Author's Note

Sorry, forgot something. I'm hoping I get Zatz's personality right. I assume he shouldn't be too hard but let's just hope! Remember to read and review! Thank you for supporting me thus far!


"ZATZ!" I recognized that voice. It was Mictlan. Since he's the ruler of the Underworld, he thinks he can do what he wants. He bosses Papa and I around all the time calling us 'low-life scum', 'worthless', and even uses us as messenger boys. Papa told me long ago that he was second in command until- "ZATZ! DON'T MAKE ME CALL YOU AGAIN!"

"I'm coming!" I rolled my eyes. Whatever he wants this time, it can't be good. It never is. That's why they call him the god of war. He never thinks of anything but that. "Yes, my lord," I said, kneeling.

"Good, I thought I was going to have to kill you." The room was silent. "I'm just kidding! Lighten up!" The others around him laughed, some uncertain. I hate it when he does this. He tries to make jokes, but the 'jokes' he does make are him actually being serious.

"Zatz, I have a new mission for you." A mission? Lady Micte once told me that I would have a mission to complete before I could see my Mama again. Could this be the mission she was talking about? "I need you to go to the city of Teca and get this girl named Maya. Except, I need her alive. Once you retrieve her, I need you to bring her to me. Am I clear?"

"Teca?" I checked. "Teca is so far from the gates-"

"YES! I KNOW!" His head split in two and the right head began to speak. "This girl is very important to me."

"Uh, why, my lord?" Papa asked.

"That girl will help me become the strongest alive!"

"Mi amor, do you really need Maya?" Lady Micte asked. She had a little hint of concern in her voice. I know how she is. She helped Papa take care of me when I was very young. She puts on a mask around others. She's supposed to be death itself. In stories, at least the ones I heard, she's told as a cruel being who takes people to the Underworld. I know for a fact that Lady Micte isn't like that. She's one of the kindest people I know, and better than most of them in here. Besides Xtabay. She only follows Mictlan's orders because he has killed the rest of her family and fears for her own life.

"Of course I need that girl!" the other head replied. "She is needed for the sacrifice to make me powerful! Then no one can stand in my way and we can finally rule the world as we were meant to."

"But, can't we wait, sir?" Papa asked, on the right side of Mictlan's throne. Both heads went back together and he whipped his head towards Papa. "Do you think we should wait any longer, Camazotz?" Papa gulped.

"Uh, no, sir. Sorry, sir."

"That's more like it."

"Mi amor, why would you send Zatz?" Lady Micte asked.

"Zatz? Zatz is the only one who appears human so he could trick the Teca family to letting their precious princess go with him."

"Mictlan, why?" Papa asked.

"ENOUGH!" Mictlan yelled, fire erupting behind him. "I've made up my mind and I say that the bat prince should go and get the Teca princess!" He whipped his head towards me. I quickly glanced back down again. "Zatz, go now before I change my mind." His voice sounded like thunder. "Yes, my lord."

I stood and turned from Mictlan. He's mad! Why does he need a human girl for a sacrifice! If he needs one so bad, then why doesn't he just get any girl? There has to be a reason! But what is it? I walk out the front door and just as I was about to take off, a hand grabbed mine.

Thinking its Mictlan, I turn and point my sword at the person. I looked down to see Lady Micte, her eyes full of fear. "Oh, Lady Micte! My apologies," I put my sword away.

"No, I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to scare you, Zatz." She hesitated before moving on. "Zatz, please don't go."

"Lady Micte, is something the matter?"

"Si, it's Maya. Mictlan wants Maya for the sacrifice because she is like you."

"L-like me?" Lady Micte is-

"I sent her away when she was just a baby so Mictlan wouldn't kill her when she was born. He was going to do the same to you so I knew what to expect for her…"

"You're a mother" I asked in breathiness. Lady Micte just nodded. I can't believe what I'm hearing. Lady Micte is a mother to a child. She had the child with a human and sent her away to protect her. "Please, Zatz. Please don't do this. I beg of you. I love her with all my heart and if you take her away from me-"

"Lady Micte, I…understand. I'll do what I can."

"Thank you, Zatz. I trust you will." With that, she vanished.

I stood there for a second. Lady Micte. A mother of a Teca princessa. She…she wouldn't lie to me, would she? She wouldn't lie to me to prevent me from getting Maya, would she? I get she doesn't want Mictlan to be powerful, unstoppable, but, would she go so far as to lie?

No. She wouldn't. She's helped Papa in raising me. She wouldn't lie. Lady Micte is a kind, tenderhearted person. She wouldn't hurt a fly. But, why does she wait until now to tell me? Why did Mictlan wait until today to want Maya? There has to be a reason. I just don't know what it is yet.