Due to their own life experiences, Darcy and Tory Vega have not yet had the opportunity for self-discovery. They have deep-rooted traumas that affect their abilities to accept themselves. As children who grew up in difficult foster homes, they came to view themselves as unlovable and disposable. This belief leads Tory to seek out the “bad boys” who are prone to break hearts rather than remain faithful and loving to their partners. In contrast, Darcy becomes naively trusting, which leads to equal, if not more, heartbreak.

Coming to Zodiac Academy provides the twins with an opportunity to find validation within themselves rather than look for it in other people or things. When Darius requires Tory to “leave everything from [her] time with the mortals behind,” Tory finds the task extremely easy (89). Other than Darcy, there is “very little else in [her] life that [she] care[s] about enough to bring […] leaving the mortal world behind [i]s just fine by [her]. It had never seemed to care for [her] much anyway.” (90). Likewise, when her powers manifest in the Awakening ceremony, Tory feels “fearless, powerful, unstoppable” (47). Her small dreams from her previous life, which were restrained by her limited options and resources, now seem irrelevant.