Days And Nights (Book of Life and Maya and the Three One Shots)

Together Again

Zatz and Maya visit the jaguar brothers in the land of the dead for the first time.

About a month or two has passed since Maya and Zatz became gods. There was a lot for them to learn with their new powers and responsibilities. It still felt so strange to them. 

On the bright side, they had help from the other gods. 

Of course, Zatz and Maya missed their friends who were still in the mortal realm. They intended to visit them, but after the battle, they thought it best to give their friends and family some room to breathe for a while. 

It didn't stop them from missing them greatly. 

One day, while Zatz was raising the moon, Maya was outside their home looking at the sky when La Muerte showed up.

"I thought you'd be here." She said.

"Oh, hi, La Muerte." Maya said.

La Muerte stood next to her, noticing the distant look on Maya's face, "What's on your mind?"

"Don't get me wrong, I'm really happy and grateful for what you did for me and Zatz. But I wish I could see my family again."

A small grin appeared on La Muerte's face, "You know, I am a death goddess. And you being my sobrina, I'm more than willing to do a favor."

Maya's face lit up and turned to her aunt. She thinks she understood what was being said.

...

La Muerte had told Zatz and Maya that they could visit the Land of the Remembered whenever they pleased, whether to visit her, or friends and family that reside there.

Later that night, Zatz and Maya stood in front of the door they had been told to go to. 

"You ok?" Zatz asked.

"Yeah, I just... can't believe this is happening." Maya said, "I was sure I wouldn't see them again, until now."

"They'll be just as surprised to see you. I know they've missed you, too."

Maya smiled at him as she slowly opened the door. Her heart stopped as she saw who was on the other side.

Her brothers. 

Daggers, Lance and Shield looked at Maya and Zatz with surprised looks.

No one said or did anything as they all took in each other's presence. 

Maya's eyes began to well up at the sight of her brothers. For a long time, she didn't think she'd see them again, even when she became a god. But now, here they were. They were dead, but they were here.

"Brothers?" Maya asked, tears streaming down her face. 

Her brothers smiled broadly and held their arms out. Maya ran into their arms, bringing them all in for a group hug.

"I missed you guys so much." Maya sobbed. 

"We missed you, too, Maya." Daggers said. 

"Look at you." Shield said, "You're all grown up."

"I'm still me." Maya said.

"We're so proud of you." Lance said.

Maya turned around to look at Zatz with a smile, which he returned warmly. He didn't feel right intruding on their reunion, especially considering how he first met her brothers. 

When they pulled away from the group hug, Maya went to Zatz and took him by the hand, bringing him closer to her brothers. 

"Brothers, you probably already know, but this is Zatz, prince of bats and god of the moon." She said, "He really helped me out with more than I gave him credit for."

Zatz smiled and bowed his head, "It's an honor to meet you more formally, this time." Her brothers smiled in return.

"He's also my love, so be nice." 

"Could you give us a second?" Lance asked.

"Sure, but please don't embarrass him or me." 

Maya slipped out of the room, leaving an uncomfortable Zatz alone with her brothers.

"So, you and Maya, huh?" Shield asked with a raised brow.

"Look, I want to apologize for how we met." Zatz said with a bow, "It wasn't my-"

Daggers held up a hand, silencing Zatz, "Hey, forget about it."

"We've been watching you." Lance said.

"We know you didn't mean any harm." Shield added.

"You and Maya make a good pair." 

Zatz felt some tension leave him. It was a relief that Maya's brothers didn't hold a grudge against him, but a part of him was still guilty about their first encounter. It still indirectly caused their deaths.

"We know how much you care about her." Daggers said.

"She's one of the few good things that happened to me in a long time." Zatz smiled. 

"You're a good kid, Zatz." Shield said.

The brothers held their arms out, which Zatz hesitantly walked into, bringing them all unto a group hug. 

"Oh, and Zatz." Lance added.

"Hurt her, and we'll torment you for all eternity." Daggers said lowly.

They broke away from the group hug to let Maya back in the room, leaving Zatz somewhat intimidated. 

"Alright, come on." Shield said, "We have a lot to talk about."

Maya caught back up with Zatz when she came back inside, "What did they say to you?"

"Only what I'd imagine older brothers would say." Zatz whispered. 

"Don't worry. They're gonna love you."

Zatz and Maya spent hours with her brothers, catching up, laughing and talking. 

The Teca siblings reunited once again.