After I defeated The Mohan, Sugunsua contacted Ofelia and I, asking us to return to the Iguaque Lake. I tried to ask for the reason, but he never replied. However, He sounded like he needed us there ASAP. With no other option, we left the town the next morning. Ofelia is still hurt, but she insists that she has been worst. Gotta say, I'm worried about her, but despite her petite body, she truly has demonstrated to be really tough, so I give her the benefit of the doubt.
And so, my first quest is over. I recovered my sight and part of my power, but seems like I'm still a human. As I said to the mayor, things are getting harder from now on, but at least now I have more chances to give a decent fight.
Before I close this chapter about the Mohan, let me give you some spoilers about the town's aftermath. The day the Mohan died became a special date for everyone. It is now known as "Memory Day". During this celebration, people go to the river where so many lives were lost. They light candles, pray to the gods for their relatives' souls, and then they sing, dance and eat until next day. Despite the Mohan being dead, the blood from his corpse actually kept the forest green, the land fertile and the river full of fish. The town never suffered from droughts or famines ever again and even helped the nearby towns and cities by sharing their food and resources. Believe it or not, until the day The Mohan died, the town had no name. The inhabitants never felt the need of name it, but after I helped them, and despite asking them to not worship me, they named the town *"
Although the road to the Iguaque lake is still as long and tiresome as always, at least this time is way more bearable now that I travel with company… *giggles* it kinda reminds me when Bochica and I traveled around the world. little Ofelia has been a terrific travel companion so far. She's a great listener. I told her stories about my past as goddess of the moon and the adventures I had with Bochica. I also tell her my stories as Huitaca. After all we have been through, I think she deserves to know everything about me, and I mean EVERYTHING. Including my dark past. However, I try to keep my stories safe for her, you know? She's still a kid, after all. Ofelia also talks to me about her life, but she's too shy to do it calmly. She says that she feels not worthy of sharing her life to a goddess despite I keep telling her that I don't mind and I'm not a goddess… *sigh* Gotta do something with that inferiority complex, kiddo.
That night, at a campfire…
So, your mother comes from the Foreign Lands? That's incredible! – I say.
Yes, ma'am – replies Ofelia –. My father was always looking for adventures. That's the reason why he became a Demon Hunter, and when he traveled to the Foreign Lands to continue his training, he met my mother, who was a fellow demon hunter. They fell in love, got married and returned here to continue protecting people from monsters and demons.
That's nice. You know, when I was the goddess of chaos I tried once giving myself a foreign name. I was called "Molly" but it didn't sound that menacing, so I went back to Huitaca.
And why didn't sumercé keep your original name as Chía?
Bochica named me Chía. Maybe I changed it to Huitaca to show that I didn't want anything from him anymore.
I'm sure that hurt him.
Not as much as vanishing me to the moon. But yeah, I bet it did.
Well, what matters now is that sumercé adopted the name he gave you again. I bet Lord Bochica will be happy when he knows it.
I hope so, kiddo… ok, it's late. Let's sleep. We'll arrive tomorrow at the lake.
Um… Miss Chía?
Stop calling me "Miss Chía", Ofelia.
Oh, right! Sumercé is a goddess, then "Lady Chía"?
Just call me Chía, Ofelia. Please, don´t be too polite with me.
We're friends now. No, ma'am, I can't do that! You're an authority figure and you deserve respect! *sigh* whatever. What do you want? *blushing* M-May I comb your hair, please?
Mother always let me comb her hair before sleeping.
Just if you promise calling me just Chía.
Ofelia's eyes water…
ok, ok, geez! I was just kidding! Go ahead, kiddo, suit yourself. *smiling* Thanks!
The next day…
We finally arrived to the Iguaque lake. Ofelia looks excited to know the place where the strongest gods of all were born, but once she realizes that she's actually going to meet them in person, gets super nervous and hides behind me.
Oh, c´mon, Ofelia! Relax a little, please? They're not gonna eat you… I hope.
You hope?!
I mean, they won't! They may be ginormous snakes, but they're pretty friendly with humans.
They're giant snakes?!!
FRIENDLY snakes!
Will you stop scaring her, Chía? – says an angry voice coming from the lake, by the angry tone, it's definitely Bachué. There, there, Bachué – says another voice. That's Sugunsua –. You promised being nice with Chía this time, remember? She saved the town after all. *sigh* … Fine – replies Bachué.
Bachué and Sugunsua emerge from the lake, except that this time they didn't emerge as snakes but as humans. Sugunsua is a very muscular tall man, dark skin and long black hair that covers his deep golden eyes. Despite his menacing look, his kind smile let us know he's not a menace. Bachué is a middle size woman, she has rainbow-colored eyes that keep changing their colors every second, infinitely long brown hair, dark skin, huge breasts and wide hips.
There you are – I say –. Now as humans, I see. Would have been nice if you had had received me like this instead of snakes last time.
This is different – smiles Sugunsua –. We don't want to scare our little girl, now do we? You're Ofelia, right? Nice to meet you, my girl. I'm Sugunsua.
Listening to his calm voice, Ofelia relaxes a little and comes in front of them…
N-Nice to meet you, Lord Sugunsua, Lady Bachué. M-My name is… huh?!
Ofelia can't finish her introduction when she sees both gods. Her face turns bright red, then she screams and cover her eyes.
What happen, my dear? – gently asks Sugunsua – Please don't be shy. It's fine.
Y-… y-… you're…! – babbles Ofelia.
We're what? Your naked, you dummy. – I say.
Oh right! I forgot they're ashamed of being naked in public. – Smiles Sugunsua.
Bachué, who until that moment tried her best to keep herself calm and collected to act as a serious goddess, can't keep it anymore and runs right to Ofelia.
KYAHHHHHHHHH!!! – Screams Bachué – YOU'RE SO CUTE, MY DEAR OFELIA!!
Bachué lifts Ofelia up and hugs her tightly.
Kyahh! – Yells Ofelia –Miss Chía, Lord Sugunsua, please help! Now you're making it more awkward, Bachué! – I say. Give her some credit, Chía, she really tried – Replies Sugunsua. But she has a broken rib!
Bachué ignores us and Ofelia's screams and keeps hugging the terrified girl.
Oh, my goodness! You're so hurt and skinny! Are you alright? Are you ok? are you hungry?! Here, my dear Ofelia. Don't be shy!
Bachué tries to breastfeed Ofelia, which scares her even more.
Mmphhh!! – tries to speak Ofelia… but it's kinda difficult with a breast in her mouth. Now you're making it creepy!! – I yell. Bachué, stop! – strongly says Sugunsua.
Bachué finally calms down, putting Ofelia in the floor.
*ashamed* I'm sorry. – says Bachué –. Here, let me help you, my dear Ofelia.
Bachué puts her hand in Ofelia's abdomen and, with some quick and shiny magic, she immediately heals Ofelia's broken rib, much to the little girl's surprise.
Some minutes later, everybody calms down and the gods finally start telling us why are we here.
First of all – says Sugunsua –, we thank you, Chía, for having saved our children back in the town. We know this must have been difficult, but everything ended just well. I knew you could discover how to absorb your magic back.
So, back when you said that you gave me part of my powers back, you meant…
Yes, I just gave you the Dream Breath and the ability to absorb chaos magic. From now on, everything is up to you – Sugunsua looks at Ofelia –… and you too, Ofelia.
M-Me? – confusingly asks Ofelia –Why?
Bachué then makes appear in front of us some objects, the first one is a pair of bracelets and the second one, apparently the most important one, is a machete.
The moment Ofelia sees the machete, her skin turns pale and, horrified, the little girl backs up.
T-The Demon Butcher! – screams Ofelia.
Kiddo, are you ok? – I ask – What happens with that machete?
M-My parents. They were here? Are they ok?!
Calm down, Ofelia – says Bachué –. We know you're not fond about this weapon. Your parents told us what happened in the past. But trust me, they wouldn't have left this machete to you if it wasn't important.
Ofelia looks sad. It's obvious that that machete brings her bad memories. I can feel concentrated evil coming from that weapon.
Ofelia, what happened with that machete?
She doesn't answer. She just looks at me and then looks back at the machete.
It's ok, kiddo –I continue – You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.
That machete –says Ofelia – *sigh* it's my father's machete… I… I'm not supposed to use it. Not now… I'm not quite myself when I use it.
You're not yourself? What do you mean?
Bachué gets closer to Ofelia and kindly puts her hand in her cheek.
Everything's gonna be alright, sweet Ofelia – Says Bachué –. That's why the bracelets are for. They have my blessing. As long as you're wearing them, the machete won't take your mind. You even will be able to use it for 10 minutes at its fullest.
Wait, wait, wait a minute – I interrupt –. Care to explain to me what the hell happens with that machete?
It's Ofelia's family weapon: The Demon Butcher – replies Sugunsua –. You see, The Demon Butcher is a weapon that has slayed a lot of demons for years, and the blood from those creatures enhances its power to levels you can't even imagine. The more demons it kills, the stronger the machete becomes. However, once a demon hunter retires and has to pass the machete to a new one, the blade has to be cleansed and exorcized in order to get rid of all the hatred and grudge that powers the weapon. A veteran slayer will never have problems using the machete due to his/her strong mind. However, In the hands of an unexperienced rookie, well… let's just say that the slayer won't distinguish between friend or foe. Naturally, once the Demon Butcher is exorcized, its power resets to level 1, but with the pass of time, as the slayer kills demons and becomes stronger, the machete gets stronger as well until he/she has to retire and pass the machete to a new rookie slayer, starting the process all over again.
My parents were supposed to pass this machete to me at the end of my training, but…
… you got kidnapped – I say.
Yes, ma'am – continues Ofelia –. My training is far from over. And the machete hasn't been exorcised. I… I can't use it.
Trust your parents, little Ofelia – says Sugunsua –, and trust Bachué as well. Those bracelets will protect you from the machete's influence.
However, have this in mind, my dear Ofelia– says Bachué –: You can't use that machete for more than 10 minutes. If the times runs out, then you and everyone around will be in serious danger. Besides, with the pass of time, the bracelets will eventually run out of my power, so this is not a permanent solution, ok?
Ofelia doesn't answer, just nods with a sad look.
Why? – I ask – Why are you giving Ofelia such as strong weapon? Why don't you just at least tell her where her parents are to let her finish her training?
Because they are helping us with other important situation right now – says Sugunsua – Chía… a war is coming… a terrible war… We need all the help we need, both gods and humans.
A horrible chill covers my body. A war? What is he talking about?
A war? – I ask once more – Against who?
Goranchacha – replies Bachué. Who's that?
You'll know it at its moment, Chia – Says Sugunsua – But, for now, you both need to go to the city of Hunza. In that city you not only will find more of your chaos power, Chía, but also more allies that will help Ofelia to complete her training.
The city of Hunza, eh? Things got really ominous in a second.
We're sorry for giving you this information out of nowhere. But we have less time that we expected – says Sugunsua.
Chía – says Bachué –, if it's true that you're looking for redemption. Then prove it. Please, stop Goranchacha and save the world… save my babies.
An imminent war is coming…
TO BE CONTINUED…