The journey had taken Yaxkin and his band of warriors far beyond the familiar terrain around Chichen Itza. The land was wilder here, the air thick with Ch'ulel, and the creatures they encountered were unlike any they had seen closer to the city.
They sensed a potent energy resonating through the forest with each step, as if the ground hummed with latent power.
As they pressed forward, Yaxkin noticed small groups of people scattered along the route. Some were adventurers from Viatori, recognizable by their armor and simplified versions of the Léets style he had taught to increase their odds of survival.
The adventurers greeted Yaxkin warmly, with a mix of respect and awe. He had become an inspiration for many, a figure who encouraged them to challenge their limits.
One of the younger adventurers, a wiry man with a quick grin, approached him.
"Prince Yaxkin! We owe you thanks for teaching us the basics of your sword style. My group and I have had more than a few close calls, but thanks to Léets, we've managed to keep our heads attached."
Yaxkin chuckled, patting him on the shoulder.
"Good to hear you're still standing! The forest won't take pity on the unprepared, so stay vigilant."
The young man grinned, holding up a crude but sturdy macuahuitl.
"We're doing our best. Besides, we heard of a route that might lead to some mineral deposits west of here. Figured we'd scout it out and bring word back to the city."
Yaxkin nodded, appreciating the young man's determination.
"Good luck, and remember, the mountains can be as merciless as the beasts that roam them."
As they ventured farther, Yaxkin noticed that the number of adventurers thinned, replaced by a denser population of beasts. The presence of formidable creatures became increasingly apparent, and his companions, even the seasoned warriors, grew tense.
Kuk muttered under his breath, glancing warily at the shadows.
"Feels like we're being watched, Yaxkin. The further we go, the more intense it gets."
Before Yaxkin could reply, a deep rumble shook the trees around them. Emerging from the undergrowth, a colossal beast stood before them its physique eerily human but standing over five meters tall, with a mane of vibrant blue and green that flared like flames.
Its eyes glowed with intelligence and malice, and it regarded the group with an almost predatory curiosity.
The creature let out a thunderous roar, shaking the leaves from nearby branches, and lunged forward with surprising agility for its size.
"Chuén," Yaxkin muttered, awe in his voice.
"Beasts of strength and fury. They're said to be as old as the earth itself on Greace World."
He signaled to his guards, who formed a defensive ring around him. Kuk's eyes gleamed with determination as he wielded his macuahuitl, its aura pulsing with a red glow.
"Well, time to put the lessons to good use!"
Noíl grinned beside him, readying her blade, its aura a shimmering green. "Let's see if this Chuén can keep up with Léets!"
The beast charged, swinging a massive fist toward Kuk, who deftly sidestepped and countered with a swift strike, his macuahuitl igniting in a blaze of red. The aura slashed through the Chuén's skin, leaving a deep, smoking cut. It roared, infuriated, but Kuk remained steady.
"Nice one!" Pacal called, laughing despite herself. "I thought he was going to flatten you!"
Kuk smirked, dodging another swing. "Can't have that. I'm far too handsome to be a pancake."
Yaxkin circled the Chuén, his macuahuitl shimmering with a blue aura that seemed to intensify with each movement. With a sharp, precise motion, he struck the beast's flank, the aura blazing as it made contact. The Chuén bellowed in pain, staggering but refusing to fall.
"Seems this one's got more fight in it!" Kuk said, dodging yet again as the Chuén swiped at him.
Yaxkin grinned.
"Good. I'd hate to be bored."
Together, they fought as a single, fluid unit, each strike perfectly timed, each movement calculated. The Léets technique allowed them to channel their auras effectively, exploiting the Chuén's openings while avoiding its powerful attacks. After several intense minutes, the beast finally fell, its body heaving with exhaustion before it slumped to the ground.
As the group caught their breath, one of the apprentices glanced over with awe.
"That was….... I've never seen anything like it."
Yaxkin wiped the sweat from his brow, his voice calm but proud.
"This is the power of unity and training. Remember it."
Over the next few days, Yaxkin and his warriors encountered other groups of adventurers, exchanging information and resources along the way. Each group shared tales of encounters, from treasures hidden deep within caves to strange creatures lurking in the shadows.
One evening, as they set up camp near a river, a group of adventurers joined them, sharing the warmth of the fire and telling stories of their own. One, a grizzled older man, raised a cup in salute.
"Prince Yaxkin," he said, a rough smile on his face, "we've heard of your generosity. The knowledge you've shared has saved more lives than you'll ever know."
Yaxkin inclined his head. "We're all in this world together. Chichen Itza will thrive only if every soul in it thrives."
Another adventurer, a younger woman with an excited spark in her eye, spoke up.
"We heard there's a mountain southwest of here. Rumor has it there's something hidden deep inside a cave or a passageway."
Yaxkin's interest piqued.
"A mountain, you say? We might have to see it for ourselves."
As night fell and the fire crackled, laughter and stories filled the camp. Yaxkin sat with Pacal and his closest companions, the flickering flames casting warm shadows over their faces. They spoke of their ambitions, their hopes, and the promise of this new land.
Noíl leaned in with a grin.
"Think you'll find treasure in that mountain, Yaxkin?"
Yaxkin chuckled, stirring the embers with a stick.
"Perhaps. Or maybe we'll find something better knowledge. This land is filled with mysteries. The more we uncover, the more we understand our place in it."
Kuk laughed, raising his drink.
"To knowledge, then! And maybe a little treasure on the side!"
At dawn, they set off toward the southwest, following the trail that the adventurers had described. The mountain loomed in the distance, dark and foreboding, with a peculiar aura that seemed to call out to them.
As they approached, they noticed a narrow, almost hidden entrance nestled among the rocks.
"This must be it," Yaxkin said, a spark of excitement in his eyes. He turned to his companions.
"Rest up tonight. Tomorrow, we venture in."
The anticipation was palpable as they set up camp at the mountain's base, the cavernous mouth of the cave dark and silent, promising secrets untold.