[[Until We Become Lions]]

Chapter 133

Maria had been put off by the idea that Anton had not sent an entire squad to escort her through Madrugada. Was he not worried the guerillas would try attacking her vehicle? Perhaps they were finally gaining some ground back through their search for Diego. The fact that they were able to track him so quickly spoke volumes of how effective the FND truly was. Maria had had her doubts when they somehow lost Isla Sanctuario but she knew better now. She smiled at her own reflection as she looked out the window of her transport. This land would soon be back in the hands of True Yarans.

Agua Lindas covered the most northern part of Madrugada, and a quarter of the west coast. It was the furthest west corner of Madrugada that appeared to be their destination. The vehicle turned onto a dirt path that winded slightly up the face of a hill to an old steel factory. Maria was quite familiar with it. She knew the artist who operated out of here after all. Or had operated. Maria had heard through the grapevine his wife had put a hit on him, and some poor guerilla was more than happy to oblige. It was tragic to lose such talent. Maria had adorned her estate with many of his sculptures made from the flesh of Fake Yarans who were given one final purpose in their treacherous lives. It puzzled her however why Anton had asked her to meet him here. Was this where the trail for Diego had let them to?

The vehicle came to a slow stop. Maria grimaced having to open her own door as the driver remained where they were. She had not worn the appropriate footwear to be walking on such rough terrain. Madrugada was nothing but a province of horse shit and sweaty farmers. It was no wonder Anton had left the province under his nephew's control, at least up until his untimely demise.

Maria saw no indication of Anton, but did see a few guards standing just outside of the factory. Holding her head up high, she approached the men.

"Where is the presidente?"

The two soldiers looked to one another and gestured inside. Maria did not appreciate the silent treatment she was seemingly being subjected to but she brushed past the two and entered the factory. There were two floors to the factory. The lower half was what was called the splash zone while the upper level safely kept others out of the way of the liquid metal that was produced here. A few bodies were still left over, frozen in the last seconds of their life. Maria swore she could almost still smell the scent of burning metal inside the building. Maria looked around and saw Anton standing with his back against the railing of the second floor. Maria suddenly felt so small standing down here, having to look up at him.

"Maria." He said politely, "Thank you for meeting me here."

"Si, I would never pass up the opportunity." She replied, "Have you any more news about the boy?"

She tried to feign interest in the boy's rescue, but all she wanted was to return to the comfort and cleanliness of Torre de Leon.

"Before we speak of the boy-" Anton said as he turned, placing his hands on the railing, "I first want to commend you."

Maria tilted her head curiously, "Commend me?"

"Si," He smiled, "I never adequately applauded you for handling the Maximas Matanzas issue with such poise. You showed them as the rabid beasts they are while showing that the Ministry of Culture works tirelessly to better our country for its True Yarans."

Maria's lips flickered lightly trying to hold back looking too pleased with herself, but why shouldn't she be. She had been as steadfast as a boulder through every storm. The embarrassment of Maximas Matanzas' tampering at the Cultural Center unveiling in Segunda, being nearly assassinated on live-television, and now cleaning up the mess that came with the disastrous wedding ceremony that never took place. She had braved it all with a straight face, all for him. As she listed off her own achievements, Maria began to look askance. This place was certainly below her, and it was not quite what she envisioned for what Anton hoped to be a happy family reunion.

"I'm flattered Anton, but I'm a bit confused. Is this where you want to disclose the truth about me to Diego?"

She asked partially in hopes there was still a chance to bend the boy's ear to her will. To convince him to keep the secret that she had broken her contract with Anton.

"I'm glad you brought that up." Said Anton, "While your famous artist seems to be out of commission, I have been reassured by Yara's greatest artisans that his work can be recreated."

Anton pushed off the railing and motioned to someone outside of Maria's peripheral vision. She turned and saw the two guards that had been standing at the door, entering, except now they had their weapons drawn and aimed directly at her. Maria turned and looked directly at Anton as General Sanchez appeared before her with a handful of more guards. Maria's heart sank to her feet.

"What is the meaning of this?" She demanded.

Any pleasantries that had been in Anton's face quickly disappeared.

"I know you broke our contract Marquessa. I know that you planted the idea in Diego's head that he could have the freedom he desires because of Dr. Reyes's procedure to procure Danijela's eggs. I know that you are the one who helped Danijela escape with Evee."

Maria's jaw quivered as she felt the soldiers inch closer to her. Fear and anger swelled in her like a hurricane.

"How can you possibly accuse me of such false claims?"

"You have always been a terrible actress." Anton said cooly, "Might I remind you how you left one lowly guard to secure Danijela yesterday? One fucking guard against a woman who fights like an entire army. If you had any competence you would have known better."

"Absurda!" Maria shouted as her entire body trembled, "Why does everything fall back to her! You think she's so fucking perfect, so amazing. What about me? I have been by your side from the beginning. Everything I have done, I have done because I love this country. Because I loved you. But now I see you for the pathetic man you are. Still vying for his mother's unrequited love. Still trying to correct your father's mistakes."

The more she yelled, the more she could feel saliva spooling out of the corner of her lips. She however cared no more for appearances, not when everything was falling apart before her eyes.

"I will not see all the progress we have made wash down the drain because of your obsession for a whore and her sister. Everything we have done is becoming unraveled because you can't let her go."

"So you admit you are responsible for this treason?" Anton asked.

"If treason is what you want to call protecting one's country" Maria scowled, "then so be it."

Anton gave a cold stare.

"I did not lie when I said you have done much for this country. So I will give you the option of how you will die."

Anton briefly glanced upward which instinctively drew Maria's own attention. A conveyor belt crane was holding a large cast iron structure that was emitting steam from the top. A lip protruded from the cast iron structure, indicating it was meant for pouring.

"Stay where you are and be forever immortalized as a martyr of the Yaran government, killed at the hands of guerillas, or step one foot out of place and be subjected to the firing squad."

Maria's eyes grew wide and wild.

"Are you absolutely delusional-!"

She inched forward but stopped immediately as a bullet struck her ear. She screamed, palming the missing appendage with her hand. The pain tore through her entire skull like a rocket ricocheting. She remained frozen where she stood.

"Presidente, Anton, I-I can make this right. I can make it right. Please! Please!"

Anton frowned with little sympathy.

"You have always wanted to be Yara's queen even though you did not deserve it. But I will at least grant you a golden crown that you deserve."

Maria Marquessa's cries were drowned out as piping hot liquid gold poured down upon her, pulling her skin from bone, melting into a mass of ooze on the floor. Her mind combated this reality by tricking her for the last few milliseconds of her life into believing she was embracing the warmth of the lion's sun-

-with rays of gold flooding over her.