Here I present myself with a new chapter!

This is the chapter I owed you, so I'll finish the consecutive sequence of chapters. I will try to update my other stories quickly, but with so many things going on, it will most likely take me about 3 weeks to publish another chapter.

With this out of the way, it's time to get started.

Enjoy!

"Do you want me to talk to Gruthecoatl?"

"It's not about what I want. You need it." Tonalli clarified, looking at him out of the corner of his eye. "Want me to tell you something? It is true that the Lady of Fire is more flexible than the Lady of Dragons, but changing the formula a little is of no use if the final result ends up being the same." The young man's words made Aether become serious.

"She told me she couldn't do anything about it. She asked for my help so that we could end this, the war…"

"I was her general." Tonalli interrupted him. "I may look young, but I have been at her side for several decades. The only difference I see between Gruthecoatl and her is that she only requires a short 4-year military service once she reaches the age of majority, and there is no difference between dragons and humans." Tonalli crossed his arms and his hands clenched a littlle more tight than normally. "Except for those things, I've never seen a real difference between them. After all, I have never seen Murata do anything to stop this war either. It is true that perhaps there was nothing to do, but she never considered it. I've never seen her actually do anything for us…" Tonalli's fists clenched even tighter on his arms, something Aether didn't miss.

"What if she tried and you never knew?" Aether's sudden question made the young man look at him with a somewhat forced smile.

"If that's the case, then I'm completely useless." Tonalli turned his gaze forward, observing the great pyramid looming in the distance. "What kind of general wouldn't realise his leader's true intention when he's been with her for decades?"

"I have gone through millennia of life. Believe me when I tell you that you will never be able to fully know a person, unless they want to or make a mistake." Aether's statement made Tonalli look at him with widened eyes. "But let me tell you something, that degree of helplessness is very difficult to act on." Aether pointed to his arms, and Tonalli was surprised to see how his grip was so strong that he had hurt his scales and nails.

"I promise you I didn't do it for acting! I just didn't realise!" The young man exclaimed nervously when he noticed his injured arms.

"I think you didn't understand my words very well." The blonde commented with some grace after witnessing his reaction, and then tilted his gaze towards the stars. "But, it is also true that distrust is useless sometimes. I mean, you can't live distrusting your own shadow. But it's not a good idea to be reckless either, so there's only one thing left…"

Tonalli watched him in silence, and he had to say that a drop of admiration fell on him as he saw how a confident smile decorated Aether's face when he lowered his gaze to observe him.

"That thing is being smart." The blonde finished, making Tonalli's eyes widen a little.

"So…what are you planning to do?" The young man asked, somewhat excited.

"Information. Information is the most important thing." Aether answered confidently, making Tonalli's eyes widen slightly. "Collecting such information can be a complicated process, but we will get it done. And to be honest, I had already planned to talk to the Lady of Dragons since the stories you told me. Although obviously the situation is not simple and I honestly did not know how to do it without generating a stir." Aether paused briefly to look at him. "But apparently you will be on our side, or am I wrong?" He concluded naturally, making Tonalli smile.

"Okay, although let me tell you, it might not be that easy." Those words caused a rather distinctive smile to grace Aether's face.

"I don't need it to be easy."

_ CHAPTER 18: SECRET PLANS _

People had already left their homes and had started their morning work or training. Everything looked really normal, even though there would be an absolute bloodshed starting in 27 days.

"Do you want to go out and explore Natlan?" Murata asked, her eyes blinking a few times.

"It is partly for that reason that we also came here. Although all of us won't go." Aether declared with a smile.

"Do you want to guide them? Mexitli will have a little difficult time with the recruits if he is alone." Murata commented, looking at Tonalli.

"I think it's a good idea to not leave them alone, since they don't really know the place." Tonalli placed a hand on his chest to show his respect, and the fact that his face became extremely serious made Murata also become a little serious.

"Okay, I understand. Just make sure they don't cross the other half, because things could get ugly." Some were a little surprised to see that the Archon let him go without arguing. "Who will stay?" Murata asked suddenly, and it was very easy to guess the answer when Venti and Ei took a couple of steps forward.

"We would like to talk to you a little more. I found the stories most interesting." The Electro Archon commented with her usual relaxed smile, and for some reason it made Murata's eyes narrow noticeably.

"We might as well drink more wine!" Venti exclaimed with a big smile.

"Can anyone tell him that it's barely dawn?" Ayato whispered with a nervous smile.

"That's not something he cares about." Was Diluc's curt response.

"Heh, it's been a long time since I had a good drinking buddy. I can bring some drinks." Murata returned to her usual smile after those words.

"In that case, shall we leave now?" Itto asked a little excitedly.

_ LINE BREAK _

Natlan, below the volcano

A few minutes later…

"I'll go on my own. Let the other two groups go and do their part while the fourth tries to find more information." Diluc stated seriously.

"Are you sure you want to separate? Murata sent me precisely to keep an eye on them…"

"Yes, we suspected he was going to do that." Aether interrupted Tonalli, gaining his attention. "That's why we left two people who can keep her very busy until the right time. And if she ends up finding out, the reality is that it will be too late to track us down."

"Oh, I see…" Tonalli nodded, a little surprised at the guests' cleverness.

"Well, this is where things get interesting!" Itto exclaimed, bumping their fists vigorously.

"Those who wish to go through the Deadly River should come with me. I wish good luck to others." Tonalli concluded with a smile, to which everyone nodded and finally separated into 4 groups.

Itto went with Aether and Tonalli, Ayaka went with her brother and Gorou, Sara went with Kokomi, and Diluc went on his own.

Many Burticoles were waiting for him at the beginning of the great lava river that divided the region in two.

"Do we need to go towards the bridge?" Aether asked, climbing onto the monster along with Tonalli.

"It's the best way if we don't want to have problems." The young man commented seriously.

"You're sure? I mean, it's true that you're a dragon, but… you know, you defected and stuff…" Aether gave his point with some nervousness.

"Don't worry." Tonalli gave him a reassuring smile. "They'll agree to have a talk, I think."

"The confidence that radiates from your face is not reflected in your words…" Aether commented, not very convinced. "And by the way…" The blonde looked away.

"HOW DOES ITTO KNOW HOW TO CONTROL THAT THING?!"

Aether's exalted tone was well introduced to Tonalli when Itto was seen doing a few drifts with a Burticol in the middle of the river.

"Well….what can I say? He has a natural talent." Tonalli decided not to try to understand the specifics and just enjoy the view.

_ LINE BREAK _

Natlan

One hour later…

After racing Itto, the three arrived at a large bridge made of obsidian. That was not the only thing present in the place, since there were two imposing fortresses at each end, made with palisades and powerful walls that denied advance. The structures were so large that they could easily house thousands of people in them.

The small group landed on the side of the stockade where it was filled with humans who functioned as guards. They received them with a military salute, since Tonalli was among them.

"Listen, a large number of Hilichurls gathered inside the forest near the dormant volcano. We need all of you to go stop them before they can pose a threat." The men struck their spears firmly, showing their faith.

"I just have one question." A sturdy, veteran-looking old man spoke from the top tower, making everyone look at him. "Who will stay to guard the fort while we are gone?"

"Don't worry about that. The three of us will stay behind to make sure nothing strange happens." Tonalli responded with a half smile.

"Very well, I'll go warn all my men." The old man commented, and then looked into the fortress. "Open the doors."

The large doors slowly opened, revealing a large number of warriors along with several simple food and drink stalls. Except for those small things, there were no more buildings, which suggested that everyone was sleeping outdoors with sleeping bags that looked a little old.

"Hey, I have a question…" Itto approached Tonalli, gaining his attention. "If the Burticoles can cross the coasts without problems, then what is the need to create this bridge and these forts?" The Oni's question made Tonalli smile.

"This is the only place where you can go from one place to another legally. Even then it is extremely difficult to get a pass. The only way would be for it to happen would be a very crucial meeting." Tonalli explained, making Itto look at him curiously.

"And what happens to people who enter illegally?" Tonalli simply stared at him, letting the Oni find the answer on his own.

"I already gathered everyone. We are ready to go." The old man posed in front of the large group, and then made a military pose. "We leave El Paso in your hands, my general!" The veteran exclaimed, receiving a blow from all the soldiers' spears in response.

Once the human warriors left through the back doors, Tonalli was left alone with his two guests.

"And now that?" Itto asked, crossing his arms.

"Now is the time for diplomacy." Tonalli responded. "I'll go with the traveller, you stay here and when those guys arrive, make an excuse."

"An excuse? Wait, what do I do if the um…..diplomacy ends badly?" Itto asked, somewhat overwhelmed by everything that was happening.

"Do not worry, everything is going to be okay. In any case, I and the traveller are strong enough to clear that fortress by ourselves." Tonalli answered confidently.

"Although I hope it doesn't get to that point…" Aether commented with conflicted eyes.

"I'm hope so too." Tonalli's confidence transformed into a more nervous look after his words.

"I understand. And don't worry, the Great Arataki Itto will take care of everything!" The Oni exclaimed, making a rather peculiar pose.

"Uh… okay." Tonalli commented with a nervous drop of sweat.

Once they said goodbye to the great Bohemian Oni, the doors slowly closed and they were faced with the great obsidian bridge once again.

"Not to be rude, but are you sure he will do his job right?" Tonalli asked with a nervous smile.

"Don't let his childish attitude confuse you. He is one of the strongest people I have ever faced." The confidence Aether poured over his words made Tonalli relax quite a bit.

"If you say so…" The dragon commented, slowly approaching the other fortress.

"Stop! You know you can't get through!" One of the guardian dragons exclaimed as he pointed his spear at them.

"We didn't come to create problems, we just requested a meeting…"

"There will be no meeting for humans, much less for traitors!" A man exclaimed from one of the two tall towers, making Aether and Tonalli raise their faces.

The man had long straight black hair that reached his waist. His dark dragon eyes matched the black scales that surrounded his entire exposed body, as he only wore a loincloth, like all the dragons in that fort. The curious thing about this is that none of them were wearing those large ornate necklaces that all the dragons under Murata's care possessed.

"Why is the great general Canek Quetcoatl in this place?" Tonalli asked, placing both hands on his waist.

"To make sure that people like you never set foot on our lands again." Canek commented, showing a great index of hostility.

"I see, but that's not for you to decide." Tonalli commented quite confidently, flashing a somewhat wild smile. "Tell the Fire Lady that we request a meeting with her. It is vitally important, it could even decide the future." Those words made the guards look at each other, while Canek frowned.

"Not human." Was the general's curt response.

"He is not a human. He is the traveller that has been in those rumours so much lately." Those words brought Canek's frown to bear on Aether.

"That's right? If they're lying to me…" The dark dragon threatened with an even darker look.

"I had no idea my reputation had reached this far." They were the simple words of the blonde, who was not intimidated one bit by Canek's gaze.

"Your achievements spread like the wind after everything that happened in Inazuma." Tonalli explained with a confident smile.

"That is true, although the information is not complete. The only thing we know is that you caused a great conflict with several Heralds of the Fatui, with the Cryo Archon and with the Electro Archon…"

"But anyway, I'm still here." Aether shut down Canek's sentence before he could do so.

"That's how it is." The man nodded slowly, and then maintained a short silence.

He was clearly debating what to do as he looked at them both in silence, until he finally made a decision.

"Wait here." Canek turned around and disappeared, making Aether look at Tonalli.

"What do we do now?"

"You heard it: wait."

"I see…" Aether crossed his arms, looking at the sky.

"How do you think things will go in the city?" Tonalli asked suddenly.

"Don't worry." The blonde looked at him, giving him a smile.

"The truth is that I also kept something up my sleeve, literally."

"Huh?"

_ LINE BREAK _

"Paimon won again!" Paimon exclaimed with excitement.

"Hey? How can you be so good at this game?" Murata wondered as she looked at her defeated cards.

"Paimon learned from the best, hehe." Paimon answered proudly as she rubbed her little nose under the silent gaze of a smiling Venti and Ei.

"Well, I won't let you go until I win once." Murata declared somewhat excitedly.

_ LINE BREAK _

Natlan, El Paso

A few minutes later…

"Can there be a monster that eats and defecates the same thing?" Aether asked himself, not believing what he was hearing.

"What can I tell you? This is how Burticoles work. Thanks to them we can keep the lava rivers functional." Tonalli commented, leaning his shoulders on him to emphasise his words.

"Open the doors!" Their conversation was interrupted when Canek shouted from the other side, and right after that the doors began to open.

"See? I told you, you could trust me." The young man declared confidently and crossed his arms.

Once the doors opened, Canek was waiting for them on the other side along with several soldiers.

"Follow me." It was the only word the man said as he turned around and started walking.

"They are much more than I thought." The blonde commented, observing the large number of soldiers that were in the fort.

"Not enough to end this war." Canek responded, landing in front of a small lava path that had two Burticoles.

"Where are we going?" Aether asked, entering the Burticol along with Tonalli.

"The Lady of Dragons has accepted your request." Canek dove into the other Burticol, glancing at them out of the corner of his eye. "We'll go to Grutheka, it's not too far from here."

"You mean that kind of sanctuary or pyramid?" Aether asked curiously.

"It is not a sanctuary or a pyramid. It is our home." The man commented with some annoyance.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insult you." Aether commented, rubbing his hair nervously. "While we get there, could you tell me the history of this region?"

"Do you want to talk about the real story? I assume you are not referring to that story invented by The Fire Lady and her followers." Canek glanced at him, receiving a nod in response. "Very good." Was the simple response of the dragon, setting off to begin the journey. "One more thing." Canek turned his face to look at them very seriously.

"Don't leave me, or I'll kill you both."

END OF THE CHAPTER!

I hope you enjoyed it!

In the next chapter this part of the plot will begin to advance at a much faster speed, since almost everything has already been explained. The Fatuis will also return completely and it will not be a small appearance. Most likely, many are wondering why they have not been seen in Natlan until now.

I hope and see you soon with the continuation.

Thanks so much for reading!