Farewell and Death

After crossing the river of blood, they now stood before an Aztec pyramid. Countless steps rose high enough to pierce through the clouds. Just looking at it was enough to make Lia’s legs numb before she even set foot on the first step.

"Ugh... do we really have to climb that? It looks exhausting."

"I agree with you this time." Ren rotated his neck until the crack of a joint echoed sharply. "This will be tiring."

Xilama laughed softly behind her hand. "Still, you both need to climb if you want to return home. It is not as far as it looks. Trust me." She gently pressed her hands against their backs, urging them to start moving.

Ren narrowed his eyes. "You both? What about you?"

Xilama shook her head. "I cannot go with you." For the first time, her cheerful expression dimmed. The bright spark usually glowing in her eyes faded. Yet she still smiled faintly. "My task is only to guide you here."

"So... this is goodbye?" Lia’s voice weakened, and the sadness in her gaze softened the energy she usually carried.

Xilama only nodded.

No words followed. No breath dared to interrupt the moment. Time seemed to pause, allowing the two siblings to share one last gaze with the Aztec girl who had become their companion.

Memories of their first encounter replayed in their minds like scenes from an old film looping endlessly.

Ren lifted his face toward the darkened sky that held no light. His expression, usually calm and collected, shifted into something fragile. He closed his eyes, letting the cold wind brush against their faces.

He exhaled slowly. Instead of tears or visible sorrow, he chose a thin, forced smile. Fragile, yet sincere.

"Where will you go now, Xilama?"

"Of course I will go home... well, that is what I wanted to say. But I have another reason for staying with you until now. There is something I must do."

"I see..."

The longer they spoke, the weaker Ren’s smile became. He turned away, avoiding her eyes.

Silence consumed them again. After a few breaths, Ren finally faced her.

When their eyes met, he tried to read the emotion hidden behind her expression. It mirrored his own. The same forced smile. A feeling that could not be spoken with simple words.

Suddenly, her soft voice broke the silence.

"Ren... I..."

Her voice carried the same tenderness as the lullaby that saved them the first time. But now, it trembled as if carrying weight heavier than sorrow.

Ren’s fading smile shifted into a small grin. He raised his right hand slowly. His fist tightened and extended toward her.

"W-what is that?"

"It is a way modern people show support. Make a fist and tap it with mine."

Xilama looked confused at first, yet she followed his instruction. Their fists met and pressed together.

"I will not ask what you intend to do. But do not give up. Wasn’t that the first lesson you gave us?"

Xilama fell silent. Her lips parted as if searching for a response she could not form.

Then slowly... finally... a bright smile returned. Her laughter escaped freely once more, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

"Yes. I will not give up!"

Lia stepped forward and offered her fist as well. Their hands met again. Her smile was calmer than before.

Xilama looked at them one by one. "You too," she whispered, her voice carrying the faintest tremble. "You must return home. Promise me."

Both siblings nodded at the same time. Their smiles widened, though pain crushed their chests like a hammer.

"Do not forget us, Xilama."

"I should be the one saying that."

Their smiles trembled. But none allowed it to break.

After a moment, their hands released one another. Xilama turned away and began walking. Her steps were slow, as if each one resisted the idea of departure.

Ren watched her back. That back wrapped in Aztec cloth. A back that carried memories. A back that had guided them again and again.

For the last time, she looked over her shoulder and smiled.

"I hope we meet again someday."

Then the girl finally vanished into the distance, leaving the siblings frozen in their sadness.

That smile would remain carved in Ren’s memory. Perhaps until his final breath. But he knew he could not remain lost in emotion.

He turned, gently taking his sister’s hand.

"Come on. We promised her. We should keep it."

Lia nodded weakly.

Together, they stepped forward and began walking up the endless stairs. What once felt heavy from exhaustion now weighed even more after saying goodbye.

Yet even so, they kept moving. Step after step. Higher and higher, as if climbing a tower meant for gods. Without realizing it, the peak slowly came into view.

"Brother, I can see the top. Come on!"

Lia pointed with renewed excitement as she bounced on her feet. Ren only smiled faintly and warned her gently not to slip.

"Let us race. Whoever reaches the top first wins."

Without waiting for an answer, she sprinted ahead with all her remaining strength. Ren only lifted his shoulders and laughed softly as he watched her run.

In a short time, Lia reached the top first, far ahead of her brother who walked calmly behind her.

"Yes! I win!"

Her triumphant shout echoed across the ancient stone. She stepped forward into the flat space at the summit.

Ren watched from a short distance. Suddenly, something shot downward from above. A tentacle. Blood splattered. Ren froze. A warm drop slid down his cheek. He touched it.

"This is... blood?" he whispered. Confusion gripped him for a brief moment, until realization struck. “Blood... Lia!”

Ren sprinted. His feet slammed against the stone as if driven by instinct alone.

When he reached the top, his eyes widened. His expression hollowed. His breath stopped.

Before him lay a headless body drenched in crimson. He knew. He did not need confirmation. That body was Lia’s.

Ren collapsed to his knees. His strength dissolved. The emptiness spreading within him drowned every thought. Breathing became difficult.

"You have arrived, child of the surface."

A man's voice forced Ren to look up.

Before him sat a pale man with skin the color of a corpse. He rested one arm atop the stone throne. His attire was decorated with obsidian beads and feathers, crowned with long leaves that resembled symbols of ancient power.

Ren’s gaze shifted downward... and froze again.

Resting on the man's lap was his sister’s severed head. Her eyes were empty. Her blood still dripped from the cleanly sliced neck.

In that moment, Ren finally understood who stood before him.

With a broken whisper, he spoke his name.

"Mictlantecuhtli..."