Grom fright
“BODY SWAP!”
“Edalyn No!”
Eda— Or well, Lilith in Edas body, groaned in exasperation.
Placing Edas hands on her sisters hips, she glared at the real Eda with all her might.
“Come on Edalyn! I don’t have time for this! I have a test later today!”
Eda in Lilith’s body laughed, making the vessel move uncharacteristically free reigned.
“Oh don’t be such a prissy nerd! You deserve a day off! Just chillax! Lay back and allow time to fly by!”
A clock with fangs and wings hovered by immediately after, to which Eda-Lilith smiled proudly and gestured emphatically.
Lilith-Eda rolled her eyes, “Stop being so childish!”
The later in reply smirked, and motioned at her normal body in counter.
Even in Edas Body, Liliths bad habit traveled. A strange thing about body swapping. They had a different brain, but very primal instincts and normal thoughts remained.
Edas body paused to remove the nail previously inserted between her teeth, a rare blush playing across her face.
“B-but, I, oh that doesn’t count!” Lilith raged, stomping her foot, “You know I can’t help that!”
Eda cackled, though it was stifled and wheezy. Lilith didn’t laugh much. And her lungs very much agreed.
Eventually though, Eda-Lilith stopped, she could tell her sister had reached her limit in ‘sisterly annoyance’. She better switch them back before she actually got mad at her.
“Ok Dorkus,” she calmed, “don’t get your cowl in a bunch, I’ll switch us back.”
Lilith-Eda tapped her foot impatiently, but the frown on her face lessened.
“Body sw-“
*Crackle crackle*, “Good morning students this is Principal bump with your morning announcements.”
She was cut off by the speaker coming to life, Lilith nodded, and she momentarily paused her motion.
“Ah, who am I kidding, theirs absolutely nothing of interest to announce,...
nothing besides who I have chosen for GROM QUEEN!”
Chatter light in the hallways, as students eagerly pondered who’d it be.
“This years Grom queen honor, has been granted to no other then LILITH CLAWTHORNE!”
Dead silence followed, as everyone in the hallways turned to stare at the two witches.
Just barely reaching above the quiet, two finale words were heard.
“Body swap.”
———-
Lilith (now in her normal body) was panicking.
Even if she didn’t show it, Eda knew. Because she knew her sister.
She could pick up on the sudden increase of breathing, how her sister took single steps backwards, away from the forming crowd.
The most noticeable tell was her hand, which was shaking from the amount of restraint Lilith was expending.
Eda knew it was only a matter of time before lily broke, and that would be a a literal Nightmare for her. Considering her anxiety in front of a crowd.
“Aw of course you got Grom Queen Lily! Always studying and whatnot, guess we gotta go to some secluded place and practice.”
Lilith looked at her with wide eyes, even wider behind her glasses. But Eda stared right into them, telling her to play along.
“Oh y-yes. Of course.” She stuttered, “Grom. Practice. Yup.”
Eh she could have done way better, but Eda wasn’t looking for perfect.
She slung and arm over her sisters shoulders, pulling her into a sorta protective side huddle as they walked.
“Oh!” She momentarily paused, remembering to turn her head back to the crowd, “ALONE!”
The students didn’t dare to talk back or follow. Which is exactly what they needed.
As they neared the grymnasium, Lilith looked up at her.
“Thank you, Edalyn.”
Eda nodded, and for some reason had the instinctive urge to kiss the top of her head.
Man, talk about sisterly love.
They finally got to the bleachers, where Lilith collapsed, gasping for air as if she’d been deprived of it since birth.
Eda knew at times like these to let her be, but also to not stray to far, their was no warning if Lilith ever needed physical touch or comfort, and being completely alone psyched her out all the more.
Breathing starting to regulate, Lily start to motion wildly with her hands, gesturing frantically.
Eda made sure to catch her eyes, “Can’t talk?”
A shake no
“Do u want a hug?”
A desperate shake yes.
Eda quickly slid in next to her sister, wrapping her arms around her.
“Tighter or looser?”
“T-tighter.”
She squeezed hard, knowing from memory the specific amount helped the most. Slowly rocking the two of them back and forth.
A few minutes went by where nothing was heard but Liliths squeaky whimpers.
“O-ok. I’m good.”
“You sure?”
Lily nodded, “Yes. I am good. Thank you, Edalyn.”
The younger witch smiled, “Anytime.”
The bespectacled witches eyes traveled across the room, landing on the rack of weapons.
Eda followed, mimicking the frown, “So what are we going to do?”
Liliths head jerked, “What do you mean?”
A confused expression spread across the vigilantes face, “What do I mean? I’m talking about the fact that you can’t be Grom queen! That thing is insane! Remember Derrick? He was never the same!”
Her sister stared at her blankly, “Edalyn, I was shocked by the news, that’s all. I am quite happy to be chosen as Grom queen. This would look amazing on my transcripts for the emperor’s coven!”
“Oh come on!” Eda shouted, “Forget about your stupid grades for one moment! Think about your actual life! Your actual health?! Don’t you think this could scar you for life? I don’t want to be bringing you home in a body bag!”
Liliths hand jerked upwards, but she caught herself.
“Y-you really have no faith I can beat this on my own?” She whimpered, offended.
“No, Lily, that’s not what I meant.” Eda tried,
“No!” She shouted, “I get it! Poor sad Lilith, can’t function on her own so she obviously can’t defeat Grom! Oh I’m sorry Edalyn, I’m so sorry I had to bother you with my troubles. I’ll just go and practice for my inevitable doom!”
“No wait, Lily, WAIT!” She called out, but Lilith had already stormed off. Hell bent on proving her wrong.
Eda sighed, worry and guilt taken over, if their was any chance of Lilith backing out, it was gone now.
Which meant their was a hundred percent chance she could die tomorrow.
Her face turned stony,
Eda WOULD be their tomorrow.
She would not let that happen.
————-
That night it was tense at the clawthornes, Lily didn’t speak a word to Eda. Which hurt more then she expected.
She just hoped to dear Titan that this wasn’t their last night together.
————-
Lilith continued to Ignore Eda at school, giving her the cold shoulder in hallways, and even concluding to each lunch in the library instead of with her.
Thank Titan she was nicer once she got home.
It was their first Grom together, and even if she was still mad at Eda, Lilith couldn’t be bitter when it came to the special event.
The two got ready together, both putting on their outfits they took weeks figuring out.
Eda stuck with with her favorite color red, going with a crimson jacket and pants, with a lighter shade button up. For personality she unbuttoned the top three circles on her shirt, and put an untied red bow tie around her neck.
Liliths was far more formal, but still had a lot of her own geeky flare. Wearing a three piece suit, with a jacket that slants and cuts off at her chest, and cuff links at her elbows.
Pants that ended at her thighs, also a dark blue.
Her long vest was a light grey, balancing out the other mute colors.
And a final little touch, a thick waistcoat wrapped around, holding up an almost sheer flowing skirt, that ended just above her knees.
All of this was of course topped off with a dark bow tie perfectly immaculate around her neck.
Eda was honestly surprised she stayed with her original outfits, while formal and classy, it also was a lot of layers and could effect her run in with grom.
It didn’t seem to bother Lilith though, as she beamed once seeing herself in the mirror. Eda could only guess the amount of layers added a nice pressure that made her feel at ease.
She was even pleasantly surprised when Lilith told her she had a date to grom!
And it was a GIRL!
“Lily! Oh my Titan really? How come you never told me??”
The later rubbed her neck sheepishly, “Yeah, sorry bout that, I was meaning to tell you. But then everything, kinda...”
“Got out of control.” Eda answered humbly.
“Anyways! Who is it?! Literally any girl has got to be better then that War-Dick.”
Lilith laughed, “Yes, particularly that fact they don’t have one.”
“It’s Odalia Blight.”
Oh?
“Huh! Wow! That’s awesome Lily! She’s like the most popular girl in the grade!”
Which is exactly why Eda was concerned.
Lilith was, well. In other people’s eyes, a Nerd.
Now since when would Odalia Blight, the next continuation of the feared Blights, associate herself with one of the clawthornes? anyone who wasn’t rich and powerful was looked down upon.
Something didn’t seem right.
It was quite odd, she had thought Lilith was crushing on Echo, from the oracle track.
Lilith seemed to sense Edas hesitance,
“She said yes when I asked her, ya know.” She whispered softly.
Eda made sure to school her expressions, “Of course she did! Your Lilith Clawthorne! Your awesome sis!”
Her sister beamed. “I’m so glad you approve! It honestly would be weird if u hated the girl I’m going to grom with.”
Sure, hates a word.
She lied and said she was happy with it.
It’s not like she could say otherwise, hurting her sisters feelings was not an option.
——————
They finally arrived at grom, sending back their moms Staff (Peregwen) with a wave.
“Well! Their it is!” Eda gestured.
“Grom.” Her sister whispered softly.
Eda tried to ignore the terrified expression that flickered across Liliths face, but it stuck in her chest like a painful knife.
They made their way into the gym, where Lilith promptly took off her jacket and draped it across a chair.
She offered Eda a wordless glance, to which she immediately understood.
Sometimes pressure can be too much.
Eda saw the apple blood across the room, and with a nod of approval from Lily; made a beeline to it.
She poured herself a glass of the rich drink, taking a sip and sighing in relish.
She took a moment to relax, leaning back on the table. Gazing through the crowd of common angsty teens. And the unlucky sap they got as a sparkle ball.
Her casual smirk faltered when the doors opened with a boom.
Odalia blight, followed by her girl lackeys, entered the floor. Looking every ounce of feared they were, and yet, extremely hot.
(What? Eda couldn’t deny her attraction. But she could still hate a person, even if they happened to be drop dead gorgeous.)
The smirk grew fond when she saw Lily walk up to the leader, proud of her older sister finally becoming a little more sure of herself.
That fondness quickly turned to absolute hatred once she saw Odalia’s reaction.
It was hard to make out their specific expressions from across the room, but Eda could Guarantee you Odalia was sneering with a twisted streak of happiness.
Then she was laughing, her ‘friends following suit’ and Lilith looked shocked. But more then anything embarrassed. All in all, definitely a emotion Eda was storming over to change.
As she weaved through the crowd, she could barely make out The blight pick up something, drop it, and walk away.
Once she made it to her sister, her jaw dropped slightly.
Lilith was covered in a pitcher of Fizzy lemon blood. Drenching her pristine clothes and soaking her mane of hair.
Her glasses lay astray on the floor, as if someone threw them their with the intention of them being stepped on eventually.
Lily just stared down at her hands, with the most heartbreaking expression of sadness.
She expected crying, anger, but the silence of humiliation and shame was too much for Eda to bare.
She started to see red.
How DARE Odalia humiliate her sister. How DARE she turn her down so cruelly. How DARE she try and intimidate the Grom queen?!!
“Edalyn?” Lily whispered, somehow ignoring the collection of students who noticed her plight, and were laughing.
“Edalyn im wet.”
Immediately Edas blind rage simmered down, she needed to help her sister first, murder later.
“Ok Lily, ok, I’m gonna help you clean up, come on, let’s go to the bathroom.”
“Edalyn it feels uncomfortable.”
“Oh I know it does, come on, let’s just get to the bathroom and I can make it better.”
Eda cautiously grabbed hold of Liliths wet shoulder, and gently leading her to the washrooms.
On the way, she remembered to snag Liliths suit jacket, her one piece of dry clothing.
She turned and glared at the rapidly growing crowd.
“WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?!”
Everyone immediately turned away, avoiding all eye contact.
Eda promptly turned back and snatched liliths glasses off the floor, blowing on them, and rubbing it on her lapels. Before handing them back to her sister.
The two eventually made it to the restroom, hearing voices once they pushed open the door.
It was Odalia.
Eda instinctively turned around and motioned for Lilith to stay put behind the half wall that hid them from sight.
But all in all, Lily just looked concerningly empty, giving an barely their nod.
“I mean did you see her face!”
“It was almost as bad as her hair!”
“Ha! Maybe the fizz will work in her favor, finally get rid of that horrendous frizz.”
“Too bad it can change her face.”
—“Yeah, too bad.”
The girls turned abruptly, shocked at the voice behind them.
A few cowered away once they saw it was Eda, but Odalia instead just smirked.
“So, Edalyn isn’t it? Or should I address you by your detention status? Lord Calamity? I’m surprised they let you come to the dance! Let alone out of the detention track. Have you seen your sister lately? Give her a big hi from me!”
The amount of Ecstasy the witch was feeling from her merciless prank was astounding, and only fueled the fire she felt in her stomach.
Eda took a threatening step forward.
“Your going to apologize to lily, and then dump the entire bowl of apple blood on yourself, in front of everyone.”
Odalia smiled, but it was laced with astonishment,
“And why in the Titans realm would I do that?”
Eda grinned, “Because Odalia, while I was being Lord Calamity, I picked up a few things. A few things Ms. Blight here wouldn’t want people knowing.”
The green haired witch remained bold, “Your bluffing.”
Edas eyebrow raised, “Am I?”
Another step forward.
“Lower level, second hallway, in the abandoned locker section, during Abominations,” her smirk grew, “Stop me if this sounds familiar.”
All the color seemed to drain from Odalia’s face.
“H-how! Their was no one their!”
The Clawthorne tutted, “That didn’t sound like an apology. So get this, the high and mighty Odalia you all know and worship, is actually a—“
“-Ok! Ok! I’m sorry! Geez.” The blight huffed, “Can’t take a joke.”
Eda growled, momentarily stepping behind the wall to grab hold of Lilith, who scarily hadn’t moved an inch.
She guided her inside, glaring daggers at the leader.
“Does THIS look like a fun joke?” She stated, “She can’t even process anything. You wrecked her stimulations!”
The group of lackeys seemed affected by this, and looked at the ground in shame.
But Odalia, stupid bold Odalia, had the nerve to laugh.
“I wrecked her what?! Come on, this is hilarious.”
Without missing a beat Eda replied, “Odalia here pays girls to do her homework and tests. And when I mean pays I actually mean-“
“-STOP!”
Odalia had turned a deep scarlet, glaring daggers at her. But she could care less.
“You hurt my sister, the least you deserve is this to be revealed.”
The witch turned so red, Eda feared she might pass out.
“Fine, “ She spoke through gritted teeth, “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry for what?!”
“Ugh! I’m sorry for messing up your freaky stimulations or whatever.”
Eda felt like being a bitch, “It’s your funeral Odalia, I mean, unless your ok with everyone knowing you Kis—“
“SHUT UP!” She screamed, “ugh!! I’m sorry I poured the lemon fizz on you.”
“And?”
“And for making you believe I was your date.”
“AND?!”
“And for rejecting you in front of a crowd.”
Eda nodded. “Good. Now say her name.”
Odalia paused, “what?!”
“You heard me. Say her name.”
“Edalyn, you don’t have too do this.” Lilith whispered fervently, momentarily breaking her vegetative state.
The younger sister shot her the most gently and loving look she could muster.
“Yes I do Lily, cause no one messes with my sister.”
She turned back to Odalia.
“Now, say her name!”
The blight sighed, “Lilith. Lilith Clawthorne.”
“Good, and when you go out their, you are to tell people Lilith rejected you, because you weren’t good enough.”
“As if!”
“Odalia kissed -“
“FINE!”
With a huff and a flourish, she started to stomp her way to the exit.
“And I expect you to be drenched in apple blood by the time this dance is over.”
“UGH!”
The door slammed behind them, leaving the two sisters alone in solitude.
Eda pointed her finger at Lilith, and drew a spell circle, wordlessly drying off all her clothes.
Lily blinked uneasily, as if awakening from a curse.
“You ok? Do you need-“
“-silence.”
The vigilante shut up instantly.
Lilith needed to process things, as the past 15 minutes or so her brain was frozen.
She hated the feeling of being wet, unless it was to get cleaned up, and swim in the lake. Which she actually enjoyed Immensely.
She said it felt like she had a second skin, but the second skin burned with the amount of cold it brought. As her clothes became so heavy, and clung to her in all the wrong places.
Eda couldn’t imagine what it felt like, but knew when it happened everything just kinda stopped moving in her brain. She couldn’t focus, and couldn’t process a single detail.
“I’m better now.”
These three words jolted her out of her thoughts, bringing her to look at her sister in glee.
“I’m glad you are. Can I hug you?”
“Yes.”
Eda did with enthusiasm. She loved her sister dearly. And hated when she got upset. So once she was Better, she couldn’t help but smile.
“Thank you, Edalyn.” Lilith stated, her echolalia returning.
Eda didn’t mind that only Lily called her Edalyn, in fact, it felt just right.
“Anytime.”
*crackle crackle* “ALL RIGHT WITCHES! ARE YOU READY FOR THE EVENT OF THE DANCE! FACING GROMMMMMMM!”
Lilith facepalmed, “Oh darn! I’m late for grom!”
Eda grimaced, “Are you sure you can do this?”
The expression reflected was stony and determined.
“I’m sure I can try.”
Oh fine.
“In that case! Let’s go!” Eda waved her hand and in a flash they were teleported to the center of the gym.
“And their she is guys! Lilith Clawthorne! Bravely ready to face the dreaded Gromethius!”
Lilith stepped forward, scanning the wall of weapons.
In the end, she chose the classic Sword. Holding the silver hilt in her hands.
To everyone else it would look like she was ready, and confident in herself.
But to Eda she seemed unsure. The grip on the handle was awkward. And her glasses kept slipping down her nose.
“LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE!” Principal bump screamed way to enthusiastically.
Ugh, she swore he actually thrived on violence and murder.
The door to the grounds lowered, and Lilith, although a bit reluctantly, walked down it.
For a few minutes, nothing happened, as people waited in baiting silence for the action.
But grom was just being sneaky, he waited, waited till Lilith was far enough into the room for him to rise up behind her.
She let out a yelp of Terror at his sudden appearance.
And then he pounced.
He moved so fast it was like he was never their at all.
To bystanders it looked as if Lilith was standing in the middle of a tornado, Swirling black smoke circled her, almost swallowing her whole.
“LILY!” Eda screamed, lunging forward to help.
But the students grabbed her, held her back. Fervently whispering that she was about to defeat him, she was about to defeat Grom.
But as Eda watched, watched the Sword slip out of her grasp over and over. Watched as she choked on her own breath.
Watched as her eyes grew twice in size.
It hit her.
Lilith couldn’t defeat him.
Lilith couldn’t defeat Grom.
Though she constantly told Eda she could, she wasn’t prepared, no one could be. For how terrifying Grom really was.
Lilith fell to her knees, slamming her hands over her ears. Trying to block out something unknown.
The crowd started to get antsy, as worry spread through the students and staff.
Teachers started to hand out weapons to other teachers, ready to fight if it came to it.
Eda glanced down at her sister, not knowing why she couldn’t just run away.
Run away to safety.
This time, when it hit her, it caused her to choke and fall back in realization.
* This would look amazing on my transcripts for the emperor’s coven!*
The words flashed through her head on repeat, taunting her.
Lilith would rather die, then live with the humiliation of not being able to defeat grom. To her, that would mean her chances at the emperor’s coven were gone.
Her sole life purpose would have disappeared.
Tears trickled down Edas face, her silent sobs going unnoticed by the crowd.
She thought back to the moment when Lilith was announced as grom queen, how much she hated it then, how her own body instinctively jerked her hand upwards, Liliths bad habit.
—Wait.
That’s IT!
Quietly but quickly, Eda crawled her way past all the students, making sure to tuck her own body behind a pillar, somewhere no one could see.
Her eyes strained to find Lilith in the dark smoke, but she was their, barely seen between wisps.
She had never cast this spell with this much distance, but she hoped to dear Titan it worked.
With enough force to carry, but not loud enough for people to hear. Eda murmured the two words that started this all.
“Body swap.”
———————
It was a jarring feeling, her own soul and mind being carried that many feet. But it was still almost instantaneous.
She gasped for breath, adjusting the glasses on Liliths face, before concluding that yes, she had done it.
The sword laid abandoned on the floor, Eda-Lilith picked it up, it slipped out immediately.
Ugh, damn Lilith and her sweat palms.
She hastily wiped them on her vest, before looking up.
Wow, how had it just occurred to her that Grom was currently encircling her.
So many things lay before her eyes.
Failing a test, students laughing at her, being trapped in a imperfect room, getting outed as a lesbian—
“Wait.”
These weren’t her fears?
Heck, she was bisexual!
Oh damn, oh wow! This was incredible!
Grom couldn’t read her fears! He still thought she was Lilith thick and through!
But that’s the thing with body swapping, the brain is the same, but only thoughts and primal instincts change.
Even so, her fears did seem like a primal instinct to her? And as she peered through liliths fears, she saw a few of them turn vaguely snake like.
Still, it wasn’t enough to scare her!
It was actually kinda a weird insight into Liliths mind.
To know that she didn’t have a worst fear, just multiple little ones overwhelming her.
Each one was ranked, but they spun so fast you could barely tell.
The only reason she could was cause of a very specific one she saw on repeat.
Well, she couldn’t really see it. Grom seemed to tell she wasn’t completely the same, and in cause, the image was blurred and darkened.
From what she could tell she was approaching someone, something flowed in her hands. But she didn’t know what.
She couldn’t tell who it was, or where they were, but from the positions it looked like the one was asleep.
What the heck was this?
A second later it changed, forming into an ugly snake. One so venomous Eda-Lilith couldn’t help but gasp and step backwards.
Oh right, Grom.
Ugh, focus Eda!
She picked up the sword again, keeping a good grip on the handle, and channeling all her strength, slashed through the heart of the fear.
Their was a pause where nothing happened, and then with a mighty shriek, Grom withered away into the ground till nothing was left.
She was surprised with how drained she felt, and could only wonder how Lilith lasted so long before collapsing.
The sword felt heavy in her arms and she let it drop to the floor with a clang.
Her legs were like lead, dragging behind her as she struggled up the ramp.
People were swarming her, but yet keeping their distance.
They were numerous hands clapping her on the back, but the people in front of her refrained from hugging, which she had seen in the past.
Everyone was cheering, chanting her name-
Liliths name.
Lilith! Oh crap.
Where was her sister?!
She looked towards the Pilar, but it was bare.
The crowd was big, but still she searched, eyes analyzing the crowd for ironically, herself?
It took a few second for her to understand her sight had been blocked.
Blinking a few times behind her glasses—they were cracked? When did that happen— Eda-Lilith was able to recognize that a girl was standing in front of her.
Oh! Wasn’t this Echo? The girl Lilith was crushing on from the Oracle track?
Out of the corner of her eye, she was just able to make out herself, edging closer in her red suit.
“Hey listen I gotta—OVSJDN!”
Eda was violently cut off as she felt a pair of lips crash into hers.
DAMN, she understood why Lilith liked this girl now!
But crap! She shouldn’t be kissing her! Lilith should!
But she couldn’t pull away as well, that could crush anything forming!
She hesitantly kissed back, before ‘accidentally’ angling her head.
“Body swap!”
It was gurgled, but it worked.
It just was taking some time.
“What was that?”
“Nothing! Just kiss me!”
And THAT was when she was transported, the feeling of being in her own body again was a relief.
She was more then happy to see actual Lilith kiss her crush. Sure she was a little shocked at first, but managed to regroup quickly.
The two broke apart after a few seconds and the crowd went wild.
Eda stomped confidently over to her sister, picking her up in a spinning hug.
“Let’s hear it for my sister!”
The students cheered even louder.
Though Lilith was more focused on sending as much thanks as she could through the power of sisters.
Eda shook her head, their was no need.
“You lasted longer then me, all I did was finish it off.”
It was whispered, but still heard.
Lilith grinned, and gave Eda a fierce hug.
“Thank you, Edalyn.” Softly tickled her ear.
She nodded. And hugged her back.
In the background she vaguely heard a splash, and was confused to what would make that noise.
Then she smirked.
Oh Odalia, thought you could do it when no one was watching.
“Lilly, repeat exactly what I say right now.”
“Huh?”
Eda quietly told her what to do.
This time it was Lilith’s turn to smirk.
“Oh edalyn, you Calamity.”
“That’s my title!”
Lilith turned back to the crowd, and in the loudest voice she could muster said the following words.
“FREE DRINKS OF APPLE BLOOD ON ME!”
Everyone cheered, turning back to the stands where a soaking wet Odalia stood, caught like a demon in lights.
She screamed and ran off as people laughed, Lilith and Eda included.
All in all, Grom was pretty ok!
————-
Later that night Eda and Lilith lay in bed together, wanting to be near each other after everything.
“Ya know, their one thing I want to say.”
“Hmm?”
“Damn, That echo girls a good kisser.”
“EDALYN!!?!!”
Yup. Everything was ok.