I woke up. I didn't notice that I had fallen asleep. I examined the are to see if I was still in the tree. Which I was. I sighed and wiped my eyes. Seems like I cried myself to sleep last night. I leaned back over, back onto Papa. He actually stayed with me all night.

Gracias, Papa. Gracias. I sat there for a while, enjoying the morning breeze and Papa's company. Somehow, I feel different this time. I don't think it's because Papa's here either. I feel like...like Mama is here with me. Its a feeling like family, but it isn't like Papa's.

I glanced at Papa, sound asleep with his hand on my shoulder. I sighed, a different sigh from last night; this one happier. I looked at Mama's bracelet again. So this is a family heirloom. I wonder what for? Mama, gracias.

I smiled, feeling warmth in my heart. I bet Mama is here right now. Thoughts entered my head and told me to stay calm and not to worry. I smiled. I haven't been this happy in...a while. Ever since Papa gifted me Colmillo. My loyal Puma and my only friend.

"Papa?" I checked. He moved. "Yes, Zatz?" He sounded tired but he is awake enough to hear me talk. "Papa, do you think Mama is here right now, with us?" Papa blinked a few times and looked at me. "Of course, mijo. She is always here with us. You just have to pay attention."

"Always?"

"Always." Papa gave me one last hug before he returned his form into bats. "Papa? Gracias," I thanked again. "That meant a lot, what you said last night."

"I'm glad, Zatz," Papa said, happy. "Adios for now, Zatz." Papa flew away. I sat there for a minute, taking in the fresh morning air. The rustle of leaves and the sound of birds brings peace to a new day. However, all of this will soon be destroyed when Mictlan engages in war. But, I can't think of that now. I'm feeling rather peppy. I haven't felt this way in so long. It's nice to have this feeling again.

I decided it would be best to head to Luna Island now that whatever came over me last night has vanished. The outside of Luna Island is magnificent; three chunks of floating island, each connected by long wooden bridges, leading to the big city. I've never seen it in person but Papa has always told me stories of how wonderful this city is. However, the first gap between the two islands has floating rocks, showing the entrance to the city.

The city is on a floating island, oddly enough, shaped like a moon. Perhaps, that's where it gets its name. I turned my body into a single bat and began to fly towards the city. However, I was stopped as I saw Maya below, just entering the city, running.

Why is she running? Did something happen last night? A pink blur zipped past me, just barely missing my face. I flew higher to see what is going on. I dodged more pink things. One of them landed in a tree nearby so I took a closer look. An arrow. But, it's not just any arrow. It's Acat's arrow. She must've engaged combat with Maya last night while I was away.

I dodged more as she tried to stop Maya. She ended up knocking some of the rocks off path and messing up the trail to the city. I have to stop her. Maya is doing this for the world and Acat is just following orders. I have to follow the right path, but which one?

I paused. I began to think about last night; about how horrible I felt, like I couldn't go on, like I was stuck. That's what it feels like to follow Mictlan's orders. I want to feel like this morning, peaceful.

I sighed. It comes down to this. I have to stop Acat from killing Maya. I returned my body back to its original form and unsheathe my sword. I flew behind Maya and stopped a barrage on oncoming arrows.

Upon closer inspection, it seems that Maya did a good job protecting herself. She ruined one of Acat's wings and her hair is out of place. "Zatz!" Acat yelled. "What are you doing back here?"

"I can't let you do this, Acat," I replied.

"Why not, Zatz?" Acat cried. "Is it because you care for her? Because you broke up with me?"

"It has nothing to do with any of that," I said. I half lied. I do care for Maya. But it's not because I broke up with her. Maya needs to stay alive, otherwise the human world is in trouble. "Then why, Zatz? Why would you stop me?"

"The world needs her!" I replied. Acat screamed and threw more arrows, this time, pointed at me. I blocked all of them. "Acat, stop this! I don't want to hurt you!"

"Then why are you stopping me? Then why did you break up with me?"

"You're still upset about that?" I blocked more oncoming arrows. "Acat, listen! It's for the better! Being in that relationship helped no one!"

"It helped me, Zatz! Why can't you see that?" Her eyes darted up towards Maya. I floated upwards while she tossed arrows. I blocked all but one. It pierced my arm, and they hurt surprisingly for being made of tattoos. I winced but hid my pain. "Acat! Stop this!"

"No!" She threw more arrows, one of them knocking my sword away and two of them hitting me in the back. I can't defend from her arrows in this state. I have to get my sword back. However, the arrows in my back caused my flying to fail on me. I don't have physical wings, but I can feel them. One stopped moving while the other tried desperately to keep me up.

I fluttered for a little while, to get out of everyone's sight. I grabbed my sword and stopped on a nearby chunk of floating rock. This isn't good. I can't fly at this rate. I put my hand on one of the arrows and paused. Should I really pull it? I don't really have anything to stop the bleeding with.

The flock of bats returned and dropped off a few pieces of cloth. I knew instantly that Papa is still here. "Gracias, Papa," I said, grabbing the cloth. I pulled the arrows out and took of my armor. Then I applied the cloth. I winced but kept going. I can't fight in this condition. I hope Maya can handle herself.

I repeated the process for my arm, but there was no armor to remove, so that made it a little easier. After I finished, I laid down on the rock for a bit. I need to get my strength back up to finish the fight.

Maya should be able to handle herself just fine. She did last night. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Instantly, all the nose around me faded. I just payed attention to the sound of birds. They seem to calm me down. In fact, it has for as long as I can remember.

Once Mictlan took my eye from me, I have always been like this, upset. So Papa would take me to the outside world, the world of the humans, to listen to the sounds that I couldn't hear in the Underworld. The leaves, the wind, the birds. The only thing that would calm me the most would be the birds.

There are no birds in the Underworld, as Mictlan thinks they're too… 'cheery.' So he made it so no birds could enter 'his world.' It always upset Papa because he likes all animals, even if he's a bat. So he told me that whenever I got too upset, or lost in the moment, or overwhelmed, to listen to the birds. I always appreciated that. Sometimes, I would have to go by myself, but having Papa next to me…it was something special.

I opened my eyes again. I sat up on the rock to see that Maya has made it about halfway and that Acat is no longer in sight. She must have fled. That's a relief.

I floated off the rock, a little wobbly at first, but I managed. Papa told me that I have the ability to heal faster than humans. It's only one of the abilities of being a god. You just heal differently.

Once I found my balance, I floated towards Maya. I don't see any wounds on her so that's great. I floated down to greet her. "Princess Maya," I said, bowing a little. "I'm pleased to meet you again."

"What do you want?" she asked, obviously upset. "I told you I didn't want to see you." She brushed past me. "I, uh…I wanted to congratulate you," I tried. Ugh, why did I say that? "Congratulate me on what?" she asked. She didn't turn around and just kept walking. "On…uh…on defeating Acat," I improvised. "She's a tough one."

"Yeah, I could tell. You sent her after me, didn't you?"

"Well, no, Maya, but-"

"But what? You want to see me dead, don't you?" Maya turned to face me. "No, Maya. If I did, I would've killed you a while ago myself."

"Then why are you following me?" She took a few steps toward me. "I'm here to…to protect you, Maya." She stopped right in front of me. She had to stand on her tip toes to reach my eye level. "To protect me from what? You?"

"No, Maya."

"To protect me from that other one? Acat was it?"

"No, you fared just fine against her."

"Then who, Zatz?" I hid a smile. She remembers my name! "To protect you from Mictlan," I replied.

"Mictlan? You think I can't protect myself?" she asked. She pulled out her sword and waved it at me, cutting some of my hair.

"Maya, I-"

"You think I can't fight, like my Mama, don't you?" she asked. She jumped back. "I'll show you who can't protect themselves!"

I pulled out my sword. A fight with Maya! I could barely contain myself! "What are you smiling at?" Maya asked.

"Sorry, Maya, it's just, I've been looking forward to this for a while now and-"

"You've been looking forward to this?" Maya asked, smiling. "Me too, actually! Let's do this!"

We each readied our stance and readied to fight. "Bring it on!" Maya cried.

Author's Note

I am SO sorry about this chapter guys! I got the comment but took no notice of it! I would appreciate a better statement like, "Chapter 9 messed up," or something like that if it ever happens again. I am so sorry but here is the new chapter.