As I flew to Teca, I couldn't help but remember all the stories Papa told me of Mama. He told me that before I was born, she was a powerful Barbarian. He told me that she was brave, proud, and a great hugger. I always like to believe that. Sometimes, I picture me and Mama hugging. Sometimes, Papa is there too.
Papa said that he met her at a river. He said that Mama was the first person who wasn't scared of him. Papa was wounded and she healed him with the Barbarian medicine. He said it was the also the first time he had a meal with someone without being terrified at any wrong moves he'll make. Papa and Mama fell in love at first sight.
Once I was born, the news somehow got to Mictlan and he took his rage out on Mama's home. Her home was burnt to the ground. Papa was injured trying to save me. He suggested that he stay behind so he could protect me and Mama but…Mama said that she would stay behind and fight for us. Papa didn't want to lose her. He doesn't remember anything else until he woke up on a boat with me. He couldn't find Mama.
The only thing left of Mama is her bracelet. I clutched it in my hand. It is the only thing I have left of her. Papa gave it to her and then she gave it to me.
I stop in front of the Teca palace. I glance through a window. Inside is a man with broad shoulders with an Eagle helmet on. He must be the Teca king. A woman walked up to him with a young girl behind her. I flew in closer to hear what they're saying.
"Maya, how many times have I told you not to fight in the arena?" the woman asked sternly.
"Mama, come on! Why can't I fight? Everyone else does it!"
"So if they jump off a bridge then you will?"
"Of course not!" the girl exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air. "But why can't I fight? My hermanos can and Papa-"
"Enough about this, Maya!" So that's Maya. "Papa shouldn't have let you watch that fight!"
'Mi vida, please. Take it easy," the Teca king said.
"Take it easy?" The Teca queen became enraged. "How could I take it easy? My baby broke her arm because you let her go to one!"
"That was just one," the king said, still calm.
The queen inhaled deeply and threw her arms up. "Whatever, just go and get ready for the coronation, Maya."
"I don't want to be a princess!" Maya cried. The queen turned her head to look at her daughter. "What was that, Maya?"
"I said that I don't want to be a princess!" Maya repeated. "I want to fight, like my hermanos! I want to be a warrior! I want to fight with Papa! I don't want to sit here all day and look pretty!"
Ah, so she's rebellious. I was like that too, when Acat and I began dating. She dragged me away from Papa and I barely held onto Mama's bracelet. It wasn't my choice to date her. Mictlan put us together and threatened us if we didn't follow his orders. In fact, she still follows me around. Sometimes she's a little too pushy. But I have to stick with her. It's not like I can just leave...
Zatz, get back here right now! Mictlan's voice echoed in my head. Ugh, he can use his telepathy to call me back because he's too stubborn to come here himself. Zatz! Don't make me come over there! I gave one last look to the princessa before I flew off. "I'm coming, my lord," I replied so he can stop yelling at me.
It's not even his telepathic powers he's using. Long ago, Mictlan went on a rampage and killed any of the gods that got in his way. One was the goddess of telepathy. He killed her and stole her powers. He not only gets stronger when he eats their hearts, but he steals their abilities. He barely uses them, so they are kind of wasted on him, but if he makes a decision, there is nothing you can do to stop him. He goes out of his way to fulfill it, and he doesn't stop for nothing. If someone stands in his way, he'll kill them. He's utterly ruthless. He has no compassion for anyone and does what he wants when he wants it.
Once again, I entered the Underworld. "Oh, Zatz. Pleased to see you joined us," Mictlan said, his head resting on his hands. "Please, have a seat." He pointed to an empty chair next to Papa. I stared at him as I sat down and never took my eye off of him as Papa began to whisper.
"What took you so long?" he asked. "It shouldn't take that long to go to Teca."
"I was watching the girl," I replied, my eye glued to Mictlan as he speaks. "She's a Teca princess."
"Yeah, she is."
"Why did Mictlan want me here? What's going on?" Mictlan pointed one head at us for a second and then fused his heads together again as we sat silently. He watched us for a few seconds longer before e continued. "Mictlan wanted a meeting call. He's ordering a war if you don't return with the princess."
"A war? On the humans?" For the first time, I removed my view of Mictlan and gave Papa my attention. "Why a war? What's the point?"
"He was reading scripts and learned the Teca people are very good at protecting themselves. He learned that they used to fight the Barbarians to learn more advanced ways of war. That made him angry."
"Zatz," Mictlan said, turning his attention to me. Me and Papa both sat up straight and looked at him. "Yes, my lord?" I asked. I hope he didn't ask me a question I didn't hear. I can't answer to it if I don't know and I'm scared to ask him to repeat it. "Did you find the girl?"
"Yes, my lord. She is a Teca princessa, sir."
Mictlan rubbed his fingers together. "Good job, Zatz. Now, I want you listen very closely." He leaned in closer to me. I held my breath. "I want you to return to Teca and get that girl. But, I want you to bring her back alive. If she's dead when she gets here, I'll have your other eye." He raised a clawed hand and put a finger on my cheek. "Then it'll be your neck. You hear me?"
"Y-yes, my lord. I hear you."
Mictlan moved back to his chair. "Good, now don't you forget that." He placed his hands together again. "If Zatz fails to bring back the girl, then I will call a war on the Teca. We will kill their whole tribe until there is just her left. Then we will bring her here," Mictlan glanced at me and Papa, "stopping anyone who gets in our way," I heard Papa gulp as Mictlan returned his gaze over the crowd, "and sacrifice her here. Then I will be the most powerful god and no one can stop me!"
The group was silent. "Do you understand me?" Mictlan asked, gruffly. The whole group pipped up and began agreeing. "Good. I don't want to see you fail, understand?"
"Of course, sir," Papa said over me. "I will make sure he comes back with her."
The meeting was dismissed and before I flew off again, Papa stopped me this time. "Zatz, listen to me. If you don't bring her back, we're all going to die. So many innocent lives will be lost. Please, bring her back to Mictlan."
Papa wants me to bring her back too, huh? I guess I have no choice. Lady Micte said not to, but Papa and Mictlan tell me to. I have no choice. I'm outvoted. But...does Papa really want me to bring her back? Is Papa saying that because he's scared he'll lose me? Just like Mama?
"Zatz? Please," Papa said, breaking me free from my thoughts. I glanced at the bracelet in my hand. I clutched it harder. I guess Papa is set on this. I have to bring her back, alive. "Si, Papa. I will bring her back."
"Thank you, Zatz."
