It was a quiet cloudy night in Gravesfield; as the residents slept peacefully, they were unaware of the dark forces looming over their sleepy town. Something was moving fast, sticking to the shadows as it crept through the town. Its target locked as it slipped into the forest. With no witnesses around, the creature no longer needed to hide, revealing itself as a giant Komodo dragon the size of a car. The Komodo dragon began slinking through the trees, its target getting closer with each move it made. Finally, it stopped outside of an old house, though it didn't look old as it was owned by a family that lived not too far from there and remodeled it. However, the lizard's target wasn't the house itself but its front door. The Komodo dragon's face twisted into a sinister smile as it ran for the door. However, before it could reach the door, two figures dropped in front of it before knocking it back a little. The first figure appeared human since it stood on two legs, and the other seemed to be an animal since it stood on four.
"You gave us quite the slip a few miles back, lizard," said the human.
"But this is as far as you go," said the animal.
The komodo hissed before charging the pair, and the duo charged too. As everyone lept into the air, the sound of a blood-gurgling gasp could be heard as the person and the animal landed. The Komodo dragon also landed in two different spots, its head in one place and its body in another. The person raised his hand, creating a circle pattern in the ground under the dead Komodo dragon. The circle began glowing with a white and black aura as the Komodo dragon corpse sank into it, erasing it and any evidence of its existence.
"These attempts are becoming more frequent," said the animal.
"Nothing we can't handle,"
"Don't get cocky,"
"Sorry, but we're going to have to confront her about this door before things escalate,"
"It's fine, and I know,"
"c'mon, partner, let's get some sleep; we have a big day tomorrow,"
The Next Evening,
In front of the old house, the front door began glowing as it opened, unleashing a bright light. Stepping out of this light was Luz Noceda, accompanied by her palisman String-bean. A month and a half had passed since Luz's belated quinceañera, and she finally had some free time from her activities in the demon realm to spend some time in the human realm. Today she was going to go on a night out with her adopted sister Vee and her mother, Camila.
"I've been looking forward to this weekend," thought Luz.
Luz happily made her way to the Noceda residence. She cheerfully greeted Camila, who was off from work.
"Mija, it's so good to see you; how's Amity?"
"It's good to see you too, Mamá, and she's fine,"
"Is Vee here?"
"She stepped out before you arrived, but she'll be right back."
While Luz attended college in the demon realm, Vee went to college in the human realm alongside her partner Masha. Unfortunately, there weren't colleges in Gravesfield, so Vee and Masha attended a college in the next town, but Vee still lived at home. Suddenly the door opened up, and Vee returned home.
"Hey guys, I just finalized our reservation at that new cafe," called Vee
"New cafe?" asked Luz.
"An old cafe in town was repurchased a few months ago, and the new owners opened it today after renovating it," explained Camila
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go, Noceda women," cheered Luz.
The rest of the women cheered as they left the house. The Noceda women headed to town to spend time together. The new cafe has a retro yet wholesome feel to it. To Camila, it felt like the ones she used to go to during her teen years while dating her late husband, Manny.
"I remember places like these," said Camila.
"You do?" Said Luz.
"Your father and I used to have dates in cafes like these, and this one is Cosmic Frontier themed," Camila said excitedly.
After sitting in their reserved booth, Luz decided to ask Vee a question.
"So, how are things with you and Masha,"
Vee and Masha had been dating for a few years now. Masha already knew about Vee being a Basilisk and that she was the Luz she befriended at camp, and they accepted her.
"Oh, uh, we're doing great," said Vee, blushing, making Luz give her sister a sly grin.
"Luz, don't tease your sister like that," Camila playfully scolded.
Camila looked at all the couples enjoying their time together, which made her happy and a little sad as she sighed.
"What's wrong, mamà?" asked Luz.
"It's nothing, Mija; it's just hearing you girls talk about your others and other couples; I guess I just missed those days with your father sometimes,"
"Mom, I know you miss Dad, but have you ever thought of getting back out there,"
"It's hard to find someone new when you already had the one,"
"What was Manny like when you two were dating?" Asked Vee.
"He was sweet, charming, thoughtful, and clumsy,"
"Clumsy?"
"He was so bashful around me he would trip all over himself; it made me laugh sometimes,"
Suddenly a waiter appeared, ready to take their order. The waiter was a young man about the same age as Luz and Vee, possibly a year younger.
"Welcome to the Cosmic Cafe, my name is Lucas, and I will be your waiter; what can I get you,"
All ladies placed their orders, and Lucas quickly wrote down their orders.
"Okay, got it, oh I almost forgot, since this is our opening day, we have a special prize lined up for anyone who can recite the Astral oath,"
Camila's face lit up with excitement; she knew that oath like the back of her hand.
"To love and protect each other just as they are, through supernovas and solar winds," Camila said confidently.
"Congratulations, you won, ma'am; my dad will be out later on with your prize,"
"Your dad?"
"He's the cafe's owner; I'll be right back with your orders," said Lucas, leaving.
As Lucas left, Camila couldn't help but get a strange feeling from seeing that boy, which Luz and Vee picked up on.
"Camila, is something wrong?"
"That boy looked so familiar,"
"How so, Mom?" asked Luz.
"This may sound crazy, but he looked like a younger version of your father,"
"Really?"
"It's crazy,"
"Well, maybe they are related; I mean, Dad had a big family,"
"He did?" asked Vee.
"Manny's father had a huge falling out with his family right before he was born, so he was never that close with them growing up; I barely managed to get some to come to his funeral.
"If he looks like Dad so much, maybe he's a cousin,"
"Its possible mija not to mention his name,"
"What about it?" asked Vee.
"I'll tell you later,"
Moments later, Lucas returned with their orders, and the Noceda women began eating and chatting about what's been happening in their lives—things in both the demon and human realms. Luz caught Vee and Camila up on what's been happening with Amity, Gus, Willow, King, Hunter, Lilith, and Eda. While they told her of a few things she missed out on, like a new installment in the "ACU," Azura Cinematic Universe. Luz was excited, stating she would bring Amity when the movie premiered. After another hours of chatting, everyone was ready to go, informing Lucas he went to get his father so he could give Camila her prize. A few moments later, a man stepped out from the back and approached the booth. Camila instantly began blushing as she noticed how handsome he was; he looked of Latin descent and the same age as Camila, as there were streaks of grey hair in his semi-long brown hair tied in a ponytail. As the man got closer, he suddenly tripped, causing him to fall forward. However, Lucas, who pulled him back to his feet, saved him from injury.
"You really have to stop tripping over yourself, papá,"
The display got a giggle out of everyone, including Camila making her blush more, which Luz and Vee noticed.
"Good evening; my name is Alejandro Cross; I believe you already met my son, Lucas,"
"Hola, I am Camila Noceda, and these are my daughters, Luz and Vee,"
"Hello," said Luz.
"Hi," said Vee.
"Well, as the owner and head chef of the Cosmic Cafe, I would like to present you with this prize…as soon as I remember where I put it," he said, trying to find where it was.
"It's in your back pocket, Dad," informed Lucas.
"Oh right, thank you, son," said Alejandro, embarrassed but made Camila giggle again.
Reaching into his back pocket, Alejandro pulled out a card giving it to Camila before explaining it.
"This card allows you one free meal a month for you and as many guests as you like for a whole year starting from the moment you first use it,"
"Twice a month if you skip a month," added Lucas.
"Oh my goodness, that's so generous,"
"Think nothing of it my way of showing appreciation for a fellow Cosmic Frontier fan,"
Camila blushed again as Alejandro turned to leave, telling them to enjoy their evening but ended up hitting his foot, making Camilla giggle again. Embarrassed, he quickly walked off back to the kitchen.
"Is your dad okay," asked Vee.
"He's fine; he always does this," assured Lucas. "Enjoy the rest of your day," Lucas said, leaving.
As they left, Luz decided to tease her mom a little.
"You know, mamà, that Mr. Cross seems like a really nice person,"
"Maybe you could use your card as an excuse to visit him and get to know him,"
"Girls, I know what you two are trying to do, and I'm fine being single,"
"Mom, Dad would want you to be happy with or without him,"
"And I am; I have my daughters," she said, pulling Luz and Vee into a group hug. "Oh, speaking of your father, let's go visit him; there's something I want to show you both,"
Leading the way, Camila led Luz and Vee to Gravesfield Graveyard; she let them right to Manny's Grave; however, he was not the main reason they were there; it was the grave next to his.
"Lucas Noceda?" said Vee.
"My younger brother,"
"You have a brother?"
"Well had, he died a few hours after he was born,"
"I'm sorry,"
"It's okay, mamà; you finally moved him to Gravesfield,"
"I would have done it sooner, but I wanted to rebury him closes to your father, and luckily, the grave that used to be there was moved to another Cemetery, so I was able to bury him right next to Manny,"
"thank you, mamà,"
"May I ask how he passed away? I don't want to overstep,"
"It's ok, mija, you're family too," assured Camila. "Today is actually the anniversary of the day I found out I was pregnant with Lucas; there were some complications, and he ended up being a premature baby,"
"Premature?"
"Mom had to give birth to him a month before his due date," said Luz.
"The doctors said he was weak, but there was still a chance for survival," Camila continued. "But it wasn't meant to be; a few hours later, we found out he died, and it devastated Manny and me; we buried him in the cemetery close to our old neighborhood, and one of the doctors even paid for funeral expenses, Manny and I always planned to move him to Gravesfield, but one thing led to another, then after Manny died I waited even more," Camila said. "But once I learned the person who originally rested at this plot was being moved by his family, I knew I had my chance; now we can visit your father and brother together, mija,"
"Thanks, mom,"
"C'mon, you two, I've got a cheesecake at home just for the three of us,"
The group left the cemetery and headed back home; String Bean came out of Luz's pocket along the way, distressed as she hissed in Luz's ear.
"Luz, what's wrong with String Bean?" asked Vee.
"She says we're being followed,"
"What do we do?" Camila asked.
"Let's head for the portal door, just to be safe,"
Everyone agreed and went to the old house, trying to keep ahead of their stalker. Suddenly a shadow flew over them as they got close before dropping in front of them. To everyone's shock, the shadow was a large werewolf that towered over them.
"What is that thing?" said Vee.
"Did it come from the portal?" asked Camila.
"How sweet fresh meat," said the wolf, shocking everyone that it could talk.
String Bean quickly turned into staff mode while Luz began flying around dodging attacks.
"Get to the portal door and tell the others!" called Luz.
Camila and Vee ran, knowing they'd be able to get Eda's help fast; however, as they ran, a second wolf dropped down, blocking their path.
"Not so fast, ladies!"
Vee immediately became battle-ready, telling Camila to keep heading to the door. Taking a chance, Vee activated her absorption power which worked as she began draining the wolf, causing it to howl in pain, leaving an opening for Camila to run for the door and make it. Angry, the second wolf swatted Vee away, but Luz saved her in midair.
"Vee, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, but Luz listen, these things are made of magic, but not from the demon realm,"
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure of it; whatever these things are, they definitely have magic, but it's not from the demon realm.
Suddenly the first wolf jumped up, catching them by surprise as he knocked them to the ground. Quickly recovering, Luz and Vee stood back to back, hoping to hold out until reinforcement arrived. The Wolves began circling all three before charging; however, just as they were close, they slammed into an invisible barrier surrounding the Noceda sisters and string bean.
"What just happened?" questioned Luz.
Suddenly the portal door reopened, and Camila came rushing out with Eda and Lilith in their harpy forms, along with the rest of the Hex Squad led by Amity.
"LUZ!"
Just as everyone was about to attack, two more figures appeared, each confronting the wolves and confusing everyone; a man dressed in a white and black suit and a black-furred mountain lion with a white X-shaped scar on his chest.
"Looks like things escalated much sooner than expected," said the man.
"Get out of our way; the girl and the portal are ours," said one of the wolves.
"Maybe you mangy mutts didn't get the message, but the girl and the portal are under our protection, so I suggest you leave before you end up like your buddy from last night," said the man in the suit.
You don't scare us, now give us the girl and we'll let you leave with at least one of your legs," threatened the other wolf.
In response to the threat, the man snapped his fingers, causing Luz and Vee to disappear and quickly reappear amongst their friends and family.
"Luz are okay?" Asked Amity.
"Well, that was weird,"
"Now you have to get past them and us to get the girl," mocked the Lion.
"Did that mountain lion just talk?" Asked Camila.
Angered, the wolves went into a standoff with the strangers.
"All of you take the girl through the portal and shut it down so they can't follow," said the man in black and white.
Everyone agreed except for Luz, who wanted to stay and watch.
"I want to stay in case they need our help,"
Suddenly the wolf squared off with the wolf attacked, as did the lion. The wolf attacked, but the man dodged and countered by blasting it away by firing a beam of black and white energy from his palm, knocking him back.
"Damn, you humans are always getting in our way!"
Everyone was shocked to hear that statement, especially Luz.
"Edalyn, did that thing just call that person a human?" Asked Lilith.
"He did, but that's impossible,"
"I'm going to rip you apart with my claws!"
The man said nothing but brought out a sword with a short blade. Luz was surprised as the sword's hilt looked very familiar.
"That looks just like the eye from the old portal door,"
The wolf laughed, not believing the weapon could be a threat, how the man performed three swing motions each time, causing the blade to become longer until it was a full-on sword, before slashing the wolf across the chest. The wolf howled in pain as it clutched its wound.
"Now, who's laughing?"
"You little!"
The wolf began clawing at the man, but his attacks were sloppy, and it was quickly countered until the man sliced off his claws making the wolf scream in pain. The second wolf was no better as he already lost an eye and claw fighting the lion. Moving from the wolves, the man decided to end the fight. Drawing a circle in the air, the man suddenly summoned dozens of magical circles in the sky. The man summoned a barrier trapping him, the lion, the wolves on the inside, and everyone else on the outside. The man then created a smaller barrier around him and the lion.
"What are you doing?!" Asked the wolf missing his eye.
"I'm not one for dragging things out, so I'm ending this game fast,"
The wolves whimpered as their eyes widened; suddenly, the magical circles began firing off multiple blasts, hitting everything within the barrier. Everyone outside watched in awe as the wolves howled in pain before the howling stopped. As the barriers dropped and the dust cleared, the man and the lion were the only ones left. With the threats gone the duo turned their attention to Luz. However, everyone moved into a defensive stance around Luz.
"Woah easy we're the good guys here," said the Lion.
"You just killed those things, how do we know we can trust you?" said Eda.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know I was supposed to show Mercy to a couple of monsters that tried to kill your friend, please forgive me for trying to help," snarked the man.
"That's enough"" scolded the lion.
"Are you really human?" asked Gus.
"Yes, I can't give you my real name, but you can call me The Phantom Knight,"
"That's a pretty cheesy name," snarked Amity.
"I know, you can just call me X," said the Lion.
"I didn't pick the name, look, we're getting off track," replied Knight. "Luz Noceda to contain this problem without you knowing, as of now there is no longer an option, so let me be blunt about this your life is in danger there are forces at work that are after you and your portal door,"
"What!? Why me!?,"
"Because you defeated Philip Wittebane or should I say Emperor Belos,
End of Ch 1.