luz, the elixir's are becoming less and less effective with time, and I need more and more to keep it at bay, but that's not important. I made peace with my condition a long time ago, and now that you're here... my last concerns are being washed away. King and Hooty won't be left alone. When I go, all of my possessions will go to you, including this house and my door. Even if you don't live here full time, you will always have a safe place to rest your head, and a place where you will be loved and understood. The Owl Lady might disappear, but Eda Clawthorne's children will go on. My greatest contribution to the Isles will live on, and Belos will quake in his gold plated mask before you kiddo. In the meantime I just want to enjoy what time I have left with my kids, and make sure that I pass on as much of my knowledge and experience on to you so that you can be as strong as you can possibly be." Eda hears Luz mumbling something into her shoulder. "It's ok Owlet... Mama's here."

That only seemed to make Luz cry harder as she stammered and shuddered in Eda's arms, "No... no not again. Dear Titan, no."

Eda looked at her daughter in concern, "Again? What are you talking about Luz?"

Luz continued to quake as she looked into Eda's eyes, "When I was four my Papi got sick. I spent my fifth, sixth, and seventh birthdays in hospitals watching him waste away as his disease ate away at him from the inside out. Papi was a soldier, and when he came home he didn't stop fighting. He just traded one uniform for another, and became a firefighter. We still don't know where he caught his disease, but it doesn't matter cuz just before my eighth birthday... he finally lost his fight. Mami said my heart was his greatest gift to the world. His fighting spirit, his last gift to me, along with my first Azura book... Eda, I can't watch another parent die." With a resolute look in her eyes, Luz declared, "And I won't. Mom, I swear to you. I'll find a way to save you. This curse will not end your story, and we will not be separated so easily. I won't let it happen again. I am not a powerless child this time. I don't know what I am, but I will save you, and together we will save everyone else. I am Luzura Noceda-Clawthorne, warrior of peace, and luz en la oscuridad (light in the darkness). This I swear."

Eda couldn't help staring in awe at the powerful girl before her. Luz's eyes were slightly glowing like they were full of purple fire, and Eda couldn't help feeling warm as she basked in her daughter's glow. If anyone could perform the miracle Luz was describing, Eda knew it was her. With a small chuckle Eda ruffled Luz's hair, "Ok kiddo, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's see about this magic of yours."