by John Nest
With that, they successfully crossed the Insel with a great lake.
“Damn it!” cussed Sharur, upon reaching the vine-bridge. “Only got half of my arrows left.”
“Here, you can have some of mine,” offered Laernea.
“It’s okay,” said Sharur, shaking his head. “I’ll just be more careful next time.”
“That’s fine,” said Baba. “We’re almost there,” he added, pointing to a floating island with a dark castle on it.
Dried up trees and blackened earth welcomed them when they stepped foot on the floating island of Xolotl. His gloomy castle had a prominent gate with a skull of some unknown monster.
“I’ve never actually entered here before,” confessed Baba. “But we should be fine, right?”
Baba pushed opened the gate and it moved slowly with a creaking sound. Inside the inner grounds, they found large glass windows which surrounded the castle.
“I’ll go alone,” said Baba.
“No, let me do it,” countered Smoke. “I’m a Sonstwelter I’ll be fine,” he reasoned out, as he always did in these situations.
“Fine, but we’ll go together,” said Baba with finality. “Sharur, Laernea, you two be on the guard. We don’t know if Lord Xolotl has some sort of security.”
Sharur and Laernea nodded, their bows at the ready.
“What about me?” asked Jeter.
“You’re on lookout duty,” hastily answered Baba.
So, Baba and Smoke entered Xolotl’s castle. Smoke tried sensing the place with his Cunning of the Dire Fox, but his sensory ability proved to be ineffective here in Mictlan.
Inside, they found a grandiose great hall that was devoid of anything except for a mirror that comprised an entire wall.
“Found the stairs,” said Smoke, cautiously heading up. But he was forcibly stopped in placed.
– [PROHIBITED] Xolotl’s Upper Level is inaccessible at the moment
Baba joined him and felt around for the invisible wall blocking the stairway. “That’s one strong barrier.”
Smoke turned around and searched for anything else, but found nothing. He took in a deep breath and his eyes turned golden, becoming that of a dire fox’s. Yet, even with his Extra Sensory ability, he found nothing inside Xolotl’s Castle.
TAP TAP TAP
They heard the sound of tapping on glass. Smoke found Jeter waving at them from outside the window, signing if they saw anything.
“Might as well let them in,” Smoke said to Baba. “Maybe, they could see something we don’t?”
“Well, I don’t sense any danger,” replied Baba. “Sure.”
Yet, even with the help of Laernea, Sharur, and Jeter, their search still turned up empty.
“Think he went on vacation?” joked Laernea.
“Would be nice if he left a note,” added Sharur.
TAP TAP TAP TAP
“What’s that?” asked Smoke, searching for the source of the sound.
“Probably Jeter,” said Sharur. “He must be outside again. Jeter, quit doing that!”
“Doing what?” asked Jeter coming down from the blocked stairs.
TAP TAP TAP TAP
Again they heard the sound of knocking on glass. At first, they thought it came from one of the windows, only to realize that it was coming from within the full-wall mirror behind them.
All of them scrambled backward. Frightened at the sight of the dog face skeleton before them. A skeleton giant which stood at twice the height of Mitleid. It continued to tap on the mirror.
TAP TAP TAP
“Is someone there?” asked the skeleton. “Speak up! Is there someone in my house?” it added, facing Smoke and revealed its empty eye sockets.
“Lord Xolotl?” asked Smoke. “Sorry to intrude. We’re not here to make trouble.”
“Excuses of a thief,” boomed Xolotl, it tried to grab Smoke but instead the mirror reverberated as its hands could not pass through it.
“Excuse me, my Lord Xolotl,” interjected Baba. “But why are trapped inside that mirror?”
“There are more of you?” asked the blind Xolotl. “Who are you people?”
“Just a humble Bard traveling through Mictlan,” answered Baba. “And with me are Laernea, Sharur, and Jeter. They’re souls living in Corpos Quentes.”
“No! There is one other,” said Xolotl. “Mere souls cannot awaken me from my slumber. Speak up Sonstwelter, and tell me your name!”
Smoke straightened up and looked Xolotl straight in its empty eye sockets. “Oh wise and powerful, Lord Xolotl, I am your humble servant Smoke,” he answered respectfully and lowered his head despite Xolotl being blind. He thought about using Beggary on the god of sunset but decided otherwise. The chances of it working on a god would be quixotic. “Tales of your compassion and understanding are often the talk of those in Corpos Quentes. If I may be so bold as to ask you a question?”
Xolotl’s jaw bone rattled as it laughed. “My, such a respectful Sonstwelter. Smoke was it?”
Smoke smiled, relieved that his flattery worked on a god.
“Normally, I detest such blatant blandishments. But you have piqued my interest,” said Xolotl. From within the mirror, the dog-faced giant sat down in front of Smoke. Its bones creaked and cracked as it did so. “Ask your question, and hope that I know the answer.”
“Thank you, my Lord Xolotl,” said Smoke. “I would like to know if there is a way to get back to the realm of the living.”
“Oh, that!” said Xolotl, exasperated. “Here I thought you would inquire something more intriguing.” It let out a sigh and shook the bones in its shoulders. “Nevertheless, I shall oblige. The answer is yes.”
Smoke’s eyes grew wide with excitement. “Then, can you tell me how to—”
“Wait!” called out Xolotl. “Before you blab on about inquiries of going back to the living. I would like to tell you a tale.”
“Thought Baba was the only storyteller we had to endure,” whispered Sharur to Laernea.
“Silence you fool,” mumbled Baba. “We don’t want to anger Lord Xolotl.”
“It would be an honor to hear one of your stories, Lord Xolotl,” said Smoke with a smile.
“As you may know, Mictlan is ruled by the great god Mictlantec and his wife Micteca,” began Xolotl. “Now, I say this with much respect, but the two of them could care less what would happen here in Mictlan. They are simply enamored with each other and nothing else.”
A grinning Baba was happily taking down notes, and mumbling how great this story would be when he told it.
“The two of them reside in Reialma—the only place in Mictlan that is overflowing with soul energy,” went on Xolotl. It suddenly laughed for no clear reason before it continued. “Now, some souls from Corpos Quentes train themselves to withstand the creatures born in Mictlan. And they manage to reach Reialma to get some soul energy.”
“Light Bringers,” said Smoke.
“Oh, so you’ve heard of them. Perhaps you’ve met one?” said Xolotl. “Or maybe there is a Light Bringer amongst you?”
“No! No, Light Bringers here,” quickly answered Baba.
“I see,” replied Xolotl. “Anyway, the Light Bringers had become so many that they threatened to deplete the soul energy in Reialma before it could replenish itself.”
“Really? That’s weird because now there are barely any Light Bringers left,” blurted out Jeter.
“Of course,” said Xolotl. “Mictlantec and Micteca knew what was going on. They saw the threat of the Light Bringers.” Xolotl discontinued its tale and hugged its bones tightly. “I tried to tell them to leave the poor Light Bringers alone, but they would not listen to a lesser god like myself.”
“What? Mictlantec and Micteca did this to you?” asked Smoke.
Xolotl nodded. “They said that the Light Bringers had to end. So, they turned the ones they caught into sycophants. Beings that would drain out the essence from souls.”
“Wait, I thought you only become a sycophant when
your soul points become zero?” asked Jeter. “Your body disappears and you get teleported to one of their forests?”
“No, that is a lie. No doubt spread by Mictlantec and Micteca,” said Xolotl. “What really happens is that the soul gets teleported to one of the primary forests. There, the soul respawns and fully recovers their soul points.” Xolotl ceased talking as its bony hands rubbed its cranium. “But the sadistic Mictlantec and Micteca cleverly placed their sycophants into the very same forests. And as you may know, sycophants can turn souls into parasitic beings like themselves. They only need to drain their target’s soul points completely.”
“Is there a way to save them?” asked Smoke out loud, sympathetic to the cursed Light Bringers.
“Coincidentally, the vindictive being that created them did allow for such a reversal,” answered Xolotl. “It is the driving force why the sycophants hunger for souls. Once they’ve consumed four souls, the sycophant returns to being a normal soul.”
“Well, at least there’s hope,” said Smoke, worrying about Mitleid’s situation.
Xolotl sneered. “But Mictlantec and Micteca are such sadistic beings. Sycophants always travel in packs.”
Sharur slapped his forehead. “So, there’s no way for them to recover, because the moment one sycophant does complete its quota, the other sycophants will attack it.”
“What a bummer,” said Laernea.
“What was that?” asked Xolotl.
“I mean… your story is so sad, my Lord Xolotl,” replied Laernea, laughing nervously. “It has such a sad ending.”
“But I am not done!” declared Xolotl. “You see, as the god of sunset and gatekeeper of Mictlan, I could not stand what was happening. So, I fought against Mictlantec and Micteca. Unfortunately, my actions led me to such tribulation.” It sighed deeply. “Mictlantec took my flesh and stored it in my crown. Micteca took my eyes and placed them in my amulet. But the two of them did not stop there. After they trapped me inside this mirror, they took away my power and sealed it in my staff.”
“So, this isn’t what you usually look like?” asked Jeter.
“Obviously,” snidely replied Xolotl. It hesitated, before calming itself. “One cannot imagine the suffering that I am in. If only the things that were stolen from me would be returned, I could surely make the gates—” the gigantic dog-headed skeleton paused again. “But how can anyone possibly help a powerless god like me?”
“You have my sympathy, Lord Xolotl,” began Smoke. “I’d gladly help you recover those things.”
“Really?” exclaimed Xolotl. “I dare say it is such a demanding task, nearly impossible to complete.”
“I would still like to try,” said Smoke, lowering his head. “It’s an honor to be of service.”
“My, you really are an interesting Sonstwelter,” said Xolotl. “Very well, if you insist.”
Xolotl stopped talking and a blank map window appeared in front of Smoke.
“My crown is protected by the Cipactli,” said Xolotl. “A caiman-headed gorilla. Very powerful and extremely sharp.”
Then, the window was filled with the series of Insels Smoke needed to take to get to Cipactli.
MAP LOCATION: Monstro Afiado
Insel Directions: Insel-516 -> Insel-525 -> Insel-532…
Note: Four Hundred Insels away from current location
“Next, is Yahui—the beast of Mixtec,” went on Xolotl. “It is the one that holds my amulet. A carnivorous turtle with powerful magic.”
MAP LOCATION: Monstro Blindado
Insel Series: Insel-516 -> Insel-525 -> Insel-532…
Note: Six Hundred Insels away from current location
“Lastly, the ones holding my staff are the Naguals,” said Xolotl. “They’re mysterious beings capable of changing their bodies into several monsters.”
MAP LOCATION: Monstro Gêmeos
Insel Series: Insel-516 -> Insel-525 -> Insel-532…
Note: Eight Hundred Insels away from current location
“After hearing about the guardians do you still wish to go and face them?” Xolotl asked Smoke.
“Of course!” confidently said Smoke. “Anything to help you, Lord Xolotl.”
“Good!” pronounced the god of sunset. “I barely have any power left, but I could still send you to a place near Cipactli.”
Without any warning, a black portal appeared in the center of the great hall. The other side showed a grassy floating island.
“Now, go!” commanded Xolotl. “That will take all of you to an Insel near Monstro Afiado. Hurry, the portal will not last long.”
Before anyone could protest, Smoke ushered everyone into the portal. It instantly disappeared when all of them exited it.
“Are you sure about this?” Baba asked Smoke.
“What do you mean?” answered Smoke.
“I mean you can’t possibly do Lord Xolotl’s quest,” said Baba. “Not unless you can hit a Mictlander.”
As they spoke on the grassy Insel, its residents had stood up and revealed themselves. Little red horned imps—the chaneques.
Smoke grinned. “My thoughts exactly!” he said, equipping his twin hook swords.
Chapter Ten:
Paroxysmal Arrangements
“Really? Floating islands in the total darkness?” Sherry asked Nash over the phone. “But how can you see the Insels if it’s dark?”
She wanted him to visit her at home, but with the incredible time difference of Mictlan and the real world, he could only spare less than thirty minutes, or suffer the wrath of his companions waiting for him(supposedly).
“Well, the islands sort of glow,” he answered, trying hard to describe the beauty of Mictlan. “Trust me, you’ll love it when you see it yourself.”
“Says the man who’s still searching for a way out of Mictlan,” she said, laughing. “Anyway, what did Detective Faltoso say again?”
Nash sighed, which carried over their call. “He wants us to visit the station sometime next week. Says there’s some break in the case, but they still need to iron it out. Highly doubt it, though.”
“Hey! What did we say about talking like that?” she asked, as if she was about to give a firm lecture.
“Negative thoughts never helped anyone,” he grumbled. “What about you? You really have an audience with King Adrizol?”
“Right? Can you believe it?” she said proudly, welcoming the change in topic. “The King of Chayotl wanted to personally speak to me.”
“What? He never asked for Smoke?” asked Nash.
“Oh, shut up!” she yelled, snickering.
“Any idea what it’s about?” he asked.
“Dunno. Mamelon got the notice when she passed through Centeo City,” she explained. “Who would’ve thought that I’d get invited inside the castle. I mean I started there as an Acolyte, but I never…”
“It’s not that big a deal,” joked Nash. “Especially when he starts combing his long nose hair with his hands. Yuck!”
“King Adrizol is a far superior king. Especially when compared to the king you met. Bet you haven’t seen a picture of him, have you?” she stated condescendingly. “They say he was coded to look like a movie star.”
“Who said that? Blind players? Or those with no taste?” he replied, matching her tone.
“You sure you want to say that?” she asked. “Remember, I find you handsome too!”
“Let’s just say that you have your off days,” replied Nash, chuckling.
“Whatever!” she retorted. “It’s still better than your cryptic video in the Oracle of Aphend.”
“Right? Couldn’t think of anything else to post,” he explained. “All I had were videos of Orks and places in Sawtorn. Good thing I found that Oracle.”
“So, how many hits have you got so far?” she asked.
“Over five million,” answered Nash, pleased. “I’m really thankful for those faithful subscribers.”
“Exactly! If not for them you’d be dead,” went on Sherry. “That�
�s why you should post an amazing video in Mictlan.”
“Of course, I’ve already planned the whole thing,” said Nash. “I’m going to start with the view from the sacred logs. You know, the one where it felt like Halloween and Christmas were mashed into one. And then I’m—”
“Anyway, I’m logging back in,” she forcibly interjected. “Can’t wait to see Nenek again.”
“Right. Me too. Was heading for the game pod,” he mumbled. “Sorry bout not visiting again.”
“I understand. Just don’t get ahead of me too much when you get back,” she said with all seriousness.
“I won’t,” replied Nash.
—CLICK
With that, Sherry stretched out her long slender arms one last time, before entering into her game pod.
* * * * * *
When Sierra opened her eyes, she was greeted with a warm campfire and an old Priestess sitting next to it. Her long robes were battle-worn, but her smile was genuine and welcoming.
“If I didn’t see it for myself I wouldn’t have believed it,” greeted Nenek. “You’ve truly done me proud.”
“Wait! Did you just insult me and praise me at the same time?” said Sierra, laughing. “What are you doing here anyway?”
Nenek chortled. “Can you blame me? Took you so long to kill those Witches.”
Sierra shook her head but was still smiling. “Couldn’t wait till we get to Centeo, huh? Where’s Mamelon?”
“She left for your world. Something about having to pose next to a Porsche?” explained Nenek. “By the way, what’s a Porsche?”
“My uncle says it’s just an overpriced Volkswagen,” answered Sierra. “But she said she’ll be back soon?”
Nenek shook her head. “Says she’s heading back to Nordland when she returns. Something about unfinished business? Gandiva’s already waiting for her in Centza City up north.”
“That girl never takes no, huh?” said Sierra. “Ardu? Vrai?” she called out.
