[CHAPTER 20]
They were flying at just under Mach One over Utah, at least according to the speed gauge and location tag Aegys populated in Leo's vision, when Mori spoke up for the first time in an hour. "You have anyone expecting to meet you when we land?”
Leo shook his head to clear his thoughts. “Not really, but I can give my mom a call. She’s probably worried about me anyway.”
She nodded, “Not a bad idea. We’ll be nearing Bozeman in about 45 minutes, I can drop you off just about anywhere you need to go.”
“Thanks Mori, I’ll let you know,” he said before turning towards Kat, “Did you want to call your folks or stop at my place first?”
Kat stared out the window for a few seconds before answering, “I’m gonna head home. I’ll message you later, ok?”
Leo hesitated before nodding, “Of course. You know where I’ll be.”
He sat back in his seat and dialed his mother. After a couple rings she picked up sounding frantic, “Leo? I heard about what happened in Vegas, are you ok baby?”
“I’m fine mom, I’m actually on the way back home now and I’ll be there in about an hour.”
“An hour? You must have been in the air for a while then, why didn’t you call earlier?” She sounded exasperated.
Smirking he responded, “I’ll tell you all about it when we land ok? I’ll see you at home.”
“If you think I’m going to stay at home and wait for you to get here you have another thing coming young man. I’ll meet you at the airport,” she sounded like she was getting ready to leave as she spoke.
“Mom, please! Just stay at home, you’ll see why then ok?” Leo begged her.
“Hmph, fine then. You better hope I don’t box your ears as soon as I see you for worrying your poor mother.”
Chuckling, “I love you too mom, I’ll see you soon.”
He cut the call and glanced up to see Mori smirking at him, “You planning on surprising her with your new status?”
“Yea, it’s easier to just show her than to answer the thousands of questions she would no doubt have if I told her over the phone.”
She just shook her head as she turned back to the front of the Witch-Craft, “Well you have a little over half an hour to figure out how to do that, we’ll be dropping off Kat first since her place is closer.”
Leo leaned back in his chair to wait.
‘Well, I would like to keep a focus similar to my Samurai Rush character since that is what I’m used to.’
‘True…’
‘Which means that having my focus on healing other Samurai is a waste of potential.’
Leo nodded, what Aegys said made sense considering his recent experiences. ‘So, what would you suggest?’
‘That sounds like a good idea. How much would that run me?’
Mori’s upbeat voice came from up front. “Look alive kiddos, we’re here.”
‘Lets save this for later’
Leo looked towards the cockpit where Mori sat and saw Megacity-Bozeman in the distance. The many skyscrapers and mega-buildings giving the surrounding mountains a run for their money. As they flew in he noticed that they were nowhere near the line to the gates.
“Uhm, Mori, aren’t we going to go in through the gate? Otherwise the air defenses will–”
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She spoke up, smiling over her shoulder, “Nothing to be worried about. Merlin will make sure the targeting systems leave us well enough alone. Perks of the job.”
Leo walked back to Kat who looked to be napping. Shaking her leg gently, “Hey, looks like we’ll be dropping you off soon.”
Kat just nodded tiredly, “I heard. Just trying to figure out what to tell my folks.”
He just gave her a small smile and sat back in his seat. A few minutes later Mori landed on the landing pad of Kats building.
“Here you go Kat, call me if you need anything!”
“Of course, thanks for the ride!” Kat smiled and waved at Mori before stepping out of the Witchcraft and into her building.
Mori smoothly rose back up and headed off to Leo's building, a short 5 minute flight later he was gathering his stuff ready to step off. “Make sure you stay in touch okay? Anything you need I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks Mori, I’ll make sure to keep in touch,” he waved and watched as she took off into the distance.
Sighing, he turned and walked to the elevator and punched in the code for his floor. Once he arrived in front of his door he decided to knock on the door rather than just walk in. He could faintly hear the sound of the TV go quiet and rapid footsteps approaching the door.
The door was whipped open to reveal a woman just slightly shorter than Leo. She had brown hair done up in a bun and warm chocolate eyes. As soon as she laid eyes on Leo, she looked shocked, “Leo? Is that you? What am I saying, of course it is but…what are you wearing?”
Leo relaxed and smirked as soon as he saw his mom in the doorway. "Hi mom, mind if I come in first before you interrogate me?"
“Bah! If there was any question still then that just answered it. You’re definitely my kid. Come in, come in.” She quickly ushered him to the couch, “let me get you some tea.”
“Don’t worry about it mom, I can get it, come sit. I have a lot to tell you.”
‘I’m assuming I can get some pretty good tea?’
His mom froze in the kitchen entryway. “Are you sure? It’s not a problem for me to whip some up.”
“I promise, it’s actually better this way. Come sit.”
She warily walked over and sat in her rocking chair, “What is this about Leo?”
“So, you know the situation that happened in Vegas during the competition right?”
She nodded slowly, “Of course, I was watching your game and then the incursion alarm went off.”
“Well, quite a lot happened, and this is probably one of the bigger things…” he gestured at the coffee table.
‘Aegys, two cups of peppermint tea with honey please.’
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A stream of flames seemed to flow from his hand to the table before coalescing into the shape of a phoenix. The phoenix looked at Leo’s mom and bowed before disappearing in a flash of flames. In its place were two mugs and a teapot in various shades of red, yellow, and orange. The handle was in the shape of a phoenix with the head resting on the rim and the wings seeming to hug the body of the containers.
“Dramatic much Aegys?” Leo said out loud, holding his face in his hand.
Shaking his head, Leo looked back up at his mom. “Sorry about that, it seems that Aegys, my AI, has a flair for the dramatic.”
His mom was sitting, staring at the mugs. He saw a range of emotions flicker across her face before she dragged her eyes back up to Leo’s, “So…does this mean you’re a Samurai now?”
“Apparently. There is a lot to tell you. You may want to try the tea first though,” Leo put actions to words and picked up his own mug. Taking a sip he was immediately hit by the bracing taste of peppermint quickly followed by the calming taste of honey. He watched as his mom picked up her mug and admired the artistry of it before taking her own sip. As soon as the liquid hit her tongue she seemed to sink further into the rocking chair and relax.
“That is the best tea I think I’ve ever had.”
“You know Aegys, if you’re gonna keep butting into this conversation you might as well have something to speak with.”
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On the table appeared another Phoenix who waved this time before leaving a phoenix statue in its wake.
“There we go. Hello Ms. Adair, my name is Aegys, The Protector AI assigned to Leo. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Leo’s mom took another sip of her tea as she stared at the new speaker, “This is gonna take awhile isn’t it. Well, you might as well get started.”
For the next couple of hours both Leo and Aegys described the situation in Vegas and what happened. Many times they had to stop and explain something as Leo’s mom asked questions but for the most part she simply listened. Leo did brush over the few times he almost died as well as some of the more gruesome details of what he saw, but he was pretty sure she knew and would ask later.
When he was done she stood up and motioned for him to do the same. As soon as he did she grabbed him in a hug, “My baby, I can’t believe you had to go through all of that. I am glad you are back but I am also sad that your friends didn’t make it.”
Leo was shocked for a second before he melted into the hug. A special warmth that only comes from a hug from someone who loves you without limit hit him and he felt a prickling in his eyes and was surprised to find them wet with tears. Quickly wiping them dry he said, “It’ll be okay. I was going to reach out to their parents and coordinate a funeral for them.”
His mom held on for a minute longer before pulling back. “That sounds like a wonderful idea. Let me know if you need any help, okay?”
“Of course mom. Now if you’ll excuse me, I would like a shower and probably something a little less flashy to wear.” He held his cloak out to his sides causing the feathers to glow in different colors.
Chuckling, his mom waved him away. “Of course, go. I’ll be out here talking with Aegys for a bit.”
“Leo, help. I’ve heard of this from your media, don’t leave me with her,” came the faux-panicked voice of Aegys.
Leo just laughed as he walked through the apartment to his bedroom. He took his cloak and body suit off and laid them gently on his bed before padding to the bathroom across the hall and hopping in the shower.
‘Aren’t you talking to my mom right now?’
‘Showoff,’ Leo laughed, ‘but sure. Where did we leave off?’