Legends Ride Again:
S1: E7: Ghost in Gravesfield: Part 2
The Blooburn was nearly on top of Luz when it suddenly started to jolt violently. It grabbed its head and moaned, the gray receding from its right arm. It suddenly jumped into the trees and ran off.
"Gus!" Hunter shouted. "Follow that thing!"
The young illusionist didn't need to be told twice; he took off after the Blooburn. While the boys were giving chase, Willow, Amity, and Vee hurried to the ground to check on Luz.
With a moan, the human witch slumped to the ground, turning back to her normal self. The last thing she saw before blacking out was her friends and sister coming towards her.
Amity jumped off of her staff and hurried over to her girlfriend. She dropped to her knees and grabbed Luz's shoulders.
"Luz!" Amity shouted frantically, shaking the human. "Luz!"
The witch continued to shake her girlfriend as her cries grew more frantic. Willow frowned and got behind her friend.
"Amity," the plant witch said calmly. "Shaking and shouting at Luz isn't going to help."
"Then what?" Amity snapped, glaring at her friend. "This is the worst beating Luz has ever taken!"
Willow had to fight back a retort; she wouldn't deny she was worried after watching the fight. But she knew panicking wouldn't do anything. So, she took a few calming breaths and looked at Vee.
"Vee, help me with Luz," Willow told the basilisk calmly.
Vee nodded, and the two girls got beside Luz. They grabbed one of Luz's arms each and carefully lifted her.
"What are you planning on doing," Amity asked her panic still in her voice.
The witch and basilisk began walking towards the path leading to town, carefully balancing Luz.
"I'm taking Luz home and then getting Camila," Willow answered. "She's the only one we can trust with this."
Amity opened her mouth to retort something, but a look from Willow caused her to shut her mouth. Instead, she got in front of her friends and made sure nothing was going to jump out at them.
(SC)
"Gracias, Mister Mann," Camila said gratefully. "Your donation to this clinic would be put to good use."
Harold Mann, a man in his late twenties, offered the vet a somewhat apologetic smile. "Ms. Noceda, the pleasure is all mine. I love giving to small communities like Gravesfield, and your clinic came highly recommended. I'm only sorry you have to come in on your day off, but the Mayor was very insistent on this day."
Camila sighed and offered the man a smile as she studied her new benefactor. There wasn't much to Harold Mann; he was short, barely breaking five feet even. He wore a three-piece, gray suit and walked with a black cane.
Harold did have one thing that made him stand out in a crowd: his hair was prematurely white.
"Believe me, Mister Mann," Camila said kindly, "I know how…aggressive the town's mayor can get."
The businessman's smile turned warm, but he frowned as he heard a soft ding. He took out his phone and looked at the message. He sighed as he frowned and looked at the vet, his face turning apologetic again.
"It seems the mayor wants to go over some other details before he finalizes the extension to your clinic," Harold said kindly. "I will take my leave, but you'll be the first to hear about things once everything is settled."
Camila smiled gratefully and saw the businessman out. After watching the man drive off in his fancy sports car, she locked up the clinic.
"Camila!"
The Latino looked up, and her eyes nearly jumped from their sockets; Willow was descending on her staff, looking worried. Camila was about to scold the young witch about flying when she noticed Stringbean wrapped around Willow's neck.
"What happened?" Camila asked, worry washing over her.
The mother knew if Stringbean wasn't with Luz, then something was wrong.
Willow jumped off her staff and ran up to Camila. The older human felt her worry grow when she noticed just how worried her daughter's best friend was.
"Luz's been hurt," Willow said, slightly frantic. "We don't know how bad, but we can't really get her to the hospital without flying."
Camila's worry turned into dread, but she quickly pushed it down. She couldn't afford to panic, not when one of her babies needed her. However, there was one problem: she looked at her car frowning.
Camila knew the drive from the clinic to her house was at least 20 minutes, and who knows what could have happened to Luz during that time? She could risk speeding, but what if she could pull over?
The older human was brought out of her thoughts when she felt something brushing against her cheek. She looked at Stringbean, giving her pleading eyes, and the human instantly knew what the palisman wanted.
She frowned as she was against the idea, as they ran the risk of being seen. Camila looked at the young witch when she began speaking.
"If you're worried about being seen," Willow said, answering Camila's unspoken question, "I have made a route here while coming to get you. It should keep us out of sight."
Camila stared at her daughter's best friend and then at Luz's Palisman. Stringbean was still giving her pleading eyes, and Camila's decision was made. She held out her hands, and Stringbean understood; she turned into her staff form and fell into the hands of her witch's mother.
The vet took a few calming breaths and looked at Willow. The young witch nodded her understanding and took into the air once she was sure no one was watching. Camila took one final breath and then shakily lifted into the air, following after Willow.
(SC)
It took Camila and Willow five minutes to reach the Noceda household by flying, and the vet nearly crashed into treetops only six times. The two landed in the backyard, and Camila shakily got off Stringbean as she turned back to her animal form.
The vet took a second to get her bearings, then headed into the house with Willow. They went into the living room, where they found Luz on the couch and the others sitting around.
The older human could tell something weighed heavily on the teens' minds, but her attention was solely on her daughter.
"Hunter, Gus," Willow said, slightly surprised to see them so soon. "You're back already."
The grimwalker looked at the plant witch and sighed. "Yeah, the thing was too quick to follow through the trees," he replied, the bitterness in his voice evident.
"It's a sad day for the W.A.S. indeed," Gus added humorlessly.
Hunter looked at his best friend with a cocked eyebrow. Gus returned the look with an empty smile.
Camila ignored the two and walked up to her daughter, studying Luz as she employed her limited medical knowledge. She saw the light bruising on Luz's face and that her daughter was holding her chest.
"Maja," Camila said calmly, "Where does it hurt the worst?"
Luz looked at her mother with shame and replied, "I'm sore all over Mami. But my chest hurts the worst."
Camila frowned as she kneeled and lightly pressed her hand against her girl's chest. She gently moved her hand across Luz's chest and watched her daughter's reaction. Luz winced slightly, but she didn't recoil from the touch.
Still, Camila wanted to be certain. "Just how much pain are you in, Maja?" she asked.
"My chest feels tight, but I don't have trouble breathing if that's what you meant," Luz answered honestly.
Camila nodded, satisfied with the answer, and straightened up.
"I don't think any of your ribs are broken," The vet informed the group.
Everyone visibly relaxed at this news, but the older human could still feel the tension from the teens.
"That said," Camila said, glaring at her daughter, "I think it's best you rest for a while. And then you're going to tell me what's going on. And don't lie to me, Maja. I know you haven't been completely honest with how you've been hurt."
Luz smiled shamefully under her mother's glare but nodded. Satisfied with this answer, Camila went to the kitchen to start dinner as her daughter settled into the couch for some rest.
(SC)
On the outskirts of Gravesfield, away from prying eyes, the Blooburn screamed and screeched as he bashed its body against a tree. Not too far from the crazed creature was the knight who commanded it.
The knight watched as his Blooburn slammed his left arm into a tree, moaning in pain. It backed away from the tree, screamed as he held its head, and fell to its knees. It stayed there, panting as it gritted its teeth, trying to endure the pain.
The knight walked over to the creature, hoping it was done with whatever it was doing. He frowned as he studied the panting creature, noting that the creature's right arm was now gray.
The Blooburn sensed his master's approach and, though painful, got into a kneeling position.
"What is thy wish, Master Shadowblood?" the Blooburn said.
The caught Shadowblood off guard, though he hid it well. "You can speak now?"
"Yes, master," the creature replied, holding his head up. "Your rituals revived my body, but the thrill of battle revived my soul. And as such, I'm at your disposal."
Shadowblood frowned as he filed this development into the back of his mind. He also made a note to check his research notes after completing his task.
"...Tell me," Shadowblood said to his creation, "Were you able to learn anything about the house I sent you to investigate?"
The Blooburn nodded, but before it responded, it suddenly grabbed its right arm, groaning. It clenched its arm tightly as the Knight noticed veins became visible on its limb. The Blooburn snarled as it willed the pain to subside and looked at his master.
"...Yes," the creature replied, voice strained. "From the scents I got while there, the house isn't yet owned by anyone."
This news caused the burning knight to smile as that made his plan simpler.
"However," the Blooburn added, causing his master to frown, "I believe that people come and go from the house regularly."
Shadowblood's frown morphed into a scowl, and he began to pace in front of him Blooburn. If what his creature said was true, people were using the portal connected to the house.
"Tell me," The knight commanded, "What scent did you find at the house? Witch's scents gave a faint trace of brimstone due to the method they cast their magic in."
The blooburn suddenly began hesitant, looking away from his master. Shadowblood saw this, and his scowl deepened. He got close to his creature and grabbed his chin. The knight forced his creature to look him in the eyes.
"Never forget," Shadowblood said coldly, "I was one who revived you after your own tribe's leader saw you as nothing more than fodder for his own amusement. And as you said, you are indebted to me."
The knight let the Blooburn go, and the creature nodded his understanding. Shadowblood smiled at this and looked commandingly at his creature. The blooburn got the message and began to explain himself.
"Before I could investigate further, a familiar creature forced me into a fight."
Shadowblood cocked an eyebrow at this and replied dryly, "You're a union between my order's spells and the body of a Gurongi. How could someone affect you in such a manner that would cause you to hesitate with an order?"
The Blood Gurongi looked at his master for a second and then at the ground. Shadowblood growled and moved to disciple his creation.
"...Kuuga!" Blood Gurongi suddenly replied with seething anger.
Shadowblood stopped as his eyes suddenly snapped open, and his mouth fell slightly. He quickly overcame his shock and clenched his jaw and fists in anger.
"...Impossible," the knight said in slight denial. "It can't be Kuuga."
Blood Gurongi looked up at his master, noting how his demeanor had changed. "I am sorry, master, but I know what I saw."
Shadowblood looked at his creature, body shaking with anger. He got close to Blood Gurongi and glared down at it.
"Are you certain?" the knight asked doubtfully. "That man has been dead for nearly 16 years, and a select few in this realm can take on an appearance similar to Kuuga's."
"...I will know that wretched form anywhere," the creature replied honestly. "But this Kuuga was different; it was…a female."
Shadowblood's eyes widened as a memory suddenly resurfaced; he remembered cursing the spawn of the second Kuuga, but another human male got in the way. The knight was too concerned about it, figuring both would have been cursed.
The knight growled as he realized his mistake. The human adult took the brunt of his death curse. That meant the spawn of Kuuga survived, and if what his creature was saying was true, then she had gained Kuuga's powers.
He took a deep breath as the knight tried to calm himself down.
"Your mission had changed. You are to seek out and destroy this being calming to Kuuga," Shadowblood commanded. "Is that clear?"
Blood Gurongi nodded his understanding and stood up. It suddenly held its chest and fell to the ground, thrashing about. Shadowblood frowned as he watched his creation. He saw the gray began to spread, slowly reaching across the creature's upper body. He also saw a slit on the creature's chest starting to appear.
"Hmm, interesting," the knight mused, "It seems that The Blood-Burning ritual is still working to alter your body."
With a spell circle, the burning knight made a chair out of vines and sat down. He got comfortable as he watched his experiment, curious to see what mixing his order's rituals and the body of a Gurongi would create.
(Two Hours Later)
"What are you thinking about, Hunter?" Gus asked his best friend.
The ex-Golden Gaurd looked from his notes skittered across the kitchen table at his best friend. He sighed and looked back at his notes. Hunter picked up the note on the first Blooburn Luz fight and studied the data.
"...Just trying to put my notes in order," Hunter replied somberly. "There's still so much we don't know about these creatures. And with everything we saw today, there is more to this mystery than ever."
Gus frowned and joined Hunter at the table. He glanced over the notes on the table and looked at the paper in Hunter's hand.
"Well, we see the object change thing with the first Blooburn Luz fought," Gus pointed out, gesturing to the paper.
"Actually, Gus," Hunter said, "The shields the first Blooburn used had size-altering spells on them. All you need to do to cancel the spell is blast it with some energy, and the item returns to its normal state. It doesn't even have to be magic energy. I should know; I use one on my Blooburn files so I could carry it without problems."
Gus's frown deepened as he stared at the paper in his friend's hand. Hunter got the idea and handed his notes over. Before he could review the notes himself, Willow and Amity entered the kitchen.
"Luz's ready," Willow said, "And she wants us for support."
Hunter and Gus looked at their friends, and the grimwalker nodded. The two male demon realm residents stood up and followed their friends to the backyard. The three witches and one grimwalker reached the backyard where Luz, Vee, and Camila were already.
"I think…it's quicker to show you," Luz said slowly.
Camila nodded, and Luz took a moment to prepare herself. She sighed and widened her stance as she placed her hands on her waist. Camila gasped when she saw a belt materialize on her daughter.
"That belt…Luz, are you-" Camila couldn't finish her sentence as her mouth suddenly went bone dry.
Luz went through her usual hand motion and cried, "Henshin!"
The human witch thrust her arms out, and her Kuuga form materialized around her, forming from the feet up.
Now transformed, Luz looked at her mother and saw she was breathless. She sighed and looked at her hand. She clenched them after a second of just staring and looked back at her mother.
"Mami, I know this is a lot to take in," Luz reasoned, "But-"
"KUUGA!" Camila suddenly screamed, catching everyone by surprise. "Luz, when did you become Kuuga!?"
Everyone was caught off guard by this development. The witches, grimwalker, and basilisk stared at the mother like she had grown a second head. Luz was so surprised by this sudden turn of events she turned back to normal.
"Mami…you know about Kuuga?" the human witch asked breathlessly.
Unable to speak, Camila simply nodded. Luz was so shocked by this that her legs gave out on her, and she fell. Lucky for her, Amity was quick to summon some abomination matter, cushioning her girlfriend's fall.
Amity went over to check on her girlfriend, and Hunter looked at the older human. Camila was starting to collect herself, but Hunter saw that her breathing was still a little uneven. He sighed and walked up to his friend's mother.
"We have a lot to go over," the grimwalker stated calmly. "Maybe we should take this inside."
Camila looked at Hunter, sighed, and nodded weakly. Hunter frowned when she noticed the human woman was still a little uneasy and got beside her. He placed a hand on Camila's back and then looked at his friends.
Hunter saw that Luz was on her feet but looked no better than her mother. Thankfully, Amity noticed her girlfriend's state and was helping to steady Luz.
The witch and grimwalker exchanged looks, a silent message going between them. Together, the group headed into the house.
Soon, the humans, witches, and other creatures were seated around the table, most with cups of tea in front of them. Hunter frowned as he looked between mother and daughter, noticing both avoiding eye contact.
The grimwalker looked at Willow, and the young witch understood what he wanted.
"Camila," Willow said softly, looking at her best friend's mother. "How do you know about Kuuga? Luz didn't know about it until a month ago."
Camila looked at the soft-spoken witch, sighed, and picked up her cup. She took a long sip, using it to collect her thoughts. She put her cup down and finally looked at her daughter's friend.
"...Yusuke changed into Kuuga a few months after we were engaged," the older Litno said sadly. "He said that he didn't want any secrets between us."
The woman smiled in sorrow and fondness as she remembered that day. Camila remembered how nervous the Japanese man was when he said he wanted to show her something. Camila was curious and waited for her future husband.
Needless to say, Camila was surprised when the man she fell in love with turned into something straight out of her books. But soon, her shock turned to wonder, and she wanted to know everything about Yusuke's secret powers.
She sighed fondly as she let the old memory fad and looked at her daughter.
"But, how are you, Kuuga?" Camila asked. "The way…Yusuke explained it you need some kind of artifact to change. And I knew he was buried with it."
The HexGang exchanged uncertain looks and then turned their attention back to Camila.
"That…still being looked into," Amity said, choosing to speak for her friends.
Camila looked around the table, taking in everyone's expression. She took no comfort in knowing they weren't lying about this subject.
"...I'm sorry, Mami," Luz suddenly muttered.
Everyone looked at Luz when they heard her say that, and Camila frowned in concern at her daughter. The human witch felt eyes on her and looked around her. She felt a little more confident knowing her friends supported her, and she looked up meekly at her mother, expression heavy with shame.
"I promise no more secret, but I kept this from you for a whole month," Luz stated shamefully. "I'm just the worst daughter in two realms."
Camila frowned sadly as she saw tears emerge from the corner of her daughter's eyes. She immediately got up from her chair and went over to Luz.
"Oh, Maja," she said softly, hugging Luz. "I know this isn't easy. You have been going through so much in such a short time I doubt even the strongest person would be in their right mind."
Luz couldn't hold in anymore; the emotions she had been bottling up when around her mom came rushing to the surface, and she cried heavily. Camila smiled understandingly and hugged Luz tighter.
Luz's friends watched all this with small smiles, happy their friend was finally getting her emotions out. Amity's smile was probably the biggest out of the lot; she wanted nothing more than to jump from her seat and join the two. But she reframed from taking action, knowing this was a moment between mother and daughter.
It was nearly five minutes before Luz's tears started to dry, and she began to compose herself. Camila saw this, kissed her daughter on the forehead, and looked at the others.
"But there's something I still don't get," she said calmly, "Why was Luz so beat up?"
The HexGang looked at Hunter, and the grimwalker got the message. He sighed and looked at the human woman.
"Shortly before Luz's power emerged, a group of unknown witches suddenly invaded the Boiling Isles. They brought with them creatures called Blooburn," Hunter explained calmly, then his face grew dark. "Whatever these creatures are, they are immune to magic. Only Luz's strange powers can fight them, and today, one got to the human realm."
Camila and Luz suddenly gasped, and the young witch jumped to her feet, nearly knocking her mother over. Camila stumbled back a bit and then looked at her daughter in surprise. The HexGang was also looking at their friend and knew something was up.
Luz bolted out of the kitchen before anyone could speak, and the group followed her. She ran through the living room and burst through the front door, coming to a dead stop on the front porch.
The day had reached the point where the street lights were turning on, and one near the Noceda household flickered. In the flickering light was the Blooburn that Luz fought early in the day.
Luz narrowed her eyes and growled at the beast. First, it was at the portal to her second home, and now, it's here at the house where she spent most of her life. She wasn't going to let that stand!
"Henshin!" she screamed, quickly going through her motions and charging the creature.
Luz tried to tackle the Blooburn, but it jumped out of the way, landing on the lamp post it was just under. The witch known as Kuuga glared up at the creature and noticed it had changed; its body was nearly completely gray, with only the legs below the thighs having their original color. She also saw a hole in the creature's chest, where a core should be.
The creature suddenly speaking brought Luz out of her head.
"Kuuga! I'm here to challenge you for ownership of the portal to the demon realm! If you accept, follow me!"
Luz didn't have time to be shocked as the Blooburn jumped in the direction of the old shake. The human witch growled as she jumped onto the lamppost, turning into her blue form in the process.
She gave chase as her friends and family decided to follow on their staffs.
(SC)
Luz and the Blooburn quickly reached the old shake, landing in front of it, and Luz turned back to her red form. Above them, the HexGang and Camila watched on their staffs.
The Blooburn looked at Luz as it got ready for a fight. Luz did the same thing, taking up her fighting stance. The two stared at each other intensely, both waiting for one to make the first move.
The Blooburn made the first move, reached into the hole in its chest, and took out a marble. It turned the marble into one of its ball weapons and threw it at Luz. Luz knew this was coming and ducked the ball as it came at her.
Suddenly, the ball exploded, raining metal shards down on Luz. She gasped and covered her head. A few shards hit her, sparks flying off her armor before she rolled to the left. She jumped to her feet just in time to see the Blooburn charging her.
Luz barely braced herself and caught the Blooburn as it barreled into her. With a grunt, she weathered the impact and sent a knee into the Blooburn's side. The creature grunted as it jolted from the pain, and Luz took this opening; she punched the beast in the face, forcing it off of her.
The Blooburn staggered back slightly, and Luz put some distance between it. She took her fighting stance as her opponent regained its bearings and glared at the girl. It reached into its chest and took out two marbles. It threw them as it turned the marbles into shotput balls.
Luz wasn't going to fall that for a second time. She instead jumped into the air, soaring over the balls and at her foe. She tried to punch the Blooburn, but it dove out of the way. Luz landed on her feet and delivered a sharp kick to the creature's back.
The Blooburn stumbled slightly but kept on its feet and spun around. It rushed forward and got its foe in a headlock. Luz gasped as she felt the Blooburn squeezing her neck. She elbowed the creature in the gut, one, two, three times before it let her go.
Luz turned and faced her opponent as she gasped for air and put some distance between the creature. The Blooburn held the spot it was stuck, glaring at Luz. With its free hand, it reached for the hole in its chest.
The human witch wouldn't allow her foe to rearm itself and get into her finishing blow pose. She thrust her hands out and took off running, the soles of her feet catching fire. She jumped, flipped, and thrust her right foot out.
The blooburn saw the attack coming and quickly put its arms up in an X pattern to block the blow. The kick connected, and the creature was pushed a good two feet back but managed to stay on its feet.
Luz landed and watched as the Mark of Kuuga appeared on the Blooburn's arms. The creature tumbled violently as energy traveled down its arms. The Blooburn suddenly began to grunt and groan as he braced himself.
Luz gawked as she watched the creature force the energy from her mark to recede by sheer force of will. She growled at this and rushed the beast without thinking. She reeled her right hand back and threw a punch with all her might, her fist catching fire.
The punch connected in the same place Luz's kick did and the creature was knocked off its feet. The Blooburn convulsed as the energy from the mark quickly traveled through its body, reaching the emblem on its waist. The emblem shattered a few seconds later.
"KUUUGGGAAA!" the Blooburn screamed as it exploded.
Luz breathed out and looked at her hand. She saw it smoking and felt a slight tingle. The human witch sighed as she returned to normal and looked at her friends and family. Luz's eyes landed on her mother, and she hesitantly gave her a thumbs-up.
Unknown to the group was the Kight in the shadows, scowling as he watched the fight before taking leave.
(A Short While Later)
Camila sat in her bed, looking at an old photo album. She was smiling fondly at a picture in the album when she heard a knock.
"Come in," she called and was surprised to see Luz entering her room. "Maja? Are you alright?"
Luz looked at her mother shyly and nodded. Camila frowned as she felt something was bothering her daughter. She made room on her bed and patted her side. Luz was hesitant, but she walked up to the bed and got into it.
For a minute, the mother and daughter sat in an awkward silence as both avoided eye contact. Finally, Luz sighed and looked her mother shamefully in the eyes.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you everything, Mami," the human witch mumbled shamefully.
Camila stared at her daughter for a second, sighed, and wrapped an arm around Luz, pulling her close. Luz blushed slightly but leaned into her mother's embrace.
"I wouldn't deny that seeing you fight this evening didn't scare me," Camila replied, then looked at Luz with a smile. "But, I have come to accept that you're not a little girl anymore. But, like we promised all those years ago, no more secrets."
With tears in her eyes, Luz nodded and hugged her mother tightly. Camila's smile grew as she leaned down and kissed Luz on the forehead, causing the girl's blush to deepen. She happened to see the album her mother was holding, and her eyes widened when she caught sight of a picture.
The picture that caught Luz's attention was outside of a convention hall. In the picture was her mother, in her late teens or early twenties, dressed in a Comic Frontier costume and her arms around two young men. She recognized her stepfather on her mother's right, but the man on her right must be…
"...Is that?" Luz asked breathlessly.
Camila looked at the album and smiled sadly. "Si," she replied, pointing at the other man, "This is Yusuke Godai."
Luz stared at the picture of her birth father, taking in every detail about the Japanese man. She reached out and lightly touched the picture.
"He seems like a good man," Luz said softly.
"He was," Camila replied sadly, looking Luz in the eyes. "You may have gotten my eyes, but that spark I see in them is something you got from him."
Camila looked back at the album and laughed a bitter laugh. "It was because of him that I meant Manny in the first place."
Luz gasped and looked at her mother with stars in her eyes. Camila noticed her daughter's expression and laugh, feeling she knew what Luz wanted.
"When I first meant Yusuke, I was trying to forget about Cosmic Frontier," Camila explained, a hint of sadness in her voice. "When he learned about my love of the series, he refused to let me forget it."
Camila turned the page and pointed to one picture. Luz looked at the picture and saw her entire family posing with an actor from one of the Cosmic Frontier shows. She couldn't help but smile when she saw that her Otosan was giving the camera a goofy smile.
"He surprised me with tickets to the events and dragged me there, saying he wouldn't allow me to forget about something I loved," Camila finished with a sigh.
Camila closed the album and sighed one more time. Luz looked at her mother, frowning.
"...Can you tell me about him?" she asked eagerly. "I really want to know more about him."
Camila smiled fondly at this but said, "Tomorrow, Maja. Now, I think it's been a day, and we all could use some rest."
Luz wanted to protest, wanting to know everything there was to know about her birth father. She opened her mouth to protest, but a stern glare from her mother shut her down.
Luz sighed, knowing that when her mom's mind was made up, there was no changing it. So she kissed Camila goodnight and got out of her mother's bed.
"Would you like to sleep with me tonight, Maja?" Camila suggested warmly.
Luz looked at her with the grin she gained from her stepfather and replied, "Nah. It's like you said, I'm nearly an adult. Besides, we know what happens when I'm super tired."
Camila made a face as her daughter took her leave.
Less than fifteen minutes later, Camila got out of bed and left her room. She peeked in her children and found them asleep. She giggled under her breath as she heard the loud snoring coming from her birth daughter.
The older human shook her head as she closed the door softly. Camila then made her way downstairs. In the living room, she went to a drawer and fished out a black card with the symbol of Kuuga on it.
She stared at the card for a minute, sighed, and went to her purse to grab her phone. With her phone in hand, she stepped outside and dialed the number on the card. Camila had the phone close as it began ringing.
[Hello, and thank you for calling the emergency Unidentified Lifeform Line: American Branch. What is the nature of your call?]
Camila was a little surprised that an emergency call line set up nearly 22 years ago was still working.
"My name is Camila Noceda," the woman explained, "And I would like to know if you can get in touch with a Shouichi Tsugami in Japan?"
The line was quiet for a moment, and Camila feared that the receiver on the other end was about to hang up on her.
[May I ask the nature of why you wish to contact this person?]
Camila sighed deeply, mentally preparing herself for what she was about to say.
"...I need to inform him that the Unidentified Lifeforms have returned."
(G Corner)
And with this, we close this story's two-part, plot-focused chapters. If you're wondering why neither chapter had any research notes sections, it was because of the importance of these chapters. But they will be returning next time!
Also, if you're wondering about the emergency line Camila called, here's some backstory. After the events with the Lords, the Japanese government approached the rest of the world leaders, and together, they created an emergency system in case a threat like the Unidentified Lifeforms and Unknowns emerged.