Aztlan, Mictlan

After learning the truth about Uriel…La Catrina decided to take everyone to the dining hall where she would explain everything to the group…

“Hey…stop staring at me…it’s embarrassing…” Uriel pushes Alejandro and Emma away. Both of them continue to stare:

“The Horseman of War…the famous Horseman of War was always in front of our eyes…hey do you know the other three?”

“No…Those guys are scattered throughout the Earth…”

“Oh wow…Mr. Uriel…are you the one who causes the wars?”

“No…”

“Aww…I thought that the Horseman of War was actually War itself…”

“I am…but it’s complicated…”

“Fufufu…I’m sorry Uriel…I didn’t mean to reveal your identity…” La Catrina apologizes, Uriel shakes his head:

“Don’t be…they were going to find out eventually…”

La Catrina lowers the lighting of the room; “Now then…I believe it’s important for everyone to understand the origins of mana and the Horsemen…”

La Catrina takes out a special pipe and begins to smoke as she explains:

“In the past, the entire population could sense and use manna; there even those who could control massive amounts of manna that people considered them Gods. Many cultures started worshiping heroes as divine entities, if one could control mana, they could become immortal. The earth gave us a great gift.”

Everyone looks at the fire and La Catrina blows smoke and shows images as she continues to speak:

“Humans by nature have the sin of greed and always want more of what they have. Soon the gods began to fight among each other causing a massive amount of destruction in the earth. They open a rift in time and space making four entities appear.”

The smoke begins to take form of form people riding horses as La Catrina explains:

“They were equestrians riding black horses with different colored eyes. The first one had a green-eyed horse, which brought sickness to the world; with the sickness, it brought conquest. It carries a bow and an arrow and when he fires to the chosen ones, the necessity of conquering appears in their heart. He also has a battle ax said to split the continents apart. When that horse passes through the lands, diseases strike the people, killing everyone around. He is now known as Conquest.”

Uriel remembers that in his vision he saw a man with green eyes known as Conquista. La Catrina continues to explain:

“The second equestrian has a horse with blue eyes. It carries a scale and when he passes through the lands, he could judge what amount of resources the land could hold. Sometimes the equestrian believed that none was worth-having resources, he would measure the land’s wealth with his scale and if the scale said that they were not worthy, he would cause people to starve to death, this is how many civilizations were wiped out of hunger. He is known as Famine.”

Tiwa and Emma observe the figures. Alejandro observes figures thinking; “The next one is…”

“The third equestrian has a horse with red eyes, and that one is you, it is said that if he appeared in the nations, ferocious battles would always happen, he carries a flame sword and destroys everything in his path. Though it may not be the most powerful of the four it is the most influential, because he could convince the people to fight one another with the simple swing of his sword. He is known as War”

Alejandro looks shocked to learn that Uriel is in fact the most evil being that his religion spoke of. Uriel remembers how the nuns and everyone in the Ministry feared him, just like his mother:

“This power…it’s evil…and yet…I need it…”

Tiwa gets close to Uriel; “Well…my friend is the most powerful being of the world…and his kind soul will one day save this world…”

“She’s right you might have an evil power but you have a gentle soul.” Alejandro and Emma also get close to him. Uriel is speechless, Anastasia looks at La Catrina; “Can you explain the last one?”

“Alright… Now let me explain the most powerful of the four.”

La Catrina blows smoke from her mouth, she puts a serious expression and explains:

“The last equestrian has a horse with white eyes, it is said that he was sealed by God before the birth of humanity. He is as old as the Bible God, the only equestrian that was born without the help of humans because it is natural because that cannot be stopped even if we want to. It took the form of a man without any explanations and joined the group. He carries a scythe, and everywhere he passes, people die without explanation. He is said to know Darkness itself, and even God could not stop him, the opposite of Life known as Death. What is frightening is not only his strength but the army he controls of reapers called “Cegadores”, it is said that they work all around the world taking the souls who die to the Purgatory to be judged.``

Everyone looks in shock, La Catrina smiles; “I may be the ruler of Mictlan…but that being is the owner of the land of the dead…”

“Really, is he that powerful?” Alejandro asks nervously. La Catrina nods in agreement:

“The Land of the Dead is divided into many regions and areas just like the continents and countries in the land of the living…You see, there are many Gods of Death from many Pantheons who control the regions…but everyone of those parts of the land is controlled by the Horseman of Death…”

(GULP)

The group is speechless, Uriel only closes his eyes as he listens to the last part of the explanation.

“Those four became known as “The Four Horsemen.” They exist between life and death, once you possess that power, you are no longer alive but you are not dead, you are in between. According to the teachings of Alexandria; before the birth of the son of God, there was a beast that appeared out of nowhere and began the destruction of the earth, it took the gods from all over the world to seal it, the seals were separated across the earth, and the four horsemen were separated as well. It is rare to see two of them together. They are not immortal except Death and need to pass down their powers to the next generation just like your predecessor did with you.”

“Hey Uriel…are you alright?” Alejandro looks at Uriel. Uriel nods in agreement; “To be honest…I only accepted this power to save my family…but my existence was erased…the only who remembered me was you…”

Uriel points at Alejandro, Alejandro scratches his cheek; “Well…I don’t know why but I guess it was fate…”

“It was fate…everything is written down in the Book of Fate…given to us by the Horseman of Death…” La Catrina summons a large book.

The Book of Fate is a special object handed down to the Gods of Death from the Horseman of Death…the large book is brown with a special skull symbol on the cover and in the back. The book looks old and it tells the fate of the name the user puts the name.

“WOOW…THE BOOK OF FATE…IT’S REAL!” Alejandro looks with enthusiasm. Uriel sighs; “That book…I remember seeing it a long time ago…”

“Well…your Predecessor and you visited me a long time ago…”

“I see…”

“Can we take a look?” Alejandro gets closer, La Catrina chuckles:

“I wouldn’t recommend it…if you take a look…you will lose your sight…”

Alejandro immediately steps back; “Sorry…”

“Now then…how are we supposed to get out?” Tiwa asks Uriel. Uriel looks at the group and begins to explain:

“We must head to Xibalba…the land of the forgotten…there is a door protected that we can use to cross to the world of the living…am I right?” Uriel looks at La Catrina. She nods in agreement:

“Indeed there is…but it is heavily guarded by the Judges of Xibalba…”

“You mean those Gods?” Alejandro and Emma look scared. La Catrina smiles; “It’s getting late…and everyone must recover…I will explain everything tomorrow…”

Alejandro looks around; “Where is Xbalanque…”

“She’s in her room…you should go talk to her…” Hunaphu steps forward, Alejandro nods in agreement. Immediately, Anastasia and Tiwa stand up:

“Who is Xbalanque?”

“Oh she is an amazing person who saved my life…” Alejandro replies with a smile. Anastasia and Tiwa panic:

“She?”

“Come on you two…La Catrina said that we could go to the city and explore…” Emma pulls both of them. Hunaphu acts like a gentleman:

“I will be your guide…”

“Why thank you…” Emma smiles as the group leaves. Uriel is left with La Catrina. La Catrina smiles at Uriel:

“Well boy…you look rather annoyed…is there something bothering you…”

“It’s nothing…I feel tired…I’m going to bed…”

“Sure…one of my guards will guide you to the guest room…”

“Thank you…”

***************************************************************************

Xbalanque’s Room

Alejandro decided to visit Xbalaque’s room because he hasn’t seen her since he lost consciousness…

(KNOCK KNOCK)

“Hello Xbalanque…it’s me Alejandro…are you there? I want to talk to you…” Alejandro calls for Xbalanque but there is no response. Alejandro look to his sides:

“Did I make a mistake…I’m sure Hunaphu actually…whoa…”

Suddenly, someone pulls Alejandro inside the room. -PPUUMM- “Ouch…what was that for?”

Alejandro looks at the room and opens his eyes wider; “I-I-Incredible!!!”

Xbalanque’s room is a fool otaku/geek room…it has bookshelves filled with manga and American comic books…it also has posters from t different popular shows made famous throughout the year…

“It’s like a geek paradise…” Alejandro looks with wonder. Xbalanque approaches him; “Do you like it? I’ve been building this collection for years…”

Alejandro nods with a big smile. Xbalanque lowers her head; “Listen…there is something I would like to tell you…I’m sorry…I’m sorry for having you face danger when I could have taken you directly to the palace…”

Alejandro looks at Xbalanque sad; “I just wanted to have some fun with you…because being the daughter of the ruler of Mictlan…not many people wants to talk to me…and I bet you don’t to talk to me either…I bet you’re mad at me as well…”

“What are you saying? I had the time of my life…I mean I got to do some incredible stuff and I got to meet those two marvelous people…they were my grandparents right?”

Xbalanque nods in agreement; “My mother returned their memory to them to help us…usually when souls arrive here…their memories disappear…”

“I see now…well, to be honest…I am really thankful…I had so much fun…and I would like to be your friend…” Alejandro smiles at her. Xbalanque with tears runs and hugs Alejandro:

“Thank you…thank you…of course we can be friends…”

“Good…I’m glad…”

Xbalanque pulls Alejandro’s hand; “Come on…I have incredible manga collections I want to show you…”

Alejandro and Xbalanque looked at all of her collection…

***************************************************************************

Guest Room…

“Uriel...Uriel…”

(BADUMP BADUMP BADUMP)

“NNNNOOO!!!!” Uriel wakes up sweating as he had the same dream as before:

“Damn it…why now? Why do I have those dreams? Why are you here…Uriel Vazquez?”

Uriel stands up from his bed and heads to the window to observe the city.

(KNOCK KNOCK)

Suddenly, someone knocks on the door; “Come in…”

“I see you awake…” La Catrina enters the room, her appearance is that of a human, with brown skin and yellow eyes. She wears a red robe as she approaches Uriel:

“Oh my…I didn’t think you were awake…I was going to make my move on you while you were asleep…fufufu…”

“That would be pedophile…I am 16 you know…”

La Catrina gets closer to him, she puts her arms on his chest; “Fufufu…both you and I know that age is just a number…besides…the moment you became the Horseman of War…your age disappear…for what I know…your over 2000 years old am I right?”

“You have a point…”

“You see…you have that presence that makes me feel so…lustful…”

“I am not interested…”

“Oh and why is that?”

“Because…I already have someone that I love…”

La Catrina takes off her robe and walks towards the light revealing her body; “Am I not attractive to you? Don’t you desire me?”

“Of course I do…however, I am a gentleman…and I know that Xolotl would kill me if he knew that I was sleeping with his wife….” Uriel chuckles, La Catrina wraps her arms around him:

“I really love a man like you…and my husband probably cheats on me more than you can imagine…”

“I’m sorry…” Uriel apologizes, La Catrina proceeds in putting her robe on again. Uriel looks at her:

“I have a question…my soul…can you see it?”

“Of course I can…I can see that you have a strange presence within your soul…let me show you…”

(SNAP)

La Catrina snaps her fingers, Uriel shines as another soul appears beside him. The soul has the form of a younger version of Uriel. Uriel opens his eyes wider; “That’s Uriel Vazquez…but how…how is he here? He was supposed to have died 5 years ago?”

“It appears someone else has that part of you…maybe you shared your mana before you were reborn?”

Uriel remembers Juan’s words; “That’s right…Uriel Vazquez shared a little bit of mana to Alejandro…”

“Fufufu…you found your answer…” La Catrina looks at the moon; “Here in Mictlan…souls are manifested with more presence…Uriel…that soul of yours will continue to grow…”

“I see…is there a way that I can get rid of that part?”

“Of course there is…you will have to take it back from Alejandro…and also…you must kill it yourself…”

“I understand…that’s what I am going to do?”

“Are you willing to destroy the last piece of humanity that you have?”

“Of course…that part is consuming me…and it is my weakness…I must get rid of it before I become weaker…”

“You know…weakness is such a vague word…I consider myself weak when compared to other Gods of Death…and yet…people believe I am the most powerful being here…”

“I see…” La Catrina gets closer to him; “Uriel…even if you lose your humanity…don’t lose the kindness of your soul…”

“Good…now then, time for my reward…”

“I thought I told you that I wouldn’t be with you…”

“Fufufu…but a little kiss wont hurt you wouldn’t it…” La Catrina gets closer to him. Uriel sighs with his eyes closed; “Very well…”

La Catrina proceeds to kiss him under the starry sky of Mictlan.

And so…the team prepares to depart as they head towards the Land of the Forgotten with new knowledge and new enemies approaching…