by John Nest
Stretching out its arms and tail, the verdant meteor revealed itself to be the caiman-headed gorilla—Cipactli. Its knuckles pressed down on the ground, forelimbs extended, tail slithering behind it. It loomed over them, towering at a height of five meters. Its elongated snout filled with jagged teeth opened. “Visitors should be more respectful,” it said, throwing away a skull that closely resembled to the monster who threw it.
Smoke’s eyes fell on the grounded skull. He recognized it as the same one that hung on Xolotl’s gate. “Of course, Lord Cipactli,” he said, lowering his head before the giant, signaling his companions to follow.
“What are you doing?” asked Baba, following his lead.
“I’m hoping we could convince it to give us Xolotl’s crown,” whispered Smoke.
“Don’t even try using your Beggary,” warned Baba. “Pretty sure it won’t work here.”
With everyone’s head bowed down, Cipactli nodded. It predominantly showed its teeth. “That’s better.”
“Apologies for not introducing ourselves sooner,” went on Smoke.
“Normally, I would’ve devoured all of you,” said Cipactli. “But even this is better than boredom.”
“So, why are Light Bringers here?” asked Cipactli.
“Light Bringers, my Lord?” shrugged Smoke.
“Do not even attempt to deny it,” went on Cipactli, pointing at the soul orb around Sharur’s waist.
“Oh, that!” said Smoke, smiling. “Yes… they just came from Reialma.”
“Where they refilled it with soul energy,” said Cipactli. “I am aware of how it works.”
“Of course,” mumbled Smoke, unsure of what to say next. “Um… Lord Cipactli, we’re here to gather the consensus of the Guardians. What’s your opinion on Lord Xolotl?”
At once, Cipactli’s elongated snout spat out acid saliva, melting a portion of the barren Insel. “I’m grateful for that treacherous fool. If not for Xolotl I would not have become ruler of Monstro Afiado. But who in their right mind would defy the orders of King Mictlantec and Queen Micteca?”
“Right? That’s just insane,” said Smoke, slowly retreating.
“Wait, you said Lord Xolotl,” boomed Cipactli. “You’re here for Xolotl’s Crown, aren’t you?”
“Who said that? No one mentioned any crown,” said Smoke, looking at his friends knowingly, telling them to get ready.
“No! You’re followers of Xolotl!” screamed the caiman-headed giant and lifted both of its massive gorilla hands, only to send it pounding down at Smoke and his companions.
SCHILD SCHILD
Prepared for the attack, Smoke put up a multi-layered Manatl wall in front of them. His sacred clay staff glowed after being pummeled by Cipactli’s knuckles.
Sharur and Laernea sped towards the opposite sides of Cipactli, attacking it with their bow and arrows as they ran farther apart.
Jeter leaped out from Smoke’s Manatl and thrust his spear into Cipactli’s left knee cap.
Meanwhile, Baba leaped backward and began playing a tune that simultaneously increased their power and decreased Cipactli’s.
Smoke would have wanted to fight with his twin hook swords, but he wanted to witness Jeter’s progress. So, he settled with playing support and blocked Cipactli’s attack with his Manatl barriers.
Despite Sharur and Laernea’s inferior weapons, their damage against Cipactli was significant. Their rapid and consistent strikes chipped away the giant gorilla’s life bar. “Bothersome insects!” cried out Cipactli, annoyed at their ranged attacks.
Steadily, they reduced Cipactli’s life bar which now displayed (2,850,356/4,000,000 SP).
Accepting his role as tank, Jeter made sure to aggravate the caiman-headed gorilla more than Sharur and Laernea, forcing the behemoth to focus on attacking only him. He stabbed Cipactli’s big toe. Then, ran behind the caiman-headed monster, rapidly stabbing its legs along the way.
SCHILD SCHILD
Smoke’s Manatl wall rang loudly as it blocked the colossal hands aimed for Jeter.
Jeter switched targeting Cipactli’s legs and even landed a critical strike behind one of its kneecaps, forcing the giant down on one knee.
With things going so well for them, Jeter let it get to his head. He jumped onto Cipactli’s back, aiming for its nape.
However, Cipactli long arms effortlessly reached the charging Jeter. Sadly, Smoke could not defend in time. Massive gorilla hands swatted Jeter away, draining his life bar to less than half.
With Jeter sprawled on the ground, Cipactli was about to finish him off with its palms. “Chupa-mos! You’re mine!”
Desperate, Sharur and Laernea tried aiming for its head but they only got its cheeks, not enough to stop the giant gorilla from pounding Jeter into a sycophant inundated forest.
SCHILD SCHILD SCHILD
Smoke managed to put up a four-multilayered wall in between Jeter and Cipactli’s palms. Yet, cracks quickly appeared on the barrier. His sacred clay staff glowed brightly, indicating it was beyond capacity.
“Baba!” cried out Smoke.
JANG JANG JANG
From his seated position, Baba leaped over Cipactli’s head. Forcibly striking the strings of his lute, he severed the strings. Using one of his hidden abilities, the strings astronomically multiplied and entangled around Cipactli’s arms.
“Smoke, do it now!” yelled Baba from above.
With his glowing staff in hand, Smoke ran up Cipactli’s back. “Vape, Ponderous Mist!” The snake-like wyvern did as commanded and coated the giant gorilla in the cumbersome fog.
“Merda! Dirty followers of Xolotl, show yourselves!” cried out Cipactli as it tried to free itself from Baba’s strings. But coupled with the Ponderous Mist, it could barely move.
When Smoke reached its head, he activated his Mictlander’s Eye and lifted the sacred clay staff over his shoulders, striking its yellow caiman eye with all his might.
A blinding flash of light escaped out of Vape’s Ponderous Mist.
Cipactli’s life bar displayed that it had only 8% left.
From within the Ponderous Mist, Smoke stood on Cipactli’s caiman snout. After releasing the gathered energy, he switched weapons. Equipping the twin hook swords, he was about to strike the remaining eye when the giant spoke.
“You’re fools for believing Xolotl,” snarled Cipactli, twitching the section of its snout where Smoke stood.
“What’s wrong with Lord Xolotl?” asked Smoke. “Even Lord Yahui approves… to some extent.”
“You’ve met Yahui?” asked Cipactli, blindly searching for Smoke in the mist. “Then Yahui’s a fool as well!” it added with disgust.
“It doesn’t have to end like this. Just give me Lord Xolotl’s Crown,” begged Smoke.
“Finish me!” snapped Cipactli. “Before I’ll rip you to shrea—”
“Wraaaaah!” screamed a frustrated Smoke as he delivered the vanquishing blow.
Cipactli’s life bar was completely drained of SP.
+ You’ve dealt a vanquishing blow to Cipactli
+ You’ve sent Cipactli to Incerto
+ You’ve gained 4,000,000 EXP
+ You’ve gained a level
Smoke grimaced. He wanted to know more about Xolotl, but Cipactli only made him more confused.
Cipactli’s body disappeared, transported to somewhere in Incerto, leaving behind a gold crown with feathers, which was even larger than Xolotl’s amulet.
+ Acquired divine crown: Xolotl’s Horns
After storing the crown away, Smoke rushed to where Jeter was. Sharur, Laernea, and Baba were already there helping him sit up.
“Well that could’ve gone easier,” said Jeter.
“Don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better,” reprimanded Baba.
“You weren’t bad at all,” said Smoke, patting Jeter’s back.
“Need to use the soul orb?” Laernea asked Jeter, concerned.
“No, no. I’ll recover soon,” said Jeter.
�
��Told you he wouldn’t use it,” added Sharur, smiling and snatched the soul orb back from Laernea.
Perplexed, Smoke tapped on Baba’s shoulder. “Mind if we talk a bit?” he whispered.
“Sure. We’ll be here for a while anyway,” answered Baba, pointing at the recovering Jeter.
After getting out of earshot, Smoke apologized to Baba. “Sorry, you had to use your other abilities. I know you want us to do this by ourselves, but I don’t think we can.”
“I know,” answered Baba. “I underestimated these guardians myself, to be honest. Don’t worry. I’ll help as best as I can, but you still have to try, okay?”
“Of course,” replied Smoke with all sincerity.
Baba stared Smoke in the eye and said. “But I’ve got a feeling there was something else?”
“What do you think of Xolotl?” asked Smoke. “Are we doing the right thing here?”
“Lord Xolotl, huh?” said Baba, looking away from Smoke and staring into the abyss. “Let’s complete the items first then we’ll see, alright?”
“Might as well. Wonder what the Naguals look like?” thought Smoke out loud.
* * * * * *
After weeks of skipping through the Insels, Smoke and his friends reached Monstro Gêmeos.
“So… Baba, what do you say?” asked Smoke, pleading with his eyes.
“Excellent!” sarcastically yelled Baba. “Let’s see if I can make the Naguals talk.”
“Perfect!” exclaimed Smoke. “Anyway, it’s not like you’ll be using any of your powers. More like you’re showcasing your Bard abilities.”
Together, the five of them stood in front of the vine-bridge that connected them to a floating island with a mansion on it.
“This looks promising,” blurted out Jeter.
“How so?” asked Laernea.
“He’s hoping that the Naguals will be civilized,” answered Sharur. “Considering that they live in a mansion.”
With their weapons hidden behind them, Smoke and his companions knocked on the embellished copper door.
A tall thin jaguar, standing on two legs, greeted them. “Yes?”
“It’s even taller than Sharur,” whispered Laernea, looking up.
“A lot smaller than Cipactli though,” mumbled Jeter back.
Baba stood in front of the group and lowered his head before the jaguar. “A pleasure to see you, Lord Nagual. We were just passing through and wished to pay tribute to the great Nagual.”
“That’s fine, just leave,” said the thin jaguar. “I’m really not in the mood to—”
Unexpectedly, another voice boomed from inside. “Magro, who is it?”
“Just some souls wanting to pay homage to the Naguals,” answered the jaguar, ushering them away.
WITIK
In a blink, another jaguar appeared at the mansion’s doorway. This one was slightly taller but much bulkier… fatter to be more precise. “Magro, where are your manners? Let them in.”
“If you say so,” said Magro, stepping aside.
The flabby jaguar smiled at them. “The name’s Lord Gordo. The better-looking brother of the Naguals,” he said, leading them into an extravagant den.
“More like the fatter Nagual if you ask me,” whispered Jeter.
“Did someone just call me fat?” asked Gordo. He stopped and stared them down.
“Of course not!” quickly answered Baba. “You’re not fat, my Lord, you’re just… easier to see.”
The chunkier jaguar raised his eyebrows. “So, what brings you to our neck of Mictlan?” Gordo sat on a large armchair and placed its feet up on the table. He then turned to the thinner Nagual. “Magro, go get me a leg of a vaca.”
“You can get it yourself,” responded Magro.
In a flash, Gordo stood up and slapped Magro right across the cheek. “Want me to smack you again?”
Fearfully, Magro shook his head. “No, no, I’ll get the vaca leg.” The thin jaguar walked over to a table directly behind them, well within hearing distance.
“Sorry about that,” said Gordo, sitting back into the comfortable chair. “Dumb twin still doesn’t get the concept.”
“My, you must be really close to King Mictlantec if you’re eating one of his special cows,” said Baba.
“You can say that,” said Gordo. “Some even say he thinks of me as his right-hand man,” he added, giving Laernea a wink. But then he paused. Gordo turned to Smoke and his companions, scrutinizing each one of them. “Why are you lot here again?”
“To be frank,” began Baba. “We’re here to deliver a message.”
“Message? From who?” asked Gordo.
“You know Lord Yahui, right?” began Baba. “Well, Lord Yahui told us that Lord Xolotl had already been punished enough and should be freed.”
Gordo scratched his head. “That’s the message?”
“Not quite. Lord Yahui wants to know if you agree with this, Lord Gordo?” explained Baba, completing his made up story.
“No! That old turtle doesn’t know anything,” replied Gordo.
“Sounds about right,” simultaneously answered Magro with his twin.
The two jaguars angrily faced each other, snarling.
“Ah! As always, Lord Yahui was right,” interrupted Baba, bringing the Naguals’ attention to him.
“About what?” growled Gordo.
“Lord Yahui said that Lord Magro is reasonable,” replied Baba, pausing to face the fat jaguar. “And that you, Lord Gordo, are vindictive.”
“What! That turtle says I’m vengeful? We’ll let’s just see about that!” menacingly declared Gordo.
“Don’t be like that,” said Magro, while still preparing the vaca leg. “You know Lord Yahui is—”
“An old fat imbecile?” interjected Gordo. “Of course I do.” He turned to Baba. “I like to finish Magro’s sentences because… my version is always better.”
Unsure of what to say, Baba and his companions simply nodded.
“Let me tell you, Magro’s been repeating the same mistakes in life for so long now, I think he should start calling them traditions,” went on Gordo.
Magro’s chopping of the vaca’s leg became louder and violent.
“Don’t get me wrong. Magro’s got more offensive power than me,” began Gordo. “Even Yahui wouldn’t stand a chance against a single strike from him.” The fat jaguar paused and snorted. “But he’s also very weak. Why, chaneques could easily kill him. Heck! I think even pathetic souls like yourselves could do the job.”
CHOP CHOP CHOP
Sounds of Magro’s cleaver echoed throughout the extravagant den, continuing to viciously chop the vaca’s leg.
“The only reason Magro’s alive is because of me,” explained Gordo, hitting his chest loudly. “Once, we went up against Ahuizotl. That bastard was fast! Well, what’d you expect, with a hand on its tail? Anyway, I took all of its attacks. I protected him. Held down that beast and waited until Magro smashed it in the head with his power.”
“How very noble of you,” said Baba, sardonic.
“Honestly, I’ve wanted to leave my useless twin behind,” went on Gordo. “But as you know, the reward for a job well done is more of the same disgusting work.” The fat Nagual turned around and yelled at his twin brother. “Hey! I’m starving here!”
Finally, Magro finished preparing the vaca leg and carried it on top of a silver platter.
Sighing loudly, shook his head in disapproval. “See what I have to deal with? Complete incompeten—”
THWACK
Gordo’s eyes became white as the fat jaguar fell on the floor, lifeless. His body rolled over, revealing the vaca leg protruding out of his head.
Surprised, all of them stared at the disturbed Magro still holding the silver platter in one hand. Walking slowly, the thin jaguar gently placed the platter next to his dead brother. “Why’d you make me do it?”
“It’s alright,” blurted out Jeter. “It wasn’t your fault. Your brother deserved it.”
; With crazed eyes, Magro angrily stared at Jeter. “How dare you! Didn’t you hear him? His the reason I’m still alive!” After saying this, he began shrinking in fear. “That’s right, anyone one of you could kill me now.” He ran back to the table, but even a child could have outrun him. He reached for a long pole and rolled it towards them. “There, take it! That’s Lord Xolotl’s staff. It’s the real reason you’re all here. Take it and go!”
“Look, we’re not here to hurt you,” began Smoke, walking slowly toward Magro. “We just want to know more about Lord Xolotl.”
Magro’s paw glowed with red luster. He punched the wall next to him and pulverized it. “I’ll kill anyone who comes near me. You can probably take me out, but I’ll be sure to take one of you bastards with me!”
“Let’s go,” said Baba, pulling on Smoke’s arm. “He needs to be with his brother before his body disappears.”
“Right,” answered Smoke, walking out of the Nagual’s mansion.
Before they could leave, Magro called out to them. “I believe Lord Xolotl deserves its freedom. But should you really listen to someone who just killed his own twin!”
* * * * * *
Traveling back to Xolotl’s Castle, Smoke and his friends were involved in a heated discussion.
“You know, I was hesitant about Xolotl from the start,” said Jeter, dragging his spear along the vine-bridge. “Just didn’t say anything because you guys looked so keen on his promise of a gateway back.”
“The guardians got to you, huh?” asked Sharur.
Nodding with furrowed eyebrows, Jeter answered. “You bet they did! Do you seriously think a gate to the living realm will open?”
“He has a point,” agreed Laernea. “Cipactli said that Xolotl deserves the punishment and Gordo agrees.”
“Yes, but Magro didn’t,” reasoned out Sharur.
“That’s still two against one,” pointed out Laernea, walking past the burly OrkElf.
“Two against two if you count what Yahui told Smoke,” interjected Baba.
“What about you, Smoke?” asked Jeter, turning to the only living member of their party who was lagging behind.
