June 4th; Ministry of San Juan

Valerie Di Fiore, Uriel’s younger sister, a bright and strong young woman with the desire to help her family and yet…

“BIG BROTHER…BIG BROTHER!” Valerie has a dream, a dream where she tries to reach Uriel who is at a distance.

Valerie runs as fast as she can; “URIEL URIEL!” A young Uriel turns around and sees a young Valerie:

“Valerie…what’s wrong?”

Valerie breathes heavily; “I thought you were going to leave me behind again…”

Uriel pats her head as he chuckles; “I’m sorry…but I have to leave…”

“But why? I could come with you…I can be helpful…”

Valerie hugs his arm; “Please…don’t go…”

“Valerie…I;m sorry…but I have to go…but I promise that I will return someday…” Uriel begins to walk forward, Valerie with tears in her eyes sees her brother disappear as he walks from distance:

“BIG BROTHER…PLEASE…PROMISE ME THAT YOU WILL RETURN…PROMISE ME!”

Everything goes blank, at the room, Valerie wakes up:

“Big Brother!”

Valerie stretches her hand, with tears in her eyes. She looks at the window and sees that the sky is clouded with drops of rain beginning to fall:

“What happened?”

“It appears that you’re awake…” Valerie looks at Daniel; “Daniel…where is Big Brother?”

“You already, so why should I tell you?”

“I see…he’s already gone right?”

Daniel nods in agreement as he turns around:

“You should really stop chasing after him…remember that he is meant to be a solitary being…”

Daniel leaves the room. Valerie looks down, feeling somber. After a while, Valerie walks towards the center of the yard as she looks up to the sky.

(DRIP DRIP DROP DROP)

It begins to rain heavily, Valerie looks down; “I always loved the rain, because I can cry to my heart’s content without no one noticing.”

“Ay mija…you shouldn’t be out in the rain like that…” Father Clemente appears and puts an umbrella on top of her. Valerie turns to look at him:

“F-F-Father…”

“Mija, why do you look so sad?”

“Father…it’s because…he left me behind…again…” Valerie replies with a shaky voice. Father Clemente sighs:

“He promised you that he would take you right?”

Valerie nods with a sad expression; “I’m starting to think that he doesn’t care about me…that we’re not family…”

Father Clemente interrupts her by patting her head:

“Listen mija…Uriel cares for you more than anyone else…that’s why he decided for you to stay behind…”

“But Father…I can be much help to Uriel…I even…”

“Now mija…I believe that everyone has their moments…and your moment will come eventually…now if you truly care about your brother…then send him your prayers…”

Valerie lowers her head. Father Clemente continues to speak:

“Uriel is on a dangerous mission right now…I bet he would really appreciate it, if his sister would believe in him…I believe that you should train to become stronger and show him that you’re a reliable person…”

Valerie takes a deep breath and looks optimistic; “You’re right…I must become stronger…and I will…ACHOO!”

Valerie sneezes, Father Clemente chuckles; “First thing you need is a shower mija…you don’t want to get sick…”

Valerie chuckles. Father Clemente opens another umbrella; “Here…I must go to a meeting…”

“Thank you Father…is that meeting really important?”

Father Clemente nods in agreement and begins to walk away. As he walks, Father Clemente thinks; “It’s really important…because…it involves the assassination of your brother dear…I’m sorry…but my duty as an exorcists is to punish those who are evil…and I’m afraid that your brother will become that most evil being…when he returns…”

Valerie looks at the sky; “And also…don’t forget about our promise…Alejandro…I will wait for you…”

***************************************************************************

CIBOLA Cemetery

At the CIBOLA Cemetery, Yggdrasil keeps guard on the Cemetery…due to the powerful mana emitting to the open portal…Sombras in herds trying to eat that mana…Yggdrasil sealed it with a barrier, however…the Sombras continue to appear.

(SSSLLAASSHHH)

Carlos cuts down two Sombras who are trying to attack the base; “That makes it 25 for me…hell yeah!”

(BBBAANNGGG)

Chelsea takes out 4 Sombras at the same time; “That makes it 40 for me…” Chelsea makes a smirk at Carlos. Carlos gets angry and exclaims:

“No fair…you're using a gun…try fighting them one by one you cheater…”

“It’s not my fault that you are slow…besides…there weren’t any rules against it…remember, if you lose at the end of our shift…you’re buying dinner tonight and I want a lobster…”

“Damn it…” Carlos runs to hunt down more Sombras. Meanwhile in the tent, Kasumi looks at the monitors:

“It’s only been one day…and more than 200 Sombras appeared in that laps of time…Carlos and Chelsea will exhaust their mana in no time…and we don’t have enough agents…plus we have the other sectors of the city…Tiwa and Uriel are no longer here…and they made it easier as they hunted as well…”

Heidi walks next to her; “Relax dear…you’re overstressing yourself…I send a request to Allan to send more agents if possible…they will soon send more agents to this city…in the meantime…as you can see…Sombras are coming to this zone…leaving the other sectors safe…we will send one agent to each sector and focus ou main force here…”

(BEEP BEEP BEEP)

“We have 20 more Sombras approaching…” An agent informs Heidi and Kasumi.

“I understand…then it’s my turn to begin my exercise…” Kasumi walks towards the battlefield. Heidi chuckles; “I see now…you have frustration of not going with them…”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Heidi-san…but I am a leader…and leaders also step up to the battlefield…” Kasumi reveals her crest:

Activate Orenjikji: Complete” (Translates: Orange Pheasant) -

Katsumi’s crest begins to spread around her body causing her to shine into an orange revealing an esper suit.

(RRRAAWWW)

The Sombras approach with high speed. Carlos and Chelsea look at Kasumi; “Senpai?”

“You two step back…now it’s my turn…” Kasumi takes out her katana and charges straight at the Sombras.

(SSSLLLAAASSHHHH)

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Region of Tlalocan, Mictlan

Alejandro and Xbalanque reach the region of Tlalocan, the heaven of Mictlan…Xbalanque decided that their best course of action was to walk towards Aztlan…As they walk…Alejandro and Xbalanque have a conversation…

“So then…why are we walking? I thought your Alebrije could take us there?”

“Well…it’s a long story…but the ruler of Mictlan is a very strict person…if we want to meet her, we must keep our distance…” Xbalanque explains as they walk pass the village.

The Village name is Xoxoco (Region of Blue), A beautiful village where people who decide to live in a peaceful environment from the capital…In this place, there are many people who have the appearance of skeletons, with colorful decoration…the roads are made of stone with diverse indigenous symbols, including Mayan, Olmec, Zapotec and Aztec…

Alejandro and Xbalanque wear black robes to avoid suspicion (at least…that’s what they believe…)

“Hey, Xbalanque…aren’t we being too obvious…I mean everyone is watching…” Alejandro walks nervously as he notices that everyone who they come across looks at them with suspicions.

Xbalanque chuckles; “Relax…nobody is going to say anything…these robes are just to avoid everyone noticing that you are a living being…”

“Hey you…stop…” Suddenly, they notice a pair of guards approaching them.

The guards are also skeletons that have Aztec attire with long lances and shields. They have helmets that resemble the Jaguar.

“Uh-oh…”

“What do you mean uh…” Xbalanque pulls Alejandro as they run off the main street; “Why are they chasing us?”

Xbalanque chuckles; “These guys are after me…”

“Why?”

“I may have done something bad…” Xbalanque laughs as they enter an alley. Alejandro exclaims; “Are you serious? You’re a criminal?”

“Hahaha…” Xbalanque and Alejandro arrive at another street where more guards appear; “We’re surrounded…” Alejandro panics. Xbalanque looks up; “Hold on to me…”

Alejandro hugs Xbalanque, Xbalanque jumps with him to the ceiling; “WWWHOOOAAA” Xbalanque and Alejandro jump from ceiling to ceiling in order to escape from the guards.

(BOING)

Alejandro touches something that makes him blush; “This sensation…don’t tell me it’s…”

“Hey…what’s where you touch…”

(BBOOOMMM)

“GGYYAHHH AAHHH” Both of them fall into a house. Alejandro grabs his head; “Now that hurt…wait…that sensation…” Alejandro looks at his hand. Xbalanque stands up:

“Ouch…I lost focus for a moment…”

“Hey…was that a boob?”

“Well…yeah…want to see?” Xbalanque shows her boobs to Alejandro. Alejandro panics:

“WWAAIITT…COVER THEM UP?”

Xbalanque makes a smirk; “Oh…are you shy? Are you surprised that I have boobs?”

Alejandro, with his eyes shut, nods; “Well yeah…I thought that you were a skeleton? And skeletons don’t have boobs…don’t tell me you’re a human being?”

“It’s a long story…but I was born here in Mictlan and I am part of this world…but to put it simply…I am not completely dead…”

“That makes my head spin…so I won’t ask any questions…”

“Who goes there?” A couple enters the room.

The couple appears to be skeletons with some old age. Both of them have decorations in their faces, similar to calaveras (mexican candy). The woman has white dress from top to bottom, sewn on the sides with two openings for the arms and one more rectangular for the head. The man has a white buttoned shirt, black pants and black shoes.

Alejandro nervously stands up and tries to explain; “Uhm sorry…we were just playing and we fell…”

“He’s a human…” The woman panics. Xbalanque notices that Alejandro’s hood is off; “Oh no…this is bad…”

“Why are humans here? I thought there couldn’t be any here?”

“Wait…I can explain…” Alejandro tries to talk with them. The couple takes a few steps back. Xbalanque removes her hood as well; “Please…we need your help…we’re being chased…”

The couple looks surprised; “Wait..aren’t you…”

“I’m not important…but we need to have him safe…”

The couple nods in agreement. -KNOCK KNOCK- Suddenly, the guards knock on the door. The woman immediately tells them; “This way…”

“Wait…what’s happe…” Xbalanque grabs Alejandro in order for them to hide. The woman guides them towards a secret room in a wall. Xbalanque enters with Alejandro. The woman closes the door.

The room is a tight space, Xbalanque sits on top of Alejandro. Alejandro blushes; “Xbalanque, you boobs can’t let me breathe…”

“Shhh…stay quiet or they will hear us…”

(KNOCK KNOCK)

The man opens the door; “Yes officer…how may we help you…’

“Sorry to disturb you but there was a loud crash in your house…we might think there are intruders here…”

“I can assure you that no one is here but my wife…but you may inspect if you like to…”

“We will…if you excuse us…” Two guards enter the house, they check every point of the house. The house is in tact, one of them notices the big hole in the wall:

“Excuse me sir…what is this hole on the roof?”

“Oh…pardon me…we didn’t notice…we have just arrived to our house…”

“I’m going to ask you to stay here…” The guards head to the other room and see the woman sitting on the bed and reading a book; “How may I help you?”

“Ma’am…stay where you are…there might be intruders in your house…”

“Oh dear me…please…feel free to look…”

(BADUMP BADUMP BADUMP)

Tension grows as the guards inspect every inch of the room. Alejandro and Xbalanque hold their breath as one of the guards knocks on the wall; “This wall…it sounds different from the others…I will have to…”

“SIR…WE HAVE REPORTS OF SUSPECTS BEING SEEING TWO BLOCKS AWAY!” One of the guards informs the other. The guards immediately leave. The woman opens the wall, Xbalanque and Alejandro fall into the ground.

“Oh dear…are you okay?” The woman asks Alejandro who is bleeding from his nose. Alejandro laughs nervously as he nods in agreement. Xbalanque chuckles; “You pervert…”

“It’s not my fault…your boobs were squeezing me…”

Xbalanque looks at the couple; “Thank you for helping us…”

“No problem…now what are you going to do?” The man asks Xbalanque; “We are heading to Aztlan…as you can see…I must save this living boy…”

“I see…very well…we will take you there…”

“Are you sure?”

The couple nods in agreement. Alejandro looks confused; “What did they say?”

“They will take us to Aztlan…”

“Really…that’s great!” Alejandro shakes both of their hands; “THANK YOU!”

The couple nods in agreement; “We will depart in one hour…please have dinner with us…”

“They said…we are going to eat with them…”

“Awesome…but wait…do the dead even eat?”

Xbalanque pulls Alejandro towards the dining room; “Shut up and come with me…”

The couple looks at them. The man looks at the woman; “He sure has grown up…right Regina?”

“I feel so proud of him…our grandson has become a man…Miguel…”

The couple looks at a picture next to their bed where they appear next to Alejandro and another mysterious girl. Regina looks at the drawing:

“It’s too bad that our memory will soon disappear… and we will forget them just like their parents…”

“It’s okay dear…at least…we get to see him one more time…I don’t understand why he is here…but as his grandparents…we will keep our promise to be with him and protect him as his family…” The couple leaves the room as Miguel slowly burns the picture they had.