Neophyte

Tears

Metztli was the first to get out of the Chief's home, folding her arms and hands together. She was seething that Esteban was asked to be a spy. 

"Wait." Esteban went after Metztli; he caught up to her. He grabbed her left arm. "Stop."

Metztli stopped but didn't look at him. "Esteban, please tell me that you're not going to do it. You have no obligation to do so."

"I know that I don't have an obligation, but I need to do this."

"You need to do this?" Metztli slowly turned around as she took her arm back. "Why? Do you feel the need to be a hero? You could be put in danger. The Bishops will even suspect you of being against them. You could be hurt or even worse."

She was worried about his safety, and he felt warm that Metztli cared for him. However, the situation was dire, and something needed to be done. "Metztli, they will not harm me since they do not suspect me of having worked for Victoriano. I will not be a spy forever, and I will inform Toypurina that I will only spy for a specific amount of time." Esteban gently held her hands. "Especially since we are to be married. I have an obligation to you."

Metztli still felt uncertain about the plan, and she wondered if Esteban had forgotten to help her find a way to return to her timeline. Yet Metztli felt she couldn't leave just yet, since she wanted to help Mitena and Victoriano with Valentina. "Esteban, remember your promise."

"I haven't forgotten. I...want to spend as much time with you as I possibly can, if you ever return to your time."

The two looked at one another; they slowly motioned their lips toward each other, but they were interrupted when Mitena ran. The couple separated as they came to understand what was happening. 

"Mitena!" Victoriano ran after her before either could ask what was going on. 

Toypurina stood outside her brother's home, looking grim. "Toypurina, what's going on!?"

"Mitena is trying to get to Valentina. Victoriano, my brother, and I were speaking about the plan when Mitena took the opportunity to run out."

"Toypurina, Valentina...is she...?"

"Valentina is no longer the one we used to know. No matter what I say, Mitena and Victoriano will face Valentina eventually." Toypurina remained silent for a moment before speaking again. "I know that you will heal her."

Esteban and Metztli looked at each other and then at Toypurina. "M-Me?"

"You understand her more than anyone. She needs one who doesn't agree with her. She needs someone honest." Toypurina let out a small, sad smile. "You two are closer than you think."

"What do you mean?"

"You will see." Toypurina reentered the kiche leaving the couple alone.

Esteban and Metztli watched as Mitena did her best to avoid Victoriano; she begged the people to tell her where Valentina was. "Valentina can't be far; she wouldn't leave the village," Esteban said, feeling pity.

"I know, but Valentina experienced something very traumatic. She also wouldn't want to see her parents."

"You are right about that."

The duo turned around and saw Guillermo; he looked tired. "Nonantzin will not give up until she speaks with my sister." Guillermo and everyone noticed that Mitena ran inside a certain kizh; Victoriano went after her. Everyone watched silently, as did many villagers.

Metztli then went to Guillermo and gently held his arm. "Guillermo, you went through a lot with everything that has happened. I never asked you how you were feeling."

Guillermo massaged his eyes. "Not good, Metztli. I am still processing that all the lives we have lived were a lie, and that my sister was violated. Tch, sometimes I wonder why we were born in this life if we are to be treated like cattle."

She glanced at Esteban, who looked ahead. "What would be the point of Esteban spying? It wouldn't make a difference at all. This land would still be taken and my people..." Out of the corner of her eye, Metztli saw Victoriano dragging a crying Mitena out of the specific kiche. Metztli unintentionally squeezed onto Guillermo's arm. It hurt to see Mitena in her state. Victoriano looked as if he were trying to contain his tears. 

"I must imagine my sister did not wish to see them." Guillermo shook his head and covered his eyes. Metztli suspected that Guillermo wanted to cry from the frustration. She didn't want him to feel ashamed for doing such an intimate response. 

"Don't hold it in, Guillermo. Let it go. Mourn."

Guillermo noticed that Metztli hadn't let go of his arm. She didn't eye him with pity but with understanding. Esteban then looked at him and nodded. "I will go unload all of your belongings." He walked away, and Metztli was grateful that Esteban wanted to give Guillermo privacy.

Metztli then hugged Guillermo and pressed his face against one of her shoulders. Guillermo stood silently as his body slowly went limp, but he then hugged Metztli. A whimper escaped his lips; his body trembled. He then fell to his knees; Metztli felt his tears dripping on her clothes, but she didn't mind. Guillermo whimpered and quietly cried; he felt despair and exhaustion. "Why her!? Why did she have to suffer!? Why were we born into such a cruel life!? I should have protected her!"

Guillermo cried as all he could speak about was his sister.

Metztli only hugged him, letting him express his sadness. His love for his sister was great, and she couldn't imagine the pain he felt knowing his sister was hurt in the worst of ways. She looked ahead, seeing Victoriano comforting Mitena as everyone watched with great sadness.

Toypurina's words echoed in her mind. "I know you will heal her." Metztli wondered if Toypurina knew more than she let on. "Perhaps, Toypurina is right. I may be the only one who could get to her," she thought. However, Metztli believed that she couldn't do it alone. Looking down at Guillermo, they were the only ones who didn't know the truth about her origin. 

She believed it was time to tell them the truth.