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Teoitotia's POV:

Fujin agreed to meet me at a certain part of our barrier in two days when the sun it at it's highest. As the day got closer, I got anxious, not because my people will misbehave or someone could embarrass me, but because I'm worried about what my own people will think about me. They'll be confused, angry, or not even respect me anymore. When I told my family at night in the House of Dance and Song that day, they were shocked and immediately went silent. him. I was trying so hard not to turn red and from the look of it, it didn't happen. Everyone left to go to their own homes to sleep while my grandmother, mother, and uncle stayed behind. I thought it was going to get really awkward, but they just wanted to know about what to expect and things that could upset him.

The next day, my uncle ordered everything to be cleaned and repainted because a highly important guest was visiting the next day. Everything else was kept as it was because it was considered dishonorable to hide the truth of things. The people were confused and curious, but they understood, yet it didn't stop rumors from spreading. When my family and I were around they went quiet, but I heard their guesses. Some said that it was some leader of an organization from the outside world like the Lin Kuei, Special Forces, or White Lotus. Very few say that a representative of one of the neighboring villages that know about us will visit...for some reason. No one assumed that is was a Great Lord because they haven't interacted with the world directly since the first Mortal Kombat tournament. I kept my mouth shut when Coyotlantli and our companions asked me. I refused to say anything, even to Coyotlantli alone. He saw something in me and asked playfully if it was my future mate. I turned red and chased him outside the village so no one could see our childish behavior. I eventually caught him as a jaguar and bit him harder than usual up to the point where the only thing he said was "Ay!" That night, my mother asked me in front of my uncle if there was a particular reason Fujin was visiting. I told them that he just wanted to interact and connect with us again. I didn't tell them that I invited him over, but the response I gave them was at least partially correct. It was also what I told the council of Elders, officers, captains, judges, and diplomats (which interacted with the indigenous tribes of these lands that know about us). Everyone was shocked that I was as interactive as I was with the Spirits. They knew that I worked with them to get missions done, but they never expected the Spirits to take interest in us (again?).

I was woken up at the break of dawn to work a few hours in the fields with my grandmother, mother, and aunt. Then I went to hunt as a jaguar and ate a coyote. I went back to my home and saw that my mother made maize porridge with chillies and beans. I had some with tortillas. After filling myself, I cleaned my teeth with ash. My mother then basically pushed me in our pool so I took a steam bath to cleanse my body and spirit. I knew she was nervous, but I never expected her to do what she was doing. It seemed like...she finally had a reason to live. I felt sad thinking about it. I knew she was still in pain, but she told me that she would like to see her future grandchildren. I was so mortified and turned really red. I basically yelled at her to control her thoughts, and she was there, acting all innocent. After my bath, I got out to grab my jade earplugs, circular gold septum jewelry, and short necklace (a bit more loose than a choker) of rectangular gold beads, and put them on (see link at end). Then I put on my red loincloth with white stripes at the bottom (see link at end). I wrapped my flesh-colored cloth around my breasts. I put on my beige, deer skin sandles and tie them. I left my straight, black hair down that went to the nape of my neck (funny enough, I do actually have my hair like that). Lastly, I put on my white cloak with a black border. On it is also the black outline of the symbol of Tliltekalli (see link at end) repeatedly.

A few minutes before midday, the tlatoani, officers, captain, judges, diplomats, elders, my mother, and I went to the border where I said I would meet Fujin. They stayed on the inside of the dome. I walked outside of it and kept walking for a few meters into the forest so when Fujin arrived, we had a bit of privacy to discuss and concerns. I waited there and just as the sun hit its highest peak, winds swirled around the trees and concentrated itself on a certain spot. Once it cleared, I saw Fujin in his usual gear.

I bowed slightly and said, "Lord Fujin, welcome."

He bowed in return and said, "Thank you inviting me over."

We started walking to the dome protecting my home. When we found our walking pace, I said, "We have been looking forward to your visit."

He chuckled in return and stated, "I'm sure their hearts stopped for a few seconds when you told them."

I grinned. "Are you sure you have never met them?"

He smiled in return. We walked in silence up to the barrier. It took a lot of my ancestors' power to prevent the Spirits from seeing and entering Tliltetepetl. I sent a message to my uncle and mother: We are here. My uncle signaled to my mother. She messaged the ancestors that Fujin was to be allowed in. I'm sure he saw them because his face relaxed a bit more. I started to walk very slowly to let him know that we were to walk forward and he understood. We went past the dome and I saw my uncle and his elbows supported by his assistant and my mother. Our other company immediately looked downward. Within a little bit over two meters, we stopped. At groups at a time, the officials came up a bit closer than my uncle, kneeled down, put a flat hand on the ground, and kissed the floor. Then, they stood up and walked backward to their spots with their heads bowed in absolute respect. After they finished, they immediately left back to the village. Then, my uncle, his attendant, and my mother walked forward with my uncle leading. They stopped within a meter and a half and my uncle's companions followed the same ritual as the rest of our company did before, but my uncle simply kneeled with his down bowed down and put a flat hand on the ground. They rose and walked a little over half a meter back. My uncle's attendant had his head bowed, while my mother simply gazed down at the ground. Then, my uncle closed his eyes, bowed his head, and lifted his arm, bent with his open hand upward. He spoke, "Great Quetzalkoatl-Ehecatzin, I, Iztakoatl, welcome you to Tliltetepetl, the home of my people and I."

Fujin bowed his head slightly and said in a gentle voice, "Thank you for allowing me into your home."

"This woman to my left, is my sister and the mother of Teoitotia, Omeuitzili. Please, come to our village and learn more about us."

Fujin slightly bowed towards my mother and nodded at my uncle. "Lead the way, tlatoani of Tliltetepetl."

My uncle nodded and turned to lead Fujin towards our village. "Please, walk with me."

We started to walk towards the village with my uncle and Fujin in the lead. My mother, the tlatoani's attendance, and I were striding behind with our gaze on the floor. My uncle was basically retelling the history of our home, Tliltetepetl. Once we arrived at the village, people went into the open, but stayed on the sides of the streets. As we approached within a close proximity of them, they got down on one knee and held their head down. Once we passed them, they rose and went about their daily duties. When we reached the House of Laws, my grandmother approached them and bowed deeply in greeting. My uncle told Fujin, "This is my mother, she was a speaker for a certain time before, my sister and I took over the position." Fujin nodded his head at my grandmother. My mother walked to my grandmother's side. My grandmother said, "It is a real honor to have you here." He smiled and responded, "It is an honor to be with you all."

My uncle turned to face Fujin completely and asked, "Great Spirit, what do you wish to do here?"

Fujin immediately responded, "I would like to learn more about the customs of the people of Tliltetepetl."

My uncle turned to look at me and Fujin did the same. "My niece, here, will show you around," I bowed in acceptance, "and should you wish for something, you only need to ask."

There was a comfortable pause and then I told Fujin, "We can start anywhere you would like."

"Why not here?" he offered, turning to look at the House of Laws.

I nodded and asked my uncle, "May we go in?"

My uncle quickly said, "You may go wherever you wish."

Fujin and I started to go up the stairs. I showed him the rooms where important decisions were made by different types of officials. Then we moved to the main plaza and he witnessed exchanges taking place. After showing him almost everything, we walked to the fields. On our way there, we started having one of our philosophical conversations together. I saw people stare at us in awe and with blank, but surprised expressions. Of course, they kneeled and bowed in greeting as we passed by. We sat alone and talked as we saw the farmers tend the fields before they went home because the sun was starting to set. Then I heard my uncle's voice. Teoitotia, come to the main plaza. The whole town is gathering for a night of song and dance.

I turned to Fujin. "Let us walk back to the main plaza, there is a communal night of song and dance."

"Of course."

By the time we arrived there, most of the people were ready to see the opening of the communal night of song and dance. Out of the corner of my left eye, I saw this night's dancers doing their last minute touches to their regalia. Then I turned to see my uncle on a simple weaved throne with his attendant on his right. They were speaking about something. Next, and above, him was a black stone throne with some inlaid gold and jade. I assume it was a place for our guest. I turned to Fujin. "Let us walk to my uncle." He nodded and went around the crowd. It's good that they were acting normally. Fakeness would offend my uncle and the people would be punished in some form.

When we met with my uncle, he spoke first, "Great Lord, thank you for joining us today. Before you leave, we would like to invite you to our communal night of song and dance."

Fujin responded, "Thank you for allowing me to visit and see this event."

My uncle bowed and I slipped out. I assume he would invite Fujin to sit on the stone throne, which gave him a full view of the event. I went to join the other dancers. I saw Coyotlantli and most of my friends. They approached me and Red Flint asked, "How did it go?"

"It went well."

Coyotlantli interrupted, "You should hurry- Uh oh. Scram!" They left me alone to prepare. I took off my cloak and jewelry, except my jade earplugs, swiftly. I started to walk to a private room to change my outfit. As soon as I walked in, I removed my loincloth and put on a white one with a single red stripe near the bottom. After that, my mother entered and angrily whispered, "What are you doing?!"

I turned and calmly answered her, "Preparing for the night." I turned back around to exchange the brown cloth covering my breasts with a black one. Then I grabbed a red tie.

"You should be with your uncle attending Lord Ehecatzin. Did you slip away or actually excused yourself?"

I finished tying my hair into the 'column of stone' hairstyle. "I slipped away, but won't the crowed be surprised to see my joining them instead of doing something expected of me? Also, how can I skip a night without singing and dancing?" I grabbed a white cloak with a red border and wrapped it around my body so I could tie in so the knot would lie on my chest. "How can they go on without their lead dancer? Also, would it not be offending if I didn't dance?" I finished tying the knot.

She wanted to argue with me, but she knew that she couldn't stop me from dancing. I removed my sandles and grabbed a ceramic cup with black paint then handed it to her. "Are you going to help me or not?"

... ... ... ... ...

After my mother helped me cover my body, ears, and the sides of my face in black soot, I stepped out of the room. I found Coyotlantli and he handed me a black wooden maraca with white and red stripes going across the large part of it and small quetzal feathers hanging at the end of the handle.

"Let's show the Great Lord and our people the best opening dance they have ever seen," he said with a big smile.

"Aya." I grabbed the maraca and lead our dancers to our initial spot.

We were in place and hidden from Fujin. I saw my mother approach my uncle and whisper something to him. He nodded and stood up to address the viewers.

"Tliltetepah! We will now commence the opening dance with our guest, Great Lord Quetzalkoatl-Ehecatzin, as a viewer." Everyone, including I, bowed our heads towards him, and I could tell that he wasn't used to it. My uncle sat down and our musicians at the center of the circle took that as the cue to start. (Listen to "Antigua (to the Ancestors)" by Xavier Quijas Yxayotl) I stood at the front and the other dancers made a line behind me. Once the drums started, we started to dance out of our hideout and into the large circle of cement-like ground the people have left for us. Once I was the first one in the circle, I closed my eyes, felt the rhythm, and started to follow the drum. Eventually we gathered in a circle around the musicians and continued to dance, in honor of our ancestors, until the song was over.

Then we ran out and went into our hidden aisle to change for our next song. The next few songs were to be danced by other groups in honor of the Spirits, Ometeotl, and certain animals we hold in high esteem. I went into my private room and removed everything I was wearing. I jumped in the bath to remove all of the black soot covering me. After that, I put on my next outfit I would wear for the rest of the night; the same white loincloth with a red stripe, a white hip cloth with a red border, white sandles with red ties, white and red cloths tied below my knees, brown cloth around my breasts, gold earplugs, gold septum jewelry, gold stud labret, and a black cloak with the knot tied at the front. Lastly, I tied my hair in the style of temillotl with a red tie with long quetzal feathers at the ends.

My friends and I danced a few dances that honored certain spirit warriors from the past and the elements. The last dance of the night was in honor of my ancestor, Tliltetlapiani, which consisted of only different sized huehuemeh (drums) and ocarinas. We held the maracas and shook them according to our steps or the beat of the lowest-sounding drum. When we stomped our sandles made a loud sound, which was part of the music. The dance consisted of stomping, spins, jumps, crouch jumps, and loud steps. I loved this dance because it kind of reminded me of my passionate-and-aggressive warrior side.

After we finished, my uncle thanked Fujin for joining us. Then, Fujin and I walked alone to the spot where we met today.

Fujin spoke, "I learned and was reminded of a lot of things today."

I waited for him to continue.

"You dance real well. I can see why you are called what you are called."

I chuckled. "That was all my father." I became saddened, but let go of the feeling because we were here in a happy moment.

"I knew that you had a passion for many things. But I never really saw it in action." There was a long pause. He continued in a depressed voice, "I apologize, on behalf of all of us, for not being here to defend your neighbors."

I blinked in shock at the sudden mood change. "Do not blame yourselves. It is understandable; the Spirits cannot always be here and you all have more urgent matters than being here with humans, or my people."

He closed his eyes and held his head down. "It is no excuse for the death of millions of humans and not just with what happened on this continent."

"I understand your point." I lifted my arm and hesitated to touch his shoulder. But I went for it. He opened his eyes and looked at my hand. I continued, "But you are forgiven, even by descendants of those who suffered." I paused for a bit as he turned to look at me. I realized that I was making direct eye contact but continued, "By my mother's side, I am descended from a line who came to be called from the Iztacoyokalli ("House of White Coyote"). They were a subgroup of the people called the 'Guamare.' The white men called them 'Guamare Blancos.'"

Fujin's hand moved to cover my own and responded, "They called themselves 'Children of the Wind' and painted their hair white."

"Yes." I nodded. "They ran south hoping to find fellow natives to ask for sanctuary and/or support and eventually ran into Tliltetepetl. Trust me when I say that I speak for all of us. Most of us never blamed you all, and those that did, have forgiven you generations ago."

He took my hand and moved it to cover it with both of his hands. He looked down. Then he looked back to meet my eyes. "Thank you. Not just for today, but for easing my anxieties and releasing me of crippling guilt." Then he let go of my hand and bowed. I returned the bow. He backed up to teleport back to his temple so he could continue his duties as a protector of Earthrealm.

"Until we meet again," he said.

"You are welcome anytime."

The winds were starting to gather around him as he bowed in gratitude. By the time he was going to his normal posture, he was hidden by the winds and when the winds dispersed, he was gone.

... ... ... ... ...

Teoitotia's Mother's POV, back in their home:

I was meditating in front of the fire as my brother was openly reviewing this day's events. I felt a warm feeling in my spirit and when I quickly opened my eyes, it was gone. I smiled. "I see..."

My brother turned to look at me. "What?" He came closer to the fire, watching me. "Did you see something? Is it good?"

"You can say that."

I actually brought up another part of my ancestry. I am descended from a group that were grouped with other peoples called "Chichimecas." They lived in Guanajuato (still do). They were called "savages" because of their customs and lack of clothing. I do not know which group specifically, and I may never find out until the day I join them.

Aztec Empire Comic links start with "bigredhair . com"

Aztec Empire Comic link to gold necklace (see Atlixca) and septum jewelry (see Ezhuahuacatl) on page 1: /books/aztec-empire/aztec-empire-episode-five/

Aztec Empire Comic link to red loincloth with white stripes on page 3 (see Tepehua): /books/aztec-empire/episode-one/

Google links start with "google . com"

Google link to stone (tetl) symbol: /url?sa=i&url=https% .com&psig=AOvVaw1Iv7T9jG5aaYpKeppwSb_E&ust=1585519169885000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCPCjx9GVvugCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAP

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