"Our Prophecy"

Fandom : Maya and the Three / Mesoamericans, Aztec, Mayan, Mythological Cultures AU

Declaimer : All rights reserved to Gorge Gutiérrez. This FanFiction and it's OCs belong to me. No copies are authorised unless given specific approval; this includes OC characters and plot development, unless properly given credit to. No money is being made with this. Reviews are welcomed, and positive criticism is encouraged.

Warnings : (16) Gods, magic, mythology, worship, romance, angst, character death, sexual and mature themes, gore, torture, explicit content, mentions of non-con/rape, fluff, mental breakdown, anxiety n/or panic attacks, mental abuse, enemies to friends to lovers.

Mainpairing: Princess Maya/Zatz, Prince of Bats

Language: English and Spanish

Summary : Her Coronation Day ruined, all Maya can do is hold her anger, let it fester and grow, as her Father and Brothers march with the Teca Army towards their certain doom...

A single choice to make or break. Maya's decision changes the course of history and diverges from her fated path.


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Life is a circle

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It has been two days since her father and brothers left for their respective quests. Two excruciating slow days and even though Maya understood that no matter how much she wishes she could be out there going on dangerous adventures, her place as the Teca Princess was to her people. She needs to be there should anything happen. 'It's still boring'. Of course, that doesn't mean what she does is unimportant. Overseeing the problems from the Kingdom while her mother took her time to translate the scroll they found is distracting enough.

Maya continued on her way to their empire fields, to the smaller terraces, where some of their farmers claimed a plague was starting to infest the crops. Already near, she could see the first hints of maiz seedlings sprouting, planted not so long ago. What caught her eye was a small group of young children near the edge of losjitomates -the tomatoes- pointing and poking the fruits with sticks. 'The children normally migrate to where the cacao is'. Maya hurried.

"¿Qué pasa niños? The cacao is on the other side of the hill" the children turned to her, brown eyes wide "Princesa Maya! Something is wrong with these!'', a little girl no older than five years said, hugging a small toddler. Looking over their heads to see what they were doing she stopped short at what was there. The normally bright red jitomate was covered in spidery black veins seeming to pulse. "Children go to the Tlaloc Temple, inform them that the Princess requires any available Priest to the southern lower level of the terraces immediately." Bowing, they dashed to follow her instructions, worried even as young as they were. Maya carefully took a fruit into her hand, 'It's warm', standing to walk around she could see the same thing happening to the other crops, inspecting them did little to lessen her panic. She turned back towards where the city was, seeing three priests running towards her; Aapo, Zan, and Fa. Their long robes blown behind them by the wind as they hurried, dark tlilpopotzalli soot based ink painting their bodies gleaming under the morning sun. They knelt before her, feathered head obstructing faces. "Princesa Maya '', the priests stood at attention, finally seeing what had them summoned. "The crops on the lower east southern layer are filled with these black veins'", grabbing a jitomate she used her knife to cut it down the middle. A horrible putrid smell puffed out, the gooey juices falling to the ground with an acidic hiss. "This is not a plague that any of the four kingdoms have ever come across'' Aapo -a man twice her size and twice her age- said as he took out a pouch, sprinkling green powder where the fruit lay, deflating it as smoke flew up from it. "Princess, you must call the Batab council to attention. We cannot let the people fear or allow this to continue." Maya nodded with a grimace and walked towards the Palace, dread making home in the pit of her stomach.

Queen Teca sat surrounded by towers of tomes and scrolls and codices in the Grand Library. The Keepers of Knowledge helping her as much as they could -while also trying to figure out what the four statues that suddenly appeared meant and trying to find that blasted door that now isn't there-, but with la lengua Maya being as rare in their regions as it was, she being the only one able to somewhat read the scroll, progress was still slow. "Queen Teca, Princess Maya has called the Batab Council to be in motion, it will start soon." The captain of her Royal Eagle Warriors, Eztli, said.

The Queen stood, the Keepers of Knowledge bowing as she passed. Camly walking, the Queen smiled benevolently at each of the subjects that saw her. "Tell me what occurred for the Princess to take such an action" her expression passive, not betraying her anger. To call the entirety of the Batab Council...and with the HueyTlatoani -the King- gone for battle, 'by Ometecuhtli's name! something needed to be horribly wrong'. The last time the whole of the Batab were all joined together was at the start of the four kingdom alliance, to prevent the long wars from continuing and stop the feud and bloodshed between their city-states, the nacom -supreme military commanders calling a truce that although fragile still held. "The Princess did not say, Ajaw. All we know of is that three Tlaloc Priests were in her company." That was not good.

The throne room -a beautifully dark place brought to life with the colorful fabrics the Teca Kingdom was known for- was a huge place filled with decorative adornments where even the tallest person was dwarfed by sheer size, nevermind the actual room itself.

Already filled by the time the Queen arrived. Each of the empire's 13 most important leaders were seated around the edges, dais where the Royal family usually sat up at the very front, bathed in spring sunlight from a hypaethral opening atop it. Princess Maya stood before her gilded eagle seat, her macuahuitl next to her as she grimly stared ahead. The Teca Queen walked in, looking at the council as she sat down on her throne. One of the Tlaloc Priest 'Fe she believed his name was' cleared his throat, gathering everyone's attention. "If I may be permitted to speak Ajaw" The Queen -'no, she now was the Ajaw for her people, with King Teca away her title became more than she was'- inclined her head. "Earlier this morning, the Princess while attending her duties found something wrong with the southern lower level of the terraces." Fe explained as he pulled out a pouch, and walked to her, showing her the putrid remains of a jitomate. He passed it to each leader to see before explaining. "This is from a perfectly healthy crop, but this batch had started to have spidery black veins around, and when opening the fruit, the acid juice found inside would burn if we were to touch it". The room filled with murmurs until the Queen asked for silence so Fe may continue. "This plague is not something that has ever been found in our nor the other three Kingdoms. What it does is something only belonging to the celestial world is capable of" barely finish speaking did chaos ensure.

Maya looked on, eyes hard, as she heard the royal council curse her as the cause. Stomping her macuahuitl once to demand attention, she spoke in clear words. "This is not something we can simply push as blame. We are at a time of war. Half the Teca Army gone, most of the Jaguar warriors on quests, the Teca kingdom is depleted of protection. The people cannot panic, we must ensure they are happy and calm" it was the Teca Head Priest that stepped forward, his gait slow and breathing audible. Old as he was -already 104 years- Cadmal was a man to not be trifled with. "That is a wise thing to say Princess Maya, in my time as a Tezcatli Priest, many plagues have come before the empire, none as deadly as this." giving her a gummy smile, he turned to the rest. "Should the people of the Teca Empire panic, those to be at fault will not be the Princess as some of you hope, but the Batab, who refused her simply for the King's mistake -perhaps then we can elect new people for positions." gasps were heard as Cadmal mused the last words to himself. To blame the Teca Kingdom's ruler, the King, for his actions was treason, but Cadmal was a well loved royal advisor, a priest of Tezcatli, a God of Creation. There were some benefits to his long loyalty and service. The Militaria General, second only to the King, stood up in outrage. "How dare you speak of the Teca King this way! You may be the Tezcatli Head Priest, but that still gives you no right to comment on our King's actions." The Teca Queen glanced at her daughter before addressing the council. "Sitdown, General" the man simply glared at her "You may be the Kingdom's Tlahtoani Queen Teca, but we the council cannot be silenced even if ordered by their rulers". Unfortunately, the coming arguments did not lessen nor came to an agreement.

It was only till the next morning that Maya, between four of their priests, all insisting on different versions of the great Eagle prophecy that could work to maintain better order for them -most temple factions did not go along with one another unless it was required. Different Deities being worshiped as the best and all-, so she decided enough was enough. Decisions had to be taken so that they could take care of the situation. "The Queen has been trying to translate a prophecy that was in the bowels of the Grand Library. This scroll was found to be as old as our Kingdom itself, if not longer" her declaration was met with complete silence. Maya gestured to her mother, The Queen still seated upon her throne, who motioned the Head Priest of the Keepers of Knowledge. A woman dressed in a white hooded robe walked forward to the center of the room, in her hand a golden scroll. "This scroll foretells a disaster befalling not just our Empire, the Kingdom of Teca, but even going as far to affect the Realm of Four, a place that would take almost 12 moons to reach" unfolding the paper, she held it up. "This writing is la lengua Maya, a dead language only a handful of people know let alone speak. My mother, the Queen has been looking for ways to translate it. The only reason we even know this could hold the answers to our prayers is due to the Teca Queen and Keepers of Knowledge finding it to be true" uneasiness palpable, they keep quiet, all agreeing at the end that translating the scroll was top priority for the pilcalli -the House of Nobles- while the rest tried to find a way to stop the horrible curse upon their fields. More than likely, they needed to sacrifice for the Gods.

The Teca Queen and Princess stayed behind as everyone left. "What is it that has you so worried, ¿mama?" Maya's voice echoed, the sheer size of the room replaying her words like a song. The Queen sighed, tiredly rubbing her temple with her red painted fingers. "What we found is that it is not easy to understand mija. The Keepers helped me decipher a passage that makes me fear something much, much worse than Lord Mictlan waging war against us is coming." patting her quilted armor, the teca Queen smiled softly. "How does it feel to have your first meeting, with the batal no less! As a Cuachic -shorn one- warrior?", her teasing tone made Maya fidget before her cheeks reddened, swaying her heels. It had, after all, only been less than a few months since she had finished her training. Maya was grateful for how much her teachers taught her, 'although it would have been nice if she had more battle training so she could have stopped attending pit rings'. "Mamá, I take back every complaint I ever gave you during my training". Her mother just snorted before leading her out and through the plaza. "Mijita you and I both know that's not true". Maya grinned but hurried out, eager to rest her body on her big, soft, comfortable bed.

Maya ran through the selva. Excited to reach her father and brothers on their mighty quest, sure of their victory. The tall trees helped to propel her as she flew, riding the wind before falling and swinging herself with vines conveniently placed. Her heart raced and her skin felt alive. The cool of being under the shade of the trees welcomed against the dry heat.

Maya landed near where she knew the path to the Puerta Divina lay following the fresh tracks of the shoes the Teca Jaguar army wore. She giggled as she neared what she knew was the entrance to the cursed forest, excited to see her family. Hidden behind a kapok tree, she poked her head to the side. "¿Papa? ¿Hermanos? It's me Maya! Where are you?" Rustling leaves her only response. Curious, she jumped up, getting a better view and seeing only a dark feline figure dragging something. "Chiapa? Wha--" her brave jaguar was pulling her father by his teeth. Her father with arrows striking out of him. "¡Papa!" she screamed as she hurried to his side. "Maya...run mija '', his weak command ignored as she checked him, pulling out the looser quivers, his armor in tatters and blood falling fast.

A roar sounded behind her, the fiery eyes of a familiar skeleton beast staring back at her. Chiapa yowled as he ran away. 'Most likely frightened from their earlier battle'. Zatz the Bat Prince sat atop his ride. Maya snarled as she held two discarded arrows, the metal gleaming as she pointed to where his heart should be if he were mortal. "You'll have to go through me if you want him". The Prince of Bats hummed, "courage runs through your veins, Princess" he jumped down from his beast, landing in front of her as he stepped closer. "Leave. Now." Maya's guard never lowered. The Teca King, with what little strength he had raised his mighty glowing eagle macuahuitl towards Lord Mictlan's emissary. "I mean you no harm King Teca'' he raised one arm up, palm facing them in a plactating manner. "You are hurt. A fight now will be dishonorable" The Prince of Bats knelt, lightly laying a bundled cloth. "Las armas de tus hermanos...your brothers' weapons... they belong to your family now." Maya gasped as she saw her beloved older brother's weapons; one lance, a dagger, and the shield. Their broken pieces without glow or the colorful red and blue. They laid a mockery of her hope. "Honor them" the Bat Prince said as he mounted his beast. "No! ¡Esto no puede ser!" she cried, body wracking as sobs threatened to come out. "Lamento profundamente tu perdida" tone regretful, he inclined his head to her. "Be well Princess Maya, nos veremos pronto."

All Maya could do was cry. Cry for her brothers whose flame extinguished too soon. Cry as her heart broke just like her mind would soon do. As her father laid behind her, slowly dying his daughter's shock to stillness did not move. Cry till her tears ran dry

Maya sat up. Her body drenched in sweat. 'What was that?' Heart beating fast, she tried to recall her dream, memories already fuzzing by waking up. She ran a hand through her short hair, left side puffy by her restless sleep. Colibri flew up to her side, chirping little sounds as he twirled before her. "¡Ahi voy! Geez, who knew you were such a morning bird?" Maya laughed lightly as she went to her dressing room, the large mirror -like all others in the whole empire- at the very center of the room. Maya touched her brother's gifts. Imagining them glowing for a second as her maids came to dress her for the day.

"You look so beautiful Princess" one of her ladies said, clasping jewels on her body. The crimson skirt hugging Maya's hips as turquoise symbols were drawn on her toso. Face, fingertips, neck and legs painted red. Decorations beautiful around her body, colorful like the feathers in her arms, jade beads glinting under the daylight. "You are expected in the Temple of Hobnil" they bowed before leaving her.

The way to the temple wasn't far, but it did mean she passed through most of the city before reaching it. Hobnil an agriculture and prosperity god. His temple a reflection of who the God was. The tambores were playing as she arrived, the thunderous booming vibrating inside of her. Beautifully carved torched pillars surrounding it as the pyramid was full of offerings. The temple's green robed priests chanting, Copal incense danced as it lifted the silvery veil between mortal and godly so that the Hobnil Elder Priest could communicate. The flames being fed growing. The Queen knelt at the front altar, arms raised as she recited in the ancient tongue of mixe-zoquean, her voice ringing through the bones of everyone present.

Maya took her place in front of the elder priest, a tied deer carried by two jaguar warriors towards the sacrificial altar table between them. The chanting grew louder and louder, the fog of fire swirling in patterns of different animals running over her people's head. Maya caressed the head of the creature, shushing it's cries, "we thank you for this gift you bestow upon us sacred deer, may your soul be embraced by the heavens'', before giving a prayer to the Hobnil God. With her arms raised, white obsidian dagger held tightly in her hands, she began. "This vemana and offering to you Lord Hobnil, we beg of you! Protect us against the tricks of the Dark Gods.'' Stabbing the heart of the young deer, its struggles stopped not long after, Maya cut the sides of the surrounding muscle and bones around the organ before she plunged her hands in and carefully pulled the still warm and beating heart out, raising it above her head and towards the sun, her cry echoed by the priests. "If it is to be, it is up to me". The elder priest collected all the blood in a basin, dipping his fingers in it before reaching over and drawing a symbol on her forehead. "In this shorn one do we place our pleas. She, our little eagle will be the answer to which the Teca Empire, Our Kingdom, shall rise above the mortal World, we plead you our mighty Gods, show her the way to lift estamaldicion -this curse- that has befallen us" the elder priest said as the sky screamed with them.

The Princess of Teca climbed up the steps from the palace. The day's events catching up to her. What the Hobnil Elder said was troubling, her peoples plea needed to be heard, and with her brothers away, she was the next to take care of it. She needed blessings of the Gods on their Kingdom to lift the curse the Dark Gods casted. It could have been no other than those Gods that made that happen. When their demands were ignored, retribution was always insured.

She had a hard quest before her.

Far beneath the Palace, the Queen paced. 'Was it possible? Her daughter the one the prophecy -both of them- spoke of?'. The Keepers of Knowledge would never steer them wrong. Their words taken almost as reverdly as the gods. "Queen Teca, the results are the same. A wizard from the Luna Empire has confirmed our suspicions. Their sorcerer priest of divination was taken moments after his prediction. La Gran Bruja and the Lunar Council none the wiser." The Queen knew the severity of what had happened. For La Gran Bruja to have no knowledge of something in her Kingdom meant dark magic. Magia Negra. The foulest thing to ever be created. Luna Island -the Lunar Empire- was one of the most impenetrable Kingdoms, known even as far as the Ptolemaic Kingdom in the lands of the dunes across the seas. "What about the scroll? Is the information certain? Does she really need to gather these warriors?" the Head of the Keepers nodded. Pointing at the words none had been able to decipher. "This is her quest. We may know not what it all says, but ignorant she must be. They cannot know beforehand else failure will be a guarantee" The Queen looked around the tomb they hid. The bloody cadavers of slaves they had used the only reminder of what had been done. Human blood the best way for quick answers from the God Quetzalcoatl. At least beneath the ground, his screams could be silenced. Her daughter could not know.

"I know of a way to get her to meet these destined warriors." The priests murmured with each other, "If she cannot unite them, then we are doomed to be no more." The Queen swallowed, a firm look in her otherwise blank face.. "She will do it. I know she can."

Maya fidget from where she stood. Nervous of what she was about to do. "Come in mija, you've been standing there since before the moon started to rise" Her mother gestured to the patio, where night had already fallen. Her city visible only by torched pillars and light bugs. Maya cleared her throat before determinedly marching in and started wildly gesturing, her explanation not making sense, but something the Queen took as a gift. "Mama, the Hobnil Elder assigning me the task of finding a way to end the plague curse on our crops is something I have to do. I know that my responsibilities as the Teca Princess don't include going off on quests, but since it's only you and I here it is my duty. The pilcalli would never allow their sons to go forth on this, preferring them stay safe in our Teca Empire, in our Kingdom, and as the only Teca Princess I am needed here, a quest would only bring doubt to our people--" her mother put a hand over her mouth, grinning as she felt her daughter's choice be a boon for her own worries, her words only needing to push the princess towards her destiny. "Mija it's ok. Go out forth, explore our empire, our kingdom's lands and of the three alliances. Come back only when you have found the answer to our prayers. Should you be needed we always have communication scrolls''. Maya hesitated, "Mamá...I don't want to leave you alone. The quests mis hermanos are doing will take a long time, and papá..." The Queen winced, expression darkening. "With more reason for you to be our hope. The symbol upon your brow that the Hobnil Elder placed means more than we know mija. Should the worst come to pass, you will be the next Teca Ruler." The Queen traced the blood on her forehead, lips pursed. "When you chose to become a shorn one, you had risen above warriors across all Kingdoms. I have faith in you and in the Gods that will light your way. Maya, a mother will always weep for her children when they leave home. You my youngest shall thrive more than anything. Take this chance to explore, to meet others and find time to learn about yourself." The Queen pulled her close. Arms tightly around her daughter. 'It will be some time before they could see each other after she left'. "Now go and prepare! You have a hard journey ahead of you Mija."

The plaza was full of people, old and young. For the princess's first ever long unaccompanied journey, all of the Teca Kingdom joined together to bid her farewell, the celebration taking three full days; First to pray to the Gods for their continuous protection, offerings brimming the temples around. Second, to dance and tell stories of warriors from the past, filling their people with strong hope and children with dreams for the future. Lastly was for each of the Teca Elders to lay on their protections, the Head Priest of the Teca Empire drawing the most important of them all. The Goddess Acat guiding their hands as color bloomed under her skin, marking Princess Maya an adult for all to see. Symbol now adorning her body a beautiful start to her story.

The time for her departure having arrived, Maya stepped before them, armored and prepared. Eagle helmet on and bag full. Ready for facing the unknown. "The God Huitzilopochtli will be your guide. May the Celestials Illuminate your way mija" The Queen finally said, their people standing behind her as they bowed a final time. Maya smiled and raised her arm as they cheered for their princess. "If it is to be, it is up to me. ¡Por Teca!" "¡Por Teca!" "¡Por Teca!". She smiled as she marched forward, ready to face anything and everything coming her way.

It was going to be an amazing adventure, Maya just knew.

She was tired. 'Couldn't it just end already!' Going on a quest was horrible. The mosquitos were eating her alive. The dry heat making her feel thirsty for water she already drank. Sun so bright it made opening her eyes a pain. Never mind tree roots suddenly appearing on the selva floor and tripping her. 'Why didn't her hermanos warn her?' Her feet ached as she kept walking. Only the position of the darkening sky a map for her to follow. Thankfully before leaving Maya remembered to take the little piece of paper that had the things her hermano Shield needed. The list only having 3 tasks : Moon Rock powder from the Luna Kingdom, Ash from the fraxinus trees found only in the Jungle Lands, and a feather of the Great Quetzalcóatl that lived near the Golden Mountains. Maya sighed as she contemplated a way to sneak into the Lunar Empire without anyone knowing, their Kingdom's relationship so strained she knew La Gran Bruja would never let her step foot.

The selva's sudden quietness caught her attention. Keeping pace, Maya took her macuahuitl and casually swung it as if to practice. The shadows danced as the moon started to rise. Even at nightfall she continued to be alert. Unfortunately, what little rest she could catch meant her stuff was unattended. Taken by a serpentine creature her closed eyes could not see. It continued like that for all two days. Her resources gone, mind weary from lack of sleep.

Rustling of leaves had her weapon gleaming before her, as a woman stepped forward. Her long dark hair tied and body full of snake drawings. Bells and hoops adorned her, bright magenta coloured cloths and eyes sticking against the blue night. The woman suddenly grew glowing wings and flew up in the air, laughing as she gave her a haughty look. "Bow before me and taste my ink, Princesita. I am Acat, Goddess of Tattoos'' the flying goddess said as she started to attack her. Maya for her part jumped to the side, confused on what she could have done to offend the Goddess. Acat pulled two twin snakes symbols from her skin, swords appearing and being thrown towards Maya at an alarming speed. Blocking the weapons with her macuahuitl, she ran at the Goddess, their swords clashing against each other as Acat pushed her back, intending to trap the Teca Princess with her body and a large tree. "Do you think some spoiled, privileged little princesita could take on a Warrior Goddess like me?" she said with a glint of madness in her eyes. Maya looked around her, trying to think of a plan, looking up, she pulled herself with a branch and jumped, missing the sword slamming where her head was. "I must say, you can somewhat keep up with me, but what will you do if I get a little serious?" Acat laughed as she climbed up after her, throwing rope-like snakes and pulling chucks of the tree off, each barely missing the Teca royal. Maya hurried away, slipping on moss and landing below, thankfully out of the eye of the goddess, taking the opportunity to control her breathing, 'alright, so a god was trying to kill her, no problem. Not like she could win, but by the celestials it was an experience many warriors would wish to have. Although not great, she could die'.

Acat snarled as she struck her two swords to the ground, earth shaking and cracks appearing as she got frustrated by the still hidden girl. "You can run but you can't hide!". Maya peered from above her perch, her macuahuitl tightly held as she threw arrowheads at the goddess, breaking the bone of half her left wing and hitting some of her body. Acat growled, ripping them from her arms, throwing one of her spells where she sat, snakes destroying the branch the princess only just left. "I hate snakes, '' Maya grunted, fixing her helmet. "Well how do you feel about trees?" Acat taunted as she pulled -'¡qué trampa! that was just not fair'- one from the ground, slamming it with so much strength that had Maya not moved as fast as she did, she would be lying dead beneath it. Groaning from the landing, Maya felt anger. "Why are you attacking me Lady Acat?" The goddess snickered. "Lord Mictlan demands his sacrifice, Princesa. I tire of this already." The goddess made a fist, opening her it, green sand laying at her palm. She approached the fallen teca Princess and squatted. "I wonder what your nightmares will do to your mind?" She said with malice before blowing the sand into her eyes, a scream of protest not far from them "Acat no!". Maya blinked as her vision blurred, hearing the horrible laugh of hers as she tried standing up, knees buckling as she toppled over. Colors swirled around until finally her sight returned. But she wasn't in the selva, she was back in her kingdom. Back home. Her older brothers waved at her from atop their palace, mother and father behind, each wearing unnatural looks of happiness, for that is what it was. Their expressions not right, eyes too large, their movements too forced, there was no noise. Screams started sounding, the world turning red and dark, blood falling from the sky. There was war. Her father struck down first by an arrow through his neck, blood flowing as he gargled and choked. Her brother Lance fell from the high pyramid, his body being pierced by wooden spikes waiting below, Daggers being dragged and eaten by his precious jaguares, creatures he raised in his personal zoo tearing his flesh as his scream echoed and rang, pain etched in his face even on his last moments. Shield's brown eyes- 'my brothers eyes are golden'-- A whirl of green whipped before it all exploded out of her body. The illusion spell failed as she screamed, enraged by what the goddess had just tried to do. The blast had disintegrated everything around her as far as she could see. Her body trembled, dark energy cracking around her and Maya felt her heart constrict 'how much worse would've it been if she was not protected by her brother's gift?'. "Little semi-diosa doesn't know how to control her powers huh?" Acat said from above her, wings wide and facing downwards as they sharpened and formed dagger like shapes. "Good night princess" she said before hurling them at her. Maya dove under as they crashed on the ground, speed running to a boulder as she leaped up and over Acat, pulling her hair and knocking her opponents face to a pointy rock. Not giving her a chance to recuperate, she stabbed her macuahuitl into her side. And Acat shrieked, golden ichor pouring out. Maya raised her weapon high to give a finishing strike -heart beating and adrenaline pumping- ready to end the enemy, but she hesitated. The goddess took that chance, taking her macuahuitl as she jumped on her, hands on the teca princess's neck. "You should have finished me when you had the chance semi-diosa! I'm going to take your heart out and eat it myself!" "Maya!" The voice of the Prince of Bats stopped her laugh as she turned to him. "Maya?" Her eyes glowed as got closer to her face, sharp obsidian next to her chest "how dare you podrida mocosa de--" "Alive Acat" The Prince of Bats appeared above, floating down from the air. Arms crossed and expression serious. "Lord Mictlan needs her alive for his sacrifice" his tone final, the goddess growled glaring at him "fine!". Maya, seeing an opening, took a discarded dagger and stabbed the woman's heart. Unfortunately, just as they had come out from the ink in her body, they slid back into their former positions. Getting near her face, Acat whispered, "Silly half-breed, did you really think that woul--" Maya, tired of her, slammed both their heads together, grabbing her macuahuitl and using the butt of the weapon and continuously hitting it against her head, knocking her unconscious, before walking away. "Well done Princess Maya" The Bat Prince said from his spot in the sky. Maya grunted and threw a rock that was at her feet to his face. The young godling side stepped with a chuckle. "Callaté Zatz, leave me alone". She glanced at him dismissively, before taking a tree vine and swinging away. Following the God Tlahuizcal -the aurora- in the sky, the only known way to go towards Luna Island.

It took what felt like hours to go to the highest point, floating rocks before her forming a stairwell leading to a smaller island before a chain of steps rose to the Luna Kingdom. Maya hesitantly stepped on them, looking how far from the earth she was. 'Now the tricky part is getting that moon powdered rock'. An angry scream startled her from her musing. The Goddess Acat running at her, swords held high and she slashed away, missing by a hair's breadth. "I'm not done with you ¡mocosa!" the goddess yelled, flinging her daggers, one nicking her arm. Maya winced, it was deep. The goddess flying tilted as her left tattoo wing was still missing by half. She ran through the floating rocks as fast as she could, narrowly evading the weapons thrown. The goddess crackled when she passed over Maya, crash landing on the island in between. She dove under a cove for cover, jabbing her fingers in the sharp rock and tying ivy around her waist to steady herself. Maya looked at the edge, 'the fall would kill her, but she was going to jump'. A crash sounded, then the rocks she was under shattered, breaking into tiny pieces that rained on her. The little shards piercing skin and armor. Maya screamed as she tossed herself, the fall to land beneath the small island broke her shoulder. She struggled to stand but took her macuahuitl and tied the end of the vine on the handle, throwing the weapon as hard as she could near the boundary edge of Luna Island. Pulling herself with one arm, she climbed up, evading magical swords hurling her way. Reaching the top Maya collapsed, her body protesting. It had been days since she had eaten or drank anything. Nevermind sleep. Her skin warmed.

Acat flopped up, left wing stinging however not stopping till reaching the half mortal. She bent down to look at her, lip curling in hate. 'The little half-breed thought she could defeat her? A Goddess?'. Kicking the teca princess arm, the goddess heard a groan and smirked. "I'm going to enjoy this", she said as she brought down her dagger, however it crossed with another. A large black and green macuahuitl preventing her from harming the girl. "Basta Acat." the Prince of Bats said, glaring at her. "But Zatz! I--" the goddess sweetened her tone, magenta eyes on his red one. "First you disobeyed Lord Mictlan, and now you want to end your opponent when they are down after she left you alone when she had the chance?" he interrupted her, voice cold. He hovered above the empty nothingness of the sky, "You have no honor, Acat." the goddess glared as she screamed in rage, yelling a spell at him. Her two snakes baring their fangs intending to rip his arms, but he simply took hold of their necks in each hand, snapping them in half and disintegrating the rest of her incantations. He looked at her, disappointing but no regret found in his eye. "You and I were clearly a mistake." At the statement, the goddess's body froze. Her hands clenching at her sides.

Maya had stained under her own weight, intent on making it cross the invisible border to the Kingdom that will transport her towards the Lunar Empire. 'To the Underworld with the consequences of being caught, she needed to get away from the two gods lest she end up killed'. As quietly as she could, Maya took her weapon as support when she walked. The barrier slid as she passed before popping with an alarm. Both godlings turned to her, as a vortex of blues and white appeared above, La Gran Bruja's shadow nearing, before each flying away. Acat through the jungle and the Prince of Bats the sky.

Maya turned to the vortex, now nervous and regretting her decision. "Estefan, ¡a-agara la!" a voice whispered to her right, wooden staff grabbing her arm and pulling her just as La Gran Bruja stepped out, her own staff sizzling with magic. Eyes scanned the border, stopping where Maya and her mysterious saviour were before moving until she finally left, muttering about incompetent fools. She quickly turned, intending to appear menacing and failing as she toppled over with a groan, body no longer able to stand and bleeding. "¡Oh no! ¡Estás herida! You're hurt! Estefan h-h-help me move her to the chaman, she needs patching up". The voice belonged to a young man -not much older than her-, brown skin and eyes, he had wildly styled black hair. His body covered by a long purple chal, the young man was short, hunched next to the taller form of his staff, the object waving its hands -for the lack of a better word. Both hosting her up as she finally scummed to the dreamlands. 'Thankfully Lord Ixtlilton is a gentle God, her sleep a guaranteed lovely dream' were Maya's last thoughts as she closed her eyes.

A young wizard moved through coral houses. Heart pumping and content while he closed his eyes, imagining leaping off the Island the Kingdom stood upon. How amazing feeling the wind against his skin would feel if he fell, the colors of the earth beautiful to him even in the dark moonlight. His steps faltered as he heard children's laughter. Their innocent wonder while their parents showed them magic. Light blues, greens, yellows and pinks forming a musical masterpiece their legs danced to. Estefan -a panpsychist staff that had been with him throughout most of his life- pulled at his clothes, pointing at the distance right as a blast resounded throughout the Kingdom, shattered golden pieces of transparent glass breaking overhead. The Luna Island barrier broken. Fortunately only someone as powerful as La Gran Bruja, the council or even him could see it for what it was. Unfortunately it meant an intruder managed to get inside their kingdom.

The Lunar Empire had a tightnit security system in place due to the many issues the Four Kingdoms had. Mainly on account to the paranoia that had formed from the number of children stolen and pitted against them in warfare. The tactic used to not only deplete their numbers but insure they wouldn't fight back. Horrible as those times were, the reminders never went away even as the time passed, in fact only serving to push parents to hide their young ones away till they reached magical maturity. Hiding them unless they attended school. All the alliance kingdoms had their tragedies, but to them? theirs was the most grim.

That was the reason trading and the likes always had a specific schedule, heavily monitored and only four times a year. For each season of course, can't welcome Winter or Spring or Fall or Summer in the wrong outfit, talk about ¡un desastre de moda! His fashionable self could never. He might be exiled and a danger to society but that was no excuse to look like a deranged man. The Lunar Empire laws one of the best for a flourishing economy with financial backing towards all their citizens. Even those exiled. No citizen belonging to the Luna Kingdom went hungry, nor lacked a roof over their heads. Food and medicine readily available to all. And no matter the profession one had, their lives were safe inside their lands. Their equitable society above most other kingdoms, second only to the Teca Empire, a known power house even in the faraway Realm of the Four. 'quite scary if one thinks about it'.

So for Rico to see their protection shatter like glass, a fear like none he had ever felt took hold. Heart pumping he ran as fast as he could. His legs cramped and lungs burned. It still didn't deter him. Destination getting closer and closer he skidded to a halt, an unbelievable sight before him. There was a girl, dressed like an armored bird -'there was a Kingdom obsessed with their avian friends if he wasn't mistaken'- her helmet cracked on her head, bleeding profusely all over as she swayed and leaned on her eagled themed macuahuitl. But no. That was not what surprised the young wizard. The two angry looking Gods hovering above did. In a clear relationship spat if their words were to be taken in truth. The man -no older than himself perhaps, but with the Gods one must learn to not judge by appearance- with a face of disappointment that even if it wasn't directed at Rico, it still made him wince. His armor so dark it almost disappeared with the darkness of the night, a contrast to his pale skin and white hair. The woman, a brightly pink -'or at least he thought so'- top and skirt with bandages around the soles of her foot as clothing, the rest of her body simply coated by ink. Their stance still. Of course that was before the vortex La Gran Bruja -'honestly overrated, she used them for everything'- was known for appeared at the edge of the border the barrier used to be. It was then that the two Gods flew away like their lives depended on it. 'Maybe it did for all he knew, the Lunar Empire was protected by Celestials not known to ask and then strike those they deemed trespassers, tending to gut them like fish. Mostly Gods, they left the mortals to them'. The girl dressed like a bird was still on the same spot, and from what he could quickly gather, her intrusion likely not optional. He told his faithful companion Estefan to grab her and casted a simple cloaking spell that even the Lunar sovereign could not see past. She fell against him, her skin warm at his touch as they waited for La Gran Bruja to leave the clearing. As the witch left, the strange girl jumped up, startling him. Her macuahuitl pointed at him. The sharp gleaming obsidian making him nervous, 'the size of that thing! Not to mention, she looked strong enough -even obviously not well!- to not only cut his head with a strike, but also the boulder at his back'. Moon rock one of the most notoriously hardest things to ever exist, nevermind breaking. 'There was a higher chance of him being given the right to rule the Luna Kingdom than making it alive if she were to attack.' her toppling over him stopped his panic. Blood was pooling underneath. "¡Oh no! ¡Estás herida! You're hurt! Estefan, help me carry her to the chaman, she needs patching up!" his trusty staff nodded and helped him carry her. The weight on his arms suddenly feeling heavier he grunted as he tripped, Estefan grabbing his arm preventing anything worse from happening. Rico sighed as he looked at the distance they had to cover. It was going to be a long way

Arriving at the faded looking hospital -a house really- and just managing to bang on the door and handing the unconcious girl to the chaman before sliding to the cool, wonderfully cool, floor in an exhausted heap. 'So what if he was out of shape? No one had the right to criticize him. Being a wizard didn't exactly mean best athleticism.' taking his chal off, he laid down resting for what could be hours. Insistent poking on his side annoyed him enough to wake. 'Just Estefan' "¿qué ? Finally relaxing here!" Rico said as he pushed away the unyielding piece of wood. It leaped up, making many gestures that to most would mean nothing, but to Rico was a whole language. 'The strange bird girl was awake!' he scrambled up and yanked the door to the house open yelling at Estefan as he went in. "w-why didn't you tell me!", Estefan simply followed, the head of the staff slowly shocking side to side.

An old man stepped in front of him before he could pass through. "M-Mattias!" Rico stopped before him, arms moving at his stride to coordinate himself. "¿Qué hiciste ahora niño?" he grunted. Rico for his part just nervously laughed. "What is someone from lands below doing up here? Don't think I don't recognize those clothes and weapons of hers. How did she pass the barrier?" The growl that came out og him could have very well been made by a tiger. Mattias was a short man -although height never prevented him from being imposing- that had thick dark hair the color of his skin, his own chal a faded navy color. He lived as one of the few chamanes in all the Lunar Empire -one of the last to be exact. The profession so deadly and with survivors rates as high as four per twenty, others would not risk it for the sake of powers, lest those gifts consume their soul in their travels between the planes of existence. One of the few benefits was a long life, but the downsides of playing with the spirit world was becoming one themselves. The morals of a chaman were different from the mortal world, as dealing with the dead ment a bleak, oftentimes gloomy outlook in life. And Mattias already at the grand age of 600 had quite the reputation as someone that did as he wanted. That did not mean he would turn an eye should something against their laws occur. Hence the anger. "T-t-there were two angry Gods outside Mattias, you saw her! She was h-hurt!" The man shook his head, curly hair bouncing. "I know you have a wonderful heart Rico, but this is still risky. She could be someone that has wronged the Gods and they were just chasing after a wanted person" Rico gave him a flat look. "That's not how the barrier works, you know this." The older man sighed and motioned to where she was. "Go ahead then boy. I trust your instincts" the mumbled 'never been wrong before' unsaid between them.

Maya looked at the wizard that had saved her, -'otherwise she would probably be inside a dungeon. Royal or not, La Gran Bruja was infamous for hostility towards those that even dared to think entering her Empire without permission'- slamming the door open and heaving as if he had just ran for days. "B-b-b-bird Girl!" "Excuse me,¿laqué?" Rico cringed, 'that was not... it's not like he was wrong either!'. "I mean! Uh h-how are you stranger from afar?" his voice cracked as she pulled a face, arms crossed and eyebrow raised. An elderly man -'call me Mattias niña'- smacked her head, tsk-ing as he went to different stations in the small room, gathering herms and weird looking things, putting them in a pot stirring it every minute. "Take it easy on him, little girl. He isn't used to people". Maya rubbed her sore head. She may be grateful for the older man's helping to close her wounds but her head was still tender, 'and he knew that'. "My name is Maya, what about yours?" she asked the wizard that moved to the chair next to the wall. "Oh, I'm just nobody special!". He as well, received a smack in the head by Mattias. "She asked your name, not a self opinion boy" the man said, as he muttered lowly complaints about the new generation while tilting Maya's head back and applying cream on her neck. The wounds instantly unswelling and the red on the skin slowly retracting. "I'm Rico, nice to meet you M-Maya" she smiled but snickered when the staff he was holding bent and pulled his ear gesturing at her. "¡Ayy! Fine! You may not remember, but this is Estefan, the best S-Staff ever." The staff took a bow and wiggle its branches grabbing her in a handshake. The mood of the room lifted, Rico felt it was about time he asked about the bird in the room -'honestly he was also very curious about that'. "S-so about w-w-hy you are here..." Maya watched the sunrise from the lone window from where she was, head tilted in contemplation. "Do you know of what is happening to the Teca Kingdom?'' The wizard and chaman looked at each other, the elderly man narrowing his eyes at her. "Speak girl" he barked. "Because of some... complications, the Teca Kingdom is currently at war against the Dark Gods of the Underworld. Thankfully, one of the Princes found a solution that will help, but the ritual is complex, even the ingredients are hard to get. I am on a quest to get three, one of them being moon rock powder." Rico's wide eyes '¡está loca!' and Mattias's loud laugh had her grumbling. "Niña, that's impossible to get" Maya perked up, leaning closer to the elderly. "What do you mean? Is there a deadly curse? Do people that try disappear under mysterious circumstances? Do they have to fight someone to get it by proving their honor? Wha--" The elderly man weezing as he lowered himself slowly on a chair, bones cracking as he did interrupted her. "Moon rock is impossible to cut girl. Even the Gods struggle to take even a small piece. But to need moom rock powder? Bah! Buena suerte niña, you're going to need it" he made a dismissive hand gesture, before saying a spell, his chair walking itself to another room. Rico bit his lip, contemplating. "I can help you Maya. I know where to find it" she raised a brow. "I thought it was impossible to. How do you know where to get some?" Rico looked down. 'Her question was valid, it really was! But to answer that... he would rather not relive those horrible memories. "D-Do you want help or not?" The girl nodded and took hold of her things. 'What had he gotten himself into?'.

Rico took her into the very heart of the Kingdom. Isolated as it was, it's resplendor could not be ignored. The buildings situated in these parts, magnificent and grand. Archways decorated the surroundings. Only, its magical appearance was dispelled by a torrent of dark purple magics. Swirling around a burned and broken building bigger than any she had seen so far in the very center of the plaza, the torrent so hot just being near it as if standing next to a burning furnace. "T-This is the Lunar Academy of Magic" he said. Bending down to pick up a rock, he threw it and the torrent of magic instantly disintegrated it, the remains now laying on the ground inside the circle of purple glow. "There's your powder!" Rico told her pointing, golden ball under his lips glinting. "And how am I supposed to get that?" Maya grind her teeth. "I-I-I uh...I can't help you with that, so ¡buena suerte!". Alas, he could not escape. She had not only taken hold of his arm, but Estefan 'the traitor' tied some loose strings on his chal around both their legs, essentially tapping him with her. "Can you use your magic?" Rico groaned, resigning to his captured state. "No. You see that over there? That's peasant magic, can't mess with it." She didn't give up though. 'Of course she wouldn't'. Maya dragged them closer, so close in fact that just reaching would have her hand taken by it. "¿Quéestás haciendo? By the Celestials we are going to die!" He franaly said as he tried using his hands and fingers to pull himself away. Not that it worked. "Can you replicate my macuahuitl with an incantation?" The question stopped his frantic movements and he glanced behind him. "Yes?" the sword was pushing into his hands immediately and she gestured to him impatiently. "ay, no need to be r-rude!" rolling his shoulders, he extended both arms out over the weapon, hoping to the Gods it would work. "Esta espada tan sagrada, denos dos igual, a-a lo m-menos?" his spell might have been more of a question, but the result it had was what he hoped. Two identical macuahuitl laid on his legs. Both golden and sharp. Maya took them on each hand. "They feel the same, they even weighted the same. ¡Qué increíble!" dropping the original, she slashed at the torrent yet it did nothing. She demanded another replica be made, and then another, and another, and another. Rico kept making copies and Maya kept slashing away, but the result stayed the same. Eventually they had to stop, both tired. "Why isn't this working!". Rico ran a hand through his hair, anxiously thinking. "I-I think I can help, but you have to promise to move farther away. You can't come closer and you have to do what I tell you to" he finally decided, Maya flinged her arms to the sides, incredulous laugh coming out. "¡Si! ¡Si! Lo que sea, just do it", he had her move thirty steps back and behind a house. The next part was what worried him. 'He may have offered to do this, but it could honestly go so much worse than that day so many years ago'. His hope laying on him being the same caster. "I can totally do this. I-I-It's not that hard, you only have to do normal, safe, magic. Forget the other one. F-Focus Rico! Normal. Safe. Magic." The pep talk helped, but not by much, his fingers twitching as he readied himself to do magic. '¡Qué tonto fue! Why did he say he wanted to help?' "You can do it Rico!" Maya's cheer was heard. Rico for his part just smiled.

Closing his eyes, he stood still. "E-El tornado de magia nuestro obstáculo, nadamas q-queremos conseguir lo que está adentro, termine este pináculo, para que al fin yo me quede adentro" Rico's hands shone golden before moving to envelope the torrent of purple magic. Squeezing it down, the other magic fought back as it was made smaller and smaller, its screams sounding less and less as the gold overpowered it. "By the Gods!... I did it!" he stared incredulously. 'All those years and he could have done this'. Maya runs to him, hitting his arm repeatedly as she sees what she needs unguarded before her. "Thank you!" crouching down, she takes some of the powder from the mold of what was once the rock Rico threw, placing it safely in a pouch. "Gracias, again for your help Ri--" her words were cut off as something exploded next to them.

Where there once was a torrent of purple magic was now intertwined with his new golden one. The whirl much more violent than before. Shards of glass and wood and rocks flying up. A tornado was forming. "What have you done!" Mattias screamed as he appeared before them with a pop. "w-w-what is going on?" Rico asked as he pulled Maya away from the larger forming whirlwind magic that was growing bigger and bigger. "Foolish boy! I told you not to return here" Mattias scolded him as he chanted, a thick curtain of blue surrounding the plaza they stood in. "We have to leave before this explodes". Both princess and wizard paled at that. They all started running to the edge of the barrier Mattias had made, yet just as they reached it the ground shaked and cracked. Mattias watched it circle the boy he had taken in all those years ago and the girl he had saved, fumes bursting from the cracks. 'They would not make it'. He opened a vortex a little above on their right, arms trembling and falling to his knees. "Go through! It will take you somewhere else!" Maya nodded and jumped first. Rico shocked his head, tears already falling as he hugged himself. "Hurry before we both blow up, niño" Mattias grunted as it became harder to hold it open. "N-No! We s-still have t-t-t-time! Come with me" his stutter with a hiccup. "Rico" he looked at the young man he had become. Mattias remembered how small and scared he looked the first time they met. 'His brown eyes had not changed even if all that time passed. Wise and innocent, but so full of pain'. "Rico, I am happy. La Gran Bruja was wrong, you know, when she told me I would regret taking you in. Having you in my life was the greatest joy an old man like me has. I'm ready. It's alright Rico" Mattias said, smiling softly, pushing him with a swish of his finger into the vortex, the young man disappearing right as the influx of chaos exploded, only just withheld inside the barrier. The entirety of Luna Island shaking and trembling.

Rico and Maya landed before the floating stones leading to his Kingdom. The former staring at his home, the blue dome of where they were breaking, fire rising as smoke came out. "...He called me Rico''. Hugging himself, he shaked as tears fell. 'It hurt to lose someone that was family'. Maya for her part sat awkwardly besides him, glancing but not knowing how to proceed. She was not used to consoling someone. Teca people tended to not be so emotional, leaving their feelings to be resolved in battle or simply ignoring them in favor of focusing on resolving whatever issue caused them in the first place. So all she did was pat his back.

They sat there for some time, both in their own thoughts. "Where are you going from h-h-here?" Rico eventually whispered. Maya thought about his question. 'While it was true she knew what she needed to get, and had a...vague idea of what she needed to find, Maya had no idea on what her next step was. Perhaps starting with the closest location should do it'. "I'm going to meet with the Widow Queen, I need to ask permission to find something in her lands, after that I'll see". Rico hummed, still staring at the floating moon. "I'm coming with you". Maya blinked, mouth open ready to blurt out many excuses as to why he shouldn't but closed it. She considered all that has occurred so far, and gave a tentative nod. "We have to leave now then. It takes five days to reach the Jungle Lands, and it's already nearing nightfall." she said. Rico slowly stood, her arm around his waist holding him as he stumbled. Both walking into the selva.

Rico kept silent for two days. No matter how much Maya tried, he felt hollow. Grateful as he was for her company, Rico was numb. He felt nothing.

Mattias had been someone who not only looked out and took care of him since that fateful day seven springs ago, but was family. Although not by blood, the old man had chosen to stay with Rico, even if it meant social ostracisation from the entirety of the Lunar Empire, only spoken to when his skills were needed.

The death of ElGran Brujo weighed heavily on his conscience, what had happened might've been accidental loss of control, but it resulted in his banishment. The death of La Gran Bruja's father was a crime, even if it was committed by a five year old that had no magical control, hence the explosion that took their King's life, and now Mattias was gone as well. Dead in the same place the Gran Brujo died. The Gods of fate had some twisted sense of humor, the irony was not lost on Rico. 'If he simply understood his own powers, then maybe it wouldn't have happened. This had been the second time a person he cared for died and it was again his fault'. Maya dropping berries and her water skin on his lap snapped him from his mousings. "Eat Rico, the flora is changing to a dry climate. We are not going to find food soon." Rico shivered as a particular strong wind hit where they hid. The cave, although small and narrow, had a large opening, and the makeshift door Maya had gotten -a piece of long flat wood- barely helped to keep their dying fire going. Maya covered them with a blanket -the skin of a jaguar that had tried eating them on the first day- as she huddled next to him. It was colder on the northern lands. Commotion outside disturbed their sleep. Maya immediately had her macuahuitl ready as she inched closer to the entrance. A loud screech and then silence had them on high alert. Minutes of no sound was broken by a hiss of pain. Maya left the -somewhat questionable- safety of their cave to scout the outside, while Rico held Estefan in his grasp.

As she looked out, bushes on her left rustled, and out stumbled the Prince of Bats. Armour bent in some places and splattered with blood, his own white silver hair turning a deep shade of crimson, he coughed splotchy red to the ground. "Hi" was the only thing the God said as he fell face first on the earth at her feet. She glanced around before sighing, calling Rico to help drag the fallen prince to their cave. It was under the firelight that Rico noticed shards of something sticking out of his back and legs. He carefully pulled them out as Estefan created a salve to put on the wounds. "Isn't he the God that was there when you broke the barrier?" He spoke, voice raspy with misuse. Maya peeked at him from under her fringe, wide eyes surprised. "He was an emissary sent to take the princess of Teca to Lord Mictlan" she finally said with a guarded look, taking the God's weapons that she could find off his person and wetting a cloth to put on his forehead. "Why are we helping him?". Rico may not understand completely, but he knew the story went deeper than he was told. To sacrifice a royal and it be demanded by the Gods -the Dark Gods no less- was a serious matter, especially if said deity was King of the 9th Underworld Layer. "He never really tried to force... the princess to follow him, and has protected her from being killed by another God" she explained. That night, they did not sleep. Howling winds and a God in their camp preventing rested eyes. When morning came, Maya decided that they had to move, so they packed. Unable to wake the God they carried him for some hours till they found a river. Rico filling their water skins and Maya leaving to hunt quick food.

Opening his eyes, Zatz groaned as his body was engulfed in pain. He stared at the lanky man kneeling by a river, a weirdly shaped stick jumping and moving next to him. The man had a wringy build, although no muscle visible it did not mean he could hide his skills. He did not feel divine, so a mortal. Zatz looked at his arms and torso, bandaged with vines. 'Had this man taken care of his wounds?'. "Oh! You're f-f-finally awake" The lanky man was next to him in a blink of an eye. "Where does it hurt more? Do you want water? Food?" Zatz felt his dry mouth and empty stomach, dipping his head once. "Water and food would be much appreciated, kind stranger". He watched as the man hummed, opening a bag discarded not so far from where he laid, berries and nuts set aside as he closed it again. A large boar landed beside him, its dead eyes reflecting his startled face. "Meat! By the Celestials thank you great and powerful warrior for bringing this gift to us" the man dramatically cried, the stick creating fire -'so he was a wizard'- while he started dragging the boar to begin cleaning it. Zatz looked towards where the 'warrior' was and froze.

There stood Princess Maya, who he had been searching for since that explosion was heard about in Luna Island. She was looking wearily at him. Understandable as he was supposed to take her to Lord Mictlan so she may die. "Pri-'' she interrupted him, stare heavy on his own. "Now that you are awake, care to explain why I found you almost dead?" Her look was telling. She did not want him to continue, her identity a secret from her companion it seemed. Zatz, tilted his head. "I am now being punished for failing to bring the Teca Princess to Lord Mictlan, unfortunately this means the many that dislike me hunt me down as a reward". The princess stared at him, arms crossed. "So that means, wherever you go, they can track you" her companion stopped his antics, looking at her with slow realization. "M-Maya are you thinking of...?" she shrugged. "He's being hunted, Rico, that means they will kill us if we are found with him, and if we bring him with us we are going to have to keep moving and hiding" The man -Rico- moved his mouth a few times, no words as he thought it through. "We would still be safer if he was with us" Maya huffed and moved towards her companion, pulling him away but still in sight as they discussed in hushed voices what they would do. And Zatz understood, he really did. So he watched as they argued back and forth, until the Princess's shoulders slumped and he knew their choice.

She was tense when she got near him "we will allow you to accompany us on the journey, but if you intend to harm us, I will leave you to rot somewhere", Rico neared him with the berries and nuts he had set aside earlier, a waterskin in his had as he grinned, rolling his eyes. "The m-meat will be r-ready soon, so for the meantime, eat this" carefully setting them in his lap, he returned to cutting the boar to pack. Zatz looked down at what he was given. The berries were cleaned and in good condition, their colors bright against his dark armor. He took one and gave it a tentative bite, the taste sweet and tangy. 'It was delicious'.

Waiting for the meat to be ready was agonizing. The smell itself was tantalizing, the aroma taunting with promise. 'Oh how he wanted to sink his fangs into the flesh and taste the goodness his father had once bragged about'. Zatz wondered how much longer it would take. His patience had never been tested so cruelly before.

"Maya, your friend over there is making a weird face. Poor Estefan is scared" Rico said as he stared at the God, holding Estefan in a tight hug. Maya focused on the sky, moon moving above and stood to stretch, "I can hear his stomach rumbling Rico, maybe he's just hungry. We should eat fast, it's getting late and I really know-" she cut off as a golden butterfly landed on her nose. The glowing insect flapping but not moving. Other such bugs started filling the clearing they were in, all twinkling lights before forming a line crossing the river. "This is going to sound crazy, but I think the butterflies want us to follow them, Maya," Rico said with awe, amazed as one rested on his hand. They quickly packed their belongings -'taking a harrowingly long time salting the meat Zatz could no longer smell- before helping the prince of bats up, crossing the river slowly as the luminescent bugs fluttered, moving as they walked and landing when they stopped to rest. Their delicate dance led them to a waterfall hidden inside a large cavern hidden by tick trees a few hours away. A myriad of wondrous creatures lived inside.

Zatz observed the interior that they entered. It had all they needed from food and water to a safe shelter. He took note of the spell placed at the entrance, it was old -really old- meant to quickly transport those with bad intentions somewhere else, specifically to the bottom of the ocean, compelling enough to even overpower the might of Kinich Ahau, King of the Celestials. Zatz did not know who had created such a paradise, but they were powerful. He did not know why they would let them pass, but he would remain alert. "We should spend the night here" Rico declared, twisting to wave at everything. "I will finally have a restful sleep!" Maya finally yelled out as she squished her face on the grass she laid on. Zatz looked on as the younger two -clear by their behavior really- jumped into the water and swam around, playing in the water with radiant fishes jumping between them.

It was long after they got out, their clothes wet but cleaner than they had been. Sitting next to him as they shared the fruit Zatz picked to pass the time. Mangos and naranjillas so delicious in their flavor Zatz took his time savoring them. They rested with a fire over their heads, the warmth lulling them to the land of dreams.

Rico was the first to fall asleep, his soft snores in tune with the world around them, but the godling could not sleep, he was in too much turmoil. 'How could he convince the princess to follow him to the underworld? It would not be honorable to deceive or force her, she needed to descend voluntarily'. The princess turned, facing him on her side as she studied him. "Why did you not just drag me to Lord Mictlan to be sacrificed, Prince of Bats?"He tried to think of how to answer her, but it was her eyes that made him hesitate. Lighted by the fire, their brown ambered color, the orbs in them reflecting so much they held within them more than one hue, like the ether beyond the cosmos. Her eyes were a wide window to who she was, and she didn't even know it.

He couldn't lie.

.

.

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