Village of The Dead, Forgotten by History.

Xilama. That was her name. The beautiful girl who saved them from the terrors of the suffocating forest. Now she was guiding them around the ancient village swallowed by time.

Ren lifted his camera, recording every detail with burning enthusiasm. Traditional houses, people tending to the fields, the shared activity of pounding maize, even children playing ancient games unrecorded in any history.

After yesterday’s stake ritual, Ren could finally understand every word they spoke. Everything felt far more comfortable once his ears grew familiar with the language of the villagers. It was as if he had become a part of the community itself.

Even the darkness that once unsettled him now felt soothing. He could see far more clearly, almost as if it were daytime though dimmer and muted.

Why had he done it? Because it was a request from the village chief, a condition he had to accept in exchange for information about how they could return to their world. As for the purpose of it, Ren could only shrug since no explanation had been given to him.

"Wait... there are no sacrifices here?"

Xilama chuckled. "What for? That was only when we were alive. Now that we are spirits of the dead, all of that is unnecessary. Mictlantecuhtli has given us everything we need until we are ready to return to the cycle of life."

Ren nodded slowly.

Mictlantecuhtli, the ruler of the realm of spirits in Aztec mythology. Think of him as the Hades of their cosmology. What was interesting was that this deity was believed to be brutal and cruel, yet seeing the people’s smiles told a different story. Perhaps that myth had been wrongly interpreted by archaeologists.

Maybe because he was ugly?

Xilama also explained that the village was provided by Mictlantecuhtli for those he deemed worthy. Some had once been sacrificed, and some were villagers who had committed no sin.

For those who did sin, Mictlantecuhtli placed them in a different place. A place meant as punishment for their wrongdoings.

Xilama’s smile faded at that point. She did not continue. Ren chose not to ask. He could already imagine what kind of punishment awaited sinners.

Perhaps... archaeologists were not entirely wrong about Mictlantecuhtli’s cruelty.

Ren lowered his gaze, noticing the red blinking light on his camera. He removed the battery and replaced it with a new one.

As for the old battery... he needed to sun it. Yes, to sun it. Technology was advanced now. Old batteries that needed manual charging were no longer popular among young people. They preferred solar powered batteries that recharged simply by being placed under sunlight.

He then approached one of the villagers who was drying harvested crops on the flat rooftop of his house.

"Sir, could you help me dry this as well?"

"Ah, of course, man from the world above. Throw it here."

Ren tossed it. The man caught it effortlessly. He turned the camera battery back and forth with curiosity. "If I may ask, what is this, young one?"

"It is a camera battery. Something for the magical device that can capture images. It might be difficult to understand, so consider it a tool that paints almost anything you are doing."

"Wow. A device that can paint our lives as you say. Incredible. Ah... the era is truly wondrous. It almost makes me wish to be born again."

Ren frowned. Born again? Something like reincarnation? Did Aztec mythology have anything like that?

"If you want, I can show it to you later. How about it?"

The man shook his head slowly. "No need, man of the living. I may see it myself one day. It is not pleasant to see the world through another’s eyes even though I would be lying if I said I was not curious."

The man’s statement made Ren tilt his head slightly. But he did not ask.

Somehow, he knew that the day had reached its peak even though the sun did not feel scorching. Come to think of it, Ren had not looked up at the sky since he first arrived.

When he finally did, his eyes widened. That was not the sun he knew. Absolutely not.

The round object hanging in the sky was not blinding at all. He could stare at it with his naked eyes without pain.

"What... is that?"

"What is it, brother?"

Lia looked up as well, and her jaw dropped.

It was pitch black with a red disk that seemed to drip like blood. Huge and very near, as if trying to kiss the earth like a maiden.

Xilama chuckled once more. "This is the underworld, friend. Do not forget. Do not be shocked that the sun differs from the one in your world."

"S-still make me shock." He wiped the sweat running down his forehead.

"Yes..." Lia added weakly. "All our logic and beliefs feel shattered since stepping into this place."

Xilama had to cover her mouth to hide her laughter. "Enough. Continue your recording."

Ren shook his head slowly, trying to dispel his shock. After turning on the camera again, he pointed it first at the sun above them before returning to record the ancient life of the Aztec people.

Evening approached, yet the sun still hung lazily at its peak. Xilama said that was normal. Here the sun never set. She was the one who controlled the amount of light that entered.

"So... you have never seen the moon?" Lia asked innocently.

Xilama shook her head. The muscles around her eyes softened as if hiding her sadness. But the corner of her lips faintly lifted afterward. "Not never. Not yet. We only need to wait until our turn comes."

"What does that mean? Is this related to the rebirth the villagers keep mentioning?"

Xilama shook her head, saying she could not explain it yet. It was not the time for them to know. The siblings kept quiet, locking their questions away.

By the end of the evening, they finished their recording and returned to the house of the village chief whose name was Xibalanpuatclicha.

The name honestly puzzled Ren because it sounded similar to the names of the ancient Maya heroic twins, Xibalanque and Hunahpuh. Whether inspired or coincidental, the resemblance felt noticeable.

As a note people often misunderstand, the Aztec and the Maya were two nations that were similar yet different. They lived near each other and had religious and cultural structures that were very similar. That was why many people confused the two.

Ren wanted to show his recordings but the chief gently pushed the camera down with a gently smile.

"No need. We trust your ability. Now it is our turn to fulfill our promise, young ones who still walk the surface."

He took a deep breath and cleared his throat.

"You must have been brought here for a reason. Perhaps due to a mistake you made. Or perhaps our Lord, Mictlantecuhtli, desires something from you."

"What would he want? We are ordinary people exploring ancient sites and uploading them to social media as a hobby. Well... some might upload them just to get recognition from a handful of people." He glanced at Lia.

"Hey, do not look at me like that. I am not that kind of person."

"Just a joke."

Yes. It had been a test. His little sister was completely calm now and had accepted that they were in the realm of spirits. She seemed accustomed and no longer afraid at all.

Returning to the chief who lifted his shoulders. "We do not know. Lord Mictlantecuhtli has not spoken since the last visitors from the surface arrived a hundred years ago. It is difficult to interpret his desires."

"Then... what should we do, Chief?"

The chief smiled briefly. "You may call my name directly, young man of great responsibility. Do not hesitate."

"V very well, Xibalanpuat—"

His tongue twisted. That was the real reason he avoided saying that long name which was painfully difficult for him to pronounce.

"Thank you. Addressing us by name is a form of respect in our people. Now let me explain what you must do to return to your world. Remember, you must return. This is not your world. You cannot stay here forever."

"We understand."

He began explaining the method.

"You must meet him. He is at the center of his palace. You must first travel across the desert of bones then cross the lake of blood with a small boat. Both are places where sinners are punished."

Lia and Ren swallowed at the same time. Lia’s hand immediately gripped her brother’s tightly. She trembled violently, showing how afraid she was. The chief witnessed it and smiled with gentle understanding.

"Do not worry. Tomorrow, someone will accompany you until you reach him. Someone who will guide you through several trials of worthiness before you meet our Lord, Mictlantecuhtli. Now rest."

"Th-thank you, Mister Xibalanpuat—argh, your name is really difficult to say."

Warm laughter erupted when Ren accidentally voiced his heart. From Xilama, from the chief’s wife, even from Xibalanpuatclicha himself. Perhaps they understood that modern people struggled to pronounce his name.

That night, just like the previous one, the siblings lay on the same bed while staring blankly at the dried mud ceiling that served as the roof.

"How do you feel? Soon we are going home, Lia."

"Honestly... I want to stay a little longer. You know, brother. This place is beautiful. Everyone smiles happily even without gadgets, laptops, or social media. They can express their feelings better than us, a modern people."

"I agree. That is our weakness. We are blinded by social media and often forget the most basic foundation of social life, interacting with others and understanding one another."

"You are right... nghhh..." Lia stretched her body.

Ren smiled softly. "But do not forget that the universe has its own rules and secrets that we must not disturb. As the living, we should not remain in the world of the dead."

"I know that too," she replied, puffing her cheeks. "I also miss Mom... and my giant teddy bear. I still want to play games and chase clothing discounts online."

Once again, a gentle smile appeared on his lips as he stroked the head of his sister who was four years younger than him.

"Then let us sleep. Tomorrow our journey begins."

"Alright."

After that, they closed their eyes and let their consciousness drift to a place no human hands could reach. Their bodies rested upon the mound of straw that embraced them in the cold of the night.