Morning at the Pyramid

The morning light greeted two souls who stood at the foot of history, gazing at the legacy of an ancient world that seemed to extend its hand toward them. Ren lifted his camera, letting a strand of gentle radiance reflect upon the lens. Lia stood beside him, observing their surroundings with eyes brimming with curiosity.

Before them, the ancient site of the Aztec pyramid stretched proudly. The air was still fresh, carrying the warm scent of earth mixed with centuries old dust stirred by the footsteps of visitors.

Foreign and local tourists moved across the stone courtyard in constant streams. Some were busy taking photos, others rested in the shade while observing, and the rest listened to local guides. Laughter, foreign languages, and camera clicks blended into a rhythm of life that echoed around the ancient structure.

Ren lowered his camera for a moment and looked at Lia. She wore a loose pink shirt and cargo pants with large pockets to keep her smartphone from falling. Her shoes were dusty despite being new.

Seeing her reminded him of his younger self when his late father had first taken him, innocent and wide eyed, to visit a historical site in Andalusia, Spain.

Watching his father’s excitement, Ren had fallen in love as well. Yet unlike his father, who loved history alone, Ren also fell in love with mythology and folklore. That passion led him to his studies and his dream of becoming an archaeologist.

His thoughts scattered when Lia nudged his arm. A bright smile bloomed on her face. “Hey, big brother. Stop staring blankly at nothing. Point your camera and capture everything.” Her fingers moved wildly, pointing at nearly every part of the pyramid.

Ren exhaled softly, the corner of his lips lifting. “Of course. Do not underestimate me. How many times do you think I have visited ancient sites?”

Lia rolled her eyes. “Yes yes. You go every semester break with your own savings. I am tired of hearing about it.”

Without responding, Ren raised his camera once more, skillfully showing his ability to capture images of the ancient stones that lined the path.

Within minutes, they reached the base of the massive pyramid with a square structure at its summit. Birds crossed swiftly above it, adding to its aura of ancient grandeur.

“Want to go to the top?”

“Huh, really? Last time we went to Indonesia there was a tower like temple we were not allowed to climb. What was it called... the temple... the temple...”

“Prambanan Temple.”

“Ah, yes, Prambanan Temple.” Lia placed her hands on her hips. “So, my slightly handsome brother, are you saying we can climb to the top here?”

Ren gave a crooked smile. This was simply how his sister joked. Besides, appearance had never mattered much to him.

He took a breath first. “Some ancient structures were built hundreds of years ago. Certain parts may already be fragile or damaged. They can collapse if they bear unexpected weight. That is one reason many ancient sites cannot be climbed. It protects both visitors and the preservation of the site.”

“You know, Lia, some other ancient Aztec pyramids also cannot be climbed because of the same reason. We happen to be allowed to climb this one because its foundation is still very strong according to experts.”

“I see...” Lia looked up, staring at the sunlit peak. “Even something this magnificent cannot resist time.”

“Irony, is it not? A structure once glorified as a symbol of greatness and prosperity. Yet in the end, time devours all.”

After reflecting for a moment, Ren stepped onto the first stair. He climbed a few steps, then turned back and held out his hand.

“What are you waiting for?”

Lia puffed her cheeks and quickly followed her brother.

The higher they climbed, the colder the wind brushed against their faces. Ren glanced at his watch. It was still eight in the morning. The warmth would not strike so quickly since the sun had only risen a short distance above the muddy ground.

On both sides of the stairs were ropes set up for visitors. Grass and moss grew between the gaps of the stones. Some of it was left intact to emphasize the antiquity of the site, though of course it would eventually be cleared when it grew too thick.

About fifteen minutes passed. The siblings finally reached the top. They were the only ones there, something unusual considering how crowded it was below.

“So quiet... where is everyone?”

“Is it not better for us?”

Unlike his confused sister, Ren stretched his arms wide, letting the cool breeze caress his fair skin. His camera hung from his neck, still turned on.

Meanwhile, Lia circled the square platform at the top. Her fingertip traced the dew mixed with dust from ancient ages. She arrived at a rectangular stone table in the corner.

She tilted her head with curiosity and brushed her hand across its entire surface.

Ren suddenly stood beside her. Lia was not startled. His presence was always faint. He often vanished or appeared without warning, impossible for anyone to track properly.

“Ah, you found it. That was probably where the Aztecs placed their offerings.”

“Offerings? Like the ones at Japanese shrines?” Lia tilted her head even further.

“A little different,” her brother cleared his throat. “You know, the Aztecs were famous for the uniqueness of their offerings.”

“What was unique about it? Probably some ancient dance around fire or a song or maybe a duel between youths. Is it not always like that with ancient tribes?”

Ren shook his head, like a teacher correcting a wrong answer. “You are wrong. The offerings they made to ask for rain or harvest were human hearts and heads.”

Lia shivered, goosebumps rising. “You are joking, right?”

“No. Even the table you are touching may have been used for human sacrifice and offerings.”

“Hiii!”

Lia jumped back nearly falling over. She quickly wiped her hands with a handkerchief, scrubbing as if trying to erase filth that clung to her skin.

“Disgusting. Why did you not tell me earlier?”

Ren burst into laughter until he held his stomach.

“Do not laugh. It is not funny.”

“Sorry, sorry. I wanted to see how you would react.”

Lia puffed her cheeks again and turned her head away.

Ren sighed. “The Aztecs were known for their sacrifices to the gods. When asking for rain, they offered the heart of the wisest among them or the one believed to have angered Tlaloc.”

“And when asking for or celebrating a great harvest, they held a kind of ball game using a dried human head as the ball.”

Although disgust clearly shadowed her face, Lia still listened seriously. She even dared to answer, “Then the losing side would be sacrificed, right?”

Ren shook his head. “The opposite. The leader of the winning side would be the one sacrificed to the gods.”

“What? Why?”

Lia’s jaw almost dropped to the floor. Ren only smiled at her natural reaction. “For the Aztecs, life was temporary. They believed that a head offered to the gods would bring true life.”

“Like a paradise?”

Ren shrugged.

Silence fell between them for a moment. Each drowned in their thoughts until Lia broke it.

“Strange... life is only once. Yet they sacrificed it for something uncertain. I feel a bit sorry for their ignorance.”

Ren sighed. “That is how it was. Knowledge was not as advanced as it is now. Many people believed in myths so deeply that they were trapped in suffering they did not fully understand.”

The wind blew strongly, the sunlight highlighting the sharp lines of Ren’s face. His voice grew deeper, as though the ancient site itself spoke through him.

“But do not forget one thing, Lia. Humans are fragile. We fear darkness, hunger, loss, and the things we cannot understand. That is why they needed something to hold on to. Even if it was a false myth that demanded lives. Not because they were foolish. But because without hope, humans fall apart.”

Lia fell silent. Her thin smile softened, touched by his words.

“I understand, brother.”

The sun climbed higher. They still had many sites to visit. Realizing this, Ren invited his sister to descend and prepare for the next destination.

“Before we leave, let us take a photo.”

“All right.”

He pulled a folding tripod from his small bag and set the camera on it. They stood posing in front of the offering table.

The camera turned on. The automatic countdown began. Yet just as the countdown reached three, something happened.

The ground shook violently. Even the sky seemed ready to collapse. The two staggered in sudden panic.

“Brother, what is happening?”

“Lia, hold my hand.”

Ren pulled her into his arms. A blue light seeped through the cracks of the stones beneath their feet. The glow grew brighter, blinding their eyes. Their vision faded.

The ground beneath them disappeared.

In an instant, only darkness remained.