Chapter Text

Kachina was devastated after losing in her first Pilgrimage.

Mualani, upon hearing the news about Kachina, searched for her everywhere - only to find her sulking in a corner, trying to hide her tears, unaware that her huge ears peeked out behind the stone cabinet.

“Easy now!” She said and crouched down. She patted Kachina’s shoulder. Her clothes were still tattered and dirtied from the tournament. “This is your first time, you obviously were at a disadvantage. Next time, I’m sure…”

“But what if next time I won’t even have a team?” She cried out. 

“Why would you say that?” Mualani’s brows furrowed. Kachina never had much self-confidence before, but this was an all-time low… 

The little girl was still snipping before answering.

“My teammates said that-that they had lost because-cause of me!” 

Kachina dropped her head between her knees.

“That’s stupid! Next time you will be better. You have experience now and you can only get stronger. Don't listen to them!” She tried to reassure her, but Kachina was only bawling harder. “I will help you train!”

The Weary Inn echoed from her cries.

“Mualani?” Kachina raised her head. She could see how red brimmed her eyes were. “Do you question your ancient name a lot?”

“Huh? Why are you asking this? But no, not really.”

Kachina wiped her tears away. “Maybe my ancient name was given to me by a mistake.” She stood up, a bit lightheaded from the crying. Nonetheless, she still pushed a kind smile onto her expression. “Please don't worry about me for now. You have to fight the Abyss!”

Mualani didn't push it further. 

Kachina seemed to have made her mind up about an even more rigorous training and working schedule. 

Meanwhile, she knew perfectly well that the problem wouldn't be solved with her wiping her tears down this time. Whatever those idiots said to her truly struck a nerve. Unfortunately, Mualani knew them well enough that they didn't have enough brain cells to say sorry to Kachina. 

When she returned from the Abyss, the situation got way worse. 

To the point where Kachina didn't want to even participate in the next Pilgrimage. 

Mualani asked her parents about her and the bullies, but they said they can't do anything about it and yada yada. 

Seeing Kachina stripped from her dreams made Mualani’s stomach drop. Her fist became a ball when they walked past her.

She couldn’t beat them up for obvious reasons. First, her tribe would not tolerate any aggression or tension between other tribes. Secondly, Kachina wouldn't accept it, and she might go spiraling down even more. 

However, in a previous tournament she was paired up against a Saurian Hunter who, by his fame, would do anything for enough mora. She couldn't remember his name, but she remembered that he was from the Scions of the Canopy. Lucky for her, she had some extra money to spare as the winner of the tournament.

The next morning, she climbed up to the Scions of the Canopy to meet with the chief. 

Wayna was wearing the tribe’s usual green clothing and eccentric glasses that reflected the valley in yellowish haze. His headband covered most of his hair, but his rasta ponytail was way too long to hide. 

“Sorry sir, I’m looking for a Saurian Hunter.” She approached him.

“Oh, you aren't from here… Wait, aren't you Mualani? From the People of Springs?”

Mualani scratched her head. She totally forgot that she is more well-known right now.

“Yes, that would be me. Can you help me?”

“A saurian-hunter you say?” He thought for a second. “We have plenty of them. Are you looking for someone specifically?”

“Yes, but I can’t really remember his name, haha,” she laughed. “Uh, he wore green.”

Wayna laughed too. “Well, most of us wear green - any other?”

Mualani pinched her nose bridge, trying to concentrate and clear out the silhouette in her mind. “It might be rude to say, but he looked kind of depressed? I don't know if it helps or not.”

Wayna almost slapped himself upon realisation. “Oh, you are searching for Kinich! I think he is kinda away right now, but he lived outside the tribe at Teticpac Peak’s feet.”

“Thank you very much!” She waved at him.

“It’s nothing but… are you sure about commissioning him?” 

Mualani jerked her head, the braids brushing at her bare hips. “Why?”

Wayna seemed uncomfortable and looked back and forth. “It’s nothing between him and me, it's more like protecting you- I mean, he has some rumours. Most of the other Hunters are not so keen on him. They question whether he truly is worthy of being an ancient name bearer because he has some eccentric philosophies.”

Mualani huffed. She hates those who speak ill of others, but angering a village chief over someone he hadn't even met yet was even out of her bounds. “Don't worry, I only need a simple commission and that’s all.”

“That's all?”

“Yes.”

“If you say so,” Wayna adjusted his glasses. “Although I must add that he certainly has some stingy flair to him, so get ready.”

Mualani was done with the conversation the moment the man started gossiping. “Thanks.” She summoned her surfboard and with phlogiston and her hydro vision's power, she drew off to the mountain’s feet.

“You're welcome! Good luck at the next Pilgrimage!” 

Kinich’s muscles were sore from all the running and flying-fighting around. He accepted more work for today, and his body was fighting against the repeating strain. He also felt lightheaded from the slight sunburn.

Worst of all, during the entire route back to his house, Ajaw felt the urge to describe to him how he once made someone choke themselves to death.

“...and after that, boom! I say - here have some water, and they go like-”

“I don't think anyone would do that by their own will.” He added once he got annoyed. (Which he didn't do often, mind you. Sometimes even Ajaw wondered if Kinich's patience was endless.) “You had to force them with something.”

“You dare accuse me K’uhul Ajaw, the almighty dragonlord of lying?! You insolent pest, you-you!”

Kinich didn't take any of Ajaw’s mindless rambling on himself. He had already heard worse things before, and in comparison to his father, Ajaw was rather mild. Tame even.

However, he stopped the miniature dragon when he sensed that someone was waiting for him at his house. He took a moment to catch his breath before walking up to the young girl.

He remembered her, she was the latest Pilgrimage’s winner. Her brightly colored clothes were easily distinguishable from the red stone and dry grass. 

“Hi! I’m Mualani!” She waved at him. “Are you Kinich? The Saurian-hunter?”

“Yes, I am. If you have any commissions, you could have left them at the chief, there is no need to come all the way here.” He explained, hping that she would turn around and just walked away. The girl, Mualani, didn't even notice that he wanted her to leave. She instead smiled widely. Maybe he should tell her straight up to leave.

“Oh, I see. But my commission isn't something I would like others to know, so I thought maybe we could talk privately.”

He could hear Ajaw’s evil laughter. ‘Oh, here goes your precious rest!’

“Sure. Come inside.” He opened the door to the half desolated, half-run-down house. 

Mualani took his offer and entered.

Inside, there was almost nothing personal - it was empty besides the pack of bandages, papers (presumably for commissions), and a spare change of clothes. No trinkets, no flowers, no thing that could make the home feel personal. 

“Sit down,” Kinich instructed, and took a paper and pen. “What is the commission about?”

Mualani seemed hesitant. She fidgeted with her fingers and bit her lips before speaking up.

“Uh, I have a friend. She is really kind and ambitious. This was her first time entering the Pilgrimage, and as expected, she didn't win. Don't get me wrong!” She moved her hands as if he would have accused her of murder. “She is strong and capable, but it is really rare to enter the Pilgrimage so young.”

“But you did.” He added with a low voice.

“Eh? Where do you know that?” She blinked. 

“I also competed in the next years’ and they introduced you as ‘the young prodigy who won the Pilgrimage on her first try’.” He explained. Kinich didn't mean to meddle so much with her at the moment, as he was hungry and still had to fetch himself something to eat. Mualani, however, had a different opinion on it. She was bubbly and talkative and didn't think about decreasing her speech's length.

Kinich's only blessing for the moment was that Ajaw was still hidden in his watch, and despite the gremlin’s efforts, he couldn't escape yet.

“Ah, I see. Yes, that's correct, but Pilgrimage more or less depends on your luck.” She trailed off. “You have also competed, so you must know.”

“Yes.” He didn't know. Not only this, but he knew that Mualani and her friend presumably didn't have a huge need to win the Pilgrimage. The girl looked completely fine and stable before him, no struggles and no financial need to enter it. However, Kinich kept his mouth shut. He knew from the villagers that his desires weren't that amiable.

“But back to the topic, she had lost and she feels extremely down…”

Ajaw suddenly escaped Kinich’s watch and, in his full 8-bit glory, floated above the desk. “Ahahaha! Kinich, you hear that? You have to hold a cheer up party for some puny-” 

“Shut it.”

“What is that… thing?” Mualani observed Ajaw and pointed her finger at him. 

Kinich, stopping the future catastrophe, quickly held back Ajaw from biting Mualani’s finger. “YOU VERMIN, DO YOU NOT KNOW THE ALMIGHTY K’UHUL-”

“His name is Ajaw. He is my saurian companion. Please do not bother answering him or taking anything on yourself.” He monotoned as if he had said it a million times. 

“It’s interesting for sure. I hadn't seen anything similar to him. But! I’m not here for a party request or whatever. The story is longer than that. So Ka- I mean, my friend besides being absolutely lethargic from her loss, also got bullied by her teammates for losing.” 

Ajaw was on the bullies side. “Good, make the weaklings lose, so the strong ones survive! This is how it should be!”

“They recently also threatened that they would kill her saurian companion and…”

Kinich slapped the dragon to the wall before he had the opportunity to comment. “I understand, however, I still do not understand what it is that you need me for.” 

Mualani seemed uncomfortable.  “Uh? You don’t? Well, I want to commission you to, uhm, teach them a lesson .” She looked down at the paper on the table.

Kinich’s face didn't change. “Sure, first I will need some information as…” He got stopped by a loud growl from his empty stomach. “Sorry about that, I was about to ask-”

“Are you hungry?” Mualani perked. Her fleeting awkwardness was over by now. “You must have wanted to have some time to rest, but I interrupted you, sorry! So let me make it up with something. I know, let’s go to the village to a tavern!”

Kinich almost visibly shrugged. “I think it’s better if we don't. I will be fine, don't worry.”

Mualani almost said something, but Ajaw interrupted her. “Yes! Yes! Don't eat!”

“What is wrong with you?” Mualani side-eyed the floating lizard. 

“Me?! How dare you question me? You would never understand my way of thinking because you are a lowly mortal, not worthy of even my gaze! So now, stay quiet!”

“He wants me dead, that’s all,” Kinich noted. Mualani's jaw dropped at the quiet remark. “But I will be fine, so let's continue. How many targets are we talking about?”

Mualani gasped, still baffled by the situation. “You both are idiots. I will make some food, you just wait.” She stormed out of the building. 

Kinich blinked twice. His straight face turned into a confused scowl. 

Ajaw was also bamboozled by her entitled and infuriating statement (or at least, that's how he interpreted it).

“I hate that stupid b-”

Kinich caught Ajaw between his two hands, and despite the dragon’s bites, he closed it into a wooden box. 

Outside, Mualani collected some mint, grainfruit, and from Archons know where, she also got a tomato. 

“Do you have onions by chance?” She asked Kinich once he tagged up with her. 

“There is no need for that, truly.”

Mulani dropped some vegetables into his hands to hold while she stroked the ground for any stray onions. “No. I really should have asked. I was way too lost in my thoughts to act reasonably, and for that I must apologize.”

Mualani’s determined glare told Kinich that now he has no chance of stopping her. 

“Here it is!” She clapped once she found a vegetable. “Now let’s get back and make Forest of Color!”

Kinich followed her. 

The house got filled with the smell of cooked vegetables and the faint sound of sizzling oil. (If one had a really good ear, Ajaw’s attempts to escape could also be heard from the box.)

“And here it is! Voilá!” She smiled as she held the dish in her hands. 

“Voilá?” 

“I think that is how they say it in Fontaine.” She scratched her head. “Now then, let’s dig in!”

She also got a portion of food for herself, to her luck, as Kinich only had two plates. He forgot to replace the broken ones, and he never needed more than one, overall. 

The food was quite good, or well, he couldn't tell it for sure. He was way too hungry, and at this point, he would have found the dry glass tasty too. 

“You have been really quiet, is this that good?” Mulani laughed with a wide smile. 

“Thank you.” 

“Aw, it really is nothing! But hey, are you really going to eat that much?” Mualani questioned when Kinich took the third plate. The boy glared at her with such an empty look that made the girl step back. “Not that I mind it, but you might get a stomach ache.” She apologized. “When was the last time you ate?”

Kinich swallowed the bite he had in his mouth. “I think the day before yesterday.”

“What? Two days ago?” Her eyes widened with shock. “This isn't healthy!”

Kinich just blinked at her. 

“Don't give me that look! Wait, I know it, you are invited to the People of the Springs for lunch tomorrow!” She clapped joyously.

“I’m sorry, but I can't go.” Kinich stated. 

“What? Why not?”

“Because I don't want to be in debt to anyone. So if you don't mind, can we get back to business?” He pushed the plate away from himself and took out the half-written paper. “Just leave the plate there, I will clean it up.”

Mualani’s mood had visibly dropped with the refusal. 

She gave all the information Kinich needed - their names, their address, visions, and so on. 

“I can join, if you want.” She added. She knew that she probably shouldn't get involved with it, but looking at the boy who was younger than her to carry out the task was absolutely pitiful. 

“No. You are famous right now, and you would be uncovered in a minute.” He said while counting the price for his services. 

“Oh, you are right. I keep forgetting that.” Mualani sat in silence. It got awkward once again. 

She looked at Kinich. His clothes were slightly dirty, but the dark color hid it. Now that she thought about it, those dark and long clothes must be hot in the day, and he still wears a bandana covering his temple. And he can't even take a bath in a hot spring! She looked at him for longer, noticing that he didn't have a vision. It was quite rare that he had an ancient name but not a vision. 

She wanted to ask him about it, but his soulless eyes stopped her. Maybe he doesn't have any ambitions at all. It is not that weird, some travelers from other nations said that not all of them want to fight. 

“It will be a hundred thousand mora.” He spoke up. 

Mualani shivered when she remembered that they were still in conversation. 

“Yeah, sure. When are you, well, planning to do it?”

“Maybe tomorrow. I will find a moment when I can ambush them quietly.” He pushed the paper to her. “Here, sign it.” 

Mualani quickly read through the paper. It mentioned “taking out abyss corrupted animals at the border of the Children of Echoes” instead of “bullying Kachina’s bullies”. 

She smiled to herself at the considerate composition and signed it. 

“Thank you. I will inform you once I have completed it.”

“Sure.” Mualani stood up. 

She probably should leave, but her heart said otherwise. She felt bad leaving Kinich alone with the high chance of dying from hunger. 

She also had a question that she couldn't decide whether to ask or not - her curiosity, however strangled her good manners.

“Where are your parents?” 

Kinich’s sun-like eyes lingered on her for a moment before trailing to the box where Ajaw was having a tantrum.

“They are dead.”

Mualani gasped. “I’m sorry. I didn't mean to ask that.”

“No problem.”

Mualani waved him off and summoned her surfboard. 

“Bye then, I will wait for you!” She skated away on phlogiston, leaving Kinich behind. 

He opened Ajaw’s box. 

“HOW DARE YOU ENCLOSE MY HIGHNESS INTO A WOODEN BOX?”

“Because you can't escape from that.” He said, washing the plates in the bucket that he filled with water from the nearby pond. 

“Uh, to think so lowly of me!” Ajaw growled and boxed Kinich in the shoulders. 

“Stop that, I’m still sore.” 

“Ahaha, you are so weak!” Ajaw shouted but still stopped. “Did you manage the deal with the outside-bright girl?”

Kinich stopped in his tracks. “Outside-bright?”

“Because she is dark inside!” Ajaw laughed at his self-presumed joke. 

Kinich deadpanned. “Aren't all people dark inside? We don't have phlogiston in our intestines.” 

“You really are not worthy of me, you grasshopper. The most intelligent you will ever be will be once I take over your body!” 

Kinich listened patiently as Ajaw went forth with his speech about what will happen once he gains full power and Kinich dies.

“So then answer me, my lowly mortal, did you make a deal?”

“Why are you so interested? You would know if you hadn't have been whimpering inside the box like a lost kitten.” Kinich bit back. “Yes, we made an agreement.” Before Ajaw could protest, he answered his question. 

“Good!”

Kinich was now taking off his coat and boots, getting ready to have some rest. 

He had a commission for tomorrow morning.

“Why is it important to you?”

Ajaw followed him while he washed his face. Kinich’s bandana got wet, but he didn't take it off. “I crave some souls, that's all!”

“I’m not feeding them to you, we only need to scare them. It would be hard this time to cover up if they died.” 

Ajaw raised his voice to a screech. “Kinich! I know you want to release your anger! Just remember how they say those things about you! If I were you-”

Kinich dropped to his bed. “Good night Ajaw. Wake me up at sunrise, I’m off to sleep.”

“Kinich! Don't you dare doze off while I’m talking to you!” He screamed, but Kinich didn't listen.

He obviously didn't feel great about those things they say about him in the village but he would never end anyone because of that. This and the fact that for an assassination he would charge more.

Chapter Text

Apparently, said friend’s bullies were from different tribes at that. 

And one from his own - the name being Tamuin. 

Kinich remembered him being in a few classes higher than him in school, but otherwise (and luckily) he wasn't acquainted with him. Therefore he descended to the village and between prying eyes he did his grocery shopping, keeping a watch out for Tamuin. 

Ajaw’s mindless rambling was a perfect cover. He got so much attention wherever they went that noone noticed Kinich looking at every brownish-red-haired person. 

“Hey, Kinich!” Wayna greeted him. “Did the girl find you?”

“Yes, we had already made an agreement.” 

“I’m glad to hear that. Are you doing well?” He tapped his shoulders encouragingly, but Kinich slightly flinched at that.

“He sure is doing better than being surrounded by you, idiots here! Really you never feel the need to bow down and kiss my feet when I am in your presence?!” 

“Don't mind him.” Kinich stated. “I am fine. I have some duty to finish, so I have to go.”

“Oh, right. Have a nice day!” 

This was the easiest part. 

He found Tamuin in a tavern writing some letters. It all fitted Mualani’s description. 

The hard part were the rest of the gang - for example, Tepeixpan was from the Masters of the Nightwind and for that he would have to traverse far. 

Two days later, he wrote a letter to Mualani, saying that she should occupy her friend for the night if she could. 

“Are we really going to wait here till they come? This isn't befitting me, K’uhul Ajaw, the almighty dragonlord!” 

Ajaw and Kinich (or well, only Kinich, as the latter floated at head level) were crouching in the long grass at Tepeacac Rise. 

“No, I am wrong, this is low even for you! Let's ambush them!” Ajaw shouted into Kinich’s ear. His ears were already ringing.

“We can't, it’s better to ambush them once they are together.”

At some point in the night, a group of people wandered across the field. 

Kinich was vigilant throughout the wait and lounged once he recognised Tepeixplan’s necklace. 

“Hey!” He drew their attention to him and also woke up Ajaw, who had fallen asleep. 

The group turned towards him. They didn't understand why a boy was standing in front of them, with a bandana covering his entire forehead as if he were a young kid pretending to be a hero. The huge claymore made their brows furrow.

Tamuin spoke up. “What do you want? Just so you know, before attacking, we almost won the Pilgrimage!” 

Kinich couldn't believe they spoke for real. Are they going to brag about that? Really?

“Do you happen to know a girl named Kachina?” He accused them, holding back Ajaw, who felt as if they would be judging him and was ready to annihilate them. (They didn't even notice him.) 

The group furrowed their brows in unison. 

Kinich almost sighed at the reaction.

“Did you threaten her?”

Tepeixplan laughed shallowly. “Yes, we did, but this was for her good! This way, she will be better off, or just quit that foolish dream of competing in the tournament. Or do you want someone else to crush her dreams?”

Kinich’s only want was to find out the tale’s end - but that could never happen now. 

“Look, I do not have dreams, but I understand how precious it can be to some.” He truly didn't understand it deep down. “But I know that it is not about teaching her the ways of adulthood.”

Tamuin looked down at him, gripping his sword in his hand. “Really? What do you know about being an adult?”

Something might have snapped in Kinich.

He dropped his claymore and crossed his arms. 

“I’ve changed my mind. Ajaw, their soul is yours.”

“What?” Tepeixplan laughed as if it were a child’s fantasy.

Ajaw, however, upon hearing the words, flew up and transformed into his bigger and more menacing form. 

“Oh yeah! Submit your soul!” He screamed.

Kinich watched as the group tried to defend against the aerial attack and continuously channeled phlogiston to Ajaw. 

Being an adult… means to work for yourself. To always rely on yourself, to get food, clothes and everything for yourself. Being an adult means being quiet. 

That’s what his father always told him - to stay quiet, no matter if he was about to strangle him or his mother. Being quiet meant being an adult.

By that logic, the group before him was not adults. They were loud, whimpering, and shouting at Ajaw. 

Kinich shook his head. The effort was too much. 

But Mualani also made food - maybe he really should leave Ajaw kill them.

He stopped channeling the phlogiston. 

“It's enough.”

“What? You said that I can have them! YOU DARE LIE TO ME?”

The group was already on the ground, bruised and scared. 

He towered above Tepeixplan. He quivered under Kinich’s shadow.

“Next time, I’m going to let you devour their soul. Got that? Once you hear about you hurting Kachina, your soul will be gone. And if you die during the Night Warden wars, you will never come back without a soul.” Kinich left the ground with Ajaw shouting at him for not letting him kill them.

“For this, you have to repay me - get me proper food, not some leftovers!”

Kinich nodded, knowing full well that he wouldn't feed Ajaw anything else but leftovers.

A thought, however, clung to him. He knew what being an adult was. Right?

“Ajaw? Do you think I’m an adult?”

“Where the fuck did this question come from?” Ajaw looked at him. 

They were on a bridge, over the waterway.

“It's nothing in particular. I’m just interested in your opinion.”

Ajaw seemed overjoyed. “Finally, you are taking opinions from the good dragon! By body, you are still a teenager, but by habits, I would say you are older than me!” 

“That’s not what I meant. Let me rephrase: do I know what it means to be an adult?” Kinich watched the depth between his feet.

Ajaw stayed quiet. Too quiet.

Kinich raised his head. “Ajaw? Did you hear-”

“Of course I heard it, I’m not deaf, grasshopper! I’m just thinking!” 

“Oh, right.” Kinich got his grapple hooks ready and gaped at the mountain.

“You for sure know what it means to be an adult.” His voice was low. It was a rare occurrence, the last time being when Kinich caught the flu and had to stay in bed for a week. “The question should be whether you know what it means to be a child.”

Kinich stared at Ajaw. Being a child meant…

“Stop glaring at me like that! Let’s get back, I’m still hungry, you vermin!”

Kinich huffed but still obliged the wish.

As per the promise, Kinich went to Mualani’s house. It was decorated with shells and seastars, trophies from the Pilgrimage and other competitions. 

“So I suppose it is finished?” Mualani peeked at him from behind a surfboard she was cleaning. 

“Yes. I wouldn't be so hesitant about saying it this way. What you did was probably for the better.” He added.

“Really? Do you think so? Because I feel kinda guilty, haha.” She scratched her head, but her cheeks were still pink from mischief.

“I think so. When I was bullied, I-” He stopped talking. Just why was he talking to her about this? This wasn’t important, nor wasn't paid for. 

“You were bullied? Why? I don't understand why some people in your tribe talk this way about you, honestly.” She put the surfboard back in its place. The shark design seemed to wink at her. 

Kinich caught her eye. She seemed genuinely interested in his words. Odd.

“I showed up to class, I mean at our form of schooling, without shoes, with a bandana, and in old clothes. I didn't spend much time with them, but I think this was their reason.”

Mualani laughed at that. “Yes, children can be foolish. Why did you wear that? When I was younger, I wanted to become a Fontaineian lady wearing pretty clothes and allat. I grew out of it luckily.” 

This explains why she knew some Fontaineian. 

“I didn't have any other clothes at that time, I think.” 

Mualani seemed sad to hear that - or well, she kind of looked at him with slight pity. “Your parents had already died by then?”

“Yes, my father died when I was seven.” He said. “Not that I mind it. My father and I weren't exactly on good terms.” He quickly added upon seeing Mualani’s almost crying expression. It made her expression even more devastated.

“That’s still sad. I hope you still had some dreams or delusions like me. But for now, let me invite you to lunch!” Mualani put her hands on her hips with a wide smile.

“I told you I don't want to be in a loan.” 

“It’s not that, it’s like an extra for the services. After all, it worked so well, that Kachina for the first time didn't receive any harassment and she even got a vision! This is obviously a reason to celebrate!” She perked up at the positive turn of conversation.

Kinich didn't mention that it should be natural that this Kachina kid doesn't receive any harassment. Mualani started to talk about something - he couldn't keep up with her bubbly tone. 

“...and yeah, I hope you don't mind that I also invited Kachina.”

Kinich stopped at the shore of the hot spring. 

“What?”

“Hey Mualani!” A high-pitched voice greeted them.

She wore the thick clothes of the Children of the Echoes and also had huge, bunny-like ears. 

‘No way this was the girl they were bullying. A literal kid?’ Kinich blinked a few times to truly comprehend the situation. Maybe he truly should have fed them to Ajaw.

“Hi Kachina! This is Kinich, whom I had talked about.” She signaled to Kinich, who stood there dumbfounded. He didn't expect to speak to so many people today. “He is also a Saurian Hunter!”

“A low-ranking one…” Kinich tried to speak up, but Kachina’s squeaking quieted him.

“A Saurian Hunter? Oh, and also from the Scions of the Canopy? They are all so athletic, I wish I could learn from them!” She shook his hand feverishly.

“Oh, yeah, sure…” He didn't know what to say to that. 

“Kachina, I have your swimsuit here, come and change.” Mualani chirped. “I can also get you something to wear, just a second.”

“There is no need for that, I won't be going into the water.” 

Mualani looked as if a world had been destroyed inside her. “No! That won't do, you are at the People of Springs. It’s only natural that you come into the water.” 

“Maybe I will put my leg in it, but there is no need for a swimsuit.” Kinich thought that he had shaken her off for sure this time. 

Mualani had other opinions on it. She disappeared for a moment and returned with clothes that were suitable for deep diving. 

“These are for you.” He dropped it in Kinich’s lap. 

He tried to talk her off it, but she shot a look so determined at him as the one when she cooked for him - and he didn't push further. 

He changed to the swimsuit but deemed the bandana worthy of keeping. 

At the springs, Kachina was talking about some precious gem she had found.

“It was as big as my fist, and was golden-like. Truly a marvelous find!” 

Kinich listened to their chit-chat in quiet. 

Mulani was grilling satay sticks. The beats of the pahu ¹ and koauau² echoed from hotspring to hotspring, never betraying the name of the People of the Springs. They were well known to be cheerful and relaxed, but still formidable warriors. 

Mualani tapped her feet to the beat and hummed some tunes while handing Kinich the finished food. He sprinkled some spice on them.

“Now that I think about it, where is Ajaw?” Mualani questioned him. “Not that I miss him, of course.”

“I closed him off. I believe I have two hours left without his company.”

Kachina tilted her head slightly. “Ajaw?”

“My saurian companion.” 

“Aw! I love them so much, Ayo, mine almost died a while ago, but I don't think I could have accepted that… They work so hard!” Kachina muttered, thinking about the little tepetlisaur in its nest.

“Well, Ajaw is not exactly like that…” Kinich and Mualani said in unison.

“Huh?”

Kinich shook his head. “Just ignore him if you can.”

“What you dare to say about me?!” Ajaw appeared out of nowhere, next to its owner, much to Kinich’s dismay.

“I thought you were off for longer than that.” 

“No, you grasshopper!” He screamed. “You try to shove me once again into those puzzle boxes, I will bite your fingers off! Grah, you just wait, you will hit the bucket sooner than you can expect!” 

Kachina blinked. She was shocked. “Why is it like that?”

Kinich shrugged. “He was sealed off, maybe the air there turned his brain into mush.”

“WHAT THE F-” Kinich slapped him before he could finish the sentence.

“As I have said before, please ignore anything he says.” 

Mualani threw the kitchen tongs up and caught them in a practiced manner, imitating some dance moves. She drummed on the table and cheerfully exclaimed, “Lunch is ready!”

Kinich stared at her in shock. ‘Just what was she doing?’

Kachina seemed to be used to her friend’s moveset and got out of the water. 

She squeezed the water out of her ponytail and hovered above the food. “Smells amazing!” 

“Of course, I made it!” She blinked. “Have a portion, you too! Don't just stare there!” She turned to Kinich, who was like a saurian caught in the headlights. 

They mostly ate in quiet, save for the music that seemed to never end, and their sound of contented chewing.

“Now then, we wait a few minutes and then we are off to go back to the waters!” 

They nodded to Mualani’s proposition. 

Kachina turned towards Kinich. He was trying to find some shadow to fight the sun’s gruelling scorch. 

“What is it like being all the way high up? I always wanted to try out the grappling hooks, but none in the Children of Echoes could have taught me.” 

Kinich couldn't find any words to describe it to the little girl staring at him in childish awe. 

He never really thought about it. After all, he learned it to get more mora from a passerby veteran, before he and Ajaw had met.  “I find it an efficient way to move around.”

“Really?”

“Uhm… yes.” He stared at his feet in awkward silence.

Kachina followed his example. 

If not for Mualani noticing the tense atmosphere, who knows how long they would have sat there in complete silence. 

“Right! Why don't you train with us?” She chirped. “I bet it could be useful for even you, after all, I am quite the formidable foe!”

Kinich considered it. Yes, he could most likely gain some experience, and the chance of him winning the Tournament would increase. The fighters of the Night Warden wars get paid quite well, and he would also have food and accommodation at the Weary Inn for a few days. This would benefit him, but would also take away his time for doing his own commissions as a Saurian Hunter, which meant less money.

Still, he felt as if he owed Mualani for her efforts. She invited him to eat twice and even got him swimsuits. Now that he thinks about it, was he indebted to the sun-kissed girl?

“We can talk about it.”

“Yay!” The girls cheered. 

“The time has passed, it is time to get into the waters!” Mualani chirped. “Last one in water gets to wash the dishes!” She shouted and sprinted to the shore.

Kachina was baffled. “Hey, that's cheating!” 

She stormed off too. 

Kinich stared at Mualani once again. Just what was all this? He would be glad to wash the dishes if it meant his debt was paid out to her…

Nonetheless, he still moved to the water where the girls were already splashing each other with water. 

He crouched down. He didn't want to get fully in the water, so he just put his leg in it (so he could oblige Mualani’s wish). It felt cool against the sun.

“You sure aren't getting in?” Mualani asked. Kachina used the chance and splashed a bucket of water in her face. “You little! Just wait till I catch you!” She laughed.

“No, I’m fine.” 

Kachina got shoved in the face, returning the favor. She spat out some salty water. “Why won't you remove the bandana? It might get wet.”

Kinich unconsciously reached for the cloth but shook his head. “No, it’s fine.”

Ajaw took this as a chance to return. 

“You little pests, how can you enjoy something so lowly as playing in the water? Are you still kids, unable to comprehend true adults?” He growled.

Kinich seemed unperturbed. “You are saying this only because you are made of phlogiston. If you had a body, you too would be in the water.” 

“A body? You just wait- there is a new commission put up on the billboard that pays a few hundred thousand mora. This is your usual!” He grinned with malicious intent.

It was quite common for Ajaw to push Kinich into dangerous missions in hopes that he would “hit the bucket”. Unfortunately for him (and fortunately for Kinich), the boy had a stronger will to live than he had expected. He always healed, always dodged, and always survived. He was done with him so much, that sometimes he would sneak out when Kinich was asleep and put out commissions that would send anyone into the Night Kingdom.

Mualani jerked her head. “Are you leaving?”

Kinich considered accepting whatever hellish commission Ajaw wanted. He also felt like he was lingering in their company longer than he should have. “Yes, thank you for… inviting me.”

Kachina waved at him. “It was nice to meet you! See you!”

“Wait a minute, I think I put your clothes away. Let me fetch them for you.” Mualani pushed herself out of the water.

Kinich followed her to the house. She didn't seem to mind that the floor got all watery from the constant dripping from her hair and clothes.

She opened a wardrobe and sorted out his clothes.

“About the training part,” she started, following Kinich’s gaze in her mirror that was just right next to the wardrobe. “I don't expect you to do it for free. I just didn't want to say it in front of Kachina.”

Kinich’s eyes slightly widened. He quickly strangled Ajaw before he could say any remark about what he was about to do.

“No, there is no need for that. I already owe you a lot.”

Mualani furrowed her brows. “To me? Whatever, what about meeting up tomorrow at sunset at Huitzli Hills? There aren't many people over there.” 

She gave him his clothes back.

“Sure.” Kinich’s eyes trailed from the clothes to Mualani and back. Something was bugging him, she could tell.

“What is it?”

“Where can I wash the plates?”

Mualani was confused. “Why would you want to wash them?”

“Because I was the last to reach the spring and you said-”

“No, stop,” she laughed, holding up her hand. “That was only a saying. I wouldn't let any of my guests clean after themselves.” 

Kinich’s face got relieved for a second, but in the next moment he blushed. “Oh, I see. Sorry.”

Mualani patted his shoulder. “It’s nothing, truly. You can change there, if you want, but you can also keep the swimsuit.”

“Thank you.”

“Ah, sure. You are welcome here.” She said and sauntered out of the bungalow. 

‘So, I’m forever indebted to her…’

Kinich, as per her guidance, went to the changing room. 

Ajaw’s holographic jaw was on the floor.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WON'T ACCEPT THE PAYMENT?” He screeched. “What sort of character development is this?! It was your only good quality! How easy was it to manipulate you, but now!”

“What about my quality where I give food to a hologram and let him sleep in my bed?” He asked, putting his trousers on. It was somehow different to the touch.

Ajaw let out a growl. He was truly angry this time. 

Kinich’s confusion was showing on his face. His clothes - they had been washed. Just how did she-, no, why did she clean them?

He blinked slowly. Ajaw was still rampaging. His chest got warmer for some reason. 

He might have heatstroke if he is not careful. But today he hadn't been under the sun that much.

“Let’s go.” He stood up, expecting Ajaw to follow him outside.

Tomorrow, at Huitzli Hill.

Chapter Text

A Saurian Hunter’s job starts early, at sunrise. 

Kinich used to watch the sunrise over the Sulfurous Veins with his mother. Sometimes, when his father was away, they would stay awake all night. Her mother would tell him the most fabulous tales—ones that she created and ones woven from the news they got from other nations. During these nights, he would learn how to write and read, her mother carefully leading his small fingers across the white paper.  

On one of these nights, he wrote down The Hill of the Silent Crickets. On the right pages, his mother also wrote it down with her perfect handwriting, adding small illustrations, and on the left sides, his beginner letters crossed wobbily across the page.

When the sun rose, there were still a few pages left, but his mother would move his chin to the yellowish sky.

“Look, little cricket, the war will soon be over. It will be your duty to make the Mare Jivari bloom again.” 

Little Kinich stared at her, confused. “Mare Jivari is ash, mom, no one can make flowers grow there!” He chirped, pushing his head into his mother's side. 

She held his head up and kissed him on the forehead.

“How does the story end?” He asked at that time, not being bothered by the beautiful colors that would illuminate their environment.

Her lips parted and closed. “We will finish it later, there is no need to rush.”

“But I want to know! Will there be a young cricket? What happened to the others?”

She laughed at him, but refused to answer his question. 

Instead, she made breakfast and got ready to greet her husband.

The next morning, his mother didn't wake him. 

She never told him how the story ended.

Kinich never saw his mother after that day.

A Saurian Hunter's day starts early, at sunrise.

Kinich sorted through the papers that he had carefully organised from time to time. He would sit backwards to the sun with Ajaw floating back and forth, still sleepy.

“What is it today?” He yawned.

“Nothing much, just some sages who asked for protection. That’s what Wayna told me.” 

“Grah, lowly jobs for the measly insects. Why would you wake me, K’uhul Ajaw, up for this?”

Kinich put a few papers into his bag and checked his clothing. It was clean and ready to leave. 

At the Couriers’ Longhouse, a small group had already gathered when Kinich rolled up with Ajaw. 

Wayna was giving them a demonstration on the route that they would have to secure and pointed out some natural changes that had happened overnight. 

There were a few whom he knew - Tundama and Sinchi, who were his “classmates” at the Learning Lodge, and Yawar. He was famous for scaring people from doing extremely extreme sports.

“In conclusion, they don’t want to come here. They will only research in the Tequemecan Valley, but still look out at the Veins for any slippery rocks.” Wayna looked around with Michica approvingly nodding. “Everyone got it? Then get going, they are already at the Children of Echoes.”

The group all limbered up, said their goodbyes, and got ready to traverse through the steppe. 

After noticing him, Sinchi patted Kinich on the back. “Nice to see you around people. I thought something happened to you.”

“No, I’m completely fine.” He shook his head.

“I see… I was just used to seeing you checking the billboard every day. Say,” Sinchi moved closer and whispered into his ear. “Did you become an assassin? That’s why you don't take on low-paying jobs?”

Kinich stopped and tilted his head. “No. Where did this come from?” 

‘But I did consider it…’

“Oh- well, most of us thought about it, since you are always brooding alone with that horrible thing, yeah.”

Ajaw took his moment to shine. “THING?! AM I A THING NOW? Not even this grasshopper calls me that, and I thought he was a huge idiot but you are more of a moron than him! Anyone who spends time with me should feel honoured! Why would he spend time with you trash-talking muddle fudgers?!” 

Sinchi raised his hand, trying to defend himself. “Okay-okay, I got it bro, just stop screaming, you will wake up the Saurians!” 

Sinchi quickened up and caught up with Yawar and Tundama. 

Kinich looked at Ajaw. “What are you looking at me for?!”

“Sometimes I seriously underappreciate you.”

“This was a question? How could you ever think otherwise when I am the most glorious being in this human-ridden world!” 

“As I said, only sometimes.” Kinich crossed his arms. “What do you plan for this time? Poison? Wild animals? Something even wilder?”

“You dare accuse me of attempted murder? My glory might frighten others, but to think this way is unbeknownst to me.” Ajaw was almost hyperventilating from continuously flying left and right to stay in Kinich’s gaze.

“You attempted it last month with angering a tatonkasaur to crash into me.”

Ajaw gasped. “A slight slip on my part.”

“As I thought.” 

The little dragon seemed angry and out of options - he put his most heavy-hitting card on the desk. “You have no right to say a word when you do things for free for the bikini girl.”

“Her name is Mualani.”

“Whatever, doesn't matter! She is just using you out, can't you see? Right, how could you see with those weird eyes?” Kinich furrowed his brows. “Look at it this way Kinich, people don’t befriend you often. Just why would she be different?”

Kinich sighed. 

Did Mualani use him out? If that were true, why would she do so many things for him? Like washing his clothes and inviting him to lunch… but if it wouldn’t be for using him, then why? Ajaw was right, he was not the one to have friends, he knew it from experience. Then what could it be? 

He reached for his bandana - it was still perfectly in place. People will never find anything important in him. He should stop thinking about ever befriending someone like Mualani or Kachina.

He should just concentrate on surviving. 

For that, he would need mora, of course.

“This is the last commission from her. I wouldn't be indebted to her after this.” ‘I hope at least.’

The Sumeru scholars were waiting for them at the Children of Echoes Wayob. 

Yawar greeted them and introduced themselves. He gave them a quick guide on how not to get killed by any Saurian.

“So please stay away from the wild Saurians. The Long-Necked Rhinos are not that dangerous, but still try to stay in their vision as they might get scared.”

“We understand,” The scholars listened carefully. They were not here to observe the wildlife but rather to collect soil, rocks, and water. “Thank you for explaining. We are going to the Basin of Unnumbered Flames, can you guide us?”

Yawar nodded. “Of course, it’s around half a day's worth of walking, we will be there by sunset.”

Kinich left the team as soon as possible. He hovered above ground, observing the area carefully. Tundama also kept a distance and turned his bow in any direction he heard a sound.

The scholars sometimes crouched down to the ground and took a small sample from it, and then continued walking if nothing happened.

The scholars at some point got tired and decided to take a break. They sat under a stone pillar, its shadow protected them from the sun’s flaming gaze. 

Kinich got closer and sat down on a taller pillar. 

Nadwah, a female scholar with blonde hair, opened up her backpack and took out some food.

“Would you like some?” She asked. 

“What is this?” Sinchi smelled it. It was very sweet to the nose.

“Oh, it’s candied ajilenakh nut. It’s a common sweet in Sumeru. Take some!” She put a piece in his hands. She gave a portion to Tundama and Yawar. She even handed some to Kinich, who took them, turning his back to Ajaw.

He took a bite. The taste was so sweet, it made his tooth ache. He took another.

“Hey! Some of that as mine!” Ajaw huffed. “Leave some for me!”

They reached the Weary Inn, where the scholars already had an accommodation ready. 

“Thank you. Tomorrow we would like to go to the Toyac Springs. We had already paid for a room for you, so please take a rest now.” Wiqas said.

Kinich had to share his room with Sinchi. The latter was more than displeased from having to be in the same room with Ajaw.

“No! I’m sorry, but I can’t accept something so insufferable!”

“Don’t worry,” Kinich deadpanned. “We are going out for the night.”

Dawn came sooner than expected, and Kinich had to travel in the dark towards the Hills. Using Ajaw as a torch and a grappling hook he terrain was a blur beneath him.

On Huitzli Hill, there were two figures, emanating a faint glow of the Nightsoul - Kachina and Mualani. 

They were stretching their limbs and warming up.

Kinich landed a few steps away from them, careful not to scare them. 

“How dare you start without us?!” Ajaw boomed.

The two girls quivered at the sudden shout.

“Sorry,” Kinich said. 

“Oh, it's nothing!” Kachina smiled, holding up a polearm.

‘Why was she using a polearm? It for sure is the most useful weapon but also the hardest to use for someone so small.’

“Did you warm up, or can we start?” Mualani asked. She held her surfboard in her hands. Was she about to fight with that? Kinich didn't see her fight in the latest Pilgrimage (as he doesn't bother to waste his time on it), and when they were paired up together, she used a simple catalyst.

“I am ready.” He took out his claymore to prepare the two girls. “Ajaw won't be participating, don't worry.”

Kachina did a final stretch. “I wanted to ask - what is your relationship? He doesn't act really nice, so why do you… y’know bother?”

Ajaw was foaming at the mouth. “WHY DOES HE BOTHER? WHY DOES HE- BECAUSE HE IS MY SERVANT!”

“Alright, alright, calm down!” Mualani shook her head in disappointment. “Let’s get started instead! Two versus one, right?”

She threw a big splash of water at Kinich, who barely dodged. 

Right, she has a hydro vision bound to her bikini’s straps. 

Kinich propelled up to the sky with his grappling hooks. He quickly disbanded them and plunged with his claymore. 

The clash made the earth shatter under the blade - Mualani dodged. 

Kachina was attacking him while he got up from the ground. The huge range of the polearm didn't give him any other choice than to step back. 

Kachina saw that this way Kinich would eventually be able to escape from her dodges. She switched and targeted his legs instead of the upper body. Kinich backtracked. 

Mualani was planning an attack just as Kachina made her an opening. She swung her polearm from the ground in a small half-moon, leaving Kinich with two options: either get hit or counter. He chose the latter one. 

His claymore crashed into her polearm with a loud clank. A claymore is stronger than a polearm. 

Kachina’s weapon went flying from her hands. The little girl nearly fell from the precipitious imbalance. 

Mualani took her chance. She summoned Sharky and sped up. With the high speed, she turned over and flipped the surfboard. The back of the board would have bruised Kinich if he hadn't blocked. 

The hit was way too heavy and pushed him out of his stable stance. He stumbled back, helding the claymore up to stop any of Mualani’s attacks. 

He forgot about Kachina, who got up from her fall. With a breakdance-like move, she kicked Kinich’s right calf. 

He dropped to his knees. 

Mualani targeted him with her catalyst. “Stop right there, enemy knight!”

“Enemy knight?” Kinich held up his hands.”I give up.”

Mualani and Kachina relaxed. 

Ajaw flew over Kinich and blew a raspberry to him. “Look Kinich, you lost without me! Ahahaha!” 

“Good job Kachina, you were sneaky! You also did well.” Mualani praised them, ignoring Ajaw.

“Why don't you use your vision?” Kinich asked and stood back up. The back of his leg hurt a bit. He shook it for a moment.

Kachina became tomato red. “I c-can’t use it well yet, and I thought it would be unfair to use it against someone who doesn't have one…”

“Don't bother with that. Another round?” 

They kept practicing until all of them were covered in sweat and their muscles were quivering from the strain. Ajaw was already asleep on a rock. 

“What time is it?” Kachina asked with worry-filled eyes. 

“It’s almost midnight.” Kinich heaved. If he ever does anything like this, he mentally noted, he won't be the target for the entire time.

Kachina blanched despite being red from the excessive exercise. “Ah! I’m late, my parents must be worried sick! I have to go!”

Mualani laughed at her. “Of course, see ya!”

“See you too!” She hopped on some sort of drill that she hid in a bush. “Let’s go Turbo-Twirly!”

Kinich and Mualani watched as the girl rode off. Once she was out of hearing distance, Mualani turned to Kinich. 

“So what’s the price, oh mighty Saurian Hunter?” 

Kinich stared into her eyes. They were a gradient of the blue and golden sky in the morning. His chest once again got weirdly hot. 

‘I shouldn’t stay under the sun this much.’

“I think there is no payment as I’m already indebted to you.” 

Mualani's eyebrow rose. “Why?”

Kinich pointed at his shirt and trousers. Both got dirty since then, but they were still cleaner than before.

“You cleaned my clothes. I don't know how you did it when you hadn’t left, but still. I owed you for it, and now it is paid.” He sighed. “After this, we are even.”

Mualani tilted her head in confusion. “I saw that it was dirty and asked my mother to wash it, while I was cooking.” 

“Your mother?”

“Yes. My parents are nice and let me live a life without pushing themselves in it way too much. So whenever my friends come over, they take some respite at their friends’ place. This time I asked her to do it, because I thought that it might have been uncomfortable that way.” She explained. Kinich’s chest got tighter and tighter with every word she spoke. “But you are right, I should have asked beforehand. I’m sorry!”

Kinich was stunned to speak. It all made sense, but at the same time it didn't. Last time someone washed for him was when his mother was still with him. It was for sure unexpected… He can't say that he was displeased with it, no, he was content and felt even some sort of trust. 

Why would Mualani trust him?

“No, I am thankful to you. I was just… surprised.” He couldn't say another word. His throat got sore and his breathing got quicker. ‘This is the worst heatstroke I've had in a while.’ He still had to say something very important. “Now that we are over this, you can commission me at the Village Chief.”

He turned his back to the girl. 

Mualani placed her hand above her heart. Kinich couldn't see anything, but she was staring at his spot with wide eyes. 

She should say something. But what? All she knew was that she couldn't bear it if he continued living alone in that old house, far from everyone. 

Kinich was about to wake Ajaw and get back to his house. He already had a commission due in the morning, and he still hadn’t done a thing. 

His boots’ laces became undone. He was about to crouch down when he tripped over the loose string. He fell face down into the grass.

Mualani gasped and quickly helped him up. His headband got moved over, he could feel his hair being pushed over.

Mualani noticed it. 

Sooner than he could have pushed the headband back to its place. 

She recoiled.

“What happened?” Her voice was hoarse. She held him between her hands as if fearing he would stumble once again.

Kinich avoided her gaze. 

He wanted to leave in this instant. He wished Ajaw was awake (a rare moment) because of him, he could have avoided this situation. Now Mualani was shooting him concerned looks and was refusing to let him go. 

“Please, let me go.” 

Mualani bit her lips but still hadn't moved. “What? No, what happened to your forehead?” 

Kinich saw the world become a blur, and he felt that he was trapped, like a cricket under the ground. It was too hot, way too hot, maybe he was falling in liquid phlogiston. 

(What does the cricket do?)

He had to break free. 

He pushed Mualani away. She foundered and dropped. 

Kinich’s vision suddenly became clear. He felt as if he was choking. 

He pushed her to the ground? Was it him? It had to be him. 

“I’m so sorry!” He cried out and held his hand out to help her up, but he knew it way too well, that his hands were shaking and weak to pull her up.

Mualani was shocked at the impact and of the Hunter’s deed. What happened? Why did he become scared? She felt as if all connected to the scar that etched throughout his forehead and hid so carefully under the bandana. 

“I’m fine, but… let me apologize. I should have noticed sooner.” She apologized, her gaze lingering on him.

He avoided it once again, because he already felt the pity emanating from her. 

She stood up and dusted herself off. 

“I have been out way too long, I better get going.” 

Kinich watched as she summoned Sharky and got ready to leave.

She was about to say her goodbyes when Kinich spoke up. 

“My father threw a plate at me when I was six, I think.”

Mualani looked at him carefully. His gaze was somewhere far away, where the sun rests, in the South.

“It never healed well, because we couldn't afford stitches at that time, and the scab didn't heal properly. When I had to go to the Learning Lodge, I started to cover it up. My teacher understood it, but I was worried if the other people did not and would find out what truly happened…” His voice trailed off.

Mualani moved. Kinich took a step back. 

She gave up on the hug.

She cleared her throat.

“I-i’m sorry. Both for you, and because I made you uncomfortable.” She put her hand over her heart. “But if it's your secret, then I will keep it. After all, that's what friends are for.”

Kinich took his gaze back to her. Friends? Why are they friends when he hurt her? He might start little and become just like his father. 

His heart said otherwise. It got light as a feather, as if the cricket had reached the light. 

“Thank you.”

Kinich didn't wake Ajaw up. After Mualani left, he stood there under the night sky. 

He wondered what Mualani's constellation was. 

He couldn't understand why, of all Mualani would befriend him.

 She was cheerful and lively, his opposite. 

 But they were friends…

 Not like with Ajaw, whom he deemed his friend. He, despite saying some highly messed up things, was the first person to ever stand up for him, let it be against Wayna or anyone who dared to speak ill of Kinich. Still, their relationship was based on a fragile line between friendship and enemies. 

Mualani, on the other hand, never said anything bad about him. No, she even listened to him, whenever he said something useless. No, she even asked him to talk about himself, when he truly should have stayed quiet. It was something new that he couldn't understand.

He didn't deserve this. Ever since he was seven, his entire persona has been centered around surviving and getting enough payment to not die from hunger.

What was before? 

His memories from before were hazy. He remembered writing the tale with his mother, but nothing else. He didn't want to remember. 

Get mora. Survive. These were his instincts, a Hunter's instincts. For Archons’ sake, even his name, Malipo, means payment in ancient Natlanese. 

Mualani shouldn't want a friend like him, she deserves way better.

His thoughts trailed back to his fluttering heart. 

“Oh.”

It wasn't a sunburn. 

It wasn't a sunstroke.

Chapter Text

Mualani usually starts her day when she awakens to the sound of music or the beaming sunlight, reflected by the crystal clear water.

She would have breakfast with her parents, play with the Koholasaurs, and once the weather started to cool, she would start her job. She collects the lost swimbelts and balls, bringing them back to Atea, or helping out tourists. 

Later, she usually hangs out with her friends in the pools, or if the weather is still too hot, she would continue with her plans.

She wanted to open a shop where the tourists could buy the essentials for having a great time at the People of the Springs, and also get guides. Now that she had enough mora (thanks to the Pilgrimage), she was planning on bringing it to motion.

This time was different. 

Firstly, it was raining. Precipice was such a rare event in Natlan that the Masters of the Night Wind always published prophecies about the future. 

Secondly, she was at Kachina at the Children of Echoes. Instead of large waters and swimmers, she saw huge boulders and breakdancers, enjoying the rain. 

Her room was decorated with knick-knacks and trinkets, befitting her life of collecting. A wall had a giant hole in it, illuminating Kachina’s first try at handling her geo vision.

Mualani lay in Kachina’s bed, flipping through some magazines and books they had imported from other nations. Kachina was sitting at her desk, tinkering with some gems. Her lorgnette doubled her eyes, scaring Ayo, who had snuggled next to her. 

“So thank you for practicing me,” She mumbled. “I’m glad to have you as my friend.”

“‘Course, I am happy to have you as my friend. Next time, you will win the Pilgrimage for sure!” 

Kachina wondered about that. She has a vision after all. “That Kinich guy also seems very nice. Maybe I should give him something for my gratitude.”

Mualani dropped the magazine on her chest. “What do you think about him?”

Kachina didn't look behind to see Mualani's expression, she knew that she was asking her for real. Her tone was less bubbly now. “I don't know… he can’t pick nice Saurian companions, it seems…”

“No, no! I’m asking about him, not Ajaw.” 

Kachina pushed the magnifying lens back to her head and turned to her. “Why are you asking this?” She raised her eyebrow.

The older girl put her face in her hands. “I don't know.” She said, her voice low. “But after you left, we talked a bit and- before I say anything, I want to hear your opinion.”

Kachina was confused. Just why did she want her opinion on him? It was Mualani who introduced him to her, and they seemed like friends. Or well, something, since Kinich was rather awkward and formal, but he obliged to anything she asked him. He even let both of them beat him up. (Kachina genuinely wanted to give something to him, because she once dropkicked Kinich during the session.) So for Mualani to question it this way meant she was concerned. Maybe she misinterpret the boy’s personality?

“I don't know, truly.” Kachina intoned. “He seemed like a nice guy. Maybe a bit too professional and quiet, but otherwise I can’t say anything else.” After a beat, she continued. “Are you worried?”

Mualani removed her hands from her face. “Maybe I am.”

Kachina almost dropped her soldering iron. “You are rarely worried! Why did you- no, what happened?”

“I felt as if something happened that’s way too hard to explain.” 

“I’m here and listening, so you better explain!” Kachina held up the soldering rod playfully  threatening her friend. 

Mualani held her hands up, defending herself. “Okay, okay, I’m going to tell you,” She sat up. “Not so long after you had left, we spoke a bit. He said that he didn't understand why I was spending so much time with him and wanted to loosen our bonds. Then he tripped and I helped him up and…” Mualani stopped for a second. “Do you know why he wears that headband?”

Kachina shook her head. 

“Because he has a huge scar under it. I asked him about how he got it, and I might have been too pushy.”

“Too pushy?” Kachina repeated. Well, she could see someone interpreting Mualani’s kindness as being ‘pushy’.

“Yes, and well, I don't know, he got kind of angry. No," she remembered. “He was scared for some reason.” 

Kachina pursed her lips. “Did he tell you anything?”

“No, not really, I left soon after. Well, he said that his father once threw a plate at him, and that scarred his forehead…” she trailed off.

Kachina dropped her soldering set for sure now. Ayo awoke to the sound and ran off to the kitchen through the hole in the wall. 

She blinked twice at Mualani before grabbing her soldiers. 

“Look, Mualani, I will say something important to you. You didn't understand the situation, because besides being in the Pilgrimage, you hadn’t been seriously hurt by anyone,” Kachina stared deeply into her eyes. Her turquoise iris was almost uncannily bright this close. “But people who had been hurt by someone they trusted can’t always comprehend certain situations that quickly, and it makes them freak out.”

Kachina let go of Mualani. The latter’s brows furrowed and her shoulders tensed.

“Does this happen to you too?” She asked, finally. 

“It happened. Some people say that warriors who had spent way too long in the Abyss would also have similar moments. That’s what granny Citlali told me.” 

Mualani stayed silent for a moment. “So you say…”

“I say…”

“That he didn't mean to leave me alone?”

Kachina blinked. “Just how did you come to this conclusion?” 

Mualani tilted her head. “You said that he had his trust shattered! I can help him gain trust with people once again. After all, my name is Umoja!”

Kachina didn't oppose. There was something particular about Mualani that made her believe that anything could be fixed. 

She finished the gemstones she had been tinkering with. There were two tricolor cones with their auxiliary still missing. 

“What will it be?” Mualani peeked. 

“Maybe a necklace. Maybe earrings.”

The sages didn't think themselves to be all-knowing. They were rather humble and kept themselves to all of Yanwar’s warnings and sometimes over-the-top rules. 

Nahdva gave them sweets at every break. They also reached an agreement that Sumeru’s food was always sweet. This led to an all-down recipe knockdown between Tundama and Nahdva.

“No, Sumeru cuisine is simply better, we have pita pockets after all.”

“That’s nothing! Natlanese people have chocolate!”

“Weren’t you saying that all these sweets are boring?!”

Sinchi mumbled something about getting a room into Tundama’s ears. Latter got even more heated in the ‘battle’. 

Kinich kept his distance once again. Not to keep aware of the area, but rather because he couldn't concentrate. He was walking mindlessly, sometimes sighing loudly.

Ajaw flew in front of him. “Alright, I can’t do this anymore. What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

“Me?”

“No, I’m asking the koholasaur!”

“Right… I don't know.” Kinich scratched his head. He felt like his mind was in a cloud. Sleeping only one hour certainly didn't help with this sensation. “I just feel weird.”

“That's because you are weak! The human body is so useless, what do you mean you can’t swim in lava?! This is insanity.” Ajaw complained. He fluttered around Kinich. 

“No, I think it's different. I feel hot and everything, but I’m not having heatstroke.”

“I have this feeling, every time I’m talking to you. It’s called being irritated.” Kinich shot him a look. “It’s the truth and I don't lie.”

“Right, and I’m a yumkasaur.” 

Ajaw scared away some Koholasaur whelps, who dared to come near him. “What about the girl? Are you not meeting with her anymore?”

Kinich stopped. “I don't know. She didn't give me any commissions, and now we are even.”

“How would you be even, you didn't accept payment! She owes you, that's the truth.” Ajaw perplexed. The word ‘truth’ coming from his mouth this many times felt uncanny to Kinich.

“No, we are even now. I don't think she would like to meet with me once again.” 

Ajaw noticed Kinich’s somber tone. The small dragon squeezed its eyes. “What did you do?”

Kinich started walking once again. 

“You cannot just leave me and not answer me!” 

Ajaw grumbled. Just who did Kinich think he was? He was the almighty dragonlord, K'uhul Ajaw’s servant, and he dared to leave him like this. “Kinich! You idiot!” He chastised, flapping his small wings around.

“Shut it!” Kinich lashed out. He held up his index finger. 

Ajaw followed Kinich’s gaze. It was fixated on a small hut. A thin line of smoke flew towards the sky. On a pole, he noticed the fatui’s flags.

“Stay silent,” he said.

Kinich watchfully moved towards, tip-toeing towards the hut. It was up on wooden stilts, with straw and supplies piled up under it. He slid between two boxes, catching spiderwebs left and right. 

He raised his hands to his ears, trying to hear what they were talking about.

“They hide at night time, we have to deploy the traps before then.” A deep baritone resounded.

Another voice intoned. “How many do we have to catch?”

“The Doctor said at least three, but a bit more won't hurt, right?” 

Kinich frowned. The fatui were planning to pouch something. This doctor… he once got commissioned to steal some letters and came around some about the fatui. This doctor was an impressive harbinger and overlord in Snezhnaya - and also well-known for experimenting on every living thing. Kinich didn't have a good feeling about all this.

“Yes. He will be pleased by this, we have caught this thing.” Kinich heard a loud clunk, as if someone hit a cage’s rods. A weird growl reciprocated. It was a Wayob manifestation. 

The fatui for sure won't attack the researchers and mean no harm to them. Why would they? 

Therefore, Kinich needn’t bother with them. They would kill some Koholasaurs, but he had other things to take care of. 

Kinich got out from behind the boxes. Standing outside, he dusted his jacket down. He turned towards Ajaw, who was still behind the storage. 

“You aren't stopping them?” Ajaw sputtered. 

He shook his head. “No, it’s none of my problems.”

Ajaw slowly flew out from behind, doubting Kinich’s words. He hit a box and hit the ground. It clattered loudly, and the fatui sigils fell out. 

Kinich and Ajaw quivered at the loud sound.

“What was this?” The baritone quipped, opening the tent’s curtain.

Kinich shakily took out the grappling hooks. 

“Quick!” Ajaw hollered, turning back and forth. 

The Fatui skirmishers saw them, “Over there!” and lunged forth. 

Kinich aimed and jumped. The wind messied his hair - a sharp pain pierced through his chest. A geo bracer’s shard caught him. The sensation knocked him over, and he fell on the ground. 

He coughed up the dirt he had swallowed. 

“Get up, get up, you idiot!” Ajaw ushered. 

A tall shadow towered above him. He closed his mouth. Ajaw teleported back to Kinich’s watch, who was getting up from the ground. 

The electro vanguard held him up by his collar. “And who do we have here?”

Kinich froze. 

“Aw, the cat got your tongue?” The bracer reprimanded. “Quick, bring him inside.”

The skirmisher carried him into the hut. There was another vanguard and legionnaire inside, looking over the map of the Springs. In a corner, there was a cage with a grey Wayob manifestation. All of its energy was sucked away, being nothing more than a wessel.

The bracer got a chair and put it under Kinich. He held up his staff, threatening Kinich.

“So what were you doing here all by yourself?”

Kinich’s breath quickened. His eyes surveyed the insides. 

Wooden boxes used as stools, maps hung from the ceiling, and guns were stored in the corners. If he managed, he could slide under the cloth that enclosed the hut. However, considering the fatui’s combat strength, Kinich wouldn’t reach their level alone. There was also the door as an option, behind the bracer, the vanguard, and the legionnaire. 

“I am here because of a commission.” He spoke up.

The bracer raised his brows. “A commission?”

“Yes, I’m meant to guide a group. I was about to pick them up here.” 

“Aren’t you a little too young for that?” The vanguard asked. “Whatever, it doesn’t matter. Kill him.”

The bracer raised its staff. 

Kinich’s eyes widened. “Wait, wait, wait!” He jumped, but the vanguard caught him by his shirt. “I wouldn’t tell it to anyone that you held me captive!” 

“And how can you prove it?”

Ajaw stirred in his watch. Maybe this time, the contract would finally end, and he would get what he wanted. Kinich tried to break free from the vanguard's hold. 

In an attempt, he kicked it in the ribs, but the force got swallowed by the armour. The fatui got annoyed by his constant movements and was about to smash his head to the ground.

Kinich hitched. “I wouldn’t do anything that won’t pay me!” He blurted out as his last attempt.

The vanguard dropped him as if Kinich were scolding him. 

Kinich’s head throbbed from the impact.

The vanguard seemed displeased. “What’s wrong with you, kid?”

Kinich threw himself towards the door as an attempt at escape. He evaded the bracer’s projectile, only to get punched in the face by the legionnaire, resulting in a loud crack.

He spurted a few steps back, feeling the warm blood drop down on his lips. His face got hot, and his eyes got filled with tears. He grabbed his broken nose. 

“Ajaw!” He let out a nasal shriek, his voice already two tones away. 

The dragon emerged from the watch and hid under his coat’s sleeve. 

“Kinich, you idiot!” He hissed. “If they catch Saurians, what would they do if they saw you with me?!”

Kinich’s nose throbbed. The fatui were circling around him, giving commands in Snezhnayan. Was he about to die? 

The caged Wayob let out an otherworldly growl. 

He turned towards its sorry expression. “When I give the signal, open the cage.”

He didn't wait for Ajaw’s response. He lounged forth. 

Evading the bracer’s attack, he slid under the legionnaire’s gun. He didn't try to hit them, he knew that they wore thick armor. Kinich jumped over the table and knocked it over.

“Now!” 

Ajaw flipped the cage open, and the Wayob emerged from it with a majestic flair. Turning its billowing wings over, it summoned geo projectiles - targeted at every human in the room. Kinich hid behind his newly made shield, and the vanguards sharpened their delusions.

The geo shards (apparently the greyed Wayob was a geo one) stuck deeply to the table, some even bursting through it. Kinich glared at it with a racing heart. It was like…

 ‘No, don't think about it. Concentrate!’

He sidled towards the exit while the Fatui were still busy taking down the poor Wayob. They were shouting so loudly in their foreign language that the manifestation only attacked more violently. 

It was certainly scared to death. 

“You think you can get away?” 

Kinich’s stomach dropped. The vanguard noticed him. 

There weren't any other options. He summoned Ajaw.

Kinich channeled phlogiston into the small dragon and used Ajaw as a projectile. He grew to his triple. 

 The decrease of phlogiston made the Wayob manifestation weaken, but still aware that the Fatui wanted to end it. 

It summoned projectiles once more.

The vanguard tried to dodge Ajaw’s aerial attack, but the Wayob’s shards shot through his chest. 

The fatui didn't see the attack coming and didn't summon its elemental shield.

The other Fatui were also knocked out. The Wayob’s pained whine echoed in his ears. 

“What now?” Ajaw flew down. 

The wayob’s body was damaged and crumbling like limestone. Being stripped of all of its elemental energy turned its existence into only pain.

“We are taking it out.” As he spoke, the drying blood rolled from his skin.

“What happened to not doing something that wouldn't pay you?” Ajaw bleated.

Kinich finally had the moment to summon his claymore. He shot a look at the dragon. “It’s in immense pain.” 

Ajaw groaned. He was so done with Kinich’s little mood and opinion shifts…

He blocked the first projectiles with his claymore.

Kinich swung the heavy weapon to gain enough strength and tried to hit the Wayob with it. The creature dodged, its feathers billowing from the movement. Ajaw bombed it with pure phlogiston - Kinich nearly got burned. The Wayob, however, still survived. 

Collecting all of its strength, it prepared for another projectile attack. 

“Ajaw, put the phlogiston into the greatsword!” Kinich commanded. 

The claymore overflew with energy and strength. 

The Wayob’s first projectiles targeted him, and Kinich parried them with the claymore. It hit the Wayob.

The being screamed before crumbling away. 

“It was fast…” Ajaw noted. “Not that I’m surprised, after all it was I, the almighty dragonlord, K’uhul Ajaw, who ended it!”

“Yes, for sure.” Kinich nodded sarcastically. 

They didn't notice the remaining projectiles that were still targeting Kinich.

The first geo shard hit him in the chest. Kinich lost his balance and stumbled backwards. 

The second shard threw him off the hut. Ajaw lunged to stop him from falling, but he was too slow. 

He hissed, unable to catch something.

Before he could notice it, Kinich fell into the water and hit his head at the bottom, knocking all his breath out. 

The oxygen bubbled up at the sea surface. 

Kinich was dipping deeper and deeper into the water. 

It was a surprisingly nice sensation on his skin. Everything was cold and quiet, except the yellow patch that was speeding up towards him. 

The yellow patch pulled him out of the water and pushed him onto the pool’s edge. 

Ajaw threw himself into the water after him. 

The next thing Kinich knew was that his head was throbbing with pain. The world was upside down.

Ajaw was fluttering above him, saying something. He couldn't understand it. How funny he looked with all this speech no one heard…

Ajaw disappeared.

Chapter Text

Ajaw was stressed from having to deal with not having a body, for having to wait for Kinich to die, and now, Kinich actually dying. This made his temper rise even higher.

Kinich’s head was more likely severely damaged, as blood oozed from it, coloring the sea pink. 

He tried to push him out of the water, but his strength was negligible without Kinich channeling phlogiston to him. 

“Grasshopper! Do not drown, or else I will kill you! Open your eyes, you lazy dork, I will be back!” He screamed into Kinich’s ears.

He didn't react to anything he said.

This was bad.

Ajaw left his side and started to look for help. 

Why was he doing it when he could watch the boy slowly drown? He could take over his body and finally have the power to return to his real self. Yes, his head would be damaged, but as a dragon, he could heal it in a moment. So then, why was he going with almost lightning speed?

“That dork better deserve this!” He said to himself, before noticing a familiar bungalow. 

He hovered around it. Its windows were empty, the curtains being thrown around by the wind. 

A body, Kinich dying - Ajaw shook his head and flew straight to the bedroom.

“Bright on the outside, you have to help!” He boomed.

Mualani yanked from the hammock stretched between the walls. She dropped the book Fables de Fontaine to the ground.

“Ajaw? Just what are you doing here? And why would you scare me like this?!” She held a hand to her chest, as if trying to stop the quick beating.

“It doesn't matter, you have to follow me.” Ajaw urged her outside. 

Mualani had taken back. “And why would I follow… you?”

Ajaw deadpanned. “Because Kinich might, or might not be dying.”

Mualani didn't say a word. She took Sharky off the wall and jumped out the window. 

She followed Ajaw. She kept up with his speed even. He almost mentioned it to her, but felt as if two good deeds a day would shatter his reputation, so he stayed quiet. 

Ajaw led her to the pool, where Kinich was about to fall over. The water was a rich pink, colored with his blood. 

Mualani’s breath hitched. She jumped off her surfboard.

“Wakey-wakey!” Ajaw tried to wake Kinich, but only his lashes fluttered a bit. 

“Move over,” Mualani instructed him. She carefully pulled the unconscious boy onto the board. “Ajaw, go and tell my dad to prepare the first-aid kit. Or call the doctor!”

Ajaw nodded and pushed down his might on his throat. ‘He better give me something for this.’ He left Mualani alone.

The girl stood waist-deep in the water. She secured Kinich on Sharky, making sure he couldn't slide down the other side. 

She swam beside the desk, using her vision to heal him, even if only a bit. She didn't use her vision to heal, but to fight.

If Mualani wasn't the best guide in the People of the Springs, she wouldn't have stayed this calm, even though her heart was beating like a small storm. 

The water level had risen in the last days, due to the rain - it was colder than usual. But this cold was not comparable to her freezing sensation when she saw Kinich’s injured stature. As if all air was knocked out of her, she felt panic rise in her chest, only to get pushed down by Mualani's guide experience. She also fought in the Night Warden wars; she died before… but this was something entirely different. 

Kachina’s words echoed in her ears. Looking at the boy, he seemed peaceful and worriless. She never saw his features this relaxed. 

Their bungalow was close when she saw a familiar figure move through the waters. 

“I got it, take a break!” It was her father who had carried Kinich into their house.

The price is always important.

There is a price for food, for clothes, for a house, for knowledge, for power… Living has a price. 

His father believed in this. He once told Kinich, when he was so small that he could sit on his thigh. 

He gave Kinich an expensive candy from Snezhnaya, and he was in an exceptionally good mood. It was quite a rare occurrence ever since his injury. Getting his spine broken, he could never enter a Pilgrimage once again, and thus his pyro vision dangled from his belt without any use. He worked as a courier - instead of delivering letters, he gambled their money away or got himself drunk.

His father whispered into his ear, telling him that because he knows everything's price, he was great at card games. He kissed his wife lovingly and spent the night out.

The next day, he hadn't won, but had lost. 

He didn't give candies to Kinich, nor did he kiss his mother. Instead, he went straight to the bedroom and didn't come out until the next morning. Both Kinich and his mother knew better than to bother him in moments like these. 

The next morning, his father went out, pinching the vision’s chain between his fingers. 

“It’s useless now, but I might be able to sell it.”

“Can visions be sold?” His mother asked. Her face was sweating from the heat and the excessive work that came with carrying a household. Lately, they couldn't afford to buy groceries - they grew it in the backyard. Her mother was an exceptional farmer.

“Obviously. You think higher of this shiny gem than you should.”

His father disappeared and didn't come back until evening. 

Kinich went to the waterways to wash their clothes. He didn't finish fast. 

He would rather play with the basses in the water or splash the nearby saurians. They would get angry at him and chase him around, but he didn't feel scared of them.

 It was all a game to him.

At some point, though, he returned to the dirty clothes. He pushed it into the water. It started bubbling. Harder than it should have been, and the water got warmer. He lifted the shirt out. 

In the middle of it was a small, shiny gem - a pyro vision.

He stared at it. Kinich was only four and didn't understand the concept of a vision. The archons’ existence was already hard for him to understand. 

He decided it would be best if he told his mother. 

“Mom! Look at this!” He showed her the vision. 

His father just came back and was getting his boots off at the door. 

“What’s that?” 

“A vision!” He smiled widely.

Both his parents’ brows furrowed. They shared a glance. 

His father took the vision out of his small hands. He squeezed his eyes to check the vision - it was real, no denying - and the next thing Kinich knew was that his father’s hands were squeezing his arm. 

He yanked the kid out of the house.

He screamed at him.“You just betrayed the customers! Do you know how bad it is? To think that we, no, I would scam anyone?”

Kinich stared at his father. He could feel his eyes getting more and more glossy, but he didn't move. He feared that the tears would roll down his cheeks and he would get punched again. 

“No, you don't understand anything about this.” His father grabbed the doorknob (it was loose - they didn't have money to fix it). “You learn this tonight!”

Kinich could hear his mother’s screech from behind the door. 

He started bawling. Crawling back to the door, he knocked on it twice.

“What are you doing?” He heard his mother’s voice. “Let him in!”

Something broke, he heard it, and the silence that followed. 

A low weeping erupted on the other side of the door. 

He peeked through the loose keyhole. His mother, his only mother, was crouching on the ground, blood streaming down her lips. 

Kinich knocked on the door as if his life depended on it. He couldn't open it. His four years worth of strength wasn’t enough. 

He watched through the keyhole as his father dragged his mother by her hair to their room.

Not long after, when Kinich was losing hope of getting in and saving his mother, the door opened. 

Kinich jumped back.

“Do you know how fucking annoying you are?”

He didn't answer. He was searching for a way back to his mother. His little heart was beating so fast that his vision narrowed. Even if he wanted, he couldn't see his father's face. 

“C’mon, show me where you found the vision.” His father ordered, and as the good kid that he is, he obliged. 

He led his father down the slopes to the small waterway where the Yumkasaurs played. 

He pointed to the water. “H-here, sir.”

His father nodded. 

The next thing Kinich knew was that he couldn't breathe.

His father was quick and strong - his little neck couldn't get away from his grip that pushed him under the water. 

The water bubbled as he tried to breathe. It was boiling hot against his skin. His vision was getting even more limited, and his heart was ready to erupt. He couldn’t hear what his father said over the water. The pulse in his ear rang louder than anything else. 

He grabbed the small pebbles at the bottom. He raised them to hurt his father with them, so he would let go. His arms never reached out. 

The water seemed cold.

He went limp.

His father turned him above the water, because he awoke a few minutes later. 

 It was getting dark, and the Saurians also hid.

Kinich was cold, but the bruises on his neck and arms kept him hot with fury.

The wet clothes stuck to his skin. The nights are freezing in Natlan.

Mualani’s breath was hitching. She was walking up and down on the pier. 

“Can you sit down, darling?” Her mother cooed from behind. “It won’t help that you are stressing so much.”

“Mom! Just let me be!” She said. 

Her mother was also stressed. She tried to hide it, but her pink nails knocked on the table rhythmically. 

She didn't ask about it yet - how did she find a boy in the water. But there were more important questions at the moment. It was his father who was talking with the doctor in Mualani’s room. 

“Just get over it! You both are overreacting. What would be the worst to happen? Die from a little slip?” Ajaw nosied. His voice, however, was still a few tones higher than his usual. 

Her room’s door creaked. 

“I have examined him.” 

Mualani’s mother stood up from the chair, and Ajaw fluttered next to the doctor. Mualani couldn't even feel her legs moving.

“I won't give false hope - his skull is broken.” Mualani blanched to white. “It is hard to heal from a trauma this hard, but not impossible. He has to stay in bed for weeks and months. Make sure that his respiratory tracks are open and he can breathe. I gave him some treatments, but I believe that he will be unconscious for a while.”

Ajaw tutted. “Y-you mean, he is dying?” 

The doctor blinked. “What are you? Some yellow fly? But well, he could, if anything gets worse. Make sure to call for me if his nose, ears, or eyes get redder or start bleeding again. I’ll come back tomorrow.”

Mualani stepped into her room. 

Kinoch lay on the mattress, white as the sheets. His head was wrapped in bandages.

Mualani stepped beside him. She didn't dare do anything else.

Kinich’s eyelashes fluttered for a moment. His lips parted for a moment as he mumbled,

 “L…let me… in…” 

Then he drifted away again.

After his mother was gone, Kinich didn't get to go into the village. 

Only his father would go there-or, well, leave to get back to their home for a few hours. He would return oozing from alcohol and dirty clothes, with an empty wallet. He would either just lie down on a suitable spot, or if the alcohol was still in his system, he would question Kinich.

“So what did you learn in school today, hm?”

“I don't go to school, sir,” Kinich answered honestly. They couldn't afford it.

“Huh? What are you, some punk? Get back there, brat, or I'll chase you there!”

High chances were that his father would try to beat him. The odds were still on the elder’s side, despite Kinich spending his days outside, hunting for animals.

There were no others in the Scions of the Canopy who would know the behaviour of wild Saurians as well as the six-year-old. 

He made weapons from himself, made clothes from the animal skin - he was perfectly fine on his own.

On a day, however, he passed by a bunch of people discussing something important (judging by the tone). 

He hid in the bushes. He knew that there was a lost Tatankasaur nest here, which had two hatchlings. By his experience, they get incredibly fierce and attacking during this period. 

Should he tell them? He hadn't talked to other people, besides the few merchants who buy his catches. 

The Tatankasaur erupted from behind the cliff - its horns broke through it, as if it were wood. The elders stepped back, already grabbing their weapons.

Kinich shot his arrow right to the feet of the wild Saurian. It stopped and jerked back. He shot another arrow to its right, right into its peripheral vision. The Tatankasaur turned left and ran off with a loud roar. 

The oldest of the elders turned to the bushes from where Kinich was aiming.

“Would you mind coming out?”

Kinich held his breath. He didn't want to converse with anyone. They would ask so many questions…

“I don't want to punish you. I just want to see the person who saved my life.” 

Kinich took a wobbly step out. The elder smiled sweetly at him. 

“If you ever need any help, just search for Leik.” He said. The other elders whispered in his ear. “What’s your name?”

He swallowed. The other elders were examining him; he could feel it. 

“Kinich.” 

He disappeared between the shrubs.

The next morning, the elder appeared in front of Kinich’s door. 

The kid opened it, expecting the merchants.

“Well, hello there!”

He stayed silent. 

“Where is your father?” 

He didn't open his mouth.

The elder sighed. “I see, you aren't a big talker. I wanted to ask - why aren't you in school?” 

“I can't.”

“Why can't you?”

“I can't afford it.”

The elder raised his eyebrows. “ Why is that so? I believe studying gives you something worth more than anything.”

Kinich looked down. “If I study, it won't give me food.”

The elder stepped into the house. Kinich tensed. What should he do? Would the elder steal? No, he was probably rich, and they had nothing. What was he after? 

“Sorry, I just didn't want to talk about it outside. Are you hungry? I have Saurian crackers.”

He gave Kinich a few pieces. After he ate them, the elder thanked him for his hospitality and left. 

The next morning, it happened once again. 

“Well then, what happened to your arm?”

His father yesterday got angry at him for not leaving him more money. 

“I slipped.”

“Ah, I see. The waters can be tricky.”

He gave him a volcano cake.

The next day, he gave him Fruits Aplenty. 

On the fourth day, Kinich’s father was also home when Elder Leik knocked on the door.

“Who is that?” He snapped to the door.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Yes, yes, all the greetings. What do you want?”

The elder peeked over the man’s shoulders. 

“I’m looking for Kinich. Is he here?”

His father stepped outside, closing the door behind himself. 

Kinich stared at the door - he knew better than to try to listen in. His leg was sore from all the hunting and his father’s beating last night.

He couldn't get more mora this time, as one of the merchants got sick and had to delay their travel. 

Not much later, the door opened. Elder Leik was holding a small bag of chocolate. “Would you like to come for a walk?”

Kinich moved as if it were an order. He watched his father's expression. It was glued to him while he moved outside, but it didn't stop him. 

“What did you say to him?” He confronted the elder, who just laughed. 

“Not much that you should worry about. Have some,” he offered the sweets. “But please do answer a question.”

Kinich chewed on the piece of chocolate as he gaped at the man. 

“What happened to your leg?”

The elder’s gaze was fixed on the purple and green bruises on his shin. 

“I tripped.”

“And your arms?”

“I tripped.”

“What about your cheeks?”

“I-I tripped.”

The elder sighed. “Yes, you might have tripped. Sorry for my concerns, I just overexerted my power. You are rather capable, if somebody was hurting you, you would tell to me.”

Kinich felt as if the temperature dropped from daytime to nighttime.

His father was hurting him, but… that’s not possible. His father would never… he did, but…

He shook his small head. He should focus on surviving.

“That’s right. Thank you.”

“You are very welcome. I live at the edge of the village in the yellow house, if you need me. It’s almost nine, I have to get going to work.”

Kinich gave him some greetings and went back to the house. 

“Why are you chit-chatting with unknown people?” His father welcomed him.

“I’m not, he just gave me food.”

His father’s face got redder with every word.

“That’s because you act like some rag! People think that we are poor, because of you!”

Kinich’s eyes went wide. “But we don't have mora.”

His father slapped him across the cheeks. “Never again talk back to me!”

The cut from yesterday opened again, and blood dripped down his face. His face turned into a scowl. 

“Then why aren't you home?” He slipped, and his father's rage couldn't be quelled anymore. 

He grabbed him by his hair and held his head straight so that he couldn't avoid his gaze. 

“The same reason why your mother isn't home either. But you don't ask her.”

Kinich felt his eyes burning with tears. His mother will come back, it wasn't even a question. But his father never stayed at home, never helped him. 

His father dropped him. He reached for the dirty, unwashed plates from a week ago. 

“Stop crying!” 

Kinich couldn't.

“Why do you leave me… alone?” 

Next, he felt a soaring pain and dizziness in all his bones. It wasn't like a sickness, no, it was fear and disgust. 

The blood flowed from his forehead to his eyelashes, where it mixed with his salty tears. Soon, his full face became a bloody mess. 

With shaking arms, he reached for the injury. He felt as if something was still in it. 

Kinich raised his gaze to his father, who didn't notice or didn't want to notice that he had been injured and was planning on throwing another plate. 

He dodged the next platter and fled from the house. He could hear his father yelling and the plates breaking, but he was outside, running down the slopes.

Elder Leik didn’t ask questions when Kinich appeared at his door. He simply wrapped the kid in a hug after he cleaned his wound.

Mualani didn't sleep a second. She was searching for any sign of shaking or blood leaking from the bandages for the night. 

Her gaze traveled along the scar that he usually hid under his bandana. 

She could never imagine growing up whatever way than he had. She always had her parents, her tribe, Kachina…

When she was younger, she tripped with her surfboard into a cliff and it got stitched together. The scar was still visible. Both injuries were similar - just old scabs not being able to heal properly. But she didn't feel ashamed by it, because since then she learnt how to determine the depth of water with ease, as she never wanted to experience it again. Kinich felt differently; probably he hid it and didn't like to talk about it. 

Mualani’s parents were switching themselves from charge - they wouldn't leave a teen alone in this. 

At the second switch, her mother whispered into her father’s ear.

“What is this? She is behaving kind of oddly…”

“It might be the trauma, but it might be best if we ask one of her friends.”

“Ask Atea?”

“No, I meant the little girl, Kachina.”

Ajaw was taking it way too logically - he explained relatively calmly that they had come with a group. He volunteered to speak with them. 

The truth was that Ajaw, besides being the Almighty Dragonlord, had grown soft. Way too soft to his own liking, and he wanted to get back in shape. Kinich wasn’t able to stop him at the moment from attacking a few settlements or stopping any small mischief like putting bombs in toilets and other places. That was the truth behind why he didn't want to stay behind. Definitely not that he would feel empathy or be concerned about Kinich. Absolutely not.

Kinich didn't wake up for twenty-four hours. The doctor was walking back and forth in Mualani’s house, prescribing new medicines and treatments every moment. 

“If he doesn’t wake up in a few hours, he will…”

Mualani jerked her head backwards. “What’s going to happen?”

The doctor bit his lip. “His brain might have been damaged and…”

She knew what that meant. Some warriors from her tribe had suffered similar injuries, and some of them died later on. 

Ajaw charged in like a bull, throwing the door open. 

Everyone in the room froze. The unexpected intrusion stopped everyone in their tracks.

“Did you, annoying mortals, finally end my contract?”

Mualani blinked twice, gazing at the unconscious Kinich lying on the mattress. 

His fingers twitched. 

The doctor and her gasped in disbelief. 

Soon, his eyelashes started to flutter.

The doctor scurried to him and checked his pulse on his wrist. His expression relaxed. 

Kinich’s lips parted. Two shallow words escaped from him, “What…happened?”

Mualani and her parents clapped in joy, only for the doctor to hush them.

The only person who was seemingly displeased at the situation was Ajaw.

“Fuck.”

Chapter Text

If somebody could have described the People of the Spring perfectly with one word, that word would have been hospitality. The Toyac Springs were one of the most beautiful sights of Natlan, and the locals were happy to guide and help the tourists. Mualani was considered one of the best guides, too! Then why wasn’t Kinich comfortable? 

She prepared Hot Spring O’clock - a delicious pizza with grainfruits - and a glass of water on a tray, and carefully opened her room’s door with her leg. She also wanted to prepare Xocoatl, but the doctor said that it would be better if he mostly consumed nutritious meals and not sweets. 

Her room was filled with the smell of sweat, detergents, and creams. The smell of healing, she supposed. She equipped shutters on her window to help with sleeping. 

She heard the faint sound of breathing. She put the tray on the shelf where she usually kept her books. They were now neatly stacked up in the corner, next to her hammock, under the mirror. Mualani stood motionless for a moment, watching Kinich, before speaking up. “So, hm, I prepared some food. I can help you eat it.”

The doctor explained that he shouldn’t move for at least five days. They were on day one after he awoke. 

As before, he said nothing. 

Mualani knew that he wasn’t asleep - she had to wake him up every four hours to check on him, whether his condition had worsened. She could see the glint of his eyes under his lashes. 

She waited a few moments. 

Kinich looked horrible for short. His undereye was a deep purple, and his nose still had some leftover dried blood (she didn’t want to annoy him further), and the thick white bandage on his temple covered most of his hair. 

Mualani pouted. Kinich didn’t say a word. 

She left the room.

She didn’t understand it. No, she absolutely didn’t get it. Why didn’t he talk? After he awoke, she briefed him on the happenings of the past days. Since then, Kinich didn’t eat and didn’t speak. 

She walked outside to the terrace, where the sun blinded her after the dim room.

Her throat got tight, and she felt as if she could choke. She sipped for fresh air, and tears ran down her cheeks. She tried to stop herself, but she couldn’t. Her breathing quickened. She squeezed her hands against her face, hiding the tears. She could feel her heart’s pulse in her veins. 

She started hyperventilating.

“Hey!” A sharp voice echoed in her ears. 

Mualani took her hands away to face Ajaw. She couldn’t hold it anymore, and she started bawling. 

“No, no, no! I can’t bear crying kids!”

“So-sorry…”

Ajaw huffed and flew away. Mualani expected him to disappear completely, but a few seconds later, he returned, holding up a tissue paper.

“I hope you are still hyperventilating enough to forget this.”

“T-thanks.” She mumbled, wiping her eyes dry. 

“So, tell me, mortal, why are you crying?” He croaked, floating all around Mualani like a fly.

Mualani took a few seconds to slow her hiccups. “Why doesn’t he answer me? Is he in pain? He is at the upper limit of painkillers, which can’t be. Am I the problem? What am I doing wrong?”

Ajaw’s pixelated eyes widened for a moment. “For sure, you are a problem, but not in his case.”

“What?”

“I meant that Kinich’s an idiot and you can’t change that.”

Mualani knitted her eyebrows. “Why?”

Ajaw laughed at that. “You think that you can stop him from being an idiot when I, K’uhul Ajaw, the Almighty Dragonlord, couldn’t?”

“I meant to ask, why is he an idiot…” 

Ajaw took a small step back. Mualani knew that the small dragon was also awake every night, not only she, even though he didn’t tell anyone. She only knew because she saw the flutter of yellow behind the shutters. “I don’t know why, but he was already an idiot when we contracted, and he was like… I don’t know, how old is your raccoon friend?”

“My raccoon.. Don’t speak of Kachina like that, or I’m going to punch you to the Stadium!” She clenched her fist. Ajaw took back with a disappointed grunt.

So Kinich was around ten…

“Did you meet with his father?”

“Oh, I sometimes forget that he had parents and didn’t just spawn, my bad. No, I didn’t meet with his father, nor his mother, and neither with his guardian.”

“You say this like you didn’t have parents.” She raised one of her eyebrows.

“I had, but I ate them. It’s a custom in my species.” Ajaw stated nonchalantly.

Mualani blinked twice. Then thrice. “Please keep that to yourself. Who is this guardian?”

“Elder Leik. What are you doing together in that room that you didn’t know this?” Mualani was about to protest, but Ajaw continued. “No, keep that to yourself. So after his father died, this Leik guy found him in the forest and adopted him or something. But he was way too old and died of old age, too. Heartbreaking, I know. Sob, sob.”

She withheld the urge to send Ajaw flying to the moon. She got so annoyed that she even forgot that she was crying before. 

“How did his parents die? Why did his father…?”

Ajaw turned to her. His voice was surprisingly serious and deep. “Look, sharky girl. I told you everything I could, but you are forgetting that Kinich gave his soul to me in exchange for my services. And I, K’uhul Ajaw, won’t backtrack on that. I won’t give any extremely personal info about my contractor.”

Mualani looked away from Ajaw. “I got it. Thank you. Not for the tissue, I will keep that a secret.”

Mualani can’t understand this, but she knows someone who does. “Ajaw, do me a favour and invite Kachina over.” She placed her index finger to her lips. “I will keep it a secret, of course.”

He mumbled something about ‘servitude’ and ‘unworthy’ but obliged to her wish. 

Mualani entered the kitchen. Her parents had to go away as the Archon summoned them unexpectedly. They promised her to get home by eight at night. It was eight in the morning. 

“It’s going to be a long day.”

She gave food to the Koholasur whelps and went back to her (now Kinich’s) room. 

Everything was the same as she left it. Food and water untouched, went cold. She grimaced at that.

“Alright, tell me, why won’t you eat? Why won’t you talk?” 

Kinich looked at her for a moment and then, as if avoiding her gaze, he lowered his eyes. 

“Please, if you feel that something is wrong, tell me!”

Mualani dropped her gaze from him. She heard some knocking on the door and went to answer it.

“Yes?”

“Hey Mualani!” Kachina waved at her.

Ajaw looked lethargic. “Here, I brought you the hyperactive hamster.”

Kachina furrowed her brows. “Why are you so mean?”

Mualani stopped Ajaw from answering that. “Look over Kinich, I have something to discuss with Kachina.”

“As you wish… As a lowly servant…” He grumbled.

Kachina watched with her mouth agape as Ajaw disappeared. “So what is it?”

Mualani signaled to the terrace to sit down. She hastily prepared some drinks (she had a reputation to live up to) and handed Kachina some suncream. 

“You know the incident.”

“Yes, your parents told me. I got told to keep some distance for five days in case it got worse.” 

Mualani cracked her fingers. “I told you that before… what Kinich’s father did.”

Kachina applied the cream on her cheeks. “Yes, he abused him.”

“I think it ties back to that.”

Kachina squeezed her eyes. “I can’t understand what you mean.”

Mualani slapped the wooden pier in frustration. “He won’t talk! Won’t eat!”

Kachina tilted her head, but then, as if inspiration struck, her face enlightened. “I get it. What can I do?”

Mualani couldn’t look in her friend's eyes. “Can you give me some advice on… how to talk about it?”

Ajaw’s slight glow illuminated the room. It was probably abrasive to Kinich’s eyes, which got used to the comfortable darkness. 

He was more interested in the stray pizza left on the shelf. 

“Gotta give it to the girl, she pampers you to no end.” 

He flew across the room and examined all the knick-knacks. Shells and conches decorated everything. A trophy from the Tournament, a photograph of Watergirl and Raccoon-kid. A whole batch of Fontaineian books. 

“Why does she have so many books about Fontaine?”

He flew back over Kinich. 

“Stop with the silence! It’s annoying as hell!” Ajaw screeched at his face. “No, stop that! Stop with the sulking! I know why you are doing this, and let me tell you, you are absolutely not right.”

Kinich opened his eyes fully for a second, but didn’t say a word.

“Look, if you won’t stop with that, I’m breaking up the contract.”

“The girl asked about your parents. I didn’t tell her anything, but if you won’t talk with her, I will tell her everything.”

Kinich parted his lips for a second. “Ajaw?”

“Hm?”

“If you take over my body… how would that feel?”

“I suppose you would cease to be. Anyhow, that would feel.” Ajaw flew close to his face. “You aren’t dying, you idiot grasshopper.”

That night, Ajaw didn’t keep vigilant under the window. 

Mualani fell asleep in the living room, and it was Kachina who stayed awake until Mualani’s parents arrived home. 

“Sorry about it.” They apologized to the little girl.

“Oh, it’s nothing, I was glad I could help.” She smiled at them.

Mualani awoke at 3 a.m. to Ajaw trying to push her off the bed. 

“Finally, you are awake! Took you long enough.” She heard his hushed voice.

She jumped out of the couch. “Did something happen?”

“No.”

“You scared me to death! What is it?”

Ajaw rasped his voice, and with pride, he gave Mualani an old book. “If you want a way to the idiot’s heart or make him talk, then here you go. Once again, keep this between us.”

She nodded and opened the book. 

The Hill of the Silent Crickets.

Kinich lay on his back. He was hungry and thirsty, but just the thought of having to touch anything made him ick. He couldn’t sleep, so he watched the reflection of the moon mirror through the water surface on the ceiling.

He followed between his lashes Mualani. She didn’t look at him this time, instead, she sat down next to the bed, on the floor. 

She cracked her voice and started whispering. “Once upon a time, there was a civilisation of crickets, living beneath the ground. They would only climb up to the surface once in their lifetime. And thus, they had lived for generations, until one day their whole world started to shake…”

Kinich’s breath hitched. It was very familiar, as if he had experienced this a thousand times before. He tried to turn his head to the girl, but the bandages cut into his skin.

“What… are you doing?”

Mualani stared at the book before her. She spoke quietly as if afraid of anyone hearing her. “Do you know how the story continues?”

He knows for sure. What was she about? Where did she even get that? Doubt filled his mind, like the faint smell of blood. “All the other crickets die, and the champion survives. How did you find this?”

Mualani didn’t want to push Ajaw into this, after all, she keeps her promises. She still couldn’t understand fully why Kinich didn’t speak to her, but looking at the small illustrations and the letters of a young hand… She felt anxiety rise in her throat.

“Did you write it?”

Kinich swallowed, his voice raspy and weak. “My mother taught me how to write with it.” ‘ The Mare Jivari’s flowers… ’ “It’s not finished.”

“I see.” Mualani waited a beat. She did her best to hide the happiness that came with Kinich finally speaking, any weak his voice might be. “What happened to your mother?”

She was ready for anything. For Kinich to stop talking once again. For him to tell something horrible. To ask Mualani to leave. But he only said a simple word, barely hearable. “Dissappeared.”

All of a sudden, Kinich raised his voice and with all his power, he tried to reach for Mualani’s gaze. She was still fixated on the ground, lost in thought. “When I turned seven, my father fell off a cliff and died. Similarly like me right now…” He took a huge breath in, as if summoning all the power of the world. “After that, I lived mostly alone.”

“I’m sorry, it must have been tough.”

Kinich didn’t understand it ever. Why would it be tough? It was easier than before. “No, I was free.” 

Mualani stood up and looked at him in doubt. “But were you happy?”

He didn’t answer that. He can’t remember. He didn’t have time to think about it at that time. Constantly looking for a way to survive, he didn’t bother with things like how he felt. But he was always surrounded by the saurians and did whatever he wanted - he couldn’t describe anything better than that. 

“I hope you understand that your help is very unreasonable.” He monotoned as if he was reading up one of his contracts.

Mualani huffed, unimpressed. “Unreasonable, you say.”

“Yes. Friendships are based on respective funds. If a side can’t provide anything, then the realtionships begins to fail.” He expressed. If Mualani won’t understand this, then he would have to tell her more straightforward than that…

“And what if your company would suffice to me more than anything?”

Kinich froze. His thoughts stopped. He saw Mualani’s braids dangling in the soft draught and the soft glint in her eyes. Even in the dim room, he could see her eyes that faded to a golden hue. Like molten copper or the sun.

Before he knew it, his cheeks flushed red. Damn, that heatstroke again.

“So I would really appreciate it if you ate and y’know… got better.” She said, smiling reassuringly. “I will go even further,” She grabbed his hand that lay dormant on the bed and clenched it tightly. “And I promise you that if you ever want to talk about anything, then I’m always here!”

Kinich blinked slowly. He wanted to tell something to the girl, but his mouth felt so dry that no words could have fitted. His heart beat so fast that he could hear the pulse in his ear. It hurt his head despite the painkillers, but he didn’t mind it. He squeezed his eyes together to let go of the feeling of the burning sensation in his eyes. 

“Then… Can you help me eat?” He hoarsed. 

Mualani’s smile ran wide.

When Kachina woke up, she looked around in a frenzy. She couldn’t find Mualani, and the sun had already risen. 

She had some weird dreams about screams and doctors handing the doorknob to each other, but she wasn’t sure it was a dream. She hastily entered Mualani’s room.

The girl was lying on the floor, deep in sleep. Her hand was on the bed, holding Kinich’s. The platter was empty, and a dose of painkillers was gone. 

Kachina stared dumbfounded. What happened here? 

In a flash, a patch of green and yellow appeared in front of her face, a few centimetres away. Ajaw motioned her outside with an uncanny amount of attention to silence.

She slowly closed the door, careful not to make any unnecessary sound. She grabbed a blanket and put it on Mualani. 

“When did they fall asleep?” She questioned Ajaw.

Ajaw rolled his eyes. “Grah, why do you care? Not long before. Now is our chance to fuck off and enjoy some time of peace.” 

Kachina pondered for a moment before getting a glass of water. 

Mualani’s parents were sleeping in their room. Everyone was tired of the past three days. 

“Ajaw, what does ‘fuck’ mean? And why do you say it all the time?” 

The little dragon smiled smugly. “Sit down, little one, you came to the very best. I, K’uhul Ajaw, going to teach you the secrets of swearing!”

Mualani’s head throbbed as if she cracked it open too. Not sleeping for a day definitely took it’s toll on her. Wait, she might have forgotten to drink enough water, too. She carefully collected herself from the ground. 

The blanket she didn’t remember getting fell off her shoulders. As she stood up, she felt her blood pressure protruding, leaving her with a blank vision for a moment. In her mirror, she saw that her arm left a red mark on her tanned face as she slept. 

In the kitchen, her mother was preparing lunch and his father was doing the business’s paperwork. Kachina was outside on the terrace.

“Good morning, dear.” Her mother greeted her.

“Morning… What time is it?” She got herself a cup of water and the painkillers that they had from Citlali. It wasn’t as strong as the ones that the doctor had prescribed, but it was enough for her headache. 

“Don’t worry about it. I’m making Sour Sauce Chavice, would you like some dessert? I can still prepare it.”

“Yes, please!” She smiled.

Mualani walked out to the terrace.

Kachina’s voice squeaked over the Koholasaur whelps. “You must be one of Celestia’s puppies with how big your eyes are!”

“It started well, but WHY WOULD YOU TALK ABOUT ITS BIG EYES?” Ajaw screeched.

“Isn’t it? I can’t curse any of the Saurians out, they are just way too cute!” Kachina said, smiling at the whelps.

“Yeah, cute little traitors to my species!” Ajaw intoned. “Look into their eyes and see the malice!”

One of the whelps tilted its head, trying to figure out what they were talking about. 

“Aw! Look at that, I don’t think it’s planning any sort of revenge or u…usability.”

“Usurping.” Ajaw exasperated. “If you can’t even insult them, then how are you planning to do that to people?!”

Mualani waited in silence, trying to process what was happening. It was most unusual…

Kachina noticed her and waved in her direction. “Hey Mualani! Did you sleep well?”

Ajaw sighed dramatically.

“Yeah, I think I overslept. What were you two doing here?” She inquired. 

Ajaw tried to protest by moving his small arms in front of Kachina, but she either didn’t notice or didn’t care.

“Ajaw is teaching me how to curse. I think I’m progressing really well!” She beamed.

Ajaw caught Mualani’s gaze and shrank to a portion of his size.

“Is that so?” She cracked her fingers.

“Uh, wait-” Before he could finish his sentence, Mualani punched him to the Stadium. They could hear his voice echoing before turning to complete silence. 

Kachina patted her chin questioningly. She turned to her friend, who had just placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Let’s get inside, the sun is scorching badly today.”

After lunch, the doctor came back for a visit. Sweat was dripping from his temple when he carefully changed the bandage on Kinich’s head. 

With a small hammer, he checked his reflexes and asked some questions.

“What is your hair color?”

“Uh…mostly black?”

“Okay, what day is it?”

“I think Tuesday…”

“Do you feel anything out of the ordinary?”

Kinich didn’t know how to answer that. His skull just got cracked open. What can he say to that? “I feel dizzy and a bit nauseous.”

“Can you smell things?”

He sniffed into the air. He could feel the smell of the salty ocean and the quenepa berries. “Yes, I can.”

The doctor huffed. “Good. He is getting better. The bed rest is still mandatory for the healing, but in a few days, he will be able to get up.”

That night, he didn’t feel that sleepy anymore, and after pretty much sleeping for three days straight, he was staring at the ceiling at night. He wondered where Ajaw had gone to - he assumed the little annoying fly of a dragon was up to no good. 

But then again, he had some inkling regarding the Hill of the Silent Crickets. Only Ajaw knew why that story meant much to him. It happened not long after their contract, when Kinich first brought the dragon home.

He was ecstatic to be inside a human’s home and searched left and right for any hint on how to destroy their civilisation. Instead of finding leads to state secrets (but like what could he have found in the house of an eleven-year-old?), he found the book. Kinich got angry when he started pulling the book to pieces, and for the first time, he put him in a timeout. Later, he felt guilty and explained the whole situation with the book.

Back then, Ajaw would have called him a cricket, but after that, as a silent agreement, he didn’t call him that anymore. Instead, he opted for calling him a grasshopper. Kinich didn’t care what he called him, but cherished the rare motion of kindness from Ajaw.

Ajaw wasn’t that suitable for living together with, but at least he didn’t bother much with asking about his childhood, unlike Mualani. 

Kinich's chest tightened when he thought about her. 

‘And what if your company would suffice to me more than anything?’

No one had ever told him something like this. Not his mother. Not even Elder Leik. 

Her words echoed in his ears, making him feel warm in every joint of his body. It was as if the coldness that every night he had to spend outside because his father didn’t let him inside, or every night he had to spend outside, hunting and fending for himself, had been melted away just by her. It was a fuzzy feeling that he still couldn’t sort out anywhere.

Mualani quietly entered the room, checking if he was awake.

“Can’t sleep?”

“Not really, but you should-”

Mualani put a small box on his bed. He still couldn’t move his head without pain piercing through his temple. “I suppose you didn’t play much of games as a kid, so we are changing that.” She held up a card featuring a girl with a long white ponytail and skirt, with some pink petals flying around her. “This is called Genius Invocation TCG.”

She sat down on his bed.

She started to explain the rules to him. It seemed to depend heavily on the luck of dice rolls and how good your cards essentially are. She gave him some cards as a beginner and helped him with the gameplay.

“You see, your Abyss Lector has two energies, so you can release it’s burst.” She poked at the card.

“And what does it do?”

“It deals three pyro damage and summons this,” She held up another card, namely ‘Darkfire Furnace’. “And then if you combo it with your Cryo Hypostasis, you will deal even more damage!”

“But I can’t switch to it.”

Mualani signaled to the card with a maid holding up a glowing claymore. “You had already activated ‘Leave it to me!’.”

Kinich nodded. “I got it, thanks.”

He had to give it to that it was a pretty fun game. Had to have some intuition and strategy, and of course, good luck, but it was a good way to spend time. 

“It has to be beginner's luck! I didn’t struggle this much in ages!” Mualani groaned.

“Sorry, I didn’t know you were so competitive,” Kinich mumbled. The girl’s eyes were sparkling with the thrill of battle, even if it was just on paper.

She waved her hand, dismissing Kinich’s apology. “I have been in the Pilgrimage a lot of times, of course, I’m competitive.” She sorted through her cards and gave some food to the white girl (apparently her name was Kamisato Ayaka). “Now that I think about it, why did you never participate in any Pilgrimage after that?”

“It didn’t really worth my time, especially if I lost in it. I can get more money by working, plus…” He hesitated for a moment. “I’m not the typical hero person who would sacrifice themselves for their tribe. I’m more selfish, because I only want mora.”

“Hm, I think there is nothing wrong with that. I was just interested in the fact that you have an ancient name and were able to keep up with two vision holders, that’s all.” She remarked. “I think you would have a chance of winning once you had healed. After all, you lost years ago, it’s not like you didn’t get stronger.”

“I might consider it.” He put down a card and filled his Lector’s energy up.

Mualani exploded. “No, no, no! It has to be beginner’s luck!” Her face puffed up and flushed red.

Kinich couldn’t hold it anymore and despite the sharp pain in his head, he let out a small laugh. 

“No, I demand a rematch!” 

The next day, Mualani and Kachina held Kinich’s hand as he got up slowly. His leg and muscles were weak. They wobbled like leaves on the ground as he tried to get up. Without their help, he couldn’t even get up, let alone get to the living room.

He was out of breath when he finally sat down in the living room.

“Look, it will get better with some training.” Mualani tried to reassure him.

Ajaw was still keeping his distance from the surfer girl, but couldn’t hold back any malicious laughter. 

Kinich jerked his head in the direction of the Saurian. It certainly wasn’t a fortunate movement. “Where had you just been for the past days?”

Ajaw glanced at Mualani before answering. “I enjoyed my well-earned vacation while you were getting your princess sleep.”

Kinich saw himself in the mirror while getting out. He looked more like as if he had been hit in the face with a hammer. Three times. The princess's sleep remains yet to happen.

“Can someone hit him for me?” He requested. 

Mualani was eager to help. 

Ever since Kinich had moved there temporarily, the previous order had changed. Kachina moved some of her smoldering kit to the living room, and blankets were sprayed across the couch. Mualani’s parents and the two girls took turns in washing the dishes and doing the basic housekeeping chores, as Ajaw refused to do anything. 

The doctor switched out the bandage to a smaller and less thick one. It was weird to feel the air again on his temple. His hair was messier than ever, unwashed and uncombed. 

After days of rotting in bed, spending time outside with Kachina felt refreshing. She was making some sort of jewellery, or as she said, ‘gained inspiration’. She would tinker and ramble on and about ores and gemstones, sometimes Mualani adding some information. Kinich couldn’t help but steal glances at the tanned girl.

At some point, Kachina loudly declared that she had finished. 

She held up the pair of earrings with pride and a red cheek. “This is yours!” She presented the jewellery to Kinich. Her ears trembled softly with excitement.

Kinich blinked vacantly. “Uh, thanks, but why did you give them to me?” He examined them. They were a pair of white cones with a yellow and green pattern on them. Presumably howlite, jade and yellow aventurine.

“You always wear black, and I suppose wearing something bright would suit you well!” Her gaze trailed off from Kinich. “I also felt really bad for beating you up at Huitzli Hill.”

Kinich held the pair of earrings in his hand. They were a beautiful display of crafting talent. 

For the first time in his life, he didn’t feel like he had to pay back the price of a gift.

“Thank you,” He said with a genuine smile. “But don’t worry about that. Once I’m fine, I would be eager to help you with training.”

Kachina beamed, and stars shone in her eyes. “Really?”

Mualani took one of the earrings from his hand. “I suppose we will have to pierce your ears.”

Chapter Text

It took three weeks for the bandages to get changed. The portion of the painkillers decreased, too, and Kinich could go on shorter walks. 

However, upon the doctor hearing that he wanted to do heavier movements, the boy got scolded so badly that he even rethought whether he would ever dare to leave Mualani’s house. 

He still couldn’t go home because of the high altitude (or something similar, as the doctor explained). Mualani’s parents were really hostile to him, but Ajaw’s antics made their blood boil. 

Kinich didn’t even realize before how much he had accepted Ajaw’s behaviour. When they were home, in the Scions of the Canopy, he never even raised an eyebrow when the holographic psychopath started screaming at four in the morning, nor when he decided it was time to open the door at midnight and let the Saurians inside.

However, Mualani’s parents weren’t so keen on his antics.

“Just why can’t he shut up?” The father was exasperated when Ajaw was screeching all day for absolutely no reason.

Kinich didn’t have an answer to that. 

He eventually caught the dragon and had a head-to-toe talk with it, hinting at his future, in a box or worse, back in the bracelet. 

Luckily for him, Ajaw had found a new way of entertainment: he would terrorize the Koholasaur whelps. The dragon couldn’t do any harm to them, and every time he tried to wind them up, the whelps would stare at him blankly. It didn’t deter him from continuing, though, but he learned that he stood no chance against an adult Koholasaur who wanted to protect its whelps.

These times would give Kinich a moment of silence, or well, rather a moment for socializing. 

He would go on small walks on the piers with Mualani. Sometimes, even Kachina would join them. These walks are usually about thirty minutes, as his muscles are still sore and weak after being bedridden for almost a month. 

On a morning, Mualani was more than excited. She was cleaning the house, humming some tunes, with a smile so bright that it could blind people. 

“What is happening?” Kinich wondered when Mualani entered his room (or well, technically hers) and threw her wardrobe’s door open.

“Oh? Nothing much, just there will be a hot spring party tomorrow. And it’s organized by Auntie Atea!” She sorted through her swimsuits. 

Kinich didn’t know who Atea was. She didn’t commission him before, and he hadn’t spent much time in this tribe anyway. 

“She is like one of the best party holders, looking over the springs and all.” She explained after noticing Kinich’s confusion. “She is also the one who looks out for the tourists so they don’t burn or drown themselves.”

“I see.” He still didn’t know who Atea was, but a thought struck him. “You will be out for the night?”

Mualani nodded. “Of course! But don’t worry, if anything happens, Ajaw can notify the doctor.”

He didn’t know what to say to this. He got so used to her company in the past month that he couldn’t imagine being alone. Also, he wouldn’t let anyone be left alone at his house if he had valuable things inside. 

“Wait, you are going to leave me alone… in your house?” 

“My parents trust you, plus I can hear Ajaw from miles, so if you steal anything, you aren’t getting far.” She winked. Ajaw really is a giveaway, huh. “I think it’s better for you anyway, you can rest in quiet.”

Not much later, Kachina joined them. Kinich almost felt like the little girl was Mualani’s sister because of how much she was here, at the Meztli’s. Besides nighttime, she would spend time with them - it was a rare occasion when she went mining. 

“It’s because the tunnels are being rebuilt by Xilonen. She crafted a machine that could carry the ores out more easily.” She explained when Kinich asked about it. “I hope it will be done in a few weeks because I have been missing it.”

After a walk, they had finally agreed that it was the best time to pierce Kinich’s ears. 

Mualani prepared a needle, disinfectants, ice, and a batch of tissue paper. 

Upon her orders, Kinich held the ice to his ear and when it became numb, she closed up to him with a needle close to his ear.

“Uh, are you sure about this is how to do it?” He asked. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Mualani, but…

Ajaw groaned at his reaction. “After surviving a skull fracture, it won’t be a needle that kills you!”

“Don’t worry,” Kachina reassured, holding up a small lamp for extra light. “Mualani had done it plenty of times. Do you know Chasca or Xilonen? They also had their ear-”

“Quiet, please!” Mualani whinged. “I need silence to concentrate.”

She towered above Kinich. 

He could see her pupil widen and shrink at the change of the lighting. She inhaled sharply and pushed the needle. He didn’t feel anything besides Mualani’s slow exhale on his cheeks. It felt so warm, just like whenever she talked to him.

“Alright, done!” She clapped joyously, dragging Kinich out of his daze. 

He blinked slowly. It really didn’t hurt at all.

Kachina handed him another pack of ice for the other side.

It was way past noon when Ajaw arrived back at Kinich, who was sitting on the wooden ledge. He lost his entertainment when the Koholasaurs went to sleep. He was groaning about some sort of betrayal, but Kinich didn’t bother much.

The dragon looked back and forth - the house was empty. 

“Ahaha! Did they run away from my might?” He boasted.

“No, they just went to a party.” Kinich deadpanned. “Just nobody told you."

“How mean to disrespect me, the Almighty Dragonlord, this way!” He huffed. He was probably about to say something mean, but he stopped in his tracks and followed Kinich’s gaze, which was fixated on the floating islands above the waters. “Why are you suffering? Are you about to die?”

“Uh, no. Why would you even think about this?” 

“You are looking the same way as when you had that flu thing a few years ago, and you had to lie in bed for a week. Back then, I thought I would stare to death!” Ajaw shook its head. The boy slowly stood up, as if it hurt him. “Wait, where are you going?”

Kinich stretched his arms. “Unlike you, my body gets a downgrade if I don't use it. I’ve waited for Mualani to go away so I could have some freedom.” 

 “The dumbass doctor said that you should stay on your ass.” He stated nonchalantly, but internally, Ajaw perked up at the thought of Kinich drowning once again. 

It wasn't about that he would die and could take over his body anymore, no. Simply living here was way easier and better than running around with Kinich non-stop for a tiny amount of mora. The only cons were those war criminal Koholasaurs, but hey, he could get used to that. 

“You are saying that way too happily, but I’m sorry for you, I am not going to injure myself.” He stretched his legs. His joints creaked like old doors. He could already feel his muscles tiring out. He wouldn't be able to do any of his old tricks right now - not only were his physical capabilities lacking, but he was still wearing the pajamas that Mualani had gotten for him. He didn't know where his old jumpsuit went.

Ajaw seemed to squeeze its beady eyes together, but it was hard to get over any of his other emotions besides the obvious rage. Kinich sometimes wondered why he chose this form for himself… “When you were acting like a bigger shit then usual, you asked some weird stuff. You remember or you had this fever thing?”

Kinich rolled his wrists together, thinking without focusing on anything. “No, I didn’t have a fever. I still wonder about that.”

Ajaw looked up and down at Kinich, judging him. “Why on Teyvat would you bother? You die, and then nothing matters.”

“That’s quite bold coming from someone who died, but what he eats for breakfast matters very much to him.”

Ajaw blew a raspberry at him. “Ugh, y’know what I mean! And you know it very well that I am a special case!” He shook the thought off. “Anyways, what did the girl say to you? Did you tell her about the contract?”

Kinich’s brow furrowed. “No, I didn't. I thought you told her, as you also gave her the book my mother made.”

“Why would I be the one to tell everything to her? Also, I think it would have been much funnier if you were to die and then all of a sudden - poof! The Almighty Dragonlord comes back!” Ajaw imagined his glorious image in his head. “What did she say to you?”

“Why do you bother? It was almost a month ago, I can’t believe you would come at me with it.” 

Ajaw groaned. He saw some figures moving on the horizon. Was the party already over? “I’m asking now because this is the first time no one is bothering me! You can't see how much they use me out?! That girl sent me to get Kachi- wait, never mind. My point still stands. What did she say to you that made you drop everything about your philosophy of “working” and “do everything for yourself”?”

Kinich blinked slowly. Ajaw was acting weird. It wasn't the first time. Would he get fixed and act again as the homicidal dragon if he slapped his bracelet? It wasn't time to try that, though. 

What did Mualani say?

‘And what if your company would suffice to me more than anything? ’

Yes, she told him that. He could never forget.

“I didn't ‘drop it’ as you said, I just simply made an agreement with her. Are they coming back?” Kinich noticed their silhouette too.

Ajaw’s fluttering now was filled with anxiety. He was constantly hovering around Kinich, while the boy was hiding every evidence of his impromptu workout. His fitness got so bad that he was already sweating from stretching. “What sort of agreement?”

Kinich stopped and looked at the dragon. Why Ajaw cared was beyond him… However, when he tried to spell out what Mualani said to him, the words made his chest and cheeks warm, just as if he were looking at the girl’s molten copper eyes. He couldn't help but smile while recalling the memory. “She said that we are friends. She also said that my company is enough for her.”

Kinich went back to the house to prepare for their welcome and to prove that he hadn't destroyed anything in their house. He still didn't understand why they would leave him alone with a property. 

Ajaw was left speechless at the waters. He wanted to curse Kinich to death at this point. 

He couldn't be a this big idiot.

Wait, does he know? No, he doesn't know. 

Ajaw smirked to himself.

Mualani’s parents followed her as she was skipping down the road. The wood creaked under her sneakers. 

She loved to meet with people - if she weren't a Natlanese, she for sure would have traversed all around the world, to meet new people. She could have gotten to Fontaine…

As such, after not moving out much from her home, her friends grew concerned about her. They believed it was she who got injured. 

She carefully explained the situation to everyone with a bright smile. Between her words, she would sip on ‘otai¹ and answer every question. Meanwhile, her parents would talk with the other adults - this time, however, they kept the conversation between each other.

Her mother rasped her voice before speaking up.

“What do you think about the kid, Aikanake?”

Mualani’s father squeezed his eyes together. “He is certainly a patient one…”

“I was talking about him, not the flying dragonfly!” She snapped and drank her entire drink. “Did you look into his eyes?”

“His eyes… hm, I think it’s kind of piercing, now that you mention.” Aikanake, Mualani’s father, mused. He was tired after working all day, and would have been much happier if they get to the point soon.

“I feel like he can see through the wall with those. Not saying he is a bad kid, but something is certainly off about him. Did ‘Lani tell you that he once refused to eat? Unbelievable.”

“Lona, you are overthinking, I’m pretty sure.” Aikanake put his hand on his wife’s shoulder, reassuringly. “‘Lani can protect herself, and she will ask for our help if she needs it. There is also no use talking about it when you can ask her.” 

Lona tracked her daughter in the crowd. She was talking to her friends, chuckling over something silly. 

Lona might seem like a lazy parent on the outside, but it was more like that she fully trusted her daughter. She entered and won Tournaments left and right, has multiple trustworthy friends - Mualani was more likely fine. 

However, Kinich wasn't the type of person she would befriend. She usually met up with cheerful and open people, not with someone who once calculated how many fish filets he gets in the ‘ota ‘ika ². Lona’s suspicions also arose when he listened to all the banter that the dragon threw at him, without any sort of annoyance displaying on his face.

Now that she thinks about it, he doesn't show many emotions. Most of the time, he just watches, following them around with his reptilian-like eyes, making her skin crawl. She trusted Mualani with her whole heart and knew that she wouldn't bring anyone problematic to their home, but still, he was sticking out of their home like a sore thumb.

Mualani was skipping back on the track where they came from. This time she was humming some songs that Xilonen created (she was still not finished with the mine, but was already DJ-ing, as expected of her). 

“Sweetie, are you sure that Ajaw won’t pick our house apart while we are away?” Lona asked, spitting the dragon’s name as if it were fire.

“No, Kinich is looking out for him.” 

“How can he put up with that little fu- I mean, rascal?” Aikanake asked. “If he were my Saurian companion, I would have sent him to the Volcano.”

Mualani used her hands to keep her balance while tiptoeing on the side stones.

“I mean, he was the only one he had for a long time, so he just accepted it, I think.”

Lona paused for a second. 

“Only one?”

Mualani looked over her shoulder at her parents. 

“Yes, he has lived pretty much on his own since he turned seven. His father died and his mother left him… wait a minute, he said that his mother died too,” She tapped her chin. “Maybe I should ask him about it.”

Lona’s opinion did a whole turn - the pieces were now connecting, as to why the kid is this antisocial and tense. He also works as a courier, but who knows when he started working altogether? It was most definitely a difficult childhood.

She glanced at Mualani. She was handling it well, then. She was proud of the daughter they had raised.

She noticed something else - a faint glint in her eyes. 

She wanted to ask Aikanake if he saw it. 

“The stars are beautiful tonight.” She stared at the sky.

But then, she heard Mualani’s tone. It was so unmistakably soft and warm that only the close ones deserve.

Mualani threw her sneakers off at the door and sauntered straight to Kinich’s room. For the past few days, she slept on the couch in the living room. She only slept in her room for the first few days when he was still very sick.

Kinich was sitting straight, with his bandages slightly unruly - it could have been some extra movement to cause them to fall apart -, holding one of her books. His mouth was slightly agape from the girl's quick entrance, and Ajaw was still asleep on the bedsheets.

“Whoa, whoa, watcha reading?” 

Kinich blinked slowly. “Fables de Fontaine.”

Mualani’s smile ran even wider. She grabbed Kinich’s wrist and dragged him out of bed. “Come on, I want to show you something!” 

He obliged. Truth be told, he didn't have any other choices. 

It wasn’t that Mualani held his hand so strongly, no, it was that his entire arm felt so warm, as if he had a heatstroke all of a sudden. He could even feel his cheeks get red as the girl dragged him out to the back of their house. 

Kinich never came here before. He didn't want to be in anyone’s way. After all, he was here for free, but enduring Ajaw was getting more and more tiresome. 

There was a garage of sorts, where the Metzli family kept their Sailrider. 

Mualani didn't bring him here to show him their Sailrider. Instead, she poked at the night sky. 

Looking up, a myriad of shining little dots illuminated the dome. 

“Can you see those six that are shaping like an upside-down V? That’s my constellation!” She giggled. “It’s rare to see, so I thought I would share. It’s called Phoca Neomanchus.”

Kinich finally found what she was talking about. It wasn’t entirely an upside-down V, but he couldn't find any other way to describe it either. 

“Mine has a spiral-like pattern,” he hesitated. “But as I don’t have a vision, it’s not as bright as yours.”

Mualani huffed and stared at the sky, determined to find it. 

“Don’t give me a challenge!” She started pointing at anything that somewhat reminded her of a spiral.

After some tries, she finally found it. It certainly would have been faster if she had accepted Kinich’s help, but it seemed like her competitive spirit was way too strong. 

“It’s a Chimaera Alebriius.” He noted.

Mualani tilted her head. “It’s not as dull as most of the non-vision bearers.”

“Probably because of Ajaw…” 

Kinich remembered what Ajaw told him - should he tell Mualani what would happen if he died? He wouldn't die soon, as he is getting better, but the dragon seemed adamant about it.

“Did you like it?” Mualani turned to him. “I mean the Fontaineian tales.”

“I-i suppose yes. The stories were interesting, although I don't understand why they have such a strict etiquette.”

“I suppose if Natlan wasn't always at war, we would also have etiquette of sorts.” She mumbled to herself before turning back to her cheerful self. “That’s what I fight for! I want to go to Fontaine and other nations. If we win the Night Warden Wars, we will get better Ley Lines, and one day we will be able to leave. Just think about it, I could see a waltzer for the first time! It’s so interesting, don’t you think?”

Kinich didn't understand why she would want to go to other nations. He had delivered letters from poignant Liyuean merchants to snobbish Sumeru sages - and they didn't pique his interest at all. In fact, Kinich would prefer if they wouldn’t commission him at all.

But if he could leave Natlan, that would mean he would be free, freer than he ever was. 

That was the reason why he had always run away from his father, right? That’s why his mother left, isn't it?

“I think it’s nice to have dreams.” 

Mualani’s brow furrowed for a moment before her face relaxed once again. 

“Alright, I think we should go back and go to sleep. Tomorrow is a big day!”

“How so?” Kinich wondered. He didn't remember anything important.

“Every day can be a big day if you give enough importance to it. But it’s more like that your bandages are getting removed.” She pointed at her head. “And I’m submitting for the next Tournament!”

At three a.m., Kinich laid sleepless on the bed. 

He was getting more and more confused about the prickling sensation he got more and more often. Just why did it happen only to him? Last time, Mualani didn’t change a bit, meaning she didn’t feel the heatwave. 

Back at Huitzli Hill, he thought it was something that people would name as ‘comfort’ that friendships bring. Does that mean that Mualani also feels the same way about him? And Kachina too? 

Rationally speaking, it can’t be correct - by these terms, friends would be blushing every time, but when he picked up their mails regarding friendships, they weren’t getting all red. 

A thought flashed through his mind like lightning. 

He sat up quickly, almost awaking the sleeping lion, Ajaw. Fortunately, the dragon simply tossed a bit and sank back to the dreams, where Kinich should be, too.

He completely forgot about Kachina. Kachina is also his friend. A valuable one at that, she gave him an earpiece. 

He reached his earlobes, where the hole of the needle was still aching a bit.

When she handed them out to him, he didn’t feel the urge to pay them back. Kachina made it clear, it was she who wanted to repay Kinich’s training session. Kinich also offered her his help with training, but they never talked about what’s the fundamental exchange of their relationship. Mualani said that his company would be enough payment for him, but as of Kachina… Simply helping her get stronger suffice?

He pushed his hand through his thick hair. His locks peeked between the bandages, unwashed. A bit of dried blood stuck to his fingers. 

He has to ask her about it. Unpaid tabs never put him at ease.

Lona had managed to finish her breakfast before Ajaw awoke. This couldn’t be said about Aikanake. Panic flashed through his eyes when the little floating devil appeared in the kitchen.

“I demand food. Voracity is a sin of the human breed; alas, this deed makes me a saviour to your people. Call me the messiah and kneel before me!” He stated.

Kinich slapped it from the back. “Shut it.” He turned to Mualani’s parents. “Good morning, and excuse Ajaw, he… I don’t know why he is like that.”

Ajaw flew to Aikane, attempting to steal the rest of his fried rice. 

Lona carefully analysed Kinich this time. He didn’t look good this morning, as if he didn’t sleep a minute. Putting together what Mualani told her…

“I’m sorry, is something wrong?” He looked at her, picking on her staring eyes.

“Nothing at all. Just wondering.”

Kinich blinked slowly. “Right. I was thinking about something too.” He sat down at the table. “I can’t get enough mora in this year even if I were to pay partially, so I wondered if I could do any sort of commission for you.”

Aikane spat out his food. “Why are you in debt? And to whom?”

“I’ve spent thirty-five days in this house, with one hundred eight meals, not talking about the medicines. Considering the average price of eight thousand mora for a meal, that would mean I owe you eight hundred sixty-four thousand mora at least.” He was monotone as if he had done this a hundred times.

Aikanake squeezed his eyes close as if trying to figure out the kid’s train of thought. He had little success. 

Lona rasped her voice and spoke up. “Look, I have no idea why you think you would have to pay that much mora. But I feel like you wouldn’t let go of the idea either. Before ‘Lani started winning the tournaments and gaining her own money, she would do house chores for some money. If you want to, you could do some while you are here.”

“I could?” Kinich was beaming as if he had won the lottery. For archons’ sake, the kid has a weird attitude to cleaning the floor.

“That’s right, now give me food before I starve to death, my servant!” Ajaw cocked in. “I’ve waited long enough!”

Kachina swore that she would never see Ajaw cleaning out rugs. But here was she, holding a pile of freshly arrived books from outside Natlan, outside the Leisurely Puffer, seeing the vile little gremlin attack the knitted rugs as if it were an abyssal monster. He was dusting it quite well with the power he punched it. Kachina didn’t even think about him as a strong being, but now… she might have to ask Kinich whether Ajaw is saying the truth or not when he is boasting about his titles.

“Don’t rip it apart, just dust it out!” Kinich ordered the dragon around. Ajaw just blew a raspberry in his direction and continued abusing Mualani’s rug. 

Kachina indecisively went closer, the wood creaking under her steps. 

Kinich jerked his head in the direction of the sudden sound.

“‘Morning Kachina,” He greeted, somehow more cheerfully. He didn’t smile, but by his tone, the little girl assumed that he was more than happy… to dust away the pupae of unfortunate butterflies from beneath the forefront.

“Good morning!” She looked around. “Mualani isn’t here?”

“No, she went away with her parents to fill out the form for the next Pilgrimage.”

“And then, why are you cleaning their house? Shouldn’t you be resting?” She asked curiously, peeking at the still tightly wrapped bandages on his head. 

“It’s just something that I wanted to do.” He put his index finger to his lips, quieting Kachina from asking anything else. Only Ajaw’s usual rambling could be heard besides the seagulls. 

Kinich signaled for Kachina to follow him. He led her inside.

“Ajaw won’t realize that we aren’t there, we have like ten minutes.” He explained. “Kachina, are we friends?”

Kachina’s eyes grew impossibly wide. Were they friends? She pretty much believed that they are, but if he is asking about it, maybe it means no. She tilted her head, visibly deep in thought. Was he asking as a way to push her away? Mualani said that anyone who is her friend is Kachina’s too automatically. Kinich was Mualani’s friend, so he should be Kachina’s too. 

But at that, they didn’t spend any time together, just the two of them, unlike with Mualani. Now, is there some sort of requirement for how much time they should spend together?

Her gaze lingered on Kinich, who seemed anxious. Oh right, she had gone quiet without answering.

“I think so. Are we not?”

“I think so too. That’s why I asked - I want to talk about the details of what we base it on.” He sat down at the table, looking like he wanted to write some sort of contract.

Kachina scratched her scalp. She couldn’t wrap his head around this conversation. 

“Uh, friendships have to be based on something? When I’ve met with Mualani, she just said that she likes me and we should be friends, and after that we met up and then… I dunno, we kind of kept doing it…” She trailed off. Kinich was focusing on her, his pupils wide from the darker interior.

“I see. So you mean that friendship is not a contract based on mutual interests or values?”

Kachina blinked. “I don’t know what that is, but if you… no. If you are friends with someone, you just spend time with them and help when they are in need, simple as that.” She mumbled quietly. “You didn’t have many friends either?”

Kinich nodded. “Yes. I just can’t understand it. I thought it was because of it that I’m always feeling like I fell in liquid phlogiston.”

Kachina turned around so fast, she had to grab the table. “When?”

“I don’t know, I feel it when I’m with Mualani.”

Kachina sat down, took off her mittens and formed a triangle with her fingers. “I have to ask, but your parents didn’t like each other much, right?”

“Yes, they both hated each other.” He added. “How does it relate to my impromptu sun-strokes?”

Kachina moved her hands. “I will link it together, just give me a moment. So I suppose, you had never seen someone close to you be in love.”

“No, only some yumkasaurs, but humans, not.”

Kachina rasped her voice and with a serious impression, she proclaimed: “I believe you are in love.”

Kinich didn’t move, just stared at her inexpressively. 

“If you feel warm and blushy next to someone, you probably feel something for them.”

Kinich once again kept his cool. “And how do I get rid of this?”

Kachina debated whether the boy actually knew what it meant to be in love or not. He didn’t seem like a romantic type, whereas Mualani had read so many Fontainian books that she half-expects a prince or a knight in shining armor. They would surely make a unique couple.

Doubt had invaded her mind. She didn’t know much about this stuff, she was only twelve.

“In books, they usually confess to their crush, but in this case-”

“YOU IDIOTS LEFT ME OUTSIDE! IDIOTIC NACKER AND GRASSHOPPER, COME AND PLEA FOR MY FORGIVENESS!”

Kachina turned around with her coldest gaze possible. She really hoped it worked on the dragon as it was him who taught her, and as a diligent apprentice, she practiced it in the mirror before showering. “Ajaw, you truly didn’t disappoint with your improvement in annoyance.”

“DON’T YOU DARE USE IT AGAINST ME?!” The dragon closed up to Kachina’s face.

Kinich rasped his voice, stopping them from beating up each other. “What is this about? Did I miss something?”

“While you were still heavily injured, Ajaw taught me how to chase off people with and without cursing!” Kachina sang joyously.

Kinich’s vision went red. 

“No, no, no,” Ajaw prevented Kinich’s slap that would send him to the Stadium. “Waterpolo made it clear that it was a mistake on my part, and Racoon here isn’t even a talented student.”

“Hey, I thought I made progress…” she cried out. 

“What were you scheming about behind me? Overthrowing the Masters of the Night-Wind? That Biram and Citlali are swindlers, I just know.” 

Kachina looked at Kinich, who wasn’t even surprised at Ajaw’s conspiracy theories. “We were 

discussing pretty personal things, so…”

“What? Do you think that I don’t know everything about this grasshopper?!” Ajaw grumbled, rolling his eyes. “Were you talking about his stupid crush on Waterslides?”

Kachina was nonplussed, her eyes widening. “Actually, yes, how did you-”

“Nah, I’m not helping with that, it's yours.” He left without looking back.

Ajaw’s sudden leave left Kinich off guard. Just what sort of magic did Kachina know that he didn’t?

“Back on topic,” she started. “Most of the time, people tell their crush how they feel in hopes of reciprocation.”

“So I just have to tell the same thing to her.”

“Yes, but… You didn’t go to school or something?” Kachina exasperated. 

“I did, for one day.”

Kachina seemed way more like a pro at this - she explained in great detail to Kinich why it isn’t good to make relationships pragmatic. She felt that it would have been easier if Kinich hadn’t refused to answer certain questions or hadn’t just said that something was ‘not worth it’. 

It was darkening around the horizon, the colourful kites of the tribe fading to gray shapes in the distance.

“I’m sure you have had some impactful emotions. Like my heart is always pounding so hard whenever I think about winning the tournament!” She bubbled.

Kinich was deep in thought. “I think I felt this when I used to do extreme sports. I had to stop doing it because it took away too much of my time.”

Kachina groaned internally. “No, I don’t mean adrenaline rush. Another experience was when I couldn’t find Ayo, and I thought she had died! I was so devastated, but then she came back safe and sound.”

Kinich’s expression blanked, motionless.

He was afraid that if he even closed his eyes for a second, he would see the limp body with its twisted limbs scattered at the cliff and the way the blood stained his fingers when he lifted it. 

No, he shouldn’t think of it this way. His father paid the price for his lifestyle.

“Huh? Kinich?” Kachina moved her mittened hands before his face. “Are you there?”

“Y-yes, of course.” His gaze centered on a faraway point on the roadway between the cliffs towards the Basin of Unnumbered Flames. “Maybe we should continue this another time. They are almost here, I can see them.”

“You can see that far?” Kachina wondered.

Kinich felt the night setting in. The cool wind brushed at his skin, and the heat from the wooden planks beneath his feet wasn’t enough anymore. 

He hates it when it's cold and dark, not only because of the abyssal monsters and the wild beasts that roam freely, but because his doubts resurface under the darkness.

Kinich forgot about his fear in the past months, as Mualani showed him the stars and kept him by her side. 

Kachina’s explanation of love felt vague until now, to feel a deep affection towards someone, and an intimacy that can only be fulfilled by one person. Now, in this moment, as Mualani leisurely skipped beside her parents and the setting sun softly illuminated her, Kinich’s heart skipped a beat. He didn’t want anything else at this moment than for Mualani to greet him and blind him with her smile.

He would fulfill her dream if it would make her smile even more.

So this is what it means to feel love?

Chapter Text

“Turnfire always dies a violent death,” the Archon stated. Her hair burned bright just like the sun that never goes down. “Such a tragedy.”

The world went quiet around Mualani. The archon speaks to someone, perhaps to her, perhaps to her parents; she doesn't listen. She can only hear that Kinich, whom she had trusted as much as Kachina, didn't tell her that his fate was more like a curse. 

“...yes, the little dragon is truly a peculiar thing…” she continues, but an organizer pulls her to the side at the Stadium. “Oh, excuse me, I think I have certain duties. You know the drill, right? Just sign the papers over there!”

Mualani stands shocked. She feels her parents pushing her to the sign-up booth. 

When they returned to their fare¹, the sun had long set. Kachina was also there (Mualani forgot to mention to her that they wouldn’t be at home), her turquoise eyes moved frantically between her and Kinich. The latter seemed just as aloof as ever, but something said that his mind wasn’t there. Maybe it was the fact that he didn’t shut up Ajaw as much as he used to. 

Mualani’s head was pounding. He would have surely told her that he had a curse, with his ancient name, right? 

Just like he didn’t refuse to eat…

Mualani could technically ask Ajaw, but the little dragon wouldn’t be as lenient with her like back then, when he gave her the fairy tale. 

Don’t be my name Umoja, if I it would stop me ! She exclaimed to herself and tried to smile brightly.

The bandage came off, and the bandana came back to Kinich’s forehead. 

He sighed in relief when he tightened the knot. 

After two months, the doctor had deemed Kinich healed enough to let him go. He didn't have to stay here as Mualani's parents had both dismissed his offer of helping around the house and the Leisurely Puffer more.

He was free to go, yet he knew that it wouldn't be the last time he meets with Mualani and Kachina, for they are friends for now.

“Here you go, but check for bugs or anything. I didn’t move them for a while.” Mualani held his clothes up. They were neatly folded in her hands.

Kinich took them from her. “Thank you.”

Mualani didn’t look at him. “I suppose you go back to Huitztlan and continue taking commissions.” She pushed her hair behind her ear. “I have some things to take care of right now, so I will be pretty busy, if you would look for me.”

Kinich swallowed. He didn’t understand half of the things that Kachina explained to him. He only knew one thing at the moment.

“Actually, no. I will be entering the Tournament this time.”

Mualani’s eyes widened, but she still refused to look him in the eyes. Kinich could only see her white hair and sun-kissed skin.

He wondered if he had done something wrong.

“Oh, I see. Then good luck, we will meet in the Stadium at last.”

“Yes, I hope so.” 

They stood in an awkward silence. Kinich spoke up first. “I will get going. Goodbye!”

“Yeah, bye, see ya!”

Huitztlan was busy with couriers slinging back and forth from the stretched net. Kinich swinging in went unnoticed, despite Ajaw’s rowdiness. 

What made his tribesmate’s eyebrows raise was when he asked for the Tournament sign-up. 

“Over here, but-” Tundama looked up and down on him, searching for any sort of injuries, but his clothes didn’t have a speck of dust on them. “Where have you been for the past two months? Wayna thought that you had been eaten by the wild animals.”

Kinich wondered if they had gone to search for him, but that was unlikely. Yes, he was a courier for longer than most, as he started working when the tribesfolk at his age went to school, but he didn’t contribute anything to the tribe. Others fought the abyss, while he just accepted any commissions that gave him enough mora to survive. It was more than realistic that they would assume his death without any hesitation. Especially after that certain incident.

“Whatever, the good thing is that you are alive. What makes you want to enter the Pilgrimage this time?”

“The mora.” Kinich lied, but his cheeks blushed. 

“Are you alright?” Tundama worried, seeing his face.

“Grah, get over the chit-chat, I would like to have some solace today! My servant, return me to the abode in this instant!” 

“You mean my house? Just a moment.” Kinich pulled the paper to him and signed the paper with his ancient name, Malipo. This was probably the third time he ever wrote it down - when he got his and when Ajaw wanted to see the characters, back then when they first met. 

“Who will be your teammates?” 

“Ajaw,” Kinich stated. He forgot that he would have to get teammates. “If that counts.”

Tundama scratched his head, glancing at the vile being. “Yeah, I will look for the rulebooks.”

Kinich’s house was done for. 

He should have known better than to leave his shelter abandoned in the wilderness for such a long time. The roof had collapsed (he remembered that there was a violent storm here), all of his remaining utensils were broken, and worst of all, a Yumkasaur had built its nest in the pantry. 

Ajaw’s little pixel eyes were like blades when he saw his ‘abode’. 

“Release me in this instant and let me destroy all living! Those filthy little pests should know who is the lord of this land!”

“Lord of the land, huh. I will get some blankets.”

“Blankets? You aren’t saying that we would sleep outside, right?” Ajaw frowned.

“You have been sleeping in a mountain for who knows how long. A little camping won’t hurt.” He said, searching for the blankets in the rubble. 

Ajaw was on the edge of breaking down as he flew over what once was a house. “First, you make me sleep in the forest, and then you expect me to be your teammate on the Tournament?! I’m not some sort of magical girl mascot!”

Kinich grabbed something resembling the leftovers of some clothing and started to get the spot ready. When his mother was around, she had planted vegetables here, but for the past few years, the plants had withered despite Kinich’s attempts at growing food at home. This year, he didn’t even try. Maybe it was the Abyss that caused the plants to stop growing.

“It doesn’t matter, it’s just a formality that you are my teammate. If you want, you can terrorize anyone there, or you can try again to kill me. I don’t care.” He swallowed a yawn. He is out of shape.

Ajaw perked up at the mention of his death. “Did you tell Bikini that you are going to be killed and then I inhabit your skin?” 

“No, and if you ask me again in the next two days, I’m going to throw you off a cliff. I’m going to sleep, goodbye.”

Kinich waved at Ajaw and lay down in the patch of grass that he had thrown a blanket over. It was cold, but when he looked up at the sky, he saw the sea of stars. To fall asleep, he searched for constellations. The crickets chirping echoed through the forest.

The wave arched higher than Mualani presumed. It towered above her as a monster of nature, but she had more experience with the waves than those ho-dads² who will be slammed by the sea, if she doesn’t hurry.

She didn’t hesitate a moment. She placed her weight on the back of the desk to speed up. The tourists spotted her and waved to her. 

Salty water splashed on her face as she propelled towards them. Mualani was almost there, but so was the wave.

“Jump into the water!” She screamed at them. The tourists looked confused. “Jump!”

The tourists finally did as they were told.

Mualani glanced at the enormous wave that hid the sun from her. She took a huge breath in and jumped headfirst into the water. 

The wave closed over her head, and she could feel the force even in the water. She corrected her swimming position and opened her eyes.

The salty water for sure would have made the average person wince in pain, but she had done this since she turned five. Under the water, a myriad of colourful little fish swam over the corals - spotty puffers, bright yellow angel-fish, dotted butterflyfish…³ They were way further from the Meztli’s center, where only basses swam. 

She noticed a dark shadow in the water. Without hesitation, she swam over. It was one of the tourists.

She grabbed her arm and pulled her to the surface. They both gulped for air once they were above. 

Mualani pulled Sharky, her trusty surfboard, over for the tourist to cling onto.

“I will be back,” She said before diving again and pulling out the tourist’s partner. “Now hold onto the board, we will be out in a moment.”

When Mualani didn’t surf, she swam, making her muscles strengthen in every moment. Iansan, a popular coach from Teteocan, had wanted to collaborate with her to ‘analyse the properties of a water-based training’, or whatever she meant. Truth be told, the People of the Springs were probably the most agile tribe as they all learnt how to swim as kids. 

That didn’t mean that they don’t get tired. Mualani groaned when they finally reached the shore, her calves were on fire from flutter-kicking for half an hour.

One of the tourists, the male, patted her shoulder encouragingly.

“Thank you, I thought that we would drown there.”

She huffed. “Next time, please read the signs.” She looked around. They were on the farthest island of Natlan, from where the red dunes of Mare Jivari were already visible. It would be at least a few hours on foot to get back if they swam over the shallow parts. She glanced over the two tourists who were deadbeat. For Archon’s sake, how did they even manage to get here?!  

“You two should stay here. I will bring help.” Mualani decided. With surfing, she will get back to Atea in an hour or so. “Here ya go, have my survival food, in case something happens. Don’t move!”

The ocean was calm by the time she took off. The fish were visible under the crystal clear water.

Turnfire always dies a violent death.

For the past two days, Mualani couldn’t help but think about the Archon’s words. It wasn’t just that she thought that Kinich would tell something like that to her, but more like… fear. She didn’t want him to die at all, let alone violently. It wasn’t just that she was a good person (she didn’t want anyone to die at all), but more like she didn’t know what she would do if he died. 

It was the same when she felt like leaving him alone in that old hut would be a mistake on her part. 

Not only this, but he signed up for the Tournament! He is probably in for the mora, yet the dangers of the Night Warden Wars were just as gloomy as him possibly fracturing his skull again. 

She sighed.

She wanted to talk to Kachina about it, but she entered a fitness programme as preparation for the Tournament. Also, when Mualani arrived back with her parents, Kachina shot a weird look at her for whatever reason. 

She shook her head. For now, let’s just think about the Tournament, and I will sort it all out after that.

Mualani doesn’t train directly for the Tournament. She is constantly helping the tourists from drowning or some locals with lost koholasaurs. 

Atea called her o ver after the two tourists were successfully rescued. “Sorry that I'm asking this late, but could you let me enter your team for the Pilgrimage? My team got an intense food poisoning and they won’t be able to make it tomorrow.”

"Of course!" She nods happily. "But before that, I think we should make the signs more visible at the springs. This was the fourth accident this week."

Atea nodded. She looked around and whispered in Mualani's ear. "I don't want to cause any panic, but the guards are saying the Abyss has been reaching further than before. Be cautious where you go, okay?"

When Kinich got his ancient name, Elder Leik smiled at him from the confused crowd. Nobody understood why the half-wild kid who killed all the aggressive saurians got the name.

Kinich was just as confused. He didn’t want to be called Malipo or Turnfire. He didn’t want anything at all, as Elder Leik had given him way more than before. A home, food, and teaching him the ways of survival were more than enough.

At Leik’s house, Kinich couldn’t help but ask: “Can I sell the Ancient Name?”

The elderly man chuckled loudly. “No, I don’t think so. The Wayob has its eye on you, but if you want, you can enter the Pilgrimage of the Sacred Flame.”

Just the thought of somebody having their eye on him made his skin crawl. It made him remember when his father was still around, watching over his steps as he tried to run away.

“But that would mean sacrificing myself. I don’t want to.”

“Well, you still seem to keep onto that. But remember our deal? Learn what a true hero is.” The Elder patted the bench beside him, opening a thick book. “Let’s see what’s for today… Hm, yes, do you know who Tupac was?”

Kinich shook his head. In the past few months, he learned about Xbalanque, the first pyro archon, Murata, who held a tournament between the tribes, Cochanina, and many more. He always took the dubious. There was no proof that Vannessa found a drake while wandering, but when he voiced his concerns, Elder Leik would always find some sort of historical relic on his shelves to prove Kinich wrong. He started to accept that maybe there truly were people who died protecting what they loved. So he listens to the Elder while he recalls the story about the six heroes of Natlan. 

On one of these nights, he learnt that Malipo always dies violently. Back then, he didn’t care about some ancestor’s tale.

After Elder Leik’s death, the first book he bought was the Complete Story of Natlan’s Heroes.

The boar was fast, but Kinich’s vision was locked on it. He followed its path with the impromptu bow he made from a branch. He let go of the string, and the arrow launched with a hissing sound. 

The boar let out a final wince, and it collapsed to the ground.

“Ew, you are going to eat that?” Ajaw groaned. “I would rather eat the bark of this tree.”

“Then go ahead. I’ve heard that there is a Sauro-Vet if you ever need that.”

“You think that I would get ill? You think way too lowly of me nowadays, maybe I should teach you a lesson.”

Kinich let go of Ajaw’s rambling and prepared the boar for cooking.

It was early in the morning, judging by the sun’s position. After breakfast, he started working: threw all the broken planks out of his house, took the Saurian nest apart cautiously in case it had some eggs, and started evaluating the loss. 

“This isn’t great,” he said, sitting on a trunk. 

Ajaw turned to him swiftly. “What? Are you homeless now?”

Kinich didn’t say anything. He probably was homeless. He didn’t have the money to renovate the roof, nor the resources to get it done by himself. Either way, it meant that he had no shelter anymore.

He got out of worse things; not having a house wouldn’t be the biggest deal. Plus, he signed up for the Tournament, although for other reasons , but if he wins, he gets a hefty amount of mora too.

“Let’s go to the bulletin board and see if anybody has a commission.” He said to himself.

“Are you talking to yourself now?!”

He didn’t expect to see Kachina lost in thought at the bulletin board. She was scratching her head, looking for directions. Kinich wondered what she was doing here all of a sudden.

“Kachina?”

“Kinich!” She waved at him joyously. “Sorry, I was looking for you!”

Ajaw was just as confused as Kinich. “Why?”

The little girl’s face turned as red as the stone of the Coatepec Mountain. “Uh, well, you remember when you said that you would help me with training?” She lowered her gaze. “I thought that maybe… well, only if it’s not a nuisance… but could you help me?”

“Yeah, sure, but we should go to some other place.” He offered. 

“I know a place near the Children of Echoes!” She exclaimed, her ears perking up from excitement. 

Maybe Ajaw was right; she kind of does look like a rodent. A hamster, to be specific. 

“Show me the way.”

The cliff was mostly desolate except for a house. Kachina said that it’s the home of Tlazolli, an Ancient Name engraver, and her daughter lived here, but they aren’t home most of the time.

Ajaw flew around a few times. His mood got worse with each lap. “There is not a single place to sleep, how penurious!”

Kachina tilted her head. “You couldn’t sleep well? If you want, I can give you my hat, it’s pretty comfortable.”

Ajaw changed size, color, opinions, and life choices in the next five seconds. Kinich thought that he would accept the offer, but whatever sort of heritage his companion had, stopped him from it. He didn’t even say a word, just disappeared into thin air.

“Is there anything in particular you would like to practice?”

“No, it’s more like… I dunno, overall. I always get knocked over.”

“Alright, let’s start.”

Kinich took his claymore out that had survived his accident, and waited for Kachina to attack.

She lunged forward with her polearm, swinging it towards Kinich’s leg. He jumped just in time, but Kachina was already swinging her weapon diagonally towards his chest.

He blocked with his claymore. The impact made the girl stumble back a few steps. Kinich wanted to attack but stopped just in case Kachina wanted a moment to rest. This was his biggest miscalculation. The girl wiped her sweat and jumped forward.

Kinich, for sure, would have been defeated by the girl if his muscle memory didn’t kick in. He was glad that he had once met with a veteran from the Masters of the Night-Wind who could defeat enemies six times his weight with a special technique. He ducked under the blow and hit Kachina’s elbow, making her grip ease over her weapon. Tugged her arm and, with a sweep towards her shin, she flipped over Kinich’s head to the ground. 

She groaned in pain when her back hit the dry grass. 

Kinich kneeled next to her, worryingly. “Are you alright? I didn’t mean to…”

“That was awesome!” She beamed and grasped Kinich’s hands. “Can you teach it to me?”

He blinked. “Teach it?”

“Yes, how did you do it?”

“Well, the point is that you push the enemy out of their balance, and with a little force, you can send them to the ground. Like this,” He showed the movement in the air. “Try it out.”

She practiced it in the air, with Kinich explaining how her posture should be.

“Try it out on me.”

Kachina gasped. “But I don’t want to hurt you! You just got well.”

Kinich shook his head. “Don’t worry, it won’t hurt me.”

Mostly because she isn’t tall enough to send him far.

Kachina got into position: hit at the shoulders, grab the arm, swing against the leg, and finally pull him over. To her greatest surprise, it did work. Kinich fell on his back, his bandana moved over, and dirt infused in his clothes again.

She couldn’t help but clap at herself. She smiled proudly. “On Celestia, it did work! Thank you!”

“Sure thing.” He got himself up and fixed his bandana, dusted himself down. It lasted for two days being clean…

Kachina laughed triumphantly. “One more round?” 

After the initial first round came the second, then the third, and lastly the fourth. They were both out of breath, and at noon the sun was scorching in plain sight. 

They sat under a tree to escape the hot weather. They both had their bottle of water. 

Kachina had prepared cookies filled with jam. “Have some!”

“Thanks.” It was pretty tasty and crunchy. 

“So you are entering the Pilgrimage.”

“Yes.”

“Uhm, Kinich, can I have a question?” Kachina’s tone turned serious suddenly. “Back then, y’know, I was bullied, but then, all of a sudden, it all stopped. At first, I was happy, but I wanted to know why, so I asked them. They said that they can’t say anything because the ‘Ancient Dragonlord would come for their souls’.”

Kinich’s unexpressive face came in clutch. “Yes?”

“Okay, I won’t beat around the bush, did you beat them up?” She queried. 

Kinich waited a beat before stating: “Yes.”

“I-I’m very thankful. I would like to repay you with some sort for-”

“No need, it is long paid.”

Kachina lay down on the grass. “Ah, you always talk about payment, but you won’t accept it.”

“It’s more like that Mualani had already paid me.”

Kachina’s brows furrowed. “But you still had to beat up people and stuff…”

Kinich’s gaze trailed to the lone house. “I didn’t mind it. I was also bullied while I was in school.”

“Didn’t you go to school for one day?” She remembered.

“Yes. They didn’t have the same viewpoint as I.”

Kachina sat up. “Now that I think about it, are you going to confess to ‘Lani?”

Did you tell her about our contract?

“Eventually, yes, but I have some other things to tell her.” He clarified.

“Like what?” Kachina inquired.

Kinich’s face blanched as if he were anxious. Why on Teyvat would he be anxious? T hink rationally, Kinich, there is no difference if you tell them or not.

“My Ancient Name is Malipo, which means that I will die by unnatural causes, and when I met with Ajaw-” He rambled. Just why was he rambling? “I’ve agreed with him that in exchange for his power, after my death, he is going to take over my body.”

Kachina’s eyes widened in shock. Her face turned white as paper.

However, all of a sudden, she wrapped her arms around him, enclosing him in a hug. “I’m so sorry.”

Kinich was abashed. He didn’t know how to properly hug as he didn’t have anyone to practice on, and any closeness he had with Elder Leik, they weren’t hugging daily. He was more shocked when he heard that Kachina started crying. Did he make her cry?

“It’s okay,” He tried to stop Kachina from crying and patted her back.

“Stop you dummy, I’m crying for you.” 

Kinich couldn’t have been more confused. 

Kachina let go of him and looked into his eyes. “You have to tell this to Mualani, alright?”

He nodded. Suddenly, he understood that he was not alone in this world. His ten years of solitude had officially ended.

Kinich and Kachina practice until sunset. Both are tired when they say their goodbye, and they promise each other that they will meet in the Stadium next week.

The Stadium of the Sacred Flame is filled with people from every tribe. They are busy talking over the details of their plan or searching for their rooms at the Weary Inn. 

Kinich arrived first of the three, as he didn’t have a proper place to sleep.

Mavuika greeted him as if they had known each other for a long time, when they had only met two times - when he first entered the Pilgrimage and when Ajaw and he met. The Elders requested her to look over the dragon in case it’s dangerous, but she looked at it as if it were a mosquito.

“Entering the ring? I thought it was just rumours.” She patted his shoulder.

“No. This time, I’m going for winning.”

“Haha, I didn’t think less of you!” She says. Kinich wonders if she says this to everyone. “But where is the Almighty Dragonlord?”

“You want to fight me, archon of usurpers?!” Ajaw pops next to her. Mavuika just laughs at Ajaw, her red hair sweeping at her knees. 

“No need. Kinich, you can get your keys from Chanca. Have some rest and remember, in Natlan no one fights alone.”

Chapter Text

The red sand reflected the broken moon. It was stale and scorching hot; the screams of the Bakunawa echoed through the dunes. The adventurers moved swiftly, staying vigilant in case any moon-eating monster would find them. 

They were relatively experienced - this being their fourth journey into the Mare Jivari. The Flower-Feather Clan’s hat was a dead giveaway if anyone had crossed their paths, but they were as lonely in the endless desert as the Bakunawa. 

“We should go back.” One of them signaled. They were covered in protective clothes, and their voices were muffled. 

Their leader agreed. There was nothing left they could find on this day: the sun was descending, and the once hot sands would quickly switch to freezing cold.

Something was on the horizon. 

A dark piece of fabric. 

He made up his mind and ordered his team to follow him.

He moved the protective clothing, or well, what remained of it, revealing a corpse. The team took back as one. The Mare Jivari could preserve living beings, but even then, this person was long dead. 

The leader noticed a cricket that was trying to find shelter before the sun set.

“Let’s bring it back to the Archon.”

Kachina tapped her feet against the stone tiles. 

“Can you please stop?” Mualani pleaded, rubbing the sleep away from her eyes. “Save your energy for the fights.”

“Oh, yeah, sorry.” She apologized, yet she couldn't stay still for long. 

She was anxious about her match, but she felt relieved that at least Mualani was with her this time. It also made her stress even more - what if Mualani loses because of her? What if she leaves Kachina behind? What if-

Her second reason to be anxious was Kinich. When he confessed his feelings towards Mualani to her and also his background, she thought that he would tell Mualani his secrets, but the competition is about to start in twenty minutes, and they hadn't even heard about him. 

Her third reason is the fact that the competition is starting in twenty minutes and Mualani is still in her pajamas, lazily brushing her teeth.

“‘Should have woken her up sooner,” Kachina noted to herself. “‘Lani, hurry up, we’re going to be late!”

“Right, right,” Mualani waved at her, dozing off while making her hair. Kachina never understood how she did her hairstyle, and watching her do it made her even more confused. She was glad that she could do her ponytail.

“Okay, let's go!” Mualani exclaimed, once there were only five minutes left. They ran through the maze of a Stadium to the starting ceremony, where they should have met up with Atea five minutes ago.

Mualani hasn't had breakfast yet, but she heedlessly grabbed an apple from a deserted booth, leaving a handful of mora on the counter. 

“On Archons, it already started!” Kachina wept in distress. They sneakily joined the crowd, listening to their archon’s speech.

Mavuika’s hair blazed like lava when she spoke. 

“People of Natlan! The time is upon us - the Abyss had stepped forth once again, and we must seek warriors who don't quiver in the time of need! Today’s trial will have two parts. First, our challengers’ team will need to get a Contending Spark. Don't be afraid to prevaricate!”

Kachina looked away from Mavuika. She saw some similar faces - mostly her bullies, but she also saw Xilonen snooze off in the sunlight. Next to her, Mualani was munching indistinctly. She couldn't find Atea - but in the end, they would meet up at the starting point.

 “Those who bring a Spark will be promoted to the next challenge, where the warriors will go through a Tournament, and the best fighters will be sent against the Abyss! Now, the starting points for the teams will be chosen via lottery. Additional rules are that if only one team member passes with a Spark, the rest of the team also wins the race.”

The Tequemecan Valley lay beneath their feet. They were standing on the cliff above the Children of Echoes - by the lottery, they won this starting place. 

“Okay, I can see Chasca’s team. It would be better if we didn't confront them; they have a huge advantage.” Mualani said. She held her hand above her eyes, filtering out the sunlight. “Look, on the left, there is a Contending Spark, and it’s guarded by Aucaman. We should go there!”

Kachina scratched her head iffyly. “Wouldn't it be hard to fight someone from the Collective of Plenty? They are pretty tough…”

Mualani smiled widely. “Yes, they are, but we are agile! We can do it!”

Kachina didn't believe her one hundred percent, but she didn't have any other ideas either. Xilonen had finished Kachina’s commission just in time (specifically yesterday night) - thanks to Turbo Twirly, she could keep up with Mualani, who was surfing on her surfing board.

Atea felt more like an aunt looking over Mualani. She didn't want to tell the children anything until they wouldn't make big mistakes, so she just nodded approvingly.

Chasca’s team was overpowered; it was well-known to all Natlanians. Their easiest target would be any team from the Masters of the Nightwind, as they prefer defending over attacking. However, with their agility, they had a shot against the Teteocan team.

The starting gun fired, and all teams leaped forward. 

At the foot of the Toatepec Mountain, Kinich stayed vigilant. He stayed quiet, and there was nothing to abruptly scream - Ajaw decided not to take part in this round at all. Alas, he stood alone. 

He saw some contenders amidst the tall grass. He knew that they were going to attack Chasca’s team, which was located at a perch on the cliff. They already had a Spark - it was a flame enclosed in a gem-like case. Chasca’s team was probably the first to obtain one.

He planned to steal the Spark while the other team was fighting with the Flower-Feather Clan. If he is lucky, he will be fast enough. 

The other team launched forward; they were from the Children of Echoes, judging by their attire. They swung their weapons, taking the attention of the Tlalocan watchmen. 

Kinich shot his grappling hook, and with a swift motion, he was already standing on the perch. 

The sole warrior wrapped her head backwards the moment he set foot.

“Scared of fire?” The ququsaurus warrior laughed. She aimed the slingshot at Kinich. “You better scram!”

He dodged the first fireball by rolling on the wood. 

His bones cracked loudly when he jumped up and reached for the spark. It felt warm against his fingertips. He grabbed it and sank it in his pocket, where many things had gone lost before.

“Oh, you think you can handle fire?” The warrior launched another fireball. Kinich barely dodged it. He felt the smell of burnt clothes, but he saw no damage. The warrior huffed in annoyance and whistled. “You think you can get away? It’s rainin’ fire!”

Kinich leaped forward with her grappling hook before any of her teammates could see him. 

He disappeared among the trees. 

Behind him, Chasca ordered the warriors to their new plan while some ran after Kinich - half of their forces were still facing the team of the Children of Echoes.

Mualani dodged effortlessly the hits that Varesa had aimed at her. She had to be cautious; they were close to the Sulfurous Veins, and the precipices could be dangerous. 

“That was all?” She tried to provoke the Children of Plenty while Kachina stole their Spark, behind their backs.

Atea was fighting beside her, slightly shaking her head. “Don't get your opponents on the edge!”

The young girl saw the glinting core on the platform, unguarded. She quickly collected the Spark and put it under her arms. 

Kachina whistled the signal for Mualani and Atea. A guard noticed Kachina and jumped at her, the girl throwing the Spark to Mualani.

Mualani leaped away from Varesa and caught the Spark. She summoned her surfboard and tried to escape.

The guard had dropped Kachina, as they had no use for her anymore. She hit the ground with a loud huff, but spared no time to take fright - she jumped into Turbo Twirly and followed her friends.

“Hehe, we got it!” She smiled at Kachina, holding the Spark. 

Before she could realize, something had crashed into her, pushed her off the surfing board, left her rolling on the ground, and eventually falling into a pit. 

She saw stars, and the world moved with her. She looked at what made her stumble this hard.

Mualani’s face turned red like a pomegranate.

Kinich was lying next to him, another Spark lolling out from his trousers’ pocket. He looked around disoriented, but otherwise, neither of them had any serious injuries.

She tried to get up, and a sharp pain pierced through her chest. Oh, she may have broken a rib…

“Sorry…” Kinich said and tried to get up. Mualani shoveled him back to the ground, signaling him to stay quiet.

Mualani heard a bunch of people from the surface, looking for them. 

“Little one, where did they get to?” 

She hoped that Kachina and Atea wouldn't be too concerned for her. 

They waited in silence until they left.

Mualani listened closely, but the blood in her ears was making her deaf. Her heart beat insanely fast, but she refused to look at Kinich, who was staring at her shamelessly. 

Was he okay? His eyes looked hazy. She lifted a hand up and down before him. 

“What is it?” He whispered. 

“Are you asking me what it is?!” She snapped, remembering the curse that he had hidden from her.

Kinich blinked. “I don't understand…”

Mualani nictated. “I don't think it's something that you would forget.”

He took back and raised an arm as if trying to get a hold of something before letting his arm hit the ground.

She stood up and tried to climb up the cliff. “You pushed me into here - at least help me out!” 

“There is a cave leading to the Stadium. I was commissioned once to travel with someone through here.”

Mualani had qualms about whether Kinich remembered the route. She didn't want to get lost in a warm and dark cave. “Are you sure?” 

Kinich nodded. He picked out his Spark and lit a small annex that seemed like a bottomless pit. 

Before Mualani could refuse, he slid through the crack. Upon hearing his reinforcing steps, he did survive. She sighed to herself and followed him.

Kinich held a hand out, ready to help her. Mualani was still angry at him for not telling her important things. Like he would be getting brutally murdered in the near future… but at the same time, Mualani was not a rancorous person, and she was already getting pitiful, just by seeing Kinich’s attempts at trying to cheer her up.

“It was used for mining, but the Abyss could have contaminated it, so beware,” Kinich warned her when she didn't accept his hand. 

Mualani followed closely. Water dropped from the ceiling, making small puddles.  Millipedes crawled between the mushrooms and moss that covered the walls.

“Left here,” he noted to himself, furrowing his brows. “And then again…”

“Uhm, sorry about the previous one. I was a bit stressed out and got angry.” Mualani stated after seeing Kinich enter a dead end. Perhaps this wasn't the right time to be putting pressure on him.

He turned back to her, surprised. “You were angry at me?”

Mualani’s eyebrows rose to almost her hairline. “Yes. You didn't realize?” She wondered more to herself.

“Not really, after Ajaw…” They entered a cave filled with pyro crystalflies. They illuminated the cracks and bumps of the underground. “But I need to tell you something.” He turned to Mualani with sudden determination. “I’m not exactly sure whether it's important or not, but I suppose you would want to know, and Kachina also said that it is what people tell their friends, so… There is a rumour saying that anyone who bears my ancient name has a violent death.”

‘Oh, he really wasn't not telling me because he hated me, but because he is dense.’

Mualani chuckled in relief and patted his shoulder friendlily. “The archon told me, but I would have much more preferred if it were you who had told me.”

Kinich was abashed, and his face heated up, like he was in the sun.  “I had also… You know that Ajaw is an ancient dragon.”

“Yes, he says that a lot. Wait, he actually is?!” Mualani’s jaw dropped.

“Yes, but the thing is that in exchange for his power, I agreed to him to take over my body once I die. Then he could do anything he wants.” 

Mualani blanched. If Kinich dies, Ajaw would probably want to destroy Natlan. She just couldn't bring herself to imagine what it would lead to. The idea that Kinich, her best friend, would be the face of destruction was upsetting at least.

By Kinich's reaction, he was ashamed of his actions. Ajaw said that they had met when Kinich was still very young. He probably didn't even know what it meant to agree to the dragon. She wished that she had known Kinich earlier.

“You don't seem to be scared of the violent death part.” 

Kinich stopped for a moment. The water droplets effervesced on his hair. Because of the humidity, his cheeks were red, and sweat dripped from his neck.“I never thought that somebody would be sad that I’m gone. After all, we pay for living with death, that's the natural…” 

Mualani grabbed his hand into hers. She rolled out his pinky finger, and she clutched hers into Kinich’s. “I would be sad if you were to die - so pinky promise that you won't!”

“Pinky promise?”

“Yes! If you don't keep it, I will break your finger.”

Kinich tilted his head sideways. “That's kind of aggressive.”

“Do you agree or not?”

“Alright, I do.”

Mualani took her hand out of his, ignored her heart that was about to explode, and flicked Kinich in the nose. (She wanted to do it to his temple, but he still covered it with a bandana.) The sudden movement jolted Kinich back.  “And get that ‘price for this, price for that’ mentality out of your thick head while I’m around, got it?”

He dropped his gaze from her and softly mumbled an ‘alright’ to her.

“Thank you for telling me.” 

Kinich looked at her like he wanted to say something else, but he turned away quickly. “We should hurry up, before the time limit is up.”

Mualani nodded in agreement. “How far are we?”

“I think about twenty minutes or so, but I’m not sure.”

“At least we both have a Spark!” She beamed as she skipped through the crystalflies. Kinich stopped for a beat before catching up with her. “What’s your favourite food?”

“What?”

“I want to know. What is your favourite food?”

He hesitated like it was the most important question in his life, before answering.“I like spicy and well-seasoned things. What about you?” He asked uncomfortably.

“Probably seafood. Okay, this is awkward.” She mumbled to herself. 

“It’s fine if you don't have anything to talk about.” Kinich intoned.

“No, no!” She laughed. “I like talking, especially if I am locked in an endless cave. Y’know my parents like you and want to invite you to the post-tournament feast.”

Kinich looked at her questioningly. “Isn't that only for the Metzli?”

“The rules are made to be broken! But we don't adhere to it that much. We always have a lot of tourists anyway.”

“I see, then I will go.” 

They reached the end. The surface’s light made them squeeze their eyes.

Mualani raised a hand above her face, casting a shadow.

Kinich turned around cautiously. “We are here. We should split up before they see the two sparks.”

“Yes, that’s the best.” She looked at Kinich before stepping in front of him. “Thank you for helping me.”

Mualani leaned forward. She heard Kinich’s breath stop, and she felt his body’s heat. 

With a hand, she brushed his bandana away, and she kissed his forehead.

Kinich felt the smell of the sea and sun. He couldn't move an inch, even after her lips had left his forehead. It was like he had been struck by lightning - his mind had a moment of peace where he didn't think about anything but her, and it felt like the taste of something that he had longed for forever. When he came back to himself, Mualani was waving at him, running to the goal. He swore he had seen a mischievous smile on her face.

He forgot to tell her something fundamental, again.

After passing through the gate, Mualani lay down on the grass. She got tired after running around, and she even lost her surfboard. She could only hope that Atea and Kachina would return it to her. Not as if she were worried - she felt gigglish and joyful.

She saw the gunshot blaze through the sky that signaled that she had reached the goal. She felt like she could disappear in the tall grass…

“We should wake her up,” Atea suggested.

“I don't understand, she slept a lot today…” Kachina towered above Mualani (with her height that wasn't much already). 

Mualani’s eyelids rose a bit. “Lemme be…”

She grunted and rolled onto her stomach, forgetting her injured rib. She quickly sat up.

Atea placed her hands on her hips. “Well, I suppose you can be. For like an hour, because after that you are fighting Varesa.”

Mualani hopped up like she was struck by lightning. “Again?”

“Yes, they paired you up against her.” Atea shook her shoulders. “What, didn't you say that you wanted a challenge?”

“I suppose I did at some point, but… never mind, I will give my best!” She smiled and gestured a peace sign. “Who are you against, Kachina?”

Her ears flattened. 

“Uh…Tepeixplan…”

Mualani understood it in a blink. Kachina was more anxious than usual because she was up against her bully. “Don't worry, even if you fail, Tepeixplan can go and…” Mualani didn't want to swear in front of Kachina, especially when Atea was looking at her.

“And?”

“Well…”

“Hm?”

“I mean, I’m sure you'll do great and you still have many chances at winning the Tournament!” 

Atea smiled smugly. “Good save.”

“Anyways, I have something to talk about with Kachina!” Mualani shouted and grabbed Kachina's arm, dragging her back to their room.

Kinich was staring at the display board. He was against somebody from the Masters of the Night-Wind, whom he didn't know. He had to read it six times because Ajaw was screaming in his left ear, and he was still thinking about the smell of the sea and sun.

He was at the end of the tournament, so he took his time off and found respite in the auditorium. He found a place shadowed by the flags.

“Honestly, I didn't expect you to come back in one piece after I wasn't there! You were afraid, right?”

“Very afraid.”

“Really?!” 

“Afraid that you might disappear and I would have a moment of silence.”

Ajaw stomped in the air like a toddler. “Kinich! I dare you to say that again!”

“Can you please be quiet? It’s Kachina’s round and I would like to watch it.” He tried to brush off Ajaw.

“Why are you so dreamy again?” Ajaw grunted, but stayed quiet nonetheless.

Kinich didn't (or well, couldn't) read through the entire setup, so he found it surprising that Kachina was up against Tepeixplan.

Kachina was holding her spear uncertainly, while the jury announced the match-up. Tepeixplan held a bow in his hand, already aiming at Kachina.

A gunshot signaled the match’s start.

Tepeixplan shot an arrow towards Kachina. She barely countered it with her spear’s blade. She tried to get closer, but Tepeixplan shot arrows way too fast.

Kachina stumbled back. She couldn't possibly break through Tepeixplan’s defense without endangering the chance of injury.

 She didn't back out, no; she pushed her ears backwards and, with all her might, she ran towards Tepeixplan. An arrow scratched the back of her hand. 

Kinich stood up in suspense, making Ajaw hiss in annoyance.

Kachina ducked under Tepeixplan’s bow and, with a swift motion, she slammed her spear over his arms. He tried to shake her off, but she held onto the weapon. She tried to gather some power while Tepeixplan was about to shake her off.

Some curse words aimed at Kachina reached even Kinich. 

 She pulled herself up on the spear and kicked Tepeixplan in the face. 

He took a few steps back, and Kachina let go of him. She gasped for air.

Tepeixplan held his hand against his face, trying to keep his bleeding nose from dirtying his clothes.

“You little filth!” He shouted, and with his bow’s limb, he hit Kachina. She flew a few meters.

The spectators were all shouting for her, but she couldn't get up from the ground. 

Tepeixplan won their round. 

Kinich saw from his seat that he was saying not-so-nice things to Kachina, even when she was trying to get herself together. Her temple bled into the sand.

“Ajaw, come with me.”

Tepeixplan was tired after his win. In the infirmary, they patched him up, but at this moment, he wanted nothing more than to lie down and have a nap until the ending ceremony. 

However, when he reached his room, the blood froze in his veins.

At his door, a boy with soulless eyes and a bandana stood, but worst of all, next to him, a pixelated dragon floated. 

He took a step back.

“Oh, at least you remember now,” Kinich said nonchalantly. “He’s yours, Ajaw.”

The dragon pushed him into his room. Tepeixplan tried to scream for help, but no one could hear him - or wanted to help him.

Mualani’s matchup was arduous. Varesa was extremely strong, and Mualani's only advantage would have been her agility - if she hadn't been so tired, and her rib hadn't been injured.

Their match dragged on, as Mualani dodged and dodged but couldn't land a hit of significance on her. She was running out of fumes, but Varesa was too. The spectators believed that it would be a competition of endurance.

‘C’mon, we can do it, now is not the time to get tired!’ She said to herself. 

Varesa kicked at her, and she rolled over on the ground. 

Varesa was breathing heavily, just like her.

Mualani took the moment to land a hit on her, but she ducked away. 

Their match went on for thirty minutes before both of them were heaving on the floor. 

Mualani no longer felt her legs.

“I think… we did great…” Mualani breathed.

Varesa was shy, but at this moment, she was too tired to think about what people thought. “Yeah…” she raised her arm. 

Mualani gave her a high-five before both of them collapsed from exhaustion. 

The jury began to debate who would win this round. The hubbub of the crowd echoed even to the Speaker’s Chamber.

After a moment of silence, they announced: “No winners in this round!”

Mavuika turned her head towards the conundrum that reached her office. She wanted to watch every match, every fight, every struggle of his people - but she got intel regarding her archon duty. 

“Archon!” One of the Flower-Feather clan had entered abruptly, clearly in haste. 

“Can I help you with anything?” She furrowed her brows.

“Yes, my name is Ocotlan, an adventurer, and she is Sumac, one of my team members.” A young woman with a bob joined them in the small room. Mavuika started to regret bringing them here instead of the Speaker's Chamber. “We’ve been exploring in the Mare Jivari this month.”

“Did you find anything?” She perked up.

“No. Well, yes, but not what do you think.” With some help, Ocotlan moved a huge bag over. Opening the zipper revealed a mummified corpse of a woman. “We found her in the middle of nowhere. We thought that we should return her to Natlan, to properly… send her away.”

Mavuika nodded. She didn't seem afflicted by the view, but she felt like she had failed her people. Somebody needed her help, and she wasn't there - “Did you find any properties?”

Ocotlan shook his head. “Only this hat from the Scions of the Canopy.”

“Let me see.” She took the green hat away and flipped it around, searching for any tag. Inside, there wasn't a name written, but rather a small drawing.

Mavuika bit into her lips in concern. From the corner of her eye, she saw her half-finished painting - a study on lightning.

‘I wonder how the other archons bear with telling bad news to their people.’

The sun had already set when Mavuika stood forth to read the names of those who had won this Tournament.

Kinich was the last to have his match. Not many had watched it, and the fight was fairly easy. The warrior he was against already had an injury, but decided to still fight in the Tournament. Sadly, he lost in the first thirty seconds of the match.

“Now then, the time has come for us to see the warriors! From the People of Springs, Atea gets to fight in the Night Warden Wars. From the Masters of the Nightwind, Tepeixplan, from The Flower-Feather Clan, Chasca, from the Scions of the Canopy, Kinich, and from the Children of Echoes, Conulaf. May they bring glory to Natlan!”

Kinich stood in the arena. He couldn't believe Mavuika's words for a moment. This meant that he would have enough mora to have a place to live and get food for at least a month.

“This Night Warden War will commence tomorrow. Rest up now, warriors!” She finished her speech and walked back to the Speaker’s Chamber.

As she passed through the arcades and halls, she saw a familiar white hair. 

Mualani just woke up and was stretching her back when suddenly, like she was stabbed, she stopped. She softly touched the bottom of her ribcage and hissed under the touch.

“Did you get injured? The infirmary is free of charge.”

Mualani jerked her head towards Mavuika. 

“Archon! Maybe I did… Can I help you with something?” She smiled cordially.

The archon thought for a moment. ‘Would this be the better or the worse choice?’ “If you can come with me for a moment.”

“Sure thing! I feel all refreshed.” Mualani jumped energetically.

“Why weren't you at the ceremony?”

Mualani rubbed her neck. Her energetic aura quickly simmered down. “I didn't sleep well last night, and I overexerted myself in the last match. I wanted to catch on,” she blustered. “But it seems like I was late.”

“Don't worry about it.” Mavuika chuckled and led her to her office. She wanted to talk to Mualani more casually, and she believed that teens would get more comfortable in a cosy place, rather than a chamber. 

“So how can I help you?” She looked around, noting that she had been led into somebody’s personal space. She had an inkling that it wouldn't be a simple task.

“I need your advice.” And Mavuika explained the current situation.

Chapter Text

“Kinich!” Kachina shouted at him upon noticing his silhouette. He was looking around in dim surprise after hearing his name again. “Did you see Mualani? I left her in our room to sleep, but I can't find her now.”

“I didn't see her around. Are you alright?” He noticed Kachina’s puffy eyes. He should visit Tepeixplan once more. 

“Yes, yes, don't worry about me.” She shrugged the concern off. “I’m just worried that something happened to ‘Lani!”

“Okay, I will look around. Ajaw,” the dragon was about to pickpocket a food seller. “Look around!”

“I’m not your hound dog!” 

Kachina bit her lips in worry. Maybe she shouldn’t have left her alone - but at the same time, Kachina was the younger one. She searched in the crowd, but she didn’t find any white haired individuals with overly cheerful personalities. 

Ajaw flew back to them .“If my nose, which is obviously more profound than any dog’s, doesn’t lie, isn't Tanlines right over there?” 

Kachina and Ajaw looked up as one. They saw Mavuika gazing at the crowd with an unmistakable expression. 

“What’s going on?” Kinich queried. 

Kachina was just as confused as he was. She waved at her friend. When Mualani noticed them, she waved back and disappeared behind the columns of the Stadium. Mavuika followed her. “Oh, it’s nothing bad then, I’m sure.”

However, when Mualani reached them, a small wrinkle of worry appeared between her brows. “Sorry for disappearing, but… There is something…”

“Worry not,” Mavuika patted Mualani’s shoulder. She was heaving a bit, and she grumbled something about keeping up with kids under her nose. “I must tell this.”

Kachina’s eyes flickered between Mavuika and Mualani. Ajaw gasped for air, ready to boast with some obscenities now that the archon was this close. Kinich caught him by his tail and yanked him back. 

“First off, let me congratulate you on your win. I wish you the very best in the Night Warden Wars.” She started with a kind smile. “As for you two,” She turned to Kachina and Mualani. “I’m sure that I will hear great things from you.”

Kachina’s eyes went rancid. She almost choked on air, trying to thank Mavuika. 

The archon just cackled at her. “No, no, calm down. I’m here for a different reason, actually. I spoke with Mualani, and she assured me that you, Kinich, would prefer to know this as soon as possible.”

Said boy’s brows furrowed in confusion. His eyes lost a bit of glimmer in presentiment.

Mavuika nodded mournfully. She led them to her office. Mualani also stayed quiet, despite her cheerful personality. 

In the room, a casket stood. Everyone stayed behind, except for Ajaw, who was considered Kinich's only family member.

“I would like to say that… I’m very sorry. They found this in the Mare Jivari a week ago, and…” Her voice trailed off. Kinich was befuddled. Somewhere deep within his mind and soul, he already knew what was about to happen. 

Mavuika opened the casket and lifted a typical Huitztlan hat out. She handed it to Kinich.

It was old and weary, but a small drawing of a cricket gave away its identity to him. 

Kinich gripped the hat nonplussed. 

Ajaw also saw the drawing. He was also taken aback. “Is this…”

“She was found in the plains, which preserved the body, but she had been dead for years now,” Mavuika explained carefully. 

Kinoch’s eyes were wide. 

He didn't know what to say or what to think. 

To be honest, he didn't think that this would have taken him by surprise, similar to this. He never expected his mother to be alive. In fact, he wished that she would be dead - if she were alive and left him behind would have hurt more. 

But she did leave him behind… to wander to the Mare Jivari… What would make her do so? 

Mavuika saw that he was overthinking the issue. She placed her hand on his shoulder. 

He flinched a bit.

“I didn't want to bury her without you ever knowing about it.” She said softly. “Knowing you, you deserved better parents. It's absolutely fine to be upset.” She added when tears rolled down Kinich’s cheeks. He tried to hold it back, but he couldn't. He turned away so that it wouldn't be visible, but Mavuika wrapped him in a hug. “Most people tend to cry when their mother dies.”

And like that, he cried out loudly. 

He waited ten years for her to come back for him. But she chose death instead.

He breathed in shakily and glanced at the body. It was still in relatively good shape - but he never wanted to see her again. 

Just like Mavuika had read his thoughts, she noted. “Would you like to bury her, or should I?”

Kinich breathed in. “Can you?”

“Of course!” She ruffled his hair with a smile as bright as the sun. “I would say to don't worry, but I know that it's absurd. I just want you not to take it on yourself. You are a hero of Natlan, and it's all thanks to yourself and your friends.”

Kinich quieted at that. 

When he left the office, Mualani jumped into his neck. His face heated up in a moment. “I’m so sorry! I thought that it would be better to know about it, but now I’m being doubtful.”

Kachina also hugged him. “‘Lani told me, and I’m also sorry.”

“No, it's perfectly fine. After all, I don't think it's my fault anymore.” He said solemnly. His eyes were still wet, but he was determined to win the Night Warden Wars now.

Ajaw coughed, trying to get some attention without gaining any. He didn't mind - even his draconic felt bad for Kinich. Not that he would tell him.

It wasn't the time to be acting weak. They will be in a War tomorrow.

A guttural roar echoed from the cave’s walls. 

All warriors took back. The creature seemed to be far away, and only the empty chambers brought the sound to them. 

The Night Kingdom was beautiful. Eternally glowing grasses and flowers bloomed on the plain rocks. Kinich poked it with his fingers - they wilted quickly. How could they even grow in such barren soil? He looked over his shoulder. Ajaw didn't seem surprised at the Night Kingdom. Instead, his gaze fixated on a faraway point of light. It wore a warm golden hue and glimmered softly. 

“Is that the Wayob?” Chasca asked. Her face was sour, like she bit into a lemon.

Atea noticed her expression, but she didn't find anything that could make her so frantic. “I believe. Is something wrong?”

Kinich heard that Chasca used to live with Qucusaurs as a child and that she became a fearful warrior thanks to the skills she learnt there. He didn't expect her to behave like Qucusaurs, although.

She threw her head back and held up her arm. 

Kinich slapped Ajaw before he could say a word.

Chasca shook her head. “The air is different, the abyss contamination is way too high.”

“And you had to hit that pose for it?!” Tepeixplan groaned. “I thought you were about to die or something…”

Ajaw whispered in his ear. “Remember, filthy human, you are only alive because we were kind, otherwise I would have dried you to chips and eaten you with-”

“That's enough. What should we do now?”

Atea suggested that they stay together and try to reach the Wayob’s totem on the other side. 

“Sounds fine. I will patrol in the sky,” Chasca hopped in the sky. Her gun appeared as she whistled and rose.

“Did you ever come here?” Tepeixplan confronted Atea. He was trying to hide how wobbly his leg and voice were. 

“Plenty of times, yes.”

“Then you believe that we would get out?”

Kinich walked in the rear with Conulaf, who represented the Children of Echoes. They both were quiet as they checked the horizon for any possible threats. 

Ajaw, however, was adamant about talking. (A horrible choice, really.)

“What, are you scared that you’d die?” He huffed. Tepeixplan shrugged.

“I just never been here! Why wouldn't I be scared?” He snapped back. “What are you even? Some sort of bait to bring out the monsters?”

Kinich wondered whether Tepeixplan was an idiot for angering Ajaw further, or if he just had no survival skills. But maybe he said something worthy - wouldn't Ajaw’s phlogiston body make them a target? 

“Then bring them forth! I shall strangle all of them and rise victorious in their blood! If I fail - give me an end befitting a warrior!” He boasted loudly. Chasca held her head in her hands above them. 

“I didn't know you were a warrior,” Kinich noted.

“Wha-? You thought you knew me? How baffling!” 

Kinich kept quiet. He knew Ajaw’s entire daily routine, what food he liked and what he hated, how he could annoy him further, but this time, he didn't want to get in an argument with the green dragonfly. He might need his help.

A sharp whistle cut through the air. 

Over them, Chasca was pointing at a groove on their right. 

“Stay quiet for a bit,” Atea ordered.  She crouched down and approached the spot. 

A Wayob manifestation floated out from the bushes. Atea raised her machete and hit the monster from its back.

It shrieked, but didn't stop yet. It launched at Atea.

“Ajaw!” Kinich ordered. The dragon grounded but agreed and threw a ball of phlogiston at the being. 

At the same time, Chasca also shot at it. The Wayob fell over with a loud whine. 

Atea dusted herself down. “It wasn't that powerful.”

Ajaw tittered over its corpse. 

“What is it?” Kinich asked and caught up with the dragon. The Wayob wasn’t dissolving as it used to be. It glimmered, like its soul was stuck in it. “It doesn't look good. Did it ever happen?”

Atea’s brows furrowed. She shook her head. “Not on my watch.” 

Chasca looked around uneasily. Who knows, maybe she got some special senses from the Qucusaurs. “Let's get to the Wayob before something attacks us.”

The onyx pole of the Wayob emitted a nascent purple light. Particles floated around it, similar to dirt. 

Conulaf, the teamcloser, knelt next to it and, with the hem of his weapon, he poked it. 

It gave out a small hum that reverberated in the plates of the Night Kingdom.

“It's infused with the abyss. I had seen this when Xilonen brought an abyss-infected gem to try to find the cure to some illnesses. It behaved the same.”

Kinich turned to Ajaw, who was aimlessly floating above his shoulder. “Ideas?”

“Why me?”

“You are the one who would know the secrets of the world, aren't you, Almighty Dragonlord?”

Ajaw’s bead eyes widened in his bumptious self-conceit. “One morning, Kinich, and you will wake up here!” 

Chasca blinked in confusion. “I thought you and your Saurian companion were inseparable…”

“Inseparable against choice!” Ajaw grunted, but examined the Wayob carefully nonetheless. A few moments later, he exhaled contemptuously. “I’m used to controlling space ships and suns, not so primitive… objects. Do what you want, but it's even visible to a blind child that it's abyss-infected.”

Kinich looked at him unfazed. To him, this was an average day, but the rest of the company were confused over what the little dragon meant under ,,spaceship” and ,,suns”. 

“Anyways,” Atea rasped. “Maybe it's for the better if we keep out of here. It will be a beacon for the monsters.”

“We should stay here for that reason.” Chasca resounded. Tepeixplan's entire body shook from her words. “We should try to purify it.”

Kinich pondered - could they purify it? If not, it would be a major issue with the rest of Natlan, but by his knowledge (or, well, the nonsense that Ajaw yaps about day and night), the only way to purify it would be someone with a strong enough will. Mavuika could cleanse it, but it was a mystery whether two vision bearers could do it. 

But did they have any other choice? They were in the Night Warden Wars; their duty was to fight the Abyss and protect Natlan, and for that, they were obliged to pay with their lives.

“We should try to get rid of the Abyssal influence,” Atea spoke up, after weighting every action, just like Kinich. “Chasca and I will try to purify it, while you look out for us.”

“Do you even know how to do it, Bikini Nr. 2?” Ajaw screeched. Kinich slapped him in response.

“Asking like you know how to. Get over here!” Kinich ordered, but it didn't stop the dragon from blowing a raspberry at Atea and Chasca. She looked at the latter, who just shrugged her shoulders. 

“Alright, everyone in positions? Once we start, they will come from every corner.” Chasca warned them. She held her hands out, vision glimmering between her fingers. “One, two… three!”

Without a warning, Tepeixplan fell over. 

Kinich glanced at him as blood dripped from his mouth, and he clenched his stomach. 

A frozen shard was wedged in him.

Ajaw was dumbfounded by the speed. He turned to Kinich with a surprisingly worried look. He quickly fixed it to his usual nonchalant glare. “You really be doing anything, but confessing, huh.”

Kinich grabbed the dragon and yanked him over, before another shard would decapitate him.

The cryo abyss mage appeared in the dark mist, tittering.

On his right, Conulaf was fighting riftwolves. Behind him, Chasca and Atea had lit up the Wayob. 

“P-please!” Tepeixplan wailed and reached for Kinich’s boots. 

He parried another shard with his claymore and stepped away from Tepeixplan.

Looking over his shoulder, he saw Atea’s face sweating from concentration.

 ‘If I also get injured, they couldn't purify the Wayob.’

“Don't mind me.” He apologised and grabbed Ajaw by his tail, and threw him at the mage, who got shocked by the ordnance. 

The dragon’s fury topped over, and he entered his bigger holographic form. He burnt the mage with beams of phlogiston. 

Kinich jumped over to Conulaf and slaughtered a riftwolf behind him. 

More rifts opened, and a never-ending cycle of riftwolves appeared. Ajaw was trying to hold them off, but even he couldn't cremate this much.

Kinich’s heart was beating in his throat. 

The grip on his claymore was getting weaker, and it tore down his skin. 

There was no way they could hold on much longer. 

Chasca was lurching from the force she sent to the Wayob. 

Tepeixplan passed out, or even died, he didn't know. 

Conulaf was holding himself, but his panting was getting louder and louder.

Ajaw was out of fire and tried to brute force against the riftwolves.

Atea was about to pass out. 

And his weapon was heavy and pulled him down to the ground. He strained all his muscles to swing the claymore in the face of a riftwolf. 

Its skull smashed into mush with a loud whimper. 

He forced himself to breathe in. The oxygen should calm him down. 

Concentrate. 

This is no different than any commission. Do the job, survive, and then get home. If you do the work well, you can even have dinner. 

The Abyss twisted before him, unveiling a figure. 

His heart dropped.

He saw her in Mavuika's office. 

She couldn't be here. 

Before him, his mother was holding her hand out, inviting him.

He took a shaky step forward. 

The world was moving as he proceeded. Holding his hand out in his mother's - his fingers passed through her body. 

A piercing howl cut through the wolves’ grousing. 

Kinich’s eyes widened in nonplussed surprise, and he staggered back.

 Over his shoulder, he saw the silhouette of a man, dressed in the typical Meztli clothing. He held up a dagger at Atea, whose face was hopefully bright.

It happened in a moment.

Atea fell, and above her liver a large purple bruise appeared that spread in her veins, like a spiderweb. The abyss injured her. 

Kinich slammed his weapon in his mother's face without hesitation.

Chasca gritted her teeth and kept strong, even when Atea was crying out from the pain.  

She refused to look up at the girl who was calling her name. 

“C’mon, Chasca! You aren't going to talk to your sis now?”

She kicked the Abyssal being in the stomach. Purple blood oozed from beneath her heels as it evaporated with a loud groan.

With a sound of steel, another wolf teleported to Conulaf. Whipping its tail, it sent him flying over the onyx plates of the Night Kingdom. The impact’s crash echoed. 

Kinich didn't have to think twice - Conulaf was dead for now. 

His eyes wandered to Chasca, who nodded. Her movement was staggered, like it were a great pain for her. 

“We are alone.” He said out loud. 

Kinich's heart dropped. 

If they didn't succeed, they would die. 

It never crossed his mind that he could die any moment from now on. 

The riftwolf twisted, and it appeared as a man who had short from age - Elder Leik. 

He mindlessly crashed against the purple skeletons of his past.

Weirdly enough, he always estimated the chances that he wouldn't return from a commission. Mualani's request wasn't dangerous, but the danger loomed over him within those areas that made him wander into forlorn areas. They didn't daunt him, for his life has only been about surviving. 

When his father broke his arm, or when he tried to choke him. When the world Saurians attacked him, he was too scared to return home. When he couldn't get enough food, because he was too weak to hunt. 

Elder Leik taught him how to stand on his two legs, and he never questioned the reason behind Kinich getting an ancient name instead of anyone else. Never did he ever doubt his choice in transactions. He was the reason why Kinich survived past his first ten years of life. 

But now it wasn't enough. 

He wanted to live. Even happily.

He was facing the Abyss, and the riftwolves' blood splotched everywhere. 

He forced himself to breathe. In the heat of the battle, he had forgotten how to.

The sound of cracking bones.

Kinich jerked his head back to Chasca. 

She was kneeling, stupefied, as blood dripped down her temple like a river in the mountainside. 

Her brows furrowed for a moment before she died.

Kinich’s breath hitched.

He had no chance of winning this battle. The scale’s weight was on the Abyss’s side, and he couldn’t offer anything to equilibrate it.

A wolf scratched him, and his blood felt warm against his skin.

He stood motionless and waited for the wolves to end him, too. He hoped it wouldn't be painful.

Ajaw grabbed him by his collar and jolted him away from the impact.

“What are you thinking about?! Now is not the time to chicken out!” He screamed. His voice was more menacing, almost like he would be an ancient dragonlord. “In battle does the real courage appear!”

He expected Ajaw to be looking around scornfully, ready to take down anyone. It was the opposite - he was eager to fight, but he knew that this fight wasn’t possible to win.

He noticed Kinich staring. “I fear this is as much power as mine to display, Kinich…” He said solemnly.

The cold ran down Kinich’s spine from this statement. 

He… he was really about to die. 

He looked down on his bloodied hand and thought about everyone on the surface - Mualani, Kachina,  Mavuika - and those that had perished in this battle - Atea, Chasca, Conulaf, even Tepeixplan. What would they say if he didn't return?

“...But I swear on my name, K'uhul Ajaw, that upon my accession to your form, you shall all be avenged.” Ajaw continued. 

‘Same as ever.’ Kinich laughed and raised his weapon up again. 

‘At least I will fight ‘til the end.’ 

Just as he thought it out, pain scorched through his body. 

His eyes widened at the shock, and pain took over his body. 

The claymore fell out of his fingers, and he tried to pull out whatever was obstructing his airflow. 

Looking down, he saw an enormous claw pushing through his chest. 

Fighting for air, he felt the blood gurgle from his throat. 

Ajaw hovered over him in consternation. 

He said something, but Kinich couldn't hear him. He picked up his weapon and cut through the riftwolf. 

But his power could only last for this long.

His clothes were now red, and he toppled over unconsciously. 

Ajaw turned his head over, giving due respect to the dead. He had time, after all. 

‘They all died.’ He thought as he looked over at the other bodies. 

Kinich shivered for a moment. 

‘To die with regrets… How pitiful… If only I could level the forces out…’

Before Kinich, the sky was dark like coal and freckled with red flames and white ashes that had floated in the air, despite no breeze passing the area. 

Wherever he moved, he didn't see anything, just plain ashes and fire. 

In his ear, cricket’s chirp rang. 

So how does the tale end, after all?

Ajaw knew that his moment had come. His phlogiston body quivered and got ready to take over the boy’s. 

Except a pure white light knocked him and the riftwolves away. 

Kinich was floating up, his body healed. His hands were pure, like the freshly grown greenery in the wild. 

His claymore twitched on the ground, and all of a sudden, it moved back into his hand. 

With a powerful swing of the blade, he tore down each riftwolves one by one, all with his eyes never opening. It was almost like he got possessed by something. Yet, whenever he got injured, white light appeared, and like the tree branches, it wrapped him up and healed him. 

Ajaw was staring at Kinich’s ghostly corpse with an open mouth. This was certainly not normal, right? 

Glancing over the Wayob, he noticed the purple infusion turning into a golden hue. 

Kinich moved swiftly, purely out of instinct of smell and hearing. 

He didn't need to see the enemy - any form they took on was useless against him. 

Opening his eyes, Kinich saw the sunny sky over the Stadium. 

The crickets were long gone, for now, it was the Ode of Resurrection that boomed from the crowd. 

Next to him, Chasca was smiling softly. Turning over, he saw everyone cheering for them.

"We... won? But who…”He mumbled to himself. 

“What claptrap are you spouting? You did it, you demented, hard-scrabbling, lucky little grasshopper!" Ajaw cried out, dropping a gem in his hand. "Bah! Was gaining my succor insufficient for you? Clearly! And now you've gone and gotten a Vision... Oh, when will your body be mine to use!?”

Kinich looked at the gem. The plants are wrapped in a heart symbol. 

He remembered the pain that he felt when he got stabbed, and how his heart stopped beating. 

Maybe once this war was over… he would agree to visiting other nations with Mualani. Especially Sumeru - he owes the Dendro Archon one. 

Kinich scanned the crowd for a familiar white hair. 

She looked like a stone had been lifted from her heart. 

They spent the night at the Weary Inn. 

Kinich didn't hold back from using some of the mora he got from the Tournament to get a nice dinner. 

He thoroughly explained what he saw and what happened. 

Ajaw added some details jitterily. He was frustrated at Kinich coming back - he wanted the damn kid to live a bit longer, but giving him the red herring of almost dying is a big no-no in his eyes. 

However, he was way too tired after the battle, and unlike Kinich, the Ode of Resurrection and the magical resuscitation didn't work on him; he was out of fuel. They didn't even realize that he fell asleep.

Mavuika concentrated on the explanation. Her brows furrowed in confusion. “I had never heard anything like this… but the Dendro Archon, by my knowledge, can travel through dreams and the unconscious.”

Mualani’s jaw dropped. She had been overly joyous lately, like she wanted to say something to Kinich. She had to wait for now, as he, too, wanted to tell her something. “You got possessed by an archon?!”

“No, that's impossible.” Mavuika interrupted her. “An archon can only affect their people, and besides… It's not an archon who gives the visions out.”

“It's really weird!” Kachina added. She lost the conversation long ago, but she was glad that Kinich came back safe and sound. 

“Honestly, yes. We might have to increase the number of Tournaments for a while,” She noted. Some sort of dark worry appeared on her face for a moment, but she quickly hid it. “But as for now, I will let you enjoy your win. I hope to see big things from you all.” She said and waved at them. 

Kachina rubbed her eyes. The stress of the last two days had taken a lot out of her. “I will go and sleep too. Are you coming?” 

Mualani waited for a beat. “Ah, yes, just a moment. Go ahead and shower, I will be there soon.”

She nodded and went back to their room.

Mualani and Kinich stayed there together. 

“I didn't tell Mavuika, but before I died… I thought that I didn't want to die with regrets.” He said. “And my biggest regret would be a life without you.” 

Mualani opened her mouth to say something similar in return, but Kinich leaned over to her and placed his lips on hers. 

He closed his eyes. There was no importance to vision when she kissed back. She was soft and warm like the sun-kissed slopes where he wandered for freedom. Her lips were soft like the smooth grassland where he used to lie down whenever he got tired. 

Yet, when their lips parted, he felt stupid for thinking like this. That was his past, but now he was facing the future. For Mualani, he would fight every war and defeat the entire Abyss. If she wanted to go to Fontaine, he would build a vessel for her. 

Their faces stayed close. 

He could fear Mualani’s warmth as she glanced at his lips and back at his eyes. 

Like the sun at nightfall.

No, it was the rising sun of daybreak.

They kissed again. 

There was no need for confessions - they both knew that their feelings were the same.