Always by your side

As promised, this chapter is longer than usual but also much darker so overall trigger warning for overall brutal scenes, vague mentions of torture, and possibly triggering content. If it's hurtful to someone I will write a short chapter summary at the end so you can skip to the bolded part at the bottom.

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When I woke up the sun was already rising, I don't exactly remember what I was doing when I got home but if I have to guess I cried myself to sleep. New day, new me, I can't guilt-trip myself into oblivion. I must keep myself together. I went to the kitchen, grabbed something to eat, and started to prepare for training. Luckily, my parents weren't home so I didn't have to worry about interacting with them. Ed and Em were probably goofing around somewhere, not that I care. Instead of being careless, they should finally get into covens. According to the law, they don't have much time left. Maybe I will talk with them about it today, they can't just ignore the law, especially since we are Blights.

When I'm all set I leave the manor and make my way to the coven base for my usual training session. I enter the building and immediately head to Lilith's office. Upon entering I notice that she is not alone and of course, out of everyone, the second person in the room must be Kikimora. Hopefully, my memory spell worked, though I suppose if it didn't I would be arrested earlier.

"Good morning Ms. Lilith, Ms. Kikimora" I greet them bowing slightly.

"Oh, Amity, you are already here, good morning to you too." Lilith smiles warmly and continues "I know we were supposed to train today, but there was a change of plans. Kikimora wants to borrow you for a special mission. It's a perfect opportunity for some practical training, she will fill you in soon." She turns to Kikimora. "Can you leave us alone for a while, I would like to have a word with my student."

"Most certainly" she responds and leaves. I look at Lilith slightly confused, she notices it and starts explaining.

"I'm sorry Amity, honestly I'm not the biggest fan of this idea but I can't just deny her, theoretically she outranks me. Just watch out, Kikimora is known for being let's say... quite radical. However, I don't think she knows you or holds any grudge against you so you should be safe." Well, I wish I believed in Lilith's words but I can't be sure if my memory spell worked on Kikimora. I'm afraid that this is some elaborate plan to punish me for yesterday's incident during the duel. Nevertheless, I have to take this risk, just like Lilith, I can't defy direct orders from Kikimora.

"I will be careful Ms. Lilith and I will report everything to you after I finish the mission."

"Good luck Amity, now go to the main hall, don't make Kikimora wait for you."

Luck. I will definitely need it today. I make my way to the main hall. Kikimora is already waiting with what looks to be around 40 coven scouts. That must be a 'special' mission if she is using so many soldiers. I join the group and I'm immediately called out.

"Scouts, meet Amity Blight, she will be my second-in-command on the mission so make sure to follow her orders and treat her with appropriate respect." I have to admit, I didn't anticipate such an introduction. It made it even harder for me to see through Kikimora's plan but for now, I had to play her game. She started to explain the premises of the mission. Basically, she was informed that a small village near the Titan's knee is used as a hideout by wild witches. Our job is to go there, find and arrest them. Sounds easy enough, it definitely sounds more prominent than trying to capture the Owl Lady and getting beaten every time.

After packing rations I was ready for the mission, I head outside and see that 4 blimps are already waiting. Maybe this kind of travel is not as fast as going on a staff but ordinary scouts don't have their own palismen so it's surely faster than walking on foot. I got to be on the same blimp as Kikimora but I didn't consider it as a problem especially since she spent almost the whole flight on talking with some lieutenant.