It was dark and quiet next to the cackling fire. A boy sat in the light all alone. He held his hands close to the fire. It was cold. Familiar faces appeared behind the dark forest. They gathered around the fire and danced in celebration.

He couldn't remember what they were celebrating. He felt happy that they were here. But the cold air from the fire robbed him of that happiness. The darkness from the forest grew ever closer. The familiar faces danced and there was a sudden burst of flames from the campfire; it funneled upwards towards the sky. The boy looked at the flames and noticed a variety of colors. Red, yellow, orange, blue, green, and many more.

He looked around but saw that the people dancing were gone. Left in their place were their silhouettes shrouded in flames. They glowed with the same colors from the campfire and the young boy couldn't help but feel in harmony. They were in harmony with their flames. Soon the boy saw himself shrouded in his own flames. Their light was as bright as the sun but the boy could not feel the heat. It was as cold as a winter's day.

Memories of his future flashed before him. The sight of blood. The men dressed in metal. They were like a storm that came crashing through and destroyed everything in its path. The flames died and the boy found himself alone surrounded by blood; and the rain that washed it all away.

He twitched and fell down to the dark abyss below him before; finding himself falling towards the ground.

The driver pulled on the leather straps tied around the horse's head; bringing the wagon to a stop. The driver climbed down and made his way towards the man.

"You okay Joaquin?” The driver asked.

Joaquin lifted himself from the ground as best as he could. His sight was dazed and he could barely recognize the man staring at him.

“Andres?” Joaquin said in a horsed tone. “Andres is that you?” Joaquin wiped away the rain drops on his face. He took one step forward towards the voice but felt his legs tremble.

“Joaquin you must have hit your head. Let me take a look atchu.” Said Andres.

Joaquin held out his hand. “No. No, I'm alright. Are we almost in the city, Andres?”

“Please sir, you don't look alright. You can barely keep yourself on your feet. And you said things that worried me, sir.”

Just then Joaquin remembered the campfire and the boy that remained. “I had a nightmare. I'll wake up soon enough.” Joaquin noticed Andres's worried look.

“I'm fine. Truly I am Andres. Now, how close are we from the city?” Joaquin asked.

Andres didn't say a word. He glanced left and right as if to seek approval from someone before answering. “I hope you're not hiding any injuries Mr. Murrieta. If I allowed our village's hero to suffer while there was something I could've done then I wouldn't be able to face the elders when I return.”

Joaquin smiled at Andres. “You and your village are too honorable for this world.”

“I'll take that as a compliment Mr. Murrieta. Either way it would be wise to continue making our way before sundown.”

Joaquin nodded at Andres's statement. Andres quickly patted his horses before climbing up to the driver's seat. Joaquin was not as quick. His vision was still blurry. He rubbed the front of his head; perhaps he did hit it, he thought. Joaquin climbed on the back of the wagon and the two headed through the forest.

"You said you're from the city correct?” Andres asked.

"I was a guard in the city north of here." Joaquin responded.

"A guard huh? What are you doing so far away from the city?”

Joaquin rubbed his head in frustration. “I—already told your elders everything.”

“The elders didn't tell US, everything. Not that I'm ungrateful or anything. I mean you did save us after all… Just curious Mr. Murrieta.” said Andres. His face turned pink from embarrassment.

Joaquin didn't say a word. He had already told Andres's elders his story. If there was one thing he hated more than what he was hunting then it was having to repeat himself. Joaquin felt as if things were finally quieting down. Only to feel annoyance when Andres's voice reached his ears.

“You know, I don't even know if this city of yours exists.” Andres scratched his head as he focused on driving. “With the hazardous route and dangerous freaks of nature I wouldn't be surprised if the rumors were just that; rumors.”

“The ruler has been in charge for a very long time. Under his rule we achieved scientific advancements that make your bow and arrows look primitive in comparison.” Joaquin replied.

Andres lifted a brow. “Sounds like a tall tale to me. Why haven't you expanded or decided to make contact with my village? Surely the weapons you people conjured could help repel the beast that lives in these woods.”

“Why do you talk so much? You want to know what I told your elders? Fine, I'll tell you.” There was anger in Joaquin's voice.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“The truth is we did try. Multiple times to expand the city. Each time we found a good spot for a new settlement we would ground our feet. Not too long afterwards the creatures would overwhelm the settlement; killing everyone in it. Soon we invented something called guns.”

“And those are what you replaced your bow and arrows with right?” Andres asked.

“That's right. With it we managed to repel the attacks much easier. But it wasn't enough. Soon the ruler decided to give up expansion for a few decades.” Joaquin said.

“So how did you end up near our village then?” Andres asked. Half of his head was turned towards Joaquin. Joaquin saw that it was like telling an action story to a kid.

“Our scouts found a spot following the mountain range that had natural barriers on all sides except for one. I was tasked to find it and secure it for anyone willing to resettle.”

“Fascinating.” Andres said in awe.

“Not really. I failed and lost the lives of my men in the process.”

“I'm sorry.” Andres said.

Joaquin didn't say a word. The memories came with a feeling of shame and resentment. The faces of his men haunted him. Each time he saw them they were covered in blood. The light in their eyes extinguished. If Joaquin had not prepared himself he would've been taken over by it. But the memories frailed in comparison to memories that were truly his.

The true rage that boiled inside him. Joaquin glanced at Andres. Even looking at the man was enough to rile him up. Joaquin reached for Andres but quickly grabbed himself with his other arm.

Not yet. You've waited a decade for this. What's a few more days?

The old man was right, Joaquin thought. Now was not the time. Andres and the others who caused him so much pain could wait. The one in the city was the one who needed to pay first. The rest will follow.

Will it truly make you happy?

Joaquin pondered on the thought for a moment. Should I allow the sinner to continue living? Even if the sinner continues causing more and more pain?

No. He should die. Do the rest deserve the same fate? Can they inherit the sins of their forefathers if they know not what they wrought?

Joaquin didn't have an answer for the voice inside him. He supposed he would have the answer after the deed was done. For the both of him.

Joaquin felt himself sliding towards the end of the wagon. He jumped to his feet as he landed on the ground. Joaquin made his way around the wagon and noticed a large tree blocking the road.

Joaquin didn't like this. It was too convenient having a tree blocking the road like this. "Let's get this tree out of the road. Once we do I'll pay you the full amount for getting me this far Andres. You can go home after that." Said Joaquin. Andres was shocked by his words.

"N-no! What if wolves catch your scent? You won't be able to outrun them without a horse to carry you. I'll drive you all the way." Said Andres.

Joaquin smacked his lips. He ran up to the fallen tree and grabbed it by the sides. With a quick squat Joaquin lifted the tree and threw it down the mountain side.

"W-who..w-what are you?" Andres stuttered in amazement.

Joaquin ignored the question and sprinted towards Andres keeping him close behind him as large black dog-like creatures began to circle them. The horses began to panic as one of them tried to take a bit out of them.

"Mr. Murrieta these aren't regular wolves are they? Just look at their tails!"

Joaquin did just that. Their tails were slim and long but with a human hand protruding at the end of it. One of them grabbed the foot of a horse with his hand on its tail. Its strength was enormous as the horse could not break free of its grasp no matter how hard it tried. The dog used its tail to lunge at the horse, slashing it in half. Andres began to freak out alongside the remaining horse.

"I don't want to die. I just started seeing this girl back home and I want to grow old with her, you know?"

Joaquin didn't say a word. His thoughts focused on the clouds above. He didn't have much time left before the sunlight would be able to pass through. He unsheathed his sword as he charged at the beasts. The first two fell quickly by his hand catching them off guard. The third grabbed his arm and a fourth his legs allowing the fifth to charge at him. "Smart creatures." Joaquin focused his breathing and waited until the beast passed the point of no return before being enveloped in flames that burned the tails of the creatures. He stabbed the fifth creature through the heart with his blade before launching sharp wind blades at the other two beast's heads.

"May the goddess feast on your blood and sorrow." Joaquin prayed with his hands together. The first ray of sunlight touched Joaquin’s skin and his skin began to burn. A glow emerged from his as well causing Andres to be unable to look away.

"Y-y-you're one of them. One of them aren't you? The children of the devil! You and your people brought down the calamity!”

Joaquin stood silent. He tried his best to ignore the pain the sunlight was causing to his skin. At the same time it healed his injury. Similar to the sting of medicine on an open wound. A sacrifice he made all for his goal. Glowing in the city would complicate matters.

He looked over at Andres

“Stay away from me, demon!”

The summer air had turned cold. Even with the light coming off of Joaquin there was a darkness brooding up. Andres took an instinctual step back as Joaquin glared at him. “Don't call me that.”

Andres began to shake. “That's what you are! A demon. You're the reason we live in this hell!”

"I'm going to need your cloak.

"What?" Those were Andres's last words.

Joaquin's hand appeared through Andres's back. Covered in blood and holding Andres's beating heart. Andres looked down and screamed as he noticed the hole In his chest. Joaquin said nothing as he saw Andres drift closer and closer to death's embrace.

Why? The voice echoed in his head.

Joaquin didn't say a word. Fire erupted from Andres's heart and bursted before Joaquin removed his arm. The young man twitched one final time before falling to his muddy grave. The clouds returned and rain started to pour. Joaquin's glow turned blood red right before the last ray of sunshine disappeared. All that remained was the black shadows that hid Joaquin's face. His true self had surfaced. Just for a moment.

Joaquin examined the cloak for any blood. It was a clean kill. Even the old man would be impressed by his skills.

He walked up to the scared horse and began to pet it. He focused his energy around his hand creating a soothing touch for the horse. He put his head next to the horse's and whispered to it.

"Will you help me get to the city my friend?"

The horse nodded its head to him. Joaquin smiled and jumped on the horse. "Let's ride together, Jaguar. To Nuevo Paraiso!"

It was an hour ride before he could see the outskirts of the city walls. All but the gates were made of stone. Joaquin didn't want to admit it but he was amazed at the sight of the wall. It was as tall as a small mountain. He had seen the wall before from the memories but seeing it with your own eyes was another experience.

Joaquin thought about the man. When last they met he wore the face of a middle aged man. He wondered what face he plastered on himself now. The face from the memory was different than he remembered. Could the devil change faces so quickly he wondered. Joaquin climbed off the horse and walked up towards the edge of the cliff.

"Zephiel! We're coming for you. Mark my words I shall avenge the Cuauhtli