It's an odd serenity I feel amidst this peaceful, quiet trek through the Qiapu mountains, knowing what I've left behind in Pichaqta, and what I may face in Qespina and beyond. The wind swiftly winds through the crags and carries with it the promise of a storm, a harbinger of the trials that lie ahead. But with each step upon these steep, rocky slopes, my resolve hardens like the mountains themselves, unwavering and bold. My determination revitalizes me, knowing that Paxilche, Pomaqli, and I have woven together a solid plan to confront the Eye in the Flame, a beacon of hope that steadies my heart against the coming darkness.
The peaks soar skyward before me, crafting jagged silhouettes against the heavens as the great stone sentinels stand like white-robed elders in a sacred gathering. I tread softly upon the rug of lush green ground that unfurls beneath my feet, its striking color the result of a recent rain. I observe how quickly and aggressively the storms appear and vanish in these mountains, requiring me to take brief shelter beneath the rock formations. A sharp intake of the pure, crisp air fills my lungs, a stark difference from the moist breath of Sanqo, my forested homeland. The mountains' frozen tears nestle in the rock amongst an expanse of blue sky untouched by the smoke of village hearths. In this moment, I feel the spirits of Pachil gently urge me toward the unknown, toward my destiny.
Occasionally, I retrieve the two amulets, worn around my neck, and gaze upon them, curious as to the true power they wield. Though I question the accuracy regarding the legends spoken by Saxina about the ornate jade and onyx amulet, there must be something to the tales told about them. Seeing the one sorcerer cast balls of flame that hurtled toward his foes, I'm inclined to believe there's an element of truth behind the stories after all. That said, I wonder how I've managed to maintain my capabilities without such amulets, having possessed my ability to manipulate water since I was much younger. There are many mysteries that are currently unsolved, and these amulets are the latest ones to appear, yet I hope the shaman in Qespina will be able to shed light upon what is taking place.
The second, more rustic amulet, a deep black onyx stone with swirls of white and encased in unembellished gold, is a curiosity to me. Paxilche was able to remove this from the slain sorcerer, but none of us had a moment to inspect it closely to learn what it does or where it's from. That the person who once wore it was able to perform such powerful magic is concerning, and though I hope the shaman has insight into this piece, I'm worried that more of these exist among the cult, providing such power to more people with evil intentions. Bearing this thought in mind, I realize just how urgently I need to reach Qespina.
After what feels like an entire moon cycle climbing up and down mountain slopes, the path on which I travel begins to descend into a narrow valley between two steep peaks. Before setting out on this journey, Paxilche warned me of the dangerous descent ahead, emphasizing the need for careful steadiness to conquer the daunting path. Navigating this route has been anything but easy, and I find myself deeply admiring the Qiapu people for their remarkable resilience in thriving amidst such perilous conditions.
While I take in the various hues of blue among the sheer cliffs and the greenery that clings to them, a panicked shout pierces the gentle whistling of the wind. My head swivels in an effort to identify the direction of the hollering, and instinctually I drop my belongings to chase down the distressed person. The rocky terrain crackles beneath my feet and I sprint toward the yells for help. Eventually, I arrive upon a woman, aged roughly two dozen harvests, her long, dark brown hair tied in a loose braid at the back of her head. She wears a plain, white shawl over her long, white huipil dress, stitched at various locations in blue, magenta, and yellow thread. Her face contorts in anguish, every line etched in deep pain.
Upon seeing me, the poor woman shrieks, "My child! My child! You must save my child!"
"My good lady," I say, steadying my voice and gently resting my hands upon her shoulders in an effort to calm her down. "What has happened to your child?"
YOU ARE READING
Revolutions
FantasyAt long last, the oppressive rule of the titans has ended. We are finally free, thanks to the sacrifice of The Eleven, who unified a fractured land and used their supernatural powers to defeat the Timuaq. There are many like myself who have only kno...
