Chapter Text
"Are you afraid, Nacxitl?"
The words rung and echoed in the priest's head like it had been mere hours ago they were spoken.
Truthfully, his answer to this question from a citizen he knew still hadn't changed despite his experience.
"Absolutely terrified," He had answered.
This sentiment hadn't faded away, it had only grown with time.
"Ahem" A man's voice snapped aggressively behind him.
"... Telpochtli." Nacxitl frowned.
"Took you long enough, you're always sitting there at your knees, do you have nothing better to do than yearn?" He hummed.
"Say what you want and leave before I force you out," Nacxitl threatened.
"This... boy. Have you heard?"
"You'll need to be more specific," He crossed his arms.
Telpochtli sat cross-legged on the floor of the other man's home. "Izel. Many different areas have seen him by now, some of them speaking of an emissary of Lord Tezcatlipoca accompanying him. I am unsure of what is happening, I am assuming it is a conflict between gods..." He explained, "However, I was wondering if you've heard anything of this."
"No, I have not. I've heard the name, but it was briefly. I may have a close connection when it comes to Lord Quetzalcoatl but I do not know absolutely everything. You should really start realizing that," He spoke, a hint of bitterness spilling into his tone, "If I were to guess, you are correct in assuming it is a conflict between gods, and not one that we need to know."
"I would like to know." Telpochtli huffed.
"Perhaps with time. For now all we can hope to do is stay loyal to our duties and gods, this is not something we are involved in and I do not plan involving myself unless it were wished upon me by the gods. I would like for you to leave, now."
"What if I wasn't finished speaking?" The priest of Tezcatlipoca's eyebrows knit together tightly, frowning at the other man.
"Well were you?" Nacxitl looked him dead in the eye,
"...Yes." He admit, his head hanging low.
"Then leave." Nacxitl then added firmly.
"Fuck youuu" Telpochtli groaned and got up, leaving.
"How immature." He shook his head and stood up, leaving his small home to walk and get some fresh air.
As he found himself in a secluded area, a snake wound around his leg and up to his shoulder, it's eyes a bright yellow.
Suddenly, a voice spoke. Strangely enough, it's origin was certainly the snake, however, the snake's mouth did not move, as if the voice was a force coming from another internal force within the snake, using it like a vessel.
He felt his face heat up with shame when it took so long for realization to finally have struck him.
"Priest." Was all the snake said at first.
"My lord." He trembled a bit, internally kicking himself at his own sheepishness.
"You needn't feel nervous, I am not angry; All I want is a word with you.' Quetzalcoatl reassured.
"Of course." He nodded quickly,
'Always so quick to comply, aren't you?' The god chuckled 'It is not a fault of course, it's quite appreciated.'
"Thank you." He responded cordially.
'I heard over the conversation with the priest of Tezcatlipoca.' Quezalcoatl began.
"I see... if it was a matter you found inappropriate of us to discuss I assure you I shall not speak a word regarding it ever again." He said quickly.
"No no, I'm not angry, but as I trust you very much-" He paused to chuckle as he noticed the priest's flustered expression at the words, "-I figured I should enlighten you a bit on the current situation."
"Very well." Nacxitl sat down, the snake still coiling around his shoulder. and down to his lap, resting his head on his extended palm.
"You aren't very far off in assuming there was a 'conflict' so to say. Due to a blood drought, there was a bet placed between Tezcatlipoca and I. If humanity's champion, which I chose is to close the gates to the underworld before the new moon, Tezcatlipoca will not take my blood offerings and he will not end this sun and begin a new age- but if the boy fails, Tezcatlipoca gets his piece. No other deities can interfere, but Tezcatlipoca assigned his most loyal emissary, Yaotl to aid the boy, and he has gathered some friends since the beginning of his journey.' He explained.
"Right. Anytime I've heard someone speak of this 'Izel' boy, they speak of his eyes, and how they are a beacon. That he was cursed by the underworld. Is this true?" He wondered.
"It is, this is why many people you may hear speak of him are not very welcoming." Quetzalcoatl said.
By this point, feathers were beginning to form beneath the scales of the snake, brushing against the priest's arm.
"I appreciate you telling me all this."
"You're quite welcome." Chuckled the god before the snake blew away to nothing but dust.
WIth that, Nacxitl sighed and stood up.
A bet, relying on some teenage boy.
The world better be ready to be torn apart again if this boy is to fail.