The warm spring wind came from the ocean, bringing moist and fresh air that uplifted the spirits. Sunlight scattered over the tranquil Lake Patzcuaro, creating bright sparkles like the smile of a deity. The lake surface, like a massive silver mirror, reflected the clouds in the sky, casting shadows of an unknown future.
In the sky, flocks of geese occasionally headed north, singing the song of flight, overlooking the peaceful waterside. Along the shore of the lake, the fertile fields were already covered with lush wild grass and unidentified wildflowers. Rabbits jumped in the fallow fields, and birds nested in desolate villages. The tropical monsoon never ceased; when human traces vanished, new life quietly emerged. It erased all cruel marks, painting a picture of natural abundance. This was March in the lands around the lake, the vast fertile ground promised by the Heavenly Divine.
Old Militia Chiwaco stood atop the tall walls of Qinchongcan, blind to the scenic water towns outside the city. Clad in Samurai leather armor decorated with hummingbird patterns, a Tarasco soft circlet on his head, and gripping a sharp copper spear one and a half men tall, he exuded an uncommon valor. At this moment, his face bore a fierce expression as he gripped a middle-aged Militia man by the collar with his free left hand, repeatedly questioning him with a severe tone.
"Just how many are in the Mexica army from the north?"
"Many, as numerous as the corn in the fields," the middle-aged Militia man said wearily. His face was yellow with starvation, his body covered in dirt from hiding, just like a groundhog emerging from the fields.
"How many reinforcements have come from Chapala?"
"Very many, more than the pumpkin leaves in the fields."
"Comparing your forces to the Mexica, which is greater?"
This was a difficult question. The middle-aged Militia man stood still, counted on his fingers for a while, then started uncertainly,
"It seems... we are more? Our people filled the plains, and there were gaps among the Mexica... Yes, we are more! When we scattered to escape, the Mexica couldn’t catch up, they could only hold on to the troops of the Warrior nobility!"
"Damn it! Then tell me, why did you flee in defeat after one battle, scattering completely like cowardly ducks?! You’ve been sending messages every other day, boasting that you would come to , yet you have not even caught a glimpse of the Capital City’s shadow!"
Chiwaco roared. His voice trembled, and hidden within the tremble was deep-seated fear. Fear transformed into anger, causing him to push the middle-aged Militia man fiercely against the wall, staring him down intently.
The middle-aged Militia man struggled like a duck in the water, calling out in panic.
"Chapala people never fear death in battle! We’ve walked a very long way, coming from our homeland to aid you. It’s just... just that the Mexica Priest used Divine Arts, summoning the Heavenly Divine, unleashing thunderous Thunderbolts! How can mere mortals resist a deity? Even the Divine Descendants couldn’t hold back... I saw the big leader escaping first, so I followed and ran away!"
Hearing the middle-aged Militia man’s words, Chiwaco paused, slightly loosening his grip. He recalled the fire over Lake Yuriria and the explosions at the Rivermouth fortress, so he asked seriously,
"Heavenly Divine descending... What were those Thunderbolts like? Were they smoking spheres?"
The middle-aged Militia man gasped for air. He couldn’t look Chiwaco in the eye and answered with a turned head,
"The Militia from our village were on the very outskirts of the army, not seeing very clearly. It seemed like two tree trunk like Evil Beasts, emitting earth-shaking roars, then the Thunderbolts would strike within the army... Everyone was scared, many Warrior nobility knelt down... Then the Mexica charged, shouting the Heavenly Divine’s name... Smoking? Indeed there was much smoke, spheres? I don’t know about any spheres..."
"Tree trunk like Evil Beasts... Roars... Thunderbolts... Smoke..."
Chiwaco muttered to himself, trying hard to recall the scenes he had seen before, those Longbow Warriors lighting Fire Arrows, the northern barbarians throwing spheres. Soon after, his murky eyes brightened as he continued to press with a harsh voice,
"Did those tree trunk Divine Beasts require someone to command them before they unleashed Thunderbolts?"
"It seemed... Indeed, there was an Evil God’s Priest, holding a strange torch... The dreadful Evil God!"
The middle-aged Militia man tried hard to remember, the nightmare-like scene reemerging, and eventually, his body shook violently.
"The dreadful Evil God!!... The big leader ran away, the village chiefs are dead, people from my village have scattered, my son is missing too... I got lost, escaping to this place... I must return, I need to go home, my son!"
Hearing this, Chiwaco’s eyes dimmed. He completely let go, involuntarily sighing. The old Militia looked toward his homeland outside the city, where birds flew up and down over the village, but no more smoke rose from the cooking fires.
Not far behind, the newly appointed Nnobility, Puap, frowned and strode forward. He grabbed the delirious middle-aged Militia man and slapped him diagonally across the back of the head. The Militia man’s eyes rolled back, and he fell to the ground limp, his noisy voice finally quieting.
"Old Chi, why do you ask so many questions? It’s bothersome for nothing! If the incompetent people from Chapala are defeated, they are defeated. Look at the solid walls beneath your feet; as long as we keep guard here, could the Mexica possibly fly in?"
In the presence of the Warrior Captain, Chiwaco immediately bowed, making sure his pointed hat was lower than the forked plumes on the other’s head, a symbol of Tarasco Nnobility.
"Great Nnobility sir, you are right! It’s just that this matter is of grave importance, and the Mexica always have new-style weapons that could change the outcome of the war..."
"What use is there worrying about so much? Matters of the state will naturally concern the highest chief! We, as Samurai, only need to follow orders and take care of what’s before us!"