NOVPUBThe sky after rain was clear and pure. A deep red sun hung low at the end of the horizon, watching over the realm of humans like the lowered eyes of a deity. The sky was illuminated by the setting sun. The glow spread gradually until it turned into an endless expanse of blood red, covering the skies above Qinchongcan City, like a cape unfurled by the Sun God.
Xiulote walked to the translucent window and looked down at the Capital City and all its people under his rule.
The spectacular celestial phenomenon had already caught the attention of the city’s inhabitants, and it was time for the evening prayers. The continuous chants rose within the majestic Capital City. The young king listened closely; he heard the name of the Mexica Chief Divine, Huitzilopochtli, resounding high and fervent, accompanied by the priests’ singing; he also heard the venerated name of the Tarasco Sun God, Curicaveri, its sounds deep and buzzing, spread across all corners of the Capital City. In a more subtle presence, he also caught the names of the Earth Mother Goddess, Velavaperi, and the Moon Goddess, Haratana.
"The old beliefs of Tarasco still circulate among the people of Prepetcha. Changing faith is no overnight feat. And once it’s wholeheartedly adopted, it becomes indelible," Xiulote mused with a calm and profound gaze, bearing the dignity of a king and the patience of a priest.
Jatili listened in silence for a moment before smiling and pointing to the seventh slab.
"Your Majesty, this final slab tells the story behind the deities of Tarasco."
"Oh? What lies behind the deities?" Xiulote asked with a smile. 𝓷ℴ𝓿𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
"Naturally, the people who give the deities meaning," Jatili responded sagely.
Hearing this, Xiulote paused thoughtfully. He scrutinized Jatili for a moment, his expression grave.
"Chief, in a kingdom devoted to deities, it seems you do not possess the appropriate faith."
"Your Majesty, if you, like me, knew the ancient epics well enough and understood how the predecessors monarchs and sages reshaped the faith in the deities... then the light of the deities could no longer pierce into a heart filled with knowledge," Jatili replied with a smile still gracing his lips. He looked at the king’s serious face, bowed his head slightly in a gesture of respect, yet his eyes saw through much more.
"Prepetcha deities... reshaping faith..." Xiulote contemplated for a moment. His mind conjured the murals in the corridors of the Chief Palace and the elders’ transformation of Mexica mythology... The king slowly nodded in understanding. He waved his hand, dismissing the trusted aides and leaving only the Head Warrior with him.
"The secondary chambers are empty, Chief. Please, speak freely and share with me in detail," he said.
Jatili’s smile spread across his face. He walked to the last slab and raised his hand to point to the first set of illustrations.
The first illustration was abstract and mystical, at its center two radiant deities, one with a cold male visage, the other with a gentle female smile. Behind the male deity was a brilliant sun, painted with powder of gold, sparkling intermittently. Behind the female deity lay a massive highland, painted on a copper base, already oxidized to black over time.
Beneath the two deities stood two exquisitely dressed nobles, a man and a woman, embracing each other. The man wore the hunting attire of the Nava people, with rigid lines delineating the man’s strength. The woman was clothed in Prepetcha ceremonial garb, with smooth curves symbolizing feminine grace. Beneath the man’s feet were cacti from the highlands, while beneath the woman’s feet were islands in a lake. Both were also holding a baby together.
Looking closer, Xiulote noticed a faint round moon behind the infant. The moon was colored with silver powder, still shining brightly now. After a moment of contemplation, it dawned on the young king.
"The Chief Divine Sun God and the Earth Mother Goddess, the Nava people and the Urixiu people. The union of the two tribes gave birth to the Moon Goddess... Is this the interconnection between gods and humans, the deities reflecting the mortal world?"
"Indeed! That’s correct!" Jatili replied with a light smile.
"Your Majesty, this painting was created in the early days of the Kingdom. At that time, the most pressing issue in the Kingdom was reconciling the differences between the two tribes. The Predecessor Monarch, after establishing the Capital in the Holy Land and curbing the power of the priests, undertook the task of reshaping the Kingdom’s faith. He reinterpreted the deities of the two tribes to consolidate the Royal Family’s rule and strengthen the fusion between the migrated and the native Tribes.
In this painting, the migrated Nava people are descendants of the Chief Divine Sun God, Curicaveri, deities of Heaven. The native Urixiu people are descendants of the Earth Mother Goddess, Velavaperi, deities of the Earth. As the two deities are joined in matrimony, naturally the tribes of these two deities intermarry as well. From the union of the deities, the new Moon Goddess Haratana is born, she who reigns over the mortal realm and governs life and death. The Moon Goddess symbolizes the people of Prepetcha, reborn from this union!"
The sage paused, looking at the king with deep meaning in his words.
"Your Majesty, indeed, gods and people are interconnected. However, it’s actually the mortal realm that reflects upon the deities!"
Xiuolte’s eyes flickered as he nodded slowly. He remained silent, choosing instead to continue observing the second set of illustrations.
The second set of illustrations seemed to be a continuation of the first, yet it held many differences. The Nava noble and the Urixiu noble combined, giving birth to a glowing infant. The divinely blessed infant later grew into a king wearing an Eagle Helmet, wielding a scepter and long spears. Behind this Eagle king shone a golden sun!
"Your Majesty, this second painting was made after the passing of the Predecessor Monarch. By then, the initial integration of the two tribes had been largely achieved. The second Predecessor Monarch began revising myths and beliefs, on one hand uniting the newly-formed nation and on the other bestowing divine status upon the Royal Family.
