Author's note: Happy 2022! And thank you all for being this loyal. Truly, gracias! Sorry about the delay but my work, as usual, prevents me from sitting and writing as much as I would like. But again, here we are and with two of my favorite characters in BoL stealing the spotlight from the Three Amigos.

Before we begin, I would like to ask Mr. Gutierrez if the similarities between Jorge Sanchez and the Spanish sailor Blas de Lezo "The Half Man" are accidental or on purpose. Blas lost an eye, an arm and a leg, too! And still could earn the tittle of most efficient sailor in his time. Also, I rewatched the movie and looked for small details. Happy times!

10. Mitclan

Xibalba knew that something was off. La Muerte had never spent so much time away from her realm, watching the mortals. Had something happened in San Angel? Was she worried? Planning another bet? Or was the trouble for real? Finding her was easy at least, leaning on a roof near the house of General Posada. She seemed relaxed, or so did the god thought at first. La Muerte was not to be trifled with. Her sister, Micte, was cold but deadly as a well sharpen lance, after all, even when she was calmed. Mother issues, the dark god thought to himself.

"Querida" Xibalba walked to his wife slowly, his best smile in sight.

"Balby" she smiled too.

"Anything in the menu for today?" the God of the Forgotten decided to remain calm and let her do the talking. If something was wrong, la Catrina would tell him right away.

"Not really, mi amor. Just checking"

"A-ha. What? Already expecting to see little Marias and Manolos running amok in town?"

"Don't be malhora! Of course not! It's just that I noticed something funny, that's all. I wanted to make sure" the goddess frowned.

"Define funny" Xibalba watched the people of San Angel gather around the bonfires as the sun disappeared in the distance. Both gods looked around for the Three Amigos and watched in interest as, for once, the musician was not playing his guitar. Manolo looked tired, almost exhausted and La Muerte frowned in concern. "Ok, got it"

"Do you think he's sick?" asked the goddess.

"I don't think so. But I do perceive something not in place, like a foreign presence. And besides, you wouldn't be here if it was just a cold" her husband had noticed it too. "Perhaps is not a bad idea to have a closer look, once the town's asleep of course"

"What if it has something to do with his trip through our dominions?" La Muerte was smart. "You once mentioned something about it"

"Hmm. ¡Ah, sí! I remember. It has happened before. Visiting the Land of the Forgotten has that effect sometimes. The soul of the traveler remembers his previous lives, due to the dust, but never before have I seen someone had anything similar to Manolo's. Not even close" Xibalba frowned. (There is a theory around that says that when the souls of the forgotten disappear, they are reborn again. Don't know if that was true. Jorge G. has not confirmed it). "Maybe, just maybe, it has something to do with Zatz"

"Or because it is Zatz we're talking about" they shared a glance.

"Could be, cara mia. We will see tonight" Xibalba shrugged. Little by little, the party died down and the plaza became deserted. The Moon shone over their heads, its pale light on the two gods like a silent plea. Begging them not to interfere. "We shall see, indeed"

Short but enough to return to set the mood.

More to come real soon!