Revolutions

73 - Inuxeq

"How do you know they are headed to Qapauma now?" Mexqutli is confused by my revelation, but it's the only one that makes sense. The mystery as to why the gray beasts abruptly left us behind as they raced south leaves me perplexed. However, there must be a reason for their sudden departure, and I'm fairly confident I know the dreadful answer.

"When I was captured and in the presence of the Sunfire," I say, standing up to pace while I talk through my explanation, "he mentioned that the Eye in the Flame was preparing to gain control over their homeland, Ulxa."

"Yes, we are all aware of this," Mexqutli says, sounding bored and annoyed, wanting me to get to my point quickly.

"But," I press on, ignoring his poor manners, "he also discussed why he believed the Timuaq fell—'due to their own arrogance,' he claimed—and that all the other factions won't be able to resist what's coming. As though we're all merely placeholders while they plan to pick up where the Timuaq left off."

"You're proposing this cult, whom we've only encountered here in the north of Pachil, have ambitions of conquering the entire continent?" Sianchu seems unable to grasp the Eye in the Flame's delusional ambitions.

"The Sunfire genuinely believes the Eye in the Flame can sustain their rule where the Timuaq could not," I answer, picking up my pace in an effort to calm myself down and not respond patronizingly. "Whether we believe that or not is inconsequential; this Sunfire person believes the followers of this cult are chosen by their god, Ez... Ezel..."

"Eztletiqa," Mexqutli once again corrects my pronunciation, saying the god's name with ease.

"Right, him. Anyway, they figure to carry out this Sunfire's plan to conquer what he believes is rightfully theirs."

"Then why does he not instead conquer the Ulxa, and then use their forced servitude to attack the Tapeu capital?" Mexqutli questions.

"Because that would take too long," I reply. "The march from Ulxa to Tapeu would go through numerous territories, who could all send messengers that are fleet of foot racing to the capital to warn them. When they have the capabilities to create their own armies of warriors from anywhere, they can instead quickly launch an assault. And if it fails–"

"They'll simply create more warriors from the deceased to launch another attack," Sianchu finishes my thought. This grim comprehension immediately dampens the mood, knowing we likely encountered only a minuscule number of gray creatures in the cult's control. Although I was initially invigorated by our discussion, this realization, as well as looking at the devastation around us, immediately brings me down from my excitable temperament.

The Qantua warriors, wounded and weary, are clearly demoralized by what they just faced in battle. Their once steadfast gazes now flicker with uncertainty, their stoic expressions occasionally breaking to reveal the underlying fear and exhaustion. As they tend to their injuries and prepare a meager camp, hushed conversations ripple through their ranks. I sense their growing disillusionment, the creeping doubt about our mission's feasibility. The prospect of facing an army capable of resurrecting its fallen warriors is daunting, and grasping the task ahead threatens to crush our resolve.

"We must move quickly," Sianchu's low rumble breaks the silence. "If the Eye in the Flame is indeed marching towards Qapauma, we have little time to waste."

Mexqutli nods in agreement, his usual calm demeanor now edged with urgency. "We need to warn the capital. The Tapeu must prepare for what is coming."

My mind races with plans and strategies. "We'll send scouts ahead to Qapauma with the news. They must know what they're up against."

Dusk begins to settle among the remnants of Xaqelatun. While we make preparations to rest before moving out at the break of dawn, it's clear there are those among the Qantua warriors who, at the present moment, are not interested in sleep. Before we can finalize our plan, the crunch of hurried footsteps approaches our location.